Month: May 2019

Posted in Blender Pen, Gratitude/ Thanks, Grunge style, Photopolymer, Stamping-off technique

Tips for Learning the Masking Technique

Posted on by Theresa's Treasures

Hello and welcome to my blog! Today I will demonstrate the Masking Technique to make the leaves appear to be behind the flowers. This adds dimension to your card.

This card is one of three that is made using Stampin’ Up!’s Painted Harvest stamp set. The first card was a Birthday card which you can see on the previous blog. This second card is one to express gratitude. Let’s get started!

Side note: My joint replacement in my right middle finger is doing well but I do still have a bandage on it. Today I chose a purple bandage. Might as well make it colorful!

I also used the Sea of Textures stamp set to add some grunge to the card.

Measurements: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch Whisper White card base scored at 4 1/4 inches, 5 1/4 x 4 inch Blushing Bride and 5 x 3 3/4 inch Whisper White.

The Stampin’ Up! ink colors for this card are: Blushing Bride, Garden Green, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso. Tip: The Early Espresso dries more slowly than the other colors so take care not to smear the ink, which I have done many times!

The clear blocks needed are: B, C, D, and H.

Tip: The stamps in this set are Photopolymer so you will need the Stampin’ Pierce Mat.

I actually made a mistake when photographing this part. You do not need the Stampin’ Pierce mat for this red rubber stamp. However, it did not seem to affect the quality of the image. Ink the stamp from the Sea of Textures stamp set with Crumb Cake and Stamp Off onto a scrap paper before stamping on the 5 x 3 3/4 inch Whisper White card piece. The idea is to create a faint frame for the flowers.

Continue around the entire border.

The flower is a Two Step Stamp. The stamp on the left is larger and less detailed than the stamp on the right. I used the larger stamp first, but you could do it either way. Try it both ways to see which is easier. Sometimes when the two layers need to be lined up, it is easier to use the more detailed stamp first as it is easier to see through the less detailed stamp.

First stamp a flower in the lower left hand corner, slightly off to the right, using the Blushing Bride ink.

Then stamp a flower in the upper left hand corner and another to the right of the flower on the bottom left hand corner. Tip: Try not to make them perfectly spaced as this does not look natural.

Now use the smaller more detailed flower stamp and stamp directly over the top of the first stamp lining up the center. It isn’t so obvious here, but the flower looks more full after the second layer is stamped on.

To stamp the center of the flower, use the Early Espresso ink and Stamp Off onto the scrap paper first.

Now to prepare for the Masking Technique. Start with three sheets of sticky note paper and stamp the image of the larger flower over the edge with the sticky on it.

Now cut around the edge. Some people cut really close to the stamped edge and others leave a little border. I left a little border.

Separate the papers so you have the three sticky note flowers.

Stick the sticky note flowers on over your stamped flowers.

Tip: Take care to line up the mask properly. Identify a recognizable part of the image to be able to place the mask over the stamped image easily.

The leaves are a Two Step Stamp also. Tip: I made a mistake when I first did this card and used the less detailed stamp on the left first. I found that it was easier to line up the second layer if the more detailed stamp on the right was used first.

Stamp the first layer of the leaves as desired around the flowers.

Go over the first layer of leaves with the second stamp.

Peel the mask off.

Oops! I had not lined my mask up properly and this left a hole in my leaves! Not to worry, there are two ways to fix this that I can think of. The first fix is to do it all over. Urgh!

The second fix is to use a Stampin’ Up! Blender Pen.

The way to use the Blender Pen is to first get some ink on the lid of your stamp pad case. Flip the ink pad over and apply firm pressure. Then open up the stamp case and there should be a nice layer of ink in the lid. Scribble the Blender Pen at the edge of the ink spot and blend it out so that there is a light amount of ink on the pen.

Now apply the ink to the paper gently with a small circular motion until the leaf looks whole again. Not too bad, eh?

When you are finished blending, scribble the Blender Pen on a scrap piece of paper until all the color is out. Now it can be used again with another color! How cool is that!?!

