Happy Birthday to me. . . . . . . . Hello all!  Today is my birthday.  You do not need to know which birthday it is for me, lol.  Any how, in celebration of my birthday today I am giving away as blog candy a brand new Stampin’ Up, Level 2, Hostess Set, Asian Artistry.

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post telling me to enter you.  If you are receiving this blog update via e-mail you will need to click this link and it will take you to my blog so you can leave a comment:    http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/08/31/asian-artistry-blog-candy/

I will pick a winner on Friday, September 4, 2009 using a random number generator.

Good luck to all!

I am taking the day off, since it is my birthday and I am going to the Cincinnati Zoo with my Sister Sonja, Niece Sarah and her beautiful baby boy, Bohdi.   Catch you tomorrow.

May your day be filled with fun surprises!

Until my next post. . . . .

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

 Get ready for Brayer Workshops!  I am coming to:

Castro Valley, California 

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia) 

Knox, Maine

Akron, Ohio

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Nashville, Indiana

Portland, Michigan

2010

Dayton, Ohio at Marco Paper

Phoenix, Arizona

Monroe, Louisiana

Jacksonville, Florida

St. Louis, Missouri

Mechanicsville, Virginia

Raleigh, North Carolina 

Colleyville, Texas

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho

Riverside, California (Southern California) Salem, OregonWheaton, Illinois

Happy Sunday!  Sunday is usually my chill out day.  A day when I just put my feet up and relax.  Today however, I felt I should give you fine readers a tutorial since I have been busy prepping for my September brayer workshops and yesterday I was in Greenwood, Indiana teaching some super fun ladies at Sharon’s Crop Studio.  That being said, I have not had the time in the past few days to sit down and create.

I put together this Autumn card using Stampin’ Up Classic Ink pads using the direct to paper method for the background.  This card also highlights the Stampin’ Up Trendy Tree set and two new sets that are in the new Stampin’ Up Holiday Mini Catalog, Autumn Splendor and Grateful Greets, must have sets! 

On a side note, e-mail me your address if you want a free copy of the new Stampin’ Up Mini Catalog and you reside in the USA, mzindorf@aim.com.

I created this card the other day and got a few e-mails asking me why I had used the Tim Holtz Distress ink pads instead of using Stampin’ Up ink pads. 

Below is a picture of the Stampin’ Up ink pad on the left and the Tim Holtz Distress ink pads on the right.  There is a really big, big difference in how much the pad is raised above the pad base with the Distress ink pads.  So that is why when I do a direct to paper project and I want to smear the ink directly on the card stock using the ink pad, I will reach for my Distress ink pads.  They are much easier to use because of how much the pad is raised off of the base. 

Don’t get me wrong you can do the same method with the Stampin’ Up ink pads because the pad is raised off the base a bit.  Todays tutorial demonstrates it. 

Okay, let’s get started on today’s tutorial “Direct Trendy Trees”.

Supplies:

Are you inspired by this Blog?  One way you can help support this blog is by ordering your Stampin’ Up products through me.   You can order from me 24-7 from this link:  http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net or e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com  If you are within the United States.  Want a copy of the brand new 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up Catalog for $9.95, just e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com and I will get one in the mail to you.  Want to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income?  Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team.  Through August 31 you can become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator for as little as $85 with the mini kit.  Also check out the Stampin’ Up specials, click this link to check it out:  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/michellezindorf/promotionsStamped the tree leaves on a 3″ x 5″ piece of Whisper White card stock by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then loading my stamp with Pumpkin Pie ink before stamping it.  Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.Sponged Apricot Appeal ink in the center of the leaves and then colored over the sponged ink with a Veramark marker and heat embossed the images again using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the Leaves 4 more times by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then Always Artichoke ink before stamping them.  Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Sponged Pumpkin Pie ink in the middle of the leaves and colored over the sponged ink with a Versmark marker and heat embossed the images with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Stamped the Trunks by first loading my stamp with Versamark and Close to Cocoa ink before stamping them.   Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Smeared Certainly Celery ink on the card stock using the edge of the Stamp pad.

Smeared Always Artichoke ink at the bottom of the card stock using the edge of the ink pad.

