July 2020 - The Maine Stamper

In The Pines In Shaded Spruce

July 20, 2020

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be

Monday’s are hard, but in this card making series, I will show you that stamping shouldn’t be. In fact, it’s quite easy. And with minimal supplies and minimal efforts, you can get fabulous results!

To see my wonderful Monday card from last week, click here.

In The Pines Stamp Set

Today’s Monday Card features the stamp set In The Pines. This is a brand new upcoming release from the August-December 2020 Mini Catalog from Stampin’ Up!. I have a feeling it will be a carry-over item into the next annual catalog, it is so versatile!

Starting on August 4, 2020, you can purchase In the Pines as a bundle with the Pine Wood Dies and save 10%. However, since we are using minimal supplies, this Monday Card only uses the stamp set.

That’s right, one stamp set, In The Pines, two ink pads, Shaded Spruce and Memento Tuxedo Black, and two colors of cardstock, Shaded Spruce and Whisper White. Please follow along!

A Monday Card

The Card Recipe

Shaded Spruce CS: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″ for card base.

Shaded Spruce CS: 2-1/2 x 3-1/2″ and 1-1/2x 4″

Whisper White CS: 4 x 5 1/4″ x 2 (one for inside, optional)

Whisper White CS: 2-1/4 x 3-1/4″, 1-1/4 x 4″

Stamp And Assemble

This Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be Card starts out with the typical “fold in half” and score with your bone folder to get a great crisp card base. Let’s not break tradition.

However, my TIP to you is to score once, invert the fold and score again. Your inner crease is now as crisp as the outer one. This makes for a professional looking card base!

Create A Crease

Usually this is where we begin stamping to create our background paper. This easy to make card has different features, including a corner crease that gets a little stamped action.

To start, I simply folded a small section of the top right corner of my 4 x 5-1/4″ Whisper White CS toward the middle. I used my bone folder to burnish the crease and help the fold to stay bent over.

I then un-bent my cardstock and flipped it over so the back was facing up. Next, I used the snowflake (or dots) stamp from the In The Pines Stamp Set and inked it in Shaded Spruce. I stamped this image over the bent corner portion of my paper.

Stamping snow dots with the In The Pines Stamp Set

By stamping the corner from the back side of the paper, the front of the corner has great images when flipped around into position. I also avoided getting ink on the front where I didn’t want ink to be.

Front of bent crease stamped with snow dot stamp from In The Pines Stamp Set

Sentiment Of Anytime Of The Year

The In The Pines Stamp Set has exactly two sentiment choices: Thinking of You or Season’s Greeetings. They are both the same petite size, and the same fantastic font. This makes the In The Pines Stamp Set perfect for pine tree themed cards year round.

I chose the Holiday version for my card here, but in my video tutorial, I swapped out the seasonal greeting for the Thinking of You sentiment. In both cases, I used Memento Black Ink for the saying, and placed it in the bottom right corner of my Whisper White CS.

Stamping the sentiment from In The Pines Stamp Set

Oh Christmas (Or Pine) Tree

To finish the stamping for the outside of my easy Monday card, I next turned to the theme of the In The Pines Stamp Set, the pines!

I began with the largest pine tree outline from the In The Pines Stamp Set, and inked it in Memento Black Ink onto the 2-1/4 x 3-1/4″ Whisper White CS. Next, I inked the tree trunk in the same black ink and used it to fill in the open space left by the outline stamp.

To make my tree green with envy…or beauty…I inked the like size shading stamp and filled in my tree outline quickly. The In The Pines Stamp Set provides perfect two-step stamping in this way.

Large pine tree stamp from In The Pines Stamp Set — The Shaded Spruce Ink looks really dark when it is first stamped, but the color will lighten slightly as it dries.

After that, I stamped a row of trees on my 1-1/4 x 4″ piece of Whisper White CS, using only the filler tree grouping stamp from the In The Pines Stamp Set. I stamped in Shaded Spruce, then immediately stamped off to create lighter trees. This process was done twice along the length of the paper.

For additional color, I cleaned the Shaded Spruce Ink off my stamp and repeated the same process with the filler tree grouping stamp, this time around I used Memento Black Ink. This Dist-Ink-Tive style stamp set creates instant depth with highs and lows in color saturation.

