Slimline Fun with i-crafter

It's release day at i-crafter! I am showing off 2 ways to use the new i-crafter Slimline Windows die set. I wanted to play with some alcohol inks because I have so many mediums that just don't get enough love! Since the Yupo paper that I have is too short for a slimline card, I used glossy photo paper instead. I picked a Brea Reese Slate ink, then Tim Holtz purple and green inks. I was trying to create a dark contrast, it's definitely not perfect, but it worked beautifully when cut out using the Slimline Windows die. I used a dark teal paper for the frame, again cut from the i-crafter Slimline Windows die. I added the alcohol ink rectangles and squares to the teal frame.

Next, I cut the "Hello" and "Friends" dies out 3 times, two backed with the i-stik adhesive sheets. I stacked the cut outs and created some depth on the card. I went over stacks with a black Wink of Luna brush pen and the words have a nice shimmer to them!

Next, I cut out the cute little heart die, 3 times. I used a bright white and a hot pink for the hearts. These, I popped up with foam tape. Finally, I finished the card off with 3 of the arrow dies from the Slimline Windows die set, this was cut out of scraps of silver glitter paper.

Next, I used the Slimline Windows die set to create a fun coffee themed shaker card. I am trying to used colors that I don't normally reach for, and picked a mustard colored cardstock for the background, then a grass green for the frame. I backed my frame with acetate. 

Next, I used a skinny foam tape to back the frames and create a solid space to put my shaker bits. I decided to do 3 of the square windows for mini shaker sections. I used some coffee themed shaker bits in the squares, then took the coffee mug die from the Slimline Windows dies set and created one more shaker section at the bottom of the card with 3 of the mugs.

I finished the card off with a white "Hello" from the Slimline Windows die set, this I glued on top of the acetate in one of the rectangles.

Head over to i-crafter to get the new Slimline Windows die set, and check out the other wonderful new release items too! Be sure to join the i-crafter Facebook Fan Club, then follow us on Instagram, and Pinterest too! We love seeing all of your creations using the i-crafter products.

Until next time,

R. Winn

Kindred Stamps and Sassy & Crafty Under Water

Hello friends!

I'm excited to show off a few projects using Kindred Stamps "Seas The Day" stamp set and Sassy and Crafty's "Salty but Sweet" stamp set. 

I started by stamping out each of the seahorses from "Seas The Day" and the mermaid from "Salty but Sweet" and then several of the seashells from each set. I colored them up with Copic Markers. For the mermaid, I covered her tail in Liquid Pixie Dust from Ink on 3 to give her an extra magical finish.

For the background, I used a Gel Press and alcohol inks with Sassy and Crafty's Mermaid Tails Stencil.  It took me a few times to get be happy with the results, this was really only the second time I've used my Gel Press! When I was happy, I used the Kindred Stamps Waves Craft Die on two of my prints and a light blue scrap paper to create 3 layers of waves for my seahorses and mermaid to swim in.

Next, I used a combination of DecoArt Texture Sand, Picket Fence Studios Brown Dahlia Paper Glaze, and Deco Foil White Pearl Metallix Gel on the bottom layer of the waves to create an ocean floor. I added a ton of  my colored up shells and included just a few starfish from an old embellishment pack. 

The end result is fun, and makes me happy to just look at!

I did manage a second "bonus card" using the Kindred Stamps "Seas The Day" stamp set and the Sassy and Crafty's "Salty but Sweet" stamp set too! I took the left over shells, and a Sassy and Crafty's Mermaid Tails Stencil "mess" up Gel Press print, and created a 3"x3" card. 

"Salty but Sweet" has these fun sentiments that can be build-able, or stand-alone. I stamped the "what the shell" sentiment on to the Gel Press print using Stazon Pigment ink to start the card. 

Then I added my shells that I had covered in Ink On 3's Liquid Pixie Dust and topped with Nuvo Crystal Glaze to add extra dimension to the shells. I sprinkled them across the card front, and mixing them with the shellfish embellishments. 

Again, the end result makes me smile, and they both could be used for a variety of occasions!

Be sure to head over to the Kindred Stamps blog to see the rest of the projects created by these two talented teams! Follow these links to grab the awesome stamp sets, (and lots of other goodies too): 

Kindred Stamps "Seas The Day" stamp set 

Sassy and Crafty's "Salty but Sweet" stamp set

Until next time,

~R. Winn

Secret Agent

The new Kindred Stamps "Secret Agent" stamp set was so fun to work with! I made two cards to show off this set, I hope you enjoy!

I colored up the Secret Agent using Copics. I decided to color him different ways to show off how he fits well in different skin tones and colors, he stands out because he's handsome, but he blends in because he fits into any crowd. (Okay, I overthink things...) 

