Merry Be Your Christmas

However you celebrate the holidays I hope it is all you want it to be.  Maybe it’s a quiet day at home in your craft room sipping a nice beverage listening to music.  Or maybe it is spent with family and friends.  However you spend it - I hope it’s a relaxing day for you.

This card came together fairly easy.  Take a look at your pretty papers or background stamps.  I had some holly paper so I grabbed a piece of that, wrapped some cotton string around one side, layered with red behind it and put that on a brown (kraft) card base.

I found the stars at a dollar store and I used miscellaneous holiday shapes behind my sentiment.  Don’t overthink it.  Rummage around and see what you’ve got and use it.  Three strips of red glitter card stock would look perfect behind the sentiment too. 

And to finish this you could add a few little gems, glitter, or nuevo drops if you think it needs something extra.

If you’d like to go shopping for holiday stamps here’s the link 

To save 10% off your order use discount code TJ10AJ when you checkout.

Happy Everything crafty friends!

AJ 

                     Warm Winter Reflections

Today’s card features the Warm Winter Wishes stamp set along with the Fir Forest background stamp, but as you’ll see …I did something a little different.  I created a reflection card inspired by the Stampscapes Facebook group.  What’s different is your written message is on the back of the card and the inside is a scene that kind of…dances due to the reflection from the mirror card stock used.  I’ll do my best to break it down.  It’s not difficult - really!

What you’ll need:

White card stock 2 pieces 4.25x5.5 each

Blue card stock 2 pieces 4.25x5.5

Black card base A2 size (4.25x5.5)

Silver Mirror card stock 4.25x5.5

Holographic card stock of your choice. I used a starry holographic design.

Staz-On black ink pad

White ink pad or embossing pad and white embossing powder

Small blue crystal gems (these are optional)

Red glitter card stock scrap or red card stock will work

Red ink pad

Stamp Warm Winter Wishes

Stamp Fir Forest

Foam pieces - just a few little pieces is all you need.  (If you don’t have foam - stack and glue a few scrap pieces of card stock then put these behind the bunny).

Random size snowflakes - you can punch these out, use stickers, use die cuts, or stamp these if you have snowflake rubber stamps.

To make this card…

Front:  On the blue card stock Stamp these Warm Winter Wishes sentiment in white ink or use white embossing powder. Add random size white snowflakes.  I had a snowflake punch I used on the side of the blue piece so I put white card stock underneath. The punch I have is old so use what you have and add white snowflakes to the front.

Inside Top:  Take the 4.25x5.5 piece of holographic card stock and stamp the Fir Forest on the bottom using the Staz-On black ink.  Set aside to dry. It should dry quickly.  After it is dry adhere it to the inside of your black card

Inside bottom half: Cut a scrap piece of white card stock in a wavy design so it resembles snow.  See example.  Glue to the bottom of the silver mirror card stock.

Next: Stamp and color the bunny from the Warm Winter Wishes set, color, and fussy cut.  Add foam pieces behind it then adhere to the bottom right side of the snow.  See photo for placement.

Stamp “Sending you warm hugs” in red and layer on top of a piece of red or red glitter card stock.  Adhere to the left side of the snow.

Back:  This is where you write your message.  I first adhered a piece of blue card stock to the back then I glued a white piece that was slightly smaller.  Add a snowflake and the rest of the space is for your note.

Optional:  Add blue gems on the trees and tiny snowflakes randomly around the trees and on the mirror piece. See photo.

If you add gems to your trees be sure to add a piece of card stock in between when you store this card and mail it so the gems don’t dent the mirror card stock. 

I know this card was different. I’d love to know what you think. I hope you’ll give this a try.

If you decide to shop online be sure to save a little money when you do and use my discount code TJ10AJ for 10% off.

Happy Holidays!

AJ 

Happy Winter Wishes

                                 Happy Winter Wishes

Grab your glitter card stock and snowflakes and have fun creating this pretty winter themed card!

