A Different Look And A Party For LumiinArte

The ribbon caused the whole thing. The lighting and the camera really doesn't do it justice. It is so much prettier in person. This is also my card for the Impression-Obsession blog for the week. I am going to list the supplies below, but if you would like to know how I did the punched border and the layering of the flower, shown below, you just need to jump over HERE.
Supplies:
Stamps: Impression-Obsession - Fiesta Flower H2330
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock, DCFW Designer Paper
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's
Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Scallops Large, Fiskars Give It A Swirl Border Punch, Ribbon from Michaels, Bow Easy, Art Institute Glitter Mellow Yellow, Glitter Glue, Sharpie Yellow, Mark Richards 3 and 5MM Pearls.
Here is a quick synopsis if you don't have time. The image is 7 layers. The punched border was done first on other paper to get the measurements. The corners on the DP were punched from the same Fiskars border punch. The ribbon was done with the Bow Easy and I love it.

When you get back you can read about the change of mind by LuninArte, and boy am I glad!!! Here is what the owner sent us in an email on May 23.

From the Desk of Leslie Ohnstad: Thank you for your generosity, kind words of encouragement and prayers. The very unexpected out cry of orders in the past months "globally" has been extremely overwhelming and personally for me a truly humbling experience. The tiny staff of LuminArte Inc. was fully prepared to close at the end of February. Here it is almost the end of May and we are still working hard to fulfill all your requests. I have made the decision that we will not be closing our doors. Your testimonials have touched the hearts of those in our business that, in turn, has made it possible for us to continue to serve you. Thank you so much for caring enough to keep LuminArte's buzz going - positive and alive! Restructuring may take a little while, but it'll be well worth the wait. Soon we'll be featuring a vibrant new website showcasing new products and project ideas.You'll be hearing from us with updates on our fresh and exciting changes. Dreaming In Color, Leslie Blackburn Ohnstad, President/Inventor

• During the first three weeks of our transition, we will continue offering a 40% off of retail pricing.
• Midnight June 14th 2009 our prices will return.
• Discount is taken, at the time your card is charged.
• Due to overwhelming demand, shipping may take up to 4-6 weeks from date charged.
• Current orders pending are being produced and shipped as fast as we can get to them.

Hope you can take part in their wonderful prices. I sure have. Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

The Love Bug

For some reason this card did not want to photograph well and it didn't scan well either. After what seem like limitless tries I just went with the last attempt. Ha~!

IMAGE:

1. This cute Love Bug by Peddlers Pack was stamped with Color Box Black pigment ink
2. Heat and Stick Embossing Powder (also called Oh So Sticky Powder, Sticky Powder, Sticky Stuff, etc.) was applied.
3. Heat gun was applied until wet looking
4. Art Institute Black Wing glitter applied
5. (Important Step) Heated again to set the glitter.
6. Brushed again to remove loose Glitter
7. Painted with Twinkling H2O's Garnet using Niji waterbrush
8. White Signo Uniball pen used for eyes and mouth.
9. Cut out image and used Black Sharpie to darken edges.

BACKGROUND:

1. One piece Stardream Metallic Jupiter text weight paper 4.25X5.5".

2. Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. Cover cardstock run through Cuttlebug using embossing folder from Combo Love Language (1 piece 5.25X4.0) The hearts run vertical.
3. Run the left side of the cardstock through first and then line up the rows of hearts to match the top rows of hearts and put through again. (If you look at the white cardstock above you will know what I mean.)
4. Punch the bottom edge using Fiskars Heart Border Punch by lining up and punching the middle first and then the sides.

5. One piece of Dali Dore SHIMMER Nero 76lb Cover cardstock run through Cuttlebug using embossing folder Mosaic Tiles. If had to do this over, I would have punched the edge and mounted separately with the hearts facing North instead of South as shown.
6. Line up left side of Mosaic Tiles on heart BG where you want path to start and mark with pencil. Line up right side the same way and trim from top left to top right mark and do the same with the bottom of the path using the top trimmed edge as a guide for equal distance from the bottom.
7. Mount to White Heart embossed BG.

8. Mount Love Bug using tape on the feet and Dimensional Glue Dots on the top and antennae.

EMBELLISHMENTS:

1. May Arts String Loop Ribbon applied in upper left and corner taped down with ATG tape. [I don't know if I have ever mentioned this, but I use ATG on everything and buy it from the site I listed. If it won't hold, and that is rare, I use Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive (picture only). A stamping friend, Carole Miller in MO, told me about this and it never fails with papers.]
2. Tied a bow using the Martha Stewart method.

