Today I thought I would warm things up a bit and use some really bright colors, but first I have some blog candy to tell you about. 

The Blog Candy for this week is a very cute set of 27 Stamps by Melanie Muenchinger and Manufactured by Gina K. Designs titled “Cuddles & Hugs”.  Cute, cute, cute!

To enter for a chance to win this stamp set leave a comment on this post telling me you want entered.  If you are getting this blog update by e-mail you will need to click this link and leave a comment on this post:   http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/11/06/using-white-floral-tutorial-144-and-some-blog-candy/

I will select a winner of this blog candy on Sunday, November 9th using a random number generator.  Good luck to you all!

Now on with the tutorial. 

Supplies:

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

Repeated the last step to add the second flowers.

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

Colored the middle of the leaves with a Mellow Moss Marker.

Colored over the leaves and colored the white middle of the flowers with a Versamark Marker and then heat embossed them with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.

Sponged on Sunshine Yellow ink.

Sponged on Red Pepper ink.

Sponged on Butterscotch ink.

Sponged on Ginger ink.

Sponged on Bottle ink.

Sponged on Denim ink.

Sponged on Raisin ink.

Wiped the ink from the embossed images using a clean sponge.

Over stamped the embossed images with the weed stamp and more flowers using Denim ink.

Wiped off the embossed images again with a clean sponge.

Outlined the right sides of the embossed flowers with a fine point black marker.

Outlined the tops and left side of the embossed images with a white gel pen.

Used a ticket corner punch on the main image panel and the two panels below it.

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

I hope this tutorial has encouraged you to use the white of your paper to add a bit of drama to your cards.  Also this sponged background can be used for sooooo many scenes.

May your day be filled with lots of color. 

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/

Well I don’t know if they follow the Daylight Savings Time Change in your area of the world, but in Ohio we had to put our clocks back 1 hour last Sunday.  Let me tell you what this does to me.

I normally wake at around 3:30 to 4:00 a.m. in the morning.  I don’t own an alarm clock.  I rely on my internal clock.  When the time changes, my internal clock doesn’t and I wake up at 2:30 to 3:00 a.m. until my internal clock adjusts.  Even for me that is way, way to early.  So, for the next week or two I will try to force myself to stay a wake later in the evening to try to straighten my clock out. 

But this morning I was wide a wake at 2:30 a.m..  So what’s a girl to do when she can’t sleep, well color a snowman, of course!   Even though it is in the 70’s here for the next few days, not normal for Ohio in November.  I guess I’m just screwed up all the way around, lol.

This adorable snowman is by Fire Cracker Designs by Pamela.  Here is a link to their online store:

http://www.safesecurestore.com/stores/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=firecrackerdesignsbypamela

I decided to give this snowman a homespun feel this morning.

Let’s get started on the tutorial

Supplies:

Stamped Snowman on a 4″ x 5.5″ piece of Very Vanilla card stock with Palette Noir Black ink.

For those of you who follow my blog, you thought I was going to say Whisper White didn’t you?

Stamped the Sentiment on the sign with Palette Noir Black ink.

Colored the snowman with a Prismacolor Brick Beige marker.

Added Cinnamon Toast marker.

Added Mocha Light marker.

Went over the layers of marker with the Brick Beige marker to blend them a bit.

Colored the nose with Sienna Brown marker.

Colored the scarf and mittens in with Crimson Red marker.

Added Mahogany Red to the scarf and mittens.

Added Cocoa Bean marker to the darkest areas of the sign and snowman edges.

Colored over the images with Versamark marker.  Be careful with this step, the colors will smear so color your light colors first and work toward the dark, cleaning your Versamark marker tip often on your scrap paper.

Note how the Versamark changes the color of the snowman and sign.  You can count on Versamark to make your images a shade or two darker.

Heat embossed the images using clear embossing powder and heat gun.

Brayered Not Quite Navy at the top of the card stock.

Brayered Night of Navy at the top of the card stock, not covering the Not Quite Navy entirely.

I wiped the brayered ink from the snowman the best I could with a paper towel, but my snowman is stained a bit.  Oh well he just looks a bit more rustic now. 

Defined the snowman’s hair a bit with a black fine tip marker.

