Video!

I had originally brought up the topic of video making over on the CAS blog, but since I had shared the Letterpress cards here first, I figured I'd show the video here. This is my first video ever, so please be nice. I was all set to use a Flip camera, but it's apparently MIA (I figure someone else is using it), so I went with the adequate Canon SD1100IS instead. If you have any questions about the technique, feel free to leave a comment! I didn't include the final card, since it was really simple and the night lighting made it hard to get a decent shot of the impression. But you can go here if you're wanting a better idea of what the pressed design looks like.
See the video at Youtube.



Questions asked answered here:

The paper I used in the video was the paper offered by Lifestyle Crafts Letterpress. I got a pack here. I used some Crane Lettra, but haven't found a reasonable source for shipping in or to Canada. I just recently got an order from Paper-Papers.com. They sell quite a few types of cotton paper. I picked up some of the 118lb Savoy in bright white and in natural white. It presses quite nicely!

Although the plates I had made are photopolymer, they are a much harder form than the stamps so many of us crafters use. I have tried to use a photopolymer stamp and it did not go so well. The image pressed into the paper, but so did the entire area around the stamp. Not pretty! The pressure of the machine also caused irreversible damage to the stamp.

Birthday Wishes

Last night was a home movie night. That usually means that I bring out something to do while watching the movie. I enjoy movies, but I feel like I can multi-task a little bit. This time, I brought up some markers and this stamp set and coloured a little bit while watching.


So this morning I figured I should make a card so the coloured art didn't go unused and forgotten! I had downloaded the latest Colour Couture just to see what it was all about. I figured it's $5, so why not? I went to use the artisan card front, when I realized that I had a die that could possibly work in a similar way- Nestabilities Labels 8. Instead of running the paper and die sandwich through completely, I only wheeled it as far as needed. This meant no awkward impression from the back side of the die (where the paper is fed through to avoid the cutting part of the die). The shape is slightly less pronounced than the artisan design, so I'm not saying don't get the download (there are digital papers and fun inspiration sheets in it too after all!). I'm just saying, sometimes you realize that supplies that you already own can be used in a slightly out of the box way.


So finally, here's the card:Supplies:
Stamps: Friends 'til the End, Mixed Messages, Background Basics: Text Style
Ink: Spring Moss, Rich Cocoa
Paper: Summer Sunrise, New Leaf, Spring Moss, Lemon Tart
Accessories, etc.: Nestabilities (Labels 8 and Double Ended Tags), Ribbon, Copics

Pressed Designs

I've recently become a little obsessed with letterpress. Unfortunately I'm in no place to track down a machine and learn how to use it. I became quite intrigued with the Lifestyle Letterpress kit (made by Quickutz). Once I found out I could use the basic start kit in other roller machines, I was sold. I picked up the starter kit and got to work with the ink, papers, and plates that came with it. I'm really happy with the design of the kit- it has a nice grid layout and lots of space for a cardmaker. I like the ink too!

Unfortunately, I was less than impressed with the quality of plates. The designs are fantastic, but after 3 times through the Wizard or the Cuttlebug, the plates showed serious wear. Cracks all around the design and even lines on the design itself. I was very sad. I immediately began to research higher quality plates, which brought me to this post. So I got to work making some fun illustrations, and not even 3 weeks later and thanks to an awesome online friend, I have my unique plate! Boxcar Press makes photopolymer plates. Now before you go trying to run your precious stamps through a roller machine, wait! The photopolymer plates are much harder. On a side note I have successfully stamped with the plate images, using a bit of pressure and pigment ink.

So here's one of many projects to come. One of the dangerous things about the whole plate production process being easy (for me anyway), is that I want to make so many more!
And here's an up close version. My next problem is tracking down 100% 110 lb cotton paper in Canada. It's been quite the task. This one is printed on Crane's Lettra. You can click on the photos if you want to see a slightly larger version.

A few cards

I decided to make a few cards yesterday that had inspiration coming from different places. The first was from this post at Nichole Heady's blog. I loved all the colour combinations and wanted to try a few. The second place was at the Moxie Fab blog. The challenge was to make 5 different types of cards- birthday, thinking of you, love, season's greetings, and thank you. So here are 4 out of my 5 cards (the last card used different colours and is more appropriate for a ten minute Monday at the CAS blog).


First up is love. I struggled with this one a bit. I finally decided to leave it greeting-less. I figured the hearts, especially the one with a few words, spoke for themselves!



Next up is the thank you card. I am sure I have done this before, but I love blending the colours Lemon Tart and Summer Sunrise on those flower images!



Lastly is a cheerful birthday card. I hadn't used the vase yet from this set, so I decided to piece together a floral arrangement.



Supplies: (most supplies from Papertrey Ink)

Stamps: Beautiful Blooms, Bloomin' Button Bits, Polka Dot Basics I, Background Basics: Hearts, Background Basics: Retro, Floral Frenzy, Take a Bough, Vintage Ornaments, Vintage Picnic, Heart Prints

Inks: Sweet Blush, Raspberry Fizz, New Leaf, Summer Sunrise, Melon Berry, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate, Lemon Tart

Paper: White, Summer Sunrise, New Leaf, Raspberry Fizz, Lemon Tart, Spring Moss, Melon Berry, Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate, Kraft, Vintage Cream

Accessories, etc.: Pop dots, buttons, string, satin ribbon, brown grosgrain, scallop punch, pearls

A few tree cards

I've got a few tree-themed cards today. For the first card, I decided to make my own leaves by using the brush tip of 3 different green Copics. It was actually pretty quick! I thought it needed a bit of POP, so I added the cute little red bird.


The second card uses some good old brayering. I went with Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, (possibly Really Rust?) Ruby Red, and a bit of Not Quite Navy to make the background. The trees are embossed with brown embossing powder.

Supplies:
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics, Through the Trees (Papertrey Ink)