Janette Kausen

Creative Bliss

Janette Kausen

Creative Bliss

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Showing posts in category: Birthday
Hooray for Die Cuts!

Hooray for Die Cuts!

Apr 21, 2018 | 1 comment

Hooray for die cuts and the Small Die of the Month Club at Spellbinders! This month features theses little floral shapes and stems. So cute. Pair those up with a adorbs printed paper pad and we’ve got us a quick and easy card!

Every girl loves a quickie now and again, and this one is just as charming as it could be! I choose a few sheets from the On Trend 2 paper pad and ran all this month’s die through the Platinum 6 die cutting machine at one time (per sheet). I then mixed and matched and layered them up. After stamping Hooray in Extreme Black ink, I adhered the flowers to the card. I popped up a few with foam dots. Super fun, super fast, and those little pops of gold in the paper are everything!

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today. Have yourself and amazing weekend!

xo, Janette

Project Supplies

I’ll always do my best to link you to shops with products in stock. As you know, inventory levels are always fluctuating and therefore may not be available. Please use the retailer notification buttons to let them know you want more!

Small Die of the Month Membership
[ SPL ]
Hooray Stamp Set
[ C&9 | BRI | ELH | SBC | SSS ]
My Minds Eye OT2013 On Trend 2 Paper...
[ AMZUS ]
Extreme Black Hybrid Ink Pad - My...
[ MFT | SSS ]
Platinum 6 Die Cutting and Embossing...
[ SPL | SBC | SSS ]

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Hero Arts April 2018 My Monthly Hero Hop (+Giveaway)

Hero Arts April 2018 My Monthly Hero Hop (+Giveaway)

Apr 2, 2018 | 75 comments

A*rrrr*iba! Ay-yai-yai-ha-ha! It’s the first Monday of the month and that brings another fabulous Hero Arts My Monthly Hero hop. This month’s kit is celebrating all things fiesta inspired. If this card kit doesn’t bring a smile to your face with summer party fantasies I don’t know what will! I cannot get over the taco dog from the It’s Fiesta Time add-on. Bow-Chicka-Huahua!

Kit availability and shipping: The kit is available for a limited time only – once it’s gone, it’s gone. Kits begin shipping from Hero Arts on Friday, April 6th. Subscribe to receive the kit monthly and never miss one!

Kit contents: 

6″ x 8″ Clear Stamp Set
20 Coordinating Frame Cuts Dies
1 Ornate Floral Border Die
3 Reactive Ink Cubes (Fiesta Red, Fiesta Teal, Fiesta Yellow)
3 6″ x 18″ Sheets Unryu Paper (Assorted Colors)

The value of the kit is $74, but it is sold at $34.99.

If you’d like to find out more about subscribing to the My Monthly Hero kit, where you are sure to never miss out, click here.

April MMH Add-Ons

My Monthly Hero Kit APRIL 2018
[ HA ]
Blanket Patter Bold Prints
[ HA ]
Purple Liquid Watercolor
[ HA ]
Papel Picado Confetti Die
[ HA ]
Decorative Edge Fancy Die
[ HA ]
Fiesta Fringe Fancy Die
[ HA ]
Cinco de Meow Frame Cuts
[ HA ]
Paper Layering Piñata
[ HA ]
Shake Your Bones Frame Cuts
[ HA ]
It's Fiesta Time Frame Cuts
[ HA ]
Cinco de Meow
[ HA ]
Shake Your Bones
[ HA ]
It's Fiesta Time
[ HA ]
Get Them All April Add-Ons
[ HA ]

Creating my own floral swags and borders kind of feels like placing that last piece of a puzzle, so satisfying. I created this corner arrangement by stamping the banner (kit) on Neenah 80# cardstock with Intense Black ink. I then masked the banner and began stamping flowers (kit). Now, there is precise masking and then there is what I did…. I just tore my Full Stick Post It in pieces and covered the areas that I needed to. I was not about to fussy cut all those flowers. Crafting can be time consuming, but it certainly doesn’t have to be. I finished off the swag with Copic markers and Clear Ultra Fine embossed the Blanket Pattern Bold Prints (add-on) on Blush Mix Layering paper.

