Stampers Showcase 140

How very appropriate that I have cool news to share today on a day when we showcase folks that play along! There is a star among us! Our very own Robin Merriman was featured in Woman's Day magazine and interviewed on the "product party" topic. I believe she represents Stampin' Up very well.. If you would like to read the article, It can be found here. What a wonderful accomplishment!

And speaking of accomplishments! The votes are in, and here are your operator picks for SSC140. Thanks to all that play along every week.. You are all fantastic!

Color Inspiration #113

This is the 13th week of the Color Inspiration challenge.

The number 13 doesn't bother me at all. One of the greatest things in my life has to do with the number 13. My son, Christopher, was born on December 13th. Yup, it's a very good number.

For this week's challenge, I wanted to make another masculine color combination.

This week's color combination is Not Quite Navy (one of my faves), More Mustard, Old Olive and Close to Cocoa.

My stamping friends often mention how much they dread making "guy" cards.

Here's a very simply "guy" card.....not too many layers with basic shapes. Simply switch out the stamp set, and you're good to go!!!



I haven't played with the "Cheers to You" stamp set in a long time. It was time to pull it off the stamp set shelf and ink it up!!!

The base card is Close to Cocoa.

I love to create my own background papers. I've done it twice on this card.

On the Not Quite Navy layer I used a sponge dauber and Not Quite Navy ink to create large polka dots.

On the More Mustard layer, I dragged my More Mustard ink pad. This is called the direct-to-paper technique. It's a fabulous way to add texture without bulk!! Stamp the sentiment in the lower right corner with Basic Black ink.

I used my Circle Scissor Plus to cut a 2 3/4" Old Olive circle and a 2 1/2" Very Vanilla circle.

I stamped the beer mug in the center of the Very Vanilla circle....colored it with my ink pads and an aquapainter and then added Crystal Effects on the mug to make it look all shiny!!!

I sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa ink and poked holes around the circumference of the circle.

The finishing touch was adding a photo corner......no ribbon for this card......it's too poofy foo-foo for a card with a beer on it. LOL!!!!!

If you would like to take the color challenge, we would love to see it. Leave a comment on this post with a link to your project.

Card Recipe
stamps: Cheers to You
paper: Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard
ink: Basic Black, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Not Quite Navy
accessories: Circle Scissor Plus, Paper Piercing Tool, Crystal Effects, Photo Corner Punch, sponge dauber, aquapainter

How to Wednesday ~ Kerin Sylvester's Abundant Masking Technique

Welcome to another "how to" Wednesday!

Today, it is my pleasure to introduce our FIRST featured artist Kerin Sylvester!!! Kerin is a super talented stamper. You may already have heard of or visit her blog, Stamps, Paper, and Glitter! (what could be better??!)

Kerin has played along with the operators for quite some time, and every week (like so many of you who play along) we oooh and ahhh over her work! Maybe you'll recognize some of the cards below!

We are honored that she wrote this tutorial for stamping 411 based on feedback she got from some of you asking about her masking technique with the Abundant Hope stamp set.

Please enjoy Kerin's simply beautiful, Abundant Masking technique.

Kerin writes:

"This card features the Abundant Hope stamp set from Stampin’ Up!

First, you’ll stamp your image once on the left side of your card stock, and then once on a post-it note. Next you’ll cut out the right side of your post-it note image as shown:

Now you can place the post-it note image directly over the first image stamped on your card stock:

Now you can stamp on top of your first image:

Continue placing the post-it note over each daffodil that you stamp until you’ve got your field of daffodils:"

Here is Kerin's finished sample again! Isn't her masking technique and water coloring beautiful?

Here are more recent samples I pulled from Kerin's blog using this awesome technique. A few of these were 411 sketch challenges!
If you like this post, please leave a comment for Kerin! Or better yet, you can go directly to her blog and leave her some love there! I'm sure she'll be excited to hear from you!