Studio Sessions: September 2014

Autumn Splendor & Spooky Screams; 1 of 8: Jill

Fall has arrived and with it a whole new season of designs. Join us as we enjoy the ever-changing leaf colors with Autumn Splendor and the approach of some frightful fun with Spooky Screams.

Yay... it's fall!!!!!

LOVE

FALL!

Can you tell?! LOL

Each of these cards was created using Inchie Arts 3" White Art Squares.

I stamped my leaf images, Penny Black 40-358 Filigree Foliage, onto the Art Squares using VersaMark ink, sprinkled with white embossing powder, and heat to set. I colored the leaves and backgrounds using a collection of watercolors--Distress Markers, Distress Stains, and Dr. PH Martin's Hydrus Watercolors. I just kept building up more and more color until I was happy with the result. I also flicked a bit of paint onto the background for additional "texture." Once dry, using my fingertip, I swiped a touch of Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gesso around the edges of the Art Squares. Each Art Square was layered onto white cardstock, a pierced background with edges inked with Wheat VersaMagic ink, and then onto a white notecard.

For additional Inchie Arts inspiration, visit their BLOG and FACEBOOK page.

Oh, before I go, if you are looking for some Spooky Screams, be sure to click HERE to view my newest PB&J video...

So do you think Elizabeth will be bringing Autumn Splendor or Spooky Screams to the Studio?? I can't wait to find out...

Introducing Autumn Splendor & Spooky Screams

It's time for a change of seasons in the Studio!
COMING SOON:

Penny Black Pairings, 8 of 8: Elizabeth

We love to design as a pair here in the Studio where we even share our stamps and Creative Dies!! We hope you enjoy peeking at our pairs of projects using the same Penny Black products. It's double the designing fun!

Penny Black

Additional Penny Black Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

Today I am dressing one of the snowflakes from Crystal Trio in a soft, warm velvet hug.

To create my hug, I placed a sheet of Scrapbook Adhesive on a piece of cardstock and then die cut a snowflake. After peeling away the backing, I was able to apply pink crushed velvet flock to the exposed sticky surface.

To give all the card elements a chipboard thickness, I die cut three scalloped rectangles (Picture This Creative Die) and stamped three banners (Joy Filled). The top element from each design was finished with a sentiment (Joy Filled) and a flourish (Oh Christmas Tree) before the multiple layers were glued together with Permanent Scrapbook Adhesive.

This probably goes without saying, but I LOVE DIMENSION! Here you can see how the elements were layered with E-Z Dots.

A metallic accent was added to the snowflake to create a central visual point. This small embellishment draws the eye to a "starting" point for viewing and then allows the eye to radiate out and view the other components of the card.

Since this card has many textures and elevations, a subtle embossed design was added to the background to "ground" the elevated elements. In this design, Penny Black's Dotlets Stencil was used with a light box and stylus for the dry embossing texture.

For detailed instructions and a complete supply list for this project, click HERE.

Thanks for joining the fun at STUDIO SESSIONS as we "paired" up our Penny Black designs.

Jill and I are putting the finishing touches on our next designs and have lots more STUDIO fun to come! If you would to like have our posts delivered directly to your inbox, just sign up for our Newsletter located on the side bar.

[Supplies: Penny Black: Joy Filled 30-257, Oh Christmas Tree 40-344, Dotlets 25-007, Crystal Trio 51-066, Picture This 51-056, Mix & Match Cardstock: 01-001 Storm, 06-001 Spring Meadow and 15-003 Coral Reef; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L: E-Z Dots Permanent Adhesive, Adhesive Sheets, 3D Foam Squares, Thin 3D Foam Squares; Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Tea Leaves VersaMagic, VersaMark Watermark Ink, Frost Psst Sheet Shimmer Spritz, White Embossing Powder; Doodlebug Design: Pink Crushed Velvet Flock; Mark Richards: Silver Metal Accent; Other: Light Box, Stylus.]

Penny Black Pairings, 7 of 8: Jill

Penny Black

Additional Penny Black Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

I have used this set of dies sooo much. I love snowflakes. In fact, I think I'm ready for a few to fall. (Okay, not quite ready yet!)

On today's card I layered several snowflakes on a background created with lots of layers of Pan Pastels, Memento ink, and even a touch of acrylic paint. The background was randomly stamped using Penny Black 40-204 Fleur de Lys. And the sentiment, Penny Black 30-257 Joy Filled, was stamped using VersaFine Onyx Black ink.

Thanks for popping by the Studio for a visit today...I can't wait to see what Elizabeth has created with this trio of ~~fun~~ snow! :)

Penny Black Pairings, 6 of 8: Jill

Penny Black

Additional Penny Black Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

So I know we said we would be "pairing" our projects but instead of just one project here in the Studio today, I might have created a couple of extras. (Don't tell; okay?) :) I find this stamp, 40-342 Happy Berries, to be sooo versatile!

