Saturday, March 31, 2012

New TAPE!!!

Have you guys seen the new tape that VLVS! is carrying.. EXCLUSIVELY?!

it's pretty amazing stuff.. they have four kinds..

and...

I have the pleasure of owning ALL FOUR tapes -- and get to show you today a project I made with the Strap tape!!!

I also used a selection of VLVS! Rubber stamps from the POSTAL section of rubber including the:

Lindberg Postage Stamp 1 3/4 x 1 3/4

and the:

Panama Postoid 1 1/2 x 1 3/4

among others... I also used Memento Tuxedo black ink for my stamps and Miracle tape to secure my Echo Park paper down.

It's a great little piece to give someone going away or to someone who travels a lot! Be on the lookout for more examples of this fab tape from the DT (and I'll be back with more, too!) -DeeDee

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Easy Masking Technique to Create a Painting using Viva Las Vegastamps!

Wow it's the end of March already!!! Susan here with my last post for my term on the Viva Las Vegastamps! Design Team and I have pulled a rabbit out of my hat for my last project!

Did you know you can paint with stamps??? You can build up beautiful scenery with many individual stamps. I know it sounds daunting but it's pretty easy and I'm going to show you how! I recently received the new Easter Plate #1372 of stamps and there is this adorable Bunny Artist #18115 in a painter's smock and I knew exactly what I wanted to create...a painting using stamped images.

I recently treated myself a set of Derwent Inktense Pencils that I have been pining for since I saw a project made using these pencils by Lisa Fulmer. Now I can finally paint on fabric and get a watercolor effect -AND- it's permanent.

I needed to go through my stash of VLVS stamps to grab some of my floral stamps.

I am building up a large floral scape by masking with paper masks and multiple stamping using Bouquet #9680, Hyacinth and Leaves #10301, and Sunflowers #9918 - and the Bunny Artiste will be painting them.

For this project I am stamping onto a cotton muslin. I first begin by stamping my florals multiple times on plain paper and trimming them out to make individual masks. I would have used post-it notes, but I didn't have any within reach. Start by stamping an image, then place mask over and then stamp again, slightly overlapping. I repeated stamping florals multiple times to build up a large floral scape. This required several masks {one mask for each stamped image in layering process} so the additional prep time of fussy cutting is well worth the reward of a beautiful piece in the end.

Please see accompanying image number to go along with written instruction/description.

Photo #1: Bunny Artiste stamped on muslin in brown Staz-On ink off to the right side of my fabric. Photo #2. Next I stamped one Hyancinth, placed a mask over and stamped another to the left. Then placed a mask over the second Hyacinth also. Photo #3: I repeated by adding Sunflower image stamped three times; applying a handcut mask after each stamping. Photo #4: Detail stamped images covered by my paper masks. Photo #5: After completing Sunflowers and masking, I stamped the Bouquet three times slightly angling around the other flowers. I started in the center, then reinked and rotated to stamp left and right sides. Photo #6: Remove the masks to see the full layered image as one scene. Now the completed image is complete and ready for coloring.

Now I begin painting my scene with the Inktense pencils
and build up layers of color.

Then to get a softer, watercolor look, I used a waterbrush to blend out some of the color. This really brightened and intensifed the colors. I continued building up and blending the color with the water brush until I reached a point I was happy with. For a finishing touch - I added some white gel pen to add back in some highlight areas. Some of these were lost from bleed out when blending out the colors. Not a problem. The really nice thing about these Inktense pencils - after the first time you wet the colors, when dry - they are permanent. If you re-wet - they do not blend out any further. These will be fun to play with more on other projects.

HERE IS THE FINISHED MASTERPIECE!

I showed this to my pals at my local monthly Altered Book Club meeting and they thought I had painted this from scratch. They were shocked to hear that it was all stamped images. So this project is a definitely a winner! Off to create some more : )

I hope you have enjoyed my projects as much as I have enjoyed creating for the Viva Las Vegastamps! Design Team over the past six months...it's amazing how fast the time has flown by. Beginning in just two days there is a brand new design team starting and I am just as excited as you are to see what the new team will create. I won't be far away. You can keep up with me by visiting my blog, sbartist : painting in the dark HERE.