Smeared Close to Cocoa ink at the top and bottom of the card stock using the edge of the ink pad.  Used the corner of the Close to Cocoa pad to smear a shadow under each tree trunk.

Outlined the right sides of the tree trunk with a Basic Black marker.

Sponged Black ink around the edge of the card stock.

Stamped the leaf from the Stampin Up “Autumn Splendor” set by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then with Pumpkin pie ink before stamping it on a scrap of Whisper White card stock.  Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Smeared Apricot Appeal ink over the embossed leaf using the edge of the ink pad.

Smeared on some Always Artichoke ink  on the leaf using the edge of the ink pad.

Colored the stem and a few veins of the leaf in with an Always Artichoke marker.

Cut out the leaf with a pair of Stampin’ Up Paper Snips, love these little sharp scissor by the way. 

Assembled my card and stamped the greeting using a Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement and Basic Black ink.

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

Hey it is now time for me to relax and put my feet up, right after I answer my e-mails, check my P.O. Box, update my accounting paperwork for my business, do some laundry, feed the dogs and the bird, make some breakfast, do the dishes etc, etc.  . . . . . . . . . Thank goodness it is not Monday!  Sigh. ..  .

May your Sunday be one of rest and relaxation.

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

 Get ready for Brayer Workshops!  I am coming to:

Castro Valley, California 

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia) 

Knox, Maine

Akron, Ohio

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Nashville, Indiana

Portland, Michigan

2010

Dayton, Ohio at Marco Paper

Phoenix, Arizona

Monroe, Louisiana

Jacksonville, Florida St. Louis, MissouriMechanicsville, VirginiaRaleigh, North CarolinaColleyville, TexasColorado Springs, ColoradoBoise area of Meridian, Idaho

I used this Stampin’ Up Set “Branched Out’ yesterday and it was still sitting on my desk this morning so here is another piece using this tree, which I love, love, love. 

Before we get started don’t forget to request your free copy of the Stampin’ Up’s new 39 page Mini Catalog which will come into effect September 1st.  Just e-mail your address to mzindorf@aim.com and I will get one out to you.  If you have already requested a copy or you are a Stampin’ Up Customer of mine your copy is on it’s way.  No need to e-mail a request.

Let’s get started. . . . .

Supplies:

Are you inspired by this Blog?  One way you can help support this blog is by ordering your Stampin’ Up products through me.   You can order from me 24-7 from this link:  http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net or e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com  If you are within the United States.  Want a copy of the brand new 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up Catalog for $9.95, just e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com and I will get one in the mail to you.  Want to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income?  Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team.  Through August 31 you can become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator for as little as $85 with the mini kit.  Also check out the Stampin’ Up specials, click this link to check it out:  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/michellezindorf/promotions

On a 2.5″ x 4.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock brayered Apricot Appeal ink at the top of the card stock.

Brayered Lovely Lilac ink at the top of the card stock, not covering the Apricot Appeal ink entirely.

Stamped the tree with Basic Black ink.

Stamped the leaf stamp with Going Gray ink, leaving the middle of the tree open.

Added a lot of Basic Black leaves, leaving a bit of the Going Gray leaves showing towards the middle of the tree.

Sponged Basic Black ink at the top of the card stock and at the bottom of the card stock.

Added White Gel Pen highlights (dots) in the trees leaves and on the ground.

Used my Big Shot Die cut machine and the Stampin’ Up Small Dot Texture plate on a piece of Lavender Lace card stock and the other side of the Texture plate, Large Dots on the Apricot Appeal Panel.

Brayered Apricot Appeal ink over the Apricot Appeal Panel to bring out the texture more.

Brayered Lovely Lilac ink over the Lavender Lace panel to bring out the texture more.

Dragged my Basic Black ink pad over one end of the Lavender Lace Lilac panel.

Assembled the card and added White Ribbon and brads.

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

May your day be super special. 

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

 Get ready for Brayer Workshops!  I am coming to:

Greenwood, Indiana

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, Maine

Akron, Ohio

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Nashville, Indiana

Portland, Michigan2010Dayton, Ohio at Marco PaperPhoenix, ArizonaMonroe, Louisiana

I love Tim Holtz Distress Inks and can spend hours whiling away smearing ink on card stock and creating backgrounds for silhouette images.  Here is one I put together this morning.  I hope this tutorial inspires you to smear some ink today. 

