Archive for January, 2009:
Stringing You Along
This month’s issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter is in the mail. If you are a subscriber you can see the newsletter on line here.
This card uses a technique I call Stringing You Along, and was filmed by me for the newsletter. If you want to see the step-by-step directions on how to do this technique, you can visit the Technique Junkie Newsletter.
Stamps:Â Stamp’n Up; Ink:Â Adirondak Bright series; Scallop punch, Stamp’n Up; Rhinestones, Hobby Lobby; Leaf Punch, Martha Stewart
Subscribe to the comments for this postA Day on the Beach
Hurray for Thursday! My favourite day of the week! Today I have another watercolour for you. Believe it or not, it took me two hours of playing around with different papers and layouts before I finally put this layout together. This image was all girl and delicate, so I wanted the card to be too.
Have you noticed how I crop my photos now so that the space around the card is gone? I’m finally learning a little bit of photoshop. I bit the bullet and signed up for a two-afternoon class at the college that starts in two weeks.  Once that’s finished I’ll be signing up for Adoebe Illustrator.
Have a great day!
Stamp:Â Inkadinkado; Metal, Stamp’n Up
Tutorial Tuesday: Brayer Watercolour
Pull out your Kaleidoscope ink pads and brayer–you’re going to create a watercolour background this week. This is a quick and easy technique.
Supplies:Â Glossy Paper, Kaleidocolor ink pad, brayer, embossing buddy, embossing powder, heat gun, stamp, paper towel, water mister (not pictured), VersaMark (not pictured)
Ink your brayer in the manner of rolling out your brayer in one direction and roll it on your ink pad five to six times before rolling out your ink. Repeat until your glossy cardstock is covered completely.
Mist your brayered background and let your ink run. Blot it dry with the paper towel.
Rub the embossing buddy over the entire surface.
Ink your stamp with VersaMark.
Sprinkle embossing powder over inked surface and heat with heat embosser. You are now ready to finish your card.
This card used a pink and purple Kaleidocolor ink pad. Multiple colours of embossing powders were used.
Another example of brayer watercolour.
Lighthouse and chair stamp:Â Inkadinkado; Friend stamp:Â Hero Arts; Gulfport stamp:Â custom made
A Trip To The Beach
Good Monday morning! Did you have a nice weekend? Brrr, it was still cold, wasn’t it?! I am warming things up for you with a trip to the beach.
Image (Inkadinkado) was stamped onto watercolour paper and painted with Tombow markers. SU colours: Taken With Teal, White and Cool Caribbean. Ribbon came from Hobby Lobby.
Tutorial Tuesday resumes tomorrow. Subscribe today.
Watercolour From One of My Readers
One of my readers completed her first watercolour cards. Barb did a lovely job softening her background with a combination of colours. Thank you, Barb, for sharing this card with us. It’s delightful.
My Little Friend
Can you tell I’m in love with Rachelle Anne Miller stamps from Stampavie? She travelled all the way from France.
My image was stamped out on watercolour paper and painted with Tombow markers and Twinkling H2O’s. The paper is Euphoria from Basic Grey. Flowers were added and leaves were punched with my Martha Stewart punch.
Have a great day!
Tips To Get You Noticed
Last week we discussed how to increase the traffic to your blog. Today’s post has a few more tips for you, and some links to get you started.
Be Unique
Stand out from the crowd. Do you have special talents to share? Listed are two examples of unique, and successful blogs:
- Here to tickle your funny bone is Paperlicious. Readers are eager to read Dear Paperlicious. Her husband might have something else to say about that though–he is often the topic of her laughs.
- Move over Martha, there’s another single-name success out there. Not only does she pop out awesome projects, but she lists 50 to 100 links that include examples, templates, and more. Let me introduce Mel.
