Notecards in a Box

Posted on by Lynn Hill

It’s so easy to jump on Facebook and send a quick FB messenger note of thanks to a friend. But, I don’t think the need for a friendly snail mail note will ever disappear completely – unless, of course, the postal service happens to go away. Lord knows I am doing my best to keep the USPS in business with my regular cards and stamp buying endeavors.

My mother-in-law recently mentioned that she needed a small package of stationery so that she could keep in touch with a few people. I was headed to Hallmark and then I realized that it would be more fun for her to have a personalized set of notecards and I set out to make the perfect set for her.

I love getting cardstock that matches my ink colors and at Taylored Expressions it’s an easy task because there are cardstock colors for just about every shade of ink offered on the website. I used toffee ink and matching toffee cardstock for the first three notecards. I love the way toffee looks on crisp white cardstock so I inked the Full of Flowers background on an A2 base and my notecard was all but finished.

I think the cards would have been complete with the very simple background die as the cover. However I wanted to add something to personalize the cards. I recently ordered the Initially L die set specifically for this purpose from Taylored Expressions because I knew it would come in handy for all kinds of projects for my mother-in-law and for myself. We are both “L” girls.

I cut a rectangle strip of toffee and a circle from red pepper cardstock using the smallest circle in the Noteworthy Belly Band die set. Don’t you love that color combination? Then, using the smaller uppercase letter from the Initially L die set I placed an L in the center of the circle. The card was cut down to provide a 1/8″ border when set on top of a toffee base and I think it rounded out the card perfectly.

I made three more cards using cupcake paper and ink with a circle cut from My Favorite Things’ ripe raspberry cardstock.I couldn’t make up my mind whether the card looked best with a cupcake background or with the ripe raspberry so I made a couple using each color. Even after finishing them I couldn’t decide which one I preferred. Just about the time I am ready to say that I prefer the cupcake background my eye goes for the ripe raspberry.

I wanted one set using a red, white, and blue color scheme so I pulled out some Catherine Pooler Rockin’ Red ink and a piece of navy cardstock (I think it was from a discontinued color by MFT). A deep red L finished the card just like I wanted it.

There are so many ways to perfectly align a red rubber background stamp and I always use the Misti stamping platform so that I can reapply ink when (not if, when) it doesn’t completely cover on the first application. I make a ring using purple tape and place it on the back of my cardstock to hold it in place. I remove the foam plate from my Misti and line the paper up using the grid inside the stamping platform. Once the paper is positioned I place the rubber stamp face down on top of the paper and close the Misti door. This will enable you to lift the Misti cover with the stamp adhered. Add ink to the stamp and close the door.

I have found that red rubber stamps need a bit more pressure than the clear stamps, especially when the image is a background. I don’t sweat it. After I close the door I give it a firm press and lift the door. If there are some areas that aren’t fully covered I will close the door again and press in the area that the ink didn’t transfer sufficiently. Sometimes, after I open the door a second time, I find that I need to add another coat of ink to the stamp. If more ink is needed I repeat the process and keep checking the stamped image until it is evenly covered across the stamping area.

When I plan to use a stamp for several cards using different colors of ink I use a Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy to give it a quick clean. I like to get the shammy wet, ring it out, then lay it on the base of the Misti and smooth it out. I then close the Misti door and give it a firm press. If the ink is particularly juicy I will open the door, flip the shammy over, and repeat the process. When I am going to immediately press with a different color I use a dry microfiber cloth to dry the stamp. These cloths work so much better than a paper towel or baby wipe because they are lint free. They can be bought on Amazon in sets of 24 and they last “forever”. If there will be a time lapse before stamping in a different color I leave the Misti door open and allow the stamp to air dry.

To really clean stamps, both red rubber and clear stamps, I use Taylored Expressions Stamper’s Spritz. This stuff works better than any stamp cleaner I have used in the past. It comes in a spritz bottle and is available in a refill bottle that’s pourable. To be honest, I don’t even have a spritz bottle. They were out of stock when I decided to try it so I just bought a refill. To use the liquid, I pour a bit onto one of my microfiber cloths and rub it across the stamp I need to clean. It works like a charm.

*** Beware: The Stamper’s Spritz will remove the wood finish from furniture if you don’t wipe it up after a spill. I would say, “Don’t ask me how I know this,” but am hoping you won’t make the same mistake as me so I’ll fess up. I opened the bottle one day and a little bit of liquid ran down the side of my bottle. I didn’t think it was a big deal so I screwed the lid on the bottle and went about my business. When I came back the next morning I started cleaning my desk so I could begin a new project and when I lifted the bottle there was a ring on my BRAND NEW DESK. Being honest here, I got tears in my eyes. I would’ve been more upset if it had been on my kitchen table or another surface that is always visible but, that said, I still love the product but am very careful when I use it.

To finish my cards, I purchased a set of pre-folded A2 notecards and attached the card fronts to them. This finished project included ten really nice note cards that I slipped in a clear card box along with the envelopes and a set of stamps. A belly band gave the box a pretty visual and these cards would make a nice gift for someone who enjoys sending snail mail. I know my mother-in-law will empty her box in no time. When she starts running low I can make just make more cards to add to the box. They would also work well as a note to accompany a mailed gift.

Supplies:

I do not receive compensation for listing the items I have used in this post; however, I like for you to be able to easily click links to order any items you might find interesting.

I am visible on Instagram (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess) and Facebook (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess) and I hope that you will scroll to the bottom of the page and click to subscribe.

When I first started card making I had a difficult time finding a cardstock with the quality I wanted. I discovered My Favorite Things and was so pleased that I began using their cardstock exclusively. When Covid hit and it was difficult to get just about everything, MFT began reworking their cardstock and are just now beginning to get restocked with new colors. In the meantime, I found Taylored Expressions’ cardstock and love it just as much as I always loved My Favorite Things paper. I would also recommend Gina K. Designs’ cardstock if you want quality paper. If you are looking for the perfect high-quality cardstock for your cards and paper projects I would recommend Taylored Expressions. There are 53 colors of cardstock available and 51 colors of matching ink. What cardstock do you use and is there are reason you prefer one brand over another?

Until next week, happy crafting!

