Remembering How Much I Love Embossing

The last Stampin Chix gathering we spent some time watercoloring embossed images.  This was the first time that I had used a watercolor brush....the kind that holds the water in the brush.  Marianne showed us how to use Distress Ink stamped onto a craft mat for our watercolor ink.  The bottom three cards were completed by Marianne.  Thanks for bringing me back to embossing, Marianne! This was SO MUCH FUN!  We discussed how it had been a long time since we had embossed and how it used to be so popular.  This technique is probably responsible more than any other for who started into a card making hobby.  I know that it is what hooked me.  There is something about the first time you see that image raised up before your eyes...and the thought rolling through your head of "I can do that?!"  Above is some of our finished work.  The images that we used to emboss are reverse images.  They are embossed in white.  Then the flowers are water-colored.  Did, I say that we had FUN doing this?  I can't wait to do some more!  The images are Hero Arts Clings, sold at Archivers

A Cup of Encouragement, Just for You.

Gifts of Encouragement

Does someone in your life need to be encouraged? I have been thinking for a long time about how I can be a better encourager.  The first two cards that I made for someone elicited a very emotional response.  The first person was in tears and the second gave me a hug.  They were totally surprised that someone had their welfare in mind so much that they took the time to make a home made card.  That was a long time and many cards ago.  Today, sometimes I am better at making cards than I am at giving them.  I'm working on that. :)  Thoughts of encouragement are what inspired today's craft.  This was made with a cup from Michaels and the Cricut cartridge "Just Because".  A little styrofoam and a wooden skewer.  I have a few more pictures to follow.

This card was created with Stampscapes, Tweety Jill and many other brands of stamps. I airbrushed the background with Copics, B02, B04 and B08. Greens are YG07 , YG 09 and Y 08. I used a little bottle cap to mask for the sun.

I have been on several excursions in the past couple of months some of which included a short jaunt to Dayton Ohio and another longer trip to Schaumburg Il. Of course when I travel I check out the local craft suppliers for Rubber Stamps, Cardstock and unusual items of interest.

While in Dayton, I made my first trip to Marco's Paper in the Kettering/Dayton area. I was interested in purchasing some Nina cardstock to use with the Copic markers alcohol ink.

Upon entering the store, I was pleasantly greeted by a display of Tweety Jill's Rubber Stamp Collection by TJ Designs. These are deeply etched red rubber stamps mounted on cling foam and made to use with acrylic blocks. These collections are sets of themed rubber stamps in clear cases. There are coordinating designed paper for each theme. The colors in these designs took my breath away. They are beautiful.

While on the Schaumburg trip I had a lot of free time in the evenings. I was very blessed on this trip as I was able to stay in a large room. The room was able to accomodate two banquet luncheon tables. I brought my stamping materials with me and so I was able to spend every evening and two weekends creating cards!