Stamping a row of pine trees using the In The Pines Stamp Set

Easy Assembly

The large piece of Whisper White CS with the creased corner and sentiment is the first layer onto my card base. Before adding on the pine stamped images, I gave each one a gorgeous mat in Shaded Spruce CS. I like to adhere these go-together pieces before putting them in their place on my card.

I began with the row of pine trees, adhering it slightly above my sentiment. This one must go down first, so the focal pine can be layered over top of it.

When I added the focal pine tree to the front of my card, the bottom overlaps the row of pines and the top right edge holds down the folded crease. This leaves a little gap in the upper left corner. I added 2 small scraps of Shaded Spruce CS on the back of my large pine tree assembly to give proper height and a cohesive seating.

Layering card front part 2 — When layering multi pieces that overlap, there can be gaps due to different thickness of papers. I like to add small scraps of cardstock to the back of pieces that need a little “lift”.

The Insider Job

Your card is beautiful on the outside, now lets make it pretty inside too! I like to mimic some of the outer stamping into a corner of the inside card. This way the card has continuity and there is still lots of room to add your own sentiment or written thoughts.

Here, I used the same technique from the stamping of the row of pine trees to add that inside interest. In this case I only used Shaded Spruce Ink and skipped the Memento Black Ink.

Stamping inside of card using the In The Pines Stamp Set

Step It Up!

Adding more can be fun! For my stepped-up version of my card, I used additional new products from the up-coming August-December 2020 Mini Catalog. The Pine Woods Dies (item #153563) provided me with Shaded Spruce die cut trees that peek out from the creased corner.

The Evergreen Forest 3D Embossing Folder (item #153576) gave great texture to my Whisper White CS front. And for embellishments, I chose the Wonder Of The Season Ribbon Combo Pack (item #153537) and some Gold Metallic Pearls (item #146282).

The little swoosh of snow under my large pine tree came from a die cut too. I ran the brush end tip of my Light Pool Party Stampin’ Blend along the edge for shading and contrast.

I hope you enjoyed making this easy card on a hard Monday with me, where I showcased some great new products coming your way soon! My video tutorial can be found on my FaceBook page, as well as my YouTube channel.

If you need any supplies to make fabulous cards like these, please feel free to visit my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, at any time. See you next Monday for another installment of:

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be!

Basic Pattern Decorative Masks: Trees

July 17, 2020

Decorative Masks Part IV

Card made with tree decorative pattern mask

Basic Pattern Decorative Masks (item #150697) come in a set of 4 masks, sized 6 x 6″ each. They are thin and pliable, plastic in nature and easily cleaned. The enclosed insert lists 5 different methods you can use when you create with these decorative masks: spritz, sponge, trace, emboss and texture.

In Part I of my series, I covered the Dots Mask and Embossing Paste. For Part II, I moved on to the Victorian Mask and Spritzing. Part III of this series on Decorative Masks covers the Mosaic Mask and Sponging. And in the final post of my series, I am using the Tree Mask and Heat Embossing.

Heat Embossing

Heat embossing requires the use of a Heat Tool (item #129053) and embossing powder. The result of heat embossing is shiny (or glossy) raised images that are lovely both visually and as texture.

When I heat emboss, I prefer to use VersaMark Ink, a clear ink also used to create watermark images. VersaMark Ink holds the embossing powder that needs to be heated to a melting point quite well, but a very wet ink pad in any color will also work.

Heat Tool and Embossing Powders — Stampin’ Up! Embossing Powders come in Gold, Silver, White and Clear. Over the years there have been many color versions, and I have a vast array of them. I keep the commonly used Embossing Powders in plastic containers, along with a plastic spoon for use.

I have the older Stampin’ Up! Heat Tool as well as the current version, and a wooden stand that holds either. My stand makes it hands free easy: I just turn on the heat and hold my paper under it until the powder is completely melted. I recommend using a clothespin or clip on your paper to help extend your hand away from the heat, it can get intense!

Tips For Heat Embossing

*Make sure you use the Embossing Buddy if you have one. This helps keep static off your paper and the Embossing Powder from collecting where you don’t want it. Stampin’ Up! no longer sells them, but you can purchase them elsewhere.

*Keep that VersaMark Inkpad full of ink! If the ink pad is too dry, the powder will not stick to your paper and you will have splotchy embossing. I always recommend you buy a refill when you buy an ink pad.

