Christmas Postcard

Who's ready for eggnog and stories of Santa's reindeer? I am, but I do make Christmas cards all year long so I'm not stressed at the end of the year. today I have a Christmas-themed postcard ready to mail to the North Pole with a little steampunk twist! Follow alomg amd see how I created this postcard.

I began by stamping the reindeer from Steampunk'd Christmas Holiday Stamp Set in alcohol friendly ink. I colored the image with alcohol markers from my stash. I colored my reindeer traditionally but, if you look closely, you can see the gears around the reindeer's neck. Next month's theme is Steampunk, so I will delve into it more in September.

I stamped the reindeer again on a piece of masking paper before fussy cutting it out. With masking paper, you can do all sorts of techniques. Today, I'll just be protecting my stamped image.

Here's the fussy cut mask over the stamped image on the panel. It's best to cut right on the line of the image when your fussy cutting a mask to decrease any halo you might get from ink blending or other ways of putting down color over the mask.

Here I ink blended Prize Ribbon, Chipped Sapphire, and villainous Potion onto the panel, then splashed with watered down white gouache. I let the ink and gouache dry completely before removing the mask.

Panel after removing the masking paper.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of a few steps and I'm sorry! I'll describe what I did. I first cut out the panel with a large stamp die from my stash, offsetting the reindeer to the left. I matted the panel onto an A2 piece of white cardstock. I wrote 50 cents with a Memento ink pen. I used the postmark from Steampunkd Christmas Holiday Stamp Set, and a cancellation stamp from my stash was used. When do you start making Christmas cards...all year long or all at once?

Girlfriends Art Journal-Summer

Hello! I apologize for a very late post as we are closing up this month's summer theme here in the blog. Believe me when I say that when this post was written it was very hot. 

Welcome back to the BPM blog. It is definitely summer as it is very hot here in the Midwest US. And since it is summer, the Blank Page Muse DT is creating projects related to summer for the month of August. Summer is a season when friends get together. My double paged art journal is all about this.

The stamp I used on this layout is the Blank Page Muse Just Us Girls Line Figure Art Rubber Stamp Sheet. This stamp set, when purchased, comes as a single sheet with all the images on it. I cut the images apart leaving a small border around it. This helps approximate the area needed to stamp the image avoiding the use of a stamp positioner. Of course, you can use a stamp positioner if you prefer to.

I adhered the stamp on a stamping block using a washable glue. The washable glue provides the right amount of tackiness to keep the rubber stamp stucked to the stamping block. Since it is washable, it comes off very easy by just wiping the glue off with a damp rag.

I stamped the images on my re-purposed planner. Despite using a dye ink in stamping the images and heat setting this to dry the ink, I still had some smearing on some parts of the images. I tried to cover this up with the coloring. 

I colored the images with Prismacolor color pencils. I used metallic pens on some parts of the images. 

To fill the background, I used the Blank Page Muse Blocks Pattern Stencil. I layed the stencil on the double paged art journal. I covered the stamped images with scrap paper to protect it from being inked.

I scribbled Tim Holtz Distress crayons on the openings of the stencils, alternating the colors. I used a waterbrush to spread the color. Initially, I used the stencil to create a perfect block shape but I realized that I was mixing the colors. I resorted to free painting the blob of crayon with the waterbrush to create it into a block shape.

I continued doing this until most of the double spread is covered with color blocks.

I stamped the word girlfriends all over the page, sometimes using the second generation ink for some variation.

I hope you like today's project. 

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Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

of Maria Giselle's Creative Cuts 

 

Good Morning Sunshine

Good day, fellow crafters. It's Tamara once again, with a new post showcasing my latest card created using  Blank Page Muse products! Today, I’m Today, I’m excited to walk you through the step-by-step process of crafting this vibrant sunrise card, featuring a stunning sun design and a warm gradient background that’s perfect for a "Good Morning" greeting. Let’s dive into the techniques and materials that brought this piece to life!

