Studio Sessions

Love Is In The Air, 2 of 4: Jill

Red and white, hearts and hugs, love is in the air. Whether you are sending love to a friend, relative or a special someone, we have all kinds of heartfelt designs to share with you!

As soon as I was thinking about the theme of "love is in the Air" I just had to share this card!

The background was created by stamping Penny Black 40-094 Hearts All Over using VersaMark ink onto Neenah Solar White cardstock and then applying Pan Pastels over the top. The focal point die cut, Penny Black 51-187 Triple Love, was colored using ShinHan Art Touch Twin Markers and then layered onto a piece of Neenah Solar White cardstock, lightly inked with Ranger Archival Ink in the color of Aquamarine using an ink blending tool and foam pad.

Wishing you a LOVEly day!

Love Is In The Air, 1 of 4: Elizabeth

Red and white, hearts and hugs, love is in the air. Whether you are sending love to a friend, relative or a special someone, we have all kinds of heartfelt designs to share with you!

Oh how true! Love is always in the air and you can never give too much.

I made multiples of these cards to send to four special little girls in my life. I wanted them to know how much they touch my heart.

I was able to make these little treasures in a flash by using the same card "recipe" for each design.

After watercoloring the girls (Penny Black: XOXO 30-330, Goodness 30-327 Illustrated by Mo Manning) I fussy cut them and then sprayed them with Krylon Clear Acrylic Coating. I loved the effect.

They were then elevated on a small strip of Beau Jardins patterned paper.

The sentiment (Happy Hearts 30-326) was stamped in onyx black VersaFine and was surrounded by crystal Stickle dots.

This sentiment was perfect for the inside:

From the Heart

Wishing you a day filled with lots of X's and O's.

Christmas Throughout the Year; 6 of 6: Jill

It may be January, but we still have a few holiday stamps and dies setting out in the Studio. Join us this month as we share a few ideas to help you get even more mileage from your holiday products as we feature...

One of my favorite ways to get the most from my holiday stamps and dies is to use them for thank you cards. I simply use the holiday image but stamp a thank you sentiment instead of a more Christmas-specific sentiment. Here are two examples where I've done just that.

First, I kept things nice and cute for this bright thank you.

(View compete supplies and technique video on the Penny Black blog HERE.)

And for these cards I tried a new-to-me technique using acrylic paints along with Penny Black's Creative Die Serenity.

(View compete supplies and technique video on the Penny Black blog HERE.)

Thanks for your visits and support here in the STUDIO. We hope you've been inspired this past month to look at your Christmas stamps and dies in a whole new way...and that you just might enjoy Christmas throughout the year! :)

Christmas Throughout the Year; 5 of 6: Elizabeth

Thank you notes are definitely a staple needed throughout the year.

This design is easily replicated to create several at one time.

By taking rich coca browns and pairing them with royal reds, you can create a big impact.

Penny Black
30-312 Regal Reindeer

Tone-on-tone stamping gives you lots of leeway to alter the look of a card. Think of this same design done with greens or oranges. Or for a sophisticated twist heat embossing done in silver or gold.

A small strip of accent paper and a sentiment that overhangs the top edge of the card are simple yet eye-catching elements.

Complete instructions and supplies are available HERE.

More thank you ideas to come from my pARTner, Jill!

Christmas Throughout the Year; 4 of 6: Jill

I loved how Elizabeth transformed her snowflakes and winter stamp set to create a springtime card. My project takes this same approach using Penny Black's Creative Dies. My first card is a Christmas poinsettia design...

But then I used the same berries, mason jar, and overall design to create a springtime version.

Next I brightened things up for a summertime hello.

And finally brought in the colors of Autumn.

You can get all of the product details and view a PB&J video demonstrating these card making techniques on the Penny Black blog by clicking HERE and HERE.

Christmas Throughout the Year; 3 of 6: Jill

I love Penny Black's holiday stamps that also have a nature/winter theme. Some of my favorites released this year are 30-320 Spread Cheer, 30-321 Winter Moments, and 30-322 Joy to All. I've used them to create a set of watercolor tags.

I can't tell you how much fun I had creating these. I must admit, I think it was one of my favorite projects ever!

You can get all of the techniques and complete supply lists on the Penny Black blog HERE.

Christmas Throughout the Year; 2 of 6: Elizabeth

Here is a fun way to transition a wintry stamp set into a floral garden.

Penny Black
30-320 Spread Cheer

The branches were stamped along the bottom of the rectangular cardstock and then the snowflakes were used for flowers.

Even a small strip of Christmas striped paper is seen as a refreshing spring accent.

Complete instructions and supplies are available HERE.

Here is another idea. This Christmas design is easily CASED into an everyday card.

Just omit the holiday greeting and leave blank or add one of your choice to fit the occasion.

A thoughtful sentiment stamped on the inside will also set the tone of the card.

Take it a step further and use paint "flecks" of a different color to reflect the current season.