3. The Stick Pin was created using a JoAnn Sew Essential Pearlized Leaf Straight Pin. It is only found in their stores and not online. The Red Glass Heart and Pearlized bead are Czech beads. it was put though the bow knot before mounting the bow with a glue dot.

4. Love You, Hearts trimmed down, and cursive i in Miss You from Combo Love Language die using Stardream Metallic Jupiter text weight paper applied as shown.

INSIDE CARD AND ENVELOPE:

5. The Double Hearts and the i and u from the Miss You from the Combo Love Language die plate were used on the inside of the card and the envelope. The i and the u were each placed inside each Heart.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Sweet Valentine

1. The image, Truffle Tree by Impression-Obsession, was stamped on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth Cardstock with Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate. It was heat embossed so the ink wouldn't smear.

2. The leaves were colored with a Gelly Roll Stardust Bronze Star pen.

3. The trunk of the tree was painted with Twinkling H2O's Warm Pecan.



4. The Truffles were done as follows:
-a. All of the Truffle cups were painted with Twinkling H2O Solar Gold.
-b. The Squiggly Truffle was painted with Twinkling H2O Cherry Sorbet. Glossy Accents was added for glaze look.
-c. The White Truffle base was painted with Twinkling H2O Warm Pecan. Liquid Pearls White Opal was used as the frosting and DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter was used on top while the Pearls were still wet.
-d. The Pink Truffle was 'frosted' with Liquid Pearls Petal Pink and then Art Institute Glitter Ultra Fine Transparent Baby's Breath was used on top while the Pearls were still wet.

5. Holes were made on both sides of the tree trunk with an eyelet setter. The May Arts ribbon was bought at Stamper's Alley in Mooresville, NC. It was threaded through the dots and then tied in a Martha Stewart bow.

6. You're Sweet from the Impression-Obsession cling set "Sweet Hearts" was stamped with Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate and then went over with a Gelly Roll Stardust Bronze Star pen.

7. The image was run though the Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Long Scalloped Rectangles Large, the largest die. It was a perfect fit end to end (minus the end scallops). A paper piercer was used to punch the hole in the middle of the scallops. They were 'eyeballed'.

8. The next layer is Stardream Cappuccino text weight. I don't know where you can buy it online or off line. I am wondering if it's discontinued. It was embossed and punched with Fiskars Embossing Border Punch Eyelet Lace. I cut the embossed edges into one inch strips and added them to each side of the image. Dimensional glitter glue and DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter was used in the eyelet area.

9. Bazzill Birthstone October cardstock was used for the outside edge. One inch pieces were added to each side. It all came from the 4" piece left over from a 12"X12" piece of cardstock.

10. Another piece of the Bazzill Birthstone October cardstock was punched with Fiskars Heart Border Punch and added to the top and bottom as shown. Glue and DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal glitter was added to the heart and dot areas. The finished cardfront was all mounted on the front a 5.5"X8.5" folded white piece of cardstock.

Some people have asked me why I mount the cardfront on a separate piece of cardstock. I started doing it for a financial reason when I started. I would ruin something on the front and couldn't use it. Also it's easier to correct a mistake if you make it. Another good reason is that colored cardstock costs more than white. So you get 4 cards out of one piece of colored cardstock. I also save pieces of pieces. I have found they are very useful for die cuts. Just an opinion.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share!

 

 Shirley

 

My First Tilda

I love Tilda, but the fact she has no nose and mouth just really bugs me. I tried giving her one, but her face is so full on the bottom, I couldn't get it to look right. Oh well, she is a cutie pie anyway. I really wanted the card to look European. I think their cards are wonderfully vintage and so nostalgic and Old World cheerful. Here the card looks rather opaque, but IRL it sparkles everywhere.

Background and Card - I used the largest die from Spellbinders Labels set to do the Cuttlebugged Swiss Dots background on Neenah Solar White cardstock. Then I used Magic Matter to do the larger matte on Neenah Natural. The actual folded card is Solar White 5.25X5.25. My envelope is 5.5 square and I wanted to be able to let some of the images hang over the side a little. You can't see it, but Stickles Diamonds glitter glue was used on the embossed edge of the Swiss Dots label. It sparkles! The pine branches around the edge were stamped with Colorbox Evergreen pigment ink. Rangers Enchanted Gold was applied and then heat embossed. It sparkles too.