Señor and Señorita mouse (kit) haven’t quite found a home yet, but I wanted to show them to you anyhow. I can’t decide if I want to adhere them near the interior sentiment or if they deserve a card all their own. Or better yet, both!

Find a full list of project supplies HERE.

Okay, so this is my favorite add-on of the release! I am obsessed with this chihuahua. I combined a few elements from both It’s Fiesta Time (add-on) and Cinco de Meow (add-on) to come up with this boozy inspired card. Hot sauce bottles can be beer too, right?

I captured the texture of a tortilla shell by coloring with Copic markers, dampening a terrycloth towel with isopropyl alcohol and pressing it to the shell. Just press and lift for the amount of time it takes for you to say each step – press it and then lift it. It’s that easy. After adding the texture I colored the remaining image. Taco ’bout awesome!

You can find a full list of project supplies HERE.

I’m loving the pink and black color scheme as of late. This card was created with the cake and sentiments from the kit. The black and white strip between the sentiments is the Blanket Pattern Bold Prints and the background cover plate die is the Paper Picado Confetti die.

I adhered the black confetti die cut over the top of a Smooth Bristol panel that I watercolored with Arteza markers. The cake is stamped in Intense Black and colored with Copics. I iced the cake with clear Wink of Stella and a Crystal Clear Lacquer Pen.

You can find a full list of project supplies HERE.

This card was created with the main kit. Yep, that floral frame die, it’s included! This card was featured a few days ago over on a Hero Arts Countdown to Creativity blog post. If you missed it, you can find all the details HERE.

This card would have been even more awesome had I used the new Reactive Fiesta Inks that are also included in the kit! I didn’t quite have my hands on them at the time, but oh boy, when I do… Ay, Chihuahua!

You can find a full list of project supplies HERE.

Blog Hop

Giveaway: We are giving away one kit as a prize to one blog reader – selected from the comments across all of the blogs in the hop. (The winner will be reimbursed if they have already bought the kit) Giveaway closes Sunday, April 8th at 11:59pm, and the winner will be announced the following week.

Thank you so much for popping in for a visit today. I’m off to get crafting. I hope you can too! I’ll see you soon!

xo, Janette

The Hero Arts Blog
Laurie Willison
Yana Smakula
Janette Kausen <— You Are Here
Nichol Spohr
Ilina Crouse
Kathy Racoosin
Clare Prezzia
Lydia Fiedler
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Kelly Latevola
Jana Millen
Amy Tsuruta
Emily Midgett
May Park
Libby Hickson

Project Supplies

I’ll always do my best to link you to shops with products in stock. As you know, inventory levels are always fluctuating and therefor may not be available. Please use the retailer notification buttons to let them know you want more!

My Monthly Hero Kit APRIL 2018
[ HA ]
Blanket Patter Bold Prints
[ HA ]
Papel Picado Confetti Die
[ HA ]
It's Fiesta Time
[ HA ]
Cinco de Meow
[ HA ]
Intense Black Hybrid Ink
[ HA ]
Strawberry Bold Ink
[ HA ]
Moss Bold Ink
[ HA ]
Ultra Fine Clear Embossing Powder
[ HA ]
White Detail Embossing Powder
[ HA ]
Crystal Clear Lacquer Pen
[ HA ]
Wink of Stella Brush Tip Marker Clear
[ BRI | ELH | SBC | SSS ]
Copic Sketch Markers - Carpe Diem...
[ CRP ]
Blush Mix Layering Papers (12)
[ HA ]
Arteza Real Brush Pens - 24-Colors -...
[ AMZUS | SSS ]
Arteza Real Brush Pens - 48-Colors -...
[ AMZUS | SSS ]
Arteza Real Brush Pens, 96 Paint...
[ AMZUS ]
Koh-I-Noor Bristol Smooth Bright...
[ AMZUS | SSS ]
Post-it Super Sticky Full Adhesive...
[ AMZUS ]

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Earth Movers

Earth Movers

Mar 26, 2018 | 5 comments

I have to admit how near and dear this card is to my heart. I made it for a little boy, but I’m thinking I might just have to hang on to it and send it to my pop. For what seemed like a billion years to this little girl, my dad work at a rock quarry driving heavy equipment like backhoes, loaders and excavators. By heavy equipment, I mean huge heavy equipment. I could easily stand inside the rim of a wheel  and looked like a pebble in the bucket.

