Viva Las Vegastamps!

Save 46% on the VLVS! SuperStamp Sale

2012-02-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

Check out our Newsletter at http://ymlp.com/zHwnVR for details on how to save on Rubber Stamps and Miracle Tape in our Annual SuperStamp Sale!

X - Rated Movie!

2012-02-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

I saw this quote and knew I had to create some art with it. Match it up with some popcorn and a crazy lady and there you go!!!

Supplies from VLVS:

Crazy Lady - 8630
Popcorn - CB27
Movie Quote - 8631
Miracle Tape

This is the easiest card to create! Cut and color. I used glitter pens for the crazy lady. The popcorn is white with a lemon yellow accent. Even whitened her teeth, ha ha.

Be as complex or as simple as you'd like with VLVS images. Perfect to express something wacky or be serious or simply cute. I adore the extra element stamps like the popcorn! The popcorn is on a cube, makes it easy to store.

Until next time - Lea

Viva Las Vegastamps! I Love Paris in the Springtime!

2012-01-31T21:00:00.001-08:00

This month the Viva Las Vegastamps! Design Team was challenged with the theme of LOVE... and I think Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world. So my first post this month combines my LOVE of Steampunk with my LOVE Paris!

Supplies

Viva Las Vegastamps! - Eiffel Tower

Viva Las Vegastamps! - Nesting Gears

Viva Las Vegastamps! - Steampunk Warrior

Viva Las Vegastamps! - “I love Paris in Springtime"

Viva Las Vegastamps! - Steampunk Couple

Viva Las Vegastamps! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder

Viva Las Vegastamps! Miracle Tape

Rhinestones

Tissue Paper

Card stock - red (Base), black and pattern paper (From my Stash)

Ink Stewart Superiors - Memories Dye Black

Ink Versafine Crimson Red

Locking washer from the hardware store

Stickles

Foam Tape

Stamp VLVS!Eiffel Tower on tissue paperlet the ink set, use heat tool if necessary) and adhere to the background, mask VLVS! Eiffel Tower. Edge pattern paper panel Versafine Crimson Red ink. Then stamp the VLVS! Nesting Gears and VLVS! Steampunk Warrior on the background with Versafine Crimson Red ink. Heat emboss the VLVS! Nesting Gears with Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powered. Stamp the VLVS! Steampunk Couple ( on a light colored card stock, fussy cut, color with COPICs and attach with foam tape to add dimension. With VLVS! Miracle Tape attach the pattern paper panel to black card stock then adhere to red card base.

Stamp sentiment "I love Paris in the Springtime" with black ink on scrap of paper, edge with Versafine Crimson red, layer on black cardstock adhere to card with foam tape. Last touches add Stickles to the wings on man's hat, adhere locking wash on man and embellish lady with rhinestones.

Join us for our February Theme

"LOVE"

Check HERE for details!

You must play to have a chance to win!

See More of my work at DreamingofCastles!

Monthy Challenge

2012-01-31T21:00:00.000-08:00

January was Just full of :"Celebration" between our Design team having a wonderful blog hop to all the entry for January Theme. Thanks so much for play along.. We love to see what you create.

Here is January Winner

Theme was Celebration:

This was made by

Sandra Strait

please contact

Terri Sproul at Terri@ultimatescrapbookretreat.com

to claim your prize...

Now on to February Theme.

'LOVE"

How to enter our monthly challenge

1) post a project using the theme on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/vlvstamps

2) Must be a follower of our blog

3) entry must use Viva Las Vegastamps! here is the link to our on line store. Click HERE

4) Prize is a feature on our blog and $25 to our on-line store.

We hope your play and WIN...

Terri Sproul

Queen Bee in the Hive!!

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody! It's Susan and I'm at CHA and sending in this post from IHOP since the hotel internet is down...many crafters are M.I.A. because of this {Terri included}. But I did find Terri!!!

Here is my project today...This Queen Bee who is a little self conscious of the size of her stinger. I used three Viva Las Vegastamps!: Queen Bee #5373; Does this stinger... #5327; and Texture/Sharp Angles #9752. I started off with a scrap of hand-painted paper that really wasn't pretty enough for anything. So I cut hexagonal shapes mimicking the queen bee stamp and then with grey Staz-on stamped the texture on each piece. Then I glued them onto an olive green cardstock in a honeycomb pattern. I stamped the Queen Bee on the same painted paper twice and then colored in and layered the image. The wing is a piece of Mica colored with silver Krylon pen on the back and stamped on the front. Then I gave it detail with Sakura Terri Sproul Mixers on the wings, staff and eye {OK - I just got a mini sample at the trade show today}. The tip of the staff is perfect pearls. Then I stamped quote on yellow cardstock and matted on same background paper. A lot of fussy cutting....but so worth it.

Detail of gussied up Queen Bee!

Two days left submit your creations for the VLVS Theme Challenge for January! Submit your "CELEBRATION" theme creations using Viva Las Vegastamps! for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate at the VLVS online store. CLICK HERE for info on submissions. Don't forget to check out the Viva Las Vegastamps! store - there is something for every occasion and everything from bees to aliens! Don't forget to hang out a little while to see what our talented Design Team has been up to.

Thanks so much for visiting & if you would like to see more of my creations please visit my blog, sbartist : painting in the dark HERE. Happy Monday : )

We're Still Celebrating!

2012-01-27T03:00:00.000-08:00

Yep, here are VLVS we're celebrating the entire month of January!

And if you know me, you know I love a part-tay!!

My card today is a title risqué, so if you don't swing that way, please avert your eyes!

HA!!

This card used some scrap papers, which made me very happy.

And it includes a nekkid man, which makes me happy.

LOL!

So are ya ready?

On with the show....

Supplies:

Card Base

Patterned Papers

Craft Paper Scraps

Stickles

Foam Tape/Pop Dots

Miracle Tape

STAMPS!! Birthday Cake Man & Exciting Birthday

Markers to Color your Nekkid Man (I used Stampin Up markers)

Black Ink (I used Memories by Stewart Superior)

Circle Punch

Scissors (my go-to for precision cutting are Cutter Bees)

Swirl Die Cut (mine is cut from craft paper with a Sizzix die)

Paper Trimmer

Distress Ink- Black Soot, Vintage Photo

Inking Handle

Stipple Brush

Blue & Green Inks

Spellbinder's Dies and Die Cut Machine

Flower

Brad

Baker's Twine

Here's your man:

I mean, seriously, how can you not love him!

Anyone else think he looks like Super Man?

OK, first things first -

Fold a card base.

Stamp your man using black ink on white card stock twice.

Use the circle punch and punch out his head from one of the stamped images.

Set aside.

Cover the card front with patterned paper.

This paper is old Sassafrass, and already had the scalloped border on it!

Ink up the edges with Vintage Photo.

Die cut a couple of nested shapes using the Spellbinder's dies.

Ink all edges with Vintage Photo.

Add a strip of patterned paper to the center of the die cuts.

Adhere to center of card using Miracle Tape.

Die cut a swirl out of craft paper and ink edges with Vintage Photo.

Add to card front.

Ink edges of punched circle using Vintage Photo,

and place in center of die cuts using a pop dot.

Cut a white panel of card stock to go inside card, and stamp your man using black ink.

Color with markers- I cheat and color just the edge areas, because most of this will be covered up!

Mount this onto a card stock panel and place inside card towards the top.

Color your stamped image that you stamped earlier using markers.

Fussy cut...

Note- I DID NOT cut out the candles at the edges.

Add some patterned paper strips inside the card (NO NEKKID INSIDES!)-

be sure to ink all the edges with Vintage Photo first!

Stamp the sentiment onto craft paper using black ink.

Trim around it, ink with Vintage Photo, and add to the card.

Use a Stipple Brush and add some color around your man- I used blue and green.

Put pop dots or foam tape on the back of your cut out image.

Place the cut out image over the image in the card.

Add Stickles to the hearts and candles.

I used Fruit Punch on the hearts and candles, Yellow on the outside part of the flames,

Orange on the inside part of the flames, and a little Crystal in the man's hair.

Awwww yeah!

Side view.

Add some Tangerine Stickles around the edge of the circle with the man in it.

Add some Crystal Stickles to his hair and to the flourish.

Put the brad through the flower and put some Baker's Twine behind it.

Adhere with Miracle Tape.

And Now For Something Completely Different!

2012-01-26T18:13:00.000-08:00

Viva Las Vegastamps! is thrilled to have the whimsical designs of Mary Vogel Lozinak now available in rubber. We sent the boards to the engraver today so they're on pre-order at 20% off through February 2nd... hope you love them as much as we do.

http://www.vlvstamps.com/pre-order-plates-o-rubber.html

DIY Washi Tape part II

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody!! Welcome back :)

Today the card I'm sharing is a simple beauty using the Washi tape that I made on Sunday!

If you missed the video click here! Make your own custom washi tape from any stamp with any color!!

Besides adding my tape in a "strategic" way - I did a bit of doodling around the edge. I picked a very graphic background since I didn't want to do much embellishing! This card makes the perfect "Thank you" or small note slipped inside a gift!

VLVS! Items used:
Memento Black Ink

Miracle Tape

Birds on Wire stamp

Thanks so much everyone!! -DeeDee

A blast from the past from Cat McGuire

2012-01-24T13:15:00.000-08:00

Pug Birthday Card!