Easter Wrap Up – Spring Cards Galore

Posted on by Lynn Hill

Sorry to be late posting to my blog this week but you know how people get busy and then time gets away! However, I didn’t want to let Easter get by without one last post of some really cute cards that made their way out of my mailbox and into the hands of some of my mini friends this week (**ALERT** I have heard reports that some have received theirs while others in the same households are still empty handed. That seems to be the way of the postal services these days. I hear their machines – both human and mechanical – are overworked and in under abundance).

I won’t give a lot of details for this week’s cards, mostly just pictures, but I did want to give a couple of little tips that I have found make my card assembly much easier.

Adding lettering to the front of a card using a word die looks really nice but can be a frustration when trying to line it up properly. I have found that cutting cardstock letters from the die then placing the negative of the word in the location I want it on my card makes this task an easy and frustration free endeavor. Run the letters through a Xyron 150 sticker maker, remove them from the backing, then place them back into the negative. Give the inserted letters a good rub to make sure they are fully adhered. Then, lift the negative away and your word will be aligned neatly on the front of your card.

My second tip is a perfect way to add artwork to an A2 card. Place the A2 card into the corner of your Misti. Add adhesive to the artwork and align it with the edges of the Misti. No more crooked card alignment.

When raising a panel on your cards for effect, how many 3D foam squares or strips is too much? some people place a sheet of foam over the entire back of their panel and others just make a rim around the four sides. I love using foam strips and have found that the 1/8-inch strips are perfect for this job. I surround the outer edges of my panel then make an X in through the center. Finally, fill in any large areas that might find themselves sinking if they become pressed in during the mailing process. Finally, if a card needs extra protection add a foam card cushion inside the envelope. This keeps the mail processing machinery from damaging your artwork or tearing the envelope open. But, be sure to add extra postage if you use one of these handy little pieces of foam because the extra depth will signal the USPS that your card is too thick for the minimum payment. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, click the link for Card Cushions in the supplies list below for a visual.

And now for my last Easter cards of the season – Check the supply list if you are interested in any of the tools I used – And if you have questions about a specific card, please add a message below and I’ll be sure to respond.

  • TE – Oh Hoppy Day
  • MFT – Over the Moon for Ewe
  • TE – Cap It Off Alpha
  • TE – Iconic Wishes Sparrow
  • TE – Be Joyful Sentiments
  • TE – Bunch O’ Bunnies
  • Avery Elle – Sending Hugs

Supplies:

I do not receive compensation for listing the items I have used in this post; however, I like for you to be able to easily click links to order any items you might find interesting. When Possible I have included two links in case items are out of stock on one site.

Oh Hoppy Day Card:

Over the Moon For Ewe Card:

Cap It Off Alpha Card:

Iconic Wishes Sparrow Card:

Be Joyful Sentiments Card:

Bunch O’ Bunnies Card:

Sending Hugs Card:

Miscellaneous Tools Used:

** MFT Items that have been discontinued are often available from FranticStamper.com, Doodlebugswa.com, and Scrapbookpal.com. When possible I provide links to directly to MFT.

I am visible on Instagram (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess) and Facebook (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess) and I hope that you will scroll to the bottom of the page and click to subscribe.

Thanks for checking out my post. I hope you have had a nice Easter holiday and that you were able to share it with loved ones whether from a distance or fully vaccinated and in person. Please come back next week when I will have another new card to share with you.

Color-On-Color Butterflies

Posted on by Lynn Hill

I love the use of butterflies as a symbol of Christ during Easter season. These brilliant insects have very short lives filled with a beauty they share with the world. As a caterpillar, the main purpose is to prepare for the transformation into a butterfly. And that’s what Jesus’ work involved. He spent his life preparing us for his transformation and for ours too. Just like the butterfly, when Christ was in the tomb he wasn’t dead, he was preparing for his metamorphosis. I have never seen a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis but what a wonderful symbol to compare to Christ’s resurrection from the tomb, a beautiful butterfly! He is risen, indeed.

It is still Easter season and since the bunny thing has filled my blog the last two weeks I thought it would be nice to experiment with some of the other symbols Easter has to offer. I love the Brilliant Butterflies stamp set by My Favorite Things and have had a card idea in my head for a while. What better time than Easter to bring my idea to the table.

Easter cards are in high demand around my house so, again this week, I wanted to make a design that I could create in multiples. I started with six pieces of A2 cardstock and set up my Misti to do all of the stamping at once. I wanted the butterflies to hang off the side of the card which meant I couldn’t just use the corner of my Misti as a guide. Instead, I cut a piece of cardstock to 2×5 1/2 inches. I placed the strip of cardstock against the edge of the Misti and then butted my cardstock next to it and arranged the stamps in the pattern I wanted.

I used five colors of Ranger Distress Ink on the butterflies (rainbow order – pink, orange, green, blue, and purple). I made one card using one color at a time but decided the ink would stay wet enough to transfer if I inked all of the butterflies at once. After I inked one card I removed it, placed another one in the Misti, and stamped it the same way.

Not really sure how I wanted to do the background, I attempted a pattern-stamped card and then I made one with a blue sky. The blue sky seemed to create more of a sympathy card. I really like it a lot I was going for a spring/Easter feel and thought it would be fun to try the cloudy sky using the same colors I had used for each butterfly.

I generally use distress inks for straight stamping and oxide inks when I want to blend them on the page. I have found that oxide inks are generally easier to blend, especially when you goof and smack a blob of ink on the paper. However, the distress inks will blend too and for this project I had already started working with distress ink before I decided any blending would be done. I was super happy with the results.

The images I stamped were very concentrated and the cloudy skies were made using the My Favorite Things Mini Cloud Edges with just a light touch on my Taylored Expressions blender brushes. (Speaking of blender brushes, the Taylored Expressions brushes come in a pack of ten brushes and are excellent. I have had mine for about three years and they are still good as new. I love to run my thumb across the face of the brush. They feel soft as butter!) I didn’t mask my butterflies because the color that would cover the butterfly was the same I had stamped them with and I wanted the color to blend across each butterfly. After creating the blue sky and then switching to rainbow, I could feel Easter popping out.