Okay, back to the card we were making. Use the Early Espresso ink to stamp the sentiment in the upper right hand corner. Take care not to smear the ink by allowing extra time for it to dry.

Adhere the stamped card piece to the 5 1/4 x 4 inch piece of Blushing Bride.

Adhere the Blushing Bride to the card base. Flip the card over before rubbing it so that the ink doesn’t smear.

And there you have it! Wasn’t that fun? You can do a lot of really interesting cards using the Masking Technique. Take time to play with this technique. If you liked this card and the instructions, please Like my blog. Thanks for stopping by!

The Stampin’ Up! products used include: Stamp Set: Painted Harvest #144783, Sea of Textures #146488; Cardstock: Whisper White #100730 and Blushing Bride #131198; Ink: Crumb Cake #147116, Blushing Bride #147100, Early Espresso #147114 and Garden Green #147089; Clear Blocks: B #117147, C #118486, D #118485, and H #118490; Stampin’ Pierce Mat #126199; Paper Snips #103579; Blender Pen #102845; Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755.

Posted in Cleaning Stamps

Cleaning your stamps

Posted on by Theresa's Treasures

This is very basic but also very important. If you clean your stamps properly, they will last a long time.

I have often used Baby Wipes to clean my stamps. The advantage is that the wipes are easy to use and to take with you, they do clean the stamps (although not as well in small crevices), and you can throw them away. The disadvantages are that the wipes leave behind lint. This can affect the quality of the stamped image and the lint comes off onto your ink pad. The lint then goes back onto your stamp and will leave little fuzzies on the stamped image.

One of the most effective and easy ways to clean the stamps is to use Stampin’ Up!’s Stampin’ Scrub. Mine is near worn out in the center. The benefits are that you can clean small crevices really well, clean completely, and not leave any lint on the stamp. You also condition the red rubber stamps which makes them last longer.

To condition the stamp and clean it gently, I spray the Stampin’ Mist onto the left sided pad of the Stampin’ Scrub. There are water droplets in the upper left hand corner.

The right side is kept dry. After you scrub off the ink, you can dry the stamp. Note the sun sign in the upper left hand corner of the right scrub pad.

I usually stamp my stamp onto scrap paper to remove as much ink as possible. The scrub pads do need to be cleaned when the stamp doesn’t come clean. Just remove the pads and soak them in warm water with a little Dawn detergent. I usually give them a scrub with a scrub brush, then rinse them until the water runs clear. Dry overnight.

Another way to clean your stamps is to use the Simply Shammy. Mine is a little stained from use.

Just add water to make the Shammy damp. You can store it in one of the Standard Stamp Cases. If you live in a humid climate, you may not want to do this as there will be some mildew. Here in Arizona it works well.

To help keep the Simply Shammy as clean as possible, I stamp the rest of the ink onto a scrap paper first. Then I rub the stamp onto the shammy until it is clean. The advantages of the Simply Shammy are that it is very easy to take with you, there are not any chemicals, trash or lint.

I hope this helps. I should have included this post in the beginning but I overlooked this very important detail.

Stampin’ Up! products discussed include: Stampin’ Scrub #126200, Stampin’ Mist spray bottle #102394 and Stampin’ Mist refill #101022, the Simply Shammy #147042 and the Standard Stamp case #119105.

Posted in Avid Stamper, Fun/Fancy fold card, Stamping-off technique

Graduation Card and Gift Card Holder

Posted on by Theresa's Treasures

This time of year is so exciting for many folks! Graduation from High School or University is such an accomplishment! What better way to help the person celebrate than sending a handmade card that holds a gift card!

The actual idea for the gift card holder came from my stamping friend Dawn. The image on the front of the card has been posted by several folks on Pinterest. The combination is my original idea.

This card is more involved than the cards I have been posting. There are a lot of supplies needed which I will show first. A complete list will also be at the end of the instructions. Let’s get started!

