Easy and Fabulous!

 The last card we made in my September card classes was an easy, but fabulous, card:

Black and white - what is more classic?  And perfect for so many occasions!  

For this card, because we were using the Nature’s Harvest stamp set this month, I chose a “healing thoughts” sentiment, but options were available for birthday, anniversary, sympathy, or thinking of you.  

I love the simplicity and the added texture of the embossed background:

A Basic White card base has a layer of Basic Black, embossed with the Bark embossing folder.  It adds so much dimension!

The grasses are die-cut with the Harvest dies and added with Liquid Glue (to ensure they stick well to the embossed background).

I’m in love with Nature’s Harvest and the Harvest dies, and I know you’ll be seeing more of them soon!  

Product List

Nature's Harvest Cling Stamp Set (English)

[156495]

$21.00

Nature's Harvest Bundle (English)

[156813]

$53.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$6.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$9.75

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

$8.75

Harvest Dies

[156504]

$38.00

Bark 3 D Embossing Folder

[155431]

$10.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.00

Framed Nature's Harvest

My September Card Club and Cards-by-Mail featured the Nature's Harvest stamp set and dies.  We created 5 cards using the set (some of which I've already showcased here, here and here).  

While photographing the steps to make the blended background for one of the cards, I ended up with an extra piece.  Not wanting to repeat the same card I had already made, I experimented a little with a raised, black frame, and here is the finished card:

Such a beauty!

Each participant received a Basic White rectangle and a same-size "frame" (same size rectangle with the middle cut out).  They were to lightly adhere the frame to the rectangle and then use the included Blending Brush to make the beautiful background.  I demonstrated this in photos, and ended up with an extra background piece.  Why not use it?

The image was stamped with Tuxedo Black ink.  I then cut a Stitched Rectangle frame for my masterpiece framing the image and boosting the frame with Foam Adhesive Strips.  

Rather than layer it on a white background, I chose two colors from the blending - Mango Melody and Gorgeous Grape.  Each was cut to a standard-sized layer (4" x 5-1/4") and then I cut them on a diagonal, butting the two colors together to mimic the colors in the blended background.  Cool, right?

We had a great time experimenting with the Blending Brushes and making pretty cards; I was really happy to have one extra piece so I could make this!  

Product List

Nature's Harvest Cling Stamp Set (English)

[156495]

$21.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$6.00

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

[147094]

$7.50

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[147086]

$7.50

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad

[147095]

$7.50

Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad

[147096]

$7.50

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

[147099]

$7.50

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$9.75

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

$8.75

Mango Melody 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146989]

$8.75

Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146987]

$8.75

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$25.00

Foam Adhesive Strips

[141825]

$8.00

Spotlighting

 Have you heard of "spotlighting"?  It's a technique where you highlight just a portion of an image.  In my Card Club this month, we used Nature's Harvest stamps and Blending Brushes, and this was one of our technique cards:

You'll notice that there's a colorful circle placed over a black and white image - that's the "spotlighting".

We started by stamping our image on the Very Vanilla rectangle using Tuxedo Black ink.  Then we stamped the same image on the Very Vanilla circle.  The stamped image on the circle was colored using Stampin' Blends, and then we took a Blending Brush with Balmy Blue ink and added some background color.

To add the circle to the card front, we used Dimensionals and lined up the stems so it looks like a continuous image.

This technique can work on many different images - you just need a large stamp for the background, and then stamp a portion of it for the spotlight.

Give it a try!  

Product List

Nature's Harvest Cling Stamp Set (English)

[156495]

$21.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$6.00

Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154887]

$9.00

Soft Succulent Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[155521]

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154883]

$9.00

Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad

[147105]

$7.50

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[101650]

$9.75

Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146987]

$8.75

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[144237]

$8.25

3/8" (1 Cm) Gorgeous Grape Sheer Ribbon

[154572]

$7.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$12.00

Layering Circles Dies

[151770]

$35.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$120.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.00

Blended Harvest

 Here's another cards from my September Cards-by-Mail offering.  I introduced my class yesterday, explaining that the club focused on Nature's Harvest stamps and Blending Brushes this month.  This next card used die cut images from the coordinating Harvest dies:

Each kit included the elements for this card:  Thick Vanilla cardstock for the card base, a piece of Kraft paper, Blackberry Bliss scalloped cardstock and the die cut images and label.  I also sent a Blackberry Bliss bow (retired Blackberry Bliss Striped ribbon). 

Class participants all received a FREE Blending Brush with their card packs, along with instructions for using them.  The die cut images were colored with the Blending Brush, using Misty Moonlight, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight and Soft Succulent inks.

The die cut images were mounted to the Kraft paper, with the Blackberry Bliss scalloped edge (cut with the Scalloped Contours dies) and then added to the Vanilla base.  The greeting is from Nature's Harvest.

Using Blending Brushes on your die-cut images gives a subtle, pretty. almost ethereal effect - I love it!

Give them a try; I think you'll love the results!

Product List

Nature's Harvest Cling Stamp Set (English)

[156495]

$21.00

Nature's Harvest Bundle (English)

[156813]

$53.00

Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad

[153118]

$7.50

Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad

[147091]

$7.50

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

[147094]

$7.50

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

[147115]

$7.50

Soft Succulent Classic Stampin' Pad

[155778]

$7.50

Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad

[147092]

$7.50

Kraft 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Paper Pack

[156325]

$6.00

Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[133675]

$8.75

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[144237]

$8.25

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[101650]

$9.75

Harvest Dies

[156504]

$38.00

Scalloped Contours Dies

[155560]

$35.00

Blending Brushes

[153611]

$12.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.00

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.00