Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I want to wish all our Viva Las Vegastamps! followers a Happy Thanksgiving, this is my last chance as my next post will be in December!  Today I will be using the Dog & Cat Pilgrims on Pumpkin and Happy Thanksgiving stamps from Viva Las Vegastamps! to create a dimensional Thanksgiving card.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

First, stamp image four times on white card stock and once on an orange panel. The orange panel will be the base panel of the card.  Heat Emboss all stamped images with the Viva Las Vegastamps! Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder.

On the orange panel use the Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer and fill in every other section of the pumpkin and allow to start drying.  After it has dried about an hour or two  fill in the other sections, this will give an allusion of a dimensional pumpkin.  

Fussy cut the first three images stamped on the white card stock as pictured.  Full image of the dog and cat, half image of the dog and cat and feather headdress only.

Use the fourth image to plan a color strategy for coloring images with PrismaColor Pencils.  Once you have an idea of the color pallet color the images for the card.  To give the buckle on the top hat a little pop use a Gelly Roll Clear Star pen.

After the images are colored use the Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer and cover the feather, top, collar and cuffs on the cat and the top shirt on the dog. Set aside to dry, best if left over night.

Using the base orange panel as a guide, cut pattern paper and black card stock to desired sizes.  Adhere the panels with Viva Las Vegastamps! Miracle Tape and adhere to card base. Add the full image of the dog and cat to the card with VLVS! Miracle Tape.  Using foam tape add the half image to the card and the feather headdress. Stamp Happy Thanksgiving on card stock adhere to a black panel add a toothpick to the back using VLVS! Miracle Tape.  Add the leaves as the final touch with VLVS! Miracle Tape!

Supplies:

Viva Las Vegastamps! & Cat Pilgrims on Pumpkin 

Viva Las Vegastamps! Thanksgiving  

Viva Las Vegastamps! High Gloss Embossing Powder

Viva Las Vegastamps! Miracle Tape

Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer

Gelly Roll Clear Star

PrismaColor Pencils

Confetti Leaves

Foam tape

Tooth pick

Card base

Pattern Paper

Orange Card stock

Black Card stock

Scissors

Paper Cutter

My favorite adhesive is Viva Las Vegastamps! Miracle Tape 

check out the VLVS! Miracle Tape Sampler at $39.99 a savings of $12.52.  

Miracle Tape 1/8”x55 yds (165 feet)                           $4.99       

Miracle Tape 1/4”x55 yds (165 feet)                           $5.49       

Miracle Tape 3/8”x55 yds (165 feet)                           $5.99

Miracle Tape 1/2”x55 yds (165 feet)                           $6.99       

Miracle Tape 3/4”x55 yds (165 feet)                            $8.49

Miracle Tape 1"x55 yds (165 feet)                               $9.99

2 Miracle Tape Dispensers                                           $3.58

Miracle Sheets/3-Pack 8 1/2" x 11"                              $6.99

Total                                                                          $52.51

Special Price Just                                                       $39.99

November Monthly Challenge 

Theme is “THANKS”

Be sure to submit an entry

for your chance to win a $25 online store credit.

Click HERE to find out how to enter!!!

FREE RUBBER 

Just post the Viva Las Vegastamps! Blinkie

on your Blog or Website and 

get a FREE Grab Bag of Unmounted Rubber...  

details at the top of the blog sidebar!

Until DECEMBER, 

Here’s wishing you 

many hours of HAPPY STAMPING!

Lyneen

Merry Christmoose!

For this week's project, I wanted to make something with Sakura Crystal Lacquer. One of the things I really like about Crytstal Lacquer is that when it dries, it's not just clear and glossy, it's also flexible. So, unlike similar products, it won't crack or break off of something if you bend it.

I recently spent a weekend at a retreat held by PK Glitz in Rocky Hill, KY. For three whole days, we got to make all sorts of things with their wonderful glitter! This is one of the techniques I learned there.

To start out, I stamped this Framed Moose stamp on a piece of clear acetate using black Stazon ink. The, using the fine tip that comes with each bottle of Crystal Lacquer, I started filling in one small area at a time. Each time I filled in an area, I stopped and covered it with glitter. After about 10 seconds, I turned it over, tapped off the excess glitter and moved on to the next color. On the shrubs and mountains, I shaded with two colors by lightly tapping my lighter color over the top of the area, tapping off excess, and the covered the whole area with the darker color.

For my sentiment, I used the Merry Christmoose stamp, and heat embossed it with a glittery green color.

For the glittered border, I used 1/8 Miracle Tape to make my outer line first by adhering the tape to the edges of my card and going all the way around. Them I peeled of the paper and I covered with the double sided sticky tape with brown glitter. I repeated the process with the green glitter to make a fantastic border. It comes in several widths for lots of uses.