The card base is an 11 x 4 1/4 inch Basic Black scored at 1 3/4 and 5 1/2. Along the 4 inch side on the left end, make a small mark at 2 1/8 inches with the scoreboard.

The front of the card is a 4 x 3 1/2 inch piece in the school color (for this card I used Pacific Point), and a 3 3/4 x 3 1/4 inch Whisper White.

The inside of the card is Whisper White in 5 1/4 x 4 inches, 4 x 3 1/2 inches and 4 x 1 1/2 inches. Along the 4 inch side of the 4 x 1 1/2 inch piece, make a small mark in pencil at 2 inches.

For the graduation cap you need a 4 1/4 x 1 inch piece of Basic Black. The diploma is made from a 1 1/2 x 3/4 inch piece of copy paper.

This card uses 3 different Stampin’ Up! stamp sets: Beautiful You, Itty Bitty Greetings and Wood Words.

Ink: Memento and Stampin’ Up!’s Pacific Point (or the school color).

Stampin’ Write Markers: Basic Black and Pacific Point (or the school color). Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers: Dark Basic Black, Dark Granny Apple Green, Dark Daffodil Delight (or other hair color) and Light Petal Pink (or other skin color).

Stampin’ Up! punches: 1 inch circle, 1 1/4 inch circle (retiring) and Triple Banner.

Clear blocks: C and E.

You will also need embroidery thread in the school color and in black.

Most of the adhesive I used is the Multipurpose Liquid Glue. In order to ensure the gift card holder was secure I used Tear and Tape adhesive.

Alright! Now that you have the supplies, let’s see how to make the card! Warning- this is a long post but well worth it! There are several Tips along the way.

Lay the 5 1/4 x 4 inch piece of Whisper White on the right side of the inside of the card. Fold at the score lines and burnish with the bone folder.

With the card folded closed, use the Basic Black Stampin’ Marker to draw a line. Set aside.

Use the Memento ink to stamp the lady onto the 3 3/4 x 3 1/4 inch piece of Whisper White. Tip: Be sure to leave room underneath the lady for the sentiment.

Using Memento ink stamp the sentiment “Congratulations” under the lady. Set aside.

Next we will stamp on the inside card pieces, the 4 x 1 1/2 inch and 5 1/4 x 4 inch pieces of Whisper White. We will only be stamping on the right side of the line drawn on the larger piece.

Starting with the 4 x 1 1/2 inch card piece, use the Stamping Off Technique with the school color ink (Pacific Point) to stamp the stars onto the card piece.

Stamp until the card piece is full of stars. Set aside.

For the 5 x 4 1/4 inch Whisper White card piece, use a copy paper mask. Tip: Do not use a cardstock for the mask because there will be a white space between the line and the stamped image if you do. You will see a little white space even with the copy paper (shown later).

Again use the Stamping Off Technique to stamp the stars on the right side of the black line only.

Tip: Take care not to push the stamp into the ink pad too far. The ink will get around the stamp and leave a halo on the card. Fortunately, this halo was very small so I did not do anything about it.

Continue Stamping Off and fill the right side with stars. Note the white space between the second and third stars and the black line. This can be minimized by pressing a little more firmly when stamping.

Tip: Mount the sentiment “Happy Graduation” about 1/4 inch from the top edge of the C block to aid in spacing the sentiment. Take extra care to go straight down and up when stamping without rocking.

Use the top edge of block clear block to line up with the top edge of the paper for the first stamped sentiment. Thereafter, line up the top edge of the block so it is underlining the sentiment you just stamped.

Repeat the process on the smaller strip of stars. Set the card pieces aside.

Using the Dark Black Stampin’ Blend Alcohol Marker, color in the lady’s dress to make the graduation gown. Leave the ruffles under the skirt uncolored.

Draw in the sleeves of the gown to complete it.

Color the hair. I used the Dark Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blend. Then color the ruffle and legging in the school color. I used Pacific Point.

