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/

Hi!  I’m back from the West Coast and WOW did I have a great time teaching Advanced and Beginner Brayer Workshops in California.  I got to teach 3 Advanced Brayer workshops to Attendees that have taken my Beginner workshops in the past.  It’s always great to reconnect with people, especially the the fun, fun ladies in California.  I also taught a Beginner workshop and made some new friends, Hi ladies!!!  My next Advanced workshop on the Calendar is scheduled for November 1st at Marco Paper.  I also have two Beginner Workshops scheduled for November 8th at Marco Paper.  Follow this link if you are interested in signing up.  http://marcopaper.com/index.html  or call 937-433-7030 or 1-888-733-5239.  If you are on the fence about signing up, please note these will be my last workshops until after the new year. 

I promise if you attend a Beginner Brayer Workshop I will take the mystery out of that tool, the Brayer.

  OK, as promised I have a Blog Candy Winner!  Drum roll, please . . . . . . . . . . . .

Congratulations Rockin Robin Caldwell who wrote:   Oohhhh, pick me, pick me!!! What a fantastic piece with a gorgeous “California” feel to it!!! I am so diggin’ the bright, in your face colors!!! Right up my “palette” alley. I sure hope this piece will land in my mailbox. I love it!!! I hope I can brayer like you…some day (sigh….). Hisses, Rockin Robin Caldwell

Robin, please e-mail your address to me at mzindorf@aim.com and I will put this card in the mail to you.

Thanks everyone for playing along!

Now for today’s tutorial and NEW BLOG CANDY.  I used a brand new stamp sheet by Innovative Stamp Creations “Autumn Leaves”  in today’s tutorial and I’m giving a brand new stamp sheet  of “Autumn Leaves” away as blog candy.  Check out the detail in these leaves!

If you would like to be entered for a chance to win this terrific stamp sheet, please leave a comment on this post.  If you are getting this blog update by e-mail you will need to click on this link and then leave a comment on this post http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/10/27/tumbling-leaves-tutorial-138-and-blog-candy/

I will select the winner on Sunday, November 2nd using a random number generator.  Good luck to all!

Here is a link to Innovative Stamp Creation’s online store:  http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ischomepage.html   Check them out.

Now on with the tutorial!

Supplies:

Stamped both leaves with Palette Noir Black ink on a 5″ square piece of Whisper White card stock.

Colored the leaves in with a Prismacolor Cold Stone marker.

Colored the dark parts of the leaves with a Muted Turquoise marker.

Added some Cerulean Blue marker to the dark areas at the bottom of the leaves.

Colored over the images with a Versamark marker.

Heat embossed the leaves with fine detail embossing powder and a heat gun.

Tip:  if after you heat emboss your embossing looks pitted, color over the images again with Versamark and heat emboss again with Clear embossing powder. 

Used Old Paper Distress ink and swiped the edge of the ink pad across the card stock.  These distress ink pads have a raised pad so it is very easy to use them for this technique.

Swiped the edge of a Tea Dye Distress Ink pad at the top left side and the bottom right side of the card stock.

Sponged a bit of Weathered Distress ink under the leaves.

Swiped the edge of a Walnut Stain Distress Ink Pad at the top left side and the bottom Right side of the card stock.

Stamped the flourish all around the edge of the card stock with Old Paper Distress ink.

Stamped the flourish again with Walnut Stain Distress ink  at the top left and bottom right of the card stock.

Sponged Walnut Stain Distress Ink all round the edge of the card stock.

Assembled card and here it is finished, measuring 5.5″ square.

I hope this tutorial inspires you to think outside of the box when coloring objects, such as leaves.  They don’t always have to be green, orange or yellow. 

May your day be filled with the sites and sounds of Autumn.

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

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

I’m leaving on a Jet Plane. . . . . . .. . .

Folks, I’m flying out today to the West Coast, San Jose to be exact to teach a few Advanced and Beginner workshops.  I will return on Sunday, but probably won’t be posting again until Monday.

I wanted to leave you with a tutorial and some blog candy.  So here it is.  The blog candy is this Sunset card that measures 4″ x 9″.  To enter for a chance to win this card leave a comment on this post.  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/2008/10/23/california-sunset-blog-candy/

I will select a winner of this blog candy upon my return on Monday, October 27th using a random number generator.  Good luck to you all!

The stamps I used today are by Innovative Stamp Creations.  Here is a link to their online store:

http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ischomepage.html

Now for the tutortial. 

Supplies:

Brayered Summer Sun ink at the bottom a 3″ x 8″ piece of Whisper White card stock.

Brayered Regal Rose ink at the top of the card stock.

Brayered a bit of Orchid Opulence ink at the very top of the card stock, not covering the Real Rose ink entirely.

Masked the bottom 1/3 of the card stock with post it notes.

Sponged Regal Rose ink at the post it note edge and create a couple small hills.

Note:  This shows what happens when you put pink on top of yellow.  That’s right, you get Orange. 

Sponged some Orchid Opulence right at the post it note edge.

Removed the post it note masks.

Sponged Regal Rose ink from the outside edge toward the middle, using a streaking motion with the sponge.  I did not sponge any Regal Rose ink in the middle of the card stock.

Stamped three Palm trees using Basic Black ink.

Sponged heavily Basic Black ink at the very bottom of the card stock.

Added a hot pink ribbon, brads and a Tim Holtz Medallion that says “Journey” on it.

Here is the finished card measuring 4″ x 9″.