You can see in the picture above that I had the card taped to my work surface so that it wouldn’t move around. This did leave a small white tip on each card where I had placed the tape but I wasn’t too concerned because I was going to cut the card down anyway and knew the white space wouldn’t show. However, as I continued, I decided the project was going quickly enough to just hold the cardstock in place with my hand as I worked my way down the card with each color.

I pulled my Misti out again. I kept the 2×5 1/2 guide in place and slipped my first card back in the Misti. It was easy to align the card by matching the edges of the butterflies I had stamped earlier. With the first card in place I arranged the butterfly bodies and antennas so that they fit properly on each butterfly. I then applied black Versafine pigment ink and stamped the images all at once. When I was ready to stamp the second card I lined up the butterfly edges, reapplied ink, and closed the Misti door – It was a perfect match!

I used My Favorite Things Blueprint #27 to trim the card with a scalloped edge and then applied five colored droplets (one in each of the colors used for the clouds and butterflies). I chose several sentiments from Taylored Expressions Be Joyful stamp set and after I applied the scalloped piece to an A2 card base the project was complete.

#1 – Neenah Solar White 80 lb * #2 – Ken Oliver Watercolor Paper with wet paintbrush on wings and clouds * #3 – Ken Oliver Watercolor Paper with water spritz

Each card has its own feature to give it a unique appearance but the basic card was very quick and easy. Two of the cards were created on watercolor paper. I enhanced the butterflies on one of them by wetting a paintbrush and stroking across some areas of each butterfly’s wings. I misted water on the second watercolor card but it didn’t make a lot of difference (in my opinion). However, I did stamp and cut a butterfly and add it to the sentiment and I thought that added a nice touch.

I love this stamp set and noticed that My Favorite Things has just released another set of More Brilliant Butterflies that would be good to add to these or could be used as a stand-alone set if you don’t already have butterfly stamps.

Supplies:

I do not receive compensation for listing the items I have used in this post; however, I like for you to be able to easily click links to order any items you might find interesting. When Possible I have included two links in case items are out of stock on one site.

I am visible on Instagram (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess) and Facebook (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess) and I hope that you will scroll to the bottom of the page and click to subscribe.

Did you know that a butterfly lives only one week to one month? Doesn’t it make you wonder how they know where to migrate to…or even to migrate at all? I have read that the last “crop” of butterflies each season can live eight to nine months because they aren’t using all of their energy to mate. They also lose the ability to fly when they become cold. I guess that means it’s possible some of them are still around when the weather starts to warm again and they can lead the pack to their summer homes. I know there’s a lot more science that goes into it but it is fascinating that butterflies and birds seem to always show up at the same places year after year. And, when I see a butterfly during the spring and summer months it brings a smile to my face. Thanks for stopping by today. Next week I will have one more Easter project to share with you. Please come back to see what I have to offer.

Quick and Easy Die Cut Duplicates

Posted on by Lynn Hill

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! As an Irish-blooded lassie I couldn’t welcome you to my blog post any other way today. My mother’s maiden name was O’Neil and her mother’s maiden name was McStravick. A few years back my brother and I were looking through some old pictures and papers of Mama’s and we found my great-great grandfather’s naturalization papers from 1916 and the U.S. Passport he received six years later. He was born in 1855 in Ireland and arrived in America via Ellis Island. The O’Neil side came to America by way of Belfast and Ellis Island as well. Yep, official Irish here – and family proud.

I pray the luck of the Irish is with you today!

For my project this week I thought it would be fun to make cards for several of my mini friends for the Easter season. While doing so, I realized I should share my easy way to cut multiple pennants (from Taylored Expressions Pennant Parade) without having to line up and tape each die before cutting over and over again. We’ll get to that as we come to it.

I wanted these cards to be in primary colors so I chose card bases and scalloped backgrounds using the TE Bold paper pack. I selected coordinating Buffalo Plaid Brights 6×6 paper from My Favorite Things to provide the visual background for each card.

Each child’s name was cut from bold colors using the Taylored Expressions Cap It Off Alpha set. They were cut a second time using white cardstock to provide the outlines. I selected one letter in each name to be replaced with a Bunch O’ Bunnies silhouette and a puffy pom-pom tail. 

I am constantly writing notes to myself so I am always searching for a great paper desk pad. I generally use My Favorite Things’s grid pads but they have recently discontinued them. I ordered both Simon Says Stamp and Taylored Expressions grid paper pads to test them out. The Taylored Expressions pad is officially my favorite now because it not only has a grid for measuring and aligning, but it also has alignment windows to help line up and center A2 cards (horizontally and vertically) and a 6-inch square alignment window, too.

I cut each buffalo plaid sheet with a stitched rectangle die then aligned them on the grid paper using the A2 lines. I used a piece of vellum folded in half to help create a straight line for my lettering. The vellum was aligned and taped across the plaid paper ¼ inch from the bottom. I didn’t have to measure it, I lined it up with one of the grid lines that just happened to be ¼ inch from the bottom of the paper. 

Each letter was assembled with a white outline and then fed them through the Xyron Create-a-Sticker 150 machine. I actually used glue on two of the cards but decided the mess was more than I was interested in dealing with so I thought I would give the Xyron a try. Whew! That made my job ten times easier and much quicker too. I didn’t have any trouble with the letters coming apart after the adhesive was applied. 

After attaching the letters and bunny I tied a bow at both ends of a piece of 1mm burlap string. I used trial and error to decide my string length. I tied the bow on the loose end and then tied the second bow on the spool end of the string…retying until the length was not too long or too short to create a banner for my pennants.

I needed at least 25 pennant pieces because I wanted to make five cards with five pennants each. I almost dreaded the repetition until I realized I could make a template to make my project much easier.

I will explain the process I used to stamp and cut the templates but if you want to scroll down to the video you can actually see the process and maybe understand it a little better.

I used the Misti stamping platform to align five pennant stamps in a row. Using similar bold colors as those used for the names, I applied ink to the stamps in one color, adjusted the cardstock in the Misti, and repeated the process with another color until I had six rows of pennants in six different colors (Catherine Pooler Premium Dye Ink – Rockin Red, Orange Twist, Limoncello, Grass Skirt, Fiesta Blue, and Queen For A Day).

I then stamped one more row of the pennants on a separate card to create my cutting template. The Pennant Parade pennant dies come in a set of three so I aligned the three dies on the first three pennant stamps, cut them out, and then aligned two dies on the remaining pennants and cut them. 