My first agent is colored as a blonde, who fair skinned, I really hope he wears sun block so he doesn't burn! For this card, I wanted to used the martini glass stamp that comes with the set, you could fairly easily mask the gun out of the agent's hand and put the martini glass there instead... but masking isn't my favorite thing, heat embossing is. So, I used Ink on 3's Juicy Clear Embossing Ink, and a green embossing powder from Lindy's Gang to heat emboss a patterned paper and created a side panel for the card. I finished the panel off by adding a small amount of Nuvo Claze to each glass, making them appear to be filled with liquid. 

I used a black cardstock for the base and added my panel, then layered my "Stay Classy" sentiment (LOVE that font!) which was stamped on some silver, mirrored paper that my grandma found at a garage sale. The silver paper is highly glossy, so I used my MISTI and stamped it out using Stazon Pigment ink in blue, to match his suit. I cut the sentiment down to a long strip using my My Sweet Petunia Cut Align and a Pen Blade to make sure it was nice and even. 

After placing my agent in the middle, I felt like I needed a few embellishments, so, I reached for my Silver Love From Lizi Peel Offs, and added 3 to the side that didn't have the panel to balance it out. Last, I added a couple gunmetal/silver embellishments that I got from CTMH years ago. To get a clear picture of the sentiment, the picture lost a lot of the luster and shine that the martini glasses have, but this was a really fun card to make.

Villainous Kids!

 Hi again!

I had such a blast making these cards using the new Kindred Stamps set, "Villainous Kids"! My little sister is 12 and she flipped when she saw this set. It's a 4"x6" set, that features some bad kids who are learning to unleash their good side.

I started by watercoloring the kids on Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper, stamping them with Catherine Pooler Midnight ink. I have a few different watercolors and just kinda mixed and matched until I was happy with them.

I chose the four BFFs for the first card. I found these super adorable long and skinny envelopes at Dasio so I cut a base down in Vanilla Card stock from Stampin' Up for them. For the background, I used the Kindred Stamps Distressed Brick Stencil to create a street and brick wall. To give a different texture for the street vs. the wall, I rotated the stencil. I added a few "oil" and "grime" spots to the street with a black marker. Next, I graffiti-ed the wall with the black marker and used a blender pen to kinda blur the graffiti.



I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of white paper then tore the edges to create rough edges. Then I layered the friends and finished the card off.


Next, I had the daughter of a sea witch. I wanted to create a background that looked like water and octopus ink. I created the background with alcohol inks, then die cut it with The Stamp Doctor's new Slanted Blinds Dies. I loved the idea of stamping the sentiment on one of the slanted blinds, so I grabbed a similar color family in solid card stock and die cut the same set of blinds.

I used Catherine Pooler midnight ink again and used the build-able sentiments to create a birthday sentiment. I cut down solid black card stock for a base and layered the alcohol ink background blinds and the solid dies. I popped the blinds up using foam adhesive.



To separate the sea princess from the background, I used some adhesive backed vellum and The Stamp Doctor Circle Dies to give her a spotlight to sit on.  For the finishing touches, I used Tonic Nuvo Cloud Dream Drops to add a few pearls all over the front of the card.

The entire Kindred Stamps January release will be available Friday, January 24th at 8am PST/11am EST. Be sure to subscribe to the Kindred Stamps blog to see a daily line up of sneak peeks from our amazing Design Team and see the full product release on Friday! Come join the Fan Club and release event to be part of the release fun, and you may just win some Kindred Stamps credit!!

I hope you've enjoyed, and can't wait to see how YOU use "Villainous Kids"!

~R. Winn

Foiling with Ocean Royalty!

Hello all!

I am so excited to share my project for today with you! Our Kindred Stamps team is teaming up with the Therm-O-Web team to show off how beautifully our products work together. I'm showing off the new Kindred Stamps "Ocean Royalty" and using a few different Therm-O-Web products with it.

Now, I don't normally do step-by-step photos, but our fans in the Kindred Stamps Fan Club, said they like the breakdown of how a card is made, so... here's my attempt for you.

I started with the "Long Hair" stencil and the coveted Purple Tape. I love this low tack tape that allows me to position stencils, dies, etc without ruining my projects by tearing the cardstock!

Next, I used the AMAZING Stencil Pal to spread the Deco Foil Transfer Gel over the stencil. Before I move on, I have to tell you, the Stencil Pal is a game changer. I always struggle to get a smooth even coverage with any stencil medium, with some mediums it's not such a problem, but when you're foiling, you want a nice smooth coverage so your foil doesn't pit or look cracked. You use a palette knife to put a little on the edge and then it's easy-peasy form there!

I had already watercolored my characters using a Tombow Blender and Stampin' Up Stamp 'n' Write markers. I wanted to give my mermaid a shiny tale, so I added Ink On 3's Liquid Pixie Dust on a detailing paintbrush to really make her shine.

 While I added that sparkly, I ran my stencil through my laminating machine, covered with the Deco Foil Lapis Watercolor Transfer Sheet and some parchment paper. This is one foil that I have been dying to get my hands on, I loveeee how perfect the blue and silver played with the "Long Hair" stencil from Kindred Stamps.

