Stamping On The Bayou

Fast and Fabulous

 
Looking for a card that's fast AND fabulous? Here you go!!!! This brightly colored card features the Fast & Fabulous stamp set. I was able to copy this card from a very talented demonstrator through out demo only online community. This hostess set is THE perfect 2 step stampin' set. I stamped the lined flower images in Jet Black Staz On. Then stamped the solid images in different colors to finish the look. You can be an artist without being an artist... know what I mean???? For an even more artistic look, I blended the colors a bit with a Blender Pen. This step fills in the missing "spots" of color.

I LOVE this set, but you know what? You can't buy it, you can only earn it for FREE! It is a level 2 hostess set and can be earned when you have a $300 net workshop or catalog party.

Stampin' Supplies: Fast & Fabulous hostess set and Perfect Punches stamp set; Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, and Whisper White card stock; Greenhouse Gala designer series paper; Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, and Tempting Turquoise Classic ink; Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers; XLG Oval punch; Stampin' Sponge; Blender Pen; Black Mini Library Clip; Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon 

I'd like to share some stampin' tips with your friends and family. Contact me at nickole@stampingonthebayou.com to find out how you can host a Stampin' Up! workshop!

Color Wash

My hostess club members created several cards this month. I focused on several coloring methods and this color washing technique was my favorite!

It makes me want to grab my flip flops, a Pina Colada, and head to Hawaii!!!! I CASE'd this card from Tammy White (she does such amazing work)! This very simple card took no time at all! You need watercolor paper (105019) to get the look just right. Cut your watercolor paper to size. For this sample, I used Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, and Close to Cocoa Watercolor Crayons. Scribble the Bashful Blue on the top third, the Not Quite Navy on the middle third, and the Close to Cocoa on the bottom third of the watercolor paper. Using your wet but not saturated Aqua Painter, smooth out the "coloring" marks blending the blues at their intersection. You don't want to blend the Not Quite Navy and Close to Cocoa, you want there to be a stark contrast there.

I LOVE this look! I'm going to try it again, but use some pinks and oranges to make a sunset scene! I'll post it later next week!

I'm booking workshops for the fall and would love to share some stamping technique with you and your friends! Contact me now to get on the calendar!
 

Tissue Flowers and Hugs

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up and I decided to focus the latest Hostess Club free classes on items that can be sent with your child to school for their teacher to than them for all their hard work and dedication. Stampin' Up!'s Hugs notes and Glassine Envelopes are a perfect way to say thanks!

I was inspired by another demonstrator to create these sweet notes (I can't remember who though - so thanks whoever you are!!!). I stamped directly onto the Glassine envelopes and used my heat tool to dry the ink. To create the beautiful tissue flowers, cut a strip of tissue paper and stamp the large floral image from the With All My Heart (118134) stamp set onto one end. Fold the tissue paper (accordian style) so that you can punch 8 flowers at a time with the Extra Large Fancy Flower (118073) punch. Hold each layer together with a complimenting brad and twist the petals to "fluff" up the flower. I also added some coordinating ribbon. It's so easy to coordinate with products from Stampin' Up! You always know that your Pretty In Pink Satin Ribbon will match your Pretty In Pink Corduroy Buttons!

Don't miss out on some of these products! Most are featured in the Occasions Mini catalog that ends April 30th! Place your order by clicking here or email me at nickole@stampingonthebayou.com.  
 

Sparkle and BlingBling!!

Make your card stock sparkle using the technique in this video!

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Paper Flower Video

It's my first video tutorial!!!! I learned this technique at the Regional event in Phoenix. I hope you enjoy!

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You know Dasher...

and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixon. Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen! I just couldn't help myself (hehe). This a la carte stamp set, Dasher has so many possiblitlies! For this sample, I used the "metallic" looking Soft Suede snowflake pattern from the Christmas Cocoa specialty designer series paper found in the Holiday Mini. For that extra touch, I also used the new Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint also found in the Holiday Mini.

To create the frosted Dasher, stamp first in Bermuda Bay. Clean your stamp. Shake the shimmer paint container to thoroughly mix. When you open it, there will be paint in the lid. I used a sponge dauber to apply the paint directly to the Dasher stamp. Using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, allign the stamp just to the left of the first image. I also brushed the edges of the white card stock with the sponge dauber.

For more sparkle, I added some of the shimmer paint to a white 5/8" jumbo brad with the same technique. Make sure to heat set it on the glossy surface of the brad. (Safety Tip: Use tweezers so you don't burn your fingers.)

Dasher and Christmas Punch stamp set; Bermuda Bay and Whisper White cardstock; Christmas Cocoa Specialty designer series paper; Bermuda Bay Classic ink; Wide Oval punch; Champagne Mist shimmer paint; sponge dauber, 5/8" Jumbo Brad, Bermuda Bay polka dot grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals
 
 

Thumping Technique

Autumn is my favorite season because of the colors! I am a neutral, earthy color kind of gal, but in south Louisiana we don't get much fall foliage. So, I have created my own! Shown below are two of my favorite fall color cards from this season. The first card was a project made by ladies at a hostess club and the second one was a shoebox swap from a Southern Ink team meeting created by Tiffany P. Beautiful card Tiffany! It uses the Autumn Splendor stamp set and Autumn Meadow designer series paper from the Holiday Mini. This color combination screams Autumn - Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, More Mustard, Taken with Teal, and Very Vanilla!

For the Thumping Technique, you need a lined stamped image, a neutral ink base color, and several Stampin' Write Markers. For this project, I chose the Lovely as a Tree stamp set - a classic by the way!You can get a better look at the close-up shown below.

The first step is to ink up your lined image. I chose Always Artichoke and actually stamped off on a scratch piece of paper to get a lighter Always Artichoke shade. Before stamping on my project card stock, I turned my stamp over, took the brush tip from the lightest Stampin' Write marker and "thumped" the color onto the stamp. You don't want to use too many colors and it will just make a yucky brown color. I chose 4 colors - Summer Sun, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, and Rich Razzleberry - to thump into my forest image. Again, start from lightest to darkest and thump in different places to get that array of color onto the trees. Before stamping on your project, "huff" onto the stamp to remoisten that ink. Stamp on your project.

Try this technique on your next project and I'm sure you will love the results. Take a picture and send me a copy and you MAY be a featured stamper on my blog in the weeks to come.
 
 

Watercolor Video

For a wonderful tutorial on watercoloring using Stampin' Up!'s classic inks, check out the link below.

Watercolor Tutorial