Catching Up....Part 1

Here are a few cards I made some time ago.  They have been on my phone and are just now making it to the computer for me to share!  All of these are one layer cards using a variety of stamps.  Hope you enjoy them!

The first two are done with Memento inks and stamp sets by Stampendous.  The sentiments are from Wordsworth sets.

For this card, I masked off the bottom and used one of my background stamps inked with more than one color of the Memento inks to create the top. 

For the next two cards, I stamped and embossed the saying in white and played around with some watercolors to create backgrounds.  The first one got a little muddy, but the second one turned out much better!  Will definitely have to try this technique again!

The next three cards I used the same one layer format, but instead of using Memento inks for the background, I used my Twinkling H20 paints.  I then used some Versafine ink to over stamp the other images. They have such a nice shimmer.  The photos don't do them justice!

Some Catching Up!

I have been doing some creating, but just never seem to find the time to post them!  I have quite a few one-layer technique cards to share, so I am going to put them all in one post so that I can get them out there to share with you!

The first four cards were created with the same basic stamp layout but using different color palettes and sentiments.  I really loved doing this water-colored image overlaid with the crisp images.  I think it is really elegant.  The flowers are from a Stampendous, and all sentiments are from Wordsworth (I think).

 

 

 

These next cards were done using the one-layer technique on ATC's, but then matted and mounted on an embossed white card background.  For these I let the stamped images do the talking.  I used a combination of stamps for each one and can't remember all of them!  Some of these pictures were taken at night with my phone, so I apologize for the wonky background coloring of some of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next set of cards need some explaining... 

 

Several years ago a friend of mine had created some background papers using a palette knife/spatula and acrylic paint.  She called the technique "smooshing" and I can't think of a better term, so "smooshing" it is! 

 

Since I was digging the mini ATC cards using the one-layer technique...I thought I would use the "smooshing" technique on some water color paper and see what happened.  I took the paint and literally splotched it on with a piece of plastic (I took the foam off one of the cheap foam brushes and used the plastic spatula part underneath).  I layered many colors and used regular and metallic paints to achieve the sheets of artwork. 

 

I then cut them into ATC sized cards and mounted them on embossed cards with some fibers and thread to give them some dimension.  They were miniature acrylic paintings and I love them!  I guess I was channeling my inner Jackson Pollack.  I only wish I could sell them for the insane amount of money his paintings go for!  I hope you like them too...

 

Some more One Layer cards

A few weeks ago, I created another flurry of one layer cards.  I tried some different color combinations and layouts, so some of them are a bit different.  You will have to excuse the "wonky" cards...I neglected to press them flat before taking photos, so they are a bit curled over in some of the photos!

 

I doodled a border around the central image on this one.  Sentiment by Wordsworth.

 

 

I had done one similar to this a while ago.  Tree, bird and sentiment stamps from Wordsworth.

 

 

I tried something really different on this one.  I had not used browns before without adding other colors.  I think it turned out pretty nice.  Might make a good masculine card. Images by Penny Black.

 

 

I decided to try blues and grays on this one and I love the way it turned out.  The image got a bit heavy-handed, but I think it works.  Sentiment by Hero Arts.

 

 

I wanted a mono-chromatic look on this one.  The flower is by Penny Black and the sentiment is by Wordsworth.

 

 

I loved the blue and gray combo, so I had to try another one.  This one I accentuated the image by scoring at the top and bottom.  I really like how that brings the focus to the image.  Sentiment by Wordsworth.

 

 

The last one is a holiday-inspired one using reds and then adding the green directly to the stamp before adding it to the background.  I really love this one.  I think I might try adding a little glitter or something to the berries to give them some sparkle.  Definitely going to experiment with this one!

 

One Layer Card Tutorial

I had someone leave me a comment recently asking how I make my one layer cards, so I will walk you through a card step-by-step.  I hope it is clear and that it will inspire you to make some pretty cards!  I have found that they can be used for a variety of events and would make great card sets for gifts or just to have around when you need something.

This is the card that I will be demonstrating for you:

 



I used the following supplies:

This includes: acrylic block, ink pads/markers, stamps, mist spray bottle with water.  For my card, I used three colors of Memento Inks (Lilac Posies, Potter's Clay, Peanut Brittle).  I use markers to color the acrylic block and full size ink pads for the stamping, but either would work.  I forgot to include it in the picture, but I also used Onyx Black VersaFine Ink.