Now, I wasn't in love with the white behind the foil since I was going for a water scene. I decided to try ink blending over the already foiled stencil. I used Distress Oxide Broken China and a makeup brush, then wiped it down with a microfiber cloth. I'm pleased to say, IT WORKED!

My next step was to create a beach for the gentleman to stand on. I mixed some DecoArt Media Texture Sand Paste with the Deco Foil Mextallix Gel - Champagne Mist. 

I got to see the Metallix Gel at Creativation for the first time, and I LOVE how smooth this product is, but for this project, I just needed it to have a bit more texture. I'm super happy with how well it mixed.

My next step was using the Metallix White Pearl Gel, with a small amount of Pinata Black Alcohol ink. I LOVE the color of the white pearl but I needed a bit of a rock color so I went ahead and mixed it up. 

I used this mix to create a small rock on the left side of the background. I wanted it to be rough looking so I made sure not to smooth it out too much.

Next, I used Ink On 3's Detail Ink to stamp out my sentiment on a scrap of paper. 

I used my Cut A Line from My Sweet Petunia and a Pen Blade to cut it down to a nice size. I love that I can reduce my waste and end up with a nice looking sentiment using the Cut A Line.

Next, I started to build my card. I used Therm-O-Web's Memory Tape Runner XL to add my background to a blue cardstock. I glued the mermaid and prince in place using foam tape on their upper bodies and iCraft Ultra Bond Adhesive on their lower bodies so they stuck to my rock and beach.

I finished the card off by adding my sentiment with a bit of foam tape, and a few shell sequins to the beach using Therm-O-Web Zots Bling. 

I hope that you've enjoyed my process and can't wait to see what YOU make using some Therm-O-Web products and Kindred Stamps! Make sure you check back to the Kindred Stamps Blog each day for more amazing projects from both our team and the Therm-O-Web team.

~R. Winn

Fall is Here!

Happy Fall ya'll!

I'm a big fan of Fall, the weather, the clothes, the Pumpkin Spice lattes... The September Release at Witt and Sass Stamp Co is full of cute, spooky, and just plain wonderful Fall themed sets and new embellishments too!

My card today features the new Falling for Scarecrow set. I created a background using Yupo Paper and Alcohol inks from Kraftgali. Then used the Alcohol Lift-Ink and the leaf included with the scarecrow to create a background, which I layered onto DCWV cardstock. 

The adorable little crow I colored up using a dark blue and different gray Copics multiple times, then I sat them on a little twine, like a power line!

My scarecrow was colored using Copics, then placed using Stampin Up dimensionals. I colored up a few pumpkins with Copics, added a little white detail, then covered with Nuvo clear glaze. 

Finally, I added the sentiment "Want to hang out?" from Falling for Scarecrow on the same DCWV cardstock and cut it out with a Lawn Fawn sentiment die cut.

I hope you've all enjoyed my take on this set and want to invite you to join us in our Facebook group to share your own Witt and Sass creations.

Until next time,

~R. Winn

Ode to England

What a fun day to share not one, but two stamp sets! 

I'm excited to share a project for the Beth Duff Designs and Witt and Sass collaboration blog hop. Both companies have new England themed stamp set coming out, and we thought why not tag team for a joint blog hop. The Beth Duff Designs set is Adventure Abroad - England. For Witt & Sass, we have a wonderful British sentiment set, Fabulously Gobsmacked.

First, I colored my London Bridge from the Adventure Abroad Set, using multiple shades of Copic Gray, and finished it off with some light blues for the lighted sections. I wanted to build a scene where it appeared my bus was about to head over the bridge (once it comes back down of course!) 

To do so, I chose a light gray cardstock to build my scene on to, depicting a grey skied London. With my Layered Clouds Stencil from Witt and Sass, I used some Altenew grey mini cube inks, and added bases of white. 

To create my river, I used different alcohol inks from Kraftgali and cut my Yupo paper down to fit. For my buildings, I used two colors of tan cardstock and the Sweet Stamp Shop City Border die cut, which I cut bits from to create a unique city that was layered. 

Next, it was time to pick my sentiments from Fabulously Godsmacked! This set has SO many good words and phrases that it was hard to pick. I landed on two, "I'm gutted" because my sweet Scottish friend, Connie, says it to me often, and "I miss you" because it is true, I miss her! (She's totally getting this card... eventually!)

I placed them on some mini banners from an old Stampin' Up kit (hoarder here!) and stamped them with VersaFine Clair black ink! I placed them on dimensionals to really make them pop, and staggered them in the sky. 

I used some DCWV burgundy card stock to layer the card face on and then grabbed one of the tan sheets I used for the buildings for the base.

We are happy to have you hopping along with us! Our team and guest designers have created some amazing projects to share with you. Hop along to get some great inspiration from both Beth Duff Designs and Witt & Sass.

Mindy

Marcia

Annabel

Amy

Emma

Fawn

Annie

Rachel (You found me!)

Niccole

BDD

I hope you've enjoyed my card featuring these awesome sets, and hope we've inspired you to go snag sets for yourself! 

~R. Winn