2012-01-22T21:01:00.000-08:00

One of my best friends loves Pugs. She has two of them and their names are Frankie & Piglet. She had a birthday recently, so I wanted to use this cute Pug In Party Hat stamp from Viva Las Vegastamps! to make her birthday card. To start off, I stamped the image on white cardstock and colored with Copic markers. My friend’s favorite color is purple, so I used a purple card for the base and I colored some Spellbinders shapes with purple chalk for my background. I added some Sakura Crystal Lacquer to the eyes and nose to make them look wet as well as dimensional. On the inside of the card, I stamped a simple and fun Happy Birthday! My friend loved the card by the way! She is so into Pugs that every year she organizes the “Pug Picnic”. Anyone can come as long as they have a Pug and bring it with them. She even knows all the Pug’s names! I gave this stamp to her and suggested she use it next year for her Pug Picnic invitations. She loved the idea!

For anyone who missed our blog hop, here’s another project where I was able to use this same versatile stamp for a New Year’s card. I had a lot of fun with this card since I am a cat person, and I enjoyed making the little dog annoying!

Feel free to comment below and be sure to come back to see new cards & projects posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Thanks for stopping by!

DIY Washi Tape!!!

2012-01-22T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!! DeeDee here for an extra post this month!!

I kind of stole the opportunity of doing a DIY video for VLVS! on how to make your own Washi Tape with VLVS! Supplies!!!

I used :

Tissue paper

Memento black ink

Miracle Tape

Birds on a Wire

Scissors

Please please.. tell me what you think!!!!

I'll show you a project using this tape on Wednesday so come back!!!! -DeeDee

Age Is Relative

2012-01-19T20:16:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd have fun with one of my favorite persons in history!! I had to have this Einstein image and then these gears were the perfect touch to add "another cog in the wheel," for a birthday card. The Masquepen is fabulous with Einstein's hair...it prevented the MicaColor Watercolor from seeping onto the hair!

Supplies:

Viva Las Vegastamp Images -

Einstein - 7307

Nesting Gears - 18077

Other Items - Miracle Tape

Other Supplies:

White, Teal, and Green Cardstock

Masquepen

Dimenstional Gears and Wheels

Brads

USArtQuest MicaColor Palette

Gears Embossing Folder and Embossing/Die Cut Machine

Scissors

Copic Markers

Brown and Black Permanent Ink

Dark Green Pigment Ink

Soft, pointed Brush

Sponge

(Inks = Permanent won't move with water, Pigment is juicy for coverage and embossing powder, and (not used in this project) Dye Based inks moves with water like watercolors)

1. Stamp Einstein image onto white cardstock. Use the Masquepen and cover the WHOLE Einstein image. Let dry.

2. Prepare your Micacolor Palette color by dipping your soft brush into water and letting the water drip onto the color. Let set a second or two, and then swirl your brush into the color. The consistency should be creamy - if not - add a little more water.

3. Pick up color from your MicaColor Palette and brush onto the gear stamp image, covering the whole surface. Tap lightly with a sponge to remove excess color. Stamp like you would normally stamp, going over Einstein image (See photo). Let dry.

4. Remove Masque material by using your forefinger and slowly moving your finger down over the the edge of the masking material. It will start to roll and you can roll the material down and off the card.

5. Color and shade Einstein with Copics. Run green cardstock through die cut machine (I used a Cuttlebug) using the Gear Embossing folder. Swipe the dark green pigment ink over the surface. Mount Einstein card to green Gears with Miracle Tape. Add Gears and Brads.

6. Mount Teal for background cardstock with Miracle Tape.

Note: My quote about "another cog in the wheel," I generated by computer, but, VLVS has a HUGE selection of quotes and birthday images that would be perfect with this project. Pick and choose and personalize this Einstein card the way you want.

Enjoy - Lea

Pre-Order and Save!

2012-01-18T18:47:00.000-08:00

I've uploaded seven new plates and if you order before 1/25, you can save 20 percent... lots of Steampunk as well as something for every rubber taste!

http://www.vlvstamps.com/pre-order-plates-o-rubber.html

Also, don't forget that if you put our Blinkie on your Blog, you'll get a free grab bag... details and script on the Viva Las Vegastamps! Blog at http://vivalas.blogspot.com

We also now have Kromecote cardstock in three sizes! And we sell stamps from many other companies as well…

Clear vs Rubber Stamps

2012-01-18T16:17:00.000-08:00

The cheaper silicone stamps - I don't think will ever stamp as well as rubber. The material just does not exhibit the desired qualities of ink pick up and transfer as rubber. The ink has a tendency to bead up and provide less coverage with the silicone material.

Rubber: the surface of rubber is more porous. If you were to look at the rubber surface under a microscope you would see lots of tiny cups and valleys. This pocketed surface allows rubber to pick up and transfer more ink than the smooth surface of a photopolymer stamp.
Therefore, an image stamped with rubber is always going to be darker and more vibrant - because more ink has been transferred to the stamped surface.

Photopolymer - the surface of a photopolymer stamp is very smooth. It has been formed/hardened against a plate of glass. So the amount of ink that can sit on the surface of the photopolymer stamp is less than what sits on the surface of a rubber stamp.

Viva Las Vegastamps! A Month of Celebrations

2012-01-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

January is a month of "Celebrations"

At Viva Las Vegastamps!

Today I am sharing another CELEBRATION card celebrating friends!!! I am using VLVS! Cowgirl-Granny from Plate 1355 that just came out in November!

Be sure to check out the savings when you buy stamps by the plate! You get an even greater savings when you pre-order as new plates are introduced. Be sure to check the front page in the Viva Las Vegastamps! store each month for the newest plates.

Stamp VLVS! Cowgirl-Granny using Stewart Superior Memories Black ink on white card stock, using COPICs color her face and scarf.

Stamp sentiment VLVS! "If friends could be bought..." using Stewart Superior Memories Black ink on background pattern paper (Memory Box). Heat emboss sentiment with Viva Las Vegastamps! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder.

Attach VLVS! Cowgirl-Granny and feather to the card using foam tape. Layer the pattern paper background on black and adhere to the card using Viva Las Vegastamps! Miracle Tape.

Add a little bling with red Stickles to her hat and blouse.

Gotta love your friends!
Check out my blog
Dreaming of Castles

Want to win some blog candy!!!

The Monthly Challenge is been posted

on the Viva Las Vegastamps! Blog.

This Months Theme is

"CELEBRATION"

Interpret “Celebration” any way you like...

a Birthday, Anniversary, Party

or whatever you would like to celebrate!

Learn more HERE

Winner will receive a $25 shopping Spree

to the Viva Las Vegastamps! on line store.

Post the Viva Las Vegastamps Blinkie on your blog

and get a Free Grab bag of Unmounted Rubber.

Find more details on the VLVS! Sidebar beneath the “Blinke”

Senior Ladies, Best Friends - A Card For Your BFF

2012-01-15T21:02:00.000-08:00

Until this project, I don't think I've ever used a "photo stamp." You know the kind - stamps made from photographs rather than drawings. I've seen many that have interested me, but just didn't know what to do with them or how to use them. That brings me to the pound of rubber I received from Viva Las Vegastamps! For only $25, you can buy one pound of unmounted, deeply etched red rubber stamps. Viva Las Vegastamps! will select, at random, a pound of images and sayings from their collection of over 16,000, mostly "non-cute" stamps. I got a pound and when I sat and went through them I found Senior Ladies 3 1/2" x 4 3/4" (#8671).

Every time I looked at this stamp, a story went through my head. These two woman knew each other for years. They often went to the park together. They fed the birds. They played BINGO. They were best friends.

Given how many times I stopped and looked at this stamp (yes, I go through the pound of rubber over and over again), I knew I had to use it on a project.

I started by covering some glossy photo paper with distress ink. Then I stamped Senior Ladies 3 1/2" x 4 3/4" (#8671) using black dye ink. Once trimmed, the result looked like an old photo!
I picked up some vintage BINGO cards at a flea market this summer and decided to use one as a background for this photo. If you don't have a real BINGO card, you can create your own using Bingo Card 4 3/4 x 5 3/4 (#8431).

For the sentiment, I stamped letters using Scrabble Alphabet Unmounted Regular Size (#1948) on white paper. I applied distress ink, used a Copic marker to color the edges of each tile and then embossed the letters with Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder. Once cut out, they look like real Scrabble tiles.

The card base is made from Designer Paper (DP) that fits the vintage look I was going for.

Now that I've finally used a photo stamp, I know they will become a standard part of my stamping portfolio. I hope you'll give them a try too. In fact, why not challenge yourself? Get a pound of rubber and see how creative you can be with stamps you didn't select. I bet you'll find it as fun as I did!

Check out my blog on Create & Craft for more project ideas.
Happy crafting!
Joe

You Can Win a Stamper's Sampler!

2012-01-14T13:49:00.000-08:00

Time to give something away!
Wanta win a prize. How about a sampler package of Miracle Tape. Valued at $50.00
1) share this post
2) Like our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/vlvstamps
3) Follow our blog http://www.vivalas.blogspot.com/
4) let me know you did all of these
I will pick a winner on Monday 1/16/12 to win a sampler package of Miracle tape. here is the link for that. http://www.vlvstamps.com/miracle-tape-sampler.html

A Loving Birthday

2012-01-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hello my darlings!

Our theme for the month is "Celebration".

And, I love to celebrate!

I'll celebrate anything

- your birthday, my birthday, the dog's birthday, the dog getting a bath,

my teenager not being grumpy for a day, you name it!

I like to have fun!!

When I ordered the little cutie that I used for this card, I got him for Valentine's Day cards.

I'll still use him for those, but a friend of min saw him and thought he was SOOO cute.

Her birthday is next month, so I thought I should use this guy on her birthday card.

It's a simple card, but I thought it turned out cute!!

You'll need:

Running Heart- SUPER CUTE STAMP!!