Ripped the edge off of a scrap piece of card stock to use as a mask.

Held the mask in place and sponged Creamy Caramel ink at the mask edge.

Added a bit of Chocolate Chip ink at the mask edge, not covering the Creamy Caramel ink entirely.

Removed the mask.  See, I now have a horizon line.

Moved the masked down to the bottom of the card stock and repeated sponging the Caramel ink and the Chocolate Chip ink at the mask edge to create a hill in the snow.

Removed the mask and sponge just a bit of Chocolate chip ink under the snowman to create a shadow.

Used the fine tip black marker again to add dimension to the sign and snowman by putting a line under the snowman and under the sign and to the right of the sign and sign post.

Sponged Night of Navy ink at the top of the card stock to really darken it.

Sponged Black ink around the entire main image panel.

Added dots in the sky and highlights to the top of the snowman and the sign with a White Gel pen.

Sponged around a Creamy Caramel panel with Chocolate chip ink. 

Punched to word panel punches out of Bravo Burgundy card stock.  Stacked them together and cut one end off of them.

Assembled my card added the punches and some copper brads.  Here is the completed card measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

Here’s hoping your internal clock is ticking perfectly today!

Oh Yeah!  For those of you who are in the United States of America,  GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!!!!   That’s where I am headed right now.

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/

Good morning, good morning, good morning!  I love Sundays!  I always try to make Sunday a complete down day for me.  A day to sit back relax a while and try to re-energize before starting another week.  But before I go and turn into a complete couch potato I made this tutorial for you.

I love bird watching and have quite a few bird feeders in the yard.  Sometimes I think the birds are eating better than my husband and I when I look at our shopping bill, but that’s another story. 

Male Cardinals are all over our area here in Ohio and a welcome splash of color at our feeders.  This Cardinal stamp by Close to My heart is turning out to be one of my favorite.  I’ve pair the cardinal up with some great images by Innovative Stamp Designs also.  Check out that wood grain and flourish.  Terrific together!  Here is a link to Innovative Stamp Creations web store:  http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ischomepage.html

One announcement before I get into the tutorial.  We have a blog candy winner!!!!!  Drum roll please. .. . . . . . . . . . . .   and the winner is . . . . . . 

Debbie Stelton who wrote “Michelle I as so glad you enjoyed your trip and teaching your classes. As usual your card is awesome. Thank you for another chance to win some blog candy you are always so generous with your talent and great blog candy. Have a great week and TFS.”

Debbie, please e-mail your address to mzindorf@aim.com and I will get this terrific set in the mail to you.  Congrats!

Thanks to everyone else who played along!

Now for the Tutorial. 

Supplies:

Stamped Cardinal with Palette Noir Black ink on a 4.5″ square piece of Whisper White card stock.

Colored the bird with a Prismacolor Scarlet Lake Marker.

Added Crimson Red to the dark areas.

Went over the entire bird again with the Scarlet Lake marker to blend.

Added Tuscan Red to the top of the back and underside. 

Colored the beak Burnt Ochre.

Colored over the entire bird with a Versamark marker, being very careful to stay inside the lines.

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

Stamped the flourish at the top of the card stock using Versamark only.

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

Brayered in Lake Mist ink all over the card stock.

Stamped wood grain with Lake Mist ink. 

I decided I wanted the wood grain to show up better so I restamped it with Pesto ink.

Masked the Top of the card stock with a post it note and sponged Pesto ink right at the post it note edge to create a shelf for the bird to sit on.

Switched the direction of the post it note to create a board running from top to bottom by sponging Pesto at the post it notes edge.

Removed the post it notes and sponged Pesto ink around the outside of the card stock.

 Also used a ruler to add a line of Grey marker to really define the boards I created.

Punched a circle in a piece of card stock and held it on the main image panel and sponged Pesto ink inside the circle to create a hole in the bird house.

Drew a black line around the inside of the circle skipping over the flourish showing.  The black line gives a bit of dimension to the whole.

Sponged Black ink on the very edge of the card stock.

Wiped the ink off of my embossed images using a soft paper towel.

Sponged Black ink on a 5.25″ square panel of Old Olive card stock.

