Blending Brush - The Maine Stamper

Little Monkey Bananas For You Card

June 20, 2023

Finished card, Little Monkey Bananas For You

Little Monkeys Card Class

Little Monkeys Bananas For You Card

The Little Monkeys Bananas For You Card is first up for your Weekly Card Class From ME. This class is a more fun than a barrel of monkeys, featuring the Little Monkey Bundle by Stampin’ Up!.

Want to know more about this adorable bundle, which includes the Little Monkey Stamp Set and the Little Monkey Builder Punch? I shared some great details, and you will find them by clicking here.

Little Monkey Coloring

Coloring the Little Monkey with Stampin' Blends

I shared my favorite way to add color to stamped images while I made this Little Monkey Bananas For You Card…Stampin’ Blends! First, I started off inking up my images from the Little Monkey Stamp Set with Memento Black Ink. This ink is water based, and works perfectly with the oil based blends. Remember…opposites attract.

For my sweet little monkey’s face, I used SU800. Stampin’ Up! has a great collection of skin tone colors that range from pale pink to deep brown. I love using these blends on so many stamped images!

Coloring the banana images with Stampin' Blends

The monkey was not the only thing that I needed to color on this card. I filled it full of bananas too!

I chose Daffodil Delight for my yellow tones. If you would like to see my coloring process, watch the video replay here.

Monkey Crumb Cake

I love the simple act of adding texture to a card. For my Little Monkey Bananas For You Card, I chose a mini embossing folder. The Geometric Patterns measure just over 3″ wide, by 6-1/4″ long.

When I use the mini folders, I cut my cardstock to 3″ wide. This gives me a nice selection to work with, and it doesn’t take up the whole card front. I added Crumb Cake Ink to my embossed piece to give the cardstock some depth. It really helps draw the eye to the design!

Monkeying Around With Linen Thread

For this Little Monkey Bananas For You Card, I chose to wrap Linen Thread around the embossed and sponged Crumb Cake layer 3 times. I completed the look with a simple tied knot. Lastly, I added this piece to a mat of White Cardstock before adding it to my card front with dimensionals.

Get Your Little Monkey Card Class From ME

This Little Monkey Bananas For You Card is just one card in my featured class this week. If you would like to see the video from my online class, click this link . For more details on what is in this week’s class from Maine and how to get yours, click here.

I will be sharing more cards from the Little Monkey Card Class, as well as my bonus cards, as this week goes on. Be sure to check back here or follow me, The Maine Stamper, on FaceBook, for more cardmaking inspiration and ideas.

Something Fancy Thanks & Hello Cards

January 19, 2023

2 cards made with the Something Fancy Bundle.

Something Fancy To Say

It’s time for a couple more Something Fancy Cards! For the last card in my weekly Card Class From ME, I finished using the Something Fancy Bundle with 2 themes in mind. One is “hello”. The other is “thanks”. Both are great reasons to send a card!

If you missed the other awesome cards in this week’s Something Fancy class, click here to see one.

Double Duty Embossing Folders

The thanks and hello in the background of my cards are actually embossed. I did this courtesy of the Thanks & Hello Embossing Folder 2 pack. These folders are small in stature, measuring just over 6″ long and @3.5″ wide.

Due to the layout of the words “thanks” on one folder and “hello” on the other, all in multiple languages and fonts, you will want to use these embossing folders in the landscape orientation.

Very Fancy Background Layers

I embossed white cardstock with the Thanks & Hello Embossing Folders for my cards. This way, I was able to add some ink color with a Blending Brush to highlight some of the words. It also brought out the color scheme for each card as well.

I continued my use of the Flowers & More Host Designer Series Paper pack, similar to the first 2 cards from this class. For these cards using the Something Fancy Bundle, I chose 2 patterns in 2 completely different colors: Fresh Freesia and Pale Papaya.

Both my Stylish Shapes Dies cardstock circle and the Something Fancy Dies sentiment assembly reinforce my chosen colors in purple and peach.

Something Fancy To Finish With

Fancy Sentiments

There are so many great choices in the Something Fancy Dies, it really is easy to pick a couple to layer together for your sentiment. I decided to heat emboss each sentiment from the Something Fancy Stamp Set with White Embossing Powder on color cardstock.

Because my colors are soft and pastel in nature, white embossing isn’t the boldest choice. To adjust my sentiments so that they were easier to read, I added like-color ink to each die cut. The embossed sentiment resists the added ink, while the cardstock surrounding it deepens in color.