*If your Embossing Powder becomes damp or collects any moisture, it will not stick and melt properly. You can place a few pieces of dry rice into your container to absorb the unwanted moisture.

*You don’t have to use VersaMark! If your ink pad is really wet, you can use any color of ink with the Clear Embossing Powder and you will get wow results!

*Don’t over-heat your embossed piece. You will be able to see the melting process as the waves of heat hit your image and the powder begins to melt. Move your paper slowly under the heat so your paper doesn’t scorch and you reach all intended areas.

*Carefully inspect your embossed piece to see if you missed any areas before touching it. If you have missed an area that still has dry powder, touching it will remove the powder and leave a smudgy blank spot. Put the paper back under the heat where needed for a brief touch up.

Setting Up For Heat Embossing Success

You can heat emboss with or without a mask. Just like in my previous Decorative Mask posts, I suggest securing your paper and mask to avoid shifting mid-work.

I took advantage of a Tombow Removable Adhesive Tape Runner, and secured my cardstock to my graph paper. This kind of tape runner allows temporary holds, and is easily removed without tearing or residue. In fact, when I rub my finger across the removable adhesive, it crumbles away like pencil erasing. Only a very small amount is needed here.

Next, I secured the Basic Pattern Decorative Tree Mask in the exact position I wanted it to be. This time I used Painters Tape to hold the mask down. I made sure I did not cover my cardstock with the tape.

Preparing the Tree Decorative Mask for heat embossing use

To get a good coating of the VersaMark Ink over my mask, I removed the cover and applied the entire ink pad over the mask surface, in the same manner I would apply ink to a large stamp.

After I applied the VersaMark, I carefully removed the mask and immediately added Gold Embossing Powder to my cardstock. The plastic spoon in my container helps me scoop the dry powder over the paper. I angle the paper over the container so the loose powder goes back in without creating a huge mess.

Next up: heat embossing!

Gold embossed image using tree decorative mask — This was my first attempt at this technique. In hindsight, my VersaMark Ink Pad could have been wetter for a better application resulting in more gold powder to heat. Wherever the light is hitting the paper is where you really see the shine effect.

The VersaMark Ink left my stencil very sticky. When I rinsed it in water to clean the stencil, the residue did not go away. I added some soap and my stencil was in good shape after that!

Oh Christmas Card-inal

The beautiful gold embossing needed a fancy card layout, and the Tree Mask background brought to mind birds. The oversized cardinal stamp from the Toile Christmas Stamp Set (item #150469), and coordinating Christmas Cardinal Dies( item #150640) were the perfect fit for something special!

I began by stamping my cardinal in Memento Black Ink onto Whisper White Cardstock. I used Stampin’ Blends in a variety of colors to create my feathered friend’s look. After I die cut the cardinal out, I fussy cut some of the additional white outline and finished coloring all the edges.

Using Stampin' Blends to color cardinal from Toile Christmas Stamp Set

I stamped the branch with berries from the Toile Christmas Stamp Set in the same manner, except this time I stamped off first for a lighter black outline. Again, the Stampin’ Blends helped me create beautiful rich color in no time.

Branch stamp from Toile Christmas Stamp Set and Stampin' Blends

Merry And Bright

The sentiment I chose from the Toile Christmas Stamp Set has a coordinating die too. Because my card base and layer colors were more nature themed, I wanted my sentiment to blend in as well. I experimented with Crumb Cake and Soft Suede Cardstock using Mossy Meadow Ink.

Sentiment from Toile Christmas Stamp Set and die — The Soft Suede was more gold toned, but too dark, so I chose the lighter Crumb Cake version.

Little Embellishments

I love to add a little flair, or spray of paper fun, around my focal piece. The dies in the Christmas Cardinal Dies make this simple to accomplish. First, I die cut the green leaves using Mossy Meadow Cardstock. Next, I added a little ink by sponging the same color over them to deepen my images.

Die cut leaves from Christmas Cardinal Dies and Mossy Meadow Ink and sponge

What goes with gold? More gold. I used small scraps from my Gold Foil Sheets (item #132622) to die cut the sweetest swirls. I also pulled some Real Red Double Stitched Satin Ribbon (item #151155) for accent.

