Posted in 2023 January-April Mini Catalog, Aqua Painters, Emboss Resist Technique, Gratitude/ Thanks, Ink & Inspiration Blog Hop, Lake/Sea/Ocean, Nature, Sale-a-Bration 2023, Sea, Sealife, Stampin' Emboss Powder

Inspirations in Ink February 2023-Seaside Bay Emboss Resist Thank You Card

Today I have a Super Fun Seaside Bay Emboss Resist Thank You Card!

Welcome and thanks for visiting Theresa’s Treasures Paper Crafts! I am Theresa and I am a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator in Arizona, USA. Today is the monthly Inspirations in Ink Blog Hop! I am excited to be hopping with awesome demonstrators from around the world. Be sure to check out everyone’s projects using the Seaside Bay Bundle. The Seaside Bay Bundle is in the 2023 Jan-April Mini Catalog. You may order form my Online Store HERE.

Seaside Bay Emboss Resist Thank You Card

Measurements

  • Balmy Blue card stock (cs) card base: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches scored and folded at 4 1/4 inches
  • Textured 12×12 inch Shimmer Paper, Shaded Spruce: 4 x 5 1/4 inches (algae die cuts are from the center of this piece)
  • Fluid 100 5×7 inch Watercolor Paper: 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches
  • Crumb Cake cs: 1 1/2 x 4 inches for the seashell die cuts
  • Basic White cs: 4 x 5 1/4 inches (inside of card)

Supplies

  • Seaside Bay Bundle (stamp & dies)
  • Ink: Night of Navy, Shaded Spruce, Balmy Blue & Coastal Cabana
  • Versamark
  • Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Basics, White
  • Heat Tool
  • Water Painters, large pointed tip
  • Stampin’ Spritzer
  • Flat Adhesive-Backed Pearls
  • Wink of Stella Glitter Brush
  • Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine
Seaside Bay Emboss Resist Thank You Card

Instructions

Step 1- Emboss the Watercolor Paper

  1. Using the Versamark Ink stamp the images onto the Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper.
  2. Stamp two images, then cover them with the White Emboss Powder. Shake off the excess.
  3. Use the Heat Tool to set.
  4. Stamp two more images and repeat.
  5. That way you can see where you stamped to avoid stamping on top of another image.

Step 2- Emboss Resist Technique

  1. Prepare several layers of paper towels to work on.
  2. Squeeze each of the colored ink pads to get ink on the inside of the lid. Open & set up in a line above the paper towels.
  3. Use the Stampin’ Spritzer to spray water on the embossed Watercolor Paper. The water beads up on the paper.
  4. Use the Water Painter to pick up ink from the lid.
  5. Brush the ink onto the moist Watercolor Paper one color at a time.
  6. TIP: In between colors, squeeze water from the Water Brush onto a paper towel until it runs clear.
  7. Dry overnight. Or use the Heat Tool to speed up the drying process.

Step 3- Assembling the Card

  1. Use the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and the Seaside Bay Dies to cut one large & one small algae from the center of the Shaded Spruce Textured Shimmer Paper. C
  2. Cut 2 small & one large seashell from the Crumb Cake cs.
  3. Adhere the Basic White cs to the inside of the Balmy Blue cs card base.
  4. Adhere the Shaded Spruce Textured Shimmer Paper to the card front.
  5. Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the embossed & watercolored card piece to the card front.
  6. Adhere the large algae diecut to the bottom left corner of the card front. Adhere the small algae.
  7. Adhere the seashells

Step 4- Bling!

  1. First add some Wink of Stella to the seashells.
  2. Then add some of the Flat Adhesive-Backed Pearls.

Voila!

Seaside Bay Emboss Resist Thank You Card

Thank you so much for visiting today! Please visit all the blogs in this hop. You will see all the fun and inspiring projects made by the Inspirations In Ink demonstrators. You are currently visiting Theresa McEntee-USA creator of Theresa’s Treasures Paper Crafts.

Julie Golding Page – Canada   

Rebecca Nutley – Australia

Robbie Rubala – USA   

Theresa McEntee – USA  

Vicky Wright – Australia

Christy Gridley – USA  

Deirdre Croal – USA

Clickable Supply List

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Have a most wonderful and creative day!

Theresa

Would you like your own Mini Cut & Emboss Machine? How about a Boho Blue Mini Cut & Emboss Machine! Join my Stamping Gems Team today and you can get a Mini Cut & Emboss Machine in your starter kit! Or if you already have a Cut & Emboss Machine and have a long wish list, you can join and get $175 UDS in product for $99 USD! This is the best deal! Click HERE to order your starter kit!

Sale-a-bration ends February 28, 2023! Order now to be able to get what you want! Remember to claim your Free product. New FREE products have been added!

Thinking of adding creativity to your life? Try a monthly paper crafting kit! The Paper Pumpkin Monthly Subscription delivers a kit with everything you need to make a project-right to your door! Sign up for a Pre-paid Paper Pumpkin Subscription HERE. The February kit has an Add On Die that coordinates with the images in the kit!

Ciao!

Posted in 2021 January-June Stampin' Up!®Mini Catalog, Aqua Painters, Gratitude/ Thanks, Outdoors, Techniques

Kylie’s Stampin’ Up!® International Blog Highlights Program Blog Hop- March 2021-Thank You with Dragonfly Garden

Welcome to Theresa’s Treasures today. I am Theresa and I am a Stampin’ Up!® Demonstrator in Arizona, USA. Today I am taking part in Kylie Bertucci’s Monthly International Blog Highlights Gallery. The theme is- Thank You. On this gallery, you can see thank you cards made by folks from all over the world! I hope you enjoy my card and take the time to see everyone else’s creations.