Having a template really sped my cutting process. I was able to align the template on a stamped row of images and tape it in place. I then slid the dies on top of the template where they locked in place once they were in proper alignment. I cut three of the pennants at a time in each color and then repeated the process with the final two pennants in each color.

Sometimes a visual makes things easier so I have attached a video I made while stamping the pennants, making the template, and then cutting the pennants from cardstock.

Before I took the stamps from the Misti door I stamped a few more rows of various colors of pennants and placed them in an envelope with my template. Once you have removed the stamps from the Misti door it would be nearly impossible to replace the stamps in the same pattern. By going ahead and inking the extra stamps makes it possible for me to reuse my cutting template in the future.

Once the pennants were cut I was able to adhere them to the card using 3D Foam squares. I tucked the string behind the pennants and assembled the cards. My mini friends always enjoy getting mail and I know they will love these bright and cheerful cards when they arrive.

Supplies:

I do not receive compensation for listing the items I have used in this post; however, I like for you to be able to easily click links to order any items you might find interesting. When Possible I have included two links in case items are out of stock on one site.

As usual, I would love for you to share this post with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you liked what you saw today and would like to be sure to catch all of my posts, scroll to the bottom of this page and subscribe to my blog via email. I also try to post regularly to Instagram (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess) and occasionally on Facebook (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess). 

Last week I was lamenting about not being able to find any purple tape in the “old” style. I asked around this week and hear that the new style is not currently available either. I hope that means they are reformulating it back to the original style!! Today’s question has to do with the Pennant Parade dies. Does anyone else wonder why the dies don’t come in a five pack since all of the Pennant Parade stamps come in sets of five? I guess I’ll just have to order a second set of the dies to that I can get the best use out of the templates I make. Thanks for stopping by today, and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to you!

Hello Spring – Hop To It!

Posted on by Lynn Hill

Spring has sprung! I know some people still have snow, but since spring begins March 1, I guess that makes my comment accurate. That and the fact that little green things are popping up in my flowerbed and all over town.

Wait, did I say spring begins March 1? Where in the world did I get that idea? Well, before you click the comment button to correct me, I want to clarify that the meteorological start to spring is March 1. The astronomical start is the date we are most familiar with and that is March 20.

I read that we are in for a slow start to severe weather season this year. That’s a positive for me because I love spring but truly dislike the tornadic events that come through Oklahoma this time of year. The negative part of that good news is that forecasters are also saying we could have an above-normal season of wicked weather in April and May.

In last week’s post I promised to bring a little spring to life. So, we are going to put the ideas of anything more than pleasant weather and bunnies on the back burner for now.

Speaking of bunnies, I have the  cutest new stencil from Taylored Expressions. The 6×6 Oh Hoppy Day stencil comes ready to put little bunny silhouettes all over your paper. Or, as in my case, they are ready to line up in a row across my card.

I don’t know if you’re like me, but I have tried about every brand of white ink pad and have never been happy with the coverage I get. The ink is always blobby and blotchy and I end up using embossing powder instead. Truth be told, I usually end up ditching the white idea and just stamp with black ink.

That all changed when I purchased the Taylored Expressions Sugar Cube white pigment ink pad. This white ink stamps just as clearly and smoothly as any other color ink pad. I love it. To test it out, I stamped the Playful Plaid Background stamp onto several sheets of pastel green cardstock with the Sugar Cube ink. 

To get repeated and even coverage, I took the black foam sheet from my Misti and placed the red rubber stamp face up on the base of the stamping platform. I laid the first piece of cardstock on top of the clean stamp. Once I was confident I had the paper straight and aligned, I rolled a piece of purple tape and placed it on top of the cardstock then closed the Misti door (This held my paper in place so that I could ink, lift the paper, and reink my rubber stamp if I didn’t get good coverage the first time. (I am almost out of purple tape in the old style and I really don’t like the new style with the white pinwheels on it. It’s just not sticky enough. What do you use? Have you found the old style of purple tape available anywhere?)

I lifted the Misti door, added ink to the background stamp, then closed the door and rubbed a clean cloth over the top of the platform door to transfer the ink to my cardstock. Luckily the first application of ink gave me a uniform pattern. However, if I had needed to, I could have reinked the stamp, closed the door, and applied pressure to the lid again to transfer the ink to my perfectly aligned paper.

Before I removed the inked card, I made a note of the placement of the cardstock so that I could place my second, third, and fourth pieces of paper on the window in the same location and get uniform placement of the stamped image on each piece of paper. Every stamp I did turned out just as perfectly as the previous one.

Since my experiment had produced several sheets of beautifully stamped cardstock I decided it would provide the perfect base for my bunny card. I guess I should have made a plan in advance because once I looked at the stamped background I wasn’t sure how hard it would be to color over the white ink. 

That wasn’t actually a problem because I recalled a technique I had seen Taylor (of Taylored Expressions) demonstrate during February when she was coloring her shamrock cards. This was the perfect project to give it a try.

I placed a blob (a very technical term) of Nuvo Glimmer Paste on my palette and then placed a single drop of coral Copic ink refill (YR14 – Caramel) on top of the blob. I mixed the Nuvo Glimmer Paste with my spatula to create a very pale coral color. This was a perfect mix since I wanted to use greens and corals on my bunny card!

To spread the glimmer paste, I first taped the green cardstock to my work surface and then laid the stencil on top. I had a wooden bunny to add to my card so I aligned the stencil with four bunnies on the right, leaving enough space for the wooden bunny to be added later on the left side of the card.

If you are a very careful and slow worker you might go ahead and start applying the glimmer paste. However, I often (make that always) think I am going to be neat but later find that I have smeared ink or glue or some other application all over an otherwise perfect card. To keep this from happening I tore a strip of Post-It Removable Labeling Tape and placed it over the row of bunnies just above the set that I wished to apply to my card.

I then scooped the hand-colored Nuvo paste onto my spatula and scraped it across my stencil. I was very careful to rub the paste in only one direction and to smooth it level with the top of the stencil. After I had a smooth and even coat of the glimmer paste applied I gently removed the stencil. The cutest line of four bunnies was lined up and ready to dry.

