December Guest Designer: Carissa Wiley

Hi everyone!  Carissa here, thanks for stopping by again.  I’m excited to be here on the Neat & Tangled blog one more time.  I have a couple of fun projects to share with you featuring the Sparkle And Shine stamp set and some fun water coloring with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers.  Get your sunglasses!  There’s some megawatt sparkle on these cards.

For the first card, I used the gemstones from the Sparkle And Shine stamp set.  I decided it would be fun to watercolor these images in bright colors.  But I knew I wanted to add a little sparkle as well.  I decided an emboss resist technique would be perfect.  Instead of using regular white or clear embossing powder, I used some sparkle embossing powder.  This adds just a hint of shimmer to the outline.

I love using the embossing resist technique.  The embossing helps keep the water coloring inside the image lines.  It almost creates little wells for the water and color to settle in.  After I embossed the images, I added some scribbles of the ZIg Clean Color markers to the embossed images.  You can definitely color the image with these markers.  But to give it the water color effect, I added water using a water color brush.  This helps the color to move around and gives beautiful (and easy) water color results.  These gems are beautiful with their brightly colored water colors and hint of sparkle.

I created a window on a white linen cardstock panel to frame the gemstones.  I decided to add a sparkly frame around the window using some gold glitter paper (because we all know that gold glitter paper makes everything better).  I cut the frame by nestling two nesting dies inside of each other on top of the gold glitter paper and then running it through my die cut machine.  By cutting both circles at the same time, I’m left with the perfect frame.  The smaller of the two circle dies is the same die I used to cut the window on the card front, which means the frame fits perfectly around the window.  I love the way the frame really draws attention to the window and adds a bit more sparkle.

 

I decided to heat emboss the sentiment on vellum.  Since the sparkle embossing powder is a clear base, I knew the words wouldn’t show up if I used Versamark ink.  Instead, I used a white pigment ink to stamp the sentiment and then added a layer of the sparkle embossing powder.  This ties the sentiment in to the gems that are heat embossed.

 

I added a layer of fun foam behind the card front.  This adds dimension and also draws even more attention to the window element.  

I finished the card off with a few more stamped gems and some sequins.  I added the fussy cut gems on to the card front using foam adhesive.  Clear sparkly sequins were the perfect finishing touch.

 

For the second card, I decided to use the light bulb image.  I knew I wanted to black heat emboss this image.  I stamped it in Versafine Onyx Black pigment ink and then added a layer of clear embossing powder over it.  This is my favorite way to black heat emboss images.  It keeps the card really clean looking because there aren’t extra black flecks on the card front.

I water colored this image using Zig Clean Color markers in a couple of different tones of yellow.  I applied the color to the image and then used my Zig Wink Of Stella to “watercolor” and move the color.  Using the Zig Wink of Stella adds some super shimmer to the image but lets it maintain the watercolor feel.  This is a fun way to use your Zig Clean Colors (or other ink mediums that you can watercolor with, like Distress Markers or reinkers).  Adding a couple of tones of the yellow added some depth and dimension to the image.

I decided I wanted to combine a couple of the sentiments from the stamp set.  I love the look of mixed font sentiments.  By cutting apart the sparkle & shine sentiment from the first card, and the shine bright sentiment I was able to achieve the mixed font look.  This also gives me more ways to use my stamps.  I can easily mount the stamps as they were originally designed, or I can use the elements of these sentiments on their own.  Sometimes cutting apart your sentiments allows you to create the perfect sentiment that you may not already own.  Just be sure not to cut through the lines of the image.  Cut between the words in the “blank space” of the stamp.

Once the image was water colored and the sentiment was stamped, I decided I wanted to add some Glossy Accents.  The Glossy Accents adds a glass like effect to the light bulb.  It also intensifies the shine of the Wink Of Stella.  Since the Zigs are waterbased, there is a possibility that the color can move when the glossy accents is applied.  Be aware of that.  You may want to do a test on your image prior to adding the Glossy Accents.  In the end, the color didn’t move and the effect was worth the risk.

I added a stitched line to the edge of the card using a stitched border die.  Since this card is very simple, I thought the stitched border added some interest to the card front.  I used my grid mat to line up the border die along the card front.  That way I was sure I would get a perfectly straight cut. I finished the card off with just a bit of patterned paper to tie in the yellow and black color wave on the card.  The patterned papers also add an interesting element to a very simple card.  I also added dimension by adding a layer of fun foam behind the card front.