I used a Watercolor Technique that I recently made up to create a serene background for the dragonfly. The dragonfly is from the Dragonfly Garden stamp set, There is a Dragonflies Punch also! The sentiment, which I love, is from the Sweet Ice Cream stamp set. All of these products and more can be viewed in the 2021 January to June Stampin’ Up!® Catalog HERE and purchased HERE.

Watercolor Technique

To create this watercolor you will need some of the Fluid 100 Watercolor paper on page 153 in the Annual Catalog and the Water Painters set on page 147. Apply a fair amount of water on the Watercolor paper where you would like the horizon to be.

Draw a line through the water with light pressure using a Stampin’ Write Marker. Here I used the Shaded Spruce Stampin’ Write Marker. Using the Water Painter, move some of the ink upward as a tree line.

Be sure the area is still quite wet and run the Pacific Point Stampin’ Write Marker in a straight line under the Shaded Spruce line. Again use the Water Painter to spread the color downward to form a lake. I did use a little of the Pacific Point color above the Shaded Spruce color to create a sky.

Apply more water and draw another line of Shaded Spruce. Spread with the Water Painter to make the trees a little darker. Repeat using the Pacific Point and spread downward to darken the lake.

I used the smaller Water Painter to color the dragonfly’s wings with Daffodil Delight and Calypso Coral ink before using the Dragonflies Punch to punch it out.

I made a thinner version of the watercolor for the inside of the card.

Viola! That is all there is to it!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please click on the button below to go to the gallery and vote for my card. I would really appreciate your support.

I hope you all have a very creative day!

Theresa

Posted in 2020 August-December Mini Catalog, Aqua Painters, Watercolor wash background

Stampin’ Up!® Snowflake Wishes Watercolor Wash Notecards & Gift Box #simplestamping

Well, Thanksgiving is almost here and it is time to start thinking about Holiday Gifts. These festive Snowflake notecards and cheerful coordinating box will make a great handmade gift! This is a #SimpleStamping project because it is made primarily with Stamps, Ink and Paper. The only other tool you need is a Water Painter.

Although these cards look difficult, they are actually fairly simple. The variety of sentiments in the Snowflake Wishes stamp set makes this a great gift. There are lots of photos to easily guide you through this surprisingly simple project.

The Snowflake Wishes stamp set is rich with snowflake images. I am only going to use 5 of them.

The first step is to make the backgrounds. You will cut one sheet of the Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper at 4 3/4 inches. Next cut the 4 3/4 x 5 inch piece at 3 1/4 inches. This will give you 3 different backgrounds for 3 different notecards.

Watercolor Wash Background: Squeeze your Balmy Blue ink pad so some of the ink gets on the inside of the top. Using the Water Painter, apply a slight puddle of water on the 3 1/4 x 4 3/4 inch Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. You want the puddle to be in the center, not touching the edge of the card piece. Note: I am using an old Aquapainter, but the new Water Painters can be found in the 2020-21 Stampin’ Up!® Annual Catalog on page 146, item #151298.

Take up some of the Balmy Blue ink with the Water Painter and apply it to the puddle of water on the Watercolor Paper. Move the ink and water around until you like the shape of the Watercolor Wash. If you desire a more intense color you could put a drop of the Balmy Blue Ink Refill on the top lid of the stamp pad.

Now for a little trick to make a creative effect. Shake some coarse sea salt onto the puddle of water. You will see that the salt crystals will take up some of the water and ink right away. Let this dry completely.

Repeat the above procedure using the 2 1/4 x 5 inch piece of the Watercolor Paper and Pacific Point ink.

The remaining 1 3/4 x 4 3/4 inch Watercolor Paper piece is done in Pool Party ink.

For the next step you will need to open up a package of Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes. These are available in the 2020-2021 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog on page 153, item #131527. Note: these notecards also come in Very Vanilla #144236.

While the backgrounds dry, we can stamp the envelopes. This envelope is done in the Balmy Blue ink. The larger snowflake is stamped at full strength. The next snowflake is Stamped Off first.

I added a smaller snowflake at full strength to complete the front of the envelope. Next I stamped several snowflakes on the back flap of the envelope. Note: Be mindful of leaving space for someone to write an address and return address, and place a postage stamp.

The next envelope only uses 2 snowflake stamps and is stamped in Pacific Point ink. Again, stamp on the front and the back flap of the envelope.

The last envelope is stamped in Pool Party ink. I stamped the larger snowflake, one on top of the other, to make it look more full. The remainder are smaller snowflakes stamped on the envelope front and flap.

In order to give the backgrounds a little more time to dry, we will stamp the sentiments. Make 2 of the 3/4 x 4 inch Whisper White cardstock strips with the sentiment “Snowflake wishes for a Merry Christmas.” Make one of the “May your season sparkle” on 1 1/4 x 2 1/2 inch Whisper White cardstock.

Trim both ends of one of the “Snowflake wishes…” strips to make a banner end. Tip: Make a cut in the middle, then from one corner to the middle on each side to have the banner look even every time.

When the backgrounds have dried completely, brush the salt off of the card piece. Each will have a different look. The most noticeable effect is on the Pacific Point color. You can see that the ink is darker around where the salt crystal was. I just love this effect!

