Nifty Fifty

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Julia Stainton| 3 Comments

Fifty is the new forty. Don’t you agree?

It could be that the closer I get to 50 that it seems to be much  younger. I simply must state that I’m still a long way off from that yet. But really, I think it’s about attitudes and health and living better. We just don’t think about 50 the same way any more. Age is only a number, right?

A couple weeks ago we were invited to my cousin’s 50th birthday celebration. I’m used to creating feminine designs as they are my favorite. What to do? What to do?! Since color blocking is so in right now and a clean graphic style works well for men, that’s the direction I finally decided to go in.

To plan out the color blocking, I first figured out the lettering I wanted to use and then designed the blocks to fit that. I forgot to take a photo of the inside but since it was on black cardstock, I added an aqua panel with a large star rub-on on it to coordinate with the front and also create an easy place to write my message.

Supplies: Black and red cardstock by Bazzill, Tiny Attacher by Advantus, Large Chipboard letters by Pink Paislee, Black Tiny Type by Cosmo Cricket, Wood Diecut letters by…hmmm Pink Paislee? but I’m not sure, Blue cardstock by Memory Box, Wood Star Rub-ons by Studio Calico

Have a nifty day!

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Posted in Card Designs

Cheery Chevrons

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Julia Stainton| 5 Comments

Pink and Orange just may be one of my very favorite color combos. It’s such a pretty pop of color and a great way to start off a Monday morning.

I’ve been quite addicted to the Ranger Distress Stains lately and here’s another card that features them. This time I’ve inked up a Hero Arts chevron background stamp with two colors of stain for a multi-hued look.

The sentiment stamp is also from Hero Arts. A couple of the Memento Inks match up perfectly with the Worn Lipstick and Dried Marigold Distress Stains. I’ve used the inks to stamp the sentiment twice. Using the ink gives a crisper image so that you can easily read the sentiment. The image that I stamped in orange was used to punch out the flower accents to add a little pop and dimension.

Supplies:

Happy stamping!

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Posted in Card Designs, Hero Arts

simply saturday…simply stained

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Julia Stainton| 7 Comments

Sometimes all you need is a simply beautiful stamp. Isn’t this lace circle absolutely stunning?

I’ve used the simplest of techniques with it. Some dabs of Distress Stains on it and then stamp adds a beautiful watercolor look and subtle blending of colors.

Quick Tip: Have your heat gun ready when stamping with Distress Stains. Drying the stain quickly after stamping will cut down on the bleeding of the stain. I do like a little bleeding though. It makes it look hand watercolored.

Supplies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Notes: the bird embellishment is Chic Resin Small Sparrows by Prima Marketing
Have a simply beautiful weekend!

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Posted in Card Designs, Hero Arts

Bloomin Denim

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Julia Stainton| 4 Comments

Classic denim. I can’t think of anything that is more of a clothing staple. I pretty much spend my week in a pair of jeans or a denim skirt. It’s just so comfortable, easy care and goes with almost anything.

I was so excited when Maya Road released some denim trims and flowers . That frayed edge….yes! Today’s card features the beautiful Denim Frayed Edge Pleated Trim made into a very large flower accent. Pleated trim is so wonderful for creating flowers with as you don’t have to pleat or gather it as you arrange it into a spiral.

Quick Tip: The Maya Road Wood Calendar Numbers are perfect for personalizing birthday cards  up to age 31.

Supplies:

Thanks for stopping by and have a bloomin’ wonderful Friday!

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Posted in Card Designs, Maya Road

ready for class?

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Julia Stainton| 3 Comments

Who is ready for class? I know I am.

The Fold It, Pop It, Flip It, Zip It Class starts on Monday May 7th. Just a few more sleeps! I’m excited!

Today I have a few winners from Tuesday’s Class Giveaway post. Three to be exact. I’ve used the random.org random number generator to pick my winners. Comment numbers 9, 17 & 40! Congrats go to…

Tricia | May 1, 2012 at 10:37 am |

This class sounds like so much fun! Would love to win a spot!