While the bunnies dried I quickly headed to the kitchen sink where I rinsed my stencil, spatula, and palette. I will warn you not to let the glimmer paste dry on your stencil or tools because once it dries it’s solid. And, I mean solid. You can add liquid soap and run water over the stencil gently rubbing it with your fingers, but I found that my efficient kitchen spray nozzle was strong enough to remove all of the paste and glitter. I then used a paper towel to dry the stencil, palette, and my spatula.

Once my stencil and tools were clean and dry I returned to my work table and created a sentiment strip. I stamped several sentiments on coral cardstock using a VersaMark stamp pad. I used white embossing powder to make the sentiments stand out. I thought something “hoppy” would work well but after trying several options on my card I chose Hello, Spring.

By this time the glimmer paste had dried. I don’t know about you, but I love making mini slimline cards. They have a certain look I love and most of the cards I have made lately are this size (3 1/2 x 6). I thought the bunnies in a row would fit the mini slim format perfectly so I used the largest Taylored Expressions Stitched Mini Slim Stacklet to cut a slim rectangle. I then glued the wooden bunny to the face of my card, added a little pom pom bunny tail, and affixed the sentiment.

I chose a candy corn cardstock base but decided the color was a bit harsh for the pastel green and coral I had already used. Rather than use another color, I cut the largest Taylored Expressions Petite Scallop Mini Slim Stacklet to create a white border and I was really happy with the look I was getting. 

I used 3D foam strips to add the scalloped edges to the card base and my card was ready to be placed in the mailbox to spread a little Easter cheer.

This card was quick and really pretty simple. Not only does the wooden bunny stand out, I love the glittery row of bunnies I created with the self-colored glimmer paste. 

Next week I plan to stick with the Easter theme but want to move away from pastel colors and try something more on the bold side. If you want to make several similar cards you won’t want to miss next week’s post because I will be creating something that is easily duplicated. I hope you’ll click in to see it.

Supplies:

I do not receive compensation for listing the items I have used in this post; however, I like for you to be able to easily click links to order any items you might find interesting. When Possible I have included two links in case items are out of stock on one site.

As usual, I would love for you to share this post with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you liked what you saw today and would like to be sure to catch all of my posts, scroll to the bottom of this page and subscribe to my blog via email. I also try to post regularly to Instagram (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess) and occasionally on Facebook (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess). 

If you have any suggestions for a replacement for my “old” style purple tape I would love to hear from you in the comments. Thanks for stopping by!

Jump Into Spring

Posted on by Lynn Hill

Last week I promised I would be inviting Spring to be sprung with my post but I think the weather actually jumped right in and got to work without me! It is so nice to have a little bit of warmer weather and I am actually seeing some green things peeking from beneath my mulch in the flowerbed. What a welcome site.

I recently made a card using the Puddle Jumper stamp set from My Favorite Things and decided that I would see if I could improve my technique and create a blog post of my work.

When I saw the Puddle Jumper stamp and die set I “jumped” on it because the frequency of boy images in stamp sets is a little low for my liking. The set was just adorable and I could see this colored in the traditional yellow or any number of other color combinations/patterns.

Supplies Used to Make Puddle Jumper Card

For the card I created today I decided to stick with the traditional yellow rain slicker with matching umbrella and rain boots.

To create the variegated coloring on the boy’s clothing I used the lightest color over the whole area to be colored then added each of the other colors beginning with the darkest and ending with the lightest. I used a quick layer of the lightest color over the whole image I was coloring to help blend the colors a bit further.

I used the same techniques with the pants and shirt.

Learning to color skin and hair is a bit of a challenge for me. I can see that I am getting better but it is definitely a work in progress. If you also have difficulty with hair and skin you might want to check out Sandy Allnock’s Coloring the Human Rainbow tutorial or Taylored Expressions’ YouTube post with great skin and hair tutorials. Both artists also have free charts that you can download and practice with. Visit their website (Sandy Allnock) for those very helpful tools. You have have an account at Taylored Expressions to get the free download but it doesn’t cost and is worth the link up for the freebie (Taylored Expressions, click register. After registering, click the Get Inspired Link and click Free Downloads).

I decided to create a bit of weather for my little boy to be jumping around in so I used the die that accompanies the Puddle Jumpers stamp set to create a mask. When I am making a mask I expect to use more than once I like to use Gina K. Designs Masking Magic sheets. Once I have finished using the mask I simply adhere it to the die storage envelope and it is there and waiting for the next time I need it.

I have also recently discovered Post-It Removable Labeling Tape. It is 2 inches wide and makes great masks too. However, be prepared to spend a small fortune if you are going to buy some because it comes in a 36-yard roll. The Post-It tape would probably only be good for one use and, as you can see, my mask has been well used (at least six times) so the Gina K. Designs Masking Magic is an excellent.

Once I adhered my mask I chose three blue Distress Oxide Inks. I began with the lightest color then progressed to the darker colors and finally finished with a quick rub over the entire image with the lightest color to be sure the colors were well blended. I did not remove the mask until the very end of the project.

What fun is a raincoat without rain to accompany it? I used My Favorite Things Rainy Circle die to create another mask using a clear transparency sheet. When the first card was created with this technique I simply cut the mask out of white cardstock, laid it on the card, and used a Taylored Expressions Blender Brush to add the raindrops.

That technique worked fine the first time I did it. However, I wanted to make several identical cards and when I attempted to speed the process up I ended up going off the mask and smeared ink on the face of the card. In thinking of a way to remedy this and to make the process quicker, I remembered that I had a box of transparency sheets and decided to try to create my mask using the clear sheet. Voila! I was able to see directly where I wanted the mask/stencil to be placed. I taped the template down and since the entire card was protected, my raindrops fell exactly where I wanted them with no smears. After removing the homemade stencil I cleaned it with a wet baby wipe and placed it the die envelope and it will be available for use on future cards. This was a valuable experiment and I can see myself using up by transparencies in the future. Add a little Pixie Spray and I think this will revolutionize my stencil and mask-making process.

I added just a few more misty raindrops when I rubbed the Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide Ink onto my palate, spritzed it with water, and then flicked it onto the card front with a paintbrush.