One day left to enter the VLVS Theme Challenge for March! We are doing this just a little different this month. Trying something new. CLICK HERE for info on submissions. inLinkz your "BIRTHDAY" wishes for Terri Sproul creations using Viva Las Vegastamps! for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate at the VLVS online store. Don't forget to check out the Viva Las Vegastamps! store.

Stick around a while and see what our talented Design Team has been up to...thanks so much for visiting.

Have a crafty day! Sb

Promotions Page Update!

Just added a quick link to the Mary Vogel Lozinak presale boards in the promotions tab found HERE -- check often to find out the newest deals @ Viva Las Vegastamps!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

A sad farewell.. but a bright beginning!

You've probably noticed a setting trend on the VLVS! Blog the last couple of weeks -- it is with a heavy heart that most of the team is retiring and new kids are here to show you their goods. So it's a sad farewell... AND a bright beginning :)

It's also quite the bright beginning for me as I've just (last week) Started as an EMPLOYEE of VLVS! -- I'll be working behind the scenes setting up the fabulous stamps that you all purchase :) I'll also be dabbling in pressing the rubber!

Its' quite fun and I can't wait to show you how things work behind the magical curtain :)

But here is my last post as a Design Team member.. I will forever be a VLVS! stamp addict -- I enjoy the plethora of images as well as the amazing quality of rubber. Today I've brought you a piece that I have not shown on the VLVS! blog.. a "Brave the storm" style tag --

Using my absolute favorite stamp by VLVS!

Vintage Umbrella Man Against the Wind

2 1/4 x 3

$9.75 mounted

(don't forget you can get just cushioned or unmounted rubber, too!)

I stamped my trusty umbrella man on white cardstock with Memento Ink.

The back of the tag is embossed with a TH die and distressed with distress stain. The clouds are hand drawn, and the raindrops and puddle are made with 3D Crystal Lacquer .. after the lacquer was dry I dabbed it with alcohol ink.

So Brave the storm new kids comin' in! This is a wonderful company to work for, both DT wise and as an employee supplying you with your wildest stampy dreams! Also.. Brave the storm outgoing folks.. the ride was amazing and now we can relax and think fondly of our VLVS! DT days. Take on new adventures! Try new things! BRANCH OUT! I will miss you all! ♥♥♥

-DeeDee

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Everything, everything.

Hello again! For today’s post, which is also my last post (for now), I wanted to use this great “Running Lady” stamp that reminds me of Marilyn Monroe. I stamped her on white cardstock, and then colored her with Copic markers. After that, I went over her with a Versamark pen, and then covered her with Viva Las Vegastamps! own Ultra High Gloss Embossing powder. I didn’t cover the shadow, only the lady. Then I used a couple of colors of Distress Ink to color the cardstock as you see in the picture.

I hope you have enjoyed all of my projects. You can see them all at anytime by clicking here. Take care and please be sure to come back to the Viva Las Vegastamps! blog where new projects will be posted every Monday, Wednesday & Friday. There's an all new design team starting in April and it will nice to see what new ideas they come up with! Good luck everyone.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Meet our New Design Team

As amazing as our last design team was, I think this team will make us proud too. Can't wait to introduce each of them to you and hope you check out their blogs and congratulate each of them.

Most of you know me: I'm Terri Sproul the lucky one to lead this bunch of designer. Each of the name is a link to their blog. Please stop by and become a follower of their and see all the amazing stuff they create..

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Ten New Plates O' Rubber - Order NOW and save 20%

http://www.vlvstamps.com/pre-order.html is the link for 10 New Plates O' Rubber you can order now and they should be in stock in 10 days... save 20% by pre-ordering... lots of new Steampunk and fun people for your stamping enjoyment.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

VIva Las Vegastamps! and Stretching Your Stamp Dollars!

There are at least six ways to make your stamp dollars go further at Viva Las Vegastamps! First, if you like unmounted stamps, purchase acrylic blocks and buy unmounted rubber.

Couldn't do a post without a birthday card or two for Terri!!

Second, you could buy a Pound o' Rubber! YES, a whole POUND! It is a grab bag and you don’t know what you are going to get. For the price you sure get a BANG FOR YOUR BUCK. You have to be willing to gamble a little... I have gotten 4 grab bags and have only had 3 duplicate stamps. I am addicted to grab bags!!! If you want to start out small there several sizes of grab bags to choose from!

