Jennifer McGuire, ink.

How-To Video: Raised (Glittered) Edge

Have you ever been making a card and then decide to add something... only to realize immediately that it looked better before?

This happens to me often.  I usually just leave it as is and move on to the next thing... thinking of it as a lesson learned.  I rarely redo things. Me + cardmaking = lazy. :)

Anyway, here is a video for a card that is on Hero Arts HERE.  It shows how to create a raised edge on a card.  And then I show how to mess it up by adding glitter. Hee...

As seen on heroarts.com.  For info and supplies, click HERE.

Off to go see a movie with my girlfriends.  I will post a winner for the giveaway tonight.  Have a good one...

How-To Video: Embellishing Scalloped Edges

Hello, stampers and scrapbookers...

Another simple video for you.  It is another card (sorry... I will get back to scrapbooking soon) with a good basic design that would work for anything.  Just change up the colors and greetings.  Use up some of your scraps.  You could even make a set of these as a gift.  This is just a basic design I go back to often.  The scallop edge was cut from Bazzill scallop edged cardstock.  I keep strips of this in a drawer to use.  And, by the way, this uses reject pieces from two other cards: HERE and HERE.

Oh, and sorry for the interruption in the video. :)

Supplies:
Hero Arts stamps (flourish background, little flowers and greeting), gems and notecard
My Mind's Eye and Bo Bunny (dot) patterned paper)
Ranger Ink
Marvy Punches
Black Memories Ink
Ranger Pool Ink
Bazzill Scallop Cardstock (the holes were already in it)
A big honkin' flower that Colin found on the floor
A cute dude to join in on the fun

By the way, 2peas still has 20% off their stamps - great deal.  Check it out HERE. 

And I must say thank you for the kind, positive response to my idea about sending cards to the kids.  I will organize something and post the info this week for you all.  And, for each card you send, you get entered into a drawing for some prizes.  Working those out, too.  And I will give enough time for you overseas folks to play, too!

Thanks, all!  Off to watch Camp Rock with the girls... again. ;)

How-To Video: Fish Card

Hi!  Have a video for you...

This card I made using the scraps from the butterfly card HERE.  No fabulous technique or idea here - just some fun twists on using punches on a fun card for no good reason. :) 

 
 
Supplies:

Hero Arts stamps (background, fish and greeting), notecards and black gem

Black Memories Ink

Ranger Pool Ink

Paper Shaper punches (flouish punch will be available in July!)

Stickles

Other: Colored pencils and gemsol

I think the fish card was inspired by my trip.  I love to snorkel - one of my favorite things to do in the whole world.  Here is one picture from our trip to St. John - me hanging out with Kay and Audrey in our pool at our villa.  It felt like we were the only people on the island.  Love those girls and love that place.  (Oh, and by the way, this photo is true color - no editing.)

 

Need something else to do tonight?  Go check out all the new stamps from Hero Arts.  Some are 12" long images! See them HERE. Also, check out 2peas... they have stamps 20% off right now!  More soon.  :)

Never a normal card...

For some strange reason, I rarely send a "normal" card.  One that just opens regularly - a simple folded piece of cardstock.  Instead, I like to have things that pop up, pull out or simply do something different.

Funny thing: Awhile back when I visited my 100-year old Grandma, I noticed that many of the cards I had sent her were ripped.  It took me awhile to figure out that whenever the card did something different than just a typical card opening, she couldn't figure them out and ended up ripping.  Bless her heart. :) I miss her.

Anyway... so the moral of story is that these not-so-typical cards are great for anyone.  Just no one over 90, I guess.  Hee.

I did this one in my class the other night.  It doesn't open at all.  Instead, the little circle tag pulls out to reveal the message.  Fun to do.

Supplies:
Hero Arts stamps (scallop border, hearts, flourish, greeting)
Bo Bunny paper
Ranger Stickles
Red, Black, Green and Pool Memories Ink
Other: brads and ribbon

To make this card, do all the stamping and adhere all the pieces together except that green one.  On that green one (which will serve as a pocket), put adhesive only on the far left of it.  Then, adhere the right with three brads.  This leaves a pocket for the tag to pull out of.  You could also tuck a gift card in there.

