Stamp School: Colored Pencil Layering for Beginners!

Hi friends! Break out the colored pencils and get ready to feel like a kid again!

I left this tutorial in real-time because it is geared to beginners. I think it is helpful to see how long it takes to build up layers, how to hold the pencils and how much pressure to apply. If it is too slow for you simply play the video then click on the gear at the bottom of the player and you can play it faster, warning, it might make me sound like a deranged chipmunk but at least you can watch it in half the time!

The stamps I am using in today’s tutorial are from our sponsor ArtNeko! Save 10% off your next order of any size or get free shipping on orders over $50 (whichever discount is greater you get!) just by mentioning thefrugalcrafter!

Supplies:

• Stamps (full set of all 50 states birds & flowers plus bonus images)
• OR the individual image is available for $5
• White cardstock
• Ribbon
• Die cuts or embellishments of your choice
• Colored pencils (Prismacolor colors I used listed below)
  pc 1015 deco blue
  pc 903 true blue
  pc901 indigo blue
  pc 917 sunburst yellow
  pc 914 cream
  pc 943 burnt ocher
  pc 946 dark brown
  pc 911 olive green
  pc 908 dark green
  pc 912 apple green
  pc 923 scarlet lake
  pc 924 crimson red
• Pencil sharpener
• Pattern paper
• A2 size card base in red

Feel free to use the paper and pencils you have on hand. Even Crayola. It is better to see if you enjoy using colored pencils before shelling out big bucks for a professional set. I love the burnishing technique (coloring firmly) but it might make people’s hands tired after a while. I want Stamp School to be about trying techniques and exploring media without busting the bank, and if you love the colored pencils, well, Christmas is right around the corner and there are many lovely brands to pick from! I hope you enjoyed this project and you give some of these techniques a try! Happy crafting!

 

 

Let’s paint Holly! (Cute watercolor Christmas card idea!)

Hi Friends! Here is a watercolor tutorial for you! Feel free to paint this larger than card size if you want, if you really like it you can always scan it and have it printed as a Christmas card!

Here is a traceable pattern for you.

And here is the free video watercolor tutorial. Enjoy!

So, how did you like using masking fluid? If you don’t have that you can always apply white acrylic paint after the painting is dry for snow, heck, you can even sprinkle some iridescent glitter into it for extra realistic fun!

Supplies:
5″x7″ Strathmore watercolor card
Watercolors: Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Hookers Green, Lemon Yellow
Brushes: #12 angle, #4 & #10 round, #2 liner
Other: Tape, pencil, water, masking fluid with old brush and soap, graphite paper

Have a great weekend and til next time happy crafting!

 

Stamp School 13: Intro to Alcohol Markers!

Hi friends! Today we are going to look at a product that you may want to try for enhancing your stamped cards: Alcohol markers. These have been the darling of the stamp world for a few years because you can get a beautiful blended effect and also because you can spend a long time on an image to get it just perfect. Coloring is very relaxing. I have spent as much as an hour coloring a really detailed image with markers. Because of that I would tend to stamp out a few images and color them while I was watching TV I the evening or while my kids were coloring. Today we are going to color an easy design perfect for a Christmas card.

During the demo you will be able to see how the markers blend, how to fix mistakes and learn tips for getting good results from your markers. The stamps I am using are from our sponsor Art Neko, be sure to mention TheFrugalCrafter if you order to get 10% off your order or free shipping on orders over $50, whatever discount is greater!

Video!

Supplies

• Stamps: Star Sprinkling Angel, Snowflakes (some of these stamps are found in larger Christmas sets from ArtNeko, look at those before buying to see if you want the other stamps in the kits because it brings down the individual stamp price.)
• Dye ink: Memento
• Distress ink (Tumbled Glass, Vintage Photo, Wild Honey)
• Cardstock: Neenah (white) brown, maroon
• 6″ paper doily
• Distress ink in vintage photo, tumbled glass, wild honey
• Gelly Roll Stardust pen
• ribbon & buttons
• Alcohol based markers (Copic, Promarker, Sharpie, Bic Markit, Prismacolor, Spectrum Noir, Tria or others)
  * OR you can use watercolor markers but be sure to stamp with Archival ink so it does not smear. Also, if using watercolor markers you can’t go over the paper as much as we do with alcohol markers.

If you are thinking of trying alcohol ink markers I urge you to see if you can borrow some from a friend before deciding to invest. Also expect a learning curve. I have not used mine in a while and I was a bit out of practice. Also I am fond of quick projects so I don’t often reach for my markers but on the other hand there is something really relaxing about spending an hour coloring an image. One way to get started is to buy a 36 pack of Bic Markits or Sharpies then a few really light shades of some art markers so you can blend and get a range of shades. Below is a playlist of many alcohol marker techniques that you might find helpful:

I was not intending to cover alcohol ink markers in stamp school but so many of you asked me if I would so I hope that gave you a good foundation on them. So, what do you think? Do you use alcohol markers? What do you like about them? Do you have any tips for beginners? Leave that info in the comments below and help your fellow stampers out. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Christmas Card Batch in a Flash & Giveaway!