Here I've used it as the focal point on my card:

Background colored with Pan Pastels then image stamped with VersaMark ink. Same colors of Pan Pastels reapplied. Additional shading to berries and branches done with Tombow Dual Brush Pens. Sentiment by Penny Black, 40-343 Ornately Merry, and snowflake Creative Die by Penny Black, 51-015 Snowflake Trio.

Next, I used it as a snowy background:

Background image stamped with VersaMark ink and heat embossed with white powder. Background inked with Desert Sand and Toffee Crunch Memento ink. Light layer of Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gesso applied with paint brush over background for white-washed effect. Mimi, Penny Black 4400K Reindeer Games, colored with ShinHan Art Touch Twin Markers. Sentiment and medallion by Penny Black, 30-257 Joy Filled.

And finally, I added it as a subtle texture behind these larger berries:

Subtle berry texture created by stamping 40-342 Happy Berries using Wheat VersaMagic ink. Larger berries, Penny Black 40-346 Berry Merry Christmas, inked and stamped using Distress Paints. Top portion of card inked with Claret Palette ink and stamped with Penny Black 30-240 Textures using VersaFine Crimson Red ink.

Wishing you a HAPPY day!

Penny Black Pairings, 5 of 8: Elizabeth

Penny Black

Additional Penny Black Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

One of the many things I like about Penny Black's "Happy Berries" is that it can be used all throughout the year. In today's post I am sharing how one holiday stamp mixed with ATC Art Squares (Inchie Arts) can be designed into a gift card holder for the holidays or an everyday occasion.

For the holiday version, soft gray ATC Art Squares (Inchie Arts) lend an elegant background hue for Penny Black's "Happy Berries" stamped in Satin Red VersaFine.

The smoothness of the Art Squares provides an excellent stamping surface and beautifully showcases the stamped ink. The surface of the Art Squares is also durable so that accenting the berries with Crystal Stickles and micro-fine red glitter does not cause the Art Square paper to ripple.

The secret for creating the pocket is to layer the Art Squares. A soft gray ATC Art Square was layered with a dark gray ATC Art Square that was trimmed into a thin "U" frame (pictured on the left). A second soft gray ATC Art Square was then placed on top. Using two tones of Art Squares to create the holder gives the piece an eye-catching pinstripe along all three edges (pictured on the right). This "sandwiching" technique also allows enough space in the holder to slide in a gift card that is temporarily mounted to cardstock.

The sentiment medallion from Penny Black's "Wonderful & Jolly" stamped in red and black accompanied by grosgrain ribbon adds a simple yet stylish accent.

Using "Happy Berries" again with white and soft gray ATC Art Squares (Inchie Arts) and changing the ink colors to soft tones of reds, oranges and purples transforms the same design into an everyday gift holder.

This time the durable surface of the Art Squares was the perfect platform for a layer of gel medium. The subtle coating over the stamped artwork gave the piece such a lovely finish. Once again, more Penny Black holiday images (Beauty of the Season) were transformed into an all occasion sentiment medallion.

Detailed instructions for this project in pdf format can be viewed and printed HERE.

More Inchie Arts information and inspiration is available on their BLOG and FACEBOOK page.

More to come when Jill reveals her berry happiness!

[Supplies: Penny Black: Happy Berries 40-342, Wonderful & Jolly 30-259, Beauty of the Season 30-254; Inchie Arts: ATC Art Squares; Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko; Onyx Black VersaFine, Satin Red VersaFine; Ranger: Glossy Accents, Crystal Stickles; Art Glitter: Ruby Red; Offray: Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon; Other: Craft Knife, Circle Die Cut.]

Penny Black Pairings, 4 of 8: Elizabeth

Penny Black

Additional Penny Black Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

One of my favorite ways to use a die cut phrase is to use a portion of it combined with part of a stamped sentiment. It's fun, chic and trendy!

Two die cuts of "Greetings" from Penny Black's Creative Die set World of Wishes were layered on top of each other to create a thicker embellishment and then pounced with a Delicata Golden Glitz ink pad. (The rich, golden hue makes it my favorite gold ink.) A small stamped "Season's" from the transparent set Joy Filled in Love Letter Memento adds the chic contrast.

This Penny Black Polaroid die cut frame is perfect for displaying art in the open window with a fantastic space at the bottom to add a greeting.

I took advantage of the open frame to create a faux laser cut image. By nestling a die cut of "Leap of Joy" between two Polaroid die cuts and then trimming away any overhanging portions of the leaping deer, I was able to produce the illusion that this design was laser cut from one piece of cardstock. A backdrop of Coral Reef Mix & Match cardstock added to the festivity of the theme while also keeping the design modern and fresh.