Third, watch for pre-orders on the Viva Las Vegastamps! online store. There is usually something that you can pre-order and get a substantial savings. Sign up for the news letter to get the latest news!

The fourth, is what I am going to share with you today. That is using the same image with different sayings! Find an image that is versatile, like the Easy Dog Rider, then look for sayings that will work with that image. If you are on a budget when you start your stamp collection and you aren’t a gambler this may be the way to go!

All stamps in the samples are from Viva Las Vegastamps! All images were stamped with Stewart Superior Memories Black Ink and heat embossed with VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder... a little color was added to the images with COPICS. All papers are scraps from my stash!

Stamps:

Easy Rider Dog

Happy Birthday

Don’t Dream It...Be It!

Celebrate

I'M AROUND 21 But I won’t Say How Many Times

I ‘m Rich Beyond My Wildest Dreams

I didn't want to be tied down with kids

Nesting Gears

VLVS! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder

The fifth, is to check out the Plates o’ Rubber... worth the price for the number of stamps. These are two of my favorites that I purchased last month!

Mary Vogel Lozinak Plate 1383

This is one of the latest Steampunk plates (#1378)!!!

The sixth way to make your stamp dollars go further

is join the monthly challenge...

there is still time this month.

This month the theme is "BIRTHDAY"

GO HERE to learn more!!!

I almost forgot to mention FREE RUBBER!

Just post our Blinkie on your Blog or Website and get a FREE Grab Bag of Unmounted Rubber... details on our blog at http://vivalas.blogspot.com

If you have a chance stop by and check out my blog.

THANKS LYNEEN

Hinge Tape Back Again PLUS Three other tapes!

We know you've been waiting and waiting for us to get the Hinge Tape back in stock again and it's on the way... plus o-ring tape, strap tape and lock tape... just think of the possibilities!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

"The Game Is Afoot" - Sherlock Holmes Inspired Steampunk Related Card

Are you familiar with steampunk? It's a style that involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them.

Gaslight romance or gaslamp fantasy is an offshoot of steampunk. Steampunk stories are most commonly set in a romanticized, smoky, 19th-century London, as are gaslight romances. But the latter category focuses nostalgically on icons from the late years of that century and the early years of the 20th century--on Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes.

This card is inspired by Sherlock Holmes and his quote, The game is afoot!, from the The Adventure of the Abbey Grange. The same way a cat might chase down a mouse, Sherlock Holmes would chase down his quarry. Here's how I made this card.

The background is dry embossed aluminum that's been painted black and then sanded to highlight the embossed design. The silhouette of Sherlock Holmes was cut out using a Zing electronic cutting machine.

Brown paper and a cotton ball were adhered behind the background to form the pipe and smoke.

The silhouette is filled with gears, using the Steampunk Background 4 x 4 #16468 stamp from Viva Las Vegastamps! It was stamped on metallic gold paper using StazOn ink. The background was adhered to a black card base using Miracle Tape.

The cat is stamped on metallic bronze paper using the Steampunk Cat 2 x 2 1/2 #17720 stamp from Viva Las Vegastamps! using StazOn ink.

The mouse was cut from metallic black paper on the Zing and then filled with small clock gears.

The quote was created using a vintage Dymo label maker.

I hope you enjoyed this card and learning a bit about steampunk and gaslight romance. For more of my projects, check out my blog on Create & Craft.
Happy Crafting!
Joe

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Looks Can Be Deceiving....

She's a beautiful woman...but wait, see the whole picture. Do you still think she is beautiful?

Well, we might like a woman who isn't "well behaved", but one who blames everything on men, blah! Use VLVS and quotes to put together your own scenerio! Tons of picture images and quotes.

VLVS Images:
Well Behaved Woman
I Never Met A Man
Beautiful Retro Woman

New crop of DT on its way in. Show them some love and check back to this blog for more great stamping ideas.

Lea

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Hello - a whimsical colored stamp

Hello everybody!! Our term is coming to a quick end here @ VLVS! and it sure has been fun!! Today I'm going to share my "tryout" piece in case I don't make it this go round -- because it was inspired my lovely teammates!!! They really do some fabulous work and I always catch myself saying "GOSH! I wanna try that"

So I did! I grabbed a not-my-typical type of whimsical stamp:

Umbrella Man (2.5x3.5)

and stamped him on

Kromecote cardstock which Wayne recently stocked in the store! it creates such a CRISP CLEAN image -- there's no messing this up, folks! I am IN LOVE with this paper! It has a shiny side and a matte side, so it has endless possibilities! For this application I used the matte side and stamped with Memento tuxedo black ink.

