Showing posts with label Cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cards. Show all posts

Monday, December 7, 2020

Artsy Calendar

 Hello everyone! 

It’s Emilie here today to show you my Artsy Calendar 2021.. I thought it would be a great idea to make a calendar for this coming new year 2021 as we are already in December!


It is a desk calendar that I made portable in a box. It really is a fun project to make and a great opportunity to use your stamps. It is also a great way to relax and forget all the world issues...

At least it works for me 😉.





12 Month cards



***

For the month pages, I cut 12 (4x6 inches) pieces of Hot Press watercolor paper.

I first stamped the “Patreon Exclusive stamp of January 2020” on the bottom of each cards. I also made a mask so that I can use it to decorate each page. At the very end, I rounded all the corners of my cards with a 1/4" edged punch.


Patreon Exclusive stamp of January 2020


I’m showing you how I decorated few pages using only some watercolors and color pencils. 

Stamping with watercolors using ArtFoamies stamps



Simple stamping with Moonlight Duo Ink pads. I used the black and white parts to get grey tone.


For most pages I used the masking technique where I masked my images to create a layout. 

Stamping on the background and cut out images to build my layout


Stamping using masking technique with Moonlight Duo Ink pads.


I also cut out the images, colored them and glued them down. For two backgrounds, I used the embossing technique using white embossing powder.



Embossing technique with white embossing powder.


***
The most technical part is the box. Let's me show you how I made it!

***
List of supplies I used to make the box.

Box cover - Chipboard 
(you can also used recycled materials like cereal box)
Cut 2 pieces at 4 1/4” x 6 1/4”
Cut 1 piece at 4 1/4” x 1/2”

Cardstock wrap for outside cover 
(I used white 110lb cardstock)
Cut 2 pieces 5 1/4” x7” 

Inside cover 
(I used textured cardstock by preference)
Cut 2 pieces at 4”x6” 

Inside pocket
(I used white 110lb cardstock)
Cut 1 piece at 4 1/4” x 6 1/8” 

Outside cover Spine
(I used some duke tape)
Cut 1 piece at 5” x 2” 

Inside Spine
(I used white 110lb cardstock)
Cut 1 piece at 4” x 1 1/2” 

Corners 
Cut 2 circles of 1 1/2” diameter (1 circle makes 2 corners)

Decorative Ribbon (optional)


***
Directions to make the box:


Step 1:  I joined together my chipboard pieces with the duck tape as shown in photo below. I left a 3/16” gap between the spine and the side pieces. It’s very important in order to allow an easy fold. You can also use some cardstock for joining the spine but using some duke tape (or Tyvek) will make the cover more durable at the folds of the spine over time.


Joining the chipboard pieces


Step 2: I stamped the two outside cover pieces using the “Space Oddity” (mini) ArtFoamies stamp with some grey Archival ink.
Then I glued down these two pieces on my chipboard leaving 1/8” space at the fold of the spine.


Stamping with "Space Oddity Mini" ArtFoamies stamp




Step 3: I applied some double sided tape all along the chipboard edges. I trained the cardstock to fold over the edges. I cut the corners leaving 1/8” space from the tip of the chipboard. First, I  wrapped the cardstock tightly along the long edges. I pushed the 1/8” excess left at the corners inward to tuck the excess then I wrapped the cardstock tightly along the shortest edges. I burnished well all the edges with a bone folder.




Step 4: I attached the inside spine (4” x 1 1/2”) that I also decorated using the “Space Oddity” (mini) ArtFoamies stamp with some grey Archival ink. I burnished well between the folds of the spine.

Step 5: I decorated the inside pocket cardstock piece the same way. I scored at 1/2”, 1”, 5 1/8”, and 5 5/8” along the 6 1/8” side. Then I scored 1/2”, 3 1/4” and 3 3/4” along the 4 1/4” side. I cut out the excesses to form the pocket as shown in photo.

Inside pocket



Step 6: I wrapped the top flap of the pocket over the inside to reinforce the top edge of the pocket. I applied some double sided tape to the outer flaps of the pocket on both in and out sides.



Step 7: I attached one of the inside cover pieces to the pocket. I started with one side, then the bottom, then the other side. It’s very important to attach the piece slightly away from the score line (about 1/16").




