A Passion for Stamps

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Tree, Thoughts & Prayers Decor Elements (wall vinyl)



Hi stamp enthusiasts!

Are you a rubber stamping or scrapbooking enthusiast?  Do you share my passion for new ideas for making Stampin' Up! cards, scrapbook pages,  gift items?  Would you like to learn new stamping card or scrapbook techniques or tips to using crafting tools?  Would you like to stay on top of the classes I offer?  Maybe you have papercrafting questions you would like some answers to?  

If you answered YES to any of the above, then you will love my monthly A Passion For Stamps Newsletter that I send out to customers on my e-mail list!  The newletter includes everything I've already mentioned plus so much more-all of which are exclusive to my subscribers! 

Here are some of the features of the newsletter that as a subscriber,  you will receive every month:

• a CARD project (or two) 
• a SCRAPBOOK PAGE
• a TECHNIQUE (or two)
• a 3-D, HOME DECOR  OR GIFT project (or two)
  

**THE ABOVE ITEMS ALL INCLUDE A PHOTO, SUPPLY LIST, AND STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS!

• a Tool Tip (or several)
• a Featured Product of the Month
  
• New Product information
  
• Stampin' Up! News & Promotions
• My Upcoming Classes and Events
• Exclusive Specials, Discounts or Coupons
  
• Important Links
• Customer Q&A
  

It's truly a newsletter worth receiving and--it's FREE!  It's a way to keep my customers informed and to offer things I don't offer anywhere else.

If this sounds good to you,  now is the perfect time to subscribe to insure that you will receive my October Newsletter which will be coming out in the next few days!

TO SUBSCRIBE TO A PASSION FOR STAMPS NEWSLETTER:

Just add your e-mail address to the JOIN OUR CUSTOMER MAILING LIST BOX on the left sidebar! Enjoy!  Until next time...

Passionate About Stamping,

 

Three days left to sign up for May Trendy Techniques classes...

It's that time again to sign up for Trendy Techniques classes being held NEXT WEEK! Last day to sign up is Monday May 10TH!

At each class you'll make:

(1) a Technique Page (6x6) with the rubber stamping technique done on the front and instructions on the back, and

(2) a matching card with envelope using the technique!

We make 3-4 Rubber Stamping Techniques each month depending on the difficulty of the techniques-some are more time-consuming than others. Within 6 months, (should you attend every month) you'll complete an album with 20 technique pages!

You can save $5 per class and 15% on an album when you purchase it when you register for your first class (which you can do now-online from this site!) and each class is only $15! The album is a 6x6 album (you select the color you want) and holds up to 20 Rubber Stamping techniques!

...Or, if you opt out of purchasing the album, you pay only $20 per class. Either way, you will go home with 3-4 of both the 6x6 technique instruction page/sample and an actual card/envelope per technique!

The fee for this class is increasing in July-BUT if you purchase your Stampin' Up! album from me in May or June, you'll pay the currently lower price until your album is completed-so join now to lock in the savings!

If you live in northern NJ, Eastern PA or Southern NY, Sussex County is not a long drive, so come and attend these classes in Hardyston NJ!

To find out when these rubber stamping classes and other classes such as Scrapbooking 101, Scrap nights, embellishments and Stamp-A-Stack card classes are being held, or to sign up and attend, click on the Calendar at the right or click HERE. For class location or if you have any questions, email me.

Are you interested in me offering other papercrafting classes? What specific classes would you be interested in? Please leave me a comment at the end of this post....

Have a great stamping day!

Recent Stamping Technique Classes I've Offered...

Do you love learning new techniques?  Isn't it exciting to try some cool new way of using products like brush markers, embossing inks and powders, and even common household products such as bleach or floor wax?  Become a kid again using Watercolor Crayons, or create masterpieces with the Brayer and some ink!

I recently started up my Trendy Techniques class again...here are some of the techniques we did in March & April:

MARCH TRENDY TECHNIQUES CLASS:

Moonlighting Technique:

 

This is another card I've made with this technique:

  Grid Technique 

Stained Glass Technique

 

APRIL TRENDY TECHNIQUES CLASS:

Crayon Resist Technique

 

Emboss Resist

 

Dazzling Diamonds Dust Technique

 

These are some of the color variations of this technique I came up with while playing around with different colors for this 2 step stamping set, Flower Fancy:

Almost Amethyst & Lovely Lilac, Barely Banana & So Saffron; Orchid Opulence & Lovely Lilac, YoYo Yellow & Summer Sun:

 

Pretty in Pink & Regal Rose, and Barely Banana & So Saffron, Lovely Lilac & Orchid Opulence

 

Brilliant Blue & Bashful Blue, and Apricot Appeal & Pumpkin Pie

 

If you enjoy learning new Techniques, I offer several classes each month, usually on the 2nd Tuesday (day class) and Wednesday (evening class).

I'll post soon what the techniques for May will be...so be sure to come and check it out! Classes will also be posted on the Calendar (right side bar) on my blog A Passion for Stamps, and in Events for my Stampin' Up! website as well.

I'd like to hear what you think of these cards...these techniques are so much fun!  Please leave me a comment...which one of these do you like the most, and why?

HAVE A GREAT STAMPIN' DAY!

Here's my Easter Card-Easter Blessings to you!

I'm sorry to post this so late in the day on Easter Sunday, but we were up early, went to church, drove to my mom's, went to dinner and just got home a short while ago! The day isn't over yet, though-so I wanted to start the week off with a blog post-what better way to do that than to show you my Easter Card: (click on image for larger view)

 

I love the Abundant Hope stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog...Daffodils are one of my favorite Spring flowers and pink is different, isn't it? I watercolored the image on watercolor paper with ink refills and an Aqua Painter, then layered it onto other colored cardstocks.  I colored Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware for the pretty double ribbon embellishment on the left.  I featured this technique in my March Customer Newsletter!

If you haven't joined my newsletter which I send out to my (CUSTOMER) email list every month, you are missing out on alot of great information:, techniques, scrapbooking ideas, specials, Customer Q&A, etc.

My April newsletter will be going out sometime mid-week-so if you want to receive a copy, look on the left side bar for:

Newsletter with specials, classes, and news!

then enter your email address to join my (CUSTOMER) email list! 

If you would like to order this stamp set (available only through April 30) or any other products, you can place an online order any time 24/7 by going HERE then click on the SHOP NOW link!