Added Ribbon, Brads & Stickles to the flourish.

Here is the complete card measuring 5.25″ Square.

May your day be filled with Peace and Joy.

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/

Happy Halloween Everyone! 

Since it is the holiday my thoughts were I should make a Halloween card, but then why make one on the holiday when I don’t need it.  I pondered this for about 15 minutes and then came to the conclusion you would rather look at a card that would inspire you for a project in the immediate future, cold months ahead.  :)  This really turned out to be a man card.  At least the men in my life would enjoy this one.

My cards usually have many, many steps, but this one turned out to be quite quick for me.  Note, I said quick for “Me”.  No markers, no heat embossing, no brayer, GASP!  I know you probably went back and re-read that last sentence in disbelief. 

Let’s get started.

Supplies:

Stamped the tree twice with Soft Sky ink on a 4″ x 5.5″ piece of Whisper White Card stock.

Sponged Soft Sky ink in the center of the card stock.

Stamped twice the tree again with Baja Breeze ink.

Sponged Baja Breeze ink around the outside of the card stock, leaving the Soft Sky ink showing in the middle.

I came up with these blues to use by testing them on my scrap paper. 

Stamped the tree twice again with Basic Black ink.

Sponged Not Quite Navy ink around the outside of the card stock, not covering the Baja Breeze sponged ink entirely.

Sponged Basic Black ink around the very edge of the card stock, not covering the Not Quite Navy ink entirely.

I got out my Stamp-a-ma-jig to figure out where I wanted my deer to be.  Such a handy tool.

Note:  if you don’t have a Stamp-a-ma-jig you need one!  It is so nice to stamp the image on the clear sheet that comes with the tool and move it around on top of the card stock to see exactly how you would like to place an image on your piece.  :)  Nope I don’t own stock in the Stamp-a-ma-jig company, lol.  I wish I did though!

Anyway, I stamped the deer using Basic Black ink.

Assembled the card front and added silver brads to each cover of the main image panel.  Here it is complete measuring 5″ x 6.5″.

May your Halloween be a happy one!

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/

This card is for a good friend of mine.  Claire if you are looking, STOP!!!

I used one of Stamp La Jolla’s Hula Bunnies.  You can find their web site here:  www.stamplajolla.com.

One thing before I get started, I’m trying to reach the people that have signed up for my Advanced Brayer Workshop for this Saturday, November 1st.  Please e-mail me at mzindorf@aim.com.  It was unclear as to whether you were told what to bring to the workshop in way of supplies so I want to be able to communicate that to you.  Thanks!

Now on with the tutorial for this trifold Birthday Card. 

Supplies:

Stamped the rabbit with Palette Nior Black ink on a 3″ x 4.75″ of Whisper White card stock.

Colored the rabbit’s grass skirt with a Prismacolor Sand marker.

Added some Goldenrod marker to the bottom of the skirt.

Colored the shaded areas of the rabbit with a Cool Grey 30% marker.

Colored the rim of the sunglasses with a Rhodamine Marker.

Colored the inner ears with a Ballet Pink marker.

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

Masked the wall behind the rabbit with a post it note.

Brayered River Rock ink at the bottom of the card stock.

Brayered Baja Breeze ink at the top 2/3rds of the card stock.

Masked the sky area with a post it note.

Sponged Taken with Teal ink at the post it note edge to create the horizon line.

Adhered hot pink ribbon to the back side of a 5.25″ x 10.5″ trifold white card.

Adhered the ribbon to the right side of the front of the card stock.  Adhered the main image panel over the ribbon on the right side panel.

Oops!  I wanted to use this slit punch to make a slit for my ribbon to come through but I apparently didn’t have my punch far enough on my card stock, so I just took a big chunk out of it.

Fixed my problem by cutting a thin strip of Kiwi Kiss card stock and adhering it to the left under side of the main image panel.  I kinda like this look. 

Happy mistake!

Tied the ribbon through the opening I made.  Here you have it, a trifold card that measures 5.25″ x 5.25″.  Sorry for the horrible picture this morning.  Satin ribbon always gives me fits when I photograph it.

May your day be filled with fun surprises around every corner!

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/