Red card base

Black card stock panel

White card stock panel plus a scrap of white card stock

Black Ink- I used Memories (Stewart Superior)

Markers

Foam dots

Distress Ink (I used Broken China) and blending tool

Black glitter pen (Sakura)

Scraps of card stock

Bakers twine

Scissors

Miracle Tape

This card just makes me smile!

I thought that since everyone else was doing super awesome, super fancy stuff,

I'd go in a more bright and light hearted direction.

What do ya think?

Ok, my card is regulation size (5 1/2 x 4 1/4), so the black panel is 5 1/4 x 4. Stick it onto the card base.

Cut the white panel to 5 x 3 3/4 and stamp the cute heart guy three times across the center.

I stamped the two end guys first, then the middle.

Their hands will overlap in the middle but that's OK.

Stamp another heart guy on a wrap of white card stock.

Color the three heart guys on the panel, and color the heart guy you stamped on the scrap.

Fussy cut the scrappy heart guy and set him aside.

Use the ink blending tool and ink up that white panel.

Now, add the scrappy heart guy over the heart guy in the center using foam tape/pop dots.

Use scissors and hand-cut three balloons from card stock.

Knot some bakers twine around each balloon.

VERY CAREFULLY, snip the line on the center heart guy that makes his thumb,

and push the twine behind his thumb...He's gotta hold onto those balloons!

Take your glitter pen and color in the hat on the center heart guy.

I don't kno why, but the shimmer from the pen didn't show in the photo!! SORRY!!!

Here's your wiener!

Sammy, waiting for me to finish this card so he can jump into my lap!

Celebrate the Every Day

2012-01-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard or haven't been paying attention... VLVS! is hosting a monthly challenge where a selected winner receives a gift certificate to the online store! Very generous of our fearless leader, Wayne!

This month's theme is "CELEBRATION"

and I made my first piece for January based off the idea.. but with a twist.. I'm a big fan of "the small things" and so I went with "Celebrate the Every Day"

I recently got my little grubbers on two fabulous stamps that are going right in the front of my stash..

The Chicken Wire 3 3/4" x 4 1/2"

and the Birds on Wire 1 1/2" x 6 1/2"

I used the chicken wire as a background.. I stamped it in clear embossing ink and then doused it Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder by VLVS! I then smeared, sprayed and spritzed a combination of Broken China distress stain and water all over my tag. Once that was dry I laid newsprint over my tag and ironed out the embossing ink. Then I grabbed the bird stamp, my Memento Ink and a clear block.. some creative placement and VIOLA! the "Sing" "Chatter" and "Spread Joy" were written by hand in black ink on manila to match the rest of the tag. Swipe the edges of the tag with the same ink as the stamp and some creative doodling... And we get....

Thanks for coming by again this week!! Don't forget to enter your own piece into the competition!

-DeeDee

What Was I Thinking?

2012-01-08T21:02:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is coming soon! I am sure that most of us, at least one time in our lives, could relate to this card. Some people will go buy a nice mushy card, but in the back of their mind they'll be thinking "I need that card that Joe Morgan made!" Anyway, it's just for fun, because Valentine's Day isn't all about hearts and flowers for everyone. Sarcastic people like me would prefer that we skip it and have Halloween twice a year instead. So on to my card!

I used two Viva Las Vegastamps! for this project:
Hugging Lovers
Looking Back Over the Years

For my background, I used a conversation heart embossing folder to dry emboss pink paper. I stamped the sentiment on white and used a decorative punch to punch it out. I stamped the Hugging Lovers stamp on white and colored it with Copic markers and then fussy cut it out. I assembled the card as shown with some green and pink ribbon behind the sentiment and I also inked the edges.

I hope you enjoy my card and at least got a good laugh from it! Viva Las Vegastamps! has a ton of sentiment stamps for everything. I get ideas just by reading them!

For more of my project ideas, visit my blog on Create & Craft.

WE Have WINNERS

2012-01-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

First off I can't thank everyone for all the wonderful comment the team got. WE had so much fun and I think you guys did too.

Here is a list of the $15 winners - to claim your prize - please email Terri Sproul at
Terri@ultimatescrapbookretreat.com with WINNER in the regard (so you don't get deleted).
Please stop by their blog and see your name there too...
On Dee Dee Catron blog the winner is Cheryl
on Susan Brown Blog the winner is Jocely
On Joe Morgan Blog the winner is Lee Steel
On Joe Rotella blog the winner is Yvonney
on Lea Coici blog the winner is Clare D.
On Lyneen Blog the winner is Marcia P.
On Terri Sproul blog the winner is Gwyn

Now the Big Winner: the winner will receive $25 to our on line store.

Robert Rosendale

Now it's time for me to post the winner from last Month Challenge

Darlene Mullins

please contact me to claim your prize... and THANKS for playing...

Hope to see more play our Monthly Challenge for your chance to have

your project on our blog

and

win $25 to our on-line store.

This Month Theme is

"Celebration"

thanks for stopping by

Terri Sproul

Aunt Ethel is the Life of what Party???

2012-01-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!! It's Susan here with the top of the month Saturday post and today I'm feeling a little quirky. I am sharing two cards with you today. The first one falls into January's Theme Challenge of "Celebration". This kooky gal is dressed to the nine {NOT} and she's ready to P-A-R-T-Y!!!

Isn't Aunt Ethel the life of the party???

This card uses Party Lady #15176, Design Solid Ovals #9817 and the phrase "I'm Retired..." #15408 from Viva Las Vegastamps!

Here's the details: I started with a plain piece of matte finish cardstock that is painted with my special mix of gesso shimmer primer. Sounds fancy but it's a mixture of gesso and glazing medium with a small amount of gold shimmer, pale green and creme acrylic paint. It makes a nice buttery background that has a little texture. I mix this up so often I made a whole bottle of it complete with a dauber top.

Now to the fun part...stamping. I used Stewart Superior Memories Black Dye ink and stamped the image on the base layer. I love this ink! Especially for stamping images that I'm going to do a lot of coloring...there's no bleeding or smudging. Then using the ovals, I stamped a patterned floor using peeled paint distress ink. The gesso in the background tones down the intensity of the distress ink. I use my marvy dye markers and my water brush to paint in her skin, hair and lips. With a makeup sponge, I used old paper distress ink to darken the background around her.

Now to dress her up! I have these metallic textured papers from an altered book club goody bag and have been saving these for something special {hehe}. I had a matching purple and pink paper with a wavy modeled texture like wallpaper that I stamped the image on with black staz-on. Then I stamped it again on a royal blue foil paper for just the balloon. I cut out the balloon, hat, dress, shoes and socks and paper pieced this doll back together. I added some finishing touches with a white opaque pen and my favorite gelly stardust pen. I stamped the quote on a piece of the same painted paper, matted with the textured pink metallic and VOILA..."A Party Queen"! These stamps just bring out the kid in me : )

Now for the second card...

I did a little bit of extra work here. I started out with a piece of crumpled hand-painted brown packing paper {like a brown paper bag}. I had made a couple huge sheets of it to make mini book covers. This is painted with a purple/bronzy shimmer spray and purple & brown acrylic paints with glazing medium. The top half of the card is the front of the paper. For contrast, and because it was pretty too, I used the backside of the same paper for the bottom left and right panels. The center panel is the same painted paper overstamped in black with a Texture/Chevron #9771, a natural pattern stamp from Viva Las Vegastamps! The quirky Birdhead #4026 is also from VLVS and is stamped in brown ink and embossed with clear embossing powder on tan cardstock. I trimmed around the image, sponged a little yellow ochre on the beak, added white to the eyes and raised with 3D dots. I finished off with an acrylic bezel word from SEI, burlap cording from May Arts and this silly quote #14908 in cardstock ovals to make a thought bubble. I love this monochromatic card - it is just so irresistably cute!

Thanks for dropping by and staying until the end. I invite and encourage you to submit your creations for the VLVS Theme Challenge for January! Submit your "CELEBRATION" theme creations using Viva Las Vegastamps! for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate at the VLVS online store. CLICK HERE for info on submissions. Don't forget to check out the Viva Las Vegastamps! store - there is something for every occasion and everything from breakfast to weiner dogs! Don't forget to hang out a little while to see what our talented Design Team has been up to.

Thanks so much for visiting & if you would like to see more of my creations please visit my blog, sbartist : painting in the dark HERE. Enjoy the rest of your week : )

Elementary My Dear Watson

2012-01-05T20:34:00.000-08:00

A close-up view of Sherlock Holmes embroiled in thoughts...see the gears, are they constantly turning in his head????

At the turn of the century the new technology embraces the world - we look at it now and the art formed is called Steampunk! VLVS has so many images that you can mix and match to create Steampunk art - AND - they have gears to adorn what you create.

This is a very easy artwork to re-create. I have used these VLVS images:

Sherlock Holmes

Have Time Will Travel

1. I have used a 5&7 piece of notebook looking cardstock. It has gears on the bottom right. I used inkpads to distress the cardstock further than it is. Use a piece of foam or soft sponge to do this.

2. Stamp all images except the little gear and screw. Color Sherlock with Copic markers and cut out. Adhere at the bottom of the notebook cardstock with Miracle Tape. Note: I used a white pen to accent Sherlock's hair and coat for added contrast.

3. Stamp the small gears randomly around the page with brown ink. Stamp some gears slightly off the page to give continuity. Stamp the screw over the head with black ink.

4. Stamp both word phrases and use ink to distress the background. Mount the "Have Time Will Travel" onto black cardstock as a small frame with Miracle Tape and above the screw. To the left of Sherlock use Miracle tape to adhere the words "I Am Steampunk" to the notebook cardstock.

5. Glue gears of all type around the page - see illustration.

I used to watch Sherlock Holmes movies, loved The Hounds of the Baskervilles. I've never read the books, but maybe I'll pick one up now.

