Exploring Creative Possibilities: Direct-to-Block Spritz Technique

Hello Stampin’ Friends,

Welcome to September, a month filled with the promise of autumn’s vibrant colors and creative inspiration. I’m thrilled to introduce you to the “Direct-to-Block Spritz” technique using our water-based ink dyes. In this blog post, I will guide you through the process of creating this technique. So, grab your supplies and let’s dive into this innovative and fun crafting journey!

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Set up a clean and well-lit workspace, protecting it with a craft mat or disposable tablecloth to avoid any ink stains.

Step 2: Choose Your Colors

Select the water-based ink dyes that you’d like to use for your background. I used Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry and Old Olive with worked wonderfully for this project.

Step 3: Apply Ink to Acrylic Blocks

Tap your ink pad of each chosen ink color directly onto separate acrylic blocks… I use a Sponge Dauber or my finger to blend the sharp lines. Don’t overlap colors too much… this will make it muddy. This will serve as your ink palette.

Step 4: Spritz with Water

Lightly mist the ink colors with your Stampin’ Spritz to activate the pigments and create a watercolor effect.

Step 5: Create Your Background

Gently press the inked acrylic blocks onto your Basic White, Very Vanilla or Watercolor paper. Experiment with different angles and color combinations to achieve the desired look. Then rinse the block and repeat … you can use larger blocks as well.

Step 6: Let it Dry

Allow your background to air dry completely. This might take some time, so patient. You can use a heat tool to speed up the drying process if you’re in a hurry.

Now I’m going to die-cut leaves from our upcoming Autumn Leaves dies, and used the Stripes & Splatter Embossing Folder to add texture to this card as well (you must run it through twice to emboss the entire piece) but you can use the “Timber” embossing folder that is currently available if you don’t have the stripes. I love the simple & clean look of this card.

With the Direct-to-Block Spritz technique and our water-based ink pads, the possibilities for creativity are endless. Whether you’re crafting a stunning background or using the design to enhance your projects, this technique is a fantastic way to welcome the autumn season with a burst of color and style.

I hope this blog post has inspired you to experiment with this technique and explore new horizons in your crafting journey.

Thanks for checking out today’s post.

Twelve Weeks of Christmas: Week 2 / Pretty Paper

Hello Stampin’ Friends,

Today I’ll be sharing the cards we made last night during the LIVE, the Video replay, the measurement sheets and two extra cards!! I have an action packed day for you today. Let’s begin with the video with the measurements and cards to follow.

Here is the measurements for our Double View Designer Paper card that highlights your designer paper showing both sides .. Our pretty papers make these easy to assemble cards with the message and feelings you intend.

On today’s cards I used the Merry & Bright and the Walk in the Woods Designer Series papers, with the Poppy Parade and Pretty Peacock cardstocks. The “Christmas is Better Together” greeting comes from the Beary Cute Bundle and the “Happy Holidays” came from the Throughout the Year stamp set. Both greetings were die cut from the Nested Essentials Dies.

For the fun fold I used the same designer paper and cardstock. On the Poppy Parade card I again used the Throughout the Year stamp set and the 2 3/8″ punch for our greeting, and then embellished with the Iridescent Rhinestones. The greeting, the tag & tree dies all come from the Merriest Tree Bundle.

Now let’s take a look at some alternatives for our Quick & Easy Double View card ….

On this card I used the designer paper, greeting and die all from the All About Autumn suite of products and the Elegant Borders Dies. This adds a beautiful touch to the stunning designer paper. This just shows that you can change up the 1 1/4″ section of our cardstock.

Our second card was designed to celebrate Halloween …

This little cutie screams fun! The Elegant Borders dies were also used on our Halloween card to enhance and create a fun border. A strip of designer paper and bakers twine were also used to embellish our card and tie in all the colors. I used the “Them Bones” Designer paper for our last card, along with the die cuts from the “Tricks and Treats” bundle.

And this brings me into more Halloween FUN on my Facebook page …. Be sure to head on over and join in the fun, games and specials!

Autumn Leaves Card …

Hello Stampin’ Friends,

If you’re looking for a quick card that anyone would love to receive then you’re in for a treat today. This gorgeous card was created with the Autumn Leaves Bundle and the All About Autumn Designer Paper ….