Swirl dies from Christmas Cardinal Dies and Gold Foil Paper

Flight To Success

Once I had all the elements of my card in order, the assembly process was a breeze. I used a combination of Tombow Liquid Glue, Stampin’ Seal, Tear & Tape, and Stampin’ Dimensionals for adhesive.

Finished card using heat embossing and the tree decorative pattern mask

As you can see, heat embossing with the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks is easy and versatile, and another great way to incorporate masks into your projects. If you missed any of the installments of decorative mask use, be sure to read back thru my posts for additional ideas and information.

Cards made with Basic Pattern Decorative Masks — Four different pattern masks, four different techniques, four different cards!

Looking for any of the supplies I used in my card today? Head over to my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net. You will be sure to find just what you are looking for, and even more!

Basic Pattern Decorative Masks: Mosaic

July 15, 2020

Decorative Masks Part III

The variety in the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks is wonderful, and this set has something for everyone. Part I in my mini series on Decorative Masks focused on the Dot Mask, and creating a textured background. In Part II, I covered the Victorian Mask and the spritzing technique.

This post will cover my favorite, and the easiest technique, sponging! I think you will soon discover all the wonderful possibilities the world of sponging can open up.

Sponging Technique

I have been a huge fan of sponging since my very early days of stamping. There are currently two different options to sponge with in the Stampin’ Up! catalog, Stampin’ Sponges (item #141337) and Sponge Brayers (item #141714). These two items do the same job, but much differently.

Stampin’ Sponges

Why sponges? They are small enough to apply ink to the edges of any paper cut, and you have more dexterity in applying ink via the pressure of your own hand.

When I use a sponge, I dab it onto the ink pad, picking up as much or as little ink as I like. It is easy for me hold the paper I want to sponge and add ink at the same time. Reloading the sponge with additional ink is a breeze.

A Sponge In Every Color

Stampin’ Sponges come as a set of 3. But these large rounds are not meant to be used as full circles. First, I cut each sponge in half. From there, each half is cut into thirds, and this creates 6 wedges of sponge all together from one round.

I like to designate a sponge wedge to every ink color individually. I never have to clean my sponge (by rinsing it with water and waiting for it to dry) or wonder what color I used it for last.

Using a label punch (mine is long retired but I like the consistency), I punch a coordinating piece of cardstock color. Once the label is folded in half, I use a sharpie to write the ink color name on it. Lastly, I staple it to the top of my sponge, leaving the large base open on the bottom.

My Sponge Storage

How do I possibly store a sponge wedge for every color? I currently have 6 plastic bins (the kind used for beads or stitching thread) at my disposal. Once upon a time they were very organized by color families and easy to locate at a glance. Families have changed and grown, and I have some catching up to do in the organizing process, but this still works for me!

Stampin' Sponge storage system — Some prefer to keep sponges generic to reds, pinks, blues, greens etc, rather than having one designated for each specific ink color.

Sponge Brayers

Sponge Brayers took the place of the hard rubber brayer in 2016. These brayers come in a set that contains 2 handles and 4 sponge heads. This makes it easy to change them out during a project. When I am done using the brayer, I run it under cold water to rinse out the ink. Next, I squeeze out the sponge, and let it finish air drying.

FUN FACT: I have a cat that thinks my sponge brayer heads are edible. I have a sponge that is missing chunks out of it. Lesson learned, I keep them out of her reach now.

To use the brayer, you need to “load” the sponge head with ink by rolling it repeatedly over the ink pad. This is a lot like loading a paint roller when you paint your walls. It is hard to tell how much ink is actually on the brayer at any given time. I find testing the ink saturation first is best.

Sponge brayers are meant to be used while the paper is flat on your work surface. This makes them perfect for use with the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks!

Set Up For Sponging Success

Next, I secured the Basic Pattern Decorative Mask Mosaic design in the exact position I wanted it to be. This time I used Painters Tape to hold the mask down. I made sure I did not cover my cardstock with the tape.

Preparing the Basic Pattern Decorative Mask for sponging

Now for the real fun, adding ink. I started with the lightest of my color choices, the Crushed Curry (yellow) and applied the ink via the brayer to the top third of my cardstock.

After my sponge brayer was low on ink, I ran it across my paper to “faux clean” it. Then, I started the same process with the Pumpkin Pie (orange), overlapping the Crushed Curry just a bit to blend the two colors.

Lastly, I moved on to the Cajun Craze (rusty red). By overlapping the Pumpkin Pie, I was able to get some great gradient colors.

