My Favorite Things

     This year at the One of a Kind trade show in Madison we found a great little item that is the perfect gift.   DEBIT REGISTERS!  You can buy them HERE at www.vikwing.com .  Vickie is really nice and she will take the time to answer any of your questions should you need to call about your order.

    First stamp the actual vinyl on the outside with Black Staz On.  The stamp used is Paper Inspirations ~ Soldier Calligraphy, set it aside to dry.  TIP you need to put something into the holder before you stamp it so that the other pocket does not leave a line through your image.  Next time I will just ink the word Soldier and leave the other words off because they are distracting from the picture. 

    The last step is to make an insert to put in your Debit Register.  This will be the cover that is displayed for people to see.  I stamped the image from Stampin Up ~ Courage in Memento ~ London Fog.  Then cut with Spellbinders Deckled Rectangle and mount on Black Cardstock.  There is a small piece of silver cardstock to give the look of a pedestal and even out the image so it is evenly spaced.

Happy New Year!

Here's to a new year full of new beginnings!  We are back from Florida (I LOVE THE BEACH!) and I am sorting shells.  It's almost as fun as gathering them.   This has been the BEST Winter yet in Wisconsin.   I should have some new cards to post soon.  All of the challenges have started up again now that most of the design teams have been chosen.  The creative juices are soooo starting to flow.
More Later! Stay warm :o)
Mel

Cards, Cards, Cards

Happy December everyone!  This post has several cards that I have made to to showcase different techniques and coloring even a few photo taking tips. The first card has paper piecing, it was used for the Cinema Saturday Challenge "Clueless".  The second card is a Digital Owl from Ink Wink Stamps.  I colored it using Copic Markers.  The background is a cloud technique.  Here is the best step by step  tutorial I have found, it is also how I learned.  Next is a Door from Gina K's "Life's Journey" stamp set again colored with Copic Markers.  The bushes beside the door have been accented with Flower Soft.  The last card has cupcakes from Stampin' Up's "The More the Merrier".  They have been "frosted" with liquid applique. I used Movers and Shapers to make the scalloped opening then the scalloped oval punch for the sentiment.  The tablecloth was made using Stampin' Up's  Fancy Scalloped Border.  Now, for better photo's ALWAYS be aware of your background.  When possible try to use natural light not direct to the point of casting shadows but from an angel (this means not right under the sun).  Try taking pictures in the spot you like best at different times of day to see when your lighting is best.  Little easels can be found in most craft stores.  It is nice to have a few different one's to complement the card you have made.  Hope this has been helpful!

Thanks for stopping by,

 Melissa

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I am thankful for my family and the time we have together.  Here is a quick card to say thanks for checking back.  This card uses 2 Great Impressions stamps, J105 a great border stamp and F418 for the bird.  This background stamp is the one I used to make that fabulous tree.  The background stamp is embossed, while the bird was colored with a black water based marker then huffed (breath moist air from the back of your mouth) to stamp.  Next I colored the bird, punched it out with SU's large oval punch.  Spellbinders used are Labels 4 and Fancy Tags 2 (my current LOVE).  The colors are Brocade Blue, Black and White. A simple black ribbon with white stitching finishes this card.
Until next time.
Melissa

Great Impressions Blog Blitz

 This is one of the Christmas Cards I made for 2011.  The Stamps are all Great Impressions (GI);  The background is K95 stamped in Memento's Tuxedo Black.  Then colored with green marker just under each branch.  A White Glaze Pen was used for the snow accents and allowed to dry.  Once dry I touched up the snow with a Sakura Gelly Roll pen in Star Dust.  This was also used to go over the outside edge.  For the tree in the middle I used  GI stamp H203 embossed with Sweet Stamps fine detail Fantasy Silver (my favorite find at this years expo).  The tree was then cut out and adhered with pop dots to add dimension. The sentiment "There's magic is in the air" is GI B218 embossed in the same powder on black card stock.  Next it was punched out with Stampin Up's Label Punch.  A blue rhinestone was then added to the top of the tree for the finishing touch.

This is a new use for border stamp GI J105.  I just had to show everyone the beautiful tree that I saw hiding in this stamp.  White Pigment ink was used to ink up the stamp just about halfway in from the outside edge.  This was then stamped toward the edge of  a piece of black cardstock and embossed with the same powder as the one above.  I used a silver gel pen to highlight and accent the image then added rhinestones for a little more sparkle .  The same sentiment was used as above, but a stamp a ma jig was used to make it 2 lines instead of 1. Spellbinders Label 4 in regular and Mega were used to layer Black, White and Silver cardstock.  Spellbinders, Fancy Tags 2 made the decorative swirls behind the sentiment.  There is a Silver (SU) scalloped oval punched then layered between the black tag and the white oval. 

After spending the last few days in Madison with the MOOs for our latest swap and checking out the One of A Kind Stamping & Scrapbooking Expo I have countless ideas just waiting to hit paper.  This should prove to be a creative week so stay tuned for more.

{Big Inky Hugs}with my fingers out to avoid stains!
Mel

Here come the Holidays!

With Thanksgiving fast approaching everyone is talking about Black Friday sales, Christmas music is playing in all the stores and everyone is rushing around already.  Here are a couple fun Christmas cards to enjoy while surfing the web.  The dog pulling the sleigh is Great Impressions (E624), I love how cute this little guy is.  He reminds me of one of our dogs.  Now, take a breath, relax, and let your creativity flow.

{Inky Hugs}

Melissa  

Happy Halloween Everyone!

This is the card I took to Fremont for our annual weekend at the Cabin on the Creek.  The stamps used are Great Impressions ~ 2 Witches (G433), Sit for a Spell (B217)there are several coordinating stamps available too, We had way too much food and tons of laughs just like always.  The Creativity just keeps getting more and more amazing.  What a talented group of women I have been blessed to call my friends.  Now to come up with a really GREAT Christmas card for our next swap in November.  Once I get a chance I will post pics of all the cards from the Fremont weekend.  Until then happy crafting.

{Inky Hugs}

Mel