Be sure to come back here every Monday, Wednesday & Friday for new projects and ideas! Please feel free to stop by my blog anytime to see all my Viva Las Vegastamps! projects in one place. Also, feel free to stop by the Sakura Crystal Lacquer blog for other great ideas! Thanks for stopping by!

Just Steampunk now available at Viva Las Vegastamps!

"Steampunk is the future as dreamt by the past." Think bits of broken jewelry, corroded clock gears and vintage anything. But don’t forget the fantasy, the whimsy or most definitely the metallic. And Just Steampunk! features this unique style in all its glory, highlighting works of art in all types of media: paper arts, polymer clay, dolls, jewelry, accessories and more. Including over 300 full color photographs showcasing projects from a variety of talented designers, Just Steampunk is sure to satisfy the demand of die hard fans, or whet the appetite of the newly curious. Warning: Steampunk art may become addictive!

Available from Viva Las Vegastamps! for just $12.95.
Order your copy now at http://www.vlvstamps.com/just-steampunk.html

Simple can be good!

Hey all!! DeeDee here.. and today I have an important message.. "sometimes a stamped image says enough without words!"

In today's project I've used a rather large stamp from VLVS!, large.. but beautiful! I imagine this is me and a friend in the distant future.

I used the Senior Ladies stamp (3.5 x 4.75 inches - only $8.85 Unmounted!!!)

I stamped in Memento black (Find it at VLVS! here) and distress embossed it with Walnut Stain powder from TH. I then attached the image to my background with Miracle Tape - and because it's such a great adhesive I was able to distress the edges right on the piece!! YAY!

About the background: I took the time to use Sakura Hobby's 3D Crystal Lacquer to enhance the background paper I had picked out. After cutting the bottle open and attaching my fine tip I applied lacquer to the dark green spots in my patterned paper! It creates a dazzling 3D glossy sort of embossed effect and compliments our gals nicely!!

To finish it off I wrapped the card with a nice twine --- see what I mean about not always needing a sentiment or words? This would be perfect to give to a best friend :D

DeeDee over n out!

Shell Shaped Card Featuring a Glitter on Acetate Mermaid!

Glitter! Most every crafter I know likes to add a little bling to their projects once in a while, and glitter is an easy way to do it. This little fact may surprise you; glitter was invented by an American cattle farmer named Ruschman during the 1930s! Although some sources say he invented the product after World War II. His company, Meadowbrook Inventions, is still the world’s largest supplier of glitter.

Did you know that Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer is a fantastic adhesive? In my experience, it will hold just about any two materials together, including glitter and acetate. For this card, I started by stampingMermaid With Drink 2¼ x 2½ (#14565 from Viva Las Vegastamps!) on a piece of acetate with StazOn ink by Tsukineko. Be careful to stamp straight up and down when stamping on acetate. It’s slippery and it’s easy to get a blurry impression. Once it’s dried, fussy cut out the mermaid.

Work on the backside (the dull side) of the acetate and apply a thin layer of 3D Crystal Lacquer Clear to the image in sections, based on color. The fine applicator tip makes it easy to get in to the smallest of areas. Try to stay right on the lines of the stamped image, but don’t worry if you go over a little. Work one color at a time; apply the lacquer for that area, sprinkle with glitter, flip and quickly tap off the excess. If necessary, nudge the glitter back inside the stamped lines. When you’re finished with one color, move on to the next, repeating the process. Be sure to start with the darkest colors and work your way to the lightest colors. When you’re done, let the piece dry overnight.

Cut a card base in the shape of a clam shell to make a shaped card. Mine is about 5” wide and 5” tall so it will fit in a square envelope.

I cut a liner for the card using the same shell shape (inset about ¼”) in lavender (to match my Mermaid’s hair!). Use 3D Crystal Lacquer to apply some fine lines of adhesive and sprinkle with sand. Tap off the excess sand and let it dry. A pink pearl finished it off. Adhere this piece to the inside of your card.

For the front, I created marbled paper using shaving cream and dye ink refills in shades of blue and green. You can read how to do this on eHow.com. The technique is lots of fun and the results are absolutely amazing! The shaving cream can even give your paper a nice scent!

Cut the marbled paper the same size/shape as you cut the liner and embellish it. To create an ocean floor, coral and seaweed, I applied sand, micro beads, assorted beads and vintage glitter using 3D Crystal Lacquer as an adhesive. A pearl starfish brad and a shell brad from the Eyelet Outlet completed the look. I loved all the different textures I got using so many different materials. Adhere this to the front of the card. And then use pop-dots to adhere the Mermaid to the card.

The sentiment “I used to have an hourglass figure…but the sand shifted” (#510 from Viva Las Vegastamps!) seemed to fit this card perfectly. I stamped it on a scrap of the marbled paper using brown dye ink, cut it out in the shape of a speech bubble and attached it to the card front with pop-dots.

