Aug 05 2009
Snail Invasion - Tutorial #245
I learn something myself with every tutorial I produce. Today’s project was no exception. Starting out, I just had in mind to produce a scene with grasses and snails. When I got that on paper I was not happy with the scene at all, so I just kept adding things until I was happy. Today’s lesson learned is don’t give up on an ugly piece. 
Let’s get started. . . .
Supplies:
| Stamps: Stampin’ Up Garden Whimsy & Inspired by Nature |
| Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White and Elegant Eggplant |
| Ink: Stampin’ Up Close to Cocoa, Perfect Plum, Dusty Durango, Apricot Appeal, Always Artichoke, More Mustard and Old Olive |
| Accessories: Versamark Pad and Marker, Clear embossing powder, heat gun, Brayer, Sponge, Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon, Gold Brads, Stampin’ Up Markers and Prismacolor Pencils |
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 out by stamping the Grass stamp from the Stampin’ Up set Inspired by Nature on a 4.25″ square piece of Whisper White card stock by first loading my stamp with Versamark and then with Old Olive ink before stamping it.
Heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Stamped the Snails by first loading them with Versamark and then with More Mustard ink, added a bit of Close to Cocoa Marker before stamping them.
Heat embossed the snails using clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Added Lovely Lilac marker to their shells.
Colored over the snails with a Versamark marker and heat embossed them a second time with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Now that my images are heat embossed they will resist ink that is put over them.
Brayered Always Artichoke ink at the bottom of the card stock.
Wiped the ink off of my embossed images using a cotton rag.
Brayered Apricot Appeal ink at the top of the card stock.
Brayered Dusty Durango ink at the top of the card stock.
This is where I took a look and didn’t like the scene. It definitely needed something more.
Flowers are always good. Stamped the Flowers from the Stampin’ Up Inspired by Nature set using Perfect Plum and Close to Cocoa ink.
Note: Don’t waste your time using the Perfect Plum ink, only use the Close to Cocoa ink. :) You will see later.
Added Black marker outlines to some of the grasses and to the snails.
Sponged Close to Cocoa ink around the entire edge of the card stock.
Now, those flowers really need something. Out come the prismacolor pencils.
Added Lilac Prismacolor ink to the flower petals.
Added Orange Prismacolor pencil to the cone portion of the flowers.
Added Chartreuse Prismacolor Pencil to the stem and leaves.
Now, beware! Do not use your White Gel pen to create highlights over your Prismacolored images. It will most definitely clog your pen and it will be useless.
Added White highlights to the flowers with a White Prismacolor pencil.
Now that is a much better scene.
Assembled the card front and added Stampin’ Up Dusty Durango Polka Dot ribbon and four gold brads.
Here is the finished card measuring 5.25″ square.
May you not give up on whatever you decide to tackle today.
Until my next post. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Huge Hugs,
Michelle
Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:
Columbia, Missouri
Lynchburg, Virginia
Greenwood, Indiana
Castro Valley, California
Yardley, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia)
Knox, Maine
Akron, Ohio
Broomfield, Colorado
Moore, Oklahoma
Nashville, Indiana
Portland, Michigan
2010
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, Oregon
Wheaton, Illinois
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Rockville, Maryland
North Chili, New York (near Rochester)
New Johnsonville, Tennessee
Helena, Montana
Middleburg Heights, Ohio
Venice, Florida
Here is a link to my workshop calendar where you can see all of my travel schedule and to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar
Link to my Stampin’ Up website were you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net
Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/
Beautiful Inspiration! This is just an awesome card! Thank you so much for all you do and share!
Bev
oh Michelle, I love it!
Thank you!
Sandra
Michelle, I just cannot tell you what a wonderful teacher you are and how much I appreciate your tutorials. I have not missed any since I found your site not too long ago. I am a newbie at being a Stampin’ Up demonstrator and you are my inspiration. Please, keep sharing your work and inspiring us. I especially appreciate it that you teach step by step….very easy to understand and try.
God bless you mightily as you share the gift He has given you.
Elena
Hello Michelle! once again you’ve created a masterpiece! I love the little snails and that grass stamp is just fabulous! I love it!
Wow, that card turned out awesome! Love it…three more days, Columbia here I come!!!
I am awestruck by all of your creations. As soon as school starts, I promise myself to sit down an attempt your tutorials!!!!!!!
Michelle I love this card. The snails, the grass, the flowers, the colors - love them all. What a great stamp set. You are such an inspiration for me and I thank you for the fabulous ideas and tutorials.
Too cute!!! —and I love the color combination. I don’t know how you keep coming up with these beautiful cards. I can’t wait for your class in Jan.
Lovely card. How do you know which stamp set to use and what scene to create? and what color would look good?
Helen, all of those things are a just a personal choice.
Hugs!
Fun card with the snails, I liked it with and without the flowers! You rock…hugs…
Great “save”. This is beautiful!
You are so funny. The first words out of my mouth when I saw it was, “how cute!” and then I read you thought it was ugly to start with. Maybe it was; I don’t see it tho. Love the lilac in the shells; that really brought out the snails well!
Thx!
OMG I love it!!!!! This is fun and beautiful and bright.
I love the Inspired By Nature stamp set. Thanks so much for the great inspiration.
Beautiful card!
I love this one (as I do all your cards) and actually had everything this time to case it appart from the Dusty Durango bits, so tht is what I have done with my time this morning - thanks!!!
Lynda x
WOW….you are so talented !!! You make things look so easy. Once again I must thank you for the tutorials. JudyOR
I would not have thought of purchasing a snail stamp, until l saw how you used it. Thanks for opening up my ideas with your inspirations.
This is beautiful Michelle. I need to remember this lesson….never give up! I often wind up with something I don’t like but am not sure why??? Next time I’ll keep on keeping on!!
Another beautiful creation. I love this card. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing Michelle.
This one is way too cute! Love it. I really appreciate your advice about not giving up on a card. Today a friend and I got toether to make cards and she was so unhappy with how her’s was turning out. I gave her your encouraging words, she continued, and finished with a really great card. There aren’t enough thank yous for all you share. You take care.
Michelle, thanks for so many good instructionals. This is just beautiful. I continue to come back to your site and never leave without something new to inspire me!
Hi Michelle
Your cards are always SO beautiful and I have to thank you for the gorgeous step-by-step tutorials. You inspired me to use my Thoughts & Prayers set stamp set, I hope you have a chance to stop by and see it!
Have a wonderful weekend, Jennifer
Had a lovely look round yr blog very inspirational! and I really think i can do it looking at yr tutorials i am defo gonna have a go! (saw you featured in Craft Stamper (Aug 09) and have to say prefer the work on the blog! love the foggy one in the park great house BTW I will be poppin back regularly thanks for sharing (new SU demo in UK)
Love Dawn xxx
Positively GORGEOUS! Love the purples and oranges. Beautiful.
Your work is so inspiring. I’m going to have a go at using your brayering techniques. Wish I lived in the US I’d definitely find my way to your classes! Keep up the great work.