Thanks for traveling with me! Until next time, may all your journeys create great art!!!

Lea

Viva Las Vegastamps! A Month of Celebrations

2012-01-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

January is a month full of inspiration to Celebrate!

Visit the VLVS! Blog often to see all the postings for celebrating during the month of January.

CELEBRATE a 25th Anniversary!!!

Viva Las Vegastamps! Style

With the Viva Las Vegastamps! Fancy Dancers

Gather Supplies:

Viva Las Vegastamps! Celebrate

Viva Las Vegastamps! London Skyline

Viva Las Vegastamps! Fancy Dancers

Viva Las Vegastamps! Miracle Tape

Viva Las Vegastamps! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder

Superior Stewart - Memories Black Ink

Vintage Foil - Silver 25

Foam tape

COPIC Pink

Stickles

Ribbon - Silver

Back & Silver Card Stock

Heat Gun

Acrylic Blocks

Stamp the Viva Las Vegastamps! London Skyline with Memories Black Ink heat emboss using Viva Las Vegastamps! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder

Then stamp Viva Las Vegastamps! Celebrate using Memories Black Ink and heat emboss with Viva Las Vegastamps! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder

Stamp Viva Las Vegastamps! Fancy Dancers with Memories Black Ink and heat emboss with Viva Las Vegastamps! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder. Give the ladies dress a hint of color with a pink COPIC, then fussy cut. Adhere both the black panel to the silver card base and the Vintage foil 25 to panel with Viva Las Vegastamps! Miracle Tap e. Use foam tape to attach the V iva Las Vegastamps! Fancy Dancers. Add a silver ribbon bow!

Have fun Celebrating anything and everything this month!!!!

Visit me at my blog Dreaming of Castles.

Now for a chance

to win some blog candy!!!

The Monthly Challenge has been posted

on the Viva Las Vegastamps! Blog HERE!

This Months Theme is

"CELEBRATION"

Interpret “Celebration” any way you like...

a Birthday, Anniversary or Party

Learn more CLICK HERE

Winner will receive a $25 shopping Spree

to the Viva Las Vegastamps! on line store.

New Years Celebration Blog Hop

2011-12-31T21:00:00.000-08:00

"Welcome to 2012"

The Viva Las Vegastamp! Design Team

is having a celebration

and we are taking you

along...

We are doing an amazing blog hop...

here are the rules:

1) Must leave a comment on all the blogs

2) Must become a follower of all the blogs

You are entered

for what - you may ask...

Each blog on this team will give a $15

on-line shopping spree to our store
(with free shipping).

and

ONE lucky person will get $25
(with free shipping) to our

on-line store.

Now here is our list of blogs. Go see how we

celebrate the NEW YEAR

Monthly Challenge

2011-12-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

It's time for our

Monthly Challenge

ARE YOU PLAYING????

here is how it works...

This Months Theme

"CELEBRATION"

1) Post a card or project on our facebook page using the theme for that month http://www.facebook.com/vlvstamps

2) The first Sunday of each month we post a winner

Winner Receives:

There Project or Card featured on our Blog and a $25 shopping Spree to our on- Line Store.

Hope you stop back by tomorrow and join our Team with a "Celebration" Blog HOP...

Peace...Love...and Naked Men!

2011-12-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

Wow it's the end of December!!! It's Susan (again) with my end of the month project. Today's project also features a fun product called Creative Paperclay® now available for sale over at Viva Las Vegastamps!

This project is using four stamps from Viva Las Vegastamps! This piece begins with Angel Blowing Horn #6303. I also used "I Wish For A World" #1541, Patriotic Shirt Man #18119 and Leafy Border #6292.

I started with a sheet of paper that was previously business cards that has been painted over with gesso and other acrylic paint. I make these when I have paint leftover that I've mixed up for a project so it doesn't go to waste. The business cards were on this gunmetal parchment, which on the backside is lovely, but for this I used the painted side. It is a nice base and has a nice texture from the gesso. I stamped the Angel, the leafy border and my naked man with Stewart Superior Memories Regal Burgundy Pigment ink and embossed using VLVS Ultra High Gloss embossing powder. Before stamping the man, I rubbed the area with Stewart Superior "New Canvas" Palette hybrid ink {this is white}. I used the ink pad directly to paper in a circular motion and blended out the edges with a paper towel. This made a nice highlighted area for my guy. After stamping, I added some color with watercolor pencils and waterbrush. I added some coloring with CaranD'Ache watercolor crayons, but left them as pastel state {I didn't blend with water}. I finished off by stamping sentiment in Stewart Superior Memories Black Dye ink and mounting on burgundy cardstock.

For the corner embellishments I used the Creative Paperclay® in a small embossing folder. I rubbed the embossing folder with clear ink before pressing clay into it to help ease release. I gently pulled it out and accelerated the drying process by placing in a pan in the toaster oven on one medium toast cycle. Then I cut it apart, sanded edges then inked with chalk inks.

Detail of the Half-naked man colored with watercolor pencils.

Detail of Corner Embellishment made with Creative Paperclay® in embossing folder.

Today is December 30th which means there's only two days left to enter the monthly VLVS Theme Challenge. Submit your "CHRISTMAS" theme creations using Viva Las Vegastamps! for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate at the VLVS online store. CLICK HERE for info on submissions. Also check out the Viva Las Vegastamps! store - there is something for every occasion and more! Please drop by on Sunday for a special New Year's Celebration with the Viva Las Vegastamps! Design Team Bloghop with a chance to win by commenting on every stop on the hop.

Thanks so much for visiting & if you would like to see more of my creations please visit my blog, sbartist : painting in the dark HERE. Happy NEW YEAR!!! : )

A couple of kiddos and some clouds..

2011-12-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

The VLVS! DT has the pleasure of working with some Creative Paperclay® this month (Available @ VLVS! HERE) and I chose to turn mine into clouds! But first.. I had to start out with a VLVS! Stamp..

I picked this stamp:

Boy & Girl with Bike 2 3/4 x 4 1/2 - $12.50

It's so sweet and gentle! Then I grabbed my Memento Tuxedo black ink, my VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder.. and some gorgeous BoBunny patterned paper. I'm also a huge fan of recycling.. so I pulled out some packaging cardboard to my card base and some corrugated cardboard to make my stamp stand out. I stamped the image, doused in powder and heated. Then I cut to size all my pieces.. did a little distressing.. both with scissors and vintage photo distress ink. I got out my Miracle tape and began setting things in place!

I shaped my Creative PaperClay® and let dry.. then I went over it with Picket Fence distress stain.. sponged it with vintage photo distress ink and ran the stamp pad along the edges!! Last.. I adorned my card with a piece of vintage lace, some cream colored pearls, a butterfly wing and a tim holtz charm and my handmade clouds!

a closeup of the clouds:

and the stamp:

As a final step to make things "flow" I went arond some extra edges with distress stain in picket fence. Love the effect :D

-DeeDee

It's Fruitcake Time!

2011-12-25T21:01:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! For my last post of 2011, I wanted to make a card that I have had planned out in my head for quite a while. I know it's the day after Christmas, but it's funny, so here it is. I am sure everyone will get a late card or two in the mail this week and I am sure that if you had a fruitcake in your house yesterday, then more than likely, it's still there today. Anyway, back to my project. I am known for my unconventional sense of humor, and this card supports that. People will know who made this as soon as they see it.

I used the following four Viva Las Vegastamps! to make this card:

Handsome Man

Man With Bottle

Santa Hat (reversed)

Fruitcake Time! sentiment

First I stamped all of my stamps on white card stock using a black Memories dye ink pad from Stewart Superior. I wanted the Santa hat to go in the opposite direction, so I stamped it on the smooth backside of another unmounted rubber stamp, and then pressed that image onto the paper to get my reversed image. Then, I colored all my images and cut them out. I embossed the green background sheet with a holly embossing folder. I used a punch for some additonal holly leaves and berries. For the lights, I used a spool of embellishment lights arranged the way I wanted them, and put a drop of glue under each bulb. I let that dry for a few minutes, and then put a drop of glue under the strings to hold them where I wanted them.

I assembled the rest of the card as you see in the finished picture. I put the Man with Bottle behind a holly leaf so he would not be floating in space. I put the Handsome Man on pop dots to bring him to the front of the scene and to show that the guy with the bottle of tanning oil (it's my card, so that is what I have decided it is) is in the background. Of course, the sentiment means it's Christmastime, but I like to think that the man is happy for a lot of reasons.

Visit my blog on the Create & Craft site to see my other fun projects. Happy New Year!

Have a Wienderful Christmastime Birthday!!!

2011-12-24T10:11:00.000-08:00

Hello my darlings!

I hope you are all well, and looking forward to a wonderful Christmas!

I have a close friend who's son's birthday is December 20th.

Yes, he was *almost* a Christmas baby!

But, this kiddo often is overlooked with his birthday being so close to Christmas.

We were talking about it last week, and I made this birthday card for him.

This card uses my FAVORITE Viva Las Vegas Stamp, Dog Ears Flying.

He reminds me so very much of my sweet Sammy!!

This is a super simple card but is so sweet!

Supplies:

Card base

Stamp

Patterned papers- these are from Jillibean Soup and some other random pieces

Back ground stamp

Black Ink pad- I used Ranger's Archival

Kalidacolor ink pad

Scrap of glitter paper (this scrap is from Doodlebug)

Liquid Applique

Heat tool

Scissors

Miracle tape

Embossing folder

Spellbinder's dies

Embossing folder

Markers or whatever you like to color with

Bakers twine and/or ribbon

First, I'd like to share a tip!

You know all those scraps of pretty patterned paper we keep?