Measurements:

  • Very Vanilla: 4 ¼ by 11 AND 1 x 4 strip for sentiment
  • All About Autumn DSP: 4 x 5 ¼ and the scrap for the leave dies
  • Linen Thread approx 10 inches for the bow

Instructions:

  • Score the very vanilla card base at 5 ½
  • Glue the all about autumn DSP layer to the card base
  • Stamp the sentiment on the very vanilla strip
  • Die cute the leaves out of the all about autumn scrap
  • Attach the sentiment to the DSP with dimensionals
  • Attach the leaves with dimensionals and the linen thread bow with a glue dot add the speckled dot
  • Mail this cute out to a friend or family member

Thank you for joining me today! Have a great week.

Thankful for Friends Card ….

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Today’s beautiful card comes from one of my fellow Tutorial Team members because with a little help from my friends, I can continue to share with you. This soft and stunning fall card was created by Melissa Davies ….

Supplies:

  • Stamp Set/Bundle: Autumn Leaves bundle (162719)
  • Cardstock: Basic White (159276), Pecan Pie (161717), Soft Seafoam (146988), Vellum (101856)
  • Ink: Saddle Brown Stazon (151508)
  • Designer Series Paper: Oxidized Copper (162190)
  • Tools & Accessories: Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653), Bone Folder (102300), Paper Trimmer (152392), Paper Snips (103579), Gorgeously Made dies (161202), Leaf Fall embossing folder (159847), Water painters (151298)
  • Stampin’ Blends: Soft Seafoam (154902), Calypso Coral (154881), Wild Wheat (161661)
  • Adhesives: Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)
  • Misc.: 91-99% Isopropyl Alcohol

Measurements:

  • Pecan Pie: 5 ½” x 8 ½”, 4” x 5 ¼”
  • Basic White: 4 ¼” x 5 ½”
  • Soft Seafoam: 4 ¼” x 5 ½”
  • Vellum 3 ¼” x 3 ¼”
  • Oxidized Copper: ½” x 3 ¼”

Instructions:

  • Cut a 5 ½” x 8 ½” Pecan Pie card base. Fold in half.
  • Cut a 4” x 5 ¼” Pecan Pie panel.
  • Emboss the panel using the Leaf Fall embossing folder.
  • Adhere the panel to the card front.
  • Cut a narrow label from Basic White cardstock.
  • Stamp the sentiment onto the label using Saddle Brown ink. Set aside.
  • Cut a branch from Basic White cardstock.
  • Cut the leaves from Soft Seafoam cardstock.
  • Cut a large maple leaf from Soft Seafoam cardstock.
  • Emboss the large Soft Seafoam maple leaf using the Leaf Fall embossing folder.
  • Cut a large maple leaf from Vellum cardstock.
  • Color the entire leaf randomly using Soft Seafoam, Calypso Coral, and Wild Wheat Stampin’ Blends.
  • Saturate the water painter brush with alcohol. Tap the brush to splatter alcohol drops onto the leaf. Let the colors bleed until desired look is achieved. Let dry completely.
  • Stamp the veining onto the maple leaf using Saddle Brown ink.
  • Adhere the maple leaf to the Soft Seafoam embossed leaf.
  • Adhere the leaves and branches to the card front.
  • Adhere the embossed maple leaf to the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
  • Die cut a ½” x 3 ¼” Oxidized Copper strip.
  • Adhere the strip to the BACKSIDE of the label.
  • Adhere the label to the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Thank you for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed Melissa’s card as much as I do!

Embrace the Season with my All About Autumn Card

Hello Stampin’ Friends,

As the leaves start to turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold, and the air becomes crisper, it’s time to welcome the beauty of autumn into our crafting. Stampin’ Up! has made this transition into the fall season seamless with its remarkable All About Autumn Suite from the Holiday Mini catalog. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at this suite by creating a stunning card that captures the essence of autumn.

My cardbase is in the inviting shade of Pecan Pie, setting the stage for the seasonal masterpiece we’re about to create. We’ll also use Pecan Pie cardstock to craft delicate leaf veins, adding an extra layer of authenticity to our design.

