Faux Canvas Technique

Saturday 26 October 2013

I thought I'd share a technique I used on a card for a swap that I'm in.  It's so easy and I love how the card turns out.  The technique is called Faux Canvas and is done using Stampin' Up!'s Crystal Effects.  First a sample so that you can see the end look.

 It's so easy.  Using a stamp that looks like it's drawn give the best effect, but any stamp will work (as you'll see from the other shares below).  For this one I added a background by touching my clear block to the Crumb Cake Ink pad and then stamped.  It's so easy to get a lovely background!  I used blender pens to colour the image.  If you are using markers you'll probably want to let it dry for an hour or so so that the ink doesn't smear when you add the Crystal Effects.

To create the Faux Canvas technique, drizzle Crystal Effects over your image - you don't need a lot, then smooth it out using a toothbrush.  Got back and forth in the same direction until it covers your image.  You need to work fairly quickly as it does dry quite fast and you don't want globs!  You don't have to wait for it to dry before moving on to step 2 - turn your image 90 degrees and drizzle on more Crystal Effects and smooth it with the toothbrush.  You'll start to see the "canvas" look at this point.  So easy and so effective!

One more tip - cut your paper a little bigger than you want for the final card and then trim it so that you can cut off any finger prints.

I can't share the final product using the image above (this is the sample I made when I demo'd this at Demo meeting) as the card I made as a friend bought it before I had taken a picture, but here's a couple of more cards that I made. 

Close up of the Canvas look
Card using Calm Christmas image and Gorgeous Grunge as a background.
For this one, I use the technique to make it look like a Polaroid picture and did 2 layers of Crystal Effects spread in the same direction.
I hope you enjoy this technique.
Happy Stamping!
Melva



Don't miss out on the 25% off of 25 stamp sets

Thursday 24 October 2013

I promised to post some shares using some of the stamp sets that are part of the 25% off sale until October 28th.  Don't miss out - there are some great stamp sets included in the sale!

 Christmas Star - perfect for Christmas - now only $8.96
Oh Hello - now only $17.21 for the Clear Mount





















 Happy Stamping
Melva

Let the Party Begin...Gifts of 25% off on 25 Stamp Sets

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Stampin' Up! continues to celebrate their 25th anniversary, this time with 25% off of 25 stamp sets from October 22-28th.  What a great offer and there are some great stamp sets!  I'll share some cards over the next few days that use some of these stamp sets to get your creative juices flowing!
To place your order, go to my Online Store or email me.
 
Happy Stamping!
Melva

Thank You Thursdays - Specials from Stampin' Up!

Thursday 17 October 2013

I've discovered that I'm a "punch" girl! For me there is nothing better than pulling a punch out of the drawer to add an embellishment to a stamping project or card.  Stampin' Up! now has a bunch of stamps on sale as part of their Thank You Thursdays Specials. Don't miss out.


Bitty Butterfly Punch Item #129406
Regular Price: $21.95 CAN
Discounted Price:$16.46 CAN
Pansy Punch Item #130698
Regular Price: $21.95 CAN
Discounted Price:$16.46 CAN
Hexagon Punch Item #130919
Regular Price: $21.95 CAN
Discounted Price:$16.46 CAN

Artisan Label Punch Item #130920
Regular Price: $21.95 CAN
Discounted Price:$16.46 CAN

Mosaic Punch Item #131267
Regular Price: $21.95 CAN
Discounted Price:$16.46 CAN
What a great way to add to your collection!  Here's some of the samples made by the Concept Artists at Stampin' Up! to show off these great punches.
Artisan Label Punch and Bitty Butterfly Punch

Hexagon Punch

Pansy Punch - punch out several layers of crepe paper and attach them using a brad, then bunch the layers to create this great flower.
To order any of these punches or any other product, email me or you can shop on my Online Store.

Happy Stamping and Punching!
Melva

A special project share and Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals...

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Happy Belated Canadian Thanksgiving!

I was able to spend some time with some stamping friends on Saturday which is always fun.  We always have so much fun when we get together and always come up with a great project!