Here's an easy, fun way to use them!

Cover some card stock with adhesive. I use Miracle Tape.

Cut your scraps into strips...Someone else said to cut them all the same width, I don't do that.

I just trim 'em so they are straight.

Once the card stock is covered, trim it up.

Die cut into shapes.

I LOVE making mats for cards this way!!

Now, onto the card!

Cover your card base with paper (this is Jillibean Soup).

Die cut your scrap-covered card stock.

Die cut a piece of card stock to layer onto the first die cut. Emboss!

Die cut another piece of card stock. Stamp wiener on it with black ink.

Stamp back ground stamp all over and layer onto die cut layers.

Center this all onto the card front.

Stamp wiener with black ink on a scrap of card stock. Color and cut out.

Adhere colored wiener over wiener on die cut. The reason I do this is to get
the shading and stuff under the dog...I think it looks better this way!

Cut a scrap of glitter paper into a triangle to make a party hat. Place on wiener's head.

Put some liquid appliqué at the tip of the hat. Heat to dry and puff up.

Cut a couple of squares or rectangles from scrap paper.

Add ribbon or bakers twine to make presents, and place them beside the wiener.

I made a few more of these to have on hand.

This card used ALL scraps except for the card base!

Even the card stock that I adhered the scraps to, was scrap card stock!

YEAH!!

And I thought I'd leave you with a couple of Christmas sights from my house.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

One of my favorite ornaments, a Cow that sings "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

A resin ring I made for a friend, and I used one of my itty bitty tags for her!

Here's your wiener!!!

All stamps on this ATC are from Viva Las Vegas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Day 5 and Day 6 - Christmas Tag

2011-12-21T21:00:00.000-08:00

Our Amazing Design Team did a 12 tags of Christmas Blog Hop from Dec 1st - 12th. If you miss it, here is a collage of Day 5 and Day 6.

This was Day 5 of the Hop

This was day 6 of the Hop

Well if you missed this hop - this amazing Team is doing another Blog hop on

Jan 1st, 2012

So please stop by here on that date

and

ring in the year with us....

Come back tomorrow and see another project...

Merry Christmas

Terri Sproul

Viva Las Vegastamps! Christmas Ornament!

2011-12-20T21:00:00.000-08:00

The design team challenge this month is to use Viva Las Vegastamps! and Creative Paperclay®. Last post I did a project creating ornaments by directly stamping on Creative Paperclay®.

Ornament direct stamping

using VLVS! Santa Holly

click HERE to get instructions.

This time I am combining the two by making an object with Creative Paperclay® and stamping on paper.

Supplies I used:

Viva Las Vegastamps! Holly Stamp

Creative Paperclay®

Copics - red and green

Stickles - red and green

Tulle

Small Tartlet Pan

Silver tinsel pipe cleaners

Memories In - Black

Snowflake charm

Crop-o-dile to punch holes

Press clay in to mold and let dry overnight.

Remove molded clay.

Stamp VLVS! Holly on white paper, fussy cut, color with COPICS and embellish with Stickles.

Punch holes with Crop-o-dile for pipe cleaner hanger and snow flake charm on the bottom. Trim tartlet pan with silver tinsel pipe cleaner, gather small amount of tulle and glue in pan. Add snowflake charm, molded head and Viva Las Vegastamps! Holly.

The ornament is ready for your tree, as a package trim or a set would make a great gift!.

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!

SAVE 20%

on the

Viva Las Vegastamps! Website

PLUS

FREE SHIPPING!

Through Monday,

December 26!

View Cart

and enter

Holidays

as your Coupon Code

and Apply it.

Note: Applies to already reduced items

in Bargain Basement, Blue Plate Special

and Dollar Deals but does NOT apply to:

Wood & Gift Certificates.

For complete details with pictures,

read our Newsletter HERE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
From Lyneen
And the Viva Las Vegastamps!
Design Team

Join us for a FANTASTIC

New Years Day Blog Hop

with tons of

Blog Candy!!!!

Circus Themed Card using Creative Paperclay

2011-12-18T21:01:00.000-08:00

A couple years back, I took a pottery class through the Lifelong Learning program offered by my city's Parks and Recreation department. We learned to throw pots, work with clay slabs and even did some molding. Back then I used some small face molds to make embellishments for a clay bowl. When it came time to play with Creative Paperclay I remembered the molds and thought it would be fun to cast paperclay.

The Creative Paperclay was really easy to work with and molded quite well. I was happily surprised by how much detail you can get. Once the castings were dry, I used an emery board to smooth the edges so they were ready to paint.

Viva Las Vegastamps! has several circus themed stamps and for some odd reason, when I look at them, I'm drawn to the Unicycle Lady 2 3/4 x 3 1/2 #14619.
I thought she would look great in brightly colored costume that sparkled. So, I stamped the image with dye ink, colored it in with Copic markers and then used a glue pen to add glitter. After I fussy cut the image, I knew I had the focal point of a card.

The sentiment, Perhaps You Were Just 1 1/2 x 2 1/4 #7834 from Viva Las Vegastamps!, seemed like a good companion to the unicycle lady. The molded faces could become part of a crowd, watching her perform. I found a vintage crowd photograph, printed it in sepia tones, and painted the faces a similar shade using an acrylic wash.

I love texture and wanted the bottom of the card to look like the dirt floors I had seen in circus rings. I had saved some sawdust from a previous project (I save everything! LOL) and applied it using 1" wide Miracle Tape and it gave me just the looked I was hoping for.

With all the components complete, I assembled the card. I used pop-dots to lift up the circus ring wall from the crowd, so they would appear to be sitting behind the wall. I used pop-dots again for the unicycle lady so she would be in front of the wall. It took a double layer of pop-dots where he body was above the crowd (versus the wall).

I hope you enjoy this card and it doesn't give you any nightmares about your past at the circus!

You can see my other projects on my blog on the Create & Craft website.

Happy crafting!
Joe Rotella

Winner and Day 4

2011-12-17T21:00:00.000-08:00

As promised I am posting the amazing tags our Design Team made during the 12 tags of Christmas. We had some amazing blog candy too. We all hope you played with us..

This is all the tags from our Day 4.

Now it's time to tell you who won this amazing step of stamps

Leslie Rahye

please contact Terri Sproul to claim your prize

terri@ultimatescrapbookretreat.com

Now for more exciting news...

WE had so much fun doing this hop - WE are doing it again on New Years Day

We hope you join us on Jan 1, 2012 for another amazing hop with our Design Team

There will be LOTS of Blog Candy..

Merry Christmas

Terri Sproul

Day 3 of our 12 tags of Christmas Hop

2011-12-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a recap of Day 3 Tags our team made during our 12 tags of Christmas Blog Hop. I will be post the winner on Sunday along with another set of tags. We hope your enjoy our blog hop and your join us for the next one. We are doing a Jan 1st - New Years Blog Hop with the whole team and LOTS of blog Candy. We are starting the New Year out right - by thanking all of our customer and followers to an amazing blog Hop with amazing prizes - did you see the "s" - yes we are giving LOTS of prize away on Jan 1st 2012. WE hope your join us...

Again another amazing set of tags. Thanks again and stop back by on Sunday to see who won the blog candy... I am so excited...

Terri Sproul

Inside, Looking Out at Who's Naughty and Who's Nice

2011-12-15T23:30:00.000-08:00

The blog hop was so fun, I used Santa with his List from plate 1363 again! The card is a 3 fold card and I cut a window so that Santa can peek out!

A simple tag was cut from Creative Paperclay® and a hole punched with an awl so that I could attach it to the card. I used part of the word "Santa's Coming" from plate 1363 as well.

The inside is a similar motif to the outside. I cut a stretched scallop and after I colored Santa, I cut him and adhered him on top of the scallop with Miracle Tape. "Have a Blessed Christmas" is also from plate 1363.

Extras are holiday stickers. This plate is a very versatile plate filled with wonderful images to mix and match to create a plethora of cards, tags, and vinette's for Christmas.

VLVS Images:

Christmas Plate 1363

Next weekend is Christmas - I wanted to do this card to send everyone a greeting to say have a Blessed Christmas!

VLVS is having a 20% off Christmas Sale and FREE SHIPPING. Ongoing until December 26th!!! Just key in "Holidays" in the coupon spot at checkout. Santa has been good to us all this year...so pick up some fabulous images to add to your VLVS collection.

See you January 1st for the New Year's Blog Hop! Double blog candy for all!!!

Take care, Lea

Day 2 of the 12 Tags of Christmas

2011-12-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

I want to take some time to THANK everyone who came to our 12 Tags of Christmas Blog Hop. We had an amazing turn out. Special "THANK YOU" to all of you.

Our Design team is truly amazing... I put out a challenge for them to make 12 tags out of one plate of stamps and they did me proud. I will be posting the collection of tag the team make - when they are not posting you a brand new project - They do that on Mondays, Wednesday, Friday and a few Saturdays.

Anyways, here is Day 2 of the tags the team made using plate #1363.

This is the set of stamp our team used and was our blog candy.

I hope you play along with our hop

Next TEAM hop will be Jan 1st

There will be amazing blog candy for that Hop. hope your join us!

Are these just amazing or what...

Thanks for stopping by

Terri Sproul

Just around the corner..

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

is Christmas! and I'm having fun doing "creative" Christmas cards this year...

I picked up some of the Library Pockets from VLVS! and got to work distressing with a walnut stain distress ink. I then cut a tag from some dictionary paper and distressed with peeled paint distress ink.

I love the cream color that manila comes.. so I seriously stock up on manila folders and use them as a regular stamping surface.. I grabbed a folder and this beautiful new stamp from VLVS!:

Jolly Ol' St. Nick 3 1/4 x 3 - $11.75

I stamped him in Memento Tuxedo and embossed with VLVS!'s Ultra High Gloss EP.

