Monthly Archives: November 2008

Snow Covered Trees – Tutorial #153

Posted on November 30, 2008 by zindorf| 39 Comments

Hello again, today’s tutorial gives me a chance to show you my two most favorite tools to use while stamping. The Stamp-a-ma-jig and the reverse image stamp.

I also used a brand new stamp by Innovative Stamp Creations “Sketch of Nature I”. Here is a link to their online store: http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/catalog/item/1516071/6518501.htm

The Rubber Stampede Mirror image Stamp can be found at various places. Here is a link to a post I did regarding this stamp and there were a lot of great suggestions on different ways to get a mirror image along with where to find this stamp in the comments left on the post: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/03/16/searchink-for-a-mirror-image-stamp/

I framed my piece today, but the finished main image panel is 4.5″ x 6″ so this could easily be a turned into a card. The 8″ x 10″ frame I used is a barn wood frame I found at a thrift store for $2.00. Got to love those thrift stores and garage sales.

Let’s get started on the tutorial.

Supplies:

Stamps: Innovative Stamp Creations “Sketch of Nature I” and Stampin’ Up “Lovely as a Tree”, Rubber Stampede “Mirror Image Stamp”

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Baja Breeze and Basic Black

Ink: Stampin’ Up Not Quite Navy, Basic Black and Baja Breeze

Accessories: 8′ x 10″ opening Barn wood Frame (Thrif Store find), White Gel Pen, Black marker, Brayer, Post it notes, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Sponge

Started with a 4.5″ x 6″ piece of Whisper White Card stock.

Tore two post it notes through the stick part and used them as masks.

Stamped my tree stamp with Black ink on my Reverse image stamp and then stamped the reverse image stamp on the card stock creating a reverse image of the original stamp.

Photo of the reverse image stamp top.

Turned my card stock and brayered Baja Breeze ink in between the two post it notes.

Brayered Not Quite Navy ink over the bottom post it note and onto the card stock, not covering the Baja Breeze ink entire.

Removed the post it note masks.

Brayered Baja Breeze ink at the top of the card stock.

Brayered Not Quite Navy at the very top of the card stock not covering the Baja Breeze ink entirely.

Stamped the Lovely as a Tree image across the card stock using Baja Breeze ink.

Now it is time to stamp my main (focal) image and I really don’t want to risk stamping it crooked or off center from the reverse image previously stamped so I am going to use my Stamp-a-ma-jig. I know I have a lot of new stampers that have not experience using some tools so I’m going to show the step by step process of using the Stamp-a-ma-jig. Bare with us you seasoned stampers.

I line the plastic piece up in the “L” of the stamp-a-ma-jig.

Ink my stamp up with Black ink and line the stamp up in the “L” of the Stamp-a-ma-jig as I lower it and stamp the image on the plastic piece.

I can now take the plastic piece and move it around on my main image panel to see exactly where I want my image.

Line the Stamp-a-ma-jig handle “L” up on the Plastic Piece. Hold the Handle in place and move the plastic piece away from the panel.

Ink my stamp up with Black ink. Hold the Stamp-a-ma-jig handle firmly and line my stamp up with the “L” on the handle as I lower to the card stock. Press down firmly on the stamp to make my impression.

Remove stamp and handle.

Sponged a bit of Baja Breeze ink under the small trees.

Used a black marker and went down the right sides of the large trees and the right sides of the reverse image to make them stand out a bit more.

Colored the tops of the trees with a white Gel Pen.

Used the White Gel pen and went down the Left sides of the large trees and the left sides of the reverse image.

Layered the main image panel on Black and Baja Breeze card stock panels and framed it.

I hope you enjoyed today’s winterly tutorial and find yourself inspired to get out those stamps today.

May your day be filled with peaceful scenes.

Hugs,

Michelle Zindorf

Links to all my tutorials can be found here: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

Here is a link to my workshop calendar if you want to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar

Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/

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Posted in Tutorials

Tagged card making, Michelle Zindorf, rubber stamping, Stamped Art

Katzelkraft Bird in Water – Tutorial #152 And New Blog Candy!

