Basement Flooding

It has been a while since I have been online due to the recent Midwest flooding. We were very lucky as we had just an inch or so of rainwater in our basement (thank goodness it wasn't sewage). I am praying for all those who have been affected by the flooding...we lost items (including computers and tax documents) and a few personal items like my childhood dollhouse, but really it was a blessing in disguise. We really cleaned out!

I haven't had much urge to stamp, but I did upload lots of cards to my card gallery before the flood.

Bleach Brushing Technique

I have been neglecting my blog while I have been feverishly updating my card gallery website. In the last few weeks, I have posted about 200-300 cards (including several new stamp set pages) as well as linking my technique classes with example pages. If you haven't checked out my card gallery, it is worth the trip!

http://www.stampwithjane.com/

On the index page, there is a card using the Winds of Grace stamp set.

The technique used for this card is called Bleach Brushing. So many variations happen to cardstock when bleach comes in contact with it. For this technique, all you need to do is use a bristle brush, sweep it in some bleach, brush it over the cardstock, and let it dry. In this card, however, the bleach pooled a bit on the bottom of the Not Quite Navy cardstock. I searched my stamp set inventory for just the right image. The Winds of Grace sailboat, which was embossed on top of the dryed bleach brushing technique, was perfect! In fact, the excess bleach pool left an image of rushing waves hitting the sailboat.

However, best results happen when you are lighter to the touch with the bleach and leave some unbleached areas on the cardstock. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out all materials used when bleaching. Bleach can wreck art supplies, clothing, furniture...you get the picture.

Hershey Bar Slider

I recently did a workshop and featured the Enjoy Every Moment from the April Free Wheelin' Special. For my hostess, I wanted to create items for her hostess bag in the same theme of the card. Every woman loves chocolate - so I knew I had to include at least one chocolate item in her bag. This candy bar slider was perfect!

I loved the color combination of Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip. The three-flower punch was perfect for some punched embellishments. I do hope my hostess enjoys every moment of eating her chocolate!

Technique Tuesday Faux Denim Colored Ribbon Slide Card

This card was a big hit at my recent Technique Tuesday class. I showed my customers the faux denim technique (see the background strip). I also showed them how to color the new ribbon slides in the Spring Hodgepodge Hardware kit using Crystal Effects and ink refills.

Colored Embellishment - On a deli lid, pour a dime-sized amount of Crystal Effects. Add 1 drop of Brocade Blue ink refill. Mix with toothpick. Using the same toothpick as a paintbrush, paint the inner part of flower embellishment. Let dry before completing card.

Faux Denim - Swipe Brocade Blue inkpad over the Brocade Blue cardstock in long swipes lengthwise. Set aside to dry a bit. In the same direction, swipe the Night of Navy inkpad in long swipes. Again, set aside to dry a bit.

Lightly swipe the white craft ink over the blue ink in the same direction. Let this dry or use a heat gun to speed up drying process. Turn cardstock 90 degrees. Apply long stroke of the Night of Navy ink over the piece. Allow all inks to dry before finishing or matting faux denim pieces. Be aware, your Craft White pad will suffer a bit from this technique in appearance - but the effect is so worth it!

Stamp main flower in Stazon. Color with WCCrayons/Aquapainter. Sponge edges. Stamp small flower/phrase and punch out. Punch out label. Attach pieces.

Where is Spring?

If you live in the Midwest, you may be asking the same question. We've certainly had a quota for snow and winter weather this year. Well, if Spring needs a little nudge, I've got the perfect little card for it.

This card uses two very simple techniques - the spotlighting technique and one of my favorite background techniques - smooshing (yes, that is a technical term). For spotlighting, stamp the image twice and leave one of them uncolored. Then punch out the spotlighting section on the other image and color in and mount to another but slightly larger punched out piece. Attach on top of the uncolored image. For "smooshing", use your inkpad to make marks on the cardstock. I prefer to use the same color ink on cardstock, but coordinating colors look good on most cardstock as well.

Maybe this little birdie will chase the winter blues away!