I then did a little embellishing (I love to deconstruct decorative picks and use bits n bobs as embellishmetns) some extra inking.. ribbon snipping and tying.. and of course adhering everything down with VLVS! Miralce Tape...

and...

VIOLA!

thanks so much for checking out my VLVS! project again this week!! -DeeDee

12 Tags of Christmas - Day One

2011-12-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

In case you didn't follow our 12 Tags of Christmas, here are the six Tags for Day One... each Tag had to use at least one image from our Plate #1363.

My Favorite Fruitcake Recipe!

2011-12-11T21:01:00.000-08:00

For my Viva Las Vegastamps! design team post this time, I wanted to use this funny fruitcake recipe stamp that I have admired for a while now. I used Spellbinders dies for the mat, recipe card, and cake platter that my fruitcake is on. I used a Sizzix embossing folder to add the dot texture to my mat and then used Colored Sakura Crystal Lacquer to highlight some of the dots so that they would accent the pieces of fruit in the fruitcake.

Now here is the fun part! This month, we got to try out a product called Creative Paperclay. I used the paperclay to make my fruitcake and I was surprised at how much like regular clay it is. I expected it to be more like paper pulp, but it was very easy to use, like real clay. Here is how I made the fruitcake:

First, I drew a circle on a piece of waxed paper. Then I put red, green, yellow and orange rhinestones all over my circle. After that, I started putting small pieces of clay over the stones and I pressed the clay down until I could feel the stones. Once I covered all of the stones, I rubbed them to get the clay off the tops of them. Then I trimmed off the excess clay, while also trimming the waxed paper at the same time with a craft knife. I shaped and evened it out to my liking and then put it away to dry over night. The next day, the edges had curled up a little, but it was still a little wet. I gently pressed it flat and smoothed out any tiny cracks with a wet paintbrush. The next day, I painted it with some watered down brown acrylic paint to give it that "bake until golden brown" look. Normally I wouldn't recommend using the waxed paper, but in this project, it gave the bling something to stick to, and also added strength since my project was very thin. Other embellishments you could make this way, could be things like pizza, cookies or a wreath. You can see other projects for Creative Paperclay on their blog by clicking here.

Feel free to stop by the Create & Craft blog to see all of my Viva Las Vegastamps! posts in one place as well as projects from the rest of our team. Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to come back every Monday, Wednesday & Friday to see the newest posts!

Old-Fashioned Christmas Ornament

2011-12-09T03:01:00.000-08:00

Hello my darlings!

Aimee here... so good to see you!

I have to tell you, the VLVS Design Team is so awesome.

We have the best fearless leader EVAH!

This month we were invited to play with Creative Paperclay.

Check it out HERE.

Have you tried it before?

If not, ya have to!

Yes you can mold stuff and sculpt stuff, but it dries with out having to bake it.

FAB-U-LOUS!

Since Christmas is almost here, and I've been in a Christmas crafting mood,

and I try to make ornaments for my family members each year (remember my post from last month?),

I decided to make an ornament for this month's project.

Now, I got to thinking about this- you could also use this piece on a card front

or in a scrapbook because this is VERY thin and VERY light weight.

Ok, on with the show!

Supplies:

Creative Paperclay

Spellbinder's die

Acrylic paints- red, gold, black

Paint brushes

Cloth and mini mister with water

Heat Gun

Bling

Stamp

Here's the finished project.

What I was going for was the look of an old, grungy, but sweet ornament you might have found in your grandmother's Christmas decorations...Did I get it? What do you think?

Ok, now grab a ball of Paperclay, and roll it out with a rubber brayer.

I lay a transparency sheet (or parchment paper would work) on my non-stick craft sheet to work on.

I rolled this out as close to paper-thin as I could manage. I'd say it's the thickness of thin chipboard.

Press your unlinked stamp into the paper clay.

Remove the stamp.

Press your Spellbinder's die into the clay, cutting side down.

It's not going to cut through, but you've given yourself a cutting pattern!

Remove the die, and use a craft knife to cut out around the outline.

It's best to use a short, almost stabbing motion to cut the Paperclay.

If you drag your knife through it, you'll just distort your image. No fun!

Here it is cut out with the craft knife.

Now, set it aside to dry.

Once it's dry, gently sand the rough edges.

I use my pink Basic Grey file.

Once your edges are nice and smooth, base coat with red acrylic paint.

Let it dry, or be like me and heat gun that baby!!

Once your red paint is dry, add gold paint all over, being sure to get it into

the recesses of the stamped image.

Let it sit a minute (till it's nearly dry), and use a damp cloth to rub off most of the gold paint.

Leave the gold paint in the stamped image and in random spots.

Kinda like this.

Now add black acrylic paint in a messy fashion, being sure to get it into the stamped image.

Let sit a minute and rub off with wet cloth.

Make sure you add a little black paint on the edges, too.

Add some bling.

If you want an ornament, take some sheer ribbon and dirty it up

with black and gold acrylic.

Dry.

Glue onto the back of the ornament.

If you'd rather use it on a card or scrapbook page, simply adhere it to your paper

with your favorite adhesive.

Here's your wiener!

My now two year old Sammy boy when he was a brand new baby, about 4 weeks old.

Ah, I could smoosh that little face!

Viva Las Vegastamps! and Creative Paperclay® Ornaments

2011-12-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

This month the Viva Las Vegastamps! design team was challenged to use Creative Paperclay® in their post! I usually give home make ornaments as gifts to some of the people on my Christmas list and decided to make them with Creative Paperclay® this year! For one stop shopping Creative Paperclay® is now available online at Viva Las Vegastamps!

Work on a flat surface, a glass surface seems to work the best. Tip: I place a transparency on the glass surface to allow easy moving. Sorry you can't see the transparency, believe me it is there! Work with small amounts of Creative Paperclay®, first roll it into a smooth ball, then between the spacers roll out the clay. For spacers I used 3 pieces of chip board taped together with Viva Las Vegastamps! Miracle Tape, making them about a 1/4 of an inch thick. The spacers help keep my clay a consistent thickness. While working with Creative Paperclay® be sure to keep the unused portion of the clay sealed or covered in plastic so it doesn’t dry out!

After rolling out the paper clay stamp your image in the clay. Do this before you cut the clay. If you stamp after cutting the clay you may distort the shape of the cut image. Note: Once you use items from the kitchen with clay the tools should be used exclusively for clay or other craft projects in the future!

For my ornaments I used Viva Las Vegastamps! Swirls Plate 1333 and Santa Holly.

After stamping your image cut your shape, press hard so that you feel the glass surface below the cutters. Tip: Gently pull the extra clay from around the cutters while the cutter is still in the clay. Using the end of the paint brush put a hole in each ornament.

Halfway through the drying time turn your ornaments over. Sand the rough edges gently with an emery board or fine sand paper. For a sealed surface paint ornaments with a matte medium or gesso, set aside to dry.

Paint your charms with acrylic paints or any other craft paint you may have around, set aside to dry.

With gold paint cover the ornament and then wipe the paint leaving the gold in the impression made by the stamps.

Set aside to dry.

Add a bow to each ornament and 

a set is ready to give as a gift!

Close up of Holly Santa!

Supplies:

Viva Las Vegastamps! Holly Santa

Viva Las Vegastamps! Swirls Plate # 1333

Creative Paperclay®

Cookie cutters,

Cutting surface-Glass cutting board

Transparencies

Roller

Spacers made from Chipboard

Paint brush

Emery-board

Gesso or Matt medium

Acrylic Paints

Ribbon

REMEMBER to join the monthly Viva Las Vegastamps!

the Theme for December

is CHRISTMAS!

One winner’s card will be featured on our Blog and the receive a $25.00 Gift Certificate to shop at Viva Las Vegastamps!

Find out more HERE...

The 12 Tags of Christmas Blog Hop is in its 7th day plenty of time to hop along with us and win some BLOG CANDY...

Start the Hop on Terri Sproul's Blog. CLICK HERE!

Season's Greetings Side Step Card

2011-12-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

I participate in a card swap at Red Letter Journals. On the first Sunday of every month, about two dozen card makers get together to learn a new technique and trade cards using the technique they learned the previous month. It’s a great way to learn new things, have fun and get some great cards!

Today at the card swap our friend Nancy shared a “side step card” that really impressed me. As soon as I got home, I put the project I had ready to post on the back burner and created this card using two stamps from Viva Las Vegastamps! ; Waving Santa 2 ¾ x 2 ¾ #4820 and Seasons Greetings Square 1 ¾ x 2 ¼ #10110.

The stamps were stamped on white cardstock using black dye ink and then colored using Copic markers. To highlight the images, glitter was applied using Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer as an adhesive. The fine tip made it easy to get in to the tiniest parts of the stamped image. Since the Crystal Lacquer dries completely clear, you can still see the stamped image under the glitter.

I created the “HO! HO! HO!” banner on the computer, punched out a gift box using the Martha Stewart present punch and cut out a Christmas tree using Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL).

I cut out the card base using a side step card pattern I found at Carson’s Creations.

Check out the 12 Tags of Christmas Blog Hop that's going on at Viva Las Vegastamps! The tags look fantastic!

You can see my other projects on my blog on Create & Craft.

Happy Crafting!

Joe Rotella

WINNER! Nov Monthly Challange winner

2011-12-04T06:53:00.001-08:00

I am loving all the entries for the Monthly Blog Challenge you all are posting on our facebook wall.
This month theme was "Thanks" - I know all of us here at Viva Las Vegastamps are very THANKFUL for all of you.

And the Winner is.........