Jennifer Scull | May 1, 2012 at 11:45 am |

I know this is going to be a wonderful class with all of you as part of the team! :)

Kathy Cooper | May 2, 2012 at 12:03 pm |

I love learning new tips to create unique cards with. This class sounds like a whole lot of fun.

Winners, please contact me with your e-mail information and I’ll get you registered for the class. My e-mail link is at the top of the left sidebar, just under my photo.

 

For those of you who would still like to attend, discounted early bird registration is from April 27 to May 6. For more information on the class and to register, you can find the class here at Ellen Hutson LLC.

This class is held online at the Ellen Hutson How Now School of Creative Arts. If you’re interested in more information, check out the video and class details here.

Happy Creating!

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Posted in Classes

teacups and posies

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Julia Stainton| 7 Comments

Flowers are always a classic for Mother’s Day. We all have our favorites. I like bouquets that come from the garden. Things like lilacs, hydrangeas, daisies and daffodils. But how about a fun little floral arrangement that doesn’t fade?

I thought I’d put a little spin on the traditional Mother’s Day flowers with this little teacup arrangement filled with crafted flowers. To fill my teacup and provide something to adhere the flowers to, I wadded up a large piece of aluminum foil and adhered it with Craft Glue Dots® to the inside of the cup.

The beautiful big trim flowers were created with Maya Road trims and XXL Glue Dots®. I’ve gone with a sewing theme and you can see little glimpses of vintage sewing pattern tissue peeking out between them as a filler.

Little accents of tape measure trims and tulle trim are adhered just inside the rim of the teacup with Craft Glue Dots® to finish off the design.

There is no limit to what you can create with your crafting supplies. Don’t forget to think outside the box…or off the card or the page.

Supplies:

I wrote this blog post while participating on the Glue Dots® design team.
Happy creating!

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Posted in Glue Dots, Maya Road, Papercraft projects

New Online Class: FOLD IT, POP IT, FLIP IT, ZIP IT! and GIVEAWAY

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Julia Stainton| 51 Comments

There’s an exciting new online card class on the horizon. This class is one you are going to love featuring interactive card design. You know those folds and flips, those pop it cards…those cards that add that extra bit of fun and pizazz. Add to that, the class is hosted by the  amazing Julie Ebersole who has been a design hero and friend of mine for years, you know it’s going to be great.

Ready to take your standard card to a whole new level?  Learn how to incorporate specialty folds, shadow boxes, pop-ups and other fun interactive elements into your greetings!  Join Julie Ebersole for Fold It, Pop It, Flip It, Zip It! and learn more than a dozen different ways to add an extra element of fun and surprise to your card designs!

The two week course features video tutorials, complete step-by-step instructions, diagrams & patterns, along with project photos in downloadable PDF format.  New for this class are additional projects contributed by special guest designers!  Also included in the class are: A gallery, private forum, exclusive shopping discounts and prize drawings!

Stamping friends Maile Belles, Cristina Kowalczyk, Sharon Harnist,  and myself will also be joining Julie as Guest Designers, too!

Come and go to the classroom on your own schedule, and, as always, enjoy lifetime access to all class materials! Class begins May 7-18!

Class registration is now open and discounted early bird registration is from April 27 to May 6. For more information on the class and to register, you can find the class here at Ellen Hutson LLC.

I’m thrilled to be a guest designer in Julie’s class and as such, am able to give away three spots in this class. Anyone want to come? I know that I’m excited to try out some of the fabulous ideas. To enter, please leave a comment on this post before Wednesday May 2nd at 11 pm EST. I’ll be using a random number generator to choose three lucky winners to join in the fun. One comment per person please! Winner will be announced here the morning of Thursday May 3rd.

Good luck!

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Posted in Card Designs