Stampin' Up! March Special - Going for the Green (Wasabi)

Stampin' Up! has a unique March special! They are offering a Wild Wasabi card stock pack for only $3.95. The pack includes 16 sheets of 4-1/2" x 11-1/2" Wild Wasabi textured card stock that has been scored at 1-1/8" and 5-5/8". Item number is #110294.

This special product offer is the result of a miscalculation in cutting and scoring on one batch of Wild Wasabi textured card stock for the Holiday Glitz promotion; while this paper did not meet specifications for the Holiday Glitz kits, it is excellent for creating other fun and exciting projects.

This is a no-limit special. If you love the Wild Wasabi color, you'll love it in textured card stock!

In addition, anyone placing a $25 order and including the Wild Wasabi card stock pack will receive a yard of the Wild Wasabi double-stitched ribbon from me!

Don't forget about Sale-A-Bration - it ends on March 17th! Make a purchase of $50 of merchandise and receive a limited-edition stamp set or rub-on set! I will be placing my next order on Wednesday, March 5th.

Jane's Stampin' Up! Web Garage Sale

On this gloomy and rainy and soon to be snowy Sunday, I was very productive! I have been wanting to upload my stamping garage sale items for a long time! Right now, I have most of the items up on the website.

You can view them on my personal web gallery at www.stampwithjane.com . I did separate the stamp sets from the accessories. The link is right after the link for the February Fun Reasons to Stamp!

Hopefully, you will find some must-have retired items. There may be additions throughout the year including a web page designated for hand-crafted items.

Happy Shopping!

SALE-A-BRATION IS HERE!

YEAH! One of the highlights of the Stampin' Up! year is finally here!

Stampin' Up!'s SALE-A-BRATION is being held at a different time this year - from February 1st through March 17th. When you purchase $50 worth of Stampin' Up! merchandise, you will get to select a free limited-edition stamp set (there are 5 different ones) or a limited-edition rub-on set.

You can check these items out here:

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/US_SAB_08.pdf

Now, go make your list!

Technique Tuesday Shaker Card

This Tuesday was my scheduled Technique Tuesday stamp class. One of the techniques I was planning on showing was the shaker card technique. I created my class sample with the adorable stamp set Happy Heart Day. I knew my customers were going to love this card!

Sadly, the Wisconsin winter weather forced a cancellation - the 50 mph winds and -35 degree windchills were not conducive to stampers driving to my home.

February's Technique Tuesday's group will be making a different shaker card as it will be held towards the end of the month.

Here are some quick instructions - Stamp mouse image in StazOn on Real Red cardstock. Attach brads. I then used a non-SU circle punch for the window - you could also use a Coluzzle. I then layered and attached some acetate over it. Stamp butterfly image on a separate piece of Whisper White (make piece larger than punched circle), color in, and play with placement of image inside shaker.

After this is done, you need to put some double-stick foam tape or excess rubber from your cut-out stamp sets in a square design to buffer/block the shaker insides from scooting all over. Do not tear off protective strips on the outside yet.

Now carefully put in your shaker items - don't use too much or too little for the best effect. I used some heart confetti and Stampin' Up!'s micro beads.

Tear the protective strips off the double-stick foam tape. Place your focal image on top. I then put double-stick foam tape on the underside edges of my layer - it just helps with propping it up correctly.

I then colored in the flower with a white gel pen and made a tag and popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals and added the jeweled brad! Mount on Basic Gray and Basic Black cardstock and attach to a Whisper White card.

Hope you enjoy!

Altered Dollar Store Frames

I have a bad habit of buying items that just scream out to be altered or stamped but then sit and sit for days/weeks/months until I have time to work with them.

I purchased these adorable purse frames from the local dollar store a while back. Now keep in mind I have THREE BOYS and no girls. I wouldn't even call myself a real girly-girl, but they kept calling me from the shelves.

With all the fabulous designer papers Stampin' Up! carries, I knew a cute design was inevitable! These were really quite easy and took very little time. I do like to use Craft Bond spray glue to adhere my projects...if you do just be sure to have good ventilation and protect your surfaces! I roughed up the edges with a sanding block and some stamped images, ribbon, and bling! I just love the Rose Red and Chocolate Chip combination!