Step 8: I made 4 corners to attach to the second inside cover piece to be able to insert the month card. You make 2 corners with one circle. I used some 100 lb textured black cardstock by preference.



Step 9: I attached the four black corners as shown in photo. It’s important to leave a 1/16” gap along the edges to be able to insert easily the month card.



Step 10: I attached the two inside cover pieces previously made with double sided tape. You can also use wet glue, of course.

Inside cover



My calendar box is done! The front cover looks like this.

Outside cover




***
Here are more pictures of my calendar 2021.

desk calendar





***
Hope you enjoyed this tutorial. This can be used to make the cover of handmade albums and art journals as well. That's how I proceed when I want a sturdy and durable cover. 

Have a great week! 
I wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Emilie
You can find me on Instagram and Facebook

Please feel free to share your creations using #rubbermoon #100proofpress #artfoamies #100moonscollab on your social media. We will be so happy to see what you make with Rubbermoon,  100 Proof Press, and  Artfoamies products.


***
Below the list of stamps I used

Rubbermoon Stamps

Next Door Neighbors (KP5503G)

Spark Joy (KP7604C)

Folksy Frame (JH7645H)

A Little Love… (JH7662E)

Heart Fly (DB4117B)

Love Letter (SC7046I)

Party on Wheels (BR1I)

Let’s Go! (BR4B)

Mary’s Cherrie, Light (ME7673F)

Adventure! (MM7096D)

Camp Moonlight (MM7093G)

Cat Cup (SC7042G)

Good Spirits (KP5144D)

Sent with Love (NK7803C)

You’re got mail (NK7804C)

My #1 Priority (NK7802E)


100 Proof Press Stamps 

Tiny Dark Snowflake (2110)

Small Ohio Buckeye Leaf (3781)

Season’s Greetings (6411)

Rectangular Shaped Pressent (1728)

Candy Cane (3422)

Large Outline Snowflake (1036)

Handwritten Letter 1788 (5642)

Overhead Lobster Image (4605)

Camera 35mm (5305)

Simple Post Card (478)

Paris Cancellation (6681)

Pumpkin Tower (6744)

Blank Wooden Sign (1227)

Basic Compass (1390)

Blue Crab (4606)

Screen Texture (6489)

Plain Rectangle Postage Blank (1368)


ArtFoamies Stamps

Midtown by Nathalie Kalbach

Space Oddity Mini by Nathalie Kalbach

Friday, August 21, 2020

100 Moons Creative - Fun with Art Foamies

GOOD MORNING FRIENDS! This is Nancy Sheads and I'm back today with another project for 100 Moons Creative. For today's project, I wanted to create a simple card that was quick and easy to make but had a WOW factor. 

My project features the following stamps from RubberMoon and ArtFoamies:
Now I have to admit that before joining the 100 Moons Creative team, I hadn't tried any of the ArtFoamies stamps, but now that I have, can I just say how much I love using them?!? I'm a cardmaker and I love making my own backgrounds. I have a LOT of design paper in my stash, but I hardly ever use it anymore, opting instead for stenciled or ink blended backgrounds. So these ArtFoamies stamps really spark my creativity. 


To be honest, I started this project in a completely different direction, using a different image for the focal point. But then I created the background and the two didn't go together. I loved the background more than what I did with the original image so I ended up in a completely different direction. Funny how that happens!

CREATING THE BACKGROUND

I started with a piece of Distress Watercolor Cardstock cut to 4.25 inches x 5.5 inches. I flipped the cardstock so that the textured side was face down. For the background, I used the Inner Struggle foam stamp. I randomly applied two colors of Distress Oxide Ink to the stamp - Shabby Shutters and Mowed Lawn - so that the stamped image would have a variegated appearance. Since size of the Inner Struggle stamp was less than 5.5 inches, I turned the stamp so that it was perpendicular to the cardstock. I stamped the image in the middle and then worked each side to the edge.


STAMPING SUN IMAGE

Using the largest die in the Spellbinders Standard Circles Large set, I cut a circle from a piece of Distress Watercolor Cardstock. For the sun image, I used the Celestial Rings stamp. Since this stamp is in three parts, I applied a couple of pieces of low tack tape on the back to hold them together while I stamp. Starting from the center, I applied three colors of Distress Oxide Ink - Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, and Candied Apple. I stamped the image on the smooth side of the circle die cut. Afterwards, I used a water brush to lightly blend the colors where necessary. 