BECOME A FAN of A Passion for Stamps! Click on my Facebook link on the left sidebar for exclusive offers, contests and lots more creative sharing!

Do you enjoy scenery cards like this? I just love doing landscapes...so I've decided I will be offering some classes in the upcoming months to teach you how to make stunning landscapes and realistic flowers too!

Enjoy this beautiful day, gorgeous weather!

Happy Easter to all!

Don't miss out on new class for spring: Trendy Techniques!

Spring forward with your stamping expertise by adding an all new Trendy Techniques Class to your calendar! If are curious to learn some of the techniques you've seen in magazines or elsewhere, here is the class* where you can learn them! I have two options for you to choose from!

TRENDY TECHNIQUES CLASS is coming!

Wednesday March 31 (TWO SESSIONS): 12-2PM OR 7-9 PM 

LAST DAY TO REGISTER, & PRE-PAY TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT IS Sunday March 28! 

Option 1: Treat yourself to a few hours each month at this fun class where you will learn at least three new techniques, while making your projects AND you will also be making the instruction sample for your own Trendy Techniques Book!  (This Option saves you $5 at every class!)

Option 2: You can just make the projects (no technique book) if you aren't interested in building your own reference library of techniques!

REFFERAL INCENTIVE:

a) For each friend (that I don't know) that you initially sign up for class you will receive a $1 STAMP PASSION BUCK (a credit you can use towards a future purchase when you accumulate $10 worth!)

b) If that same friend places a net order of at least $25 at that class, you will receive an additional $1 STAMP PASSION BUCK! 

For specific details regarding each option and/or to sign up click HERE. Don't forget the deadline to RSVP is 3/28!

Hope to see you at class!

*class is held at stamp studio in Hardyston NJ

Come stamp at Spring Stamp-A-Stack Card Camp!

Note to readers: I have not been able to keep up with posting the past few weeks, since my mother became very ill and was hospitalized on and off. I've been tending to her responsibilities during her illness and taking care of her and my aunt who is in a retirement home. As long as she continues to improve, I am hopeful that I'll be able to resume my posts again on a more regular basis.

Tuesday March 16 is the last day to sign up for the upcoming Spring Stamp-A-Stack Card Camp this Friday and Saturday at the Stamp Studio, Hardyston, NJ! Come and make 12 cards!

Also, the Trendy Techniques Class that was to have started  on March 10 has been postponed and is now taking place on Wednesday March 31-morning and evening sessions available! The last day to sign up for this class is March 28. Learn 3-4 techniques every month, while building your own sample book of techniques too!

I haven't been able to update my Stampin' Up! website Events Page, but you can view and sign up for my remaining upcoming classes for March here from this blog. You can see more details about both of these classes, as well as RSVP and prepay by clicking on the Calendar on the right side bar of this blog. I hope to see you there to WELCOME SPRING!

 

Have a great stampin' day!

What we stamped at January Jamboree!

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new products in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-A-Bration brochure, don't you?

The Last weekend of January I held my first annual January Jamboree class....didn't come? Here's what we made:

  ...a Love You card, sympathy card, Friend Mini Milk Carton

and a Birthday all-in-one treat box!

I created this floral sympathy card using the Faux Silk Technique(the bumpy white textured cardstock) -one of my favorite techniques:

Notice the new Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402)? This is one of the FREE products you can get right now during our Sale-A-Bration event with an order of at least $50! There is also a matching corner punch too! (available for purchase in Occasion Mini Catalog) Don't you just love the silk ribbons? and now they come in different colors!

Here is the same card showing the scallop punch used on the top and on the side. Which do you prefer?

This card also utilized the Big Shot die cut machine, and Polka Dot background (hard to see), the new Extra Large Fancy Flower punch, Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Papers! Isn't this so bright and cheerful? I could have used hearts, but just had to try the new floral punch!

 

The new Mini Milk Carton Die used with the Big Shot Machine is SO adorable! Here it is featured with the NEW Vintage Vogue stamp set, Sending Love Specialty DS papers and a rhinestone brad and grosgrain ribbon to finish it off! So many great NEW products!

The last project was this pretty Birthday box showing both sides of the designer papers, and using different bow designs and button colors. Can't really tell from the photo, but the Specialty paper is glittered! Oh, so chic!

 

Here the box is opened-the lid is attached-VERY cool! Fill it with Hersey's kisses or whatever you like, and it's the perfect gift for a Birthday--or Valentine's Day!

So--don't you wish you came to January Jamboree?

I'd love to hear what you think of these projects...and all the wonderful new products Stampin' Up! came out with!

Be sure to check out my future classes and events on the Calendar to the right....

or, visit my website to view events and to shop for any of these products 24-7!

Come back and see me tomorrow,

Surfing anyone? Tearing cardstock-freehand or need help?

WOW -two posts in one day! I'm playing 'catch up' after the long holiday weekend!

There are many perks to being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator: discounted purchases, free products and stamps, the Stampin' Up! demonstrator website....including the Stamper's Showcase Gallery-a source of thousands of ideas contributed by Stampin' Up! employees and demonstrators, of stamped cards, boxes, pouches, scrapbook pages, templates, techniques and so on and so on !

I got the idea for my surfer card from Gigi Isaac...a demonstrator who made this card which was showcased in the Gallery:

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

"Cool" idea-isn't it? (don't you just wish you were there right now?!!!) This card uses Wild About You, It's Your Birthday and Itty Bitty Background. For some reason, cute as it is, I never got the Wild About You stamp set, so I went looking thru my stamps for another animal and decided I love the whole penguin idea for this card  (the bird being from up North vacationing at a wonderful sunny beach resort...)  so I did a C.A.S.E. (copy and share everything) and just expanded on it. Here is the card I made spinning off from  Gigi's:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Fun-isn't it? One of the things I found intriguing as a child when we went to the Jersey Shore was the way those banner planes flew over the water at the ocean's edge, capturing the attention of thousands of folks on the beach and in the water, advertising the Coppertone Baby, local seafaring restaurants etc. So, I searched and finally found the right penguin for me-would you believe, in a Christmas set--of all places, called Punch Pals! I especially liked the scarf as an added touch for my polar based friend...

I used the Floral background stamp and large Oval Punch to make the tropical surf board.

The banner is White cardstock cut freehand and stamped...then attached to plane (from retired Fun Frame Borders set) with "white gel pen" strings...