Jocelyn Susie Micke Cazier

Now please contact us at Terri@ultimatescrapbookretreat.com - with WINNER in the regard to claim your $25 gift certificate to our on-line store.

a Few other amazing thing are going on with Viva Las Vegastamps

We are doing a "12 Tags of Christmas Blog Hop with our Design Team. CLICK HERE to start

December Theme is

Christmas

Thanks for all the support each of you give to us and our Design Team

Terri Sproul

Ho...Ho...WHOA!!!

2011-12-03T00:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday and welcome to December!!! It's Susan (again) with my regularly scheduled Saturday top of the month project. Today's project also features a fun product called Creative Paperclay® now available for sale over at Viva Las Vegastamps! This is my first time working with this and I'm so happy with the results.

Can't believe Christmas is just a couple weeks away. Have you seen our 12 Tags of Christmas Bloghop? This project will certainly get you in the Christmas spirit!

A sneek peek!

This piece begins with this Santa Foot through Ceiling #5395 and the unmounted Christmas alphabet #7560 from Viva Las Vegastamps! As soon as I saw this stamp I knew what I wanted to make.

For the background wall, I rolled out some Creative Paperclay and sandwiched it in my T!m Holtz distressed brick embossing folder. This took a little over a day to dry. I made sure that I could get it out of the folder before I let it dry completely. **Make sure to dust embossing folder with powder or rub with versamark or something similar to help clay release - I forgot to do that.**

Creative Paperclay® after pressed and dried in embossing folder.

Bricks colored with distress inks and mounted to patterned paper
backing with miracle tape.

Stamped image colored in on cardstock.


Santa foot stamped on clear acetate.

CLOSE UP of finished boot mounted in box.

Here's the details: The box is the base of a box of blank cards with envelopes. I try to upcyle things into art pieces whenever possible. I stamped the Santa Foot with Stazon onto white cardstock and also onto clear acetate. I painted in broken pieces with white gesso on transparency and cut out. I left about 1" above image to use as a glue flap when mounting in shadow box. The foot stamped on paper I colored in and then embossed the boot with clear embossing powder. The white fuzzy part is embossed with a Ranger white puff powder. This really didn't puff up how I expected. I cleaned up all the edges with a black zig pen. I mounted all of the pieces in the box and I stamped my sentiment in red ink with the candy cane letters. I love these letters! I finished off scene with some tinsel trim and a Jolee's Christmas tree embellishment.

Santa might want to lay off the cookies...

It's December which means there is a new VLVS Theme Challenge. Submit your "CHRISTMAS" theme creations using Viva Las Vegastamps! for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate at the VLVS online store. CLICK HERE for info on submissions. Also check out the Viva Las Vegastamps! store - there is something for every occasion and more! December's Theme is "Christmas" and we will be celebrating with a Twelve Tags of Christmas Bloghop December 1st thru December 12th CLICK HERE to check it out!

Thanks so much for visiting & if you would like to see more of my creations please visit my blog, sbartist : painting in the dark HERE. Have a great weekend! : )

Merry Chrisdog To You

2011-12-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Holiday Season! VLVS has the best selection of words and quotes that can be used with any image, although, like above, there are matched words to fit select images. There are a vast amount of dog images, so choose the breed you love!!

This ornament is in memory of our beagle Woodstock, she passed away this past April. She was our beloved doggie of 13 years and my 18 year old son grew up with her. It was difficult to say goodbye to her.

VLVS Stamp Images:

12650 Beagle, 5425 words Fleas Navidog, 8762 bone, 8046 paw

Use a chipboard shape or cut your own ornament from cardboard (which I did). Stamp the bone and paw image randomly on a white sheet of copy paper with black, permanent ink. Turn the stamped paper over and trace the circle part of the ornmanent with a pencil. Turn the paper back to the front and color in the images only where the traced circle is (Hold up paper to see the tracing).

Color with colored pencils, Copics, watercolor markers, etc. Cut the circle out and use Miracle Tape to adhere the bone/paw background to the ornament.

Stamp the beagle on white cardstock with black permanent ink and add coloring realistic to the breed dog. I colored the beagle according to how our Woodstock looked. Cut out and set aside.

When I received my Pound 'o Rubber, I found this little shape that could be a star or just a decorative image. On another piece of decorative paper, I cut it first to fit the stem of the ornament and then used Brilliance Copper ink and stamped the decorative image around the area. Then I wrapped below the area with wire to add extra dimension and texture to the ornament. An eyelet was added as well.

Lastly, adhere beagle to the front of the ornament, add ribbon with a knot in the back and pulling the ribbon through to the front forming loops. Hold your black ink pad on its side and go over the edges of the ornament to create a black outline.

GMTA - Great Minds Think Alike! Recently Sakura Hobby Craft showcased the VLVS Lady Holding Globe, using 3-D Crystal Lacquer to make the globe look like real glass. I had already completed my design for this blog, but I did my design a little bit different. I blinged up my lady and added glitter, etc. The trees in the globe was colored with metallic green pen, and I added white, blue, and brown to finish the scene. When I added the 3-D Crystal Lacquer, it magnified the colors like a real globe! I also sprinkled a tiny bit of glitter into the lacquer to make the globe look like it was shaken.

Be sure to place your design on a FLAT SURFACE so that the 3-D Crystal Lacquer doesn't migrate from the area you want it to stay at.

The TAG Blog Hop has started!!!! The beginning of the blog starts with Terri Sproul, and goes on. Check my blog out and follow along. To win the plate of stamps the DT used to create these awesome stamps, comment on each blog and you have a chance of winning!!!

Plate 1363

The ideas keep coming...more to come!! Check back every Monday-Wednesday-Friday for designs so it is fast and easy to create your holiday cards.

Holiday Thoughts to you - Lea

Monthly Challenge and BLOG HOP

2011-11-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

This Month's challenge for the Viva Las Vegastamps! Blog.

Each month we will pick a new theme and we hope you play along with us. At the beginning of the next month, we will pick a winner and that card will be featured on our Blog and the winner will receive a $25.00 Gift Certificate to our online store or if you are visiting Las Vegas, stop by our Retail Store to use your Gift Certificate.

December's Theme

"Christmas"

The Viva Las Vegastamps! online store has lots of stamps to choose from
CLICK HERE

How to enter:
1) Must be a follower of the Viva Las Vegastamps! Blog - I will check
2) Post a card/project on the Viva Las Vegastamps! facebook page using the Theme by Dec 31, 2011 11:59PM Pacific Time
3) Card MUST use a stamp from Viva Las Vegastamps!
4) Winner will have their Card featured on our Blog - how exciting it that! - and get a $25 online store credit.

We will pick a winner the first week of January , 2012 and post the next month's Challenge on the 1st of each month. We hope you play with us...

Some of the members of the Viva Las Vegastamps Design Team

are doing a blog hop starting today!

and they are giving BLOG CANDY! Yes, blog candy.

So good check them out.

click here to start

Flamingo Chillin' in Paradise

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday...Susan here! Down here in South Florida, Summer is still in full swing! Though we are being teased with chance of a cold snap coming tomorrow {wink...wink - we know these are very rare}. So to warm everyone up, I have created a card featuring this cool "Flamingo Chillin' in Paradise".

This tropical card begins with this Flamingo in Hammock #5327 and the layered stylized sun #5329 from Viva Las Vegastamps!

Here's the details: I stamped it in orange on yellow stock, cut out and layered yellow and orange papers. The sun has a face, but I masked over it with a piece of cardstock, so it didn't take away from the flamingo. I edged with my favorite antique gold dew drop ink.

I hand colored the flamingo with my watercolor pencils, then added some twinkle with liquid "Shimmerz Bling" in Under the Sea and Gold Shimmer. The flowers are Prima layered on a recycled tag from a totebag. This tag was the shape of a pretty flower, so it was perfect. I covered up text with acrylic paint, then added color back to fill in with my Caran D'ache water crayons and rubbed edges with antique gold. I pinched the corners to add dimension and adhered the prima flowers with a gem brad and popped up with some 3-D dots.

All of the paper layers are being held together with "MIRACLE Tape".

Now it's time to make some MAGIC happen! It looks great as it is, right? I think it needs a little something else. I am going back to add some dimension with Sakura Crystal Lacquer to really add some BAM!!!

I started by adding clear Crystal Lacquer to the sunglasses, beak and drink.

Next I added green and orange colored Crystal Lacquer to palm leaves, book cover, legs and shells.

...and a DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!

Here is the NEW and IMPROVED piece. Can you see the difference??? I realize it's hard to see from the photos, but the following photo show an extreme close-up. The Crystal Lacquer really makes the color pop! And the colored crystal lacquer adds extra depth as it retains it's transparent qualities. I can still see my coloring through it. Water can look like water, the beak and glass look like they are really 3-D. Very quick and easy and the results are fabulous!

Today is the last day to enter your creation for the VLVS Theme Challenge for November. Submit your "THANKS" theme creations using Viva Las Vegastamps for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate at the VLVS online store. CLICK HERE for info on submissions. Also check out the Viva Las Vegastamps! store - there is something for every occasion and more! December's Theme is "Christmas" and we will be celebrating with a Twelve Tags of Christmas Bloghop starting tomorrow December 1st!

Thanks so much for visiting & if you would like to see more of my creations please visit my blog, sbartist : painting in the dark HERE. Enjoy the rest of your week : )

Blitsy Discount Site for Crafters... save up to 60%

2011-11-29T13:58:00.000-08:00

Blitsy is a new discount site for crafters... up to 60 percent off...

http://blitsy.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/8915/

Join free by clicking on the above title... I have no affiliation with this site.

I Like Cats Too!