These earth movers tractor dies from Spellbinders brought so many memories flooding back. Of course they had to be yellow, because that is exactly how I remember them.

I created the die cut from Bristol Smooth paper that I Arteza watercolored. I could have used just CAT yellow cardstock, but because the card was going to be rather simple, I chose to use the Arteza to offer texture and movement within the color.

Spellbinders dies have a ton of detail. These Die D-Lites are no exception. I sent them in one pass though my Platinum 6 die cutting machine to cut the shapes. With this first pass the embossing begins to show. To really make the embossing pop, pass through the Platinum 6 a second time with the embossing mat set up.

I then stamped Hero Arts Birthday Balloons on Bristol Smooth paper and watercolored them red with the Arteza markers. These balloons were colored with 1 red marker, and that’s it. I began with the color in the darkest areas and then blended out with water to provide the shading. Sure you could purchase the 96 set, but the pack of 24 markers might do you just as well.

I layered the backhoe on black and wrapped black thread around the arm of the bucket. I splattered the background with watered down black acrylic paint and adhered the die cut in place. I heat embossed a sentiment and cut a mat of red and yellow on the diagonal, piecing them together. I filled the window with clear Wink of Stella and the Hero Arts Crystal Clear Lacquer pen for a glass effect.

With a house full of girls I don’t often need cards for little boys. So glad to have this set of dies in my stash! See you soon!

xo, Janette

Project Supplies

I’ll always do my best to link you to shops with products in stock. As you know, inventory levels are always fluctuating and therefor may not be available. Please use the retailer notification buttons to let them know you want more!

Die D-Lites Tractors Etched Dies
[ SPL ]
H6149 Birthday Balloons | Hero Arts
[ HA ]
C6222 Handwritten Happy Birthday |...
[ HA ]
Crystal Clear Lacquer Pen
[ HA ]
Wink of Stella Brush Tip Marker Clear
[ BRI | ELH | SBC | SSS ]
Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint 4-oz...
[ AMZUS ]
Arteza WATERCOLOR REAL BRUSH PENS Set...
[ SSS ]
Arteza Real Brush Pens - 48-Colors -...
[ AMZUS | SSS ]
Arteza Real Brush Pens, 96 Paint...
[ AMZUS ]
Koh-I-Noor Bristol Smooth Bright...
[ AMZUS | SSS ]
Heavy Base Weight Card Stock- Black Onyx
[ GNK ]
Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100#...
[ SSS ]
Heavyweight Card Stock Wild Cherry
[ MFT ]
Versamark Watermark Ink Pad
[ HA ]
White Detail Embossing Powder
[ HA ]
Platinum 6 Die Cutting and Embossing...
[ SPL ]

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Making Waves with Close To My Heart

Making Waves with Close To My Heart

Mar 24, 2018 | 4 comments

I got a little carried away with Making Waves by Close To My Heart. I’m not sorry about it one bit. This stamp and Thin Cuts set has the cutest sea critters and best sentiments. I used four of my favorites today, but I have to admit it was hard to choose the best. What started out as the intent for one card ended up with four because I. Could. Not. Stop!

During the month of March current and retired individual Thin Cut die sets are on sale at 25% off. Select bundled sets are 30% off!

Arteza markers are superb for creating these watery – dreamy backgrounds. In all truth, people seem to overcomplicate making backgrounds like these. Don’t be intimidated! It really is just scribbling color with the Arteza on Bristol paper and then dropping clean clear water over the top. Loosen the colors a touch with the brush if you like, or if you just leave it be the colors will move on their own. Allowing this to dry on its own provides the best results. Harsh edges are created by a significant amount of color near the edge of the puddle. For a soft blended out look, add clean clear water away from the color. Bring the water toward the color just kissing the two wet edges together. Once completely dry I sprinkled on a few more clean clear water droplets for added interest.

