Seriously The Best + So Very Vellum + Free PDF

How do you stamp?  Do you flirt with a number of stamp sets, papers, and techniques, loving them all too much to settle on one?  Or do you go all in and get obsessed with one particular thing and wear it out before moving on?  I'm the latter.  I'm like that with EVERYTHING, not just stamping.  

I find an author I like and I read all of his or her books before moving on to another.  

I don't clean for a month (there I said it), then spend an entire day with an old toothbrush and bucket of hot water scrubbing every nook and cranny.

I bake a pan of brownies and eat them all in one sitting.  Just kidding!  One sitting would be crazy!  It's more like one day. 🤪   

But that little nugget about my personality explains yet another card using Seriously The Best and So Very Vellum DSP.

That chunky font is a dream to trim around with Paper Snips!  There aren't oodles of nooks and crannies to trim away.  Just turn your paper rather than your scissors as you cut and leave a halo around the sentiment.  The halo distracts people from any uneven cutting because it blends into the other card elements.  Everyone's reading the sentiment.

Look at the embossed detail on the vellum!  All 3 colors of Soft Sea Foam, Purple Posy, and Pool Party were used.  The sketch below was my starting point and it even has measurements!

Pin, download, or print the instructions for this card

March Ordering Reward

This is the tutorial bundle to my in-person class that is nearly always full!

• Orders between $15 and $149 (before shipping and tax) placed in March 2020 with Nicole Steele through my store will receive by email my March Class Tutorial.   
• You must use the Reward Code JSPSUZYB.  Click here to see where to type in the Reward Code.  
• If your order is over $150, do not use the Reward Code (you'll want to use the Stampin' Rewards yourself!) but you will still get the March Class Tutorial. 

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or with this form.
• Subscribe to The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News, a weekly email that delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a sign-up thank you!
• Shop my store anytime to give yourself the best crafting experience.  Check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles while you're there.
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

I love stamping and I love Stampin' Up!  Thank you so much for choosing me as your demonstrator.  I am grateful for YOU!

Tissue Paper Watercoloring Technique

I'm a HUGE fan of the Splitcoaststampers site (SCS for short) and their quarterly themed stamping events called Virtual Stamp Nights.  On a specified Friday night and all day Saturday, hourly challenges are posted and we have one hour to create a project that meets the challenge requirements.  I love it because of the adrenaline rush, of the freedom from overthinking, and the pretty sweet stack of cards I have at the end of the event.  

The most recent one (Floralpalooza) had a Tissue Paper Watercoloring challenge.  I'd never tried that before so I dove in.  I cut about 10 5"x7" pieces of white tissue paper, pulled out some ink pad combinations and a Stampin' Spritzer filled with water, my largest clear stamping block (it's what I smooshed my ink pads on), and got to work.  I used my Heat Tool to dry them quickly, then picked my favorites to make into cards.    

These colors of Poppy Parade, Melon Mambo, and Flirty Flamingo were gorgeous when blended together.  They radiated so much energy that I had to use this image and sentiment from Beautiful You.

The sentiment is stamped in Versamark on Poppy Parade cardstock, heat embossed with Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, and mounted on a small rectangle of Basic Black cardstock.  The frame was created by nesting two Stitched Rectangles on a piece of Basic Black cardstock and running them through my die-cutting machine.

I tried what the original tutorial suggested and lightly swiped a Versamark pad across the watercolored tissue paper, after it'd been glue to a piece of Whisper White cardstock (to give it more stability).  I then sprinkled on Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder and melted it with my Heat Tool.  The scatter of gold Metallic Pearls adds to the drama and energy of this card plus highlights the color contrasts with the black.

This color combination of Old Olive, Pretty Peacock, and Rich Razzleberry went well with Hold On To Hope.  I added a torn piece of Vellum cardstock to highlight the gold embossed cross.  

I used the large branch image in the set to stamp on the watercolored tissue paper.  I used Old Olive ink to stamp on the Old Olive watercolored sections, Rich Razzleberry in those sections, and Pretty Peacock in those sections.  I love the tone-on-tone look that varies throughout the card!