After stamping him I colored him with Prismacolor markers in Deco Blue, Cool Gray 60% and Yellowed orange.

I then adhered some Basic Grey paper to a recycled kraft base with Miracle Tape, gave it a little distress ink.. and glued my man down! Add a bit of doodling with a white pen and VIOLA. A fun scene, simple yet graphic and fun card to send to a close friend!

Thanks everybody!!! -DeeDee

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Happy Birthday Terri Sproul

The challenge this month was to create a birthday card for our intrepid design team leader, Terri Sproul. I won January's challenge, so I'm not really entering this time around--but I had to join in on the fun didn't I? Didn't I? Lol!

Monday, March 12, 2012

March Madness... Save 20%!

Read our latest Newsletter at http://ymlp.com/zPfCZA

Just enter

March20

as your Coupon Code

when you view/edit your cart

and save 20% on everything

EXCEPT rubber, Miracle Tape,

Wood and Gift Certificates.

This includes Other Companies' Stamps,

Bargain Basement, Dollar Deals,

Grab Bags, Terri Sproul's Mixers, etc.

so you can stock up on lots of great deals!

Sale runs through Midnight PDT,

Monday, March 19th.

Card by Darlene Mullins for March Birthday Challenge.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Cats Dancing in the Moonlight

For this weeks post, I wanted to use this stamp of four Victorian looking cats dancing in a circle. As soon as I saw it in the Viva Las Vegastamps! online store, I thought of this idea right away. The stamp is called Cat Dance and can be found by clicking here. For the moon, I used a circle that I punched from pearlescent cardstock. For the Moon’s face, I used the Handsome Man stamp by masking the side of his face with tape before inking and then peeling off the tape before stamping.

For the sentiment, I made up my own and printed it directly onto my cardstock. I used a piece of pattern paper from The Robin’s Nest to make it look like they were in the woods at night. I assembled as you see in the picture, and I put the cats on pop dots to make them stand out as the highlight of the card.

Please stop by the Viva Las Vegastamps! blog often to see what rest of the team is up to. There will be an all new team in April, so be sure to visit often! Also, feel free to stop by my blog by to see my other Viva Las Vegastamps! projects by clicking here.

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Viva Las Vegastamps! is looking for a few good Artists

Viva Las Vegastamps! DT call – 2012

Requirements:

1) 6 month contract Starting: April 1, 2012 ending Sept 31, 2012

2) Post two projects per month on both TheViva Las Vegastamps! Blog and your blog with link to the The Viva Las Vegastamps! Website and blog. You will receive dates that your will be required to post. Project submissions must include quality images of the project in .jpeg format along with instructions and links for making the project. Post your blog and Viva Las Vegastamps! blog link on your Facebook, twitter page to advertise both yourself and The Viva Las Vegastamps! . MUST be active on our facebook page.

3) Join in on One Blog hop during the 6 month contract. Date to be sent later

4) The Viva Las Vegastamps! Design team member grants permission The Viva Las Vegastamps! to use those projects for display on Viva Las Vegastamps! Website, Facebook Page, and blog.

5) In the event that you do not complete any of the above requirements Viva Las Vegastamps! has the right to remove you from the design team and fill the position with another candidate on the wait list.

6) Post our logo on your blog with a link to the website and blog. You will receive this at a later date.

7) Open to US and Canda residence only

8) Post your Projects on other site – like Split Coast Stamps, etc…

9) Send two projects to Viva Las Vegastamps store to display

What we will do:

1) Send product once a month for the six month contract period. Total of 6 shipments.

2) Viva Las Vegastamps! will promote your blog on our blog and/or website.

Design Team Overview:

The Purpose of being a Design Team member is to promote The Viva Las Vegastamps! by using Viva Las Vegastamps! products in projects that maybe posted to The Viva Las Vegastamps! website, blog and your own personal blogs.

Viva Las Vegastamps! is looking for a few awesome PaperCraft Artists who can showcase the Viva Las Vegastamps! products! If you LOVE PaperCrafts, are able to utilize the unique line of stamps from Viva Las Vegastamps! on scrapbook layouts, cards & projects then show us what you love to do!!

