There’s no place like gnome…

Howdy friends! Today I have a cute set of cards using a couple new stamp set from Rubber Stamp Tapestry to share!

Watch how easy it is to make them in today’s video!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry  Use coupon code: LINDSAY and receive 15% off your retail order of $10 or more of peg stamps, peg stamp sets, and unmounted stamps! Coupon expires a week from this video publication. Continue to receive great deals by becoming a PegStamp VIP here. As a PegStamp VIP
you’ll get a weekly deal via email plus links to fabulous tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies:

• Fairy Garden Peg Stamp Set
• Whispers from the Garden Unmounted stamp set
• Memento dye inks
• Gnome washi tape 9 roll set
• Heart die sets Plain and Scalloped
• Mushroom brads 
• Adhesive: Foam tape, Double sided tape, Hot Glue or Thick glue
• Heavy cardstock
• Ribbon
• Fork (to make tiny bow)

Directions:
1. Fold cardstock in half and die cut large scalloped heart to make card. Make sure to let the top of the heart hang over the fold so you get a connected card. Die cut another smaller scalloped heart from white cardstock and plain harts from patterned paper.

2. Stamp garden sentiments and peg stamps on white scalloped heart. Add brad if desired.

3. Apply washi tape to plain heart mat. and layer up elements and adhere to card base.

4. Use a fork to make a tiny bow and glue to card. Decorate inside of card with washi tape and leftover hearts.

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

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When to mask and when to fussy cut! Tips for stamping and cardmaking!

Hi friends! I think one of the most enjoyable aspect of stamping is to combine images to create new scenes. Sometimes I use a technique called masking where I stamp the image then cover it up and stamp another image on top so it appears to be behind the first. This allows you to create a picture with many images on one sheet of paper without overlapping lines. Sometimes though, you are better off to stamp images separately and cut them out and arrange them together on a separate sheet of paper. It depends on the type of images you are using and whether you are using a full image or part of an image.

In this card with the ladies sitting on the couch it would be difficult to get them positioned properly,also I wanted some layered paper and dimension to this card so cutting and glueing were the way to go.

But on this card by starting with the mixed frame stamp layout it as easy to mask off each box and keep my stamping inside. I also think by masking you create some organization to this wacky cast of barnyard characters.

Learn how I created these cards in today’s video!

This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps!  SAVE 10% off your next order with coupon code: thefrugalcrafter10 *USA orders of $50+ ship free!

Supplies:

• Stamps by Katzelkraft: Coffee & Tea to Go, Fun Quotes, Tea Time,
  In the Living Room, Farm Animals
• Mixed Boxes (comic book cells)
• Watercolor paper (I used the smooth back side of Arteza)
• Watercolors
• Colored pencils
• Scrapbook paper
• Buttons
• Waterproof stamp ink
• Post it notes or post it tape
• Foam adhesive
• thick wet glue
• double-sided tape

When to mask:

1. Mask images when cutting them out would be a pain.
2. Mask when you can easily work front to back without placement issues.

When to cut and collage:

1. When it would be difficult to place multiple images front to back (like ladies sitting on the sofa.)
2. When you have portions of the stamp images you want to omit (like the chairs the ladies were sitting in.)
3. When you want dimension such as layers of pattern paper or if you want to pop elements up with foam tape.

I hope this makes your card making easier. Let me know what technique you prefer in the comments below and til next time happy crafting!

Alcohol Ink Background 3 Ways & Christmas in JULY Batch of Cards!

Hi friends! Today we are going to get inky!

Alcohol inks go in and out of style but are great staples to have in your crafting arsenal. They can color non porous surfaces, they are waterproof and vibrant. They will stick to stuff that other products won’t.  Look at these interesting backgrounds.

I’ll show you how to make them today!

***SALE! Use coupon code XMAS25 for 25% off Christmas/Winter Category at Top Flight Stamps. Deal good through 7/15/18 at midnight EST
This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps! SAVE 10% off your next order with coupon code: thefrugalcrafter10 *USA orders of $50+ ship free!