Fancy Embellishments

No card is complete without a little ribbon or bling. Since Fresh Freesia and Pale Papaya are both In Colors, there are matching styles of ribbon available in each color. I folded over my Open Weave Ribbon instead of creating a swoosh or a bow.

And lastly, I added something fancy in the way of Pearl Basic Jewels. The pearls made an appearance on each of my cards from this week’s Card Class From ME!

Get Your Something Fancy Card Class From ME

If you think my Something Fancy cards are amazing and would love to create these same cards at home, I have just the thing. My weekly card classes feature not only a live assembly demonstration (video replay available to watch anytime after!), I also offer card kits with PDF card recipes, mailed to you from ME.

You can learn more about how my weekly card classes are structured by clicking here. The order process to qualify for the FREE card kits (6 total, 2 each of 3 designs) closes at end of day on Fridays. Missed this class? Come back to see my next one, new every week!

Simply Beautiful Quiet Meadow

September 14, 2022

Card made with the Quiet Meadow Stamp Set and Meadows Dies.

Quiet Meadow, Classic Beauty

The Quiet Meadow Stamp Set has been around for awhile. So you may be wondering why I am featuring this lovely set once again. (See another blog post featuring Quiet Meadow here.) After all, the holiday catalog is all the rage right now. I am sure you are busy thinking fall leaves and Merry Christmas projects, not quiet meadows.

And yet, much like this timeless stamp set, the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog is also classic. I think we often forget all the hidden gems in it as we bounce from mini catalog to mini catalog. So here it is, and with perfect timing. I’ll explain that later.

The Quiet Meadow Stamp Set and Meadow Dies

Let’s take a look at this amazing stamp set, Quiet Meadow. This one is red rubber cling, and has 10 stamps in it. I love the combination of flowers, sentiments and background stamps.

Of course, we all love a good die set to match our stamps! The Meadow Dies will not disappoint. In fact this set of 13 dies features lots of floral picks and sprigs. And did I mention there are 2 butterflies in this set? The only thing missing, really, is dies to cut out the stamped flower images.

Make It Monday, Easy

I chose this card from the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog to C.A.S.E. (copy and share everything) for my Make It Monday live card demo. You will see it on page 68 and 69 in the 2022-2023 copy. I was so pleased that for all the beauty of this card, it was so simple to create. You can view my video on FaceBook, or my video on YouTube.

The Card Recipe

There were not a lot of pieces that needed to go into this one, so making multiples would be fairly easy to do and nice on the paper budget. Here are the details:

-Crumb Cake Card Base, 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″, scored at 4-1/4″

–Pretty Prints Calypso Coral DSP, 2-3/4 x 4-3/4″, cut at an angle; Bermuda Bay 1/2 x 4″

-Scraps of White CS for the sentiment and butterfly

-@7″ of ribbon, similar to Silver Metallic Edge Cotton Ribbon

Can we just take a moment to notice how beautiful this paper is?

The Right Angle Cut

This card features a unique angle to the focal designer series paper. Sure, you could take out your scissors and trim away a chunk, but this method may leave you a little crooked.

Instead, I chose to use my Paper Trimmer to do the job. After a little experimenting, I found the best way to cut my paper to match the card sample. I walk you thru the process in my video, but here is a picture visual to guide you.

Lining up the dsp in the paper trimmer to make an angle cut.

Quiet Meadow Card Elements

Background Stamping

This card features some fantastic elements. First, I started with background stamping, using tone on tone (Crumb Cake Ink on Crumb Cake Cardstock).

TIP: Make sure you stamp with a protective sheet behind your card, as this method requires stamping both on and slightly off the card front.

Sponging

Sponging is one of my favorite ways to add some color. After I die cut the butterfly from plain white cardstock, color was definitely needed. I added some Mango Melody with a Blending Brush for a soft sweep of color.

TIP: Start with your Blending Brush off the intended target and work your way in. Less pressure is better, as you can always add more color if needed.

Blending color on the butterfly die from Meadow Dies

Heat Embossing

Isn’t it fun to heat emboss on Designer Series Paper for an elegant look? The dsp is thinner in weight than regular cardstock, so it is normal for it to bend or buckle slightly after the heat embossing process. With enough adhesive, it will lay flat during assembly.

TIP: When choosing DSP for stamping on and/or embossing, make sure the image on the paper is plain enough so that your stamped image really shines. Don’t let the paper and stamping compete with each other.