The clouds are also sponged with White Craft ink. The water is cardstock TORN freehand, into pieces, then the torn edges are sponged with White Craft ink. If you are one of those stampers who just can't bring yourself to  tear the paper freehand (to reveal the layered edges) you will be thrilled to learn that believe it or not, Stampin' Up! even has a product called "The Tearing Edge" (page 184 of catalog) which has two different cutting blade edges that will create perfect torn edges every time! To use it, lay the Tearing Edge on card stock, paper or vellum and holding it tightly, slowly tear the paper with your other hand-pulling towards you. If you want a straight torn edge, use Stampin' Up!'s Grid Paper!  Here is what The Tearing Edge tool looks like:

(click on image  to enlarge)

Tearing cardstock is really a fun way to add interest to a card...and your cardstock goes a long way because you can get many tears from a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 and even more from 12x12 if you have alot of cards to reproduce!

Here are the Supplies used to make my Surfin' Penguin Card:

STAMPS: Punch Pals, Stem Sayings, Fresh Cuts (new set upcoming in 2008Fall-Winter catalog), Fun Frame Borders (retired), Floral (background stamp)

INK: Craft White, Basic Black

CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Taken w/Teal, Not Quite Navy, Tempting Turquoise, Going Gray (retired)

ACCESSORIES: Large Oval Punch, Stampin' Write Markers, Stamping Sponge, Dimensionals, Signo Gel Pen

You can place an order with me from the Stampin' Up! catalog  ANYTIME-just click on the catalog on the left sidebar, to view the catalog. Jot down what you need, and email me to place your order!

And if by chance, you are also curious and want to to learn more about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please visit my website where you can view 3 FIRST IMPRESSIONS VIDEOS for more information or email me . You can even sign up ONLINE from my website should you decide to join my S.O.S. Team of demonstrators (S.aving O.verwhelmed S.tampers). I'd love to talk with you about it!


Happy Stampin'!

CARD & BOX USING RETIRING STAMPS

I pulled out a stamp set called All Through the Year which will be retired from Stampin' Up!'s 2008 Spring-Summer Collection after August 10. I really love the Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper which is two sided so I used the cherries from All Through the Year with it and came up with a card and this matching 2-4-6-8 box:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I am really going to miss the set and I'm sure the paper will probably be on the Retired Accessories List coming out on July 21....

The "gift package" was made simply by folding over the top of the designer paper to reveal the design on the other side of this two-sided decorative paper! Then I wrapped the ribbon around it, tied it in a bow (can't do bows? See this post HERE for bow tying help!) and attached it to the Real Red cardstock with SNAIL Adhesive.

I think it would be helpful to do a tutorial or two showing how to get that sparkling cherries affect on both the card and box using Heat and Stick powder (makes a great embelllishment), and how to make a 2-4-6-8 box! But it's very late so that will have to wait till another day! Don't forget to check back again soon!

Happy Stampin'!

SCALLOP PUNCH POSY EMBELLISHMENT!

Do you enjoy making embellishments as much as I do?

I love learning how to make new embellishments that can be added to scrapbook pages, cards, and 3-d items...on this year's SU cruise, Pam Morgan of Stampin' Up! demonstrated a pretty flower embellishment that I used on the card below:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I learned about this from  Catherine Harwood, a demonstrator who featured the embellishment with a May Day Basket she made. I decided to give it a try and just LOVE it! This technique is so easy-you won't believe it! Yet the result looks like it was complicated to make, doesn't it?

This was my swap card for my downline meeting in April. I used the following Stampin' Up! products to make the card:

Stamps: Stem Sayings, Circle of Friendship, Polka Dots
Ink: Versamark, Garden Green, Rose Red
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Celery, Rose Red & Flowers for You designer paper
Accessories: Scallop Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Crafter's Tool Kit, Pretties Kit, Mini Glue Dots, Brad, White Tafetta Ribbon, SNAIL, White EP, Heat Tool, 1" & 1/2" punches, Flower Fusion

Did you notice I used Circle of Friendship again? I just realized that I use it quite a bit so it must have become a favorite sayings set of mine!

I used one of the green flowers in Flower Fusion, and just cut some of the flower petals, to make the leaves. I stamped the curvy saying onto cardstock, then trimmed it to look like the stem. The background is made with the Polka Dots set and embossed (love that look!).

Now to make the flower:

1. Using the scallop punch, punch 3 scallops from the Flowers for You Designer Series paper (I have also used this paper alot in projects lately!) and one punch from white cardstock.  I will really miss this designer paper if it retires from the Spring/Summer catalog (but I know there will a replacement I'll probably fall in love with too)
2. Each scallop will be cut differently, as instructed below:
   • Cut a slit between two petals of one scallop just to the center. This will become the bottom petal.
   • Cut out one section (or petal) of another scallop (like a pie or triangle shape) only to the center. This will become the middle petal.
   • For the last scallop, cut out three petals (or pie shapes), This will be the top petal.
3. The white scallop does not get cut-as the flower "sits" on this piece on the card.
4. Fold up each scallop so the two sections next to the cuts overlap-you can use SNAIL, mini glue dots or Tombow adhesive to assemble each piece.
5. Next, Catherine thought of a clever way to attach whatever you decide to use in the center. For my card, I used the Tafetta ribbon, and a flower and 1/2 pearl for the center. The "trick" is to use a brad and paper piercer from the Crafters Tool Kit. Here is how Catherine explains it: "First, slightly flatten the bottom center of each petal -- just put your thumb or finger inside the pointed part of the assembled scallop "petal" and push down a little to flatten. Use paper piercer from Crafter’s Tool Kit to pierce a hole in center of each layer. Push a small brad through the center of a 4” piece of Taffeta Ribbon -- THEN --thread the brad legs below the untied ribbon through the petals, starting with top one, then center one, then bottom one. Spread the brad legs to secure the flower and shape as desired." Isn't that clever? Love it, Catherine! I topped mine with the 1/2 pearl and a mini glue dot!

I attached my flower to the white scallop at the top of the stem and voila! There you have it! Thanks Catherine, for the inspiration and sharing the steps to this adorable embellishment that Pam created!

So-what do you think?  I will be teaching this as part of a class in June, so if you are in Northwest NJ, you just may want to sign up to learn this and many other exciting techniques! I'll be updating my class schedule soon, so check back again!