The whale in Close To My Heart Heather ink and the water spout in Hero Arts Deep Ocean. I only have 8 or so CTMH inks and clearly I need the rest of the set. They really are awesome. More on that in a few… Striped paper is MFT.

The background here was created in the same fashion, only more color, less water. I also added splatters of an Arteza marker that matched the CTMH octopus ink color.  The sparkle is a mix of Pearl Ex Interference Blue micro pigment powder with water splattered and once dry misted with Blick Matte Fixative. Water isn’t enough to keep this powder in place, but a light mist of fixative does the trick (the matte does not take the shimmer away).

Eggplant CTMH ink along with a red sparkly At You Spica pen coated with a Hot Pink Gelly Roll pen. Stripe is Hero Arts Intense Black ink with The Ton Stamps Minor Stripes.

Again, same idea for the background. Notice though that the yellow and blue don’t really blend to make green, they just meet. To achieve this look scribble each color on the Bristol paper without touching. Wet the colors separately. Then just barely kiss the wet edges together being careful to not brush and blend. The colors will push into each other rather than blending to form green. If you look closely it appears that the yellow is stronger than the blue. The yellow has pushed into the blue areas, but not the reverse. The blue was more dilute than the yellow. The color with more pigment usually prevails.

Pomegranate CTMH ink for the Crab. The two tone sentiment was created with Tombow Dual Tip Brush Markers. I just colored Pinch with red and the rest of the text with black. I colored and stamped a few times with my Misti for a crisp image. Striped paper is by MFT.

The final card is the most simple of all. Just one Arteza color and one ink color. This one is Hero Arts Intense Black. And only because I don’t have black in Close To My Heart.

CTMH inks are pretty darn clever. The pads are slightly larger than the norm. The stamp crisp, clear and solid. The coolest thing ever though is their magnetic properties. The lid attaches to the base magnetically. It comes off and goes on so easily! No struggling with these. No inky fingers trying to get that lid off. No lids popping off accidentally. That same magnetic property also allows these inks to stack and stay in place. I don’t even keep them in an organizer unit. I keep them stacked on top of one because they stay so nice and neat. Not one is out of place or catywhompas in the least. Impressive!

I do not “need” any more inks. That won’t be stopping me from collecting the rest of these. I suffer from Full Set Syndrome, and sometimes I kinda like it. Half of the fun of crafting is collecting!

If you give a technique I’ve demoed a go, I’d love to see it. Please share with me by email or even better, on Instagram!

xo, Janette

Project Supplies

I’ll always do my best to link you to shops with products in stock. As you know, inventory levels are always fluctuating and therefor may not be available. Please use the retailer notification buttons to let them know you want more!

Make Waves Cardmaking Stamp + Thin...
[ CMTH ]
Pomegranate Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad...
[ CMTH ]
Eggplant Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad...
[ CMTH ]
Heather Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad...
[ CMTH ]
Intense Black Hybrid Ink
[ HA ]
AF340 Deep Ocean Bold Ink | Hero Arts
[ HA ]
Arteza Real Brush Pens - 24-Colors -...
[ AMZUS | SSS ]
Arteza Real Brush Pens - 48-Colors -...
[ AMZUS | SSS ]
Arteza Real Brush Pens, 96 Paint...
[ AMZUS ]
Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers,96...
[ AMZUS ]
Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pens...
[ AMZUS | BLIC | SSS | SSS ]
Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight 06 Pen,...
[ AMZUS ]
Jacquard Products Jacquard Pearl Ex...
[ AMZUS ]
Blick Matte Fixative
[ BLIC ]
Koh-I-Noor Bristol Smooth Bright...
[ AMZUS | SSS ]
Black & White Stripes Paper Pack
[ BRI | ELH | SSS ]
Minor Stripes Cling Background – The Ton
[ TON ]
Tsukineko VersaMark Watermark Stamp...
[ AMZUS | SBC ]
White Detail Embossing Powder
[ HA ]
Original Misti
[ HA | ELH | SSS ]