We will start with the Balmy Blue background. Stamp the sentiment “Thank you Snow much” in Pacific Point ink onto the lower right-hand corner. Then use the Balmy Blue ink to stamp the larger snowflake, followed by the medium snowflake and finally the smallest snowflake.

Now we will stamp on the Pacific Point ink background. Using Pacific Point ink, stamp the larger snowflake on the left-hand side followed by the group of snowflakes.

For the Pool Party ink background, I stamped one image on top of the other for the larger snowflake in Pool Party ink.

Now stamp the medium sized snowflake and finally the smaller snowflake in Pool Party ink.

Now we will put everything together.

Complete the Balmy Blue card by adhering the stamped card piece to the front of one of the notecards.

Adhere the background done in Pacific Point ink to the front of the notecard. Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the “Snowflake Wishes…” sentiment with the banner ends onto the card front.

Adhere the Pool Party background to the front of a notecard. Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the “May your season…” sentiment to the card front.

Now that we have all the awesome notecards done, let’s create a nice box for them to go in. The Mini Paper Pumpkin Boxes on page 152 of the 2020-21 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog are perfect for these notecards. Lay the box flat with the matte surface on top. Stamp the largest snowflake in Balmy Blue ink.

Follow with the Pool Party ink and a medium snowflake. Finish with a small snowflake in Pacific Point ink.

Assemble the box and add the second “Snowflake wishes….” sentiment to the front.

Match the envelopes to the notecards and place in the Mini Paper Pumpkin Box.

Viola! You have a cheerful set of Holiday cards in a lovely box to give to someone special.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I am having a “Black Friday” ordering special. For any order of $35 or more between November 22 to November 27, 2020- you will receive a package of Rhinestone Basic Jewels for free from me! I really value your business and appreciate your support!

You may click on any photo below to be directed to my Online Store, or click HERE to go right to the Online Store.

Product List

Take some take to start crafting today and have a wonderful week!

Theresa

Posted in Aqua Painters, Mini Catalog 2020, Sponging technique, Stampin' Up! 2019-2020 Annual Catalog, Summer

Sunshine with Floral Essence and Sponging Technique

Today I have a great card for you! This is so simple but so beautiful! I am CASEing (copy and selectively edit) a card from Kathy Clark. We will be doing the Sponging Technique. I made this card especially full of sunshine because I wanted to tell you about the June Paper Pumpkin. Paper Pumpkin is a monthly subscription you can purchase from Stampin’ Up!. You will get an all inclusive kit every month delivered right to your door! It is a great way to start stamping at home and start building your stamping supplies. Every month you get a stamp set and an ink spot! You also get all the supplies needed to complete the project! You have to order a prepaid Paper Pumpkin for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months before June 10, 2020 to get this Box of Sunshine. Go to my store here and use item #137858 for 1 month, #137859 for 3 months, #157860 for 6 months and #137861 for 12 months. You will get a code via email and go to paperpumkin.com to submit your prepaid code. Then the fun can begin!

Now for the card!

I actually made a mistake on this card. I had intended to put a ribbon around the top two layers, but I applied the glue and had to adhere it to the third layer. I did make a second card which I will show at the end that does have the ribbon.

Measurements: Whisper White Card stock (CS): 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches, 5 x 3 3/4 inches and 4 x 2 inches; Mango Melody: 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches; Poppy Parade: 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 inches.

Sponging Technique: You will need three inks: Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody and Poppy Parade. I have a sponge for each color that is marked with a square of the corresponding cardstock. To see more about preparing the sponges review my blog here . We will be sponging on the 5 x 3 3/4 inch Whisper White CS. Start with the Daffodil Delight ink. Use a light circular motion to sponge the color onto the scrap paper then onto your cardstock. Make a horizontal line of Daffodil Delight covering the lower third of the card piece.

Repeat using the Mango Melody ink for the middle third of the card piece. Next use the Poppy Parade ink.

Use the Aqua Painter to flick little water drops onto the sponged card piece. Watch the spots appear!

Stamp the sentiment “All days are beautiful that begin with you” onto the 4 x 2 inch Whisper White CS. Use the 1 1/2 inch Circle Punch to punch out the sentiment. Adhere the sentiment with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Adhere the sponged card piece to the 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 inch Poppy Parade CS. Next adhere the 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inch Mango Melody CS to the Whisper White CS card base. Be sure to use the Bone Folder when you fold the card base at the 4 1/4 inch score line. Now adhere the sponged card piece to the Mango Melody taking care to center it.

Add some of the Holiday Rhinestone Basic jewels to the front. Viola! you have a very sunshiney card that will brighten anyone’s day!

Here is the second card with the ribbon across the middle. The ribbon is the Whisper White Crinkle Seam Binding Ribbon and it was dyed using the Mango Melody Stampin’ Blend alcohol marker. This card turned out a little darker.

Which card do you prefer? With the ribbon or without? Light or dark? Let me know what your thoughts are.

Thanks for visiting. I am an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. If you have questions about starting the monthly Paper Pumpkin subscription, please let me know. Email me at theresastreasures.az@gmail.com or leave a comment here.

Below are all the Stampin’ Up! products I used. Just click on a photo and you will go directly to my Online Store.