I used the recently released Cozy Cottage plus one of my go-to stamp sets called Happy Winter Wishes to create this fast 5 x 7 card.

Pull out your snowflake punches or grab some snowflake stickers to give this card the finishing touches.  To me, this card was too simple looking when I started putting the layers together so I offset the cozy cottage piece and added 7 snowflakes. Some were punched and the large white ones were stickers leftover from last year.  Use what you have in your stash to embellish!

Discount code:  TJ10AJ (use when you checkout for a 10% discount)

Keep on Creating!  AJ

Sending you Warm Hugs

Hello Design Junkies!

Today’s card features the recently released Cozy Cottage stamp plus a sentiment from the very sweet #SS086 Happy Winter Wishes.

If you’re curious about that holographic star background paper I used…well, it’s sticker paper, but you can find a variety of similar holographic papers in craft stores or online.

Have you started working on winter themed cards yet?  If so, please share them in our Technique Junkies Fan Group on Facebook.  We’d love to see your cards and get inspiration from you. 

My design team discount code is TJ10AJ.  Jot it down and use it whenever you shop at www.techniquejunkies.com to save!

Have a peaceful holiday season & Keep on Stamping!

AJ

 

Meowy Catmas

Here’s a sweet holiday card for your cat lovin’ family and friends - why not make a batch of these kitty cards with just 2 stamps!

What you’ll need:

Mad Mod Lace background stamp

Meowy Catmas stamp

Black ink pad (I used Versa Fine Clair Nocturne)

Abandoned Coral and Citron ink pads (I used distress oxide ink pads. You could substitute red and green)

Blending brushes

Black card stock 4 x 5.25 

White card stock 3.75 x 5 inch and smaller piece for the cat image

Card base (you choose color)

Foam (optional)

Glitter pen for light bulbs (optional)

Colored pencils or markers (to color the cat with the holiday lights)

3 Green gems (or any kind of bling or drops you have in your stash)

Glue/adhesive

Steps:

1) Grab your 3.75 x 5 piece of card stock. With blending brushes I applied Abandoned Coral and Citron in random areas. Don’t overthink this. Simply brush color of one ink in let’s say, three areas, then use the other color to color the rest of the card stock. Don’t leave any white areas. Set aside.

2) Next - Stamp the cat image on a small piece of white card stock, color, then with a blending brush lightly brush around the image with Citron.  Mount on a piece of black card stock. Optional: add foam behind this piece and see what you have in your stash to make those light bulbs sparkle. You might have glitter pens or a type of glaze.

3) Grab that first piece of card stock that you put color on and now let’s stamp the Mad Mod Lace background stamp on it.  (Optional: to make the background stamp look bolder you can heat emboss it with clear embossing powder or restamp it a couple of times)>

4) The Fun part…let’s put it all together. 

- Adhere the background piece to black card stock that is slightly larger then adhere to your base.  (If you don’t like measuring just cut the black card stock slightly larger than your background piece).  

- Add the Meowy Catmas to the front and add your gems.  You’re done! 

Now for some more fun…grab yourself a cup of coffee ☕️ or some other favorite beverage 🍷 and have fun browsing these cute, beautiful, and gorgeous Technique Junkies holiday stamps and enjoy a 10% discount (TJ10AJ) if you decide to go shopping.  It’s just so fun to shop online especially when you can get a discount!

Shop here -> Stencil lovers (A Colorful Life Stencils)  

Shop here -> 

Items in the TJ store that are already discounted can be found at these links…

TJ has a mega clearance section that can be found here 

TJ unmounted mega clearance stamps are here

I hope you found a little 🐈 inspiration for some future holiday card making and shopping!