Supplies:

• White cardstock (I use the cheap stuff for this)
• Photo paper (any leftovers you have are fine)
• Gel plate
• Alcohol ink
• Christmas stamps from Crafty Individuals: Jolly Holly Robins, Christmas postage, Snowflake Rudolph, Santa’s Sleigh Ride
• Texture Plates: Patchwork
• Stencils
• Alcohol ink blending tool (or a block with velcro and cut up craft store felt)
• Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle or Alcohol ink hand sanitizer
• Paper towels
• Tray of water
• Light colored acrylic paint
• Ink Jet Transparencies 
• Black dye based ink pad *Note, you can use regular overhead transparencies with Staz-on ink if you don’t have ink jet ones.
• Dies: Bookplate

Technique #1 Alcohol ink Gel printing (Technique from Sally Lynn MacDonald of Gel Press, see her in action here )
1. Press stencil to plate. 2. Dip on alcohol ink and brayer it out. 3. remove the stencil and press textures into the ink. 4. Brayer on acrylic paint and pull your print on regular cardstock! *Note, I also tried this with photo paper and it worked, just be careful anytime you use photo paper on a gel plate because it could bond to it if you don;y have a complete film on paint on it. Don’t ruin your plate!

Alcohol ink Marbling:
1. Fill tray with water. 2. Drip in alcohol ink. 3. Lay photo paper face down on surface of the water and lift off your pint. 4. Let dry.

Alcohol ink lifting:
1. Apply a layer of inks to photo paper. 2. Spray a stamp/texture plate with rubbing alcohol (or dab on alcohol based hand sanitizer) 3. Press paper ink side down to the texture plate and lift off. 4. Wipe the paper with a paper towel to remove the ink. *Bonus technique: Spray rubbing alcohol through a stencil on the inked photo paper and wipe.

Card Directions:

1.  Stamp images on transparency, let dry and color from the back side.
2. Use your alcohol ink backgrounds on your card base (I die cut mine.)
3. Swipe acrylic paint on the back of the painted transparencies and stick in the card.
4. Embellish as desired!

I hope you enjoyed this fun project and til next time happy crafting!

 

 

Easy Monogram Cards!

Hi friends!  Today I’ll show you how to make a large monogram for card using tiny stamps.

Large monograms make quite an impact and you can make them using what you have. I will also show you how to get a Christmas look from an everyday stamp set! It’s never too early to start those christmas cards:) Watch the video to see how!

Sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry! Get your instant 20% off coupon code and become a Peg Stamp VIP here. Your 20% off coupon code will be immediately emailed to you. By signing up as a VIP you’ll get weekly deals which include the deepest discounts available, free shipping coupons, and sale notifications and you will find out first when we release new products. The VIP email is sent once a week and always includes a wonderful deal and fabulous peg stamping tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies:

• Garden of Blue peg stamp set
• Peace on Earth stamp
• Dye inks
• Glitter pen
• Cardstock & Adhesive
• Pencil, ruler and curves to trace.
• Optional: Punches or dies for sentiment

Directions:

1. Use a pencil and rulers to draw your letter as large as you like. I used a ruler and a French curve but you can trace cups, bowls or anything you have handy! If you had large letter stencil you could use those as well.
2. Starting with the largest stamp in the set stamp the corners of the letter and then balance out the image across the line of the letter. Fill in with the other stamps going largest to smallest as you would if you were making a wreath.
3. . Accent with flat backed pearls, rhinestones or pens if desired.

Tip! You can use this design as a monogrammed note card or use it to enhance a tiny sentiment. You can even spell out a name with your large monogram letters and frame it for a unique gift!

I hope you give this idea a try and til next time happy crafting!

Try it! Funky Brushes on your Cards & My Favorite Peg Stamp Sets!

Hi friends! Necessity is the mother of invention and that is how today’s lesson came to be…

Some friends and I attended a stamp show last weekend and my friend Tracey asked if she could try out the stamps I designed for Rubber Stamp Tapestry as well as a few peg stamp sets. I grabbed a few of my favorites to bring (Brambly Rose, Muscari & Hyacinth Boarder, Cherry Blossom and Prickly Pear) because I really love these sets and they are, in my opinion, the most effortless and intuitive to use. While Tracey was stamping I was watercoloring on some watercolor postcards I packed and that’s when inspiration struck. Tracey asked to borrow a brush and I noticed I had a rake and a deerfoot stippler in my set so I handed them to her, told her what they were for and before you know it she had a sweet motif in her art journal. I decided to copy her card and share the idea with you. Thanks for the inspiration Tracey! You can see how to in the video below!

Sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry!
Get your instant 20% off coupon code and become a Peg Stamp VIP here. Your 20% off coupon code will be immediately emailed to you plus you’ll get the deepest discounts available, free shipping coupons, and sale notifications and you will find out first when we release new products.
The VIP email is sent once a week and always includes a wonderful deal and fabulous peg stamping tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies:

• Budding Spring Unmounted Stamp Set
• Petit Poppies Peg Stamp Set
• Muscari & Hyacinth Border (grass)
• Dye Based Inks
• Ink blending brush
• Double sided tape
• Brushes: Flat and filbert rake brushes and a deerfoot stippler
• Bird Brads
• Patterned paper (Love Nicole)

I hope you enjoyed this quick and easy project and think about how you can use you paintbrushes to add detail to your cards! Happy crafting!