Read more
Video: Spellbinders Blog Hop (+ Giveaway)

Video: Spellbinders Blog Hop (+ Giveaway)

Mar 14, 2018 | 100 comments

Alcohol ink. I’m obsessed. It is good to know I’m not alone. It tends to be experiencing a resurgence in popularity across papercrafters and fine artists. I could’t wait to pair the inks with Spellbinders Shapeabilites dies from the Good Vibes Only by Stephanie Low line. Ah-mazing! Whoot, whoot – I’ve created a video tutorial for you, as well!

Shapeabilites are etched dies that are available in thousands of various shapes for that perfect papercrafting project. They will cut single sheets of cardstock, vellum or other thin materials into beautifully detailed designs in a instant. My favorite machine to use them with is the Spellbinders Platinum 6 die cutting machine. It is a manual crank machine and makes partial die cutting, embossing and other fun techniques a breeze.

Giveaways: Spellbinders is giving away a $50 gift certificate to a commentor on their blog and a $25 gift certificate to a commenter from this blog. Hop along to see if you can find any more! Giveaway details can be found near the bottom of the post with full blog hop list.

If you’re having any issues viewing this video, please try watching it HERE in HD on YouTube.

The Spellbinders Flowers Whisper is a set of 2 dies. I used the background die to cut the shape out of standard weight white inked Yupo paper (heavy weight does not die cut well). The detailed outline was cut from 80# Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock. I assembled the layers together onto a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ card panel that I had stamped with sentiments from The Ton Stamps Scripty Sayings (retired set). I finished the card with a sentiment strip from Simon Says Stamp Thankful Heart stamp set.

The video tutorial above includes the complete play by play, including how I added the Nuvo Radiant Gold Gilding Flakes with Tombow Mono Multi liquid adhesive.

See full project supply list HERE.

The Spellbinders Feathers in the Wind and Heart Like a Wildflower dies make an awesome duo. The sharpness of the feathers are a pretty amazing juxtaposition to the roundness of the Wildflowers. I die cut a few more pieces from the inked Yupo paper (I still have half a sheet left, yay!) and combined them with a gold glittery cardstock. I’m loving the result. Feathers are hot this season and this set is striking! I applied the die cuts to an 80# Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock panel and adhered that to a Blush Mix Prefolded card base from Hero Arts. The bases are colored o the outside with white in the middle. Perfect for an extra pop of color on card, and prefolded, yes please!! Sentiment and sequins are from The Ton Stamps.

For a detailed how to, I’ve got a video tutorial for you!

See full project supply list HERE.

BONUS PROJECT:

I just could not put this set down. For this gorgeous bloom I paired the Spellbinders Flowers Whisper with the Platinum 6 die cutting and embossing machine and Copic markers. The Platinum 6 dry embosses like a dream! I ran the outline die through with 80# Neenah Solar White Cardstock and then used the embossed lines as a guide to color flick style. I think it turned out pretty fabulous and I love how you can see each level of color. Blending is beautiful, but the is something a little magical about seeing each stroke of the marker. I have to admit though, I thought it looked a hot mess before I applied a black cardstock outline on top of the completed coloring. I finished the card of on a prefolded Hero Arts card base, a sentiment from The Ton Stamps Coming Up Daises and added a few Grey Mist Nuvo Drops. The grey is translucent but offers just enough color to really make an impression.

This card is not included in the video tutorial, but if you are interested, let me know and I can certainly pull one together!

See full project supply list HERE.

Blog Hop

Giveaway #1: To celebrate this release, Spellbinders is giving away a $50 gift certificate to a lucky winner. Please leave a comment on Spellbinders blog by Sunday, March 18th at 11:59pm EDT for a chance to win. The winner will be announced in the blog hop post on Spellbinders blog the following day. Winner is responsible for shipping cost, duties and taxes.

