Category Archives: Uncategorized

One of the new Stampin’ Up! products that I like the most is the Pigment Powder Collection. There are six small containers, each with a different color powder. When using the pigment powder containers, do NOT, I repeat, do NOT open the containers! The best way to use the powder is to make a small hole in the top of the container and either SHAKE or TAP the powder onto the Cardstock. (I used my seamripper – it’s what I had handy!!!).

Just remember, a little goes a looooong way with the pigment powders! It doesn’t look like much in this photo – but the color is INTENSE when it gets wet!

You can shake the powder on a dry or a wet card. If you use a dry card, as I did, spritz the card with water and tilt the card to get the ink to flow over the surface.

Blot the card with a paper towel – it will flatten out a bit. Either wait till dry or when still damp, shake more powder and spritz again to cover up any white areas. Blot again and let dry.

This final version has better coverage. I’ve used my favorite paper for this background, Shimmery White – it has a subtle sparkle that you can see when you move it in the light.

I think the blue and yellow pigment powders make a perfect watery look, just the thing for the background of my Father’s Day card that I posted yesterday!

I love the way the yellow area is near the top and the darker area near the fish – it helps the fish stand out more, and appears that the hook is near the top of the water! It is so much fun to make these backgrounds with the pigment powders – you never know what you are going to end up with – but it is always beautiful!

What pigment powder colors would YOU use for your backgrounds?

This is my version of the card in the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog.

Besides the “Best Catch” (#148598) stamp set and “Catch of the Day” Thinlets (dies) (#148815), I used the following products:

• Stampin’ Dimensionals (#104430)
• Layering Circles Thinlets (#141705)
• Shimmering White Cardstock (#101910)
• Pigment Sprinkles (#148553)
• Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Blends Combo (#144600)
• Calypso Coral Stampin’ Blends Combo (#144045)
• Old Olive Stampin’ Blends Combo (#144597)
• Stampin’ Blends Color Lifter (#144608)
• Very Vanilla Cardstock (#101650)
• Grapefruit Grove Cardstock (#146972)
• Versamark Inkpad (102283)
• Stampin’ Embossing Powder – White (#109132)
• Heat Tool (#129053)
• Finally, I used my BigShot to cut the paper with the dies. (Stampin’ Up! is in the process of manufacturing their own die-cutting system, so the BigShot is no longer being sold through the catalog.)

I HAD to use Calypso Coral and Grapefruit Grove – It’s the closest we have to. Pantone’s Color of the Year, Living Coral!

Tomorrow I’ll have a little tutorial on how to use the Pigment Sprinkles (very similar to the “Brusho” pigments). I think it made a great watery background for the fish and hook!

My Dad loved to fish – we would go fishing at least once every year during our vacation to the beach – the ocean was at one side of the town and the bay at the other. Of course my (younger) brother caught the BIGGEST Flounder one year – almost a big as he was! There are lots of stamp sets in the new catalog that you could use for other activities the men in your life like to do – from sailing to cars to horses – even a camera or a cup of coffee!

What would make Your Father’s Day card special?

Father’s Day will be here before you know it (June 16th)! Here’s a suggestion from the new 2019-2020 Annual Catalog –

This is such an easy card – but one with pizazz! Best Catch Stamp Set paired with the Catch of the Day dies!

Order these now and wow all the men in your life with a unique Father’s Day card!

Check back tomorrow for a list of supplies that were used when making this card…

The Pantone Color of the Year, announced last December, is Living Coral –

Well if you follow my blog, you know how much I love COLOR(!), and while I wish Stampin’ Up! had the exact match, there are 3 that are CLOSE – Grapefruit Grove Grapefruit Grove was one of last year’s In-Colors and will retire at the end of our new catalog year.

Terracotta Tile Terracotta Tile is one of this year’s In-Colors and will be around through the 2020-2021 catalog year.

Calypso Coral Calypso Coral is in the permanent Subtles collection of colors.

So there is plenty of time to use these lovely colors and be on trend with the Pantone Color of the Year!!!

One of my favorite techniques for making multiple cards in quick succession is “One Sheet Wonder”!  It’s so versatile because you can cut your card parts ahead of time, following a simple template, and they go together so quickly!  Here’s the basic formula:  Take one 12×12 sheet of Designer Series Paper, cut it into 4″ strips, then cut each strip according to the template.  Generally this makes 14 or more cards!  Cut your other card layers in coordinating colors, as listed in the instructions and pick 1 or 2 stamp sets that go with your theme.  Punch or die-cut any other layers listed.  Pick some embellishments such as ribbon, doilies, rhinestones and pearls, add a couple of snail adhesives, a dimensional pack, card bases and envelopes (Whisper white or Very Vanilla) and finally, coordinating inks, and you are ready to assemble!  Honestly, the prep takes longer than the actual card making!

I’ll share my template tomorrow, along with some more cards.

If you want to make 14 fabulous holiday cards – sign up for my class!

HERE  are the details!

Friday August 24th 6:30-8:30pm

Art Gallery of Fells Point on the Avenue

825 W. 36th St. Baltimore, MD  21224

What is better for inspiration than a new year?  Welcome 2017!  2016 started with such promise, and has ended with so much ANGST!  I don’t like to be negative, and try to find the positive in everything!  This sentiment sums it up!  I was leafing through the Stampin’ Up! annual catalog and found this stamp set.

Feather Together Stamp Set $17

I love feathers and I plan to make a card using the feathers and the sentiment together – for my first card of 2017.

How will you celebrate National Inspiration Day  – and what is your inspiration for 2017?

Ok, maybe this isn’t REALLY Elvis, but believe me, it’s as close as you are going to get these days!  (Well, unless you believe that EL isn’t really DEAD)

Every year on the first  weekend of December, I attend an event called “Night of 100 Elvises”, aka “NO100E”.  It is fabulous FUN, and folks get dressed up in their 50’s garb, HON Hair (you’ve got to be a Baltimore-on to know what this is…), and sometimes even the JUMPSUIT.  This gentleman IS one of the entertainers (Elvis impersonators)- who cover the Elvis songs all night, along with local bands doing the same.  Open bar, free food and, the pi-ece de résistance – Grilled Cheese, Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwiches.  This has been held in Baltimore’s Lithuanian Hall for over 15 years, and those Lithuanians have THEIR own special beverage, Vititus, a very SNEAKY Honey Liquer.  ’nuff said about THAT!  If you want to join me in 2014 – check out the website: www.nightof100elvises.com

On that night every year “My Name is ELVIS!”