Product List
Posted in Animals, Aqua Painters, Love/Affection, Stampin' Up! 2019-2020 Annual Catalog

This Little Piggy is Giving back! #Sharesunshine

Today’s card uses one of the sentiments in the Share Sunshine PDF Download.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: COVID-19 PRODUCT GIVEBACK
Stampin’ Up! is committed to making a difference in our global communities and caring about people first. As part of their Making a Difference program they’re offering a product giveback opportunity to support organizations that are helping COVID-19 frontline responders and communities vulnerable to the pandemic. You can purchase the Share Sunshine PDF Download and Stampin’ Up! will donate 100% of the proceeds to COVID-19 efforts. The Share Sunshine PDF Download is a digital stamp set that’s packed with both lighthearted and heartfelt sentiments and imagery relevant to the unique COVID-19 and social distancing situation we’re currently experiencing–including many ideas that came from they’re customers! You can use the download in your card making and paper crafting projects. Simply print the imagery on cardstock and cut it out using our Paper Trimmer, punches, or dies. Since we are physically distanced from each other, now is a perfect time to share sunshine with our friends and family by sending cards!
Buy the PDF here: https://covid19.stampinup.com/products/giving-back-us-ca
Share your projects on social media and tag them with #sharesunshine.

The sentiment for today’s card is on page 11 of the digital download. I printed it on a sheet of Shimmery White Card stock(CS) and then cut it out with my Stampin’ Up! Paper Trimmer. I printed on the Shimmery White CS because I wanted to do some water-coloring. The Shimmery White CS holds up better with water-coloring than the Whisper White CS does.

Ok, let’s get started putting together This Little Piggy!

Measurements: Whisper White Card stock (CS): 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches and a 1/2 inch strip; Shimmery White CS: 3 1/2 x 2 1/4 inches; Pear Pizzazz CS: 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches and 3 3/4 x 2 1/2 inches; Perennial Essence Designer Series Paper (DSP): 5 1/4 x 4 inches.

I stamped the little piggy onto Petal Pink CS in Memento ink. I added a little shadow with the Dark Petal Pink Stampin’ Blend Alcohol Marker.

I made the little mask by cutting a rectangle from the 1/2 strip of Whisper White CS. I added stitching with the Stampin’ Write Marker in Basic Black.

I used the Take Your Pick Tool on the Pierce Mat to punch a little hole at the neckline in order to thread the “elastic” for the mask through it. For the “elastic” I used the White Solid Bakers Twine (which is retiring).

I used a Dental Floss threader to thread the Solid White Baker’s Twine through the hole. I secured it on the back of the pig with a Mini Glue Dot.

I pulled the Solid White Bakers Twine up, around and down to make an “X” over the piggy’s snout. I secured the end in place with the same Mini Glue Dot. Glue the mask in place over the “X”.

Squeeze the Balmy Blue ink pad in the middle by laying it upside down on the table and applying pressure to the middle of the pad. This should put ink on the inside of the lid. If not, you could use a drop of the Balmy Blue Re-inker. Use the Aqua Painter (Water Painters) to apply a layer of water onto the Shimmery White CS. Now put some ink on the Aqua Painter, and starting at the top, spread the ink down the paper going back and forth. If the ink is not dark enough, add more ink to the brush and go over the paper again. You may clean the Aqua Painter by squeezing water from it onto a paper towel. If the ink on your paper is too dark, just go over it with the Aqua Painter using plain water. Let dry completely. When dry, adhere the Shimmery White CS to the 3 3/4 x 2 1/2 inch Pear Pizzazz CS.

Adhere the Perennial Essence DSP to the 5 1/4 x 4 inch Pear Pizzazz CS. Use the Bone Folder to make a crisp fold at the 4 1/4 inch score line on the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch Whisper White CS, then adhere the piece to the front of the Whisper White card base.

Use the Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the watercolor card piece and the little piggy. I used 1/2 of a Stampin’ Dimensional on each end of the “i miss your face” sentiment and used glue on the center to adhere it in place.

And Viola! you have a COVID-19 “situation-appropriate” card to #Sharesunshine with someone! Please consider purchasing the PDF Digital Download here: https://covid19.stampinup.com/products/giving-back-us-ca

Thanks so much for stopping by for the “This Little Piggy” card. I had so much fun with this one and I hope you will try it out. The This Little Piggy stamp set is set to retire on June 2 , 2020-so if you want it, get it now at my Online Store by clicking SHOP .

You can also order by clicking on one of the photos below:

Product List

Have a wonderful day!

Theresa

Posted in Aqua Painters, Blender Pen, Stampin' Up! 2019-2020 Annual Catalog

It Starts with Art

A lot of us spend a lot of our time working in jobs that we may not like. The easy solution is to change to a job we do like. But that is not always possible. One way to “survive” your job is to “Start with Art”. Being creative is known to help improve your psychological well being. This Stampin’ Up! stamp set is retiring soon, so don’t waste any more time and let’s create a card to help you “Follow Your Art” no matter what your art may be!

This card is so fun because of all the color and the mixed designs! There are also a few Techniques thrown in there as well!

Here is the It Starts with Art stamp set. There are many exciting images to make a host of cards. I decided to use the stack of ribbon since it complimented the Follow Your Art Designer Series Paper (DSP) that I chose.

Measurements: Blueberry Bushel card stock (CS): 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches and 4 x 3 inches; Follow Your Art DSP: 5 1/4 x 4 inches and 4 x 3 inches; Coastal Cabana CS: 8 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches and Whisper White CS: two 4 x 3 inch pieces.

Let’s get stamping!