Mother's Day Card-Dahlia Fold!

I really love the Dahlia Fold so much that I decided to make my mother's day card for my mom using this flower...I have leftover Petal and Paisley Designer Series Paper and wanted to do something with it. (This paper is now retired from Stampin' Up!'s line).

I made a square card that would fit into a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" envelope. When opened, the card looks like a book, with 3 eyelets holding it together. I forgot to take a photo of this...and the card is off in the mail to my mom...sorry! I'll describe what I did-hopefully this makes sense! Basically I cut a piece of Whisper White and Soft Sky Cardstocks (the back side of the card is made with Soft Sky) 5 7/8" x 5 3/8", and scored at 1/2" from the longer side of both pieces. This makes two little flaps that go on the inside of the card. The eyelets on the inside flaps hold the card together.

Here is a photo of the card and matching envelope:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

and one of just the card:

 Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

This paper is double sided, so I created a matching envelope using the pink floral design you see here on the card. I think it gives a card such a polished look and makes it more elegant to line the inside of the envelope with these papers! Here is the envelope:

I lined the inside of the card with this pink floral paper too, and stamped the saying from Morning Soft which says:

'It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters.'

-Mother Teresa

I know my mom will appreciate this card-and she won't believe I made that flower myself! I posted this once before, but in case you missed it, I did another post about the Dahlia fold and also provide a website with great photo instructions of how to do the Dahlia fold. Here is the post with that information:

http://www.debbiestamps.com/passion_for_stamps/2008/03/dahlia-fold-get.html

These are the supplies I used to make the card:

Stamps: All Holidays (page 146), Morning Soft (page 99) for inside saying

Ink: Blue Bayou IN color (page163)

Paper: Petals & Paisley D.S. Paper (retired), Whisper White, Blue Bayou, Sky Blue (IN color)

Accessories: Large Aqua Rhinestone Brad (Ice circle), Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Bone folder, Pretty in Pink eyelets (3) on inside, slot punch

I'd love to hear what you think about this Dahlia Fold and what you've made with it...please leave me a comment with a link to your creations! I may pick YOUR creation and feature it on my blog! Come back soon and I'll have my Father's Day card up...

If you are a mom, I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day with your families!

Passionstamper

CHIPBOARD-and Tart & Tangy set!

I'm experimenting with Stampin' Up!'s chipboard and found that when you pop out the round discs from Stampin' Up's! On Board Accents, the 'negative' that's leftover makes a terrific shadow box effect when layered on to a card! I tend to hoard things, so I just couldn't throw this away! These are the chipboard pieces I'm referring to:

From these chipboard negatives, I made these cards:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I demonstrated this card and it was a hit as one of the two Make & Take projects we made at my April demonstrator team meeting! (I had trouble deciding whether I wanted lemons, oranges or limes so I made two cards!)

To make this card you will need the following Stampin' Up! supplies:

SUPPLIES

STAMPS: Tart & Tangy, Pretty Petals, Circle of Friendship

INK: Summer Sun, Only Orange, Green Galore, Groovy Guava IN color, White CRAFT ink, Basic Black

Paper: Basic Black, Groovy Guava IN color, Summer Sun, Whisper White

Other: On Board Accents Chipboard, Stampin' Write Markers: Real Red, Cocoa, Hunter Green & Glorious Green (for apple), Garden Green (for cherries); Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Wasabi & Groovy Guava Double Stitced Ribbons, 1/2",  1",  & 1 1/2" Circle Punches; Sanding Block

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CARD

1. After punching out the circles (save for another project), I sanded off the nubs with the sanding block around outside of chipboard and inside each circle.

2. There are so many ways to color and decorate chipboard it's hard to make a decision which to use. For this technique, I finally decided to color the chipboard with white Craft ink. I placed the chipboard down on scrap paper, then turned the pad over and applied the ink to the chipboard repeatedly until it was colored evenly with white ink. It takes a long time for the Craft ink to dry but if you get impatient, you can speed the process up a bit by using your heat tool to dry the ink!

3. Next, I inked up a lovely floral background stamp called Pretty Petals, with the Groovy Guava Classic ink pad. These background stamps are large, so it's easier to lay your stamp down rubber side up, and press your cardstock or in this case chipboard face down on top of the stamp. Place a piece of scrap paper on top, then rub with your palms to get a good design transfer to the chipboard.  The effect is very soft using this color....

4. Cut a piece of white cardstock about the size of the chipboard (or slightly smaller). Lay the chipboard over the paper then with a pencil, lightly mark the inside of each of the circles with four small lines-so you know the placement of where your stamped image will go.

5. You will use all the stamps in the Tart & Tangy set except the strawberry. Stamp the slice in orange, green or lemon-stamp 2 or 3. I used Stampin' Write markers to color the apple and cherry directly on the stamp. Stamp the images inside the penciled circles you made earlier, then erase the guidelines.

6. Attach the chipboard to the stamped images with SNAIL, then layer onto black cardstock cut slightly larger than chipboard. Attach this to bottom of Groovy Guava card front. Stamp saying of your choice from the Circle of Friendship stamp set, with black ink onto white cardstock., and punch out with 1" circle punch. Stamp saying again onto Groovy Guava cardstock then punch out with 1/2" circle punch. Layer this onto larger circle with dimensionals. Punch out a circle from Summer Sun cardstock with 1 14" circle punch.  Layer saying on top then attach to center of chipboard with adhesive.

7. Cut Wasabi DS ribbon to 4 1/2", attach to top of card then trim. Tie bow from Groovy Guava DS ribbon and attach to center of wasabi ribbon with mini glue dot.

It's hard to see the dimension from the photo, but the finished card does have a "shadow box" event. There is no waste of this product when you use the leftover (negative) pieces in other stamping or scrapbooking projects!  This whole card can be added to a scrapbook page for added dimension! Have fun! I'd love to see your creations using the leftover chipboard pieces...and as always, I'm interested in your comments too! If you are interested in any of the products used to make this card, please email me !

Thanks for looking,

passionstamper

CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES-ON A CARD?

One thing I love about getting together with stamping friends, is we always share our thoughts and ideas...and sometimes someone comes up with a great spin-off of an idea already expressed! This is what happened when I attended myStampin' Up!  upline Tina's meeting in March.

