TappStampers

Wood Grain Technique...and more!

This is just the coolest 'look' -- looks like real wood planks!  AND it's EASY!  Here's a photo, and here's how to do it!

Recipe: 

• CS (choose your size):  More Mustard
• CLASSIC INKS (use direct to paper technique, and apply in this order):  More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip.  CRAFT INK:  White.

Now, using the Basic Black Marker, draw horizontal lines about 3/4" apart. Then draw vertical lines (staggered somewhat).  Then place 'dots' on each side of the vertical lines to simulate nails.  DONE.  THAT'S IT!  EZ!!  Watch this video from DAWN. 

NOW, this is what I did using this technique:

 

Isn't this just the cutest chubby little owl?  He is made from various punches, specifically, the head is the Round Tab punch, the wings are the Scallop punch (you can make both wings from one Scallop punch), and his feet are from the Boho Blossoms punch.  I think I would re-do his beak, using the My Way Arrow punch.  His house is made using the Photo Corners punch. 

The background is the same wood technique:  Using Very Vanilla CS, I applied only Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip classic inks, and White craft ink.  Just too cute!!  hmmmm...I think I may go back and add GOOGLY eyes on him...

Always remember that even though some colors or stamp sets or embellishments may have retired, you can ALWAYS SUBSTITUTE YOUR OWN ideas!!

Coneflowers - my new favorite!

I am addicted to both the stampset, Inspired by Nature, as well as the coneflower itself.  What a cool flower this is!  I have seen this set used a LOT of recent, and just could hardly wait to give it a try myself.  I did use this same set on a recent post, but here is yet another one...

One of my stamp clubs made this lovely card.  It is interesting that when I make a card, it somehow 'evolves' -- in this instance, I reached for Chocolate Chip CS, but ended up grabbing Elegant Eggplant - and liked it better!  I also intended to have the Elegant Eggplant CS a larger mat...but when I stamped the coneflower, there was a smudge on the left side...so I just whacked it off!!!...and thus reduced the size of both the focal point piece and its mat  : )   I think it turned out much better.  Just hafta work with whatcha got, right?!!

Here's the recipe:

SS:  Inspired by Nature, Wonderful Words
CS:  Old Olive, Only Orange, Elegant Eggplant
INK:  Elegant Eggplant, Versa-Mar
Stampin' Pastels:  Elegant Eggplant, Only Orange, Old Olive
Accessories:  Ticket Corner Punch, Stipple Brush (with Elegant Eggplant), sponge (edges, Only Orange)

Always remember that even though some colors or stamp sets or embellishments may retire, you can ALWAYS SUBSTITUTE YOUR OWN ideas!!

The Best for the Best

Well, it's taken me a bit of time (months, actually!!) to figure out what I'm doing wrong re uploading photos to my blog...you know how figuring out such tech-y schtuff takes such a BLOCK of time; it does for ME anyway!!  I tease that I am always looking for something that I can never find and because it is big, it should not be so hard to find:  what I am looking for is that BIG BLOCK OF TIME!!  lol!!  Well, it appears that I've found that block of time as well as success in uploading a few photos. 

Here is a card I cased for my sweet SIL, Myrtle.  She has such character and strength and has survived a very difficult and trying year.  The whole family wanted to celebrat her!   This card was made especially for you, Myrtle -- congratulations!  You made it!  We are soooo proud of you - The Best is Yet To Be!

As usual, this card was cased.  Here is the recipe:

CS:  More Mustard, Basic Black, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey. 
SS:  Inspired by Nature, Best Yet (Hostess Level I*)
Inks:  Versa-Mark, Basic Black (embossed, clear)
Stampin' Pastels:  Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Old Olive. 
Accessories:  Chocolate Chip ribbon, Horizontal Slot Punch

Hostess Level I stamp set from the 2008 Fall-Winter IB&C, Best Yet.  This set has a great ollection of words for many uses...but the only way you can have it is to have a workshop of at least $150, or purchase $150, or place that total of orders from friends and family (without having an actual workshop), or join a club and be a hostess at one of the club meetings -- lots of ways...just ask me!

Always remember that even though some colors or stamp sets or embellishments may retire, you can ALWAYS SUBSTITUTE YOUR OWN ideas!!

Oh My Heavens: Gorgeous!

Late tonight just before getting into bed, I noticed a brightness outside -- the moon was out, even though we are expecting rain tomorrow!  It had become quite foggy...and seeing this hazy moon through the trees reminded me of my Christmas cards this year!!!  Wish I could've taken a picture of my moonlit night for you all, as it was just gorgeous. 

Although one cannot improve on God's creation, we can oftentimes attempt a stamped duplication, as I did on this year's Christmas cards.  So, this is as close as I can get to capturing a photo of this moonlit night for you all.

I am sure I cased this from some place -- I'm a born case-R, you know!  I just do not recall who the artist was, so I do apologize to the excellent artist!  I really loved the cards this year, though a bit austere.  Black and white totally.  I embossed the image from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set in black on Silver card stock, then used a dauber and White Craft Ink to create the illusion of fog.  I also dotted flecks of snow in the 'air' and 'laid some snow' on the tree branches and on the ground with my awesome white Signo Gel Pen. 

As I worked through the stages of making the cards, I realized at one point that if I just sat the inked dauber down' onto the cardstock, it looked like a hazy moon on a snowy night!!  Without the snow, this just looks like a beautiful foggy night in the late fall.  Don't you think this is a really great masculine card!  Just change out the snow for the fog, and change the sentiment to suite the occasion.  Let me know what you think!

Always remember that even though some colors or stamp sets or embellishments may retire, you can ALWAYS SUBSTITUTE YOUR OWN ideas!!

Punkin' Punches (2nd place)

I saw this fabulous card on Ericka Martin's blog over a year ago and fell in love with both the card and Erika's work.  She is an amazing and creative woman!  I cased her card and put my own spin on it.  Then I so loved the results that I decided to enter this in the 2007 NC State Fair...and the results won a 2nd place Red Ribbon in the rubber stamped items category!   

Here is the very very simple recipe:  Stamp Sets:  Loads of Love Accessories; Weathered background stamp; Card Stock:  Always Artichoke, Ballet Blue, Only Orange; Chocolate Chip; and Confetti Cream; Classic Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke; Misc.:  Oval punches (large and small); circle punches ( 1 1/4" and 1"); sponge; pewter eylets, Crop-a-dile, Moss Gingham Ribbon, Cutter Kit; Crafter's Tool Kit. Techniques:  Sponging; tearing.

If you'd like to purchase products or arrange a 1:1 to make this adorable fall creation, e-mail me and I will be happy to help!

Always remember that even though some colors or stamp sets or embellishments may retire, you can ALWAYS SUBSTITUTE YOUR OWN ideas!!