Get a head start on those holiday cards and Meowy Catmas!

~~~~Keep on Stamping~~~~~

                    AJ 

Create-a-Frame - Squirrel on Branch

     Do you use your stamps to their full                                          potential? 

Today’s card features the newly released Squirrel-On-Branch-On-Branch. It’s a beautifully detailed stamp that has its own built-in frame. What do I mean by that?  All you have to do is stamp a portion of the stamp, re-ink, and stamp that pinecone portion again.  Repeat all the way around your card and you’ve created a winter frame you can use for other cards (stamp a bird inside the frame or Merry Christmas for example).

That is what I did on this card.  After that I added some brown to the branch and pinecones with a prisma color pencil, a lighter brown to the squirrel and green to the pine needles.  

Last, I used a brush that had a little leftover blue ink on it and lightly brushed over the white background areas.  I used a brush with yellow to add color here and there - to add more interest to the overall scene. *Use the yellow first.

Finished with a ribbon and sentiment.  The sentiment used on this card is called “small creature” . You can find it along with the entire new set here.

Wouldn’t this make a pretty holiday card?  Actually I think it’d be perfect for a birthday, thinking of you…just about any card.   

All of the new stamps are 15% off (no coupon needed) through September 8, 2024.   If you decide to shop on line and put other stamps in your cart - be sure to add this coupon code (TJ10AJ) and you’ll get 10% off all of those goodies.

If you love and HAVE to HAVE the entire set - check out the great savings on that!

Enjoy your creative journey and thank you for stopping by.   ~AJ 

Beautiful Autumn Bookmarks

                            Beautiful Autumn

Join me in making a colorful bookmark to tuck into your next card!

 

Have you ever been digging around your boxes of craft stuff and found something new? I know I’m not the only person that does that.  Earlier today I found a bunch of manila tags I’d never used and decided to have a little fast fun.

I get my inspiration from helping Pat at the recent Stampaway convention.  She used manila bookmarks for the Saturday Make n Take . It’s the perfect little piece of card stock to try new techniques on, but better yet, you can finish a project quickly because you don’t have as much surface to cover.  Yay!

Supplies Used:

Distress Spray - Pistachio 

Izink Dye Spray - Butterscotch

Manila tags

Scrap ribbon or string

Beautiful Autumn stamp

Brown ink pad.  I used Catherine Pooler “Icing on the Cake” Mini ink pad.

Here’s all you do…

I first laid out a bunch of manila tags in a large box to protect my area from overspray.  

Next I sprayed the Izink Butterscotch spray on all of the tags - then spritzed the pistachio randomly on the tags. I even took the sprayer out of the bottle and would let drips come off of the sprayer hose.  Have fun!  Get some color on those tags!  Don’t leave any blank spots.  You might want to step away a while, grab a cup of coffee, then take another look.  I find going back at projects with fresh eyes can be very helpful sometimes.

Next - grab your rubber stamp and stamping platform and ink it up with Icing on the Cake (Brown). I like to put a large sticky note over my stamp area (manila bookmark) and stamp that first to be sure my stamp is lined up where I want it. 

The stamp I used has random leaves around it so on one bookmark I stamped a portion of the stamp a second time to capture the leaf area again.  No rules.  Just stamp!

I hope this quick project inspires you to experiment with tags and sprays!  

Enjoy the little things!  

AJ 

**If you decide to shop online don’t forget to use this discount code when you checkout TJ10AJ to save 10% off your stamps & supplies.

                  Clean and Simple Dad Card 

This card was created without too much fuss and a little creativity.  Here’s what you do to create your version of this easy card. 

What you’ll need:

- Water color paper (or you can use card stock)

- You can use any die cut frame in your stash.  No die cut frames?  Then use a low tack tape and create a frame.

- Three distress oxide inks or other brand of water reactive ink pads.

- Blending brushes to apply. You can find my favorite colorful blending brushes here and you can get 10% off using my discount code, TJ10AJ, when you check out.  The handles are different colors so you can coordinate the ink used to the brush color. 