We agreed ahead of time on a theme for a "swap". The March swap theme was anything from the Occasions Mini Collection..so I selected the Tart and Tangy set! I decided to use Crystal Effects over the strawberry, and this is the card I came up with:












It's hard to tell from this photo that I brushed Crystal Effects over the strawberry...but, nevertheless, Kathryn Roberts, one of my stamping friends said it would be cool to make it chocolate-dipped! Well, we got excited at that and then I added,-or white chocolate!  She liked that idea, too!  I couldn't wait to get home and try it!

I had some technical difficulties with my card getting "stuck" in my camera...so  until I  solved that problem, I couldn't post this idea here...

But-I ended up trying both techniques! I have to say I love them both! Here, is a photo of the same card I originally made, but this time I made Milk-Chocolate Dipped strawberries:



How did I do this? It's really quite simple; I mixed several drops of Stampin' Up's Crystal Effects with one drop of Chocolate Chip Ink Refill...then painted it onto the bottom of the stamped strawberry!  Then let it dry...and voila! Cool, isn't it?

Well, after mastering this, I had to try the White-chocolate dipped Strawberries...so here is what this technique looks like:

So-what do you think?

I LOVE it! It's so much fun to play around with products and make such simple little changes, but get a totally new look!

This was done again, by mixing Crystal Effects, White Craft Ink refill, and just a touch of Creamy Caramel ink refill. I simply painted it on  the bottom of the strawberry, over the Crystal Effects, after it dried.

So- there you have it-3 different looks, from one card idea! What do you think? Do you like these ideas? Please let me know by taking a moment to make a comment...

To receive more specific information about products used to make these cards, plus more stamping tips and ideas like this each month, consider subscribing to my Newsletter, via RSS feed each day or sign up to receive updates in your inbox via Feedblitz, if you prefer. (see sidebar for these options)

I'd LOVE to see your creations using this idea! Please leave me your comments or e-mail me  them to me-or if you post them to your site, I'd love to see them! Please track-back to this site if you post your creations using this idea!

Have you tried the DAHLIA FOLD yet?

Are you wondering where I have been? I got caught up in various things and some personal matters which I needed to devote some time to-it's hard to believe I didn't post to my blog in two &  a half months! I've actually missed it...I'm going to make an effort to get back to it regularly once again, as I do enjoy it and it keeps me regularly stamping and scrapbooking, as well!

I joined a Lenten Prayer group at my church and as part of our program, we needed to send a Thank You card and a Get Well card to people from our congregation who are in need. We had two Lenten prayer groups that met at different times. Since I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and make cards for a living, it seemed very appropriate that I would offer to make these cards, rather than the groups purchasing them...so I offered to make the cards for both groups.

I chose to use a full sheet of cardstock, scored and folded in half for each card, so there would be plenty of room for everyone's signatures and comments on the inside.

This card went to someone in our church who just had surgery. Here is the Get Well Card I made along with a matching envelope:

 This first card uses an origami fold that has become my favorite-the Dahlia Fold! I found a site with great photo directions HERE to make the fold. I decided to use Stampin' Up!'s two-sided designer series paper for a lovely contrast and chose Flowers for You D.S. paper. To make the Dahlia  design, you basically need 8 punched circles for each flower so I used Stampin' Up!'s 1 3/8" Circle Punch. Depending on which side you use, you can get two different looks with these papers. I chose to have my center flower be mainly the floral design, and the middle section is more solid.I found that if I attached all the small flower pieces to one punched circle, it was easier to make my flower and keep it from shifting as I assembled it.The section that lays against the background is floral as well, so I needed a contrasting color to layer the flower onto. I used the polka dot paper from Lovely Lilac Prints  Designer Series Paper, then attached the White Taffeta Ribbon, made a bow and layered it all onto Whisper White cardstock. Both pieces were corner rounded.

The center of the flower is made with those VERY COOL new Build-A-Brad kits from Stampin' Up! These are so easy and fun to use! Basically, you punch out a circle (use the 1/2" circle punch) stamp an image and color-then use a mini glue dot to attach to brad base. Next you pop off the "bubble" from the sheet and attach on top of your stamped image-then press. Voila! Instant center brad for your Dahlia flower!

I used one of the Boho Background stamps for the background image on Certainly Celery cardstock.

The saying is from Elegant Inspirations and is stamped with Eggplant Ink on white cardstock. I then stamped the Boho background on top in celery ink. I layered the saying onto eggplant cardstock with Dimensionals to give it a slightly elevated appearance, then layered this onto Lavendar Lace cardstock.

Inside, I stamped the little flower I used in the center of the brad, randomly after tapping off once, all over with eggplant ink. The inside saying "If Wishes could make you well...you'd be better already" (from Curvy Verses) is stamped with eggplant ink on Whisper White cardstock.

I love the end result-this card will put a smile on someone's face who is sick..each and every time! It's colorful, cheerful and I love the 3-D look of that Dahlia flower!!! It sure would perk up my day....but this could easily make a great Birthday, Thinking of You, Friendship, Congrats etc. card as well! Simply change the Bible verse and the inside greeting to suit your need...

Here is another project I recently made for a WOW swap when I attended my upline's Winter Event in northern NJ. This is a Pocket Card, great for adding many little items! Under the ribbon tucked underneath the Dahlia flower, is a hidden post-it note pad in pink! I added a Hershey's Mint Milk Chocolate Stick and this fashionable feather-topped pencil in the pouch...and voila! A cute project, also made with the same Flowers For You Designer Series papers! (just LOVE these....)

Here is a close-up of the finished flower...

So-what do you think of this fold-isn't it awesome? Please leave me your comments...Give the Dahlia fold a try and see if you don't get addicted to this lovely Origami fold! I'd love to see your creations, so please link me to them!

If you would like more information or to purchase any of the  supplies used in these projects, please email me!

I will be back later with the second card I made for the Lenten Prayer groups-a Thinking of You card with a nautical touch....so come back again soon!

Debbie a/k/a passionstamper

Scrapbooking-a Masterpiece Snow Fort!

No doubt you are wondering what happened to me? Well it appears that Christmas preparations and vacation plans took over my life...so much for Twelve Christmas specials I had hoped to share! With the new year upon the horizon, the other specials will have to keep until next year's holiday season! But--next year I will be starting much earlier and may instead, do Twelve WEEKS of Christmas, starting in October, so nothing interferes with getting them out!

