Ever use Stampbord?

I bought a couple of packages of Stampbord a few years ago from my then LSS which has since closed. I saw a demo and thought it would be fun to play with. They are different shaped clay tiles that can accept almost all kinds of medium from dye ink and acrylic paint, to alchohol ink and watercolors. After making one of these clay tiles, and proceeding to drop water on it and create a blotch on my finished item, I pushed it aside and forgot about it. Recently, the Enabler, was asked to teach a class using the Stampbord which made me want to give it a try again. I pulled out this old tile I made and decided to fix it up.

The tile was inked with Distress ink in Fired Brick using a foam square. I rubbed it on to the tile until smooth leaving it lighter in the center and getting darker as I went to the edges. The image from Ducks in a Row is stamped in Black Stazon. I then used a scraping tool, in a tool kit made for the Stampbord, and scratched out some highlights around the flowers and the face. I used Lipstick Red Copic marker for her lips (appropriate!) and some pearlescent chalks on the leaves and flowers. I added the dew drop right where the watermark was and viola, my image was complete. I was really happy with how it came out and decided to seal it with Crystal Effects. While I love the shiny finish, the lacquer actually dulled the colors. It made the white highlights turn a yellowish and just about completely wiped out any sparkle from the chalk. The sentiment is from Hampton Arts and all paper panels are inked with Fired Brick. The patterned paper is from K&Company.

I thought it would be nice magnet so after I cut the cardstock for the mat I added self adhesive magnet strips to both the cardstock and the back of the tile. This way the receiver can remove the tile and stick it right on the fridge!

While this isn't exactly what I had hoped for I like it none the less. I made another one with brighter colors and a different sealer and that seems to have worked even better. I will post that one some time this week.

I Just Love this Lion!

I just can't get enough of this Lion from High Hopes . He is so cute I use him quite a lot. I made a birthday card for by BIL who loves receiving my cards. He tells me he looks forward to his birthday and the holidays because he knows he will get a handmade one from me. How nice is that? A guy telling me how much he loves my cards! Ok, my husband tells me their great too...but he has too, right?

Supplies used:
Lion from High Hopes Stamps, Party hat from Stampendous, Prisma Pencils, Ranger Stickles, EK Success corner punch by Rebecca Sower the Attic collection and brads. I wish I could remember where that patterned paper is from...the turquoise polkadot is K&Company...but the brown plaid...have to see if I have any left and find out!

This card I made for a very close friends son's birthday. I just found out that I could use the Cuttlebug embossing folders in my Sizzix so I have been trying them out. I love this swirly one because it is reminiscent of waves and goes great with the image. I was also really excited to find out that I can use all of my Lasting Impressions brass stencils in my Sizzix too! I have a lot! I found a great tutorial for it..check it out! I don't know how to insert the .pdf but you can get it from this thread listed above.

Supplies used:

Stampin Up! Silly Sealife (retired), Cuttlebug Embossing folder Swirls, Ribbon from Michaels, Sentiment from Savvy Stamps, Stickles, Corner punch from Marvy, Oval punch from SU!, and Dew Drops, Distress Ink in Faded Jeans (used to watercolor the whale and ink around image and sentiment) and water brush.

A good friend of mine and fellow stamping/crafter/enabler showed me this great messy technique for distressing which I will describe below. The flower is a stamp from Hampton Art Stamps which I don't know if they carry anymore as I bought it years ago from my LSS (who has since closed). I stamped it on the distress tag and again on cream colored cardstock. I cut the petals from the cream cs and distressed with Tim Holtz Distress Ink and curled each before adhering to the tag. (the tags I bought in a large package at Staples) The center of the flower I filled with Judikins Diamond Glaze and poured seed beads all over. The tube of beads I bought on clearance from Michaels. I always pick up embellishments when I see them on clearance whether I need them or not. But who says you have to "need" it? Wait, that's what gets me in trouble in the first place...oh well. Oh, and there are some fibers and ribbon tied through the end. I am not picky about where I get these things...any store, on clearance, from old clothes or other decor that's no longer being used...whatever.

Here's how I did the tag: WARNING-IT IS VERY MESSY

Crumple up the tag and run under water at the sink. You want it to soften, and you will have to squeeze out some water, but try not to break down the fibers so much that it just distintegrates! Smooth out the dampened tag.

I used a small disposable aluminum roasting pan, placed the tag in it and dropped random drops of Distress Re-Inkers ink on it. Maybe about 2-3 drops each of 3 different colors. The wetter the tag the more running/blending of the ink. Because the tag is thick some of the ink and water will run right off into the pan. This is ok! I used this to rub my tag into if there were any spots left blank. I also continue to use tags and other pieces of paper to soak up any remaining ink in the pan. Makes great backgrounds!

Set aside and let dry. You can speed up the drying time with a heat tool too. Once completely dry you can stamp directly onto the tag. I have done this with a solid image and Distress embossing powder as well with good results. I used a sponge and added more detail by inking the edges of the tag and flower petals as well as some of the creases in the tag with Distress Ink.

Your fingers will be stained but you will have several great backgrounds just ready for stamping and embellishing!