If you would like to download a pdf containing the complete instructions and supplies for this card click HERE.

The double delight of Penny Black Pairs continues next week with a "berry happy" stamp design.

[Supplies: Penny Black: Joy Filled 30-257, Polaroid 51-057, Leap of Joy 51-062, World of Wishes 51-067, Mix & Match Cardstock Coral Reef 15-003; Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Love Letter Memento, Delicata Golden Glitz Ink; 3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape.]

Out & About with Jill -- STAMPtember

Today I'm so honored to be...

...taking part in the festivities of Simon Says Stamp STAMPtember!

Here's a little peek at my project...

Click HERE for the full reveal and all of the details.

I also heard there just might be a chance to win these stamps, too!! :)

In other news, I was so honored to see that THEE Catherine Pooler tagged me as a designer that inspires her! She is an amazing gal and I am giddy that she thought of me. You can view her awesome stamping on her blog and a fun video with her beautiful daughter here. As part of being tagged, I am to answer the following questions...

1. What am I working on? I am currently working on Christmas creations using Penny Black's newest stamps and Creative Dies. I am in love with watercolor and am very much enjoying incorporating this technique into many of my samples.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? Hhhmmm... I'm not sure! Perhaps my love of color makes it unique??

3. Why do I create what I do? I create what I do because it makes me HAPPY. I crave time to color, paint, and design and without it life is a bit boring!

4. How does your creative process work? I can say it rarely works the same way twice! I begin a project with some type of inspiration and then go from there. This inspiration may be a technique I am wanting to do, a type of medium I am wanting to work with, a particular stamp image that is calling my name, or even a color combo that I want to incorporate onto my card. Rarely do my projects turn out the way I originally thought they would in my head.

And now I get to share a couple of people who inspire me! I could list sooo many but here are two.

**ELIZABETH ALLAN**
It's no secret I love Elizabeth's work...I'm honored to share this STUDIO with her. All of her creations are works of art and she truly thinks of EVERY detail. Every time I see something she has made I am oohhing and ahhing.

**JUDY JUNG**
To me, Judy embodies what stamping is all about. She shares her joys of stamping, encourages others, and makes beautiful stamped art. I am especially loving her Christmas cards this year and her use of Creative Dies within her projects.

So with all that being said, big thanks to Catherine for the "tag" and thanks to Elizabeth and Judy for all of the inspiration!

Penny Black Pairings, 3 of 8: Jill

Penny Black

Additional Penny Black Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

One of my favorite things about Creative Die sentiments is that you can't mess up a nearly finished card by stamping the sentiment on crookedly! For my card, I used the "Joy" sentiment from Penny Black 51-021 Love & Joy.

I first created my grid pattern using 1 1/2" white Inchie Arts Art Squares. They were the perfect size for my little critters! To create the mottled backgrounds on the Art Squares, I colored onto my acrylic block with Tombow Dual Brush pens, misted with water, and pressed the Art Squares into the ink. I allowed them to dry and then stamped three of them with critters (Penny Black 30-252 Winter Friends) using Tuxedo Black ink. Each critter was then colored with ShinHan Art Touch Twin Markers. I colored the die cut snowflakes (Penny Black 51-066 Crystal Trio) and also my sentiment with ShinHan Art Touch Twin markers and then adhered them to the squares.

(Additional Inchie Arts information available on their BLOG and FACEBOOK page.)

Penny Black Pairings, 2 of 8: Jill

Penny Black

Additional Penny Black Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

Oh, how I just love the elegance of Elizabeth's card using this Creative Die; don't you? I decided to use 51-061 Holly and Berries on a tag. (I love making Christmas tags!)

First, I colored 51-061 Holly and Berries (cut 2 times) using ShinHan Art Touch Twin Markers. I then stamped the die cuts using Penny Black 30-238 Footnotes and Memento Toffee Crunch Ink. To the base of my tag, I applied a mixture of Memento Pistachio ink and Ranger Archival Leaf Green ink using ink blending tools and foam pads. I stamped the polka dots (Penny Black 30-240 Textures) using Ranger Archival Fern Green ink. I also swiped a touch of green acrylic paint onto the tag using my fingertip. Once dry, I adhered my trimmed die cuts using dimensional adhesive. The small sentiment tag was stamped using Penny Black 30-257 Joy Filled and then the edges were inked with Memento Toffee Crunch ink. To finish things off I added self-adhesive pearls, Ribbons Unlimited ribbon, and May Arts twine.

Now... what will we be PAIRING next?

We're die-ing to share!

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