We are looking for talented artists who inspire others to create using Viva Las Vegastamps! stamps and supplies.

What’s expected of a Viva Las Vegastamps! Design Team Member?
* The ability to showcase our products
* Take good photos or scans of projects
* Interact with our members on Facebook and our Blog at http://vivalas.blogspot.com/ (you can see creations from our current Design Team here)

The Details –

*The Viva Las Vegastamps! Design Team is for six months from April 1, 2012 – Sept 31, 2012.
* Create a minimum of two layouts/projects per month posting on both your Blog and The Viva Las Vegastamps! Blog – dates will be given when team in picked... projects must be hand stamped and not digitally created. Only stamps from Viva Las Vegastamps! can be used in your DT projects.
* Participation and promotion of Viva Las Vegastamps! on Facebook is a MUST... promotion on other Online Rubber Stamping Groups is an asset... promoting Viva Las Vegastamps! in your signature, posting VLVS! artwork to Online Galleries, etc.
* Submit work for publication and to the store for display.
* Be a part of one Blog Hop during the 6 months. Date given at a later date
* Promote Viva Las Vegastamps! by posting the above layouts/projects on other Online Galleries and Blogs with working links to the Online VLVS! Store and Blog.

The Viva Las Vegastamps! Design Team will receive -

* Viva Las Vegastamps! products for your term, shipped in six shipments
* Your bio and picture featured on our Blog.

How to Apply –
Send your bio, Blog address and Facebook info to Terri@ultimatescrapbookretreat.com with “DT applications” in the regards (this way you don’t get deleted – I get lots of spam mail)

Submit/Post one project on your Blog on March 7th by 12AM EST to be viewed. This post must have our logo (you will be sent logo when you send you bio to Terri Sproul) and step by step directions on how you made this project with links to The Viva Las Vegastamps! blog and website. (http://www.stampo.com/, and blog is http://www.vivalas.blogspot.com/
Project – can be anything you love to make, Scrapbook, Cards, Mixed Media, Altered Art… Just Think out of the box and impress me…

Joining our Facebook Page and Blog is a MUST and is very important to the success of our team!

All entries MUST utilize a Stamping Technique... if you can use our stamps, even better!! Work submitted must be recent and can't be previously published or displayed on blogs or online galleries.

Deadline to enter March 6th (12PM PST)

Here’s what to include with your emailed submission –

* We want to know all about you! – Your bio
* What’s your style?
* Why would you like to be on our team?
* Are you frugal, organized, have marketing ideas etc.. if so share with us what you can bring to our team.
* Link to your active Blog?
* Are you active on any Forums or Message Boards? (Please List)
* Can you post your projects in other Online Galleries? (Please List)
* Give an example of a class or technique you would like to share with others. If it is one you have done previously, please link to it.
* Details of any other manufactures or store/kit DT’s you are on Do you have a scrapbook resume, or a link to a gallery? If so, please share with us.

Final decisions will be made on March 15th’sh and the Viva Las Vegastamps! Design Team will be announced shortly there after!!

Good Luck!!!!!

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

March is Birthday Month at Viva Las Vegastamps!!!

MARCH is BIRTHDAY MONTH

and this month holds a very special birthday

Terri Sproul (the Design Team Lead) is 29 again!!!

Be sure to stop by

and wish her Happy Birthday

with a card in the MONTHLY CHALLENGE!!!

For this card gather supplies listed at the end of this post. All stamps used are from Viva Las Vegastamps! the Basset Hound Dog Rocketeer, "May the Steam be with you!", Happy Birthday, Nesting Gears, Fancy Key-Vintage and a Swirl from Swirls Plate 1333. All images were embossed with Viva Las Vegastamps! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder.

First stamp Happy Birthday on a strip of paper and adhered with VLVS! Miracle Tape to the bottom of the panel. Next stamp the Basset Hound Dog Rocketeer, masking the dog stamp the Fancy Key-VIntage to make it look like the Basset was a wind up. Stamp the Swirl from plate 1333, and "May the Steam be with you!" Mask all stamped images and the flags on the pattern paper and stamp the Nesting Gears with Versafine Olympia Green ink. Once all images are stamped and embossed. Using COPICs add a little color to the rocket with gray and brown to the Basset.