This ribbon began as the Gold Metallic Edge Ribbon, which is actually Very Vanilla Satin.  However, Stampin' Blends Markers can be used to color this ribbon!  I used the brush tip of a Dark Blackberry Bliss marker.  There's nothing complicated about doing this, either - just swipe the tip along the ribbon and the color flows out effortlessly.  Make sure you have scrap paper underneath the ribbon to catch the ink that comes through the other side.

See the Tissue Paper Watercolor Technique here.

March Ordering Reward

This is the tutorial bundle to my in-person class that is nearly always full!

• Orders between $15 and $149 (before shipping and tax) placed in March 2020 with Nicole Steele through my store will receive by email my March Class Tutorial.   
• You must use the Reward Code JSPSUZYB.  Click here to see where to type in the Reward Code.  
• If your order is over $150, do not use the Reward Code (you'll want to use the Stampin' Rewards yourself!) but you will still get the March Class Tutorial. 

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Want a catalog and don't already work with a demonstrator you love?  Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or via this form.
• Never miss a beat in the stamping world - subscribe to The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News, a weekly email that specially delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Sign up and get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a thank you!
• Join me every Tuesday at 2 PM ET on The Joyful Stamper Faceboook page for my free Happy Half Hour live stamping class.
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

I love stamping and I love Stampin' Up!  Thank you so much for choosing me as your demonstrator.  I am grateful for YOU!

Timeless Tropical for Splitcoaststampers Card Sketch 790 + Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

It's never too late for an old dog to learn new tricks....me being the old dog.  I spent yesterday hanging out with my 7 year old niece, who is a whiz at jumping rope.  She's in a traveling club at her school.  I learned all kinds of jump rope moves and routines - combinations of heel and toe moves; front, back, and side kicks; in and out - and I learned this at almost 45 years of age!  In my front yard!  In front of my neighbors!  It was so fun, I took my niece to a PJ Dance Party at my local library that night and threw myself into jumping, skipping, shaking, wiggling, and spying for animals in the jungle.  It was exhilarating!

Have you been considering trying something new?  How about stamping? 

• Pick a sketch 
• Pick a pack of Designer Series Paper
• Choose three colors of cardstock that coordinate from the Designer Series Paper 
• Pick a stamp set and one color of ink

Let's break down how I followed the steps above.  

• Pick a sketch: Splitcoaststampers weekly card sketch 790 used here
• Pick a pack of Designer Series Paper: I used Tropical Oasis (LOVE the wild bursts of color)!
• Choose 3 colors of cardstock that coordinate with the DSP: Lovely Lipstick, Old Olive, and Daffodil Delight work!
• Pick a stamp set and one color of ink: the Timeless Tropical set and an Early Espresso ink pad 

Many stampers' first technique was heat embossing.  I used it on this card.  Stamp your image in Versamark ink, sprinkle embossing powder on the stamped image, and tap off the excess.  The powder will stick to the Versamark ink and you then use a Heat Tool to melt the powder.  Just plug it in, turn it on, and point the heat at the image.  Then watch the magic happen!  The powder melts and turns shiny!

Download, pin, or print the step-by-step tutorial to make this card.

Did you catch this week's Happy (half) Hour Stamping Class?  

You can find the project sheet for Tuesday's Happy (half) Hour Live projects here.

Click here to watch the video.

Remember, any order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) receives the project kits from Tuesday's Live!  Be sure to use Reward Code AHKD9ZWS for orders under $150.  Orders over $150 will get their own Stampin' Rewards plus the project kits.  Place your order by Midnight ET Friday!

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Want a catalog and don't already work with a demonstrator you love?  Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or via this form.
• Never miss a beat in the stamping world - subscribe to The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News, a weekly email that specially delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Sign up and get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a thank you!
• Stamping is more fun with pretty products you can count on.  Shop my store anytime to give yourself the best crafting experience.
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

Thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator!  I appreciate your business!

