Quick card with Peace to You, Hope & Peace and Watercolor Shapes stamp sets

 Are you ready to start your Christmas card stash in July?

Usually I'm busy creating for everyone else and designing classes. I tend to neglect what I may need for the upcoming season especially Christmas cards. So that is changing this month, this year! I've started my Christmas cards early so I have my stash all ready to go when it gets near. We often think of this for birthday, thank you and sympathy cards but don't stock up on holiday cards. 

Today I want to show off the Peace to You stamp set. I love the images and sayings in this simple but beautiful stamp set. I have some tips on getting a great stamped image in my video below. 

Measurements for this card:

• Night of Navy card base: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" folded in half or scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic White Layer (front stamped piece): 5" x 3"
• Basic White strip for greeting: 2 1/2" x 1"
• Basic White layer for inside: 5" x 3 3/4"

I stamped the Holy family image using the Stamparatus. I highly recommend using this tool so you can ink and stamp the image a few times. It has quite a bit of solid background to stamp. I used Night of Navy classic ink for my image and greeting.

To get the watercolor background, I made a mask for the Holy family image with the Stampin' Up! masking paper. Then I stamped the largest rectangle from the Watercolor Shapes stamp set in Balmy Blue classic ink several times until the background was filled. Once you've finished stamping the background, you can remove the masking paper and your stamped image was protected. I colored in Joseph and baby Jesus with Early Espresso, Cajun Craze and Crushed Curry watercolor pencils, Mary is colored with Balmy Blue watercolor pencil. I did not add water to activate the pencil. I like the texture of just the pencil. If you want to water color this image, I recommend stamping in the black Staz On ink or using a blender pen to activate the pencil. Night of Navy ink is water based and can smear with water. Check out my video below to see how I stamped the background and colored the Holy family. 

Here's some other cards I made with the Peace to You and Hope & Peace stamp sets:

Here's another version of the card above with die cuts and colored with Stampin' Blends markers.

On this card I created an inlay stitched circle with the circles from Stylish Shapes dies. 
I used a Night of Navy stampin' write marker to color in the white areas on the side. You'll need
to add a few layers to darken it. Greeting from Hope & Peace is heat embossed with silver powder.
Add wink of Stella to your star to add some shine. I also added it to baby Jesus.

Quick and simple card using the church image with Night of Navy classic ink.
Trim image down and leave some extra toward the bottom for greeting.
Add wink of Stella to cross, trees and ground. Greeting stamped in Night of Navy.

Have some fun and use a bright color combo and designer series paper. 
Bermuda Bay and Basic Gray classic ink and Sweetest Christmas dsp.

Match your colors to the designer series paper you want to use.
Sweetest Christmas dsp striped pattern. Pool Party and Basic Gray classic inks.

Check out my YouTube video tutorial on my card and tips on using this stamp set. 

Would you like to check out this stamp set and the other items I used today?

You can browse and search for products in my Online Store. 

Here's a resource with all the products in a cart for your convenience. You can remove anything you already own or do not need. Peace to You card shopping list

You can view my coloring video of the Holy family done with Stampin' Blends markers here.

BONUS: If you shop in July and August 2022, it's Saleabration time. For every $50 spent (before tax and shipping) you earn FREE Saleabration items from the Saleabration Brochure. These are exclusive stamps, dies and papers that are while supplies last and only available during Saleabration. Don't miss it! 

Check out all the Saleabration items here.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. I hope you enjoyed this card and have some ideas for how to use these gorgeous stamp sets. 

Let's stay connected: 

You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and  Stamp and Create with Beth YouTube channel

Take care and happy stampin' 

~ Beth

Quick and easy watercolor wash background how-to

It's World Watercolor month! 

I'm kicking off my month with a little watercoloring. Here's a great technique anyone can do- a watercolor wash background. I love this technique for quick backgrounds that you can stamp an image on top of and create a quick and simple card. 

 

I've create three notecards with the same watercolor pencils (Night of Navy, Pacific Point and Balmy Blue). The background intensity changes with how much pressure you use when applying the pencil to your paper. I colored with the pencils right onto Basic White cardstock. Then used a water painter to smooth out the pencil. Note: when using water painters with basic white cardstock do not use very much water. The cardstock will pill or pull apart as it gets over saturated. I use a damp brush with very little water. You an also use fluid 100 watercolor paper if you have it.

Supplies used:

• Watercolor pencils assortment 1 and 2
• Water painters
• Basic White and Night of Navy cardstock
• Basic White notecards
• Honeybee Home and Happiness Abounds stamp sets
• Opal rounds
• Night of Navy blends markers
• Night of Navy classic ink pad

I used Basic White notecards & envelopes to make some quick birthday cards.

Measurements for this card:

• Basic White notecard base
• Night of Navy cardstock 4 3/4" x 3 1/4"
• Basic White cardstock 4 1/4" x 2 1/2"
• Basic White strip 1/2" x 3"

Measurements for this card:

• Basic White notecard base
• Night of Navy cardstock 4 7/8" x 3 1/4"
• Basic White cardstock 4 1/4" x 2 1/2"
• Basic White strip 1/2" x 3"

One this card I stepped it up a bit by adding some opal rounds embellishments that I colored with my dark Night of Navy Stampin' Blends marker.

Measurements for this card:

• Basic White notecard base
• Night of Navy cardstock 4 7/8" x 3 3/8"
• Basic White cardstock 4 3/4" x 3 1/4"
• Basic White strip 1/2" x 3"

Want to see how to do this technique? Check out my quick YouTube video.