Giveaway #2: Spellbinder’s is also giving away a $25 gift certificate to a commenter on this blog. Leave a comment below by Sunday, March 18th at 11:59pm EDT for a chance to win. The winner will be announced here the following day. Winner is responsible for shipping cost, duties and taxes.

Thank you so much for hopping along today. Carry on!

xo, Janette

Spellbinders
Kristina Werner
Yana Smakula
Zsoka Marko
Elena Salo
Melania Deasy
Tammy Tutterow
Wanda Guess
Sharyn Johnson Sowell
Emily Midgett
Melissa Phillips
Susie Lessard
Erum Tasneem
Keeway Tsao
Cynde Whitlow
Janette Kausen <— You Are Here
Laurie Willison
Rubeena Ianigro
Virginia Lu
Tiffany Solorio
Olga Direktorenko

Project Supplies

I’ll always do my best to link you to shops with products in stock. As you know, inventory levels are always fluctuating and therefor may not be available. Please use the retailer notification buttons to let them know you want more!

Shapeabilities Flowers Whisper Etched...
[ SPL | SBC ]
Shapeabilities Feathers in the Wind...
[ SPL | SBC ]
Shapeabilities Heart like a...
[ SPL | SBC ]
Platinum 6 Die Cutting and Embossing...
[ SPL | SBC ]
Simon Says Clear Stamps THANKFUL...
[ SSS ]
Coming Up Daisies – The Ton
[ TON ]
Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Inks...
[ AMZUS | ELH ]
Ranger Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol...
[ ELH | SSS ]
Jacquard Products Pinata Color...
[ AMZUS ]
Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink, Flamingo
[ ELH | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker R43, Bougainvillea
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker RV42, Salmon Pink
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker RV25, Dog Rose...
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker RV29, Crimson
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker RV69, Peony
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker YG01, Green Bice
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker YG05, Salad
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker YG97, Spanish Olive
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker G29, Pine Tree Green
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
Yupo Paper Yupo Paper 5-inch x 7-inch...
[ AMZUS | ELH ]
Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Yupo,...
[ ELH | SBC | SSS ]
Heavy Base Weight Card Stock- Black Onyx
[ GNK ]
Tonic GOLD DUST A4 Glitter Cardstock...
[ SSS ]
Neenah Classic Crest 80 LB REAM...
[ SSS ]
Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Heavyweight,...
[ ELH ]
Neenah Classic Crest 80 LB SMOOTH...
[ SSS ]
Gilding Flakes Radiant Gold
[ BRI | ELH | SSS | SBC ]
Intense Black Hybrid Ink
[ HA | ELH | SSS | SBC ]
VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad- 1 pcs...
[ AMZUS | BRI | HA | ELH ]
White Detail Embossing Powder
[ HA | SBC ]
Champagne Sequin Mix
[ HA ]
Glossy Black Sequins - 10, 8, 6, 4mm,...
[ TON ]
Nuvo Jewel Drops Grey Mist
[ BRI | ELH | SBC | SSS ]
Jacquard Lumiere Exciter Pack .5oz 9/Pkg
[ AMZUS ]
PS568 Blush Mix Folded Cards (12) |...
[ HA ]
Tombow Power Tabs, Clear, 48-Pieces
[ AMZUS | SBC ]
Original MISTI Tool
[ BRI | ELH | HA | SSS ]
Connect Glue- 2 oz
[ GNK | SSS ]
Ranger Multi Medium Bottle,...
[ AMZUS | ELH | SSS ]
Tombow - Mono Multi Liquid Glue, 0.88...
[ AMZUS | BLIC | ELH | SSS ]
Acme C8735532 Junior T-Square Drawing...
[ AMZUS ]
Uchida of America 91GR Double Ended...
[ AMZUS | ELH | SSS ]
Tim Holtz Retractable Craft Pick
[ BRI | ELH | SSS ]
WAGNER HT 400 650-Degree Heat Gun
[ AMZUS | ELH | HA | SBC | SSS ]
Copic Air-Brushing System STARTING...
[ SSS ]
Sparmax Airbrush Compressor, TC-501N...
[ ELH ]
Inkadinkado Embossing Magic
[ AMZUS | ELH | SSS ]

Read more
Color Layering Elephants

Color Layering Elephants

Mar 7, 2018 | 3 comments

Today, I am featuring the Hero Arts Color Layering Elephants (bundle here). Two of my favorite sentiments from the set include “I never forget a birthday” and “I remembered your birthday.” “Hello” is included as well, making this a versatile stamp set all on its own.