CASEing the Sale-A-Bration Catalog

When you want to stamp but you don't know where to start (or you don't feel like thinking up something), just open your Stampin' Up! catalog!  They do a fabulous job filling it with beautiful samples, all for our inspiration.  

On page 14 of the 2020 Sale-A-Bration catalog, in the top left corner, is a gorgeous card and it's meant to feature the Stone 3D Embossing Folder.  However, I don't have that folder so I did a simple little trick that still adds texture.  Read on for the details!

I started with a Calypso Coral card base, cut to 5-1/2"x8-1/2", scored and folded in half at 4-1/4".  Next, I cut a 5-1/4"x4" piece of Calypso Coral cardstock and used a Stampin' Spritzer to mist it with water.  The water makes the cardstock soft for what I did next - I crumpled it into a ball!  Don't be gentle, either - squeeze it tight, unfold it, then crumple it again.  This is one time you WANT all those folds and wrinkles!

Use a Heat Tool to dry it, or you can set it aside to dry naturally.  Next, use a Stampin' Sponge to lightly dab Versamark ink in random spots on the wrinkled cardstock.  Sprinkle on Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, then melt with a Heat Tool.  Stunning!  And yet another technique where imperfection adds to its beauty (see another one here).  The best adhesives for attaching a piece like this are either Mini Glue Dots or Stampin' Dimensionals.

Now add a 5-1/2"x1" Petal Pink cardstock strip.  Tie Petal Pink Metallic Edge Ribbon around the card in a bow.  Go big with that bow!  This ribbon is gorgeous and we want it to get noticed.  Die-cut a label from Stitched So Sweetly dies in Petal Pink cardstock and stamp the sentiment from Free As A Bird in Early Espresso ink.  Attach to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Add three Pearls underneath the sentiment.  Last, use Paper Snips to cut an image from a piece of Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper and glue with Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

Click the image for the tutorial to pin, save, or print.

Stamping is supposed to be FUN, so if coming up with original designs is stressful for you, DON'T!  Just pull out your Stampin' Up! catalogs and find something to recreate.  You can copy the sample exactly, or change a couple things based on what you have in your stamping area.  

***Tip: if you see a sample in the catalog that you need more help deciphering what the concept artist did, email me your question.  I LOVE stamping and would be thrilled to help you have an enjoyable journey!***

Remember, any order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) receives the project kits for today's Live!  Use Host Code AHKD9ZWS and be sure to place your order by Midnight ET this Friday!

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Want a catalog and don't already work with a demonstrator you love?  Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or via this form.
• High-quality stamping products make your crafting experience better so don't cheat yourself!  Shop my store for your crafting supplies!
• Never miss a beat in the stamping world - subscribe to The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News, a weekly email that specially delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Sign up and get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a thank you!
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

Thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator!  I appreciate your business!

Snowman Season

I was really excited about today's project but then something just TRIPLED it.    I stood there attempting to catch my breath when I read this enormous news.  It's news about an event many - not just me - have been hoping and wishing and praying for.  And it's actually going to happen!  Are you ready for it?  Really ready?

Ken and Brad and James are having a Jeopardy! showdown January 7.  Can you hear my heart pounding with excitement?!

No?  Because who are Ken and Brad and James?  The three greatest Jeopardy! players ever are going against each other - Ken Jennings, Brad Rutter, and James Holzhauer.  I am a certified nerd that gets a rush from ideas and trivia and history, so I get it if you don't share my enthusiasm.  But please tell me we share the stamping bond!

Surely, this card has you at least a smidge grinning!  Coastal Cabana, Real Red, a punched out snowman with a felt scarf on.....and sponging!  I love sponging Soft Suede on the edges of paper to give it a slightly shabby feel.

Seriously, it's the little details on a project that make me smile big - like this sentiment strip that is slightly curled and lifted.  I ran a bone folder along the Real Red piece to get those waves, then adhered it with a Stampin' Dimensional to keep the shape.

The snowman and his hat were punched with the Snowman Builder Punch and embellished with pieces from the Let It Snow Embellishment kit.  And that little piece of glittered washi tape underneath the sentiment is in the kit, too!  The kit comes in a cute box that you could re-gift filled with homemade cards or tags.  The Let It Snow product suite has been my favorite from the Holiday Catalog this year. 