2011-11-27T20:55:00.000-08:00

First of all, I have to say that no cats were harmed in the making of this card! Secondly, I love cats and would never eat them!

I was looking through all the stamps that I got in my pound of rubber from Viva Las Vegastamps! and spotted this sentiment about exchanging cat recipes. I thought to myself that I would never use such a thing! But then, I saw this wonderful chef stamp, and my evil wheels started turning! For the little cat heads, I used a stamp of two cats playing leap frog and just used their heads.

After putting the stamps together in my head, I wasn't sure if I would like a card using cats in such a manner, so then I started looking for other ideas, and I found this cute stamp of a dog with a chef hat! So then it didn't seem so bad. I think the Chef leans toward weird, but then the dog balances that out by leaning toward cute since that is the type of behavior we can expect from dogs. At least in cartoons anyway.

For both cards, I stamped my images on white cardstock, and colored with Copic markers. I used pattern paper for my backgrounds and inked my edges and then glued my pieces in place.

Please feel free to stop by my blog to say hello and see my other Viva Las Vegastamps! projects! Thanks for stopping by!

Sparkley Santa Ornament

2011-11-25T03:01:00.000-08:00

Oh boy!

I love Christmas!!

I got the totally awesome Santa plate from Viva a couple of weeks ago and have been playing with it almost every day. I am soooo excited for Christmas!!

I make ornaments for my family members almost every year.

I say *almost* because while I have the best intentions of making them every year, there have been times that I haven't gotten them done (like last year)...

But this year, I've got a good start already.

I really love making them for my kids and my nieces and nephews.

They will all have an ornament collection when they grow up and have families of their own.

So, here's a super easy ornament.

It's inexpensive to make, not a lot of work, and looks soooo pretty!!

Get your supplies:

Creative Paperclay

Brown ink (I used Ranger's Archival Ink in Coffee)

Red acrylic paint (I used Ranger paint)

Tacky Glue

Tan or beige paint (I used Ranger paint)

Stickles (I used Crystal)

Red glitter (I used Martha Stewart)

Beads and wire

Craft Knife

Something to roll the clay out with (I used a paint bottle)

Liquid Applique

Heat gun

Paint brush

Emery board

Krylon spray sealer

Santa stamp

Roll out some Creative Paperclay to about 1/4" thick.

Ink up Santa with permanent ink and stamp onto clay.

Cut out gently with craft knife. Set aside to dry. I let mine sit overnight.

Once it's good and dry, gently smooth any rough edges with the emery board.

Now string some wire with beads and twist the ends to create a loop.

Put a little Tacky Glue on the back of the ornament, near the top.

Put a little piece of Paperclay on the back of the ornament over the Tacky Glue.

Place the twisted wire on the wet clay, and smoosh the clay up over the wire.

Place another small piece of clay over the wet clay and wire.

Smooth it down.

Set aside and let dry.

Now, paint Santa's hat red.

While the paint is wet, dump red glitter on it.

Let sit a couple of minutes and tap off the excess.

Use Liquid Applique to coat the trim and fuzzball on Santa's hat.

Heat with the heat gun to dry it and make it puff up.

Water down some tan paint and use your finger to rub lightly onto Santa's face.

Use Crystal Stickles and rub over Santa's beard, eyebrows, and hair with your finger.

Let it all dry, and spray with some clear sealer.

Here's your wiener Sam saying

"I've been good this year Santa!!"

Fall ATC

2011-11-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

Heya Folks!! Looks like us on the Viva Las Vegastamps! DT have ATCs on the brain...

Today I'm sharing a fall inspired ATC made using the

Reindeer stamp

2.75 x 2.5 - $9.75 mounted

I started off with a small piece of white cardstock... I used Walnut Stain and Spiced Marmalade distress inks to foam the background... then when all the white was covered with some thickness of ink I spritzed water over it.. giving it the sort of dappled water droplet effect!

After drying it with a heat gun I pulled out my trusty http://www.vlvstamps.com/memento-dye-ink-pad-tuxedo-black.html and stamped my reindeer.... while the ink was still wet I poured over some Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder from VLVS! and viola --- a nice standy-outish reindeer on a darling background.

I then inked some rayon seam binding with walnut ink and dried it with a heat gun. To insure my binding stayed where I wanted it.. I "guided" it with a piece of Miracle tape (my personal testimony goes as is.. "NOTHING beats Miracle Tape!!!!") on the back! Tie a knot, cut a tiny pinecone in half and there's my finished piece!!!

Enjoy your cool days this Autumn!!!! -DeeDee

Bowling Ball Spinner Card (with pattern to download)

2011-11-20T21:01:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when I browse a collection of stamps, I look for stamps that will work well together to create a scene. When I found these three bowling stamps at Viva Las Vegastamps! I knew there had to be a fun way to combine them. It wasn't too long before I realized a spinner card might be just the right technique to make the card feel like you're at the lanes again!

While assembling the card, I remembered Fiesta Lanes - the bowling alley on Lane Avenue in Upper Arlington, OH. When I moved to there in 1989, I passed Fiesta Lanes, and saw it's bright neon sign, almost every day. The bowling alley is long gone, replaced by a commercial strip, but the sign remains in the lobby of an office located in the strip. I tried to recreate it in paper to always remind me of Fiesta Lanes. You can see a photo of the original sign on Flickr.

The three stamps featured in this card are:

I created a bowling lane with some perspective as a background for the stamps to help enhance the feeling that the bowling ball was rolling towards the pins and the reader. You can download a PDF of the background and use it to make your own bowling ball spinner card.

Check out my YouTube video for tips on making a spinner card. I'll warn you in advance, there are a couple of typos in the video, as it was late when I produced it.

Keep your eyes out for the Viva Las Vegastamps! Tag Blog Hop in December. Members of the design team (DT) will be creating tags for the 12 days of Christmas. Each day the DT members will treat you to many tag ideas using Christmas Stamp Sheet 1363. There will be a link at the end of each blog post which will link you to another DT's blog. Leave a comment each day, and you can win sheet 1363 to recreate the tags!

Check out my other projects on my blog at Create & Craft.

Happy stamping and Happy Thanksgiving!

Joe R.

Giving Thanks...Part Deux II

2011-11-18T05:37:00.000-08:00

*As a Special Request from our DT Leader Terri I am continuing Part Deux II of the Leaf Techniques with 1 stamp *

Hope you all have had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving dinner and now on Black Friday everyone is either relaxing with family or shopping all the Black Friday deals! This is the second part of using 1 stamp, and how different techniques can give a variety of looks.

Above is the maple leaf stamp using metallic inks. Dew Drops are smaller ink pads so you can do DTR, direct to rubber, and stamp various areas with different colored inks. When you stamp the leaf, it shows all the colors brilliantly! This project is perfect for a bookmark.

To create this soft background, stamp the maple leaf on glossy cardstock using a "resist" ink. Follow the directions of stamping and heat setting lightly. Use a sponge and dye based ink and rub a few colors over the whole surface. You notice where the resist was stamped you see a ghosting of the image. I used a vinyl- clear sticker over the stamped background.

This is not a maple leaf, but can be done with the maple leaf. VLVS has many leaf stamps. Go to the site and key in "leaf" into the search and find a plethora of many leaf images. Alcohol ink is the way to go on glossy cardstock. Use many different colors and overlap to create falling leaves. The top leaf is stamped on vellum, cut out and attached over the background.

Use an applicator with felt on it (note in the picture the felt is not there). To make your own, find a scrap piece of wood or a wood mount without a stamp. Use the loop of Velcro hook and loop and glue to the block of wood. Viola', now you just put felt on that. To add the alcohol ink to the applicator, bring the bottle to the felt (instead of holding it in the air and squirting ink) and squeeze 3 drops onto the felt. Change the felt for each color unless you want them to mix (which can have cool results). This is the simpliest way to use alcohol ink - there are more complex ways.

Foiled leaf is done with a double-tack glue. Use Ranger's Cut n' Dry and squeeze some of the double-tack glue on the Cut n' Dry. Stamp the image onto the Cut n' Dry, and stamp on the cardstock. IMMEDIATELY wash your stamp so there is no glue residue. The glue will go on white or slightly clear. Wait until the image is totally clear before adding the foil leafing.

This shows what the card looks like once you press different color of leafing onto the card. To the left is the piece of Cut n' Dry I used with double-tack glue. I wash the pad after I use it. Above is a texture sponge to burnish the leafing onto the card surface. Let the extra leafing fall back into the container because you can use it again!!

Here is another DTR - direct to rubber technique but using dye based ink or even watercolor markers. Once you add all your inks or markers to the stamp image, "huff" on it with your breath to reactivate the ink (moisture) and stamp. I like to use altered books as a type of journal or scrapbook. Here my son is carving pumpkins with his girlfriend.

Another way to do the above technique is to "swipe" Distressed Ink on a craft sheet. Do Not spritz water, you want the colors full strength. Tap the stamp onto the craft sheet and then stamp on surface.

There is so much you can do with one stamp, the choice is just the technique you decide to use! YES, I love techniques and have been involved with them so much lately.

Maple Leaf Stamp

Other Leaf Stamps

Miracle Tape

Be watching for VLVS's Tag Blog Hop! Members of the DT will be doing TAGs for the 12 days of Christmas. Each day the DT members will treat you to many tag ideas using Christmas Stamp Sheet 1363. There will be a link at the end of each blog post which will link you to another DT's blog. Leave a comment each day, and you can WIN sheet 1363 to recreate the tags! I will be using 3-D Crystal Lacquer in a few of my tags!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday, join in the monthly swap, and be watching for the Tag Blog Hop!!!

Blessings to you all, Lea

Making a Scene with Terri Sproul

2011-11-16T18:38:00.001-08:00