Do you need the products I used on todays cards? You can check out all the items I used in my Online Store or in this shopping list.

--> Give this technique a try! It's fun and quick and you can create a ton of backgrounds in a flash. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Happy Stampin' 

~ Beth

Christmas card in red and teal

 Are red and teal Christmas colors? Yes they are! 

I am an absolute fan of reds and teals together. You can use all shades of red with all shades of teal. Go on try it! You'll love it. 

For this Christmas card, I pulled out one of my favs from years ago- Country Livin' stamp set. I just adore the truck image in this stamp set. So why not use what you got and pair it with a few new things you've collected? I used the new Christmas Barn bundle (available July 1, 2022) and the Perfectly Penciled designer series paper (2022-23 annual catalog). 

The truck is stamped on a stitched rectangle die cut (4" x 2 5/8") in Basic Gray classic ink. Then I colored it with Watercolor Pencils in Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Basic Gray and Basic Black. I did not activate the coloring with water. I love the texture of just using the pencils. The wreath (from the Christmas Barn stamp set) is stamped in Basic Gray and colored with Watercolor Pencils in Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Real Red and Cherry Cobbler. It is then die cut with the coordinating die. The greeting (Christmas Barn) is a classic and stamped in Basic Gray classic ink.

I altered my striped patterned paper (Perfectly Penciled dsp) by coloring the white areas with my Bermuda Bay and Coastal Cabana watercolor pencils. I don't think I could love this texture more. If you love texture, you're gonna love these pencils. 

Measurements and supplies for this card:

• card base: Cherry Cobbler cardstock, 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" or folded in half
• patterned paper layer: Striped pattern, 3" 3 1/2", colored white area with pencils
• stitched rectangle (#4 from largest, stitched rectangle dies), Basic White cardstock
• strip of Basic White for greeting, greeting stamped in Basic Gray classic ink
• inside layer for stamping: Basic White cardstock 5" x 3 3/4" 
• Watercolor Pencils: Assortment 1 and Assortment 2
• Perfectly Penciled designer series paper: see all patterns here.

Here's another card without the White ink splatter. Which is your favorite?

Watch my YouTube video to see how I stamped, colored my truck, stamped inside and assembled this card. 

P.S. Need some new holiday stamps? Shop the new July-December 2022 mini catalog starting July 1st! You can check out my online store here.

Thanks for stopping by my blog to check out my Christmas card. Don't forget to watch the video for all the details on this card! 

Happy Stampin'

~ Beth

In The Moment with Watercolor Pencils

 Coloring is one of my favorite things to do when I want to unwind. I don't normally grab the watercolor pencils but decided to take a class with another demonstrator. He's brilliant and his class was full of how-tos and tips. I was so excited to see the tips I learned in action and I'll definitely be coloring more with the watercolor pencils. In The Moment stamp set has absolutely grown on me. I want to keep it on my crafting table and use it constantly. Today, I want to share a card with you featuring this stamp set and the watercolor pencils. The pencils give the image such a soft feel. I love it! I also used the Timeless Tropical stamp set for my greeting. I hope this card inspires you to get out some outline stamps and spend some time coloring with your watercolor pencils. I enjoyed coloring and layering colors on the image I choose. How can you not love this stamp set?! Check out the tutorial and try this layout out. 

How-to Tutorial:

• Cut Basic Gray cardstock  5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4" for your card base.
• Stamp image in Basic Gray classic ink. Color with watercolor pencils. I used Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Calypso Coral.
• Die cut stamped image with a Layering Diorama die. I label my dies as the biggest being #1. For my image, I used #5.
• Die cut several more pieces with the diorama dies from Basic White cardstock. I used #2,3 & 4. 
• On die cuts #2 & 4, I used a blending brush and added ink. I wanted a soft look instead of die cutting the coordinating colored cardstock. I had a happy little accident during this step. I originally used Smoky Slate classic ink and then decided it was too dull. So I added Bermuda Bay classic ink on top. I love the tone that I ended up with. The #2 layer (largest) didn't have as much Smoky Slate so it is a little brighter. 
• On die cut #3, I used a decorative mask (polka dots) and Coastal Cabana classic ink applied with a blending brush. I love the pop of pattern here. 
• The diorama layers are adhered to the card base with liquid glue (or whatever adhesive you prefer). 
• The greeting is stamped on Basic Gray cardstock (2 3/4" x 1", adjust to fit your greeting) in Versamark ink and embossed with white embossing powder and a heat tool. 
• I cut a piece of Frayed Ribbon about 4". It is folded over and stapled to secure the fold. Then I adhered it to the back of my greeting piece with tear and tape. Trim the edges to fit card front. 
• Adhere greeting piece and ribbon with dimensionals in the lower left corner area. 

Close up of the soft texture from watercolor pencils.

My card is done in landscape but you could certainly do it as a portrait layout. For the inside of my card, I added extra cardstock layers. When you have loads of layers on the front of your card, it can feel a bit heavy. I want my recipient to feel they can display my cards so adding layers inside helps balance out that weight. To keep with the softness of the layers and feel of the card front, I used a blending brush and Bermuda Bay classic ink on the edge of Basic White cardstock cut to 5 1/4" x 4". Then I layered a piece of 5" x 3 3/4" Basic White cardstock on top to write or stamp my message. 

Want to get these products? Go to my website and view a list of products used on this card. You can add them to your cart and remove any items you already own. Click here to view my resource and supply list. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are inspired to give it a try. Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Want to see more card samples? Are you into creative challenges? 

Check out my Facebook page Beth Roy, Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator.

Happy Stampin' 

~ Beth