***It is important to note that moving from lighter to darker ink colors without cleaning or changing the sponge head is okay. Do not ever go dark to light in this manner, you will end up with muddy discolored ink pads!

Spongeed cardstcok usining Basic Pattern Decorative Masks — This is a great example of starting the sponging process well off the intended paper. The first time the sponge hits anything, it produces very dark ink. By giving the sponge some lead up time, you avoid a dark line of ink that is hard to blend in.

Fabulous Fall Card

The ink choices I used with the Basic Pattern Decorative Mosaic Mask brought on thoughts of Fall. So, I turned to the stamp set Gather Together (item #150589, which is making a come back in the August-December 2020 Mini Catalog) and my favorite, the Forever Fern Bundle (item # 154094). Combined with a card base in Cinnamon Cider and an additional layer in Merry Merlot, this sponged piece was set up for success.

Gather Together and Forever Fern Stamp Sets

I stamped the berry image from the Forever Fern Bundle in Cajun Craze Ink and die cut it with the coordinating die. I am a huge fan of this stamp in any color!

Berry stamp and die from Forever Fern Bundle

Additional pieces cut from the Forever Flourishing Dies provided lots of foliage for my card. From the large fern die, I only needed the top portion, so I trimmed away some of the bottom of my Old Olive Cardstock.

Fern Die from Forever Flourishing Die and Old Olive CS

Crushed Curry and Merry Merlot Cardstock complimented additional die cuts. Luckily, this die set includes 4 of the small leafy dies, so one run thru my die cutting machine garnered me all of them at once!

More die cuts from the Forever Flourishing Dies

New to the 2020-2021 Annual Stampin’ Up! Catalog is their Velveteen Cardstock (item #153557). This soft flocked paper is fun to touch, and the Cinnamon Cider color was perfect for my card and some die cuts.

Color Velveteen Cardstock and Forever Flourishing Dies — Like a frugal crafter, I made the most of this expensive paper, getting my die cuts in the smallest use of paper. Waste not, want not!

Additional Elements

The focal point of my card is the sentiment “Gather Together”, and I stamped it in Merry Merlot Ink before punching it out with the 1-1/2″ Circle Punch (item #138299). From a piece of Merry Merlot CS, I punched a 2″ circle (item #133782) and embossed it with the Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder (item #152718).

1-1/2" Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch and Tasteful Textile 3D EF

A fancy card calls for some fancy paper, and I used a Forever Gold Laser-Cut Specialty (item #152493) accent tag. I also pulled out the Forever Greenery Trim Combo Pack (item #152475).

Forever Greenery Trim Combo Pack and Forever Gold Laser-Cut Specialty Paper tag

Is there a thing as too many gold accents on a card? I thought not, so added in some Metallic Pearls (item #146282) and applied them with the help of my Take Your Pick Tool (item #144107) for easy transfer.

Metallic Pearls and Take Your Pick Tool — I store my embellishments on cardstock paper in Standard (DVD style) Stamp Cases (item #119105).

Putting It All Together

When I assembled this card, I started with the Vanilla 1/2″ ribbon, and ruched it along to the edge of my sentiment piece. First, I dry fit my gold laser-cut label and marked the edge with my pencil. Next, I applied a small strip of Tear & Tape Adhesive (item # 138995) where the ribbon would go.

Preparing for ruched ribbon on the card front

I removed the tape’s front facing sticky strip, then stuck the ribbon down while making small scrunches. This tape allowed me to pull up the ribbon and start over or adjust as needed.

Rouching ribbon on card — I wrapped the excess ribbon around the back of my Merry Merlot Cardstock.

From here, it was a matter of getting all my die cuts lined up in a manner that I liked. I took advantage of more Tear & Tape Adhesive to anchor the ends, which would eventually be covered by my sentiment.

Gather Together

This finished card is elegant and refined, and the Mosaic Mask from the Basic Pattern Decorative Masks made the perfect back-drop. Sponging any ink in any colors will yield you fantastic results as well! Here’s another look at the finished card!

Looking for sponges, inks and masks to add to your craft room supplies? Check my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net/ anytime. And be sure to come back for the grand finale in my Mini Series on Basic Pattern Decorative Masks and another technique in using them!

The Maine Stamper

Julie Makson Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Month: July 2020