Using Specialty Brushes with Ink and Peg Stamps

Father’s Day Gift Box Card with Scene Stamping!

Hi friends! I was cleaning up after cooking a meal from a dinner kit and I was about to toss the box in the recycling bin when I realized that it could be upcycled instead!

The box had a fold out flap which concealed the cooking directions for the dinner kit and I thought it would be cool to make it into a greeting card and since it is already attached to a sturdy box it can be a gift box too!

Watch the video for a full tutorial!

Sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry!
Get your instant 20% off coupon code and become a Peg Stamp VIP here. Your 20% off coupon code will be immediately emailed to you plus you’ll get the deepest discounts available, free shipping coupons, and sale notifications and you will find out first when we release new products.
The VIP email is sent once a week and always includes a wonderful deal and fabulous peg stamping tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies:

• Peg Stamps: Bunny Garden, Deer Forest, Owl
• Unmounted Stamps: Budding Spring, Woodland Harvest
• Dye inks: Memento
• Ink blending brush
• Colored pencils
• Scoring board and bone folder
• Pattern paper
• Cardboard box (I used a dinner hero box but a pasta box would work too, you will just need to add another piece of cardboard box for the front flap)
• Adhesive (hot glue, double-sided tape, glue stick)
• Washi tape
• Craft knife

Here is a tutorial on masking if you need it. This was fun to make but if I was going to do this again I would save several boxes and cover and decorate them all at once while my supplies were out and I was in the groove. I can see these being useful for birthdays too and you can make more in less time if you batch them out. I hope you use some of these techniques in your next project and til next time happy crafting!

 

Waterolor Crayon Windowbox Cards

Howdy friends! When you embark on this crazy hobby we call stamping there is no end to the accessories we can accumulate for our craft. I was a painter long before I ever picked up a stamp so when I first begun stamping I would use paint to stamp with because the thought for spending lots on money on ink pads seemed crazy (and this was back in 2002 where there weren’t as many options as we have today!) If you are new to the hobby you might be wondering how you can stamp in color without breaking the bank, well there are many options!

I am using watercolor crayons but you can also use water-based markers or even watercolor paint applied with a flat brush (just make sure it’s not to wet.) If you have water-soluble oil pastels, scribble sticks or gelatos they can work too. Try what you have, if the media rewets with water it won’t hurt your stamps. You can even use acrylic paint but care must be taken to ensure you clean your stamps well and don’t let the paint dry in the crevices of the stamp. The only other thing I want to say about this technique is not to expect perfection, you will end up with a loose painterly project and that is part of the beauty of it. Have fun and see where the stamps and crayons take you!

Sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry!
Get your instant 20% off coupon code and become a Peg Stamp VIP here. Your 20% off coupon code will be immediately emailed to you plus you’ll get the deepest discounts available, free shipping coupons, and sale notifications and you will find out first when we release new products.
The VIP email is sent once a week and always includes a wonderful deal and fabulous peg stamping tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies:

• (peg stamp sets) Auntie’s Strawberry Garden, Thorny Rose,  Muscari & Hyacinth Border,  Red Geranium, Cottage Geraniums, Autumn Glory, October Mums
• Unmounted set: Windowboxes aka Wrought Iron Planters
• Other Supplies *Affiliate links used
• Kraft cardstock  (other cardstock for card bases in colors to compliment the stamping)
• Watercolor paper  *I cut this paper in quarters to get the stamping panels
• Wood grain embossing folder
• Watercolor Crayons
• White acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• Waterproof black inkpad

Card Panel Sizes:
watercolor panel 3″x4.1/2″
Embossed layer 3 3/4″x5″
Card size: 4.1/4″x 5 1/2″

Project tips!

1. Don’t let the stamp get too wet of you will have blobs. You want to have a crisp impression and you can drag around color with a wet brush if desired.
2. Don’t worry if you get some blobs because it will add to the painterly effect!
3. If you don’t have watercolor paper don’t worry, it will still look nice on cardstock but your dragging and blending of the paint may be limited.
4. Feel free to substitute! Try your art supplies and see what you come up with!

I hope you try this technique on your stamps, it’s a lot of fun! Happy crafting!