I hope you’ll try adding some sparkle to your projects using 3D Crystal Lacquer and glitter on acetate. The results can be dazzling!

For more project ideas, visit my blog on the Create & Craft website. Happy crafting!

Joe Rotella

Winner for our October's  Monthly Challenge

with the Theme of "Halloween"

is

Jennifer Willis

 Jennifer made us a wonderful ATC!

Jennifer please contact Terri Sproul at

Terri@Ultimatescrapbookretreat.com to claim your

$25 shopping spree to our On-Line Store.  

There is still time to play this month our theme for 

November is "Thanks"

December is "Christmas"

we hope you play this month. 

"Thanks a Lot" from Grandma's Kitchen

Hello - its Susan and I'm bringing you a special Saturday post! This lovely card reminiscent of Grandma's kitchen features Viva Las Vegastamps! Blender #1571 and "Thanks a Lot" #587 stamps. 

I stamped the blender with Black Memories Dye ink. Let me say that it says this is a waterproof, permanent dye ink - and I put it to the test with this image. I am quite suprised and impressed that after all of the hand coloring and crystal lacquer, the image is still crisp and clean with no bleeding. 

Here's how I made the two-tone blender. First, I stamped it on white and then again on blue cardstock. I cut each blender out and paper pieced it back together, in a retro color style, two-tone blue and clear. Then I colored in accents to give it dimensions with my Marvy markers and water brush. I really like the effect of blending with the water brush opposed to the blender pen. 

Detail after handcoloring with markers and water brush.

I layered the stamped pieced blender onto BoBunny patterned paper, then double matted circles placed on top of a paper doily. The background papers are scraps of BoBunny papers, too. Of course, I adhered it all down with Miracle Tape. This came out so beautifully - just like in Grandma's retro kitchen.

Here is how the card looks before I added some magic...Crystal Lacquer. I filled in the blue areas and the knobs and a few details in the pitcher of the blender with blue Crystal Lacquer. The blue Crystal Lacquer gave the blue paper a "POP" and the illusion of dimension. The rest of the blender, the cord, and switchplate I layered in clear Crystal Lacquer. And "BAM!!!!" Here is the shiny new blender in all it's 3-D splendor. Just like one of those high-priced epoxy stickers...but better - because I made it myself!!!

Detail after adding Crystal Lacquer to blender.

I needed a sentiment to finish off this card so I stamped the "Thanks a Lot" with "Madonna Blue" Memories pigment ink and embossed with VLVS Ultra High Gloss embossing powder. Double matted and adhered with Miracle Tape, the card is complete. I hope you like it and invite you to play along with November's challenge "THANKS".

This is a new month and there is a new 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! 

"Thanks a Lot" 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 : )

Giving Thanks

Most people are thankful for many things every day of the year.  This is a time to really focus on the gifts that life brings to us.  I for one am thankful for my family, friends, and being able to create art!  I don't know how I'd live without art.

The above tag was created with mica powders and pigment ink.  I "treasure" everything in my life and as the leaves change, I look forward to Turkey, family visiting, and pumpkin pie!

VLVS Products:
Maple Leaf 12046
Miracle Tape

Other Supplies:
Tag Book Page
Mica Powders
Pigment Ink  - Stewart Superior (VLVS Sponsor)
Soft Mop Brush (or Blush Makeup Brush)
Pink cardstock
Black Cardstock
Sticker Word Treasure
Fibers
Soft Cloth
Scissor

Stamp Maple Leaf over and over randomly on cardstock one at a time with pigment ink.  (Copper or Mauve ink are good colors).  Pigment ink is juicy and stays wet longer than other inks.  Take the mop brush and dip into the mica powder and tap over the maple leaf you stamped.  Add 2-3 colors on the stamped leaf.  You will have little piles of mica powder. 

Over a scrap piece of paper or garbage can, take the mop brush and burnish the colors of mica powder into the maple leaf image.  The colors will blend.  Don't worry if the background is messy, use a soft cloth wiping over the surface to further burnish the colors and removing the excess mica powder.  The powder will stick on the pigment ink.

Change where you put colors and use different colors to imitate real leaves changing in nature.  The black cardstock makes the color pop - the stamp gives detail and dimension.  If you cannot see on the image, it is very sparkling metallic.  Follow the illustration at the top to finish your piece.

This is just ONE of many designs I will do with this Maple Stamp!   Check back towards the end of November, I will have 2 other projects just like a popular magazine does, "With One Stamp."  I will show you 2 different techniques.  Lots of fun choices, even with a little Maple Leaf!!!!

Bonus - Watercolor Pencil On Fabric.