Stamp the sentiment “Follow your art” on one end of one 4 x 3 inch Whisper White CS in Memento ink. Leave space around the sentiment for the Tailored Tag Punch. Flip the Whisper White CS around and stamp the stack of spools on the opposite end.

For coloring the spools of ribbon, I did a bit of experimentation with markers and decided the Watercolor Pencils created the most appealing look. When I used the markers, I did not like the card. I actually thought it was ugly! The Watercolor Pencils made the card look so much better! I did use the Blushing Bride Stampin’ Write marker since there is not a Watercolor Pencil in Blushing Bride. The colors for the Watercolor Pencils are Pacific Point, Calypso Coral and Coastal Cabana. One of the Techniques is to use the Blender Pen.

I started coloring with the Blushing Bride Stampin’ Write marker on the middle spool. I tried to only put one layer of ink down and keep the color light.

I colored the top spool and the stripes on the bottom ribbon with the Coastal Cabana Watercolor Pencil. I did color a little darker in areas where I wanted a slight shadow.

I colored the middle ribbon with the Pacific Point Watercolor Pencil. The bottom spool and the ribbon on top are colored in Calypso Coral Watercolor Pencil.

Blending Technique The Blender Pen is a dual tipped pen filled with a specialized solution for easy blending. You just go over the Watercolor Pencil with a light touch and blend the color. To clean off the color, you just write on scrap paper until the fluid from the pen runs clear. I started Blending the Coastal Cabana Watercolor Pencil first.

Next I blended the Pacific Point Watercolor Pencil, and finally the Calypso Coral.

Now we need to fussy cut the spools of ribbon.

Tip: To fussy cut into really tight space, use the very tip of your Paper Snips and make very tiny cuts. I did try just leaving the center of the heart uncut, but I did not like the way it looked. Set this piece aside.

Punch the sentiment out with the Tailored Tag Punch. (I had to photograph this card twice because I did use the Stampin’ Write Markers initially. That is why the spools of ribbon are still there).

Prepare to use the Aqua Painter by squeezing the closed Blueberry Bushel ink pad to get a little ink on the lid. Add a few drops of water to the ink. Place the sentiment card piece on scrap paper as this technique can be a little messy. The black cardstock is just there so the sentiment card piece would show on the photograph.

Splatter Technique Flick the tip of the Aqua Painter on the lid to splatter the color onto the sentiment card piece. Clean the Aqua Painter by squeezing water out onto a paper towel until the water runs clear.

Squeeze the Calypso Coral ink pad and get some ink on the Aqua Painter. Flick the Calypso Coral ink in the same way as the Blueberry Bushel. Allow to dry, or use your Heat Tool to dry the ink more quickly.

Punch a label with the Tailored Tag Punch from the 4 x 3 inch Blueberry Bushel CS. Use the Paper Snips to cut the tag in half lengthwise.

Glue one half of the Tailored Tag Punch to the bottom half of the sentiment card piece. Now glue the other half on top.

Now to stamp the inside of the card. Use the larger button stamp to stamp onto the second 4 x 3 inch Whisper White using the Blueberry Bushel ink. Remember that an odd number of images seems more pleasing to the eye than an even number.

Use the smaller button stamp to stamp in Calypso Coral ink and Coastal Cabana ink.

Fold the 8 1/2 x 3 1/4 inch Coastal Cabana CS at the 4 1/4 inch score line. Use the Bone Folder to get a nice crisp fold.

Adhere the 4 x 3 inch Follow Your Art DSP to the front of the little card. Adhere the piece stamped with the buttons to the inside of the little card.

Adhere the 5 1/4 x 4 inch Follow Your Art DSP to the 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch Blueberry Bushel CS. Now adhere the little card to the center of the Blueberry Bushel card piece.

This card is a little different. Fun, fun, fun!

We will use Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the sentiment and the spools of ribbon.

I decided that the sentiment did not show up as much as I would like. I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap of 1/2 inch Whisper White CS. I placed it onto the sentiment piece to size it and then adhered it in place.

Adhere the spools of ribbon in place.

Viola! You have a card to keep around to help inspire you to “Follow Your Art”! Or you can send it off to someone else who may need encouragement!

Thanks so much for coming by today! I hope you are doing well, and if not, I hope you have an opportunity to try to start with art to lift up your spirits!

I am an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and I sell the products I used for this card. If you are interested in purchasing some product to get yourself started on creating at home, please comment or send me an email at theresastreasures.az@gmail.com.

Click on the photo below to get to my Online Store and purchase that product.

Product List

Have a wonderful and creative day!

Posted in Animals, Aqua Painters, Inspiration, Stampin' Up! 2019-2020 Annual Catalog

Last Chance for Let It Ride! Fun with Water-coloring!

There are many Stampin’ Up! stamp sets that are retiring by June 2, 2020. I will miss several, including Let It Ride. I just love the horses! I used to go horseback riding as a kid in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my siblings. My Mom would drop us off at the stables near the base of the Sandia Mountains. After our horseback ride we would ride our bikes home. Fond memories!

This is a beautiful watercolor fun fold card. Don’t worry, it is pretty simple! It only looks complicated. I am not an artist. The stamp just lends itself to a nice watercolor.

The card opens this way and there is plenty of space to write a little note inside.

Measurements: Early Espresso Card stock (CS): 6 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches with a score at 2 inches and 6 1/2 x 4 inches with a score at 3 1/4 inches; Soft Suede CS: 5 1/4 x 4 inches; Very Vanilla CS: 3 3/4 x 3 inches and 4 x 2 inches; Crumb Cake CS: 5 1/4 x 1 3/4 inches; and Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper: 3 3/4 x 3 inches.

