I broke out this beautiful collection on a cool sunny day and really got that “fall feeling”. Fall is definitely my favorite season – I’m a cool weather gal. Plus it’s craft festival season in Ohio, and I love gathering inspiration and treating myself to a warm funnel cake! The paper in this collection is what sold me, but all the elements are so usable. In a couple days I crafted about a dozen inspirational cards to send to people who could use a hug in the mail. I created a faux watercolor look…
Another crafting technique I learned in 2020 is coloring with alcohol markers. Wow is it fun! Smooth blending to add dimension to stamped images that can coordinate with patterned papers – making a beautiful card topper. Last year I purchased a small set of TriBlend Markers by Spectrum Noir. These are great for coloring beginners like me because they have three color shades in one marker – light, medium, dark – for a super simple way to add 3D shading to any stamp. It takes adult coloring to the next level. After completing each little item, I’m wowed…
While spending a lot of time at home in 2020, I crafted a LOT of cards – probably about 400 – trying new dies and stamps in fun themes, and all kinds of new techniques. It has really been a lifesaver for me, keeping my mind and hands busy, and keeping the worry away. And I hope the cards brightened the day of people who received them. Crafting with dies and stamps is definitely a different direction than my handmade paper cards and crafty projects, but I’m really enjoying how all the intricate shapes and beautiful colors come…
While crafting all these pretty cards, I have been learning new techniques as I go, and the latest is inking up a background to create a colorful base for stamping and collage. I’m usually a more of a precise crafter, so I had a lot of fun trying this freeform technique. You can also check out my last post on cardmaking techniques – edge dies. One way to ink up a background is to use water based ink pads and a blending tool to rub on the color. Some examples are Spectrum Noir Harmony Water Reactive Ink Pads…