Step One:
I used an acrylic block that is a bit longer than my card so that it goes off the edges of my folded card.  I took the three Memento markers and colored the acrylic block (going from light to dark to keep from transferring color).  You can do the same using ink pads, but I find you have more control over the colors and design with the markers.  Stampin' up markers, Memento markers, Distress Ink markers...all work fine.

 

Step Two:

After you get the block inked up, then you spray mist the ink with water.  You will get a different effect depending upon how much water you use.  You kind of need to experiment a bit to see what you like best.  I find that I like them a little wetter.

 

 

Step Three:

You will "stamp" your folded card with your acrylic block. I stamped it to the left so that I would have room for my sentiment.  You could experiment with different size blocks and locations. The possibilities are endless!

 

 

Step Four:

Once you remove the acrylic block, you are left with a background of ink.  Sometimes you will have some curl in the paper, but I find that you can continue the process without any problems.

 

 

Step Five:

Now you will need to mask off the parts of the card that you want to keep clean.  I use Post-It Notes, but I recommend that you use two notes for each piece you put down.  I have found out the hard way that inks tend to bleed through one layer and leave random ink marks on your card.  It is frustrating to go through the effort to make the pretty images and then end up ruining the card!  However, if it happens to you, not to worry!  You can just cut off the part and mount it on a new card.  You won't have the one layer style, but you can still use it!

 

 

 

Step Six:

Next you will need several stamps to use to help create the background.  For this card, I used a music staff (Tin Can Mail), some flowers (Sparklers from Penny Black), and a swirl stamp (PrintWorks).  Some of them I have had for some time, but you could use faux words, all kinds of greenery and other texture/swirl type stamps.  If you look at some of my older posts, you will see all kinds of things used!

 

First, I stamped the music staff using the lightest of the three colors I used (Peanut Brittle).

 

 

Then, I used the Sparkler flowers from Penny Black using the medium color ink (Potter's Clay).

 

 

Lastly, I stamped the swirl stamp with the darkest color (Lilac Posies).  I have found I love using this swirl stamp for many of my cards.

 

 

If you want, you can add more layers with other stamps, but I decided that I would keep it to these three for this one.

 

Step Seven:

Next up is the REALLY FUN PART!  Removing the Post-It Notes to reveal your masterpiece!

 

 

 

Isn't it beautiful???? It's amazing that something so simple can look so dramatic!!!

 

Final Step:

The last thing is to add your sentiment.  I tend to use sentiment stamps from Wordsworth, but you can use anything that will fit in the space you have.  This one is from a set called "Life Affirming."

 

If you are not sure if it is the right size or whether it will work, get out your Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.  Don't have one?  You must have one!  I use it all the time for adding images to be sure they are straight or evenly spaced.  It is so simple to use and you can use it to "test the waters" with your sentiments before you commit it to paper. You can also experiment with ink colors to be sure you like it before you stamp it on your card.

 

For inking my sentiments, I tend to use Versa-Fine ink pads.  They provide better ink coverage than the Memento inks.  For this card I used Onyx Black.

 

 

For the finished card I also added a score line on either side of the inked section just to help accentuate it a bit. 

 

 

I hope that this tutorial has helped and that you will be making your own masterpieces! 

Weekend Card Extravaganza

Friday night was craft night with my friends and we did even more of the one layer cards!  I promise I haven't given up my markers...just having fun getting inky and actually stamping!  Below are the cards I created Friday night...

The first one features a stamp from Penny Black.  The sentiment is by Wordsworth.

While I had the blue ink out, I tried another version featuring two birds on a branch by Penny Black.  Sentiment by Hero Arts.

 

 

Next up I created two strips of color and then masked both and stamped over them.  I love this!  I will definitely have to try again.  I also want to try using some shapes (circle, etc.) as the sponged backgrounds.  Main image by Panny Black, sentiment from Stampendous.

Next card used a similar color palette, but I liked the background so much, I left it alone and just added a sentiment from Wordsworth.

The last one I tried something a bit different.  I did the usual inked acrylic block, but rather than stamping the main image in black, I colored the image with markers and then added it to the right.  I love the way it turned out. Main image by Penny Black, sentiment from Wordsworth.