A close up of heat embossed stamping using the Quiet Meadow Stamp Set

Ribbon

I really think a good ribbon swooshing sets a card off nicely. I like to start with a strip of Tear & Tape Adhesive, and use my ribbon right off the spool for less waste.

TIP: The Tear & Tape will let you re-position the ribbon if you aren’t happy with the first (or second or third) placement. Just be gentle when you pull the ribbon off the tape.

A look at ribbon placement on the Quiet Meadow Card

Color Swap!

You may have noticed another card very similar to my featured card, but in different colors. I love to share my Make It Monday Card not just once, but twice, with a few modifications. In fact, every Wednesday in the Positive PaperCrafters FaceBook group, we vote on Who Wore It Better. Which one do you prefer?

Annual Catalog Stamp Sale

As I created this card for my live demo, Stampin’ Up! was just announcing an Annual Catalog Stamp Sale. They had not listed the stamp sets that would be on sale, so I randomly picked one from the catalog that I thought might be on sale.

Turns out, I could have picked ANY stamp (other than the host stamp sets) from the Annual 2022-2023 Catalog. They are ALL on sale, 15% off, but only for September 15th, 24 hours. Please visit my online store by clicking here, and look for Shop Now, Specials, and Stamp Sale. Plan to shop early to avoid out-of-stock items. Hope you take advantage of this amazing 1 day only deal and stock up on some of your must have stamp sets!

Bright Baubles In Pale Papaya

November 24, 2021

In Color: Pale Papaya Part II

I was hoping that the Bright Baubles Stamp Set would come to the rescue. I struggled with great difficulty to create a card with this color combo: Pale Papaya, Merry Merlot, and So Saffron. On the color swatch book, these colors seem to blend quite nicely.

But, as I pulled out the papers and began to design, I just didn’t feel these colors clicking. Merry Merlot is a deep red-wine color, lending itself to Christmas. I wanted Pale Papaya and So Saffron to be gleaming, glowing bright baubles. In the end, I may have come up with the “ugly sweater” of Christmas cards! Let’s see how I got there…

Slimline Card

While I was creating an unusual color-combo Christmas card, I decided to also start with an unusual size card base, the slimline card. To see another slimline card in an unusual Christmas In Color, click here.

To begin, I cut my Basic White Thick Cardstock Base to measure 7 x 8-1/2″ with my Paper Trimmer. If your trimmer doesn’t have an extended arm for measurements, just cut 4″ off the 11″ length of an 8-1/2 x 11″ sheet of cardstock.

Cutting a slimline card base with the Paper Trimmer

After your cardbase is cut to slimline size, score the 7″ width in half, at 3-1/2″. The Paper Trimmer has both a cutting blade (the darker gray color) and a scoring blade (the lighter gray color). Be sure not to confuse the two!

Scoring the slimline card base with the Paper Trimmer

Bright Baubles Stamp Set

The Bright Baubles Stamp Set is an over the top larger than life Christmas ornament set, with 2 different shaped baubles. With a slimline card in mind, I wanted to use both images of the bright baubles. Because I intended to color my baubles in with Stampin’ Blends, I needed a dark Memento Black Ink outline.

Stamparatus to the rescue! Did you know that this amazing tool comes with a foam mat that is needed for photopolymer stamp sets, but removable for cling (red rubber) stamp sets? This is based on the thickness or height of the stamps themselves.

Bright Baubles Stamps on the Stamparatus

After 3-4 ink-ups and stamps using Memento Black Ink, I was able to get the dark outlines I wanted. I love using the Stamparatus when I know I will need to re-stamp an image. This tool makes it effortless to repeat stamp and not worry about lining up my stamp each time, exactly.

Bright Bauble stamped images using the Stamparatus — *** Use extreme caution keeping the 2 included magnets far away from each other. They may shatter if the strong magnetic pull attracts them together. Replacement magnets are sold separately.

Colorful Bright Baubles

Coloring the round bright bauble image with Stampin' Blends

These Bright Baubles are big images, which makes them fun to color. I say this as someone who doesn’t necessarily enjoy coloring. In keeping with my color theme of Pale Papaya, So Saffron and Merry Merlot, I pulled my Stampin’ Blends and got to work. To temper my color palette, I also added a touch of Pool Party and Soft Seafoam.