First I stamped the background with the Gallery Grunge stamp set using Soft Suede ink on the 5 1/4 x 4 inch Soft Suede CS. (I put a green scrap paper behind my card piece so I would not get ink on the table).

Next I used a different stamp from the Gallery Grunge stamp set to stamp in Crumb Cake ink onto the 5 1/4 x 1 3/4 inch Crumb Cake CS.

Using Memento ink, stamp the horse from the Let It Ride stamp set onto the Fliud 100 Watercolor Paper. You will need to be sure you have plenty of ink on the stamp and hold the stamp down for 10 seconds to get a dark enough image. The watercolor paper absorbs the ink differently than the cardstock does.

Stamp the sentiment “Go for it!” in Memento ink onto the 4 x 2 inch Very Vanilla CS. Leave room around the sentiment so you can use a Scalloped Circle Punch.

Now for some water-coloring fun! Turn the Balmy Blue ink pad upside down on the table. Push your thumbs down in the center, up and down, several times. Flip it over and open the ink pad. You should have an ink spot on the top of the inside cover.

I like to watercolor with the Aqua Painter. To prep the Aqua Painter you will need to squeeze the barrel that is filled with water and get a few drops of water to come out on a paper towel.

Put a few drops of water next to the ink spot (less is better). Use the Aqua Painter to mix a little ink into the drops of water. Start to apply the ink and water to the background in long strokes horizontally. Start light and gradually add color until it pleases you.

Continue to add a drop of water, then mix in the ink and apply to the background until you have the background covered. Wash off the Balmy Blue ink by squeezing the barrel of the Aqua Painter and brush it onto the paper towel until the water is clear.

Repeat the procedure with the Granny Apple Green ink. Apply to the grass. Be sure to clean the Aqua Painter before using the next color.

Using the Crumb Cake ink, apply a thin wash to the entire horse.

To get a darker ink with the Aqua Painter, do not squeeze out any water. Pick up ink from the middle of the ink spot on the very tip of the brush. Apply to areas that you want darker or shadowed. Again, I am not an artist, but I follow the artist’s lines and apply a darker layer of ink in that area. I also apply darker color to the legs that are on the opposite side of the horse. In my mind, these legs would be shadowed by the horses body.

I used the Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker on the hooves.

We are going to adhere the watercolor horse to the 6 1/2 x 4 inch scored at 3 1/4 inches Early Espresso CS. We will adhere it to the “front” of this little card with it turned backward. If you lay the card open to the table, you would adhere the horse to the left side.

The 3 3/4 x 3 inch Very Vanilla CS will go on the inside of our backward card. If you lay the card face up (the horse will be on the back of the right side), adhere the Very Vanilla CS to the left side.

The backward little card should end up looking like this.

Adhere the 5 1/4 x 4 inch stamped Soft Suede CS to the inside of the 6 1/4 x 5 /1/2 inch scored at 2 inches Early Espresso CS “card”. This is an odd looking “card” right now, but I assure you it will look great when we are done!

Adhere the 5 1/4 x 1 3/4 inch stamped Crumb Cake CS to the front of the odd Early Espresso card. Now we will put the backward and the odd cards together.

Adhere the back of the backward horse card to the center of the inside of the odd Early Espresso card. Now open the horse card and fold the front of the Early Espresso CS card under it.

Here is a “bird’s eye” view.

Use the 1 3/8 inch Scalloped Circle Punch to punch out the sentiment “Go for it!”.

To make the sentiment stand out more, I sponged some Soft Suede ink around the edge of the scalloped circle. (If you need help preparing the sponge, look at my blog about sponging here.)

Apply some Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals to the side and bottom as shown. This is because you want the card front to have a space to slide under the scalloped circle.

Place the 1 3/8 inch Scalloped Circle on the bottom left corner and be sure the front piece will slice under it before you adhere it to the card.

Viola! You have a watercolor masterpiece! Well, maybe not, but it is a very special card! Any horse-lover would appreciate receiving this card!

Thanks for joining me. I hope you try this out. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look great the first time! Just stamp several horses on a piece of watercolor and have fun! Experiment!

The 2019-2020 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog will be good until June 2, 2020. If you would like to look at the “Last Chance Products” just go to my online store and click the tab in the left hand column. You can get to my store here.

If you need any assistance and/or want me to mail you a new 2020-2021 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog, leave me a comment on this blog or email me at: theresastreasures.az@gmail.com.

To purchase any of the products I used today, click on the photo below.

Product List
Posted in Aqua Painters, Gratitude/ Thanks, Thanksgiving

Harvest Blessings

Autumn leaves filling up the street; golden colors on the lawn, natures trick or treat.-Rusty Fischer

I just love the coolness and freshness of fall! With the holidays approaching, it is a great time to stock up on some cards. Here is a card of thanks.

This beautiful fall card is a lot of fun to make because it involves using the Aqua Painter to watercolor the background. I CASE’d this card from one done by Peggy Noe. This card is for the more avid stamper as it uses 3 different stamp sets.

Measurements: Very Vanilla card stock card base: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch card base scored at 4 1/4 inches and a 3 1/4 x 3/4 inch strip; Pumpkin Pie card stock: 5 1/8 x 3 1/8 inches; Fluid 100 Watercolor paper: 5 x 3 inches. You will also need ribbon from the Gather Together combo pack, Leaves Trinkets and of course an Aqua Painter. This card was made with Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Up! ink.