- Rubber stamp set Definition of Family 

- Black paint and brush. You’ll add a little water to thin it down and flick paint on the card when you’re finished. 

- Spray water bottle and 1/2 paper towel

Step by step:

1) Tape your frame to the water color paper using low tack tape and be sure it is centered.

2) Brush colors inside the frame. I used tan, blue, and soft green.  I start with one color, then slightly overlap the second color so it looks like it is transitioning, and do the same with the last color.  Be creative and go with your flow.

3) Spritz with water then lay your paper towel on it. No need to rub.

4) Gently remove tape.

5) Be sure card is 100% dry (heat set if necessary) - then stamp the “Dad” sentiment or other family sentiment from the set. 

6) Flick on black paint. I add a little water to my black paint to thin it so it’s easier to flick!

Wasn’t that easy?  For me this clean and simple technique was addicting. I dug out many color combos and a lot of different frames…then had fun!

Do you like discount codes?  Who doesn’t!!!  My discount code is TJ10AJ.  You can use it during ‘some’ sales and always on items not on sale.   

Happy Crafting!  Art Cards with AJ 

 

                         Mom - Superwoman!

Hello inky friends,

Today’s card inspiration is pretty self explanatory.  It uses a pretty piece of paper from your stash, a stencil, blending brushes, the Mom stamp from the new Definition of Family stamp set, black ink pad, markers, and Flying butterflies border stamp.

Everything I used that Technique Junkies carries is highlighted in blue, just click on it, to help you easily find it on their website.  My discount code, TJ10AJ, can be used when you checkout to get additional savings on items not on sale. 

Happy crafting ~ Art Cards with AJ

 

Watercolor Hummingbird

Wednesday - June 26, 2024

Watercolor Hummingbird 

Hello Junkies!

Any hummingbird lovers out there?  I love everything about hummingbirds.  Who doesn’t, right? And did you know there are approximately 366 species of these tiny little wonders?  

Today, in celebration of these tiny feathery jewels, I’m sharing a card made using the watercolor hummingbird stamp, a circle punch or circle die, embossing folder and some card stock.

Supplies:

Lavender and yellow card stock

Embossing folder of your choice

Black or Clear embossing powder

Distress oxide sprays or you could use a faux watercolor designer paper

Watercolor hummingbird stamp

Glue & scrap piece of ribbon

Black ink pad

Heat tool 

Optional enamel embellishments

Tape

Step 1: Create multi-colored background. I used distress oxide sprays, spritzed with water, and changed colors. I used a heat tool to dry the ink after each spray and spritz. Be sure this is completely dry before you continue adding colors.

Step 2: Stamp the hummingbird with black ink, sprinkle on black or clear embossing powder (either one works) then heat set.  Cut out or punch this out in a large circle. See card.

Step 3: While you have your ink out, Stamp your birthday sentiment on a piece of yellow card stock (5.5 x 1 inch or size needed for your sentiment) set it aside.

Step 4: Cut a piece of lavender card stock approximately 5.25 x 4.  Use a light tack tape and tape your circle onto the lavender and put both in your embossing folder and run them through your device (Big Shot, Cuttlebug, Gemini, etc…).  Note: You aren’t permanently attaching the circle. 

Step 5: Let’s put this together.  

- Make a small hole at the top of your circle, loop ribbon through, then attach ribbon to the back of the lavender piece with tape.  You only need the ribbon long enough to hang a short distance down onto your card. see photo.

-Add glue to the back of the lavender and center on the yellow base. 

-Add glue and attach your sentiment.

-Add enamel dots or gems.

I hope you’ll get out your sprays, embossing folders, punches and stamps and give this one a try.

Happy Crafting!    ~AJ~

Save 10% off this stamp and others with discount code TJ10AJ

 

Wednesday June 12, 2024

Fun with Tans & Teals

Hello Design Junkies!

Today’s card features the wonderful Zen Circles background stamp and the beautifully detailed King Fisher stamp.  The zen circles background does all of the creative work for you - you just color!