Once the ink was dry, I used a black Copic multiliner to add details to the face. I used Copic markers (R20, R22) to further enhance the facial features. I normally would not use Copic markers on top of Oxide ink, but to be honest, I forgot that I hadn't used regular Distress Ink. It didn't seem to damage the marker nibs, but you might want to use a water-based marker instead. I used my Copic multiliner and a blue gel pen to add more details to the sun rays. I'm not much of a doodler, so I kept the pattern simple.


PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

All that's left is assembling the card. I stamped the sentiment on the background using Versafine Clare ink and then adhered it to my cardbase. To add dimension, I cut a piece of craft foam slightly smaller than the sun image and glued it to the back. You could use foam tape instead, but I prefer craft foam because it supports the entire layer. I applied glue to the other side of the craft foam and positioned the sun image on the card.



That's it for today! Hope you found some inspiration and will give these fun foam stamps a try. See you soon!

SUPPLIES

Paper: Neenah Solar White 110#; Distress Watercolor Cardstock by Ranger - Tim Holtz
Stamps: Kae Pea Creative Concentrics - Celestial Rings by ArtFoamies; Balzer Designs - Inner Struggle by ArtFoamies; Ma Vinci | BLP504G - Cursive "Imagine" by RubberMoon 
Inks: Versafine Clare in Nocturne by Tsukineko; Distress Oxides in Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, and Candied Apple by Ranger - Tim Holtz
Dies: Standard Circles Large by Spellbinders
Embellishments: Copic Multiliner SP Pen - 0.5 mm; 
Copics: R20, R22


Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Penny For Your Thoughts


I'm in love with the latest stamp from the Rubbermoon Mail Club! Kae Pea named her Penny, The Party Planner, so I've titled this card Penny For Your Thoughts. The wonderful thing about Penny is that the banner is actually blank, so you can write in anything you want. She's a versatile gal, that Penny!

This was a pretty simple card to make. I used StazOn Jet Black ink to stamp everything on the white cardstock and colored it in with a blender pen and ink. I gave Penny a little extra sparkle by adding Stickles to her dress - after all, what's a Party Planner without some bling?!

I stamped an extra Penny on a piece of scrap paper and cut out the banner. Then I used my craft knife to make a slit in the bird's beak. I inserted the banner and put a bit of tape on the backside to secure it. Then I glued everything onto a piece of pink cardstock on which I had stamped a row of tiny flowers.

Now Penny is on her way to make someone's day!

Back to the Rubbermoon Mail Club... I can't say enough good things about it! I get a nifty new "surprise" stamp each month. For me, that element of surprise is great - I like being challenged by stuff that I might not necessarily pick out - and I've yet to be disappointed. Kae Pea also always adds fun extras from other companies. The best part of it is the online group and the support and inspiration I get from so many wonderful people.

Other RubberMoon Stamps Used: Sending Happy Thoughts, Sprinkles Cube, Lucy Bird

Where will your imagination take you?

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

A Haunting Couple

Happy October!


As soon as I flipped the page on the calender to October, I kind of flipped too. I've been going crazy for Halloween! We don't get trick-or-treaters here (please don't ask my why we need a full bowl of candy regardless). I don't dress up in a costume or go to parties. It doesn't matter. I love Halloween - I always have and I always will.

Then I decided to use almost all of my RubberMoon Halloween stamps on a single card. I couldn't help it. It was a little like choosing a single piece of candy to eat. Translation: never gonna happen.

I fell in love with Frank & Mrs. Stein the minute I saw them. I colored them in, gave them a little bling, then cut them out and set them aside while I worked on the background. For Mrs. Stein's hair, I used Imagine Crafts Amplify. Cool stuff! Once it's dry, you hit it with the heat gun and it puffs up. So her hair really looks like an old fashioned puffy 'do!

For the background I used the Scary Neighbors stamp and black craft ink. I colored in the windows with glittery gel pens and gave the stars a little shimmer with some Stickles. I stamped the sentiment in the same ink. Then, using white craft ink, I stamped the crescent moon. I let it dry for a minute and then went over it with Stickles as well.