Originally the plan was to work on My Digital Studio, but we actually worked on an project that Diane Evans (check out her blog) shared with the Canada Inks Up! team at Convention.  Diane's StarBook is amazing - a photo and memory album.


What a great way to capture photos and memories from Christmas.  You can bring out your album each year and set it on your coffee table for family and friends to add new memories to.

I'll be offering a class in November - stay tuned for the details.

Don't miss out on the great weekly deals from Stampin' Up! this week.

Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder 
Regular Price: $9.95
Discounted Price: $7.46
Basic Pearls Jewel Accents
Basic Pearls Jewel Accents 
Regular Price: $6.50
Discounted Price: $4.87
Deco Labels Collection Framelits Dies
Deco Labels Collection Framelits Dies 
Regular Price: $30.95
Discounted Price: $23.21
In Color Dahlias
In Color Dahlias 
Regular Price: $9.95
Discounted Price: $7.46
Sophisticated Spooks Ensemble -- Digital Download
Sophisticated Spooks Ensemble - Digital Download 
Regular Price: $16.50
Discounted Price: $8.25
Sweet Treat Cups
Sweet Treat Cups 
Regular Price: $3.95
Discounted Price: $2.96

Happy Stamping!
Melva
A Special Surprise Tuesday Sale

A Special Surprise Tuesday Sale

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Stampin' Up! is having a surprise sale starting every Tuesday that runs for a week.  You can order from my online store or by emailing me! 
Check out these amazing deals - most marked down 25% except for the My Digital Studio downloads that are marked down 50% (Wow!)
Here's today's sale items:
Squares


Square Collection Framelit Dies #130921  Reg $32.95   SALE $24.74



Chevron


Chevron Embossing Folder #127749 Reg $9.95   SALE $7.46



Essentialspack


Essentials Paper Piercing Pack #126187 Reg $10.95   SALE $8.21



Festive


Festive Paper Piercing Pack #127857  Reg $10.95  SALE $8.21



129405L

 Petite Curly Label Punch #129405  Reg $15.95  SALE $11.96



 126157S

Today & Everyday Photobook Template MDS #126157  Reg $16.50 SALE $8.25





Hurry to take advantage of these great prices - this week only!

Happy Card Making Day!

Saturday 5 October 2013

Today is World Card Making Day!  Did you have a chance to get into your craft room and make some cards?  I did!  It's been a couple of weeks since I last got to play as I've been away for work and then had a friend visiting.  It definitely felt good to get back to being creative.

I did some preparation for some upcoming classes - check out my Mixed Media class on October 26th and my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack on October 26th.  I also got my cards finished (well almost finished - just waiting for ribbon to arrive in my Stampin' Up! order) for the swap that I participate in each month.
I thought I'd share some of the cards I received in September swap.  The theme was Halloween, Thanksgiving and Fall. 

Here's my card - did I mention that I love the new Circle and Label Thinlits?
I used the Truly Grateful Stampset for this card and stamped it in three colours - crushed curry, soft suede and Tangerine Tango that coordinate with the Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper.  I cut the edge off the Burlap Ribbon and then unraveled a few strands from each side which I then fastened to the front with a Vintage Brad.
For the inside I stamped "You" in the same colours as the wheat.













Here's some of the swaps I received using the same stamp set - so many different ways to use it!
Created by Mo Dickie
Created by Ellie Blake - I love how Ellie turned the Circle Thinlit on its side for this card
Created by Alison Solven
Happy Stamping!
Melva
Let's Get this Party Started....

Let's Get this Party Started....

Wednesday 2 October 2013

In light of Stampin' Up's 25th Anniversary,  they are giving away an extra $25.00 in hostess dollars to all qualifying workshops.  Here are the details:
Screen Shot 2013-10-01 at 6.39.36 AM

Email me now,  to book a party or private class. 
  • Orders larger than the qualifying amount are not eligible for additional hostess dollars.
Happy Stamping,
Melva
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