Steam Card - a Punk Style

 

I love the Steampunk style!  It's a marriage of Victorian and Industrial, and every time I see something Steampunk, I find some object to reminisce about.  I hadn't made anything steampunk in a while and decided I wanted to make a couple of cards. 

I wanted to use a burlap background because I think it lends itself to the masculine feel I was aiming for, and I used gears cut in my new favorite card, holographic ripple! 

I wanted to use a few colors because I planned on stacking the gears and felt different colors would make each layer stand out more.  I added the pearls as a homage to Victorian and then some eclectic metal elements scattered around as eye candy!

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Materials for this project available at www.franticstamper.com

Frantic Stamper products used:

• Frantic Stamper Precision Dies
• Large and Small Gears (set of six) (FRA-Die-09042)
• Gear Collage (FRA-Die-09041)

La Femme

 

I purchased the Loretta die from Frantic Stamper a while back. It reminded me of Paris and I have a fascination for that city (I also have the poodle but haven't used that yet.)  I pictured her walking down the Champs Elisee shopping for the latest fashion.  Today I finally decided to do a card for her.

I started with an ivory card base.  Sharon, another design team member, has been making some cards with  punched design on the side. I really like the look so I wanted that for this card also.  I added some burgundy suede paper ad a piece of Tim Holtz collage.  I wanted Loretta to stand out so I decided to use this very glittery black with silver dot paper I had.  It turned out SO NICE!  I was looking at the die cut and realized that the die had even cut a part for her hand that was on her waist!  That was really cool!  I decided that Loretta needed a purse to hold because I wanted to highlight this little piece of 3-D.  I cut a trapezoid (remember your geometry!) out of silver glitter paper and glued it under her hand.  I also pushed the hand out a bit to make it stand out more. (Since the die cut is all one paper, I needed something separate to highlight the hand.) Anyway, it turned out great. 

I was thinking about the dress too.  There are actually crease lines for the dress on the die to emboss it.  I took some mounting tape and put it behind the skirt but only in the middle ...to poof it out a bit. 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

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Products used:

•  Frantic Stamper Precision Dies
• Loretta  FRA-Die-09091
• Materials for this project are available at www.franticstamper.com.

Talking to the Moon

 

I jus recently received a few western dies from frantic stamper.  I decided to used the coyote and cactus dies.  I have this wonderful embossing folder that looks like wind that I used on some brown cardstock.  I used a cosmetics sponge and some Tarnished brass distress stain to highlight some of the swirls on the embossed background.

I die cut the coyote from the circus papers from Graphic 45. 

 

I was so excited to see how well they came out.  This design really goes well with the whole western theme.  I decided to cut my cacti out of holographic paper. 

 

I had this one sheet that I got at a Michaels a while ago and just haven't done anything with it.  I do that sometimes - buy a sample piece of something different and then try it out later to see what I can do with it. I think it keeps me creative.

I used torn grey suede paper (yes, I tore it - it tears easily which surprised me) for rocks and used a little purple ink on the edges.  The gold paper is actually gold crepe paper. Pretty cool huh? You can get that at Castle in the Air! That is my newest online find!

Other than that I paper pieced the card.  It turned out ok-certainly not my best but as an experiment - ok.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Lis

 

PS: I am really enjoying my new computer.  I bought a laptop (they were on sale and I finally relented and bought one.  My previous computer was about 10 years old and SLOOOOWWW! My sister has been bugging me to get a new one for a couple years now LOL.  SO, I am getting used to Windows 8.  Overall its going well.

 



Jeweled Heart Card

Today's card is really dimensional and full of whimsy (at least I think it is).  I created a very simple design by die cutting a large heart out of holographic red fireworks card and gluing decorative plastic buttons on it.  I found them at Hobby Lobby.  Usually I don't go for this kind of decoration but these were just too colorful to resist!

The matted papers are gold glitter card and a very special paper from Graphic Products Corp called
Iridescent Paper and comes from Taiwan. (Check out their Italian Florentine Papers.)

I've been a big fan of GPC for many years. They are not well known to us but they have some lovely papers, many are handmade.  If you do decide to purchase anything, be sure to check the paper size.  Many of their products are sold as "parent sheets" which are the really big sizes...on the other hand you get a whole lot for 1.70.