To create this project, you will need the following:

• Sun with Long Rays and Face stamp from Blank Page Muse
• White cardstock panel - 4.25" x 5.5"
• Black cardstock panel -  4.25" x 5.5"
• White A2 Card base
• Ink (I chose a red and yellow for an early morning look, and Black for the image)
• Ink-Blending brush(s) 
• Sticky mat (optional but very useful to hold work in place without using tape) 
• Scissors
• Liquid glue
• Paper Trimmer
• Sentiment of choice (I chose of course "Good Morning")
• Edged die(s) of choice (I chose a roped edge die to frame the mat and the image)
• Die-cut machine
• Watermark ink
• White embossing powder
• Anti-static powder
• Heat tool 
• Stamping tool (I use a Misti) 

Process: 

• Using the white cardstock and the stamping tool, secure the cardstock in place and then orient the stamp in the center and secure the stamp in place.
• Ink the stamp with the black ink and stamp the image. Repeat if required to produce a clean image transfer.
• Remove the stamped cardstock from the stamping tool and secure it to a sticky mat or a worksurface.
• Using an ink blending brush, add the yellow ink on the bottom of the image first, as it is easier to blend darker over lighter than lighter into darker colors.
• Using an ink blending brush, add the red ink on the top of the image, blending the edges into the yellow. Use a light pressure on the brush where they meet to prevent getting an obvious line between colors. Allow to dry. 
• Using the die-cutting machine and border dies of choice, cut the mat and the focal image down to size. The die used for the black mat leaves a 1/8" gap on all sides. The focal image is a 4" x 4" square.
• Using the black mat and the stamping tool, secure the cardstock in place, and then orient the sentiment stamp in the bottom center and secure the stamp in place.
• Apply anti-static powder to the intended stamping area.
• Use the watermark ink to ink the sentiment stamp. Stamp the sentiment onto the mat with even pressure. Repeat if necessary for a clean transfer.
• Use the white embossing powder and a heat tool to emboss the sentiment.
• Adhere the image panel to the black mat with liquid glue.
• Adhere the composite to the white A2 card base with liquid glue.

The stamps I used can be found by following the links in the materials list, or you can find them with a quick search on www.blankpagemuse.com. Visit our social media sites for more stamping fun!

I Brake For Stamps -https://ibrakeforstamps.com/

The Blank Page Muse- https://blankpagemuse.com/

FB Fan Page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/blankpagemuse/

Instagram Shop- https://www.instagram.com/blankpagemuse/

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Pinterest- https://www.pinterest.com/blankpagemuse/boards/

 

Foiling Blooms: Stenciled Elegance

Good day, fellow crafters. It's Tamara once again, with a new post showcasing my latest card created using  Blank Page Muse products! Today, I’m thrilled to share a step-by-step guide for creating a stunning forget-me-not greeting card using the beautiful stencil from Blank Page Muse.

Today's project is straightforward and only requires a few steps, although it may take some practice to get it just right if you have never done it before. So, whether you're a seasoned crafter or just starting out, I hope this project will inspire you to let your creativity bloom. Let’s dive into the process and bring this charming design to life!

To create this project, you will need the following:

• Forget Me Not Floral stencil from Blank Page Muse
• Light blue cardstock panel - 4.25" x 5.5"
• Black cardstock panel -  4.25" x 5.5"
• White A2 Card base
• Foil (I chose Blue)
• Foil transfer gel
• Sticky mat (optional but very useful to hold work in place without using tape) 
• Scissors
• Liquid glue
• Paper Trimmer
• Sentiment of choice (I chose to use a sentiment along with a Better Press)
• Edged die of choice
• Parchment paper
• Laminator 
• Die-cut machine
• Black ink

Process: 