To add depth and character to our card, we’re using the Distressed Tile 3-D embossing folder on a mat of Pretty Peacock cardstock. This embossing folder provides an intricate tile-like pattern that perfectly complements the organic feel of our autumn-themed card.

Texture plays a role in bringing the beauty of autumn to life, and for that, I used the Oxidized Specialty Paper. The paper’s unique texture and shimmery finish mimic the natural, weathered look of leaves as they gracefully transform during this season. The leaves are cut from this paper, ensuring they stand out with their distinct appearance.

The Layering Leaves stamp set offers the ideal sentiment for the card. I’ve chosen the greeting, which was stamped with Pretty Peacock ink. It’s then cut out using a circle die from the Stylish Shapes dies, creating a focal point that beautifully ties the card together.

To add a final touch of elegance and a hint of metallic shimmer, we’re incorporating Brushed Copper embellishments. These embellishments add just the right amount of sophistication to our design, elevating it to a whole new level.

The All About Autumn Suite offers a abundance of creative options for crafting beautiful fall-themed cards. From coordinating stamps and dies to versatile paper options, it’s a crafting paradise for autumn enthusiasts (like myself!). There’s no better way to welcome the season than by creating your own autumn-inspired cards and projects with this remarkable suite.

I hope today’s card inspires you to grab your supplies and get ready to create some unforgettable fall memories!

Exploring Creative Possibilities: Direct-to-Block Spritz Technique with Water-Based Ink Dyes

Hello Stampin’ Friends,

Welcome to September, a month filled with the promise of autumn’s vibrant colors and creative inspiration. To kickstart this exciting month, I’m thrilled to introduce you to the “Direct-to-Block Spritz” technique using our water-based ink dyes. In this blog post, I will guide you through the process of creating two distinct looks with the same technique. So, grab your supplies and let’s dive into this innovative and fun crafting journey!

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Set up a clean and well-lit workspace, protecting it with a craft mat or disposable tablecloth to avoid any ink stains.

Step 2: Choose Your Colors

Select the water-based ink dyes that you’d like to use for your background. I used Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry and Old Olive with worked wonderfully for this project.

Step 3: Apply Ink to Acrylic Blocks

Tap your ink pad of each chosen ink color directly onto separate acrylic blocks… I use a Sponge Dauber or my finger to blend the sharp lines. Don’t overlap colors too much… this will make it muddy. This will serve as your ink palette.

Step 4: Spritz with Water

Lightly mist the ink colors with your Stampin’ Spritz to activate the pigments and create a watercolor effect.

Step 5: Create Your Background

Gently press the inked acrylic blocks onto your Basic White, Very Vanilla or Watercolor paper. Experiment with different angles and color combinations to achieve the desired look.

Step 6: Let it Dry

Allow your background to air dry completely. This might take some time, so be patient. You can use a heat tool to speed up the drying process if you’re in a hurry.

Now we are ready to create our cards: The first card will showcase the mesmerizing background effect achieved using the Direct-to-Block technique. I added a stamped image to incorporate some additional design which comes from our Nature’s Prints stamp set (I also used this stamp set on yesterday’s card). This highlights our beautiful technique.

To create some extra dimension, I stamped the Old Olive background of my card base with the spatter stamp in the same set, and added texture by embossing the “Spatter” from the Stripes & Spatter Embossing Folder.

The second card will take the design a step further by using it to die-cut leaves from our upcoming Autumn Leaves Bundle, set to launch in our mini catalog on September 6th. I used the Stripes & Splatter Embossing Folder to add texture to this card as well (you must run it through twice to emboss the entire piece). I love the simple & clean look of this card.

With the Direct-to-Block Spritz technique and our water-based ink pads, the possibilities for creativity are endless. Whether you’re crafting a stunning background or using the design to enhance your projects, this technique is a fantastic way to welcome the autumn season with a burst of color and style.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for September 6th when our Autumn Leaves Bundle becomes available in our mini catalog. I hope this blog post has inspired you to experiment with this technique and explore new horizons in your crafting journey.

Thanks for checking out today’s post. Happy September 1st!!