Magnolia Tilda was stamped with Brillance Galaxy Gold and then painted with a Niji Waterbrush with Twinkling H2O's Ruby Red, Honey Amber, Natural Linnen, and Cherry Sorbet. Her wings and scrunchy are 3D glue and Deco Art Glamour Dust. Her fur is Stampendous White Fun Flock. The snowflake on her top is a Stampendous Snowflake Symphony stamp with Brilliance Moonlight White. Then lined with White Gesso with Deco Art Glamour Dust Crystal. The star was painted with Twinkling H2O Lemon Yellow and then Jones Tones glue was applied, followed by Jones Tones Pearl Swirl and Glossy Accents. The edge was done with Stickles Yellow.

The tree is by Inkadinkado and I would bet it is retired. The Flourishes tree would do just as well here, but this stamp is one of those I really cherish. It was stamped with Colorbox Evergreen pigment ink, Ranger Enchanted Gold added, and then heat embossed. Art Institute Brown Glitter was added to the pine cones. Tulip White Puffy paint was applied to the snow areas, Deco Art Glamour Dust Crystal applied and then heated to puff up. The ribbon was painted with Twinkling H2O's Ruby Red and then Glossy Accents was added. The Ruby Red crystals are Mark Richards Crystal Stickers 2mm. (Be careful to add these stickers only after any heat embossing required is done. They melt) Ha! Duh Me~! The bow is May Arts .

The large snowflake in the upper left hand corner is from Sizzlets Snowflake Set. The other two snowflakes, front and center and lower right hand corner are from Cuttlebug Snowflake #2. They each had 3D glue added and then Deco Art Glamour Dust Crystal was applied. Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Elements Clear were added to each, 2mm, 3mm, and 5mm.

As you have already noticed I didn't list at the bottom this time. I forgot. Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful. Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Oh My Gosh - I Finished a Card

Sit down before you fall down! Ha! I finished this card today. It's too long a story to explain why it took so long. There are 4 or 5 other cards that may make it too sooner or later too.

The deer was stamped, painted and cut out, and so was the tree. I used glitter glue and glitter on the deer's antlers and the tree on the white places. After I cut the deer out, I held a marker with the brush or pointed tip up in my right hand and the deer in my left between my forefinger and thumb. I ran the brush around the edges. It's an anal quirk of mine. You are going to say, 'No wonder it took you so long', but that didn't take long at all. I use cuticle scissors and they zip in and out. I also use an X-acto knife for the inside jobbies on the deer's antlers after the glue and glitter. That makes them stronger to work with (bad grammar). Glossy Accents was added to the nose and eyes.

The white background was die cut first and then and embossing folder was used on it. Then glitter glue was applied to the edges. The snowflake on the bottom is a die with glitter glue and glitter added and then a rhinestone sticker. The snowflake on the organdy bow is a brad with the brad part cut off and then glitter glue, glitter, and the rhinestone sticker was used on top. It was mounted with thin glue dots. The one near the deer's leg is just glitter glue, glitter and the rhinestone.

The background on the curved rectangle card was another story. First I used VersMark with a flourish stamp around the edges. Then I sponged 2 shades of distressed ink over that. You can barely see the first VersaMark. Sooooooo I followed that with more flourishes with VersaMark. This time Clear Embossing Powder was put on top and then heat embossed. Now this reminds me of branded leather, but what do I know. I was not trying for that either.

The cardfront was then mounted, then the bow. The tree and the deer were mounted using pop dots. The snowflake on the bottom right was mouted and then the rhinestones.

Supplies:

Images:
- 2 4.25X5.5 Neenah Paper Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80 lb. cardstock (One for the Curved Rectangle background and one for the Deer and Tree images)

- Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Snowflakes

- Cuttlebug Die Snowflake #2

- Spellbinders Curved Rectangles (Next to Largest)

- Brilliance Galaxy Gold

- StazOn Forest Green
- Flourishes - Sleigh Ride (Deer) and Forest of Trees (Tree)
- Twinkling H2O's Warm Pecan and Dark Brown marker for edges of deer.
- Cuticle Scissors or Detail Scissors

- Glitter Glue

- Art Institute Glitter Ultrafine Opaque Twig for antlers

- DecoArt Glamour Dust Crystal for white areas on tree, brad for bow, on the die snowflake

- Glossy Accents for nose and hoofs

- Glue Dots

Background:

- Spellbinders Curved Rectangle Largest. Fold CS and then bring bottom level with bottom curved edge of die.