The snows started earlier than ever in the Northeast U.S. this season...in November! Our kids are older now (19 and  almost 15) so snowstorms don't have the same allure that they used to when they were little...our 19 year-old son now understands why adults aren't crazy about snow and ice-because now he has to get up earlier and go outside to get it all off his car so he can drive to college! And our (almost 15 year old) daughter would rather snuggle inside with her robe and Silky Terrier-watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn instead of loading on all the snow gear and going outside to play in it! I miss those days when we would bundle them up and send them out with their sleds, shovels and buckets so they could create Snow Forts!

While traveling down memory lane, I decided to go thru the many boxes of pictures we have taken over the years that still need to find a home in scrapbooks I mean to finish..and I came across a few photos of one such snow fort the kids built!  It's not the greatest photo, but good enough to stir up the memories! This was the masterpiece of snow forts! The kids worked on it for hours and it lasted for days-even lingered with little mounds where towers used to be, for weeks later! I'm so glad I stopped to take a few pictures-so this memory is saved forever! I had made this page for a swap with my Stampin' Up! group-which now became the perfect home for this photo! One day when my kids have their own families, as they look at this page it will undoubtedly stir up it's own story of memories in their minds as they reminisce about this snowy day in their childhoods...

I used the SNOW jumbo wheel for the background (from the holiday mini collection) with one of this year's In Colors (Soft Sky). I love this wheel-and hope it returns in the next fall-winter collection! Since Stampin' Up! only produces the In Colors for ink pads, ink refills, cardstock and ribbon, I had to create this color for the wheel by using the refill ink in an empty jumbo ink cartridge.

Soft Sky cardstock coordinates beautifully with Taken With Teal, so these are the two main colors I used for the page.

The punch I used for the snowflakes is Spring Flower Bouquet-which is on the retired list and will no longer be available for a few more days! To see a complete list of what is on the retired stamps and accessories lists, refer to the sidebar for the most recent update. If you wish to order anything from the current catalog, please contact me by noon on December 31-New Year's Eve at the latest. We have plans for New Year's Eve, as you probably do as well, so after noon, I will not be placing any other orders from the Fall-Winter Collection.

To learn how to make the icicle border at the top of the page, go to my Icicle Tutorial.

Here are other supplies I used in the making of this scrapbook page:

Stamps: Big on Christmas

Cardstock: Whisper White, Taken With Teal, Soft Sky

Ink: Soft Sky, Classic Basic Black,

Accessories: Spring Flower Bouquet Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Crystal Effects, Stampin' Write Markers, Aqua Painter, Stampin' Dimensionals, Soft Sky Double-Stitched ribbon, Silver Brads, Slot Punch, Snow Jumbo Wheel, Jumbo Handle, Uninked Jumbo Cartridge, Soft Sky refill ink

To order any of the products listed above, please e-mail me.

Chipboard-9x9 Clipboard Photo Frame

Still need some gift ideas to make? Here's one I also did for our S.O.S. Team Camp using once again, D.S. papers...I love them! This time products from the Fall-Winter 2008 Collection that I used are Le Jardin D.S. papers, the new 9x9 clipboards and the Chipboard, plus one of our In-Color ribbons Wasabi Double Stitch! This project makes a nice gift and doubles as a photo! I didn't use a real photo, but made a quick copy with regular copy paper, just to show how it can be used as a picture frame you can hang on the wall!

Here it is clipboard without the photo insert...

   

and here it is with the photo insert!

I have no clue why these photos are coming up so small, but if you click on them, they get huge! I must have edited them differently...

At the top of the frame over the clip is actually a butterfly (if you look closely you will see it). I decided to play around with the hardware, Pretties flower and punches to make it. This is a fun project to do and it doesn't take too long to do either. You can't see it in the photo but there is also a subtle hint of glitter swirled lightly around the background papers for a touch of sparkle!

Have you tried using any of Stampin' Up!'s clipboards yet? FUN project! Why not order the products you need then give it a try? My 6th Christmas Special and instructions for this 9x9 Clipboard Photo Frame are HERE.

Christmas Special #4 Snowman Soup

I just finished up my Stocking Stuffer & Last Minute Gifts Classes last week...didn't make it to class? I've already shared the origami tree chocolate bar; here are the other items we made and the number of each we made:




Frosty the Snowman Soup! (2)

Elegant Christmas Origami Hershey Treat Bar (1)

The Weather Outside is Frightful!-Holiday Candle (1)


Merry & Bright Peek-A-Boo Peppermint Box (1)

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL #4-Frosty the Snowman Soup!

Each person made (2) cello bags! Each cello bag included Mocha Cappuccino Cocoa, Peppermint Candy Cane and Hershey's Nuggets! YUM! This is a yummy treat when a person adds the peppermint candy to a cup of cocoa..top it off with Hershey's Nugget and you have the makings of a VERY delightful warming and loving treat to serve after:

• ice-skating!
• hockey!
• snow-tubing!
• skiing!
• sled-riding!
• shoveling!
• ANY winter sport!
• at home movie time!
• create your own occasion!
  

To learn how to make this simple SNOWMAN SOUP PACKAGE-Click below:

SNOWMAN SOUP PACKAGE

I offer a Stocking Stuffer & Last Minutes Gift Class every year to my customers...(and we make different things each year, of course). They love it and so do I! It forces ME to come up with fast, easy gifts that we can use to slip into stockings, adorn gift packages with or to have on hand as terrific surprise little gifts that we can "whip up" in a moments notice..  (well...maybe in half an hour to an hour or so...) and give to those unexpected friends and family that sometimes pop-in during the holidays! I have a wonderful story that explains how this tradition found it's beginnings...

My FESTIVAL OF GIFTS STORY

My brother Kevin was FAMOUS for popping in on us TOTALLY unexpectedly!

It started many years ago when he was single, but he was so sporadic about it that we were ALWAYS taken by surprise when he showed up without warning with a new girlfriend-just in time for Christmas! (of course!) Back then he lived in South Jersey...and had a different girlfriend every other year! We were NEVER prepared-but he also didn't show up regularly!

I remember one year in particular that stands out in our memory-our son was around 11 and our daughter-7 (the magical years)...it was Christmas Eve and we were all getting ready for the Christmas Eve service at our church (my kids were both in the children's choirs so we had to get there about 45 minutes earlier for them to practice before the service).