Posted on November 29, 2008 by zindorf| 480 Comments

Well hello there everyone! I’ve been away tooooo long from my stamping room. A lot has been going on with holiday preparation.

For the Thanksgiving Holiday my small family gets together at our house for the feast. I still have half of the feast in the frig that needs eaten. (Just slap it on my thighs, that’s where it is going anyway, lol) We are not fancy people, this is my table setting for the occasion.

I have to show you the two beast that were underfoot in the kitchen the whole day. These two both weigh over 100 lbs each. Abby the Lab and Lucas the German Short Haired Pointer/Great Dane mix. Both of these babies came from a local shelter after our beloved German Shepherd passed about 5 years ago. I encourage everyone to adopt their pets and spay and neuter them. Sorry, had to throw that in there, it’s too important.

Yesterday was spent, CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!!! After Shopping we started putting up the Christmas lights on the outside of the house. This is the progress we made before dark. I then completely passed out on the couch, lol. I hope those who celebrate Thanksgiving had one filled with the love and Joy of Family and Friends.

Enough with the rambling, it’s BLOG CANDY TIME!!!!! OH, what blog candy I have for you this week.

How about a full sheet of Bird stamps from Katzelkraft! Here is a link to their online store so you can check them out: www.katzelkraft.fr The bird I used for today’s project is one from this stamp sheet.

To enter to win this Full Stamp Sheet all you have to do is tell me to enter you by commenting on this post. If you are getting this blog update by e-mail you will need to click this link and then comment at the bottom of the post: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/11/29/katzelkraft-bird-in-water-tutorial-152-and-new-blog-candy/

I will use a random number generator on Wednesday, December 3rd to select the winner. Good luck to all!

Now on with today’s tutorial.

Supplies:

Stamps: Katzelkraft Birds, Stampin’ Up Lovely as a Tree

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Pacific Point & Always Artichoke

Ink: Stampin’ Up Baja Breeze, Pacific Point & Always Artichoke, Palette Noir Black

Accessories: Brayer, White Gel Pen, Black marker, White Ribbon, Brads, Sponges

Brayered Baja Breeze at the top and bottom of a 4.5″ x 3″ piece of Whisper White Card stock.

Brayered Pacific Point ink at the bottom of the card stock, not covering the Baja Breeze ink entirely.

Stamped the Katzelkraft Bird image with Palette Nior Black ink.

Stamped the Pine Tree Twice with Baja Breeze ink.

Stamped the Pine 3 times with Always Artichoke ink.

Sponged Always Artichoke ink at the right and bottom of the card stock.

Sponged black ink at the right, left and bottom of the card stock.

Added White Gel Pen to the light areas of the bird, made dots in the tree branches and also added white dashes in the water.

Added dashes of black marker to the tree trunks.

Sponged Pacific Point ink around the outside of the card stock.

Cut a 4 7.8″ x 6 3/8″ piece of Always Artichoke card stock and sponged Pacific Point Ink around the outside of the card stock.

Assembled card and added the ribbon and brads. Here it is finished measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

May your day today be one of leisure.

Until my next post. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Links to all my tutorials can be found here: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

Here is a link to my workshop calendar if you want to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar

Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/

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Posted in Tutorials

Tagged card making, Michelle Zindorf, rubber stamping, Stamped Art, Stamping tutorial

Light & Shadows in the Woods – Tutorial #151

Posted on November 24, 2008 by zindorf| 56 Comments

I feel so guilty, part of my weekend was spent Christmas Shopping and creating new Workshop projects for my Beginner Brayer works in February at Marco Paper. But that’s not where the guilty part comes in. It’s the new Wii game system I purchased for my husband and I. If you have never experienced a Wii before, you have to try it. It will definitely get you up off of the couch and moving. We spent hours last night bowling and golfing. It was way to much fun. If you do own a Wii you know what I’m talking about. Dangerously addictive. . . . . . .. . . . . . Hmmm, I think I need to stop at the store and pick up yet another game. . . . who needs that retirement fund anyway, lol.

