UPDATE:  I have added a video on how I did the watercolor techniques:
Parts appear blurry, but close ups are clear

I just *love* the new Occasions Mini Catalog set ‘Apothecary Art’ (wood: #125525, clear: #125527) that so perfectly coordinates with our new Sizzix Framelits die set called ‘Labels Collection’ for the Big Shot.  If you have been holding out getting a Big Shot, I think the new Framelits dies are going to be what finally pushes you over the edge, LOL!

This is one of the cards that is part of my new online order gift… read all about your purchase gifts here.  The card is ‘Not Quite Navy’ cardstock, the image is stamped in Black StazOn and colored in with the Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a blender pen (which is a change for me, I usually use the Aquapainters, but this time I wanted a more ‘controlled’ watercolor look).  The layer in the middle is Soft Suede and the flowers in the focal image were shaded (outside) with the Soft Suede Watercolor Crayon (from the Neutrals collection).

Other accessories I used are:  Basic Pearls (#119247), ‘Victoria‘ (#118481) Crochet Trim ribbon, (new) Twitterpated Designer Buttons (from the Occasions Mini Catalog).  Other Sizzix accessories are the Embossing Folders:  Elegant Lines #119277 and Square Lattice #119976.

Okay, be honest… what do you think?

Amazing, but it is the last day to order from the 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog… click here to view it online for a limited time.  And remember, I am offering these 6×6 books below (one free for each $75 online order) FULLY FINISHED with all accessories for one more week (click here full details).

If you are reading this via email, you will have to view the article on the web to see the video.  Below are the books shown and you can download the instructions under each photo:

CLICK HERE to Download the photo instructions
for the Gently Falling Book

CLICK HERE to Download the photo instructions
for the Christmas Lodge Book

Enjoy the video on the construction of the book, be sure if you like the sets that you order them today… in case they are not picked up in the new catalog (coming out in July 2012)–this might be your last chance!  If you like the designer papers, remember they have never carried over into the next catalog in the past, so stock up!  As for accessories, click here for the flyer on which accessories will continue to be available.

This ‘stair step’ card made with the Christmas Lodge set is simple and pretty–and a major WOW in the 3D Christmas card department.

If you are reading this via email, you won’t be able to see the fabulous video that I created to show you how it was made.  BUT you can download the photo step-by-step instructions for this card (below).  If you are reading this via email, you can view the video in the article online here.

NEW– for a limited time, you can get the kit of supplies (pre-cut cardstock and embellishments) for this AND three other projects FREE for your $75 online order (Americans only, sorry!).  In fact there are a few different projects to choose from. Read all about this offer and get the project sets and required accessories HERE.

I just simply love this new set of outline/inline stamps ‘Gently Falling’ from the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Mini Catalog.

In fact, I actually got my act together and created a video (if you are reading this via Feedburner mail, you can’t see the video).

You’ll see that my hand is bandaged… I got the idea to give my cat a flea-bath. Seemed like a good idea at the time.  I have stitches, antibiotics and a tetanus shot for my efforts. Anyone want an orange tabby cat? Spayed and all her shots.

But I digress.

The card is Very Vanilla on Crumb Cake.  The ink is Crumb Cake and the leaf is Wild Wasabi and Pumpkin Pie done with the ‘rolling’ technique.  This is an old technique that’s been around forever, however it is easier ‘seen than said,’ if you get what I mean.

I want to credit Erika Clark for the inspiration for this card!

This is the first of two samples of a ‘faux horizon’ using sponge daubers and dye inks on ‘glossy’ cardstock.

With this sample, I have included a short video clip on how to do this simple, yet effective technique.

The set used here is ‘Scenic Season’ #115354, Sponge daubers and Barely Banana, Blush Blossom and Bashful Blue inks and glossy cardstock.

You can’t tell from the photo but the horizon line was done with glitter.  Enjoy the video, and feel free to leave feedback!

In the video, I not only show this easy folding method to an excellent gift bag/purse, but also the watercolor techniques that I used to color this awesome ‘Victorian’ Santa.

Supplies used in the project:

• 115326   Good Cheer stamp set (set of 3)  $22.95
• 115672   Merry Moments Designer Paper   $9.95
• 101650  Very Vanilla Cardstock  (40 sheets)  $7.50
• 102514  Creamy Caramel Cardstock (24 sheets)  $7.95
• 106696  Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder Crayons  (12 colors) $19.95
• 103954  Aquapainters (set of 2)  $16.95
• 112533  Jumbo Brads 5/8 in. Neutrals  (8 ea. of 4) colors, $6.95
• 109053  Bravo Burgundy 5/8 in grosgrain ribbon (15 yds)  $7.95
• 111343  Chunky Sprinkles glitter (iridescent) set of 4 colors  $15.95

ENJOY!

Receive this via email and can’t see the video? Click here to view it.

As promised, my video on the Special FX background (aka, ‘Direct to Paper’ technique) using Stampin’ Up! Crafter’s inks, Pearl Ex powders and Stampin’ Up!’s Iridescent Ice embossing powder (#101930).

To recap what’s on the video in terms of supplies:

The card is using the Good Cheer set (#115326), the pine trees are from the new holiday set ‘Scenic Season’ and Winter Post (both on pg.35 in Stampin’ Up!’s new idea book & catalog).

The Stampin’ Up! crafter’s inks used are Whisper White, Always Artichoke, More Mustard and So Saffron.  I stamped the focal image in Black StazOn on Very Vanilla paper and colored in gently with the Stampin’ Up! Earth Elements Watercolor Crayons and an Aquapainter.

I used Gold Encore pad sponged on to antique the edges.  I used iridescent rhinestones (2 sizes for effect) and Stampin’ Up!’s Chunky Sprinkles glitter which adds maximum iridescent sparkle!

A few years back, I posted samples using this ‘direct to paper’ technique here.  The posts leads to step by step instruction of this background technique… you can see it here.

You can buy an awesome set of Pearl Ex pigment powders from Dharma Trading online HERE (this is exactly the first set I ever purchased).  They are also my favorite source for fabrics for stamping and painting on.

Hope you enjoyed the video… I am such a spaz… I have bruises on my arms, they aren’t dirty, LOL… I just walk into things.  [This is the problem with me being so OC about these videos... if I waited for perfect, you'd never see them!]

Can’t view the video? CLICK HERE to view it on my site (it won’t go through via email).

I’m having fun with the Bigz XL Die ‘Pop Up Look Here’ die for the Sizzix Big Shot… so much so that I wanted to share a short video clip on putting it together (for those of us who won’t read the directions that came with it!).  It is very difficult for me to publish a video.  Besides from the obvious (being a video challenged individual), I am terribly ‘Type A’ person (READ: it must be perfect) before I will publish it.  I need to let go of that (I’m working on it!).

Check out my ‘Video Channel’ AmyTV for all my videos!  Be kind in your feedback!

The card was made with Melon Mambo (pink) and Crushed Curry (yellow) and the Razzleberry Lemonade designer series papers.  The sets are the new ‘On a Pedestal’ set (#113814, set of 7) and the (dormant) Big Birthday Candle.

Immediately below are two small shots of the cards and under that a cool slