Trends Challenge - Using Dies or Punches

Hi!
I'm back with another Trends Challenge!

I used the simply amazing Dies that are now available from SP & Company! This set is called Certified Awesome and I used the coordinating stamps from the Certified Awesome and Certified Awesome Additions sets.

Die cutting makes my life sooooo much easier and I simply love it! With die cuts, my projects look so clean and professional.  Oh, and it saves me so much time!

I also used two of the new SP Premium (Chalk) Inks! I am not kidding when I say I am in love with these ink pads! I used Ocean Waves and Clownfish for this project.  The inks coordinate perfect with the other "SP in Color" items, like the buttons that are available now.


To create this card, I stamped everything first, then die cut using my Cuttlebug.  I sprayed the base of the card and used a heat gun to dry it quickly.  I added the die cut with foam adhesive and some bling for that extra pop.

I hope you'll play along with the Trends Challenge for a chance to win $25 to the SP & Company store!

Stamps, Chalk Ink, Dies: SP & Company store
Additional ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Spray: Studio Calico
Bling: Hero Arts

SP Trends Challenge #7

Hi!

I have another SP & Company Trends Challenge project for you! This time around, the challenge is to use Banners and Flags.

I used papers from the Carta Bella Collection True Friends.  The boots are from the Rain Boots set and the banner is from Certified Awesome Additions (and I used the matching Die Tool).

I snuck in a little vellum flower and some wood veneer triangles to finish everything off.


I hope you'll play along with us - check out the Scrapmaster's Blog for all of the details.

Stamps and Die Tool: SP & Company
Paper: Carta Bella
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Markers: Spectrum Noir
Wood: Studio Calico
Square Punch (to create banners): EK Success

Custom Sunburst

Hi!
I have a CAS card I created using my scoreboard, SP & Company stamps and some sequins.  How about that sunburst background:? That was created with my scoreboard.  I just pushed a paper piercer through the card stock and held it in place on my scoreboard while I rotated the paper slightly.  I scored multiple lines.  The piercer acted as my vanishing point so all of the lines were meeting at one point.

I love the Certified Awesome, Certified Awesome Additions and coordinating dies.  These sets are so versatile.  I can use them together with the various banners or separate, just using the sentiments.


Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamps: SP & Company
Dies: SP & Company
Ink: Memento
Papers: Carta Bella (True Friends)
Other: Martha Stewart Scoreboard
Sequins: Making Memories

SP Trends Challenge #6

Hi!
We have another Trends Challenge today and this time we are using a trendy color combination!

For my card, I chose to use a negative die cut.  I am sooooo in love with the new SP & Company dies.  For this card, I used the Certified Awesome Die Tool Set.

I just had to share this picture I took while making the card.  How fantastic is it that not only do the stamps just align with each other perfectly when you do the multiple-step stamping, but look at those die cuts! They are just aligned perfectly.

I stamped the circles and outline from the Certified Awesome set and then colored in the banner with markers.  The "sweet" is from the Certified Awesome Additions set.  I just love having multiple sets that work so well together.

I hope you'll join us and play along! You can find all of the details on The Scrapmaster's Blog!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: SP & Company
Ink: Memento, VersaMagic
Papers: October Afternoon,
Washi: Queen & Co
Sequins: Making Memories
Markers: Spectrum Noir

SP Online Crop - Matching Envelopes

Hi!
Have you been enjoying the online crop so far? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you are missing out!!! There is an online crop going on this weekend! Go to the SP & Company Facebook page to find out more.  It's been a ton of fun so far!!!

I want to share a little tip that makes a handmade card even better! I love to add a few simple touches to envelopes so they match the card I'm giving.  I generally use pre-made envelopes, but if I have made a card in a custom size, I just create my own envelope to go along with the card using either a scoreboard or an envelope maker.

On most scoreboards and envelope makers, they have sizes listed on them that help you create the correct envelope size.

The card I created was 3.5 x 6, so I had to cut a sheet of 8 x 8 stock and score at 3 1/8.

I wanted only the "Thank You" from the Certified Awesome Additions (available at Midnight TONIGHT) and not the rest of the sentiment, so I used a Post It to mask off what I didn't want.

I adhered the two side flaps of the envelope, on the bottom side with permanent adhesive.  For the top, I use removable adhesive so people can open the envelope without ripping it!

Here is the finished card and envelope together:

The card was created using Certified Awesome, Certified Awesome Additions and paper from one of the SP Kits.  The heart and circle on the envelope flap was from Tiny Build A Banner.  The card is very simple, but creates interest becuase it's a different size AND it has a nice, matching envelope.

The only thing you have to think about is Postal Regulations.  If you aren't mailing the card, you can go nuts with the envelope and bling it up as much as you want.  But if it getting mailed, remember things can rip off and tear, so try to keep it as flat and simple as possible!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of the crop! To see all of the projects, you can check out The Scrapmaster's Blog!

Stamps: SP & Company
Ink: Memento
Bling: Making Memories
Stock: Neenah
Ribbon: American Crafts

SP & Company Crop - Resist Embossing

Hi!
Welcome to the SP & Company online crop! I hope you are having a good time! I want to share a technique that I use pretty frequently called resist embossing.  It's very easy to do and gives you a very cool effect on your projects.

You will need:
Versamark ink (or another slow drying ink)
Embossing powder
Heat Gun
Stamps
Distress ink or markers or watercolors

In my first shot, you can see that I'm using this little chalker.  This, by no means is a required tool! But if you use it and tap is gently on the paper before you emboss, you will end up with a cleaner embossed image and less extra little flakes left behind.

After I've chalked up my paper, I stamped my image in VersaMark.  You don't have to use VersaMark (also known as watermark ink), but you will have to use a slow drying ink so the embossing powder has something to adhere to.  This dress form stamp is from the Sewing Chic set.

I use a coffee filter to protect my area from the white embossing powder.  I do have a catch tray, but this is easier to dump back into the container.

I gently flick the paper with my fingers to remove the excess powder.  You can also use a paintbrush to remove and other extra powder.  Then I use my heat gun to emboss the powder.

I broke out my distress inks and I stamped onto a small acrylic block.

By using a paintbrush with the distress ink and a little water, you can see what I created below:

I just brushed over the image.  Since it is embossed, it will resist the ink (hence the name of the technique)! You don't have to use distress ink and water, either.  You can use regular inks, paints and even markers (I just water them down a little bit)!

Here is the finished card:

I added some sequins and a sentiment from the new set that comes out on March 10th called Certified Awesome Additions.

For my next project, I also used the same technique, but this time I used a colored embossing powder instead of white and I just rubbed ink onto the card instead of using a paintbrush.

I used Chevron Chase Background for this card.

I just took my little sponge tool and rubbed the ink over the top of the card, using more at the top and less as I went down to create a slight ombre effect.  I also used a paper towel when I was done to wipe off the excess ink.  This makes the yellow embossed design pop a little more!

Here is the finished card.  I combined Certified Awesome with Certified Awesome Additions.

I also sprayed the card base with some mist, just to create some extra interest.

I hope you will give this technique a try! We have different techniques and projects happening today and tomorrow (with Sunday to work on them all), so make sure to check out the SP & Company Facebook page and the BLOG for all of the details and inspiration!!!

Stamps: SP & Company
Embossing Powder: Ranger, Zing
Spray: Studio Calico
Inks: VersaMark, Memento, VersaMagic, Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Sequins: Making Memories