Background smoosh technique

This is such a fun, fun, fun technique! You need to start with the Glossy White paper with a clear embossed image (this top one uses the new Medallion background stamp - LOVE IT!!) inked with Versamark and then clear embossing powder. Now the fun begins!

Cut open a plastic bag or a sheet protector, and 'smoosh' one of your ink pads on one side. Take another color that matches, or complements, or contrasts (lots of choices there!) and smoosh it onto the other side.

Now you need to take a little care. Put the 'smooshed' sides of the plastic together, and gently 'smoosh' them together, but only to gently mix the colors. You don't want to blend them (mostly you'll just end up with a cacky brown - ugh!) but just mix them and then separate the plastic apart again. Place the 2 sheets of the glossy paper back sides together and place one of them image side down on the plastic and gently put the other plastic over it.

Now you get to 'smoosh' a little again to cover over the glossy cardstock. Be careful again so that the colors don't get mixed too much and turn brown. Take them out of the plastic and then gently wipe off the ink from the embossing and viola - you've got a sensational background! Enjoy!!

Here's another card I made with another lot of 'smooshed' background. This one didn't come out as well, I think that you need to use a more detailed background stamp like the Medallion instead of this one from the Baroque Motifs.

Try it and let me know what you think...

If you need a great background stamp, you cam go online and order one right here on my website.

Let me know what you think!

Hugs

Megan

Recipe: Medallion (Pink/purple)

Stamps: Medallion Background stamp, Oval All

Paper: Melon Mambo, Glossy White cardstock

Ink: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Large Ovel Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Melon Mambo ribbon, White Gel Pen

(Pink/Orange)

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Heard From The Heart

Paper: Pink Passion, Only Orange, Glossy White

Ink: Only Orange, Pink Passion, Black Stazon

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder

Pages with emboss resist border

As promised - here are the pages that I made yesterday with this border.

I made some more elements using the same stamp set (Eastern Blooms) and used them to give the page a cohesive look. Once you have the stamps, and the embossing tool going, it's very quick to just make up some other similar embellishments. Try it!

The other way that I made these two pages 'marry' is to use some of the other stamps in the set to create a background paper. Again, because Stampin' Up! colors all coordinate, there is no problems getting them all to match (no wasted time at craft stores trying to match embellishments to papers)

This is a really fun technique to try - book your 'funshop' with me today to learn how to do it and to have a ball with your friends at the same time!

Recipe:

Stamps: Eastern blooms

Ink: Yo yo Yellow, Only Orange, Versamark

Paper: Yo yo Yellow, Only Orange, Whisper White

Hugs

Megan

10 things to do with Versamark!

Well - it's Tuesday, and that means that I can start a new column on techniques (with the very original title of Technique Tuesday!!!!)



I cannot tell you how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Versamark! The results are stunning with this product. Every time!



What am I talking about?


This is what the creators of Versamark say:


"Finally a pad that lets your personality shine through! VersaMark is a necessity in every crafter's toolbox. Easy for beginning crafters to use, but versatile enough for experienced artists to create unparalleled masterpieces. VersaMark allows you to perform a number of amazing techniques! Stamp your image onto text-weight paper to explore the possibilities of watermarking, or stamp subtle tone-on-tone images onto colored cardstock. Create a resist image by stamping on glossy cardstock and brayering with dye ink. And VersaMark is so sticky that it will act as a "glue" for chalks and pigment powders. You won't believe what you can do with just one ink pad!"


And I have to agree - this is a MUST for every stamper and scrapbooker out there.


Here is a really quick card I made to showcase three of my favorite techniques using Veramark.


Now - I know this isn't the prettiest card ever, but lets look at the techniques used on it!
First off, on the background the is just plain 'watermarking' with the Versamark. That simply is using the stamp with the Versamark ink and you get a fantastic tone on tone (watermark) look. This is absolutely sensational for scrapbookers so that you can create your won background paper!
Next there is heat embossing (the silver square, and also around the word panel). You stamp your image (or run the paper along the Versamark pad) and then sprinkle on some embossing powder, heat it with a heat gun and you have this fabulous shiny look. Embossing powder comes in lots of colors, so it suits all sorts of cards.
The other technique that this card showcases is called "Popping Pastels". this is where you stamp your image with Versamark, and then dab on some of our Stampin' Pastels (chalks), and it makes the image 'pop'! Very fun and easy to do. This time I used the technique on whisper white (which is the best to use to make the colors come alive best), but you can have more muted colors on different cardstocks.

So ten things to do with Versamark:
1. Create your own backgrounds(watermark)
2. Heat emboss an image
3. Pop those pastels
4. Watermark under a colored image to give it dimension
5. Heat emboss a border around an element (word panel, photo mat, entire pages!)
6. Create a very subtle border along a page or photo mat
7. Create tone on tone borders for a scrapbook page
8. Repeat an image subtly behind a colored image for a cohesive look
9. Use it on cardstock before you punch it out for some dimension
10. Use heat and stick powder on it to apply sparkle with Stampin' Glitter

So - if you are ready to learn some of these techniques, get some of your friends together and have a 'funshop'! Not only will you learn some fun techniques, you can earn some great product along the way! Give me a call today -303 805 2344

Hugs
Megan

Orange Roasters!

I have to tell you that this is a title that made my day!!! It's a daily challenge on Splitcoast Stampers (from now on that will be known as SCS!!!!).

This is my entry and I had such fun doing this! When you get to know me better you will learn that coffee is my absolute addiction (if you want to make my day, bring me a Starbucks!!) and that orange is my fave colour!!So - to have both of them present in a challenge... Well, it's pretty close to stamping heaven!!!!

I also got to use up some of the stamps that I will be 'retiring' (even though they have been gone from SU!'s catalogue for quite a while!!)

Go and enjoy a cup of coffee for me!!!