I hope you enjoyed today's card and browsing through GPC.  One of my goals is to bring new finds your way as I come across them. I'm always exploring and sampling, looking for new exciting materials to use in my cards.

(I wanted to let you know that I don't get anything from the companies I mention  other than Frantic Stamper as a Design Team member.  I just thought it would be nice to pass along great information to others who like the kinds of things I like.)

Thanks for stopping by!

Lis

Leaf Embossed Thank You Card

 

 

 

Today's card uses nature to emboss and decorate.  The gold and silver embossed designs are from leaves that I picked up outside.  All I did was to pick out the leaves and foliage that I wanted, use Versa Mark on them, then press them onto my paper (in this case black card) and then use gold and silver embossing powder and a heat gun.  I finished with a sentiment in gold glossy and some pearls.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Lis

Shabby Victorian Tag

Shabby Tag with Violet Suede Paper
by Lis Whiting 

I've been having a lot of fun working with suede paper lately.  It's a beautiful paper that actually has a very soft tactile feel - like suede.  It comes in some beautiful colors too!

I started with a Sizzix TIme Holtz die for my tag and used the movers and shapers to add a cut out of a Victorian lady cameo (also Sizzix).  My tag base is ivory cardstock and the entire front is covered in violet suede paper with the cameo cut out.

Following are close ups of the tag in sections with comments.

I used stick pins at the top. It makes the tag a little longer but I thought it needed something.  What better to go with a Victorian cameo than stick pins!

I had a little brass key that I looped the ribbon through.  I also wrapped a single paper flower around the key.

For my cameo, I took some images (color) and basically collaged them to fit behind the opening.  I then cut a piece of acetate to fit.  I glued the acetate to the collage art with Glossy Accents and glued the whole thing to the back of the suede paper so it would show through.  Then I glued the suede paper to my tag base. (I added a single pearl to the "hairpiece" - looks good!)

I have three layers at the bottom of my tag: lace, ribbon and pearls. All three birds are wood, and adhered with mounting tape.

Here is another view so that you can see the dimension of the tag,

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you try out some suede paper on your next project!

Lis

Sara Bernhardt

Sarah Bernhardt - a Coloring Project

by Lis Whiting

I saw this Frantic Stamper stamp and thought it would be a beautiful front to a card.  I stamped the image wint Staz on black onto ivory card stock. 

I used chalks to color most of the image.  I colored the stars and did the lettering with Distress Markers.  I used gold glitter Dazzles for the border and matted the entire thing onto dark brown card stock.  My card base is a dark pink. (I have to say that I briefly questioned my sanity when I chose this card base...I wasn't sure it would work out but it works beautifully with the pink chalk accents on the image's cheeks and the flowers.)

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Products used:

• Frantic Stamper Stamp Large Sarah
• Pebbles Chalks
• Hot off the Press Dazzles Gold Glitter Border Dazzles
• Ranger Distress Markers in Gathered Twigs & Salty Ocean

"Art is never finished..."

"Art is never finished..." - a Coloring Project

by Lis Whiting

I've been wanting to use some transparency with my work and I thought this would be a good opportunity.  I like to work with transparency (the kind you get at Staples - nothing special).  It's a challenge working with it and getting it to combine with a card.

I stamped my images on my transparency (4 x 5 1/4 inches) in Staz-On black on the front.  It's important to use this because regular inks won't dry on this non-porous surface. 

I set the stamped piece aside and worked on the "coloring" of my background.  I am currently using Paper Artsy Fresco acrylic paints. 

I used a craft mat for this.  I chose three colors and, starting with my first color, I squeezed out a little bit onto my mat.  I used a flat paint brush and painted the top portion of my white card stock with my color.  I did the same with the next two colors, working my way down the card stock and blending the edges as I went.  I didn't want a "perfect" look so I was not too careful with my painting, allowing some white from the card stock to show through.  I edges my background in Vintage Photo.

I attached the transparency to my painted background with adhesive sheet.  Since I was not attaching my transparency with brads or staples, I needed an all over adhesive that wouldn't show.