Coloring the fancy bright bauble image with Stampin' Blends

After I finished coloring in my bright bauble images with my Stampin’ Blends, I used the coordinating die set, Delicate Baubles Dies and my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine to die cut them. Notice that the white surrounding edge of my die cut bauble is larger on one side? My die shifted during the cutting process, so I simply trimmed it a bit with my Paper Snips.

Die cutting the bright bauble images with the Delicate Baubles Dies

Merry & Bright

In order to make my card more merry & bright, I relied on the sentiment stamp from the Bright Baubles Stamp Set. I love to create background paper by stamping a fully inked word image, followed by a stamped off image. And then I continued the process with Merry Merlot Ink… repeatedly!

Creating a background paper with a sentiment stamp from the Bright Baubles Stamp Set

After filling my paper with merry & bright wishes, I added some soft color with my Blending Brushes. I started with So Saffron Ink at the top. As I moved to the bottom, I switched brushes and color, to Pale Papaya Ink.

Colorful Cardstock

With my Basic White Thick Cardstock base, I don’t have to worry about adding an insert to the inside of my card. This also gives me more freedom to add layers to the card front without the worry of additional bulk. I began with a layer of Merry Merlot Cardstock, then added my Merry & Bright stamped and shaded paper over that.

Remember the dies I used to cut my bauble images? I die cut two more in Merry Merlot Cardstock to place behind each bauble. By placing them slightly offset, this creates a shadow for my baubles. I also added a piece of So Saffron Cardstock and Pale Papaya Cardstock behind each bauble as I assembled my card.

Beautiful Bright Baubles

Just like Christmas ornaments, ribbon and embellishments make them incredibly beautiful. I added a bow to the top of each bright bauble, using Pale Papaya Open Weave Ribbon and some Mini Glue Dots to adhere.

Adding ribbon bows to the bright bauble stamped images

There are certainly lots of embellishments to chose from! After careful consideration, I chose the Artistry Blooms Adhesive Backed Sequins. These sequins come in a variety of colors, and the shiny faceted gleam of Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana and Rich Razzleberry blended perfectly. I used my Take Your Pick Tool for easy application.

Adding Atristry Blooms Adhesive Backed Sequins uisng the Take Your Pick Tool.

Ugly Christmas Card?

This card sat on my desk for almost a week, while I pondered its fate. I just wasn’t confident that I had used the color combo to the best of my ability. I worried that I had created…an “ugly sweater” Christmas card! Then, I decided that even if it wasn’t the most glamorous of cards, maybe someone would love it. Or at least laugh with me, as I determine that if there is a place for ugly Christmas sweaters, why not ugly Christmas cards?

During my 2021-2023 In Color tour, I have created many cards. To see another unusual Christmas card color combo, click here. And if I have inspired you to try your hand at a Bright Bauble Christmas card (ugly or pretty), be sure to pick up the Bright Baubles Bundle so that you save 10% automatically. My online store has everything you will need!

My In Color tour will come to a close with just one more card, so stop back in soon to see how this chapter ends…

Beauty of Tomorrow in Soft Succulent

October 27, 2021

Card using Beauty Of Tomorrow Bundle featuring Soft Succulent.

In Color: Soft Succulent Part II

As I began another color journey with Soft Succulent, I noted the color pairing with Soft Suede and Old Olive. My thoughts turned to fall colors immediately. But it was not an autumn themed stamp set that caught my eye as I started to design!

Instead, I chose the flora and fauna of the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set and Beautiful Leaves Dies. The blue-green of the Soft Succulent blends so nicely with the warm brown of Soft Suede. Old Olive, almost a spring-time green, seemed like the odd man out here. But, once I tucked some Old Olive in, I discovered that I not only like these colors together…I love them together!

Big and Beautiful Leaves Dies

The largest die in the Beautiful Leaves Dies measures a whopping 6-1/4 x 4″. I needed a good sized piece of Old Olive Cardstock to use this background fern with my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. One pass thru, and you will have a lot of foliage to work into your own project too!

Large fern die from Beautiful Leaves Dies using Old Olive Cardstock.

You may be wondering how one would fit “all” of that green on one card front! I simply chose to chop mine up a bit. I wanted a little Old Olive peeping out from behind my focal point. With my Paper Snips, I trimmed this die cut apart. There was plenty left over for other card use, too.

Using Paper Snips to trim the large die cut from the Beauty of Leaves Dies.

Small Shimmery Leaves Dies

Not everything needs to be oversized! In fact, the Beautiful Leaves Dies feature four smaller dies for foliage too. Because I wanted my leaf color to vary, I chose to create the smaller leaves in Soft Succulent. For immediate and easy glimmer, I pulled out my 2021-2023 In Color Shimmer Vellum. A small piece of this fantastic vellum was all that I needed to die cut these leaves.