With all fo the rain on the front of the card I decided that a puddle wasn’t absolutely necessary for my little jumper to stomp but I created a very light shadow using a C2 Copic marker. I then removed the Masking Magic mask and adhered it to my die envelope for future use.

I wanted the sentiment to be stamped directly on the card and to eliminate the possibility of an error, I used the Misti Stamping Tool. The Misti allows you to stamp an image once and if the ink isn’t dark enough or even you can simply rein the stamp and press it onto your card a second time for a perfectly aligned second try.

I positioned the next-to-largest A2 Layering die on the card and arranged it to create pleasing borders. Finally, I adhered a few Waffle Flower Clearly Enough dots and adhered the work to a yellow A2 card base using Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Strips.

I originally stamped my image a few weeks ago in preparation for this blog but somehow got a smudge of ink on the card before I started coloring. I figured it wouldn’t hurt and wouldn’t show up but it just kept bothering me so I added an arrow element to hide the smudge. I think it actually added an interesting feature to the card. Mistakes are sometimes friendly like that!

I really love red envelopes for some reason and figured this little Puddle Jumper needed one. I added the ducklings from My Favorite Things Purrfect Friends and put this card in my “ready to send” pile.

I have been trying to post several times throughout the week on my Instagram page and would love for you to stop by to see them (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess) and my Facebook (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess).

Supplies:

I do not receive compensation for listing the items I have used in this post; however, I like for you to be able to easily click links to order any items you might find interesting. When Possible I have included two links in case items are out of stock on one site.

** The MFT stamps and dies used to create this card are currently not available on MFT Stamps but they are available at other retailers.

Copic Color Combinations:

  • Raincoat/Umbrella/Boots – Y00, Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17
  • Pants – B00, B12, B14, B16, B18
  • Shirt – R32, R35, R37
  • Umbrella Handle – C2, C5
  • Boot soles – W4, W6
  • Skin – E11, E21, E51
  • Hair – Y000, Y21, YG 91, E31, E33

I am working on getting the nerve to create a video tutorial to go along with my weekly post. Maybe sometime before summer gets here I will feel confident enough to post one. In the meantime, I think Spring will be in full force next week so I am thinking it’s time for the Easter Bunny to make an appearance on the blog. I would love for you to share this post with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest and hope you will travel to the bottom of this page to subscribe to my blog via email so that you don’t have to miss a single entry. Thanks for stopping by!

“Messing” With Infusions Coloured Stains

Posted on by Lynn Hill

While we were snowed in last week here in Oklahoma I used the time to experiment with some of the unusual items I have in my crafting stash. A while back I bought several bottles of Infusions Coloured Stains by Paper Artsy (a stamping/crafting company based in France) because I saw someone using them and was intrigued.

Of course, like lots of crafty things we buy, when they arrived I couldn’t remember where the exact video was that caused me to want the product in the first place. They have been sitting on my desk for months awaiting my curiosity to cause me to pick them up and give something a try.

Infusions Coloured Stains – By Paper Artsy

These stains are powder form and come in small plastic bottles. They are a water soluble pigment dye mixed with a walnut stain that dissolves as it mixes with any liquid.

To dispense the colors it is recommended that you poke a hole in the cap and sprinkle the amount you want on your paper. The only problem with that is once you poke a hole in the lid the pigment has the opportunity to be a spill risk anywhere and everywhere the bottle sits (or topples). Several sites recommend placing a piece of Scotch tape over the hole but I know that would be a fail for me too.

So far, I have simply used the tap-on-the-side-of-the-bottle method to sprinkle a bit of the powder on the surface I wish to colorize. This keeps my lid intact and I think it will be neater in the long run…At least for me.

Let me warn you, the keyword when using these stains is moderation. A little goes a LONG way. Believe me, I learned that quickly! Oh, and you might want to wear some rubber gloves if you don’t want to be stuck with color drenched fingers for a veritable lifetime.

For these experiments I knew my paper would be getting very wet so I used a few scraps of Stonehenge warm white and Canson cold press watercolor paper (140 lb).

Before I even decided what type of card I might try making, I decided to play with the stains and see what happened when I got them wet. First, I painted a piece of watercolor paper with Matte Mod Podge, sprinkled bits of Are You Cerise stain, then used my flat paintbrush to brush the color into the Mod Podge. I sprinkled some of the Lemoncello stain beside the previous color and blended the two then repeated the same steps with a couple of other colors. This technique created a nice wood grain look.

Four different techniques using Infusions Coloured Stain

The second attempt was created by sprinkling a small amount of two colors (Are you Cerise and Lemoncello) on the paper and then spritzing the paper with water. This method makes it easy to have mirror image copies of the same paper because a second piece of paper is smooshed (a highly technical term) on top of the color sprinkled wet paper.

Lightly sprinkle paper, sprinkle with water, then “smoosh” a second piece of paper on top

Next, I sprinkled Are You Cerise on a piece of paper, spritzed it with water, dried it a bit with a heat tool, and then placed Simon Says Stamp’s In the Round stencil on top. I rubbed the top of the stencil with a paper towel to remove some of the color and was left with a slight coloration/discoloration pattern.

Finally, the piece I love the most was created when I sprinkled a generous amount of pigment onto my paper (Black Knight, Green Man, and Lemoncello). I spritzed it with water galore and then sprinkled a bit more of the pigment on the paper. I then placed Picket Fence’s Current of Fish stencil on top of the very watery paper.

The surface of the stencil was then rubbed with a dry paper towel…And another dry paper towel, repeating until it appeared that most of the water had been squished from beneath the stencil and sopped from the surface. I removed the stencil, lightly blotted the remaining water, and then dried with a heat tool.

Two pieces of paper were made using this technique to see if it could be repeated or if the look was a fluke. Both pieces were similar but very different. I really like the dark, dark colors.

The paper is beautiful but the stencil was a sopping mess! Nothing soap and water can’t fix.

I was satisfied that I had a paper I really liked so I decided to create a card using the “fish” paper. I wanted to keep the colors dark because I felt it created a deep ocean appearance.

I moved the rectangle die around on the paper until I found the perfect cut for my card.

I then began selecting and coloring my card elements. I found a cute set of military stamps from Sweet Stamp Shop on a destash group a few weeks ago and thought the submarine was a perfect fit for my deep ocean theme.