See more Let It Snow projects on my blog here.

Real Red cardstock (on sale!)

Soft Suede Ink (on sale!)

Let It Snow Suite

Card Recipe:

• Coastal Cabana cardstock: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" card base
• Let It Snow Designer Series Paper: 5" x 3-1/8", sponged with Soft Suede ink
• Real Red cardstock: 4" x 3/4", ends flagged with Paper Snips
• Whisper White cardstock: 3" x 3" piece to punch out snowman and hat
• Let It Snow Embellishment kit
• Stampin' Blends: Dark Basic Black, Dark Cherry Cobbler, Dark Shaded Spruce
• Basics Rhinestones Jewels
• White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Versamark, and Heat Tool for sentiment
• Bone Folder to curl sentiment strip
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals
• Pool Party ink (to stamp card base background)
• Snowman Season bundle (punch and stamp at a discount)

Today (Friday) is the last day to shop the Online Extravaganza sale in my online store!  Get discounts on select ink pads, cardstock, and bundles.  See what's on sale.

Easy Way To Get Snowy Trees With Embossing Powder

I can't throw out my paper scraps - argh!!!  More often, I hear paper crafters say they can't cut into their paper (they "hoard" it).  Well, there are no issues with that in Nicole's Stamping Cottage because I'm usually too excited to use it.  But I save every little piece!  Do you do this...stare at the piece in your hand... think, "Hmmm....I should toss this....it's no bigger than my fingernail....wait, I have a star punch I might want to use with this someday...." and back into the scrap bag it goes.  

Solution: this sketch from Splitcoaststampers that beautifully uses those designer series paper scraps!  Grab a handful, trim them down to 1/2" wide or so, and stick them on your card front at interesting angles.

Can you see how I did that on my card?  The paper is Wrapped In Plaid Designer Series Paper - and no way can I throw out any of that warm and cozy plaid!

Look at the "snow" on my trees!  No, it's not Snowfall Accents Puff Paint (go to this post to see what happens when you add that directly on a stamped image).  I dipped a Stampin' Sponge in a Versamark ink pad, then lightly tapped it around my stamped tree image.  I sprinkled on White Stampin' Emboss Powder then melted it with a Heat Tool.  Isn't that a great effect?  And if you overdo the Versamark, just take a paintbrush and brush off some of the embossing powder.

Ready to make this?  Yes you are!  I made a printable pdf just for you!  

Don't forget to shop the Online Extravaganza sale in my online store, now through this Friday the 22nd only!  Get discounts on select ink pads, cardstock, and bundles.  Click here to see what's on sale.

Using Decorative Masks to Emboss

These are seriously fun to play with!  I pulled my Basic Pattern Decorative Masks out (available in the Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog) when I saw this week's TGIF challenge to use embossing powder.

I had the immediate idea of using the masks to heat emboss the pattern to create a cool background.  The effect was one I LOVED!

I wanted to work with the new Gather Together set and Gathered Leaves dies, so I thought the tree mask was the perfect pattern.

I tried to get a good close up for you of the embossed trees, leaf, and sentiment.  I used Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder on the tree mask, and Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder on the leaf and sentiment.  The cardstock is Merry Merlot, one of the featured colors in the Come To Gather suite.

I made another background using the same mask, but with Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder on Mint Macaron cardstock.  

  

You can use painter's tape or washi tape to hold down your mask for this next tip, or you can simply hold it down with your fingers and carefully press a Versamark ink pad to the cardstock through the mask.

Be sure to swipe an Embossing Buddy on your cardstock before applying Versamark to ensure powder does not stick to stray spots.  Or you can be like me and forget to use it and end up with powder in unexpected places and then claim that you like the randomness of that look in an attempt to appear like you did that on purpose.  Ahem.

I hope you enjoyed this card and technique today!  I have an idea for Halloween for using these masks so stop back to see how it turns out! 

Until September 30

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September 4-30

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