We were in our typical "mad family rush"-hoping to just make it in time! I was in the tedious process of getting my daughter's hair brushed evenly so I could pull some of it up with a fancy holiday bow. We had just finished the whole process of getting her dressed in her new  holiday outfit, and of course, those TIGHTS I used to struggle with...followed by getting on those new black patten leather shoes-the whole works! (If you've raised girls, you definitely know where I'm coming from!)

Meanwhile, I was dealing with what every mom of a daughter can identify with-frantically trying to get her ready, while in between, I was trying to also get my own hair done (by now, it was already dry!) apply make-up (in stages, of course! in between taking care of daughter, getting church offering envelope & check written) remembering to throw on pantihose, and everyone hears me ranting "where IS that perfume", and "I left those earrings here-where are they now????"!  This is just some of the "frantic mantra" that was projected to no one that was really listening...my husband (who was always the first one dressed & ready to go) was frantically trying to get our son ready to go, (he makes everyone frantic when he starts urging us to all get moving...). All of a sudden-THE DOORBELL RANG!

Now we live in the country...so we usually know when someone is expected, and we are off the beaten path, so we don't expect vagrants....our neighbors usually call if they need something first, so of course-we all stopped and looked wide-eyed at each other-with the same question running thru each of our "almost ready" heads: "Who could possibly be here on Christmas Eve at a time LIKE THIS?"

Everyone expected "someone else" would get the door...so my husband finally gave in and went to see who it was. So I go back to doing my daughter's hair, and at possibly the most critical moment when I finally get it all ready for that hair clip, suddenly we hear "Hey Kevin!-what are YOU doing here?"  Of course that's ALL the kids needed to hear...and off they went to greet their beloved and long lost uncle who "wasn't gonna make it up for the holidays"..... (remember?) leaving mom with brush in hand and hairpins in her teeth...thinking "oh Lord-how will we EVER get there on time now...."

Don't misunderstand me-I was truly THRILLED to see my brother, (we hadn't seen each other in a few years) but after all the hugs were exchanged, all these things started running thru my head:

• yikes-where will they sleep?
• oh no-we don't have presents for them!
• do we have enough food for two extra people?
• there goes our peaceful, Christmas holiday....(my brother is a chatterbox! although I absolutely love him dearly!!!)
• oh my goodness-my brother is actually HERE for Christmas!!!!!!!
• the kids are gonna go NUTS tomorrow! and.......................................................
• THANK YOU GOD-for such a wonderful, unexpected surprise!

But, what actually came out of my mouth?????

"WE HAVE TO GET TO CHURCH, FOLKS!!!!!! "

Well,somehow, we made it to church JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME, and guess what happened? Kelley got sick-and didn't sing! She was SO excited that her tummy just took a tumble...and my brother didn't get to hear her sing! But it was still the most special Christmas Eve I will ever experience...not to mention the HUGE impression, UNKIE KEV (no it's not a typo-that's what they called him! made on my kids! He had gifts for them, and us...and we haven't had a Christmas like that-since!  (kind of like those old Christmas movies you see on tv this time of year...)

By now you are thinking "how sweet" but WHAT IS THE POINT OF THIS STORY?" The point is simply that this is how "Festival of Gifts" originated! My daughter and I stole some time to make some holiday ball ornaments that I had taught at classes-to give to Uncle Kevin and Aunt Debra...and that's how the whole idea of "Festival of Gifts" was born!

Now, every year I plan a bunch of gift items (some home decor projects, some quickie gifts like these) for an annual Festival of Gifts event that I have been doing for yearssc...until this year-I opted to offer classes instead of holding the Festival of Gifts event, because I decided to be a participant as a crafter/consultant at some local craft fairs and just couldn't imagine how I could do it all! (but I think we'll manage to do BOTH next year with good planning! It's amazing how easy it can be when you plan it ahead of time! )

This has become a tradition in our family...my daughter and I have always enjoyed coming up with holiday projects for our family members, church school teachers, hairdresser etc. (we now MAIL them to Unkie Kevin & Aunt Debra if THEY SAY they can't make it up!). But-these projects have become the gift items we offer at our Festival of Gifts Events, Craft Fairs and/or classes! I can recall my husband and son commenting that it's like "Santa's Workshop" here about six weeks before Christmas while the Festival of Gifts Event is going on! When the Craft Fairs, classes and Festival of Events are all over, my daughter and I keep the stamp studio bustling right up until a few days before Christmas-making more gifts for our family and friends!  You can find us in there tinkering away making our gifts...embossing, masking, sanding, painting, eyelet setting, snow frosting,  gluing,  glittering,  hammering, and having a blast!

And after all, isn't this what Christmas is all about too? We have THE BEST TIME discovering and creating, making memories-together...(although my daughter shys away from the camera-which makes it tough to catch these ONE-TIME ONLY memories that I of course, want to scrapbook, I will always treasure these times we spend together getting ready for the holidays! It's a time that we've come to really cherish..someday I'll present her with an album that captures times like these! Shhhh.....

Christmas Special #2 Wrapped Candy Bar Treats

WELCOME-to my 6 Specials of Christmas! If you check back here each day, you'll find cool project ideas and/or a special purchase offer-until December 14!  If you like any of the projects, there is a special offer when you order the products to make the project or, I'll sometimes offer a kit you can order that includes supplies-so you can make and assemble the projects yourself! Are you ready? This project offers 2 different designs:

These are so pretty in person...and I just find it so relaxing to make them. They are super easy and go very quickly once you learn how to make them, even though they look very tedious...a wonderful project and impressive gift! Are you ready to learn how to make them? If not, you can always purchase the finished product!

Click on CHRISTMAS SPECIAL #2 Wrapped Candy Bar Treats to learn more...

More stamp projects...by Debbie Van Gieson

It's so much fun to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and to be able to play with all the toys in the catalog! There are not enough hours in the day though, to play with everything! So buying a table at Craft Fairs gives me the opportunity to really use the products and stamps!

When you read these posts, anything highlighted and underlined is linked to more information about that tag..so just click on these words to learn more about the stamps, products and other information!

I didn't make alot of Christmas cards...but chose just a few to offer. This card was actually a case-except I saw the original it jumped out at me and said SPINNER CARD! So this is the spinner card I created and also changed the Designer Papers used! I find it very relaxing to make these and folks LOVE playing with them! I showed a friend of mine one of these and she could have played with it for hours!!! Did you know they are actually therapeutic?? Evidentally they are-to the creator as well as the recipient!

