Thanks - A Partial Word Die-Cut and Modified Z-Fold Card Tutorial

 What happens when you take one of the fabulous word dies from A Muse Studio and only cut part of it out? Awesomeness! That's what happens - awesomeness! :)

 Here it is from an angled view to the side - you get the modified z-fold effect this way. You take an 4-1/4" X 11" piece of sugar cardstock and score it at 2-3/4" and 5-1/2". Put it aside and work on the die cut part. You could do it directly on the cardstock fold but I decided to make it a little easier.

Take a piece of 4-1/4" X 3-1/4" piece of cardstock. I used hibiscus as it was a great match to the patterned paper I picked to use from the Fiesta paper pack.

Center the word die at the top center of your 4-1/4" side of the cardstock.

Turn the cardstock 180 degrees and line it up so the top of the die is on the cutting plate and the bottom of the die and the rest of the cardstock is hanging off the edge a little. Use a little washi tape to hold it in place.

Add the cutting plate on top and as you can see, a bit of the word die is hanging out of the edge. You don't want the bottom part of the word to get cut that's why you need part of it to be outside of your cutting plates. *note - make sure your die is straight before you cut it out. I took the photo and then realized that I was askew so fixed it before cutting. ah... the little things. :)

Once you cut it, you have this lovely result. Okay - you actually have all the little pieces that you need to trim off from the letters but after you do that - you have this lovely partially die-cut word. :)  Layer that piece on the fold and trim to a straight line. Then, layer a patterned piece on the bottom edge to finish off the card.

I cut out the full word on a piece of the patterned paper and used a quickie glue pen to attach it to the top of the partial cut layer. You wouldn't have to do that but I liked the look of it. :)

Oh - I also added a top layer of patterned paper that I cut with the medium scalloped border die. A tiny strip of hibiscus finished off the look.

This would be so fun to do with the Merry or Noel die and add a little Santa Mail stamp or Cozy Back stamp to it. Will have to do some more playing.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and hope you'll give the partial word die-cut technique a try!

Shop in Your Jammies!  

Have a wonderfully creative day!!

Camp Wanna Stamp 2014

Super excited for Camp Wanna Stamp today! Here's a sneak preview of what we'll be making. I'll be posting the projects on my blog through-out October.

Have a wonderfully creative day!!!

Oh My Stars! Double Die-Cut technique

Can you see the shimmery top of this card? If so, that's the stardust spray. If not because you're distracted by the warping, that's on me. lol! Once again, I got in a hurry to put it together and should have let the stardust spray sit for a hot minute and then it would have been dry. Ah well, it's all good. The focus should be on those delightful double die-cut stars. Yep. You cut with the big die and then remove it and cut with the medium die. You can do this with any nesting die to make frames for sentiments or fun elements for your card, like this one. :)  I forget to do this technique so was glad to be reminded by the a│s designers. I modified it a little but mostly just because I couldn't die cut any more stars. I just couldn't! lol! :)


Tools & Supplies:
Stamp Set: Southern Sass
Cardstock: Sugar, Lime, Melon, Grapefruit
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Star Trio Die Set
Die Cutting Machine
Washi Tape (optional, to hold dies in place)
Mono Aqua Adhesive
Scissors
Stardust Finishing Spray
3D Foam Adhesive

Cutting Instructions:
Sugar cardstock base: 5 1/2” x 8 1/2”
Sugar cardstock layer: 3 7/8 x 5 1/8”
Lime, Melon, Grapefruit large stars (some double die cut)

Instructions:
1. Score Sugar cardstock at 4 1/4 to make A2 card.
2. Die cut the middle star out of the several stars.
3. Stamp sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black
4. Adhere stars to sugar layer using Mono Aqua (see note)
5. Trim stars where they overhang layer.
6. Spray layer with stardust finishing spray.
7. Adhere layer to card base with 3D Foam Adhesive

Tips: 1. When layering die cut over star, use washi to hold it in place. 2. Use a TINY AMOUNT of mono aqua on stars to adhere.

Supplies: www.amusestudio.com/seleise

Have a wonderfully creative day! 

S'More Treat Bag - lemon juice "toasting" technique

I had never embossed with lemon juice before making this little beauty for stamp camp. Love the design from A Muse Studio, don't you? I added a little champagne glitter to the marshmallows but otherwise, it's as designed. I love the twine through the button and around the cherry chevron ribbon! Love when I learn a new way to add twine and ribbon together. :) This would be a great treat bag with marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers inside, don't you think? Or, s'mores cookies or s'mores pops would work too.