 

I have created a video tutorial walking you through the creation of both of these cards over on my blog   Be sure to head over there to check it out!  Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube while you’re there so you don’t miss any of my cardmaking and papercrafting videos.

 

Thanks for stopping by today.  I really hope you enjoyed these projects featuring the Sparkle And Shine stamp set.  I hope to see you again soon!  Thank you Danielle for allowing me to take over the Neat & Tangled Blog this month!  I had a great time!  Until next time, I hope you have a fabulous day!

8

December Guest Designer: Carissa Wiley

Hi everyone!  It’s Carissa here with you again.  Today I wanted to share a happy trio of cards featuring the Happy Holidays Die and the Tiny Triangles Background die.  When I saw the Happy Holidays sentiment die, I immediately knew that I could use this die year round to create sentiments for birthday cards, thinking of you cards and more.  So I thought I would create a few cards today that showcase this lovely sentiment.

For the first card, I combined the Happy Holidays die with the Tiny Triangles Background and the Sketchy Cupcakes stamp set.  I wanted to create a colorful peek-a-boo effect on vellum to go behind the Tiny Triangles Background.   I used some Copic markers in a rainbow of colors to quickly scribble colorful stripes on to the vellum.  There is nothing perfect about it…it’s quick and easy, but when paired with the Tiny Triangles Background, it’s the perfect pop of color.

I also used Copic markers to color my cupcake frosting.  I wanted to create a “no line” effect with the Copics, so I chose a pink Copic friendly ink to do the stamping of the frosting.  This ink won’t bleed as I color over it with the Copic markers, and will fade in to the background as I add my shading.  This is just something a little fun and different rather than having a black outline every time you use your Copic markers.

I finished off the sentiment by performing a little stamp surgery.  I cut the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Sketchy Cupcakes stamp set right down the middle.  This allows me to get more use out of this stamp because I can use the words separately or together as they were originally intended.  If you aren’t comfortable cutting your stamps, you could do a little masking instead.  I white heat embossed the sentiment on some vellum because I wanted to keep the card mostly white.

To finish off the card, I layered up all of my elements.  To add dimension, I used foam adhesive between the background layers.  I also added some polka dot vellum to the card base and a thin strip of gold glitter cardstock to repeat the gold glitter element of the sentiment.  I love this mostly white design with a bright rainbow pop in the middle.

For the second card, I repeated many of the same elements from the first card.  This time, I decided to cut several of the happy sentiments and stitch them to my Tiny Triangles Background.  I used some gold thread in my sewing machine to quickly stitch through these sentiments.  I’m kind of obsessed with stitching my die cut sentiments to my cards at the moment.

Because these cards have a lot of white, I used a textured white cardstock to cut the Tiny Triangles Background and to create the card base.  This keeps these cards from feeling too flat.  The ever so subtle texture may not seem like much, but it’s touches like these that can really make the card feel complete.  (I used the linen cardstock on all of the white portions of all three cards.)

I also changed up the layering on this card.  I used striped acetate on this card.  I cut it in to a rectangle that is slightly larger than the Tiny Triangles Background and layered them in kind of a wonky fashion.  The layers of vellum and card stock on top of the acetate allowed me to disguise some foam adhesive and add some lift to the acetate.  This draws more attention and creates a shadow and it keeps the acetate from getting lost on the white background.

To attach my vellum sentiment, I decided to use my Tiny Attacher.  I love the casual feel that the tiny staples add to the card.  And since vellum can be tricky to attach, it’s the perfect solution.

I finished the card off by adding a tiny bit of sparkle with some clear sequins.

Finally, I thought I would use the Happy Holidays die as it was designed….for a holiday card.  This card came together so quickly and I love the way it turned out.

Once again, I used gold glitter card stock to cut my greeting.  There is nothing more fun than a gold glitter greeting, especially for the holidays.  And I decided once again to attach it using some machine stitching.

I used some patterned paper for both the sentiment backdrop as well as the Tiny Triangles Background.  By mixing patterns from the same 6x6 paper pad, I knew that they would work well together.  I’m a huge fan of candy cane stripes and wood-grain patterns for the holidays.  This created the perfect mix of patterns for my card front.  