Hi Friends! Every year I make a lot of Christmas cards and I have to organize my supplies or the cards will never get done. This year I used divided bento style containers from EasyLunchboxes to organize my supplies for assembly line card crafting.

I like my Christmas card stuff to be portable so I can craft with the family upstairs or take my supplies with me to a crop and these boxes and tote are perfect for that. See what I mean in today’s video AND learn how to make this cute (and quick) card:

Do you want your very own set of 4 lunch boxes and cooler bag? Well, of course you can buy them directly from EasyLunchboxes they even offer free and reduced shipping though their Amazon store (they are the #1 best-selling lunchbox on Amazon BTW) for US and Canadian residents OR you can win them! To win you need to have a peek here in their shop, then come back here and leave a comment telling me something you like about their products.

That’s it, pretty easy huh? I will select a winner at random December 12th. This giveaway is open to US residents.

I want to thank EasyLunchboxes for sponsoring this giveaway. Their products are sturdy, durable and BPA free so you can feel good about storing your food in them too!  They would also make a nice Christmas gift! I want to thank you for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

AAC & WOYWW!

Hello friends! I feel like I was very efficient today which was really weird because it was a snow day, we got the call at 5:30am that school was cancelled due to sleet and icy roads. I think you have to be efficient in December, there is so much to do! I decided I was going to snap a photo of my craft table every day and post it on instagram (I just joined last week, my username is lindsayweirich if you want to add or follow or whatever the heck you do there.) I thought, what a great time to get back in the habit of What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday, the weekly craft snoop set up by Julia from the stamping Ground, so this week you can see the beginnings of my Christmas card designing.

I make a bunch of cards (usually around 75) and I have some assorted ones done in small batches but this will be a batch of 25. I really need to “get my skates on” if I am going to get these done and mailed on time. There is still the matter of a cute holiday photo including my three kids, two cats and dog…I have a feeling that is going to be slipped in the envelope right before it goes in the mail, that is the kind of year I am having folks, it is just going too quick! I hope you have a moment to sit back with a cozy beverage and relax, you can even hang out with the crafty ninjas while you sip and enjoy this weeks Ask a Crafter!

I will share the finished Christmas cards soon because they will be a quick to mass produce design and I am pretty convinced that nobody on my Christmas card list reads this because when I ever mention what I do all day they reply “Oh, you have a blog?”  We all need quick and easy this time of year I think! Thanks so much for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Layered Ribbon Season’s Greetings!

Hi Friends! I love the color combo turquoise and crimson. There is something about the crisp contrast and cool undertones that make me think of winter. I used single faced satin ribbon in red and turquoise from Offray.com, white cardstock and stamps to create the chic season’s greeting card:

I like to have large spools of ribbon on hand for holiday crafting. Now is the time to stock up at Offray.com because you can use this coupon code FRUGAL15 to save 15% on your first order through 12/31/14!

Here is how to make this card:

You will need:

• 1 1/2″ Navajo Turquoise Single Faced Satin
• 3″ Red Single Faced Satin
• One sheet of 8 1/2″x11″ white cardstock
• Stamps
• Dye ink in red and turquoise
• Damask (or your choice of design) embossing folder
• Adhesive: foam squares and double-sided tape

Directions:

1. Cut a sheet of 8 1/2″x11″ cardstock in half the long way (you will have two 11″x4 1/4″ pieces.) Fold one piece in half to make a top fold card. Trim the other panel to 5 1/4″ x 4″. Reserve the rest of the sheet for stamping.
2. Use an embossing folder to emboss the 5 1/4″x4″ panel. Accent the edges of the panel with an ink pad.
3. Stamp Snowflake, label and sentiment and cut them out neatly.
4. Wrap the 3″ red ribbon around the embossed panel and adhere to the back with tape. Tie a turquoise bow around the panel over the red ribbon then adhere the panel to the card base with foam squares.
5. Layer the stamped & cut out images on the card as shown with foam tape for dimension.

I hope you enjoyed this chic seasons greeting card. Thanks to Offray for sponsoring this post. Don’t forget to use my coupon code FRUGAL15 if you go shopping at Offray.com. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

*Details: Use FRUGAL15 during checkout on Offray.com to receive 15% off one order. Offer expires 11:59 PM eastern time on Wednesday, December 31, 2014. Discount excludes applicable tax and shipping costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Discount cannot be applied to previous purchases. Subject to change or cancellation without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

Let’s GEt a Jump Start on Christmas Cards! Stashbuster!!!

Hi Friends! Let’s use up out stash and make Christmas cards! It feels good to use up what we have rather than buying new. Today I am going to share a way to revamp your old pattern paper and use up washi tape and give you some ideas for duct tape too! If you don’t have washi and duct tape simply cut pattered paper into strips and adhere them with glue. It will be just as cute!

The duct tape and backing paper I am using is from Oriental Trading Company and the pen and adhesive are from Tombow. Do you want more quick and simple Christmas card ideas? Let me know in the comments and if there is interest I will make more! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!