Supplies:

Are you inspired by this Blog?  One way you can help support this blog is by ordering your Stampin’ Up products through me.   You can order from me 24-7 from this link:  http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net or e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com  If you are within the United States.  Want a copy of the brand new 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up Catalog for $9.95, just e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com and I will get one in the mail to you.  Want to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income?  Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team.  Through August 31 you can become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator for as little as $85 with the mini kit.  Also check out the Stampin’ Up specials, click this link to check it out:  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/michellezindorf/promotions

Started with a 4″ square piece of Whisper White card stock.  Used the edge of the Broken China Distress ink pad and smeared it across the card stock.  This technique is called “Direct to Paper”.

Added Faded Jeans Distress ink with the corner of the pad.

Added a little bit of Brushed Corduroy using the corner of the pad.

Added Black Soot Distress ink using the edge of the pad and a light touch.

Added Weathered Wood Distress ink using the edge of the pad in the sky area of the card stock.

Added Scattered Straw Distress ink using the edge of the pad in the sky area of the card stock.

Stamped the Tree from the Stampin’ Up Branched Out Set with Basic Black ink.

Stamped the leaf stamp from the Branched Out set with Old Olive ink on the left side of the tree.

Added some more leaves with Handsome Hunter ink in the middle of the tree.

Stamped some more leaves with Basic Black ink on the right side of the tree.

Put some highlights in the leaves on the left side of the tree, out lined the left side of the trunk and added a few grasses at the base of the tree with a white gel pen.

Teamed the main image panel up with a few card stock panels and left off embellishments.  Some times embellishments take from your design instead of adding to.  I felt that was the case with this piece today.

This is the finished card measuring 5.25″ square.

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

 Get ready for Brayer Workshops!  I am coming to:

Greenwood, Indiana

Castro Valley, California

Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)

Knox, MaineAkron, Ohio

Broomfield, Colorado

Moore, Oklahoma

Nashville, Indiana Portland, Michigan

Hey there, I am back from playing around in Put-in-bay.  I had a wonderful couple of days drinking and eating my way around the Island.  :) 

 But now I need to get back to the real world.  So I am starting my day off with a little coloring fun with the stunning Stampin’ Up set “Fifth Avenue Floral”.  My favorite Rose is the “Peace Rose” which is a Rose with a color combination of Pinks and Yellows and so here is my interpretation of that wonderful rose.

Let’s get started. . . .

Supplies:

Are you inspired by this Blog?  One way you can help support this blog is by ordering your Stampin’ Up products through me.   You can order from me 24-7 from this link:  http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net or e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com  If you are within the United States.  Want a copy of the brand new 2009-2010 Stampin’ Up Catalog for $9.95, just e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com and I will get one in the mail to you.  Want to become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and earn instant income?  Consider being part of my Stampin’ Up Team.  Through August 31 you can become a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator for as little as $85 with the mini kit.  Also check out the Stampin’ Up specials, click this link to check it out:  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/michellezindorf/promotions

Stamped the rose on a 2.5″ x 3.5″ piece of Whisper White card stock with Cameo Coral ink.

Colored in the rose with a Barely Banana Marker.

Added Pretty in Pink marker.

Added Apricot Appeal marker where the Pink and yellow meet in on the petals.

Outlined the petals with Cameo Coral marker.

Blended the colors together by coloring over the entire rose again with Barely Banana marker.

Colored over the rose with Versamark marker and heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Sponged Chocolate Chip ink in a circular motion on the card stock.

Sponged Apricot Appeal ink at the upper left hand corner of the card stock.

Used a Metallic Gold Sharpie Marker on the edge of the main image panel and a 5.25″ square Chocolate Chip panel.

Added an Apricot Appeal and Cameo Corner Panel and Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon.

Added a shadow around the rose image with a Close to Cocoa marker.

Added a 5.5″ Basic Black panel and here is the finished card measuring 5.5″ square.

I hope this tutorial put you in a coloring mood. 

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

 Get ready for Brayer Workshops!  I am coming to:

Greenwood, IndianaCastro Valley, CaliforniaYardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)Knox, Maine