Do not stand out for the wrong reasons
Nothing will ruin your reputation faster than stealing from someone. Don’t let Copy And Share Everything turn into Copy And Steal Everything. Please remember to give credit where credit is due. This has always been a hot topic and always will be. To read more on this topic read below:
“The” Julie discusses the rights and wrongs
Mix things up a bit
Do you have multi-talents? Why not share these with your readers. The biggest success story that comes to mind is known by millions of people today. This lady started out small, and rapidly grew once the media caught on to her story.  When you visit The Pioneer Woman you just HAVE to check out her olive bread recipe–it’s the best!
Get involved
Since this was suggested last week, have you made the attempt to compliment bloggers on their posts? Did you get more involved with message boards? To help you on your way to success, here are some places to visit:
Are you interested in getting more involved in the community by way of creating rather than socializing? Then Challenges are for you. Listed below are a few sites to get you started:
- Splitcoast Stampers has a different challenge every day
- Magnolia vs Stampavie is a playful joust between two stamp companies
- Altered art your thing, then how about GPP Street Team
- Weekly contests can be found over at Poetic Artistry
- More prizes to be had at Caardvarks
- Even us adults can do Double Dutch
- Stampavie is delightful
- You know I love to celebrate Thursdays. So does Cute Card Thursday
- Oh la la, Basic Grey has a challenge too
- Stamp’n Up isn’t left out with Ink and Rubber challenge
Update your blog
Happy with your provider but want to freshen your face? Here to help you with that are a few specialists:
In need of a major change? There are several providers who offer blog services. Why not see what the competition has to offer:
- Wordpress
- Typepad
- Blogger
- Blog Skins for your blog
- Free top Wordpress themes
Does the article from last week, or the post from today, generate some new ideas? Let me know what I missed and I will highlight you and your idea(s) in next week’s post. Remember by participating you will get noticed  And that’s a good thing.
Stamping With Jany was thrilled with last week’s post and thanked me for offering it free. Hey, isn’t that what a stamping community is all about? We’re all friends–and that’s a good thing!
Energized by this article? Then don’t miss out on next’s week’s post–subscribe by mail or RSS
A True Friend is You Friend
Well, it’s Thursday and you know what that means–beer and wings night with my friends. It’s a weekly thing Donnie and I like to do. Tonight the crowd is very small, but sometimes we get up to 15 people. This is my Friday as I’m off work tomorrow since I work the weekend. Ahhhhhhhh.
Today’s card uses the Rainbow Strip Flip technique from the Technique Junkie Newsletter. It was a lot of fun to make, and of course these are my favourite colours right now. Remember me telling you my new kitchen is going to be lime green and my livingroom is going to be turquoise blue?
Have a great day!
Stamps:Â SU Priceless and True Friend
Shabby Chic Greetings
Today’s card was watercoloured with Tombow markers and Twinkling H2O’s. Sarah Kay Image was stamped onto watercolour paper with black Stazon, and then carefully cut out. The image was coordinated with Basic Grey’s Euphoria paper. Edges of paper were distressed with SU’s Cranberry Crisp. Buttons were all sewn on by hand. Lots of Prima flowers were added since I’m crazy for them. Finally, the leaves were punched from my Martha Stewart punch.
Thanks for stopping by!
Can I Have This Dance?
Good morning. This week I promise to have a card every day for you–I left my work behind me yesterday and just played all day as I had the day off since I worked the weekend. It was so nice to create again.
Today I want to announce that Odd Bird Planet is having a Chineese New Year sale and offers a 25% discount. My order is placed so you’ll be seeing more darling images from them.
Revisit My Tombow Marker and Twinkling H2O tutorials
My image was watercoloured with Tombow markers and Twinkling H2O’s.  In case you missed out, I did a Tombow Marker Tutorial and also one using Twinkling H2O’s.
Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!
Stamp: Odd Bird Planet, Image was stamped onto watercolour paper with black Stazon. Background was run through my Cuttlebug. Ovals were cut using Nestabilities. Lots of Prima flowers were added to finish things off.
Splitcoaststampers
Twitter
Scrapbook News and Review