• Using the light blue cardstock and the sticky mat, secure the cardstock in place and the stencil over top in the orientation most pleasing to you.
• Using the transfer gel, spread a thin coat over the openings of the stencil. I have found that an old credit or store card works well. For best results, you should let the foil transfer gel dry completely before applying the foil. The gel typically takes about one hour to dry, though drying times can vary from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the thickness of the application and environmental conditions. You'll know it's ready when it turns from a cloudy white to clear and feels slightly tacky. Applying the foil to a wet or partially dried gel can result in incomplete or uneven transfer. 
• Using the foil and a good pair of scissors, cut a piece large enough to cover your design.
• Place the colored side up over the gel, cover with parchment paper, and use a laminator or pressure from a die-cutting machine to transfer the foil. Both work well independently, but I often will run it through the laminator and then through the die-cut machine to ensure myself it's going to stick.
• Carefully peel the foil back using a steady speed and at a 45-degree angle.  You are looking for the material to have properly adhered and for the foil to have adhered properly.
• Using the die-cutting machine and the edged die of choice (I chose a scalloped edge), cut the image panel to size. For this project, I wanted a large reveal for the mat, so the size I chose may be smaller than yours.
• Add the sentiment of choice, I chose a sentiment from my stash, blue ink, and my Better Press to achieve the look featured
• Using the black pigment of choice, apply a splatter effect.
• Adhere the image panel to the black mat with liquid glue.
• Adhere the composite to the white A2 card base with liquid glue.

The stamps I used can be found by following the links in the materials list, or you can find them with a quick search on www.blankpagemuse.com. Visit our social media sites for more stamping fun!

I Brake For Stamps -https://ibrakeforstamps.com/

The Blank Page Muse- https://blankpagemuse.com/

FB Fan Page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/blankpagemuse/

Instagram Shop- https://www.instagram.com/blankpagemuse/

Instagram Blog- https://www.instagram.com/blankpagemuseblog/

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Happiness Blooms-Lori

Hi, friends, this month at Blank Page Muse, our theme is summer. I wanted to celebrate summer in my own way. I love water and flowers, so I had to include them in today's card.

I started with a water-inspired background. I spend a lot of time in the water, especially in the summer. I ink blended with greens and blues in a random pattern.

I stamped Dotted Concentric Circles and Scribble Swirls and Leaf stamps in darker shades of green and blue to add contrast and texture to the background.

I trimmed the panel down and matted it onto a piece of teal cardstock. 

I stamped Happiness Blooms From Within in alcohol marker-friendly ink, then colored some purple flowers. Purple is one of my favorite colors as well as being the color for Lupus awareness, a disease that I battle every day.

I stamped Bird Open Wings Pattern Art in teal ink then fussy cut it out. 

Final card. I love the sentiment from Happiness Blooms From Within! The bird seems to be flying out from under the protection of the floral arch to soar high on it's own. I hope you all have a great rest of your summer!

Mentally at the Beach

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today using some amazing stamps from Blank Page Muse.

Stamps: Beach Phrases Sentiments Collection

Come Hither Eyes

Stamp and emboss Come Hither Eyes.

Color with Copic Markers to coordinate with the background.

Mat the flip flop paper with cardstock.

Stamp and emboss the phrase, adding it to the panel.

Add Come Hither Eyes with foam adhesives for dimension.

Create a card from green cardstock.

Using the same papers, add to the inside of the card.

Stamp and emboss another phrase.

Thanks for stopping by.

Steph

Looking for more Inspiration? Click the links below!

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Forget Me Not-Lori

Hello, crafty friends! I made a card today that's easy to mass produce; we always need birthday cards! I let the beautiful paper and stencil do the work for me. I know it's a floral, but this card would work equally well for male or female recipients. 

I began with a beautiful piece of Cyan Consortium Paper. I love the colors and design of this panel! I taped down the new Forget Me Not Floral Stencil with low tack tape.

I used white pigment ink from my stash over the stencil. I pounced the ink with a detail blending brush to add more product. I dried it and repeated the process for a total of three layers.

I had orignially planned to ink colors over the white ink once it was dried but, it looked so pretty white, I decided to keep it that way.

I stamped a butterfly from Heart of Nature Butterflies Bees Stamp Set in the same white pigment ink. It's quite faint in the photo, but you can see it better in real life. 

I stamped Happy Birthday with the Happy Birthday Calligraphy-Brush Style Stamp in Distress Oxide ink onto a white piece of cardstock. I then fussycut it out.

I added a black cardstock frame around the panel, once I trimmed it to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2". I like the contrast with the white and how it ties in with the black on the paper.

I took a 4 1'4 x 11" piece of heavyweight, black cardstock and scored it at 5 1/2" to create a card base.

Final Card, which showcases both the new stencil and the gorgeous paper! 

