Gone Camillia Crazy….

Must. Stop. Stamping. Camellias.

Here is the last batch from my Technique Tuesday camellia crazy card making spree.

This time, I used the stamp more as a background:

This top-folding card was really fun. I stamped the first camellia in the upper left hand corner, then made a mask and stamped all over the card using Wendy Vecchi’s archival Watering Can grey (from Ranger).

Check out the teeny camellia in the lower corner!

I stamped the camellia on scrap white card stock (using that same Wendy Vecchi watering can ink) then painted it using my water brush and Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Markers (Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet) and some leftover green ink on my palette from my Faber-Castell PITT brush markers. When the piece was dry I cut out the center of the flower, plus two leaves.

I stamped and black embossed “Beautiful” (Technique Tuesday) on a strip of vellum, which I attached by wrapping the band to the inside of the card, attaching with Scotch Brand vellum tape. I also anchored the vellum on the front, using the same tape, where I knew I would put the flower, which I attached with foam squares.

The final touches included a dab of Ranger Diamond Stickles on various flower parts a few Doodlebug Designs sequins, attached using Glue Dots micros.

And one last one …

So simple! Stamp the camellia in grey in the lower right corner of a white card stock panel, round the corners and mount it on a Paper Source cement card front (also rounding the corners). Die- cut “happy” (Technique Tuesday) twice, layer the two and adhere to top of card. I added some Ranger Glossy Accents for shine and stamped “everything” beneath it. A few Dew Drops from Robin’s Nest, a black Hero Arts gem and bam! I’m done. Everything was glued down with ScraPerfect Best Glue Ever.

Thanks for coming by!

More Camellia Cards

My obsession with Technique Tuesday’s camellia stamp continues….

This is pretty straightforward stamping, very fast and easy (no fussy cutting!)
The camellia was stamped on white card stock in VersaMark ink, then black embossed. The sentiment (Technique Tuesday Swanky Sentiments) was stamped in black VersaFine. The panel was trimmed, edged with Delicata Golden Glitz ink (Imagine Crafts), layered on black, then on the yellow card front.

On this card, I first did a watercolor wash, using the smooth side of Ranger/Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock. (I love the way this holds up to water coloring but is still smooth enough for quality stamping.) I first wet the paper, using my water brush to paint clean water in a swath. I then spread some Ranger Distress Stains (Victorian Velvet, Milled Lavender, Broken China).

When the background was completely dry, I swiped it with my Embossing Buddy powder, then stamped the camellia with VersaMark ink and added white embossing powder. I used the same Distress colors to color in the flower, adding Forest Moss and Shabby Shutters for the leaves.

The sentiment was stamped with VersaFine black ink. The panel was mounted using Xpress It tape; Lawn Fawn sequins were added using Glue Dots micro dots.

Stay tuned for my last set, when I used mostly black and grey.

Technique Tuesday’s Lovely Camellia

In my last post, I teased a picture of a new stamp from Technique Tuesday’s Greenhouse Designs — the beautiful camellia.

I admit, I went a little camellia crazy… because the flower is so much fun to color and easy to cut out if you want it just as an element.

Here’s my first, very simple, set:

As you can see, I had a great time experimenting with different coloring techniques. I stamped the flower on plain white card stock in VersaMark embossing ink and used black powder to heat emboss. Then I just colored myself silly, experimenting with just about every coloring agent in my desk.

I used a lot of Faber-Castell PITT Artist Big Brushes, scribbling various colors on my plastic palette, then using my water brush to paint in the petals. I also used my VERY old set of LuminArte Sparkling H2Os** (Sunburst, Yellow Rose, Lemongrass and Moss Green for the yellows; Chiffon Pink, Cherry Sorbet and English Lavender for the pinks/purples.) I love the subtle shimmer. (**I’m not sure who is making these anymore, but you can still find them by checking on the internet. These are a water-based, mica-filled dry paint that is activated with water. So yummy.)

When the flowers were dry, I cut them out (the perfect thing to do while watching TV!).

To make the card base, I ran the front of my folded card stock through this beautiful embossing folder from Stampin’ UP/Sizzix, called Softly Falling. (I can’t wait to use this folder as snow on my holiday cards!) I rounded the card corners using a heavy-duty corner rounder.

Then it was just a matter of adhering the flowers to the card base, using foam tape. On some, I added the lovely Wink of Stella clear to get a little sparkle.

I plan to make several sets to give as gifts. (The sentiment is from Technique Tuesday’s new Random Thoughts stamp set, cut with the coordinating Little Labels dies.)

Here’s a close up, showing off the Wink of Stella glimmer:

More camellias to come!

Fabulous Finds: Elizabeth Craft Designs & Technique Tuesday

A bit of industry news:

Elizabeth Craft Designs is amping up the creativity with a new designer and 14 — yes 14 — new YouTube videos by company founder Els van de Burgt.

Artist and illustrator Bianca Petroschi is the team’s fourth licensed designer, with some lovely realistic birds and animals. The first collection from the Petroschi Designs by Bianca line has both cling-mounted deep etched red rubber stamps and also some clear sets.

Check out her cute hedgehog card, for instance, or scroll through her blog.

The company also has introduced a new Soft Finish Cardstock. I haven’t had a chance to try it out yet, but according to the company, the cardstock is “velvety to the touch, with just a tad of surface texture. Available as 8.5″ x 11″ sheets in two heavy and substantial weights, the Soft Finish Card Stock is sturdy, porous, and used easily with inks, paints, markers, spray mists etc. It absorbs color and holds its shape without tearing.”

Sounds like a great surface for mixed media, card making, die cutting and embossing. I’ll be eager to test it.

Technique Tuesday also has a new designer — the talented Cath Edvalson. Cath was early in the card making scene with her first business, Cards by Cath, selling handmade cards. But most of us know her best as the former editor at Paper Crafts Magazine and the Moxie Fab World blog (one of my early blog addictions! How I miss that sassy blog!) I miss Moxie Fab, so I’m delighted Cath is back, both designing for Technique Tuesday and with a new blog, Hip & Hooray.

In her first stamp and die release, Cath found inspiration in lace, stained glass and good old fashioned New England folk art.

Here’s a link to a video showing this month’s release, including Cath’s first stamps and dies. Glad to have you back, Cath!

I’ve also been playing with one of Technique Tuesday’s beautiful Greenhouse Society designs — the pretty camellia. You’ll see how crazy I got when I post some cards — LOTS of cards! — this week. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek:

Thanks for stopping by … and stay tuned!