First you need to use the Aqua Painter to moisten the watercolor paper. Gently squeeze the Aqua Painter until a drop of water comes to the tip of the brush. Now spread water evenly over the watercolor paper. Note: I placed the watercolor paper on my Stampin’ Pierce mat because the first stamp is a Photopolymer. The black paper is just so you can see the watercolor paper better.

Stamp the wheat bundle in Cajun Craze onto the moist watercolor paper. The more water on the paper, the more blurred the image will be. Note: The wheat bundle is from the Stampin’ Up! Gather Together stamp set.

Continue to stamp around the edge. Use the Aqua Painter again to smear the ink a little and add color to the rest of the watercolor paper.

Take the paper off the Stampin’ Pierce mat because the next stamp is red rubber. Keeping the watercolor paper moist, stamp the flower bunch in Pumpkin Pie ink around the edge of the watercolor paper. Note: The flower is from the Stampin ‘ Up! Healing Hugs stamp set.

Use the Aqua Painter to smear the Pumpkin Pie color onto the rest of the watercolor paper. Let dry or use a heat tool to expedite the drying process.

Clean the Aqua Painter by squeezing out water onto a paper towel until it runs clear.

Stamp the sentiment “Happy Harvest Blessings” in Cajun Craze. Note: This sentiment is from Stampin’ Up! Country Home stamp set.

Use your paper snips to cut a banner end on the left hand side. Tip: Start with a center cut, then cut from one corner to the center and repeat on the other side.

Use the bone folder to make a crisp fold at the 4 1/4 score line on the Very Vanilla card base.

Adhere the dried watercolor paper onto the 5 1/8 x 3 1/8 inch Pumpkin Pie card piece. Flip over to rub on the back of the piece to ensure the adhesive sticks and you don’t smear the ink.

Apply a glue dot to the ribbon by pressing the ribbon onto the roll. Put a glue dot on each end.

Line up the ribbon on the front, then flip over and press to adhere the glue dots.

Use the Cajun Craze colored twine to tie around the card and make a bow slightly to the left of center. Adhere this piece to the Very Vanilla card base.

Apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the sentiment. Tip: I cut my Dimensionals in half to make them last longer.

Position the sentiment on the bottom right hand side of the stamped piece. Use glue dots to adhere the Leaves Trinkets just under the bow.

Tip: Pick up a glue dot with a Pierce tool and apply it to the card front behind the trinkets. This will stabilize the bow and Trinkets so they do not flop around.

And there you have a beautiful fall card!

Stampin’ Up! products used include: Stamp Set: Gather Together, Country Home and Healing Hugs; Paper: Very Vanilla card stock #101650, Pumpkin Pie card stock #105117, and Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper #149612; Ink: Cajun Craze #147085 and Pumpkin Pie #147086; Blocks: D #118485 and H #118490; Adhesive: Mini Glue Dots #103683, Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430 and Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755; Ribbon and twine: Come to Gather Ribbon Combo Pack #150456; Leaves Trinkets #146343; Aqua Painter #103954, Stampin’ Pierce Mat #126199 and Paper Snips #103579. The Take Your Pick #144107 can be used as the pierce tool.

Posted in Aqua Painters, Watercolor wash background

Springtime Squirrel

Hello! I am back after having a wonderful family visit. I am so grateful to have family to enjoy time with!

I also had a joint replacement in my right middle finger on Monday, compliments of osteoarthritis. This has slowed me down a bit, but I wanted to share these next 3 cards with you as soon as I could, and the first day of Spring is the perfect time for this card!

This little squirrel is just so cute! I will also show you how to get this fun watercolor background!

The stamp set I will use for the next 3 cards will be Stampin’ Up!’s Fable Friends. This is available in the 2019 Occasions catalog. Isn’t it so cute!

Measurements: Shimmery White card base 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches scored and folded at 4 1/4 inches, Granny Apple Green 5 1/4 x 4 inches and 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches, Shimmery White 5 x 3 3/4 inches and 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches. Note: I am using the Shimmery White because it holds up to watercolor a little better than the Whisper White. You can use Whisper White if that is what you have.

You will also need Stampin’ Blends Light and Dark Crumb Cake, and Stampin’ Write Markers in Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody, Pineapple Punch and Pacific Point, and a package of Glitter Enamel Dots.

We will be using Stampin’ Up! Granny Apple Green ink, Memento ink and an Aqua Painter.

There are 2 Aqua Painters in a package. For the watercolor wash we will use the larger tip.

The first step is to squeeze the Aqua Painter onto a paper towel to get the water flowing. Then brush the water onto the Shimmery White 5 x 3 3/4 inch paper. The paper may curl up a little. Just push it down flat again.

Now firmly squeeze the back of the Granny Apple ink pad to get the ink onto the inside of the lid.

Put a drop of water onto the lid near the ink and swirl the Aqua Painter in the puddle until there is ink on the Aqua Painter. Apply to the bottom of the paper moving back and forth, and work your way up so you get an ombre effect. When applying more ink, always start at the bottom and work upwards.

Clean the Aqua Painter by squeezing water out onto the paper towel until it is clear again.

Let the watercolor wash dry completely. I just set it in the sun on the window sill. If it is still curled, put it under something heavy to press it straight when it is still a little damp. Using Memento ink, stamp the sentiment ” Happy Spring” in the bottom right hand corner. Oops! I had forgotten to stamp the sentiment on when I first made the card, so the next 2 frames will have the sentiment missing. Oops!