Anyway, let’s talk about stamping.

I showed a glimps of this great new stamp by Innovative Stamp Creations the other day and got flooded by e-mails asking where you can get it. Here is a link: http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ischomepage.html

Don’t you just love trees! I can’t get enough of them.

Today’s tutorial shows how to get a great light effect by using your brayer at an angle. Check it out.

Let ‘s get started.

Supplies:

Stamps: Innovative Stamp Creations “Presence of Trees”

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Basic Black and Baja Breeze

Ink: Stampin’ Up Baja Breeze & Not Quite Navy, Palette Noir Black

Accessories: Ribbon, Post it Notes, Brayer, Aqua Pen, White Gel Pen, Black marker, Tim Holtz Ruler, Push Pin

Started by tearing through the sticky edge of a post it note and used it as a mask. Masked the bottom portion of a 4.5″ x 5.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Brayered Baja Breeze ink at an angle on the unmasked portion of the card stock.

Turned the card stock upside down and brayered at an angle again leaving a light streak in the middle.

Brayered Not Quite Navy using the same angles, but did not cover the Baja Breeze ink entirely.

Removed the post it note mask.

Stamped the trees using Palette Noir Black ink.

Used a marker to extend some of the trees to the top of the card stock.

Colored the light side of the trees with a White Gel pen to make them look like they have snow stuck to them. Also added a few dots of white gel pen in the branches.

Squeezed the Baja Breeze ink pad to create a pool of ink on the lid of the stamp pad and used the ink along with an Aqua painter to create shadows of the trees on the snow area.

Closer look.

Note: your shadows should go in the same direction as your light source.

Sponged Baja Breeze ink around the entire edge of the card stock.

Sponged Not Quite Navy ink around the very outside edge of the card stock.

Attached a Baja Breeze panel to a black panel and pierced the bottom and top of them using the Tim Holtz ruler and a push pin. The ruler has little holes in it along one side to use for this purpose.

Decided to add some fun ribbon.

Here is the finished card measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

Well I hope this tutorial has inspired you to get that brayer out and use it to see what interesting light effects you can create with it.

May your day be filled with Peace and harmony.

Until my next post. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Links to all my tutorials can be found here: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

Here is a link to my workshop calendar if you want to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar

Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/

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Posted in Tutorials

And the Blog Candy Winner is. . . . . . . . .

Posted on November 23, 2008 by zindorf| 7 Comments

The Basic Grey Blog Candy winner is . .. . . . . . .

Veee (vlstrs)who wrote: “This one is fantastic – too! LOL Love that snowman and YES, you are an enabler! AND I am so weak. BAD, BAD, BAD.
Include me in the pot for the blog candy. It is so nice of you to share.”

Congratulations Veee, please e-mail your address to mzindorf@aim.com and I will put these stamps in the mail to you.

Thanks everyone for playing along.

I’m putting together workshop projects so I don’t have any tutorials for you right now. I will try to put one up tomorrow morning.

Hope your weekend is one of leisure.

Hugs,

Michelle

Links to all my tutorials can be found here: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

Here is a link to my workshop calendar if you want to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar

Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/

→ 7 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

A Day for Organizing

Posted on November 20, 2008 by zindorf| 44 Comments

Today I need to organize my stamping space, so no tutorial today. If you are wondering how I keep track of all my stamps, here is a glipse. I put the stamp sheets in my scanner and print a copy and put the copy in a binder by manufacturer. It’s easier to browse my stamp collection this way.

I don’t want to leave you with nothing today so here is a funny for you readers that are preparing for the up coming Thanksgiving Holiday.