Die cutting smaller leaves from the Beauty of Leaves Dies, using 2021-2023 In Color Shimmer Vellum in Soft Succulent.

Beauty of Tomorrow Bouquets

One of the beautiful things about the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set is that the sprig-like flowers are stamp and go. You don’t need to two-step stamp, or color the leaves and flowers in. They are simply gorgeous stamped once. And that is just what I did.

Stamping the sprig stamp from Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set in Soft Suede Ink.

I chose to stamp the larger sprig-like stamp from the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set using Soft Suede Ink on Basic White Cardstock. For the smaller floral bouquet, I stamped the image using Soft Succulent Ink. After my stamping was complete, I used the coordinating dies from the Beautiful Leaves Dies and ran them thru my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine.

Stamping the floral bouquet from the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set using Soft Succulent ink.

Tastefully Stamped and Embossed

One of my favorite techniques to do is use a sentiment stamp as a background image. The large sentiment stamp from the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set reads, “the changing of the leaves reminds us that new wonders are just around the corner”.

I chose to stamp this image using VersaMark Ink on a piece of Soft Succulent Cardstock. The effect of the watermark ink is subtle. I varied the placement of the stamped words, and although the image is not “readable”, one only has to look to see that there is a hidden message.

Stamping the sentiment stamp from Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set as a background stamp in VersaMark ink.

After my sentiment stamping was complete, I embossed my Soft Succulent Cardstock. The Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder leaves a barely discernible texture. The softness of this embossing adds to the richness of this card without being overpowering. Lastly, I used my Blending Brush and Soft Succulent Ink to deepen the outer edges of my cardstock.

Embossing with the Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder and sponging Soft Succulent Ink with a Blending Brush.

The Beauty of Assembly

Now it’s time to take a look at the layers of this card. I began with a Soft Succulent card base. Next, I added a layer of Soft Suede Cardstock. My third layering piece is Soft Succulent in nature, but comes from the Tidings of Christmas 6 x 6″ Designer Series Paper. This pattern worked wonderfully with my card, and did not lend itself to Christmas tidings at all.

Once I had my layering pieces adhered, I began to place my leafy die cuts. I started with the Old Olive snippings, and dry-fit them beneath my Soft Succulent embossed piece. When I was happy with the placement, I used Tear & Tape Adhesive to attach my greens to my card base. I am always careful to place the tape in a position I know will be covered up as I continue to build my card.

After my Old Olive leaves were in place, it was time for me to add in the shimmery Soft Succulent leaves. Again, I took care to place them in a peeping manner. I used more Tear & Tape Adhesive to secure these small leaves as well.

Beautiful Embellishments

Every beautiful card needs some beautiful embellishments! For this card, I chose an elegant ribbon- the Very Vanilla Scalloped Laced Trim Ribbon. First, I placed my stamped and die-cut bouquets on the embossed Soft Succulent cardstock. Next, I wrapped a small piece of lace across the width, securing the lace in the back.

Using Very Vanilla Scalloped Lace Trim Ribbon on the card front.

From there, I created a small lacey bow, and attached that over the front. For an adhesive that really holds ribbons well, I recommend the Tear & Tape Adhesive. Once completed, I placed my entire assembly over the tape that is securing my leaves!

A bow in lace trim is added using Tear & Tape Adhesive.

I am loving the Brushed Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots! I chose 3 in the gold tone, and placed them in a row along the open space at the bottom of my card front. If you struggle to line up embellishments in a straight row, try doing this: use some Grid Paper (or graph paper) and a ruler as your guide. I also find the Take Your Pick Tool so helpful in lifting the adhesive embellishments off their backing paper and onto my project.

Using the Take Your Pick Tool to add Brushed Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots.

Nothing As Beautiful

This card featuring the Beauty of Tomorrow Bundle, along with Soft Succulent, Soft Suede and Old Olive, came together beautifully! As I worked with this color combination, I discovered that I really enjoy this mix. In fact, I could see myself creating some beach themed cards with these three colors.

If I have inspired you and you need some of the supplies I used to create this card, stop by my online store anytime. Need more Soft Succulent inspiration? Check out this card and an unusual color combination that may put you in the holiday spirit, by clicking here. And be sure to come back for the final installment of Soft Succulent and a new color combo that is sure to please!