So grab all of your tan and brown markers plus a couple of teal markers and get to coloring. I also used the teals on the king fisher, plus some orange for some of the feathers and dots on the card.  

I hope this quick card color/stamp combo brings you a little inspiration today.  

Happy Crafting!   AJ

P.S. If you plan to do some shopping at www.techniquejunkies.com be sure to use TJ10AJ at checkout to get 10% off all of the craft goodies in your cart! 

 

Pet Loss Sympathy Card

                                        Hello Friends

Today I’m sharing some ideas for a pet sympathy card using stamps, paws stencil, and some quick background color. But first I’d like to brainstorm the dog/cat with you.  The silhouette dog I used on the first card with the paw print background  is a dog punch from Stampin’ Up punch I bought a few years ago. If you don’t have a dog die or punch - no problem. On the second card I simply stamped a dog stamp using white ink on black card stock then cut it out. Tada! So you can turn almost any dog stamp into a silhouette for a card. Doesn’t it feel good to use what you have sometimes?!

Card 1

Supplies used:

- White card base

- Ink Blending brushes

- Light color ink pads in choice of colors

- Black ink pad

- Paws Stencil

- In the meadow silhouette rubber stamp

Other background stamps that would work well that you may already have wildflower silhouettes, thistle border

- Loss of a Beloved pet set of 5

- Brighter and Better place set of two 

- Dog silhouette (I used a dog punch from Stampin’ Up)

Step 1) Lightly brush colors across the card. I generally have leftover ink on my brushes so I started with that. I alternated the colors yellow, blue, and pink.

Step 2) Stamp the thistle border stamp at the bottom of the card (landscape).  

Step 3) Using the paws stencil I used a light blue ink and added paws on the front of the card and on both inside panels.

Step 4) Stamp the outside and inside sentiments.

Step 5) Add your silhouette dog to the front.

Optional idea:  Instead of stamping the word “dog” - you could instead write the name of the dog in blank ink.

Card 2

On this card I used a “Pug” stamp and inked it in white then stamped on black card stock.  I wasn’t concerned with much of the white ink actually showing.  I simply wanted an outline so I could cut it out. The faded white (it basically turns to a gray color unless you heat emboss and use white embossing powder) worked well with the results I wanted. A hint of definition of the pug works for me.  The background is a wash of blue on watercolor paper that I had previously made.

Use discount code TJ10AJ to save 10% off of your rubber stamps and supplies.

I hope found some new inspiration today. Thanks for stopping by!    ~AJ~

 

Bird Lover

Hello Crafty Friends!

Have you ever had a card design in mind then somehow the card turns into something totally different?  That’s what happened today.  

I had a nice piece of watercolor paper with a light blue wash on it and thought that’d be perfect for this stamp set.  Well, after I stamped the “Find your song and sing it” upside down…that’s where it all changed.

To my left I saw a pretty piece of floral paper.  I grabbed that for the background.  Then I simply cut the two stamped pieces, put black behind them for a frame and adhered them to the pretty paper.  It still needed something so I dug into my birdie stash of supplies and found the silver feather (they have a bag of gold or silver feathers at my local crafty dollar store).

The last thing I decided to do was add a little color to the bird.  

If you’re a BIRD LOVER you’ll want to take a look at the wonderful variety of beautiful bird stamps on the Technique Junkies website.  And be sure to use my discount code (TJ10AJ) if you decide to buy a few things.  

P.S. The next new release of TJ stamps comes out June 15th!

Thanks for stopping by!

AJ 

 

Hello Crafty Friends,

Today I'm featuring two of the April 15, 2024 stamps -   Advice from a Wildflower and Wildflower-Corner.  This corner stamp is especially gorgeous and it would be perfect to use to create personal stationery, decorate envelopes and could be used for so many card themes (just a note, birthday, thinking of you, sympathy).

                       

Materials you'll need:

- Watercolor paper (if you don't use this type of paper simply grab a piece of light blue/teal piece of card stock and skip the "creating a wash" steps)

- Wide paintbrush and ink of your choice. I used a peacock color.

- Small dish of water