I added a ribbon to the front of my card and used a lavender card base.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Products used:

• Frantic Stamper Stamps
• Art is never...
• Spectacles & Watch
• Paper Artsy Fresco Paints in Ice Blue, Cinnamon, Limelight
• Ranger Distress Inks in Vintage Photo
• 3L Scrapbook Adhesives Permanent Adhesive Sheet

Grapes

Grapes - a Coloring Project

by Lis Whiting

I had this beautiful grapes and leaves Frantic Stamper stamp and have been holding onto it for a while. I finally decided to use it but wasn't sure how I was going to fit it on a card.  I started by stamping it with Staz-On black on plain, smooth white card stock.  I stamped another image just in case I needed it (turned out I did).
I just got the new Ranger Distress Marker colors and I've been dying to use them.  I started by coloring the leaves with Mowed Lawn and the grapes with, what else, Seedless Preserves.  I colored the centers of the leaves darker and then spritzed some water onto a paper towel and dabbed off some of the color. This is how I got the shades on my leaves.  I also used Picket Fence on the grapes (just a few lines on the center ones).  I also dabbed off some color on these as well.  I cut out the first image that was completely colored and set it aside.
I colored one leaf and most of the grapes on my second image, using the same technique.  I cut out the leaf and cut out the grapes in two sections.  I layered the leaf and the grapes onto my other image with foam tape to create a paper tole-like/3D image. I edged my leaves and the stem with gold.

To create my card, I used some pink suede paper and die cut the On the Edge Doily pattern (Tim Holtz).  I also punched out a pattern with EK Success punch.  Lastly, I used some gold foil paper to add to my card.  The layers are (from top to bottom) patterned paper, suede paper, gold foil. I attached the grapes and leaves with glue stick.

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Products used:

• Frantic Stamper Stamp Large Grape
• SEI Suede Paper Bubblegum
• SEI Specialty Paper in Gold-Chevron
• EK Success Cake Piping Large Edger Punch
• Sizzix On the Edge Dies by Tim Holtz Distressed Doily
• Ranger Distress Marker Set in 12 newest colors
• Krylon Metallic Leafing Pen in 18K Gold  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Gold Doily on Blue

Gold Doily on Blue (A Color Challenge)

by Lis Whiting

I really love challenges!  It makes me stretch my creative "muscle" so to speak (and it's so much fun seeing what everyone has come up with - I would love to see yours! So don't forget to participate!)

This is a color challenge.  I chose some really pretty blue patterned papers and backed them with a dark solid blue.  I chose Authentique because they have collections in color choices. For yellow, I used a yellow ribbon and some gold (as a different shade of yellow).  I embossed the gold pieces - I was going for a similar design as the background blue paper. Can you tell? Isn't this tiny doily die just too cute!  And I was amazed at the intricacy of it too!  Easy to make die cuts.  I finished with a cameo and a single dark blue crystal. 

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Products used:

• Frantic Stamper Dies
• Eiffel Tower Doily Duet
• Series 1 - 1 inch base
• Series 3 (1 inch base) Triple Size Rectangle
• Authentique Journey Collection
• Core Dinations Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection
• Frantic Stamper Cameo

Lavender Lace Card with Suede Paper

Hi everyone!

I am so excited about my new laptop!  It's taking some getting used to, especially the typing.  I've not used a laptop very much.  My old computer just is old old old and SLOOOWWW....you know what I mean! So, this will be better I think.  How did you like my very first videos?  I was overjoyed with them - even though they are just beginner!  I hope to start doing videos where I give a card picture, the list of materials and you can watch the video and follow along and make the card.  what do you think? (I am getting better with my camera work and feedback from all of you! So a big THANK YOU! for that!)

I made a card for my mother in law (Ive been divorced for over 14 years now but she was always so nice and I consider her a good friend.  She is the most wonderful person!  So, I made her a card.  I am not the greatest remembering birthdays and anniversaries.  I always seem to be late with holidays too.  I'm trying very hard to change this but its difficult with my lifestyle being so busy.

 

 I chose a very feminine lilac flower design for my base and edged that in gold. This was mounted on a white card base (A2).  I use the fancy rectangles from Spellbinders to cut gold glossy rectangle and purple suede layers.  I used a purple ribbon and two shades of purple pearls to embellish. I also added a lavender heart shaped pearl.

 

You can see below that I mounted the layers onto my card using mounting tape to give it some dimension.

 



Thank you for stopping by.  Come back again as I develop my blog with videos!

Lis