Hey... a bit more enabling: 2Peas just got an order of Hero Arts in.  They have everything back in stock and some new things.  Go HERE to check it out!  THIS great kid's one is back in stock, too.

Oh, and 2Peas also has all of the Bo Bunny goodness in stock.  Get it before I do.  Hee. :)

Well, off I go.  Have a great night. :)

How-To Video: White Embossing on Vellum

Hi!

This is the first of three videos I did at the same time... all using scraps from one and other.  So, even though some of the supplies are the same, they all have a different look.

Nothing super creative here, but I wanted to do one of my favorite things with stamping - heat embossing with white on vellum.  The final look is so pretty.  Here we go...

Supplies:
Hero Arts stamps (background, butterfly, greeting), notecards and pearls
EK Success punches
Stickles
Ranger ink
Versamark ink
Making Memories ribbon
Other: White embossing powder and vellum

The song in this video is Keith's newest one,  Among the Few.  You can find it and download it HERE!  It is amazing... the words are so powerful. 

I noticed a few questions in the comments and emails... I will answer those soon. But I wanted to give a big thanks to everyone who has sent such kind emails and cards about my blog.  You are all too sweet.  And also a big thanks to those gals who came to my class last night.  I had fun!

Gotta go run and get Colin a haircut.  (The little dude took a short nap today after a big school picnic - weird.)  His sisters' summer starts this evening and we are beyond excited! 

Take care...

ETA:  Crazy thing... my friend Nichol did a video on her blog today on white heat embossing too!  It is her first video and it rocks.  Be sure to go check it out HERE! :)

How-To Video: Dimensional Photo Frame/Window

Hi!

I did this page for a sketch challenge over at a new website, sketchbooknz.com.  My friend Megan started this site recently and I was so honored when she asked me to be the first guest.  I met Megan on my last big teaching trip before Colin was born... the best teaching event I have ever done by far.  I went over to New Zealand and Australia to teach for Kiwi Scraps and was blown away by the kindness of the people I met.  I can't begin to tell you how wonderful everyone was... how welcoming they were to me and my mom.  It was perfect.  And Megan was one of the many dears I met there.  She has since sent me toys and clothes for my son and even fuzzy slippers for me.  She is an angel.

So... I was very happy to support here new website.  The project and sketch are posted over at sketchbooknz.com. Please be sure to go visit.  :)  She has some great artists and prizes planned!

Supplies:
Doodlebug chipboard letters
Hero Arts stamps
Bo Bunny patterned paper
Creative Impressions silk ribbon

Thanks for peeking!

Q&A's, How-To and such...

Hey!  Had a few questions I thought I would answer.  And, along the way, I will share a page and two cards.

Q: I have a quick question about that Ranger inking tool you use- how often do you change the (foam)inking part...do you have to have a different one for different colors? Thanks!

A: This is one of my favorite tools.  And, even if you aren't into distressing, it is a fab tool for inking.  Nothing gives better, more-even results.  I have a video coming up in a few days showing an example of using it in a non-distressing way.  But this is it.  And yes, I have two packs of the replacement foam applicators so that I can use one for every color.  Works great. :)



Q: Love the card - how did you do the stamp?? Did you use markers before stamping? Or use a white ink and then color in with watercolor pencils?  (This is from the previous post.)

A: I should have explained it, huh?  Sorry!  I stamped it in solid pink.  Then I drew over the body with brown pencil.  I added yellow in the holes on the wings.  Finally, I added red shading.  Easy as can be! :)  Here are two cards using that same technique of using colored pencils to enhance stamped images.


Supplies:
Hero Art butterfly, notecards and clear tags
Colorbox Chalk Ink Pumpkin Patch
American Crafts rub-ons (the best)
Ranger Inkssentials white pen (although I also like to do butterfly trails by poking holes)
Prismacolor colored pencils
Other: ribbon, pop dots

Here is another example.  This went up today on 2peas.  It shows Close To My Heart products and colored pencil shading.  Click on if for information and supplies.