- 1 4.25X 11 folded Neenah Paper Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80 lb. cardstock

- Impression-Obsession - Small Flourish Three

- VersaMark Pad

- Distress Ink Pads Vintage Photo and Brushed Corduroy
- Clear Embossing Powder
- Mark Richards Crystal Stickers 5MM Amber

I have a real wonderful surprise for you the next time I post! Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Parade of Trees #3 I Think

I've seen people using the Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Lace Tree, and was really taken with the different images in it. So naturally I had to paint it. I used a needle nose plastic bottle to apply the glue for the glitter. The Lace Tree was trimmed with scissors and mounted with glue dots. The Stickles glitter glue and the pearls were applied just before the bow was done. The bow at the top of the tree was done using the Martha Stewart method.

The ribbon up the side was done using the Japanese Stab Binding technique as shown below. I only did the cardfront and not the inside folded card. You may get a better idea of what I did by reading this Bibliophile I was able to find. Please keep in mind I only did the top cardfront layer. Supplies:
Image:
- Neenah Paper Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80 lb. cardstock - 4.25X5.5 and 5.5X11
- Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Lace Tree
- Twinkling H2O's Jasper Red and Sweet Alfalfa applied with a Niji waterbrush
- Stickles Yellow Glitter Glue
- 3-D Glitter Glue - I suggest one that dries clear.
- Art Institute Glitter: Ultrafine Transparent Sea Shell
- Large Pop Dots and the leftovers around the dots
- May Arts Sheer Iridescent Dark Red Ribbon
- Mark Richards Crystal Stickers 5mm Pearls

Background:
- Neenah Paper Classic Laid Solar White 80 lb. Cover cardstock - 4.25X5.5
- Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Textile Texture
- Stampin' Up Garden Green cardstock - 4.25X5.5

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Second In The Parade Of Trees

For some reason I am using a lot of Christmas tree stamps lately. I have to also say I have a heck of a time getting a good photo, even without the flash, on cards with rhinestones or glitter. The ribbon really does match the glitter more and the rhinestones match the edge of the ribbon perfectly. The tree was stamped on cardstock and heat embossed to dry the ink. Glitter Glue was applied and then the glitter. The image was cut out when the glitter dried.

The background paper was embossed with the Cuttlebug and folder. It was mounted to the dark purple cardfront. The smaller image was stamped 5 times on cardstock and then glitter glue and glitter applied. They were cut out when dry and mounted with glue.

The main image was mounted with large pop dots and left over pop material as shown. Glue was used to mount the smaller images randomly around the tree. The ribbon was tied using the Martha Stewart method and then mounted with a large glue dot. The lavender rhinestones were mounted last.

Supplies:

Images:
-Neenah Paper Classic Craft Natural Super Smooth 80 lb. cardstock 4.25"X5.5" (tree); 2 1/8"X2.75" (smaller image); 5.5"X8.25" (card) folded.
-Impression-Obsession: Swirl Tree and/or Leigh Hannan Snowflakes (which includes a smaller tree and the Smaller Image)
-Brilliance Galaxy Gold
-3-D Glitter Glue - I suggest one that dries clear.
-Art Institute Glitter: Ultrafine Transparent Nirvana
-Large Pop Dots and the leftovers around the dots
-May Arts KA45 Woven Iridescent Ribbon

Background:
-Curious Ice Gold text weight paper and Neenah Natural as shown above under Image
-Cuttlebug Embossing Folder D'Vine Swirl
and smaller image from Snowflakes as noted above under image
-Scotch Quick Drying Tacky Glue (Carole Miller from MO introduced me to this glue)
It will hold anything that my ATG tape won't and that's not much!!
-Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Elements Lavender
-Bazzill: Lilac/Fairy Dust

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Swirls And Pearls

Glitter drives me crazy sometimes. It never looks in a photo like it does IRL. Anyway, the image was stamped on white cardstock and then glitter was used to fill in the swirls. I worked with the lightest color first, then pink, then gold. The tree has snowflakes, but I chose to used a die to mount them over the ones already there. I used the two on the right and cut them down. The one on the top was used for the larger ones. Large Pop Dots were used just below the snowflake on top and then the right and left swirls on the bottom and the center top of tree trunk.