The Parrot

A young man named John received a parrot as A gift. The parrot had a

Bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the

Bird’s’ mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John

Tried and tried to change the bird’s attitude by consistently saying only

Polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of

To “clean up” the bird’s vocabulary.

Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot

Yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and

Even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him

In the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and

Screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not A Peep, was heard

For over a minute.

Fearing that he’d hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to

The Freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John’s outstretched arms

And said “I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and

Actions. I’m sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I

Fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and

Unforgivable behavior.”

John was stunned at the change in the bird’s attitude. As he was about to

Ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his

Behavior, when the bird continued, “May I ask what the turkey did?”

Hugs,

Michelle

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Posted in Tools

Thinking of You Penguin – Tutorial #150!!!!!

Posted on November 19, 2008 by zindorf| 62 Comments

When someone introduces a person to the great craft of Rubber Stamping they should scream, very loudly ”Warning, Warning, Warning” just like the robot in the old TV show, Lost in Space (I’m showing my age here folks). Not only will you want every single stamp that you see and will tell yourself that you need it, yeah right, lol. But you will need, I mean want, every single tool that you are introduced to also, along with card stock, lots and lots of card stock.

This is my personal order for Stampin’ Up paper that was conveniently left on my door step yesterday. Folks, I am just restocking too, lol.

Today’s post will show you new stamps from Fire Cracker Designs by Pamela. Here is the link to her site, because you are going to want this Penguin set, lol. http://www.safesecurestore.com/stores/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=firecrackerdesignsbypamela

Also, I will show you a Mirror Image Stamp by Rubber Stampede, you can do an Internet search and probably come up with a million places to get this stamp and I will show you how to paint with an Aqua Painter, which I got from Stampin’ Up.

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!!!!!

Let’s get started.

Supplies:

Stamps: Fire Cracker Designs by Pamela

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Basic Black & Not Quite Navy

Ink: Stampin’ Up Basic Black, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy & Baja Breeze

Accessories: Brayer, Versamark pad and marker, fine detail clear embossing powder, Aqua Painter, Going Grey Marker, White Ribbon, Silver Brads, Heat gun, reverse image stamp by Rubber Stampede

This is the rubber side of the mirror image stamp (ignore the stains from use). To use the mirror image stamp you will stamp your image on the mirror image stamp and then stamp the mirror image stamp on the card stock. This creates a mirror image of the original stamp. Clear as mud? lol

So, starting out I stamped a mirror image of the penguin using the mirror image stamp and Black ink upside down on my Whisper White card stock. I chose to not press really hard when stamping the mirror image to keep it light and broken looking.

I then stamped the original penguin stamp up right and above the mirror image using Black ink.

My Whisper White card stock measures 3.25″ x 6.25″.

Stamped the star in the sky using Versamark only.

Using my Aqua Painter and So Saffron ink I painted the Penguin’s sweater and hat.

I use a re-inker and place a drop of ink in the lid of the ink pad, but you can squeeze the ink pad when it is closed and you will get a pool of ink on the lid that you can use to watercolor with.

When painting the mirror image I use water down ink so it is lighter than the original image.

To clean my Aqua Painter I brush it on my scrap paper until it doesn’t show any color on the paper any longer.

Next I painted the Riding Hood Red ink on using the same method.

After the paper has dried all the way, you can go back in and paint your shadows (dark areas) in on the sweater and hat using the Aqua painter and the same colors of ink. Layering the same color will show darker, but you have to wait for the paper to dry.

I also painted his beak with So Saffron.

Colored the black areas of the mirror image with a Going Grey marker.

Colored over my Original image using a Versamark marker and then heat embossed the star and the original image using fine detail embossing powder and a heat gun.

Now that my original image and my star are heat embossed I can brayer over them and they will resist the ink.

Brayered Baja Breeze ink at the top and bottom of the card stock.

Tore a post it note and used it as a mask. Sponged Baja Breeze ink at the post it notes torn edge to create the ground.

Sponge a little Not Quite Navy ink right at the post it note edge not covering the sponged Baja Breeze ink entirely.