 

 

Crafting in Bloom: Forget-Me-Not Card Creations

Good day, fellow crafters. It's Tamara once again, with a new post showcasing my latest card created using  Blank Page Muse products! Today, I’m thrilled to share a step-by-step guide to creating a stunning forget-me-not greeting card using the beautiful stencil from Blank Page Muse. This delicate floral design, with its vibrant purple blooms and intricate details, is perfect for adding a personal touch to your handmade cards. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or just starting out, this project will inspire you to "live life in full bloom" with every brushstroke and layer. Let’s dive into the process and bring this charming design to life!

To create this project, you will need the following:

• Forget Me Not Floral stencil from Blank Page Muse
• Light blue cardstock panel - 4.25" x 5.5"
• Light Purple cardstock panel -  4.25" x 5.5"
• White A2 Card base
• Inks in preferred colors (I chose purple, blue, green and forget-me-not blue)
• Ink-blending brush(s)
• Sticky mat (optional but very useful to hold work in place without using tape) 
• Scissors
• Liquid glue
• Paper Trimmer
• Sentiment of choice (I chose to use a sentiment along with a Better Press)
• Edged die of choice 
• Die-cut machine
• Water color pigments 
• Flat back pearls (I chose a light yellow) 

Process: 

For this project, I am featuring the Forget Me Not floral stencil that Blank Page Muse created at my request, and I have to say I am extremely happy with the result of their efforts.

• Using the light blue cardstock and the sticky mat, secure the cardstock in place and the stencil over top in the orientation most pleasing to you.
• Using the purple ink and an ink-blending brush, add ink to the petals until satisfied with the resulting hue.
• Using the forget-me-not blue ink and an ink-blending brush, add ink to the center/interior edge of the petals until satisfied with the resulting hue.
• Using the green ink and an ink-blending brush, add ink to the stem and leaves until satisfied with the resulting hue.
• Using the die-cutting machine and the edged die of choice, cut the image panel to size. For this project, I wanted a large reveal for the mat, so the size I chose may be smaller than yours.
• Using the forget-me-not blue ink and an ink-blending brush, apply ink around the edges to create a vignette.
• Add the sentiment of choice, I chose a sentiment from my stash, blue ink, and my Better Press to achieve the look featured
• Using the water color pigment of choice, apply a splatter effect.
• Adhere the flat-backed pearls with liquid glue.
• Adhere the image panel to the light purple mat with liquid glue.
• Adhere the composite to the white A2 card base with liquid glue.

The stamps I used can be found by following the links in the materials list, or you can find them with a quick search on www.blankpagemuse.com. Visit our social 

media sites for more stamping fun!

I Brake For Stamps -https://ibrakeforstamps.com/

The Blank Page Muse- https://blankpagemuse.com/

FB Fan Page- https://www.facebook.com/groups/blankpagemuse/

Instagram Shop- https://www.instagram.com/blankpagemuse/

Instagram Blog- https://www.instagram.com/blankpagemuseblog/

Twitter- https://twitter.com/BlankPageMuse

Pinterest- https://www.pinterest.com/blankpagemuse/boards/

Let's Get Away - Vacation

 Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today using some amazing stamps from Blank Page Muse.

Stamps: Let's Get Away

Distress Oxide Inks:  Wilted Violet, Salvaged Patina, Wild Honey,

Abandoned Coral, Evergreen bough

Using an assortment of Distress Oxide Inks, stamp them on a craft sheet.

Spritz with water and place sheets of glossy cardstock on top to pick up the inks.

Heat set between each layer, adding additional inks as desired.

Stamp the pool scene with black ink and emboss with clear embossing powder.

Cut the panel to size.

Create a card from green cardstock.

Mat the inked panel with black cardstock.

Wrap the panel with black twine before adding it to the card.

Stamp the phrase on a scrap of the inked panel, emboss and punch out.

Punch out a larger cardstock piece and adhere together.

Punch a hole in the tag and tie to the edge of the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Steph

Looking for more Inspiration? Click the links below!

The Blank Page Muse Shop https://blankpagemuse.com/

FB Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/bla...

Instagram - Shop https://www.instagram.com/blankpage...

Instagram - Blog https://www.instagram.com/blankpage...

Twitter https://twitter.com/BlankPageMuse