- Card base and 5.5 x 4.25 teal piece of card stock 

- String, thread, or yarn plus gem dots (optional)

- Adhesive

- Gray ink pad and black ink pad

- Optional - foam

I created a wash background first. To create a wash background I use my brush and paint water across the area I want to add color to. Next I like to put a little ink on a plate or glass surface then spray it with water. I want just a hint of color. Dab the brush in it then go back and forth across the water color paper. You can set that aside to dry or use a heat tool. Be sure it is completely dry before stamping on it.  

Using a stamping platform I stamped the Wildflower corner along the right side using gray ink.  I didn't stamp it all the way to the right because I knew I needed some room to tear around the border. 

Next I stamped Advice from a Wildflower using black ink.

Now the fun part - tear around the perimeter tearing the paper towards you.  There's no magic to this - just slowly tear the paper all the way around.  If you need to tear off a little more here and there - go for it.  

Grab your scrap string and wrap around the lower portion a few times and tape it in the back so the string doesn't move.  I used two kinds of string because the first string was too light so I added some thick thread.

Let's put it all together...

You can add a large piece of foam to the back of the water color paper if you'd like to lift it up or simply adhere to the teal card stock then glue the teal piece to your card base.  Add gems.

What are you going to add to the inside?  I decided to leave mine blank, but sometimes I'll add something when I get ready to use it. 

This release is filled with a wide variety of stamps that will work beautifully with other stamps you already have.  Take a look techniquejunkies.com/april-2024-gotta-have-it-all/.  If you are leaning towards buying the entire release remember you can save $31.83 off the price of $127.55 by purchasing the Gotta Have it ALL bundle. 

Everything else is 10% Off when you use my design team code (TJ10AJ) so...you might want to write it down in case you decide to go shopping another day.

Oh...one more thing.  If you like the "Advice from..." stamp -  Technique Junkies carries other ones too and you can find them here.

Have fun stamping!

AJ

Art Cards with AJ

                                                          

The One that Got Away

 

Hello TJ Friends!

Today I'm sharing the new Jumping fish linograph stamp on a square card.

If you haven't tried something like this I hope you'll step outside your comfort zone, just a bit, and give this simple card technique a try. 

Supplies needed:

Jumping fish linograph stamp

Tree branch silhouette background stamp

3 square cards (I cut mine from card stock) 10 x5 scored

3 different colors of card stock. I usedd blue, green, yellow

Brown piece for the backing (mat)

Black ink

Optional black enamel dots

Optional foam

Adhesive

Paper cutter/Scissors

1)  Stamp the tree branch silhouette background stamp around the perimeter ( front) of the card base and set aside.

2)  Next - I started with 1/2 sheets of colored card stock and stamped (in black) the jumping fish stamp in the same place on each piece using a stamping platform.

3) Cut all three stamped pieces (at the same time) to 3 3/4 inches square (horizontal and vertical) and cut a brown piece to go behind that is slightly larger. *Be sure you have the image in the center as you are trimming it up.

4) Stack the 3 images on top of each other then cut them at 1.25" then 2.5.  That should leave you with 3 pieces the same size - each 1.25 "

5)  The FUN part...mix up the cut strips so each card will have 1 strip of each color and a piece that fits together.  A mini puzzle.

6) Add foam (optional) to the back of each strip and adhere to the brown piece. Then adhere that to your card base.  

7) Optional - add a few black enamel gems.  You're done!

Today is March 6th so that means there are 2 more days to snag this stamp and the rest of the release for 15% off!   Everything else is 10% off when you use discount code TJ10AJ.

Happy Crafting!

AJ

   

        

Quick Cat Lover Card

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today I’m sharing a fun & quick cat lover card.

Stamps & tools used:

A sentiment from the Time Spent with Cats Set

I used the cat from this stamp -> Cat on her lap

Paws stencil