With all the traditional elements layered up on this card, I decided I needed to throw in a little greenery too.  The Boxwood Twine from Tim Holtz was the perfect touch.  I clipped it on to the card front using some mini clothespins.  To keep this in place, I squirted a little Multi Medium Matte inside the clothespins.  That should help keep it from coming unclipped.  I also clipped a gathering of some gold thread on to the card front as well.  I thought this was kind of a fun accent…and a little something different than I normally do.

So there you have it…a happy little trio of cards.  While many of the elements are repeated in the cards, they all have their own unique feel.  I hope you also got a sense of the versatility of the Happy Holidays die…it’s not just for Christmas folks!

If you’re interested, you can head over to my blog where I’ll have a video tutorial walking you through the creation of these cards.  I’ll also give you some helpful tips and tricks along the way.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Don’t forget to join me one week from today, right here on the Neat and Tangled blog for a final project for the month of December!  Until then, I hope you have a fabulous day!

7

December Guest Designer: Carissa Wiley

Hello friends!

So happy to welcome another Friday! And today we have our first post from December guest, Carissa Wiley! I love her style, her ability to add so much detail and dimension amazes me!

I know you will love what she has to share!

_________________________________

Hi everyone!  It’s Carissa here and I’m excited to be sharing here on the Neat & Tangled blog.  I’ll be creating a few projects this month using some fabulous products from Neat & Tangled.  I hope you enjoy!

Today I’ll be using the Santa’s Ride stamp set and coordinating dies to create a fun holiday card.  Christmas is coming soon, and I’m still busy making cards to share with family, friends, teachers, coworkers…and the list goes on.  

I started by stamping my images, the sleigh, present and bag full o' gifts, using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  I did some simple Copic coloring to color my images (I'll list the colors used below) and then ran them through my Big Shot with the coordinating dies.  This gives perfectly cut images every time.  I love the option of having coordinating dies with my stamp sets, because it gets me more mileage out of my stamps.  

I toyed with the idea of making this a one-layer card by masking each of the images, but in the end, I decided I would color and die cut each of the images.  This gives a bit more dimension to the card.  If you want to keep your project a little flatter for mailing, masking may be the way to go.  When masking, always work from the foreground of your scene to the back.  In this case, I would stamp the sleigh, and then stamp the present and then the bag o' gifts, masking each one along the way. 

I did end up doing a little masking for this card.  I used a nesting circle die to cut a mask.  I used some Eclipse Masking Paper, but you could use some thing typing paper with removable adhesive if you don't have masking paper.  In order to get perfect placement of my mask, I positioned the positive space (the circle portion) of the mask on to my card front, and then applied the negative space of the mask (the part with the window).  This allows me to see exactly where my window will be on my card front.  Then I removed the positive mask (the circle portion) and did a little ink blending to create my sky.

I left the mask in place to apply some embossing paste to this area as well.  By leaving the mask in place, I'll end up with snow just in that circle area.  I used a stencil and some white embossing paste.  I applied the embossing paste rather thick so that my snow had lots of dimension.  Once I removed the stencil, I added some Prisma glitter over the top of the embossing paste.  This adds a little sparkle to my snow.  I left that to dry for about 30 minutes before moving on.

I used some Metallic Platinum Sparkle Embossing Powder to emboss my sentiment and create a coordinating strip of glitter paper for the edge of my card.  Using embossing powder to create coordinating paper is a great way to pull your card together and give it a cohesive look.  Just apply your ink directly to the paper, add your embossing powder and heat.  It's also fun to apply the embossing powder to small embellishments on your card too!

I did something I don't normally do on this card.  I stamped a sentiment on the inside.  I usually leave the inside of my cards blank so that I can write a note, but I love the way that Believe and the word magic tie together.  I still believe in the magic of Christmas. :)

I finished the card off by adding some embellishments.  I added some mini bells and some greenery to the back of my sleigh.  So festive!  And to add some sparkle to my sleigh, I gave it a generous coat of Wink Of Stella.

I've created a video tutorial walking you through the creation of this card.  You can check that out over on my YouTube channel or over on my blog.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you've enjoyed this project.  And until next time, I hope you have a fabulous day!

Carissa

2