The submarine also set the color scheme for my sentiment which I created using Y17, Y15, Y13, and Y11 Copic markers. I fussy cut the submarine since Sweet Stamp Shop (a now defunct company) did not create dies for their stamps. The yellow submarine not only gave the card a little brightness but it was also the perfect image for a young boy I know that loves the song Yellow Submarine.

I stamped each element using Catherine Pooler’s Twilight Ink and then colored the whale (My Favorite Things Fish You Were Here) using Copic cool grays (C7, C5, C3, and C1) with a final pass over the entire image with B000. Doesn’t every whale need just a touch of blue?

I filled out the card with a small school of fish colored with Copic E71 and adhered water bubbles using Tombow’s Mono Aqua glue with Studio Katia’s clear drops. The fish background was elevated using Scrapbook Adhesives 3D foam strips. I think both cards turned out really cute.

I hope you enjoyed my “messing” around. If you have used Infusions Coloured Stains I would love to look at your samples. Just leave me a message and let me know your Instagram/Facebook/Blog link so I can take a look!

If you would like to see some other cards using my Infusions Coloured Stains paper creations, please visit my Instagram (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess) and my Facebook (@LynnHillIsACraftyMess).

Supplies:

I do not receive compensation for listing the items I have used in this post; however, I like for you to be able to easily click links to order any items you might find interesting. When Possible I have included two links in case items are out of stock on one site.

** MFT Fish You Were Here has been discontinued by My Favorite Things so a link directly to MFT’s website was not available.

Be sure to come back to my blog next week when I hope to invite Spring to arrive with a cute card using one of my favorite My Favorite Things springtime stamps. Better yet, let me remind you to return by clicking the link to subscribe to my blog. You’ll never miss any of my posts since you will receive an email each week when I create new blog entries. Thanks for stopping by!

Faux Watercolor Technique

Posted on by Lynn Hill

In the early days of America, and probably before, farmers used small notebooks to keep track of their crops and the day-to-day activities on their farms. The fact that many farmers didn’t read made the images they drew in their notebooks an important and valuable asset for their homestead. The small drawings of seedlings, pests on the land, and random marks reminded them of what they could expect from year to year. These were some of the early field notes. Of course naturists, scientists, and researchers still use small notebooks to record their observations of whatever they are studying. And, traditional Field Notes have become popular

Taylored Expressions recently aroused a love of Field Notes with a fun kit of card making tools titled just that, Field Notes. Florals are often a favorite of card making enthusiasts but I will have to admit I haven’t been much of a fan because I just can’t seem to make them consistently nice. But this line of stamps intrigued me and once again I decided to give florals a try.

I bought most of the items from the Field Notes (Set 1) line and started out by mimicking a card that was shared on the Fans of TE Facebook page (thanks Teresa Dolan for the outstanding idea). 

Daniel Smith Watercolors

For my first card (the “copy”) I used Daniel Smith Watercolors (cobalt teal blue, spa green, burnt umber, and Aussie red gold) to watercolor the flower. I cut the flower using the Sketchbook Florals die and created a background using the Frayed Edge masking stencil and snippets from the Field Notes sentiment set. I propped the flower up using Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam strips and splashed the project with walnut ink before adhering it to an A2 background and card. And, don’t forget to generate interest in the contents for your recipient by adding a sneak peek of the artwork to the envelope. 

Don’t forget to decorate your envelope with a sneak peek of what is inside!

My second card was also created using Field Notes elements but I decided to use my new favorite and chose a mini slim side-fold card. I enjoyed using watercolors for the first card and decided to switch it up just a bit  but still used a watercolor technique (some call it faux watercolor). I used only two colors to create the flowers (Marvy LePlume II markers in #4 green and #20 magenta). I placed the stamp in my Misti and colored the flower portion of the stamp with magenta ink. After stamping the image onto Stonehenge warm white paper I colored the stamp with green ink covering the stem, leaves, and the center portion of the stem all the way up the stamp. 

Card #2 was created using a Faux Watercolor Technique

For the faux watercolor technique, I used a wet paintbrush to pull the ink from the edges of the image being careful not to mix the green too far onto the buds of the flowers. To highlight the lighter magenta color I began at the top of each bud with the wet paintbrush and pulled the color down to meet the darker magenta that had had been created when the magenta and green had mixed.

I die cut the flowers and then cut my background pieces using patterned paper and the largest of the Petite Scallop Mini Slim Stacklets dies for the base and a rectangle cut from the Stonehenge paper using the Stitched Mini Slim Stacklets. I cut two small tags from the Sketchbook Florals set and stamped the white one with a Sketchbook Florals sentiment.

Field Notes and Sketchbook Florals

I splashed walnut ink on the Stonehenge rectangle and the flowers. After letting them dry I then assembled the card onto a mini slim side-fold base, first attaching the sentiment tags with a very small button brad and finally adding some Stampin’ Up All The Trimmings embellishments to the card.

I have to admit, I have never been a fan of floral cards. That’s partly because I find it difficult to make florals look nice. That all changed with this stamp set and I would highly recommend trying the Field Notes products. Better yet, check out the new Field Notes #2 Kit! (I don’t get any kickback for any of the links that are included on this post, I just like the products and wanted to make it easy for you to check them out and/or buy them too).

Seashells and Sandy Feet – Cape Cod Resilience Fund

Posted on by Lynn Hill

Hi Everyone! Today is my last project for the Cape Cod Resilience Fund. It is a quick and simple post because I just wanted to wrap the week up. If you haven’t read any of my previous posts, the Cape Cod Resilience Fund was created to help small businesses on Cape Cod who are facing financial difficulties because of Covid-19. My friend, Jenn Shurkus, who lives on Cape Cod, created an exclusive set of photopolymer stamps to sell and raise money for the fund. Jenn is donating $10 to CCRF for each set sold and she has already sent out nearly 300 orders…Her donation is nearing the $1,000 mark with the orders she has received. To learn more about the Cape Cod area (15 quaint, small-town communities with beaches and fabulous ocean views) visit Jenn’s site here: https://shurk.us/CCRFj – Reading her post will make you want to visit the area!