Stencil brush Each brush in this set is a different color so you can coordinate it with the color ink you use.

4 x 2.5 piece of white card stock for the sentiment.

Adhesive & enamel gems

Turquoise A2 card base & a coordinating ink to use with the stencil.

Let’s make it…

- Cut 1.5 inch piece off the front edge of the A2 card. Set aside.

Stamp sentiment on the 4 x 2.5 white card stock piece.

Next I stamped, colored, and cut out the cat from the “Cat on her lap” stamp and adhered it in the bottom right corner of the white 4 x 2.5 sentiment piece. (see photo) I like how the cat’s legs dangle off and it looks so innocent (like the sentiment mentions).

Nothing difficult here. Just a fast cat card.  I’d love to see yours.

Save 10% whenever you shop by using my design team discount code TJ10AJ.

Thanks for stopping by.   

 ~ AJ~ 

See links below cards for more inspiration from the Design Team.

For more inspiration visit the rest of the TJ Design Team blogs ~ You’ll be blown away!

Jeanette: https://www.cre8tiveplay.com/2024/02/whats-new-at-technique-junkies-february.html

Shalana: https://scrappinwithshalana.blogspot.com/2024/02/technique-junkies-february-2024-new.html 

 Deb: https://meticulosity.blogspot.com/2024/02/technique-junkies-stamp-release.html 

 Michael: https://worldofmichaeltrent.blogspot.com/2024/01/technique-junkies-february-2024-release.html 

 Pam: https://4mustangcreations.blogspot.com/2024/02/february-stamp-release-with-technique.html

AJ:https://artcardsbyaj.blogspot.com/2024/02/technique-junkies-february-new-stamp.html

Christine:http://www.purplelakestamps.com/2024/02/sisters.html 

Darlene Wright https://blog-dar-blog.blogspot.com/2024/02/new-stamps-at-technique-junkies.html

Pat: https://patstamps.blogspot.com/2024/02/new-stamps-for-february.html

Dancing on Mulberry Paper

                                                                  

                   Hello Friends!

Today’s card features something a little bit different.  You’ve probably tried the simple technique of dragging a mini ink pad across your card stock to create colorful stripes -  like I’ve done on this card.  But what is different is I didn’t put the ink on card stock, I used a textured paper called mulberry paper.

So next time you feel like trying something new - search for a natural fiber paper like mulberry tree paper. It’s stronger than teabag paper or tissue paper .

Supply list

Red card base (optional to use any embossing folder on this)

Stamps used: African Dancers, Giraffe border stamp, and African proverbs set of 8 

Catherine Pooler Mini Inks  

Messy Diamond grid stencil 

Three -> 4 x 5.25 pieces of white card stock plus scrap piece for inside sentiment. 

Black archival ink pad

Adhesive

Soft stencil brush (Technique Junkies carries a wonderful set of colorful soft brushes) 

How I created this:

- I first pulled mini Catherine pooler inks across a large size piece of mulberry paper.  I used three colors from the Urban oasis collection (orange peel, hot tub, and lemongrass).

- Let the inks dry completely then cut the mulberry paper down to the size you need for your card then adhere it to a piece of white card stock so it will be sturdy. Attach piece of black card stock (to the back) that is slightly larger to give it a small frame.

- Using a stamping platform I stamped the african dancers using black archival ink.  You may need to stamp more than once to get a nice bold black on the mulberry paper.

- Repeat with the giraffe border stamp stamping it along the bottom.

- Add a piece of foam behind the black piece(optional) then glue to your card base.

- Using Catherine Pooler Rouge red I stenciled the upper left and bottom right corner of the card front.  I added some of the stenciling to the inside to bring it all together.

- I chose one of the new African proverbs to add a sentiment to the inside. You could stamp this directly to a 4 x 5.25 card panel if you didn’t want to add another piece of card stock.  I sometimes stamp things crooked so I’m in the habit of stamping sentiments on small piece of card stock :)

I think this card would be perfect for numerous celebratory occasions. I’d love to hear what you think!

All of these stamps are automatically 15% off through 2/8/2024.

If you “Gotta have them all” you will save $28.09

Everything else (like the inks & stencil) is 10% off when you use my Design Team discount (TJ10AJ) at checkout.

                                 

                            Keep crafting!   ~ AJ ~