All that was left to do was to introduce Frank and the Mrs. to the 'hood.

Where will your imagination take you?

RubberMoon stamps used:

Frank
Mrs. Stein
Scary Neighbors
Happy Halloween
Dark Crescent

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

The Magic of Autumn

Happy Autumn Everyone!

Nothing gets my creativity flowing like that first chilly snap in the air. And the colors? Zowie! Endless inspiration is right outside the window.

One of my favorite mediums to work with is Alcohol Ink. If you've never played with them, get some! It's so easy to create marbled backgrounds or just splotchy fun backgrounds. Plus, it's fun to watch them mingle and spread and do their own thing. Although they come in dozens of colors, they definitely lend themselves well to that feeling of Fall.

I did all of the stamping on this card with StazOn Jet Black ink. I then colored in the tree and the stars with Sharpies (alcohol ink tends to repel and/or absorb water-based inks). To give the stars a little shimmer I dabbed on some Stickles.

That's all there was to it! Simple, yet tons of fun.

But, WAIT!!!

Kae Pea is currently on a road trip to Seattle and has authorized a sale! Through September 28th, get $15 off any order over $75.00 at RubberMoon. This sale is for stamps only (excludes art supplies, mounts, etc). The code to enter at checkout is: ROADTRIP2015

Where will your creativity take you?


RubberMoon Art Stamps used


Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Impossible Things Happen

I didn't know it when I made these two cards for today's post, but yesterday marked the 3rd year anniversary of Kae Pea owning RubberMoon! Being an artist was never a question for her and building a rubber stamp business was a long-time dream. You can read a little more about her on last month's post at Artists Tell Their Stories.

I have people ask me all the time, "How did you get into this? What made you think you could...?" I fell into rubber stamping (and art itself, for that matter) quite by accident. I never thought I could. I certainly never thought I'd be selling my work or exchanging ideas and techniques with other artists! But, from the moment I picked up my first rubber stamp, I was hooked. My first pieces (some of which I still have) were fairly rudimentary and lacked a bit of finesse, but it was fun, so I kept going.

I guess that's the ticket. When you love something, love doing something, don't worry about where it's taking you, just participate in the journey. Because, I never would have expected it, much less thought it, but here I am, little more than a decade after I made my first card, designing and posting for one of the best rubber stamp companies ever. The real bonus has been all of the great friendships I've made in the art world.

And, you know what I have to say about that? That's just ducky! Here's to Kae Pea and the continued success of RubberMoon and Blue Luna Press!!



RubberMoon stamps used:

Paths Through the Woods
Impossible Things Happen
Margarita
That's Just Ducky
Wee Duck
Sprinkles Cube

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

August Moon Mail Fun


I was, as usual, delighted to get my little package from the RubberMoon Mail Club this month. There are always extra fun little goodies included. This time, in addition to the fun little leafy stamp from RubberMoon, it included an extra stamp and faux postage paper from 100 Proof Press and new 2 x 4" pieces from inchie arts.

I was immediately inspired. Since I'm constantly digging for my mail box key - it always seems to find the most remote corner of my purse - I decided to make a special key chain for it. This was so easily done!

I began by punching a hole in the top of my inchie arts square. Then I used the beautiful leaf stamp that Kae Pea designed. By the way, this was one she designed back when RubberMoon was barely a dream, thinking that one day it would make a really cool stamp. That day has come, and it is a cool stamp!

I used StazOn ink to do all my stamping because it is a solvent ink and won't run if it gets wet. I used sharpies to color in everything for the same reason. Five minutes later, I had a nifty new key chain and my digging for the mail key days are over!

Then, because it was hot and humid and I was feeling surly about that, I used the stamp to make a snowflake. Yeah. I'm very much done with summer weather. Can you tell?


Where will your imagination take you? Happy crafting!

RubberMoon Art Stamps used
Exclusive Moon Mail stamp
New Moon

Other products used
inchie arts squares
StazOn ink
Sharpies

Wait! That's not all!!! 

Through Sunday, August 16th, RubberMoon is having a 15% off sale on Halloween and Christmas stamps! Check it out!!!