You could easily adjust this design to make Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine's, Birthday Treat sacks and more! Or, how about slumber party gifts or bowling team gifts or Secret Santa gifts - it's going to be soooo fun to play with this!!

Tools & Supplies:
Stamp Set: Hello From Camp
Cardstock: Navy Petite Polka Dot, Sugar
Ink: Versafine Onyx, Cherry
Brown Paper Bag, Cherry Chevron Ribbon, Vanilla Twine, Navy Button, Paint Brush, Lemon Juice
Heat Tool (optional, to speed drying)
Quickie Glue Pen and Champagne Glitter
3D Foam Adhesive

Cutting Instructions:
Navy Petite Polka Dot: 4” x 2” (trim to fishtail pennant)Sugar layer: 2 x 3 (die-cut with vintage labels 1 die set)

Instructions:
1. Adhere Navy Petite Polka Dot to bag front
2. Wrap ribbon around bag, adhere at top with twine and attach button
3. Stamp sentiment/stick with memento tuxedo black.
4. Using paint brush, add a small amount of lemon juice to each marshmallow (see tip) and heat. Takes 1 to 1 1/2 min.
5. Embellish marshmallows with glitter.
6. Add stars with cherry ink (use a light touch)
7. Mount label on bag with 3D Foam Adhesive.

Tip: This technique requires patience. Begin heating the back of the cardstock. Move to front and keep heating until lemon juice turns brown. You may have to add more lemon juice but it may spread outside the line if you add too much.

Supplies: www.amusestudio.com/seleise

Have a wonderfully creative day! 

When Life Gets Sour... Chalkboard Technique

Nope. Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. It's supposed to be stamped off a little because it's a chalkboard technique card. I love the sentiments in Squeeze the Day and this is another great example. I love the papaya, kraft and onyx combo, don't you? That combo was A Muse's idea and I changed up the sentiment. :) This was another camp card! Wish you could have been there to play with us. :) 

Tools & Supplies:
Stamp Set: Squeeze the Day
Cardstock: Kraft, Papaya Petite Pinstripe & Chevron, Onyx
Ink: Versamark, Papaya
Onyx/White Baker’s Twine
Buttercup Button
Static Magic, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool
Paper Towel, Ruler, Watercolor Pencil, 3D Foam Adhesive

Cutting Instructions:
Kraft cardstock base: 5 1/2” x 8 1/2”
Papaya petite pinstripe: 5 1/2 x 1/2”, Papaya Chevron 5 1/2” x 2 1/2”, Onyx: 3 1/2” x 2 3/4”

Instructions:
1. Score Kraft cardstock at 4 1/4 to make A2 card.
2. Adhere Papaya pinstripe to left side of card. Adhere chevron layer.
3. Wrap twine around card. Leave loose.
4. Stamp in Versamark & emboss image on Onyx Cardstock
5. Clean stamp
6. Stamp image in Papaya ink slightly “off-center” on the embossing.
7. Use paper towel to remove papaya from embossing & smudge to make chalkboard look.
8. Use ruler to add straight lines with watercolor pencil above and below the image.
9. Put Onyx layer on with 3D Foam Adhesive.
10. Tie button on with twine.

Supplies: www.amusestudio.com/seleise

Have a wonderfully creative day! 

Make a Wish - Coloring Stamps with Markers Technique

Another card totally designed by A Muse Studio for camp. I adore the feathers colored with different tombow markers! Wish I'd thought of that but it sure was fun to put the idea to paper! :)  

Tools & Supplies:
Stamp Set: Make a Wish
Cardstock: Vanilla
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
025 Tombow Marker
933 Tombow Marker
443 Tombow Marker
Onyx/White Baker’s Twine
Gold Washi Tape

Cutting Instructions:
Vanilla Cardstock Base: 7” X 5”

Instructions:
1. Score Vanilla cardstock at 3 1/2” to make card base
2. Adhere washi tape to bottom of card base.
3. Stamp sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black above washi
4. With feather stamps on clear block, color image with 025 Tombow marker, add additional color in some areas with 933 and add highlights with 443. Huff and stamp.
5. Wrap card front with baker’s twine and tie bow.