I used the Light Petal Pink Stampin’ Blend for the skin color and the Dark Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blend for the grass.

In order to get the graduation cap right, I punched the 4 1/4 x 1 inch Basic Black piece with the Triple Banner Punch. I used the smaller piece.

I used the Paper Snips to cut parallel to the punched edges to create the diamond-shaped graduation cap.

Pierce a hole into the center of the cap using the Stampin’ Pierce Mat and the Paper-Piercing tool.

Using the black embroidery thread, tie a knot on one end. With the knot on the top side, thread it through the hole in the graduation cap. Secure the underside with scotch tape.

Trim the tassel and set aside.

You will need the 1 1/2 x 3/4 inch piece of copy paper, the Paper-Piercing Tool and the school colored embroidery thread for the diploma. Use the end of the Paper-Piercing Tool to start rolling the diploma.

Trim the excess copy paper once you like how the diploma looks. Tie the school-colored embroidery thread around the diploma and make a double knot. Trim the excess thread. Set aside.

Take the stamped 4 x 1 1/2 inch piece of Whisper White and place the 1 1/4 inch circle punch so that the small mark you made at 2 inches is in the middle. Use about 1/3 of the punch to create the thumb notch.

Take the Basic Black card base and place the 1 inch circle punch so that the mark you made at 2 1/8 inches is in the middle. Punch using about 1/3 of the circle punch to create the thumb notch.

Finally! We have all the pieces and we can start putting everything together! Start with the inside of the card. Adhere the 5 1/4 x 4 inch stamped Whisper White on the right-hand side and the 4 x 3 1/2 inch blank Whisper White in the middle.

Place the tear tape as close to the outside edge as you can. This allows enough space for the gift card to fit.

Flip the card base over. First adhere the lady to the 4 x 3 1/2 inch piece of the school color (here it is Pacific Point). Then adhere the combination to the front panel of the Basic Black card base.

Tip: Use the Paper-Piercing Tool to slide under the protective cover of the Tear Tape. This is an easy way to remove the covering. Close the panel toward the inside of the card. Press firmly to ensure the Tear Tape securely adheres. Place the gift card in the space.

I used a Stampin’ Dimensional on the graduation cap.

I used a generous amount of the Multipurpose Liquid Glue to adhere the diploma. Note: Since there are raised portions on the front of the card, place an extra 5 1/4 x 4 inch piece of Whisper White cardstock over the front before mailing. This card can be mailed in the USA with a regular US postage stamp.

Congratulations! You have made it through – and you now have an extraordinary Graduation card and gift card holder to help that special someone celebrate their accomplishments! Thanks to everyone who stuck with me! Visit my Facebook Page at Theresa’s Treasures Arts and Crafts Store to see this card in more colors on the post from April 19, 2019.

Stampin’ Up products used include: Stamp Sets: Beautiful You #143637, Itty Bitty Greetings #146667 and Wood Words #143928; Punches: Triple Banner #138292, 1 inch circle #119868, 1 1/4 inch circle(retiring, available only while supplies last!) #119861; Cardstock: Basic Black #121045, Whisper White #100730 and Pacific Point #111350; Ink: Memento #132708 and Pacific Point #147098; Stampin’ Write Markers: Basic Black #100082 and Pacific Point (available in a set-Brights Stampin’ Write Markers #147157); Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers: Dark Basic Black #147941, Dark Daffodil Delight #144585, Light Petal Pink #146866 and Dark Granny Apple Green #146877; Clear Blocks: C #118486 and E #118484; Stampin’ Pierce Mat #126199; Paper-Piercing Tool #126189; Paper Snips #103579; Tear and Tape #138995; Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430; and Multipurpose Liquid Glue #104430.

The Stampin’ Up! 2019-20 Annual Catalog is just around the corner! For now there are great deals, up to 60% off of the Clearance Rack and a complete list of all the retiring product. Select the Click Here for My Store or Shop Now button above to go to my Stampin’ Up Webpage and then select “Shop” to get to the store. Enjoy!