Color layering stamps are a great way to achieve depth and dimension without really having to work for it. Shading and detail have never been so easy! If you are a more advanced colorist, take the plunge and forgo the layering and just use the outline of mom (or dad) and baby. A no-line effect could be really fun by only using the middle shading layer… hmmm… my mind is running away with ideas for this set!

For this card I opted to begin with the background. I masked the bottom of the A2 Snow Layering panel and airbrushed the exposed area with Copic markers in R35, RV17 and Y17. I allowed the lower left area to fade to white for a smooth transition.

Next, I stamped the elephant outlines with my Misti in Charcoal ink. I then lined up the subsequent layers and stamped them in Soft Granite for the shadow and metallic Silver for the full body base color. Some crafters like to layer light to dark. I prefer the outline first, no matter what shade it is. Good news is, you get to do whatever works for you!

When color layering, be sure to allow each color to dry before stamping the next. The colors may blur and the edges feather a smidge without dry time. It likely won’t ruin your design, but it won’t be as crisp as it could be.

I stamped the balloons in Copic friendly Intense Black ink and colored with Copic in R43, R35 and R39. I added an additional highlight with a white Signo Uniball pen.

I fussy cut the elephants and balloons, though dies are now available. I adhered an Intense Black Candy Stripe Bold Print strip and stamped the sentiment below. I then adhered the fussy cut elements. I drew in the balloon strings and enhanced the eyes with a black gelly roll pen. I adhered the completed panel to a Snow Pre-Folded A2 card base. I packaged it with a matching envelope so it is ready to grab and go when I need it!

I think it turned out mighty charming, if I do say so myself!

A linked supply list can be found HERE. Affiliate links are used where possible at no cost to you. I appreciate your support!

That is all from me today. I hope you’ve been inspired to enjoy a little craft time of your own. See you soon!

xo, Janette

Project Supplies

I’ll always do my best to link you to shops with products in stock. As you know, inventory levels are always fluctuating and therefor may not be available. Please use the retailer notification buttons to let them know you want more!

Color Layering Elephant Bundle
[ HA ]
Color Layering Elephant
[ HA ]
Color Layering Elephants Frame Cuts
[ HA ]
Candy Stripe Bold Prints
[ HA ]
Intense Black Hybrid Ink
[ HA ]
Charcoal Mid-Tone Shadow Ink
[ HA ]
Silver Shadow Ink
[ HA ]
Soft Granite Shadow Ink
[ HA ]
COPIC Sketch Marker R43, Bougainvillea
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker R35, Coral
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker RV17, Deep Magenta
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker R39, Garnet
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
COPIC Sketch Marker Y17, Golden Yellow
[ ELH | AMZUS | SSS ]
Judikins 15.2-Centimeter by 10-Meter...
[ AMZUS | SSS ]
Uni-ball Signo Broad Um-153 Gel Ink...
[ AMZUS | SBC | SSS ]
Gelly Roll Glaze Pens Open...
[ AMZUS ]
Snow Layering Papers (10)
[ HA ]
PS566 Snow Folded Cards (10)
[ HA ]
PS591 Snow Envelopes (10)
[ HA ]
Tombow - Mono Multi Liquid Glue, 0.88...
[ AMZUS | ELH | SBC | SSS ]
Original Misti
[ HA | ELH | SSS ]
Copic Air-Brushing System STARTING...
[ SSS ]
Sparmax Achieve TC501N Compressor
[ AMZUS | BLIC | ELH ]

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