Q: I was just wondering, can you cut any clear stamp? Or just the ones from hero arts?

A: You can cut any clear stamp.  Basically, you are cutting on the extra plastic - not the raised plastic that stamps.  So, you can't hurt them by doing this - I promise! :)  As far as quality, I highly recommend stamps that are made in the USA.  They are made with a completely different material than almost (if not all) that are made in China.  The US ones are much better quality, stamp much better and will last longer.  Also, the China ones contain a known carcinogen.  (Or so I have been told.)  So, I prefer US ones.  There are many companies who do US ones... most are from stamping companies.

I will be back tomorrow to answer more questions and share a video.  Have a great night.

How-To: Video:How-To Video: Scallop and Embossed Edge Card

Have a video share for you.  Has several little fun tips/tricks in it.

(Quick note: If you are interested in watching videos in higher quality, you can find out more HERE.  Also, you can often click "watch in high quality" which is under the video and view numbers.)



Supplies:
Hero Arts stamps (background, tree & greeting) and notecards/paper
Creative Impressions silk ribbon
Vintage textbook paper
Crop-a-dile
Black & ArtPrint Brown Memories Ink
Prismacolor colored pencils.
Ranger Inking Tool
Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Bazzill scallop edge paper
Sewing machine
Old music by Keith Chapman (newer cd available by emailing me)

Happy birthday, Shari.  I am the luckiest girl in the world to work with such a talented, fabulous-advice-giving, hilarious friend.  I love you. :)

Good night everyone!  (Oh, and you still have time to enter for the giveaway on yesterday's post!)

How-To Video: Inked/Stamped Chipboard on Clear Tag Card

Hey!

Have a video to share tonight.  This shows a few simple things... enjoy.





Supplies:
Hero Arts stamps, clear tag, flowers, button & pearls
Colorbox Chalk Ink (Primary, Chocolates & Blueberries and Pumpkin Patch)
Black Memories Ink
Scenic Route chipboard butterfly
White Staz-On Ink
Creative Impressions silk ribbon
Other: string and a fast-moving dude to act as Vanna

Again, the music is from my BIL, Keith.  Some of his older stuff.

I had a couple people ask where on ebay I got my Inking Tools.  HERE is my source.  I usually try to support local stores (we want them to stick around!!), but they were out.

Wanna see a cute card?  Check out an adorable one by Kandis HERE.

Hope you are all doing well.  Those of us in Cincinnati are enjoying the wonderful joy of cicadas.  Yes, my yard is being taken over by these buggers.  Argh!  As Colin says, "Cicadas are EVERYWHERE at Colin's house!"  Ha.  I will save you the discomfort and not show a picture. :)

Night!

How-To Video: Vintage Text on Grungeboard

Good evening!

Here is a video for ya.  It uses some of my favorite photos from our last trip to Europe. I am dying to go back there - but my husband has been addicted to going to the Caribbean the last few years.  However, we will be soon going to Croatia - and I can't wait!  Wanted to do a page to show him how excited I am.  I love experiencing, enjoying and admiring the culture of others. There are some amazing places out there.  My house remains in need of so much work because I would prefer to hop on a plane. :)

I thought that Tim's fab grungeboard would be perfect for this page. And I decided to mix it up with some vintage text paper.  Some people have asked me where I get mine.  I found a fab seller on ebay who sells great mixes of old textbook pages.  I love THIS one she has up now... small page sizes perfect for cardmaking or scrapbooking.

Anyway, here is the video...




Supplies:
Tim Holtz Grungeboard (elements)
Vintage textbook paper
Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Peeled Paint is yummy)
Hero Arts leaf flourish stamps
Colorbox Chalk Ink Chocolates and Blueberries
Autumn Leaves buttons
Making Memories trim and little letter stickers
White Liquid Applique
Other: string, sewing machine

Thanks for watching.  Have a good night. :)