All supplies can be found in my webstore: www.amusestudio.com/seleise

Have a wonderfully creative day!!

Butterfly - Watercolor with Tombow Markers and Stardust Finishing Spray

This card was another one from camp that was totally designed by A Muse Studio. It's hard to tell from the photo but it has a lovely soft shimmer on the butterfly from the stardust spray mixing in with the tombow marker. See below for the details on how to make this little beauty. :) 

Tools & Supplies:
Stamp Set: Papillon
Cardstock: Vanilla, Onyx, Onyx Chevron, Wasabi Petite Polka Dot, Bristol Watercolor
Ink: Versafine Black, Slate Splash
177  & 062 Tombow Marker
Large clear block (used to mix color on), Stardust
Finishing Spray, Water Brush, Detail Scissors

Cutting Instructions:
Vanilla: 5 1/2” x 8  1/2”, Watercolor paper: 2  1/2” x 3  1/2”
Onyx: 1/2” x 4 1/2”, Onyx Chevron: 7/8” x 4 1/2”
Wasabi Petite Polka Dot: 5/8” x 4  1/8” trimmed to fishtail

Instructions:
1. Score Vanilla cardstock at 4 1/4 to make A2 card.
2. Add drops of Slate Splash to card base, sparingly towards top (unscrew top and touch the base of the spray nozzle to the cardstock to leave little dots)
3. Adhere onyx layer to base then onyx chevron and wasabi petite polka dot  on top of that.
4. Stamp image with Stazon on watercolor paper.
5. On a large clear block, add a generous amount of color with one marker in one spot and other marker in another spot. Add some drops of Stardust spray over the marker (open top and drip on block - just like splash).
6. Using water brush, mix color with stardust and paint butterfly. (Clean block after painting with baby wipe)
7. Detail cut butterfly, adhere to card base.

Tip: Sugar cardstock can be used instead of watercolor but be careful not to oversaturate.

All supplies can be found in my webstore: www.amusestudio.com/seleise

Have a wonderfully creative day!!

My Deepest Sympathies - Watercoloring with tombow markers and embossing!

I love this card. I adjusted the sentiment and image for the Camp Wanna Stamp Card. I love the Charming Gardeners stamp set and it provided a lovely base to the card. First you emboss in white and then you color with the tombow markers. A little vellum cardstock for the sentiment finished of the look. Simple and understated but still pretty! And, the perfect way to share your love at a difficult time.

Tools & Supplies:
Stamp Set: Charming Gardeners, This Too Shall Pass
Cardstock: Kraft, Bristol watercolor & Vellum cardstock
Ink: Versamark, Versafine Black
Water Brush
White Embossing Powder
Large clear block (used to mix color on)
076 Tombow Marker
491 Tombow Marker
025 Tombow Marker
Heat Tool
Glue Dots
Sky Twinkle Stickers

Cutting Instructions:
Kraft: 4 1/4” x 11”
Bristol Watercolor:  5 1/8” x 3 7/8”
Vellum Cardsotock: 3/4” 4 1/4”

Instructions:
1. Score Kraft cardstock at 5 1/2” to make A2 card base.
2. Stamp and emboss image on watercolor paper.
3. Using markers, scribble on clear block and watercolor image. Shade around image with 491 to define. Let dry.
4 Stamp and adhere vellum cardstock  to base using glue dots.
5. Embellish with Sky Twinkle Stickers

Have a wonderfully creative day!
www.amusestudio.com/seleise

Miss You - Splash technique card

This stamp camp card was 100% designed by A Muse Studio peeps and I love it! okay - I could have waited for the splash ink to dry before I put the top "splashed" layer on the card (please excuse the warping!) but I was impatient. What? Me? Impatient? It's shockingly true! :) But, even though it's a little warped, don't you just LOVE the splash ink colors? Me too! Pistachio, Mermaid and Lime make up this lovely combo! The star trio die set gives the added bonus of a fun little background.