The background is a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I am trying to do more layers. Most of my images are too big to do a lot of it. I used an oval punch for the words and then Magic Matter to do the edge seen around it. The circles on the outside frame are from snowflakes I cut down for the tree. They are from the one on the right on the die below.
The regular dots were made with a White Signo Uni-ball pen. The ribbon is May Arts and I love it. I love how easy it was to use. Glitter glue and pearls were added to the tree snowflakes, the brass snowflake and the tag for the final touches.

I decorated the inside of my card and envelope with the embossing folder and painted with Twinkling H2O's Iridescent Gold so it matched the BG area.

Supplies:
Image:
Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb cover cardstock 4.25X5.5" and 5.5"X8.5" folded
Brilliance Galaxy Gold
Impression-Obsession: Swirl and Snowflake Tree
Glitter Glue - I suggest one that dries clear.
Art Institute Glitter:
Sea Shell Transparent
Baby's Breath Transparent
Fool's Gold Opaque
Curious Metallic Ice Gold Cardstock 2X2" to fit Die
Cuttlebug Die Snowflake #2
4 Large Pop Dots

Tag:
Curious Metallic Ice Gold Cardstock
Stampin' Up 1.75 Oval Punch
Stampin' Up Pixie Pink or Medium Pink Cardstock
Magic Matter

Background:
Curious Metallic Ice Gold Cardstock 4.25X5.5 trimmed and cut to 3 strips of 1 5/8"X3 7/8"
Cuttlebug Snowflakes Embossing Folder

Embellishments:
Stickles Diamonds glitter glue
Gold (Brass) Snowflake
SnowflakeMark Richards Crystal Effects Pearls 3mm and 5mm
Signo Uni-ball White pen

Don't forget, if you have questions, you can email me by clicking on the EMAIL Me on the right sidebar. Thanks for stopping by the blog to look and share!

 

 Shirley

 

Victorian Bloom One from Impression-Obsession

When Impression-Obsession posted their new stamps a few weeks ago I knew I had to have this one. The image is Victorian Bloom One and was stamped; with Brilliance Gold Galaxy on Neenah Paper Classic Craft Natural Super Smooth 80 lb. cardstock.

*(I don't use embossing powder when I stamp with any Brilliance pads. If
the pad is properly inked it will raise up when you heat it as if you had used
some Embossing Powder on it.) If anyone would like me to demo this and then provide pictures
let me know and I will be happy to do it here. I think if you try it you will like it. Don't saturate, just well inked. Let me know what you think.

I painted the image with a Niji Waterbrush using Twinkling H2O's Pink Crocus, Cherry Sorbet, and Sweet Alfalfa. I almost forgot to tell what I did with the flower petals and the 2 sets of prominent leaves on the stem. I cut the edges with an X-acto Knife and then used folded glue dots underneath to get a raise from the paper. I think I saw this on an SU Demo site. If anyone knows where, please let me know so I can give credit. It looks so wonderful with just the slight raise. I also used dimensional glue and Art Institute Mellow Yellow Glitter along the center slit of the flower.

All of the pearls are Mark Richardson Crystal Stickers Elements. If A Cherry On Top doesn't have them try Hobby Lobby where you live. They go fast because they are so much cheaper than the other companies. The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby too. The words are from Paper Salon and were stamped with Brilliance Gold Galaxy. The Butterfly Punch is Martha Stewart and the paper is Stardream Metallic Amber text weight. I show the Michaels link for the punch because you can't locate it on Martha's site and I certainly wouldn't pay what they want on EBay. I bought mine at Wal-Mart. The Doily Lace Punch is also Martha Stewart and can be bought at Wal-Mart too. I used Bazzill Paper for the Dark Olive Green cardstock and the Chiara Rose Quartz text weight is Stardream.

*I mount all of my cards on either a White cheaper cardstock or a similar
Vanilla, also cheaper cardstock. I make the cardfronts separate for two
reasons. The first is because if I ruin it I haven't ruined a whole half
sheet of colored cardstock. I make a lot of cards and it is cheaper this
way. Also, I find it easier than cutting and pasting paper inside so others can read what I say. It's just a personal thing.

This was a really easy card to do. I hope you like it. Thanks for stopping by "the blog" to look.

 

 Shirley