Cornucopia Stamp  16361
Thank You Stamp 6989

Sometimes I try something new, trying new materials to create with.  I have worked with watercolor pencils on hot press watercolor paper but never on fabric.  I am very happy with the results.  The only thing I would change is the fabric.  I would use cotton or muslin which would be more absorbent than the fabric I used, which I think was a polyester or linen.  It was hard to blend certain parts of the cornucopia. 

Do NOT be AFRAID to try something new, even if the results are not totally what you wanted, you learn, you grown!  You know what to do the next time you create.  I am Thankful for the Opportunity to promote VLVS images and to show old and new techniques. 

Don't forget....Part II of techniques with the Maple image!  Check back in a couple weeks!!!!

Visit the Viva Las Vegastamps! store HERE
For more inspiration and techniques, check out my book:  Creative Art Concepts for Papercrafts -  C&T Publications, available at Amazon.

How Many Viva Las Vegastamps! Can You Get on One Card?

So how many Viva Las Vegastamps! can you get on one card? 

This week I am so excited to share a little Viva Las Vegastamps! STEAMPUNK with you. I love to Collage and Steampunk is one of my favorite styles to collage.

If Steampunk is a style you like be sure to  view the amazing collection of Steampunk stamps at Viva Las Vegastamps!  Just type “Steampunk” in search click HERE and you will get a wide selection of Steampunk stamps to view!

In this collage there are 12 Viva Las Vegastamps! (all listed below) on a 5 1/4 x 4 1/2 card base, the gears were used multiple times.  To start, plan the collage by laying out the stamps you would like to use on a blank sheet.  Plan which stamps will need to be stamped first and masked.

  

Once the images in forefront are stamped, let ink dry. Protect areas form being stamped over using  Fineline Masquepen .  When the  mask is dry stamp other images.  Then gently rub the mask off.  

Using a dauber highlight areas of the images with the Stewart Superior Memories Chalk Foggy Ultramarine Ink and Memories Regal Burgundy.  On this card Memories Chalk Foggy Ultramarine Ink was used on the Eiffel  Tower, Bird Cage, Steampunk Glasses Man and Mustache Face.  The Memories Regal Burgundy was used on the Lightbulb with Filament. 

Stamp the following Viva Las Vegastamps!  Round Top Birdcage, Steampunk Glasses Man, Mustache Face Features, Eiffel Tower Medium on pattern paper tissue, be sure to use a piece of paper or protective craft sheet below as the ink will bleed through the tissue.  Then spray with a fixative. 

Gently tear the tissue around stamped images, layer each image over the its corresponding stamped image on the card.  

Adhere the stamped panel to pattern panel, and scallop paper with VLVS! Miracle Tape. Finally attach to the card base.   Stamp Steampunk Glasses Man on pattern paper and cut out tie and adhere to card. Using the same pattern paper cut a small strip and attach to the bottom of the card to give it a horizon line. To each corner add scraps of torn paper resembling photo corners (see first photo).  Use Sakura 3D Lacquer to highlight the light bulb.  Adhere locking washers with the 3D lacquer, set aside to dry. 

Supplies:

VLVS! Ferris Wheel 

VLVS! Round Top Birdcage

VLVS! Vintage Bicycle

VLVS! Lightbulb with Filament

VLVS! “Steampunk IT!”

VLVS! Steampunk Gear 

VLVS! Steampunk Glasses Man

VLVS! Eiffel Tower Medium

VLVS! Gear with Spokes

VLVS! Square Edge Gear

VLVS! Flying Bird

VLVS! Mustache Face Features 

VLVS! Miracle Tape 

Sakura 3D Crystal Lacquer

Fineline Masquepen

Stewart Superior Memories Black Ink

Stewart Superior Memories Chalk Foggy Ultramarine Ink

Stewart Superior Memories Regal Burgundy 

Ink Dauber

Card base

Pattern Paper from stash

Tissue paper

Glue stick

Spray Fixative

Locking Washers - hardware store

Scissors

Craft sheet

Paper Cutter

Acrylic Blocks

November Monthly Challenge 

Theme is “THANKS”

Be sure to submit an entry

for your chance to win a $25 online store credit.

Click HERE to find out how to enter!!!

FREE RUBBER 

Just post the Viva Las Vegastamps! Blinkie

on your Blog or Website and 

get a FREE Grab Bag of Unmounted Rubber...  

details at the top of the VLVS blog sidebar!

ANOTHER CARD!

This was made while waiting for the card above to dry.  It is made with the VLVS! Gnome, VLVS! Mushroom with 3D Crystal Lacquer!  Fineline Masquepen was used to layer the mushrooms. The Gnome and brown mushrooms are enhanced using the 3D Lacquer.  All inks are Stewart Superior and images colored with Copics.

Until next time... Have fun STAMPING!

Lyneen
Stop by my BLOG!