Tools & Supplies:
Stamp Set: Say It With Style
Cardstock: Bermuda, Sugar, Pistachio, star mask scraps
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Splash ink: Pistachio, Mermaid & Lime
Star Trio Die Set
Word Windows Die Set
Die Cutting Machine
Heat Tool (optional, to speed drying)
Mini Stars Twinkle Stars (teals and blues)

Cutting Instructions:
Bermuda: 5” x 7”
Sugar layer: 3 1/8” x 4 5/8”
Pistachio cardstock: 3” x 4 1/2”

Instructions:
1. Score Bermuda cardstock at 3 1/2” to make A1 (4Bar) card
2. Cut small star scraps and word window
3. Lightly spray Sugar layer with Pistachio splash
4. Arrange 2-3 stars on sugar layer, lightly spray with Mermaid splash; remove stars
5. Arrange 1-2 stars on Sugar layer, lightly spray with Lime splash, remove stars. Dry.
6. Arrange sugar layer over pistachio layer and stamp sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. and adhere to base. 7. Use 3D Foam to adhere sugar layer. Add twinkle stickers.

Have a wonderfully creative day!!
www.amusestudio.com/seleise

Clever Girls - Tombow Watercolor Background Technique

Another stamp camp card (these will go on for a while...) and it's a fun one. It's A Muse Studio's design that I made with a different stamp set. I have to admit that I did not touch my tombow markers much for a couple of years and now everything I touch is getting this watercolor background! Let me tell you, it's so much fun! And, I loved seeing all the different variations that my stamp campers came up with - beautiful! I should have taken pictures of all the different background variations but alas...didn't happen. I'm going to play with some red and green markers for a Christmas card design and then am going to add in some silver signo gel pen accents. It's awesome in my mind but who knows what it will be like when I actually put it on paper. That's the fun of card-making - it's a discovery process. 

Tools & Supplies:

Stamp Set: Clever Girls
Cardstock: Navy, Papaya Petite Polka Dot and Bristol 
Watercolor Paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Grapefruit, Melon
Corner Chomper
Clear Block
025 Tombow Marker
933 Tombow Marker
703 Tombow Marker
Spray Bottle, filled with water
Heat tool (to speed drying)
Mini Multi Dots Twinkle Stickers (pink)

Cutting Instructions:
Navy cardstock base: 4 1/4” x 11”
Papaya Petite Polka Dot layer: 5 1/4” x 1 1/8”
Watercolor paper layer: 4” x 3”

Instructions:
1. Score Navy cardstock at 5 1/2 to make A2 card.
2. Cut Papaya Petite Polka Dot to Fishtail shape. Adhere.
3. Round corners of watercolor paper layer (use 1/4” side)
4. Take 025 marker and scribble on clear block. Spritz with water and rub on watercolor layer. Clean block. Repeat with other marker colors until background is done.
5. When dry, stamp images (take care not to mix ink colors with stamps!)
6. Adhere layer and embellish with pink twinkle stickers.

All supplies are a muse studio: www.amusestudio.com/seleise

Have a wonderfully creative day!

Happy 4th of July! Let Freedom Ring - sponged background and SCS CC433

Sponged Background Technique:
If you ever feel you can't find the right designer paper to stamp on, consider making your own background paper by sponging masked shapes. For this card, I used the large star die to create a mask from a lightweight cardstock and sponged winter sky on to the sugar layer. I moved the mask around the layer until I had all the stars that I wanted for the background. This was one of the cards from Camp Wanna Stamp. It's also another entry into the SCS Color Challenge CC433.

Tools & Supplies:
Stamp Set: Let Freedom Ring, Tini Time
Cardstock: Sugar, Apple
Ink: Apple, Navy, Winter Sky
Sponge daubers
light-weight cardstock mask
washi tape (to hold mask in place)

3D Foam Adhesive
silver cording

Cutting Instructions:
Sugar cardstock base: 5 1/2” x 8  1/2”
Apple cardstock layer: 3" X 5 1/2"
Sugar cardstock layer: 3 3/4” x 5”

Instructions:
1. Score Sugar cardstock at 4 1/4 to make A2 card.
2. Create sponged star background by using mask. Start with inked sponge dauber on mask and pull onto the card base. Hold tight or use washi tape to hold. Move around to put multiple stars on base.
3. Stamp sentiment in apple.
4. Stamp flag off left side. PUT APPLE INK on FIRST! Then ink with NAVY. Take care not to mix the inks.
5. Stamp navy tini time fireworks.
6. Ink edge with Navy ink pad.
6. Tie silver cording around layer.
7. Add apple layer to card base and pop up decorated layer.

All supplies are a muse studio and can be found in my webstore: www.amusestudio.com/seleise

Have a wonderfully creative day and a safe and happy 4th of July for those celebrating in the USA!