Adhere the watercolor wash panel to the Granny Apple Green 5 1/4 x 4 inch piece, then adhere the two to the card base. Set aside.

Use the Memento ink with the squirrel stamp to stamp onto the 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 piece of Shimmery White.

Use the Stampin’ Blend alcohol markers to color the squirrel. Start with the Light Crumb cake. Try to just put one layer on the face. If you go over it too many times it gets too dark.

Add the Dark Crumb Cake to areas you want shaded. Go over the Dark Crumb Cake with the Light Crumb Cake to blend the edges.

Use the Stampin’ Write water based marker in Mango Melody for the center of the daisy.

Use the Stampin’ Write Pineapple Punch to add a little color to the petals.

The Stampin’ Write Granny Apple Green marker is for the leaf and stem. Tip: I generally use the brush tip except when the area to be colored is very small, like the stem. In this case I use the fine tip.

I used the Pacific Point Stampin’ Write marker for the little sailor jacket. Isn’t he so adorable?

Adhere the finished squirrel to the 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 inch square of Granny Apple Green.

Apply the Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the squirrel card piece and adhere to the card front as shown.

Using the Paper-Piercing Tool, remove the Glitter Enamel dot in Granny Apple Green from the sheet and place on the upper right hand corner of the card front. Add one more dot to each side to create a corner.

So the same in the lower left hand corner of the card front. I just love how sparkly these dots are!

And now you have made a wonderfully cute card to help welcome Spring! Have a very Happy Spring!

Sale-a-bration is only for another week and a half! Time sure does fly! Remember that you may choose a free product from the Sale-a-bration brochure for every $50 you purchase! Select the Shop button at the top to go to my store for more details. Contact me if you are having any trouble with ordering.

Stampin’ Up! products used include: Stamp Set: Fable Friends #148670; Cardstock: Shimmery White #101910 and Granny Apple Green #146990 ; Ink: Granny Apple Green #147095 and Memento #132708; Clear Blocks: B #117147 and D #118485; Stampin’ Blends: Light and Dark Crumb Cake combo #144601; Stampin’ Write Markers: Mango Melody, Granny Apple Green and Pacific Point in the Brights Set #147157 and Pineapple Punch in the 2018-20 In Color set #147159; Aqua Painter #103954; Glitter Enamel Dots #146934; Paper Piercing Tool #126189; Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430 and Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755.

 

Posted in Aqua Painters, Occasions Catalog 2019

Runaway Horse

This next card was inspired by one I found on Pinterest by Jane Allmark. Thank you Jane!

I just love this horse! He/She just looks like they are running away from it all, onto something new and better. Such a good feeling!

This card is also made from Stampin’ Up!’s Let It Ride stamp set.

Measurements: Whisper White 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch card base folded at 4 1/4 inches, Wood Texture Designer Series Paper (DSP) 5 1/4 x 4 inches, Whisper White 4 3/4 x 3 1/2 inches, and Wood Textures DSP 2 1/4 x 1 inches.

Additional products needed include: Stampin’ Up! Crumb Cake ink, Memento ink, Stampin’ Blends alcohol marker in Light Old Olive and an Aqua Painter.

The first step is to apply ink to the horse stamp. For larger stamps, I find it easier to lay the stamp on the table and put the ink onto the stamp. Use Memento ink whenever you want to watercolor or use the alcohol markers.

The first stamp of the horse will be on the right side. Without inking the horse again we are going to stamp to the left.

With each successive stamp, the image will get lighter and lighter. This gives the illusion of movement.

Here is the final image.

Again using the Memento ink, stamp the sentiment “Live as if someone left the gate open” onto the small strip of Wood Textures DSP. I wanted this to look like a wooden sign.

This step is easier with the older Stampin’ Up! ink pads than it is with the new ink pads. Squeeze the ink pad so that ink gets on the inside cover. If you have a new ink pad that is too stiff, apply a drop of the Crumb Cake re-inker to the inside lid. Prime the Aqua Painter with a gentle squeeze to start the flow of water onto the brush tip.

Squeeze a little bit of water next the ink and use the brush to add a little ink. You want it to be very light for the last horse. Apply the ink and water to the horse but do not rub it too much or the paper will “pill”.

When you are finished with the last horse, add some more ink to make it a shade darker for the next horse.

Continue to add a shade more ink to the water with each horse until you have a pretty dark color for the first horse.

Continue to apply the darker color until the horse looks the way you like it. Clean the Aqua Painter by squeezing out some water onto a clean cloth.

Use the Light Old Olive Stampin’ Blend alcohol marker for the grass.

Adhere the completed stamped horse card piece to the Wood Textures DSP. Now adhere that piece to the Whisper White card base.

Use the Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the sentiment and adhere to the lower left hand corner of the card front.

And now you can run away with this great card!

Stampin’ Up!’s Sale-a-bration is continuing until March 31, 2019. During this time you can select a free product from the Sale-a-bration brochure for every $50 you purchase out of either the Stampin’ Up! Annual or 2019 Occasions catalog.

Stampin’ Up! products used include: Stamp set: Let It Ride #148765; Cardstock: Whisper White #100730; Designer Series Paper: Wood Textures #144177; Ink: Memento #132708; Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers: Light Old Olive #144574; Aqua Painter #103954; Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430 and Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755.