Removed the post it note mask.

Brayered Not Quite Navy at the top and bottom of the card stock, not covering the Baja Breeze ink entirely.

Sponged Not Quite Navy around the edge of the card stock.

Assembled the card, adding silver brads and white ribbon. Here it is finished measuring 5″ x 6.5″. Oh yeah! This is tutorial number 150!!!!

May your skies be full of bright shining stars.

Until my next post. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .

Hugs,

Michelle

Links to all my tutorials can be found here: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

Here is a link to my workshop calendar if you want to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar

Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/

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Posted in Tutorials

Tagged card making, Christmas card, emboss resist, Michelle Zindorf, rubber stamping, Stamped Art, Winter card

Snowman Greetings – Tutorial #149 and some Basic Grey Blog Candy

Posted on November 18, 2008 by zindorf| 348 Comments

We had our first snow for the season yesterday and it put me in the mood to stamp a holiday greeting card. I really love snowman stamps and this one is especially wonderful because this snowman by MyPaperMoon.com is not looking straight ahead. You can have him looking at a multitude of things. Here is a link to the My Paper Moon’s site www.mypapermoon.com just in case you want to pick this stamp up. I know, I’m an enabler, lol.

Before we get going on the tutorial, how about some Rubber Stamp Blog Candy. This set is by Basic Grey “All Natural”. All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post saying you want entered. If you are getting this blog update by e-mail you will need to click this link and then leave a comment: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/11/18/snowman-greetings-tutorial-149-and-some-basic-grey-blog-candy/

I will pick a winner using a random number generator on Saturday, November 22nd. Good luck to all!

Now on with this chilly tutorial.

Supplies:

Stamps: My Paper Moon.Com Snowman, Stampin’ Up Warmest Regards & All Season Wreath

Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Basic Black & Bravo Burgundy

Ink: Stampin’ Up Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Tempting Turquoise & Craft White, Adirondack Lake Mist & Oregano

Accessories: Versamark Pad and Marker, White Gel Pen, Prismacolor Markers, Stampin’ Up Markers, Post it Note, Clear embossing powder, Heat Gun, Sponges, Stamp-A-ma-Jig, Photo Corner Punch

Stamped Snowman by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then loading it with black ink before stamping it on a 4″ x 5.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Heat embossed the image using fine detail clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Colored his nose with a More Mustard marker.

Colored his pipe with a Close to Cocoa marker.

Colored his scarf and the inside of his hat with a Baroque Burgundy marker.

Colored the dark parts of his scarf and inside of his hat with a Bravo Burgundy marker.

Colored the dark parts of the snowman’s body with a 10% Grey Prismacolor Marker.

Added Muted Turquoise marker to the shadow parts of his body to give him a blue tint.

Colored over the entire image with a Versamark marker being careful to color the light sections first and then the colored sections. Remember lightest to darkest.

Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Brayered on Baja Breeze ink.

Sponged Tempting Turquoise ink below the Baja Breeze ink.

Sponged a little Oregano ink behind the snowman.

Stamped the sentiment in black ink using a Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement.

Tore through the sticky edge of a post it note and then sponged Lake mist ink right at the post it note edge to create some mounts of snow.

Moved the post it note and repeated for a second mound.

Assembled card front and added punched black photo corners.

Stamped the All Season Wreath stamp around the right and left sides of the Burgundy panel using Craft White ink.

Added dots for berries with a White Gel pen.

Added more dots on the Burgundy panel and some doodles on the Photo Corners. Also added the brads to the photo corners.

Here it is finished measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

May the snow in your area be wearing a happy face.

Until my next post. . . . . . .. . . . . ..

Hugs,

Michelle

Links to all my tutorials can be found here: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/tutorials-ive-written/

Here is a link to my workshop calendar if you want to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar

Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/

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Posted in Tutorials

Tagged card making, emboss resist, Michelle Zindorf, rubber stamping, Stamped Art