I really like these colors together-Soft, yet stunning! Peaceful Wishes is a lovely stamp set!

 
STAMP SET: Peaceful Wishes

INK: Real Red, Always Artichoke, Versamark

PAPER: River Rock, Always Artichoke, Vellum Cardstock, Real Red

Accessories: Wintergreen D.S. Paper, Spring Flower Bouquet Punch, 5-petal Punch Flower Punch, Real Red Stampin' Write Marker, Pretties Kit, Dimensionals, Word Window Punch, Brayer

This card was a Workshop Wizard sample provided by Stampin' Up! I've used this as a Make & Take project at workshops this month and everyone seems to enjoy making it-The watercoloring is simple enough for even a beginner and the paper-piercing adds a nice touch.

The Big on Christmas stamp set has 3 stamps and is very popular: Happy Holidays, Noel, and (let it) Snow..I have samples of projects I made with all of them further on:

STAMPS: Big on Christmas

PAPER: Old Olive, Real Red, Watercolor Paper, Dashing D.S. Paper

INK: Stampin' Write Markers-Real Red & Summer Sun; Classic Ink Pads-Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Real Red, Soft Sky, River Rock and StazOn Jet Black

ACCESSORIES: Watercolor brush, Crafter's Tool Kit, Dimensionals, Grosgrain Ribbon-5/8" Real Red

I also used the other stamps in the Big On Christmas set to make these adorable Gift Card Holders I CASED from Amy Celona-she has a great website! You can find the tutorial HERE. She made them as moneyholders-I made them as Gift Card Holders since they have become a popular gift-giving idea. Can you guess which one sold out first? If you guessed the Let It Snow holder, you are correct!  These Gift Card holders can also double as money holders...with three designs to choose from, they sold like hotcakes! It's amazing how many people give money or gift cards for the holidays-it's great for folks who don't like the shopping scene...(so NOT like me! It wouldn't feel like Christmas if I didn't get out the malls and do some real shopping and fight a few crowds during the holidays!) I added some interest using last year's Fancy Fibers which came in different colors and textures...(if you click on the pictures, they will show up magnified so you can view details!) These were lots of fun to make...and very popular-I guess I need to make a alot more of these in the future so I don't run out of them!

 

GIFT CARD HOLDERS-CLOSED

GIFT CARD HOLDERS-INSIDE

The Make & Take project I offered at the Mistletoe Market Craft Fair for visitors to try was a holiday gift tag using the adorable TAGS FOR ALL stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Collection catalog-once again, the snowmen stamped tag was also the most popular tag! I guess snowmen are pretty popular these days-throughout the whole holiday and winter season!

These tags were quick and easy to demo and make-we used the Aqua Painter and Watercolor Pencils  to color in the images after stamping with the Black StazOn Pad. Folks were amazed that you can simply "scribble" some color where you want it, then use the Aqua Painter to pull the color and blend it. The Aqua Painter has a water well at one end-when you lightly squeeze the soft-barreled pen, it dilutes the inked or watercolor penciled image so you can adjust how much color you want! An AMAZING invention! and so much easier than even using a watercolor brush with a cup of water!!! I think everyone liked the snowmen becuase we also jazzed it up with some glue and glitter sprinkled on to finish it off! (this may not have come thru in the photo-try clicking on the photo to enlarge it and maybe the glitter will be more noticeable) Of course our new Elastic Gold & Silver Cord are great ways to attach these to gifts-they also make great hangers for ornaments!

The kids were kept busy at our table playing with the two Tattoo Kits offered in the Fall-Winter Collection! One is basically a boys kit and the other is a girl's although some of the stamp images are interchangeable...the kits are WONDERFUL and kids just love them! I remember when my children were younger (just a few years ago!) and they would entertain themselves for quite a long time-stamping every inch of skin on their bodies!!! Yes, the ink pads and markers included in the kits are water-soluable and non-toxic!!  I did take orders for these when parents saw how much fun their kids had with them! They make a great gift for children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors and so on...at only $13.95 a kit!

If you would like to order stamps, papers, inks, tattoo kits etc., or anything else for holiday gifts, just click on the HOLIDAY GIFT PACKAGE on the left to link to a Holiday Wish List...fill one out for everyone in your family! Email  or call me to place your holiday order! If you order $100 or more I'll give you a FREE copy of the Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer Collection catalog coming out in January!

Don't have a catalog? CLICK HERE to view the Fall-Winter Collection or the Holiday Mini Collection ONLINE!

I will post more projects again soon, so check back! meanwhile, don't forget to LEAVE ME A COMMENT!

Aura Technique instructions

The Christmas Nativity card was made using the Aura Technique. It's really quite beautiful and very easy to accomplish. Here are the instructions (all products from Stampin' Up! are highlighted):

1) Stamp main image from Heavenly Peace with Classic Black ink. (Versamark ink or embossing can be used as well)

2) Color image with markers, Wonder Watercolor Pencils, Pastels etc.

3) Using a stamping sponge, rub Encore Gold pigment ink in a circular motion into the white card stock, starting from the outside edges and leaving a white border around image, about 1/4". Rub a thin layer, then heat set ink with a heat gun.

4) Use a dauber and DAB (don't rub) More Mustard or Summer Sun Classic ink on the white areas around your image. Start with the smallest areas in center of image and work outward. It’s okay if you go into the gold inked area.

5) With a sponge and classic ink colors that match closely to the colors in your image, DAB the color around outside of image, on top of the mustard color.

6)Use another sponge and DAB Classic Black ink on top of the gold, starting from outside edges and work your way inward, but be careful not to go into the (mustard) aura (hence the name of this technique). You want the gold to show through the black ink, so try not to RUB the black ink into the gold, just DAB it. Make sure you follow the shape of your image—if you don’t go in enough, it’ll look like a big circle blob.

7) Use the Ticket Punch on all four corners. Mount image onto black cardstock to make the image "pop". Insert gold mini brads in each corner. Roll the Rough Tracks Wheel over Cranberry cardstock, then attach image on upper area. Tie gold cord around brads on top and into a bow.

8) Emboss the saying from the your picture with Black Detail Embossing Powder onto Confetti Cream cardstock, then onto Brushed Gold cardstock. Attach to Cranberry layer on bottom of card.

The Aura Technique is fun and stunning-have fun with it!