Cape Cod Stamp Set ($20 – includes shipping)

Today’s card started out as a plain piece of white cardstock (Neenah Solar White). I used the the Brush Spatter Background stamp by My Favorite Things to create the sand with three colors of Distress Oxide Ink (old paper, gathered twigs, and vintage photo).

I then used a Taylored Expressions blending brush to give the sand a background color (Distress Oxide Ink – old paper, gathered twigs, and scattered straw). I made sure to leave the background very light at the water’s edge so that the sand could extend into the ocean water. I found footprints in Jenn’s stamp set and placed them on the card using Memento tuxedo black dye ink then colored them with a Copic marker (E35).

To create the water I again used a Taylored Expressions blending brush and various shades of blue Distress Oxide ink (tumbled glass, peacock feathers, salty ocean, and blueprint sketch). I really like using Distress Oxide ink because it glides onto the paper and it leaves a smooth feel while it is still fresh. It also blends easily. I finished the card with one of Jenn’s sentiments and this turned out to be one of my favorite cards for the week.

Products used:

I have attached links where you can buy some of the products used in Today’s project. I do happen to be an affiliate of My Favorite Things so if you click to purchase an MFT item from my blog I may receive a small residual. I am not an affiliate with the other companies and receive no money or products in return for your click; but, i wanted to make it easy for you to purchase any items you might have gotten inspiration for on my post.

If this is the first card/project you have seen of mine this week, please scroll down in the blog to my other posts and see all the ways I have used Jenn’s exclusive Cape Cod stamp set. This was a fun week of creating for me. I hope you will forward this post to friends and crafty people you know so that they have the opportunity to learn about this fundraiser for the small businesses of Cape Cod. A percentage of profits for the sale of the stamp will be donated until July 1, 2020, so there is plenty of time to spread the word. And, if you have enjoyed my posts, please scroll to the bottom of this page and click the subscribe button so that you will know when I have new crafty posts.

I hope to see you again soon!

Lobster Bake Invitation – Cape Cod Resilience Fund

Posted on by Lynn Hill

Hi everyone! How many of you miss getting out and being with friends and family? As long as we feel the need to stay in and properly distance ourselves from other people the small businesses in our country will continue to struggle. This week I have been participating in a project that is helping to raise funds to help many of the small businesses on Cape Cod.

Again, why in the world would someone in middle America get involved in such an effort? Well, my friend, Jenn Shurkus, is an avid crafter and artist and lives on Cape Cod. She knows first hand the difficulty small businesses are facing and decided to create stamp set that she could sell to help raise money for the Cape Cod Resilience Fund. Jenn sent me a set of the stamps for free and asked me, in return, to make a few cards or projects to show how the stamp set could be used. I hope the cards I have made this week have at least made you think about purchasing a stamp set or at least forwarding my blog, Instagram, and Facebook posts to some of your friends who enjoy crafting and who might buy a set themselves.

Cape Cod Stamp Set ($20 – includes shipping)

Mister (that’s what I call my husband – unless I call him “Man”, which he thinks is funny and he likes) and I are still pretty much staying home all the time and aren’t getting around people. We visit his mom and she comes to our house because she hasn’t been getting around either. We have found that InstaCart and Shipt have been suitable substitutes for going to the store – and in some cases it is much preferred!

We both have great imaginations so we decided to host a big backyard party full of friends, family, and fun – all in our heads. Today’s project is an invitation to our imaginary party and one of the favors our guests will take home with them after getting their fill of buttery lobster, corn, and hush puppies – throw in some pink lemonade pie and our party could be something people will talk about all summer – especially since I gag at even the thought of eating any kind of fish!

I created the invitations for the “party” using my Silhouette and a few pieces of cardstock. It was simple to cut a few circles of black, red, and white cardstock and use my Jelly Roll pens to write the invitation details (with my Silhouette sketch function, of course). After the invitation pieces were cut I placed two lobsters (the small lobster from Jenn’s set) facing each other to give the invite a little bit of eye candy.

Of course those invitations also would need to be sent out so I created an envelope using my We R Memory Keepers 123 Punch Board (they have a new All-in-One tool that will make envelopes too). I wanted the recipient to know they were getting “fun” mail when it arrived so I stamped an Adirondack chair and a small sentiment (from Jenn’s Cape Cod stamp set) on the outside of the envelope.

The favor boxes were created using the Essentials By Ellen Two-In-One Box die set. I began by stamping two pieces of 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 cardstock with a random pattern using the large lobster stamp in the Cape Cod stamp set. I then used the die to cut the box pieces.

When I am making boxes or any other type of container I generally try to use American Crafts Sticky Thumb Red Line Tape because it will permanently bond just about anything. It is really sticky and double sided so the folds in a box will not come apart when it is filled with goodies. When folding the box pieces it is a good idea to use a bone folder to get the folds nice and crisp, especially on the lid because it won’t stay closed without a good stable fold.

The sentiment on the front of the box was created using the tag from the Two-in-One box die set as was the tag on the top of the favor box. The sentiment on the box is part of Sunny Studio’s Best Fishes stamp set and the lobster came from Jenn’s stamps. For the tag on top of the favor box I typed the sentiment onto cardstock and cut the shapes using my Big Shot.

I filled each box with a few Swedish Fish and tied them up with red baker’s twine. One would think that we would open the boxes and nibble the candies while we were watching Jaws on Netflix – Ohhh, big Saturday night party. However, I am thinking the favor boxes will go in the mail to my daughter and son-in-law who enjoy the candies – and neither my husband or I do.

Tomorrow I will have a quick recap of the week’s posts along with one last card from Jenn’s exclusive Cape Cod stamp set. If you have enjoyed these posts at all, I would love for you to join my email list so that you can be informed each time I publish a new post. Don’t forget that $10 of the purchase price of Jenn’s stamp set (between now and July 1, 2020) will be donated to the Cape Cod Resilience Fund. To learn more about Jenn’s endeavors you can visit her website here: https://shurk.us/CCRF.

Products used:

I have attached links where you can buy some of the products used in today’s projects. I am not an affiliate of any of the companies represented and I do not receive product or funding for any of your clicks, it is just an easy way for you to purchase any items you see and like.

To subscribe to my blog scroll down to the bottom of the page and click subscribe. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram using links at the bottom of the scroll. I hope to see you again tomorrow!