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Face It


I have been having so much fun playing with the latest offering from RubberMoon's Moon Mail Club! If you're a rubber stamp addict and you haven't signed up yet, you're missing out on a lot of fun and some really cool, exclusive stamps!

Here's the stamp I received in the mail last week.


For the card above, I stamped the face first, using StazOn Jet Black ink. I stamped it again on a piece of scrap paper and cut a mask out of that. I placed the mask on top of my main piece and then stamped right over it with the flower stamps. After that, I colored in the face using a blender pen and Distress Inks. A few dabs of Stickles, and I was done!

But... I'd barely begun to play.


I used the same masking technique for both of these as well.


I know this face has much more in store for me. There are so many possibilities that I'm almost dizzy with them. I can't wait to play some more!

RubberMoon Rubber Stamps Used


Other stamp used: Verbena Flower Head by 100 Proof Press



Saturday, January 10, 2015

STAMP BOLDLY WITH RUBBERMOON

by Guest Artist Ceci Córdova


Sometimes when I tell people about my rubber stamps, they ask, "What do you do with them?"   They see the images but have no idea what can be done beyond stamping the image on a piece of paper.  And, then what?   Sometimes when I am talking with people who really like the ideas and images of the rubber stamps, they ask how to use them to make them worth buying in the first place.

This series is for those who ask those questions and need just a little encouragement to spread their stamping wings. If you have never stamped before or want to make your stamps earn their keep by being more versatile and doing many jobs, this is the place for you!
 
Try some of these ideas and send us photos of your efforts.  We'd like to see what you come up with!  Show off your work and inspire others!


Today we'll start with the Stardust Frame (db4923) which is sparkly and exciting and attracts the eye, but.......once you've got it, what can you do with it?  Well......come in and see!


I love the Stardust Frame stamp......It does so much with just one imprint.......you really don't need to do anything else, but actually, the stamp lends itself to many different uses.......come along with me......and see.....


The first and simplest use of this stamp is simply to stamp it on a card and use it as the decoration all by itself.
When you are in a hurry or aiming for simplicity, this is the easiest.  It is large enough to fill the front of a card and strikingly unusual in black and white or any other contrast.  Try it in white ink on a dark card.  Stamp it.  Write your message inside the card.  You're done.  That was easy!  That's a lot of excitement for very little effort


If you have a little more time, with not much greater ambition, you can embellish it a bit with other stamps. 

Here I've used it as an address label on an envelope.  Again: simply stamp the image once.  I then embellished it with a sprinkle of stars (star stamp DB2484) (another option would be MK180 Stardust, which would fit in just beautifully) to give the impression of the stars spilling off the corner of the envelope and used MK586 Man in the Moon stamp to balance the image and frame the return address.  You don't have to use these specific stamps, but you can see how three simple stamps can dress up an already exciting stamped image!


Another simple, easy embellishment of an exciting stamp: color it in. 

This takes more time than just stamping but creates excitement for the eye and spirit and soothes the soul of the colorer.  I admit, I find this very comforting....it doesn't just take me back to kindergarten, because I've done this all my life, but it does make art easy.  If I want to make something beautiful but don't have lots of creative energy, just stamping some outlined images gives me a chance to color quietly and have a beautiful joyful piece of work, in the end.  If you have the time and interest, make a few cards and they will be on hand for the times when you are in a hurry and need a card.

I enjoy using all kinds of color pencils.  Prismacolor are nice and soft but they are expensive and break easily.  I find that I am happy with plain old Crayola Color Pencils.  I buy the largest box during Back to School sales.  Get your money's worth!


OK.  This one takes a little more time. 

You can use color pencils or water color or crayon or felt pens....your choice.  If you've got the time, color in the background, too.  Or, the background, only.  What the heck.  Do what you want or what you have time for.
I shaded the colors, starting by picking out all the color pencils I had in the turquoise family, from light to dark.  I started with dark, against the outside border of the image and then fanned out using lighter colors and lighter strokes, as I got to the edge.  I went back over again on places I wanted it darker.  We will have a tutorial later on color pencil shading, but that's enough for right now.  I just want to show you different ways to use this one stamp.


OK. If you have even more time and ambition, this is easy and fun......just takes a little more time and tools. 
Again, I stamped the same image on card stock, and after it dried, I cut out the window with an Xacto knife, so we can see the inside of the card. 


On the inside of the card, I stamped the same moon (MK586 Man in the Moon stamp) so it is visible through the window. 

Then I sprinkled stars (star stamp DB2484) around where they are not seen through the window, and a couple of happy sentiments (db411 "Moondancing is strongly encouraged" and db4459 "Happy Birthday to you"), also outside of view through the window.  The surprise element is what makes a window fun.....some things can be glimpsed through the window but the entire story remains a secret until you open the card.

Of course, you know you can combine all of these ideas: color the stars and cut out a window to show more colored images!  You can fill in the empty square with a name, a message, another stamped image, as well as an address.  Color them all or leave some or all of them uncolored....use different colors of ink.  Just look at all the possibilities!

OK.  In this post, I've used cards and an envelope. 
Here are some other simple, quick uses for this and any stamp, in case you are wondering "what else can I do with that?": 
•  Stamp repeatedly on blank paper for wrapping paper. 
•  Stamp it in the same color of ink or vary the ink randomly (actually, to save your ink pad, stamp all the images in one color first, then clean the stamp and repeat with another color.  Then clean again, etc etc, for all the colors you want to use.). 
•  Gift tags. 
•  Lunch bags. 
•  Decorate the top of a letter....once or repeated across the top of the page....or sprinkled around anywhere you want!

Oh, my stars!  There are so many many uses for every stamp.  Get going!  Have fun!  And share with us what you make!!  We'd love to see it!

We'll be exploring more stamps in future postings, learning how to get the most use out of each stamp and how to make simple and versatile cards with the stamps you have.......or  the RubberMoon stamps you have just decided you NEED to have!


About Ceci
I have always enjoyed stamping.  There is something about reproducing the crisp image on paper and sharing it or decorating it or just enjoying it as it decorates a new surface.  I have been collecting stamps for many years and began carving them from erasers in my teens.  I enjoy carving my own, collecting those made by others, and playing with them to give voice to stories, thoughts, and feelings as well as color and excitement to otherwise barren surfaces.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Stamping on Fabric





Hello again! Barb here - posting two weeks in a row!


Our weather here in the Pacific NW finally and decidedly turned to Autumn in the past couple of days. Watching the leaves fly off the trees and blow past the windows got me thinking about Halloween. RubberMoon's Blue Ribbon Pumpkin Stamp was just begging me to do something with it.


I decided to take a little departure from my "normal" techniques and stamp on fabric. I began by cutting an approximately 3.75 x 3.5" piece from a length of off-white muslin that I happen to have in my fabric stash.








The piece doesn't have to be perfectly cut. In fact, it's more interesting if it isn't. After I cut it, I pulled some of the outside threads for a frayed look.


Then I stamped on it, using StazOn Jet Black ink. I use StazOn on fabric because it won't bleed like many water-based inks will.








To color it in, I went with my Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils. I could have used markers, but they tend to bleed a little, plus the fabric is hard on the markers.








Once it was colored in, I wanted to give a little extra homespun feel, so I decided to do a rough stitch around the edge of the image. A really, really rough stitch! For this I used some orange DMC Craft Thread that I'd had around for-just-about-ever.


(I'm not a hoarder; I'm a Keeper of Very Useful Stuff!)








No need to tie knots. In fact, I recommend against it. When the piece is glued, the glue holds the stitching in place. Plus, if I'd added a knot, it would have left a bump in the finished product.



Finally, to tie everything together and finish the piece, I added a quick, mini tag. It was a pre-cut tag that I have a bunch of and gave it some swipes of color and the "trick or treat" sentiment with the same Derwent pencils that I used on the fabric piece.








I glued the piece to some purple cardstock onto which I'd stamped just a few stars using the star stamp from RubberMoon's Dust Collection set and Brilliance ink in Pearlescent Olive.


Naturally, I couldn't resist adding a little sparkle, so I dabbed some yellow Stickles on the eyes and mouth.


Now that I've done this card, I'm tempted to stitch together a few goodie bags to give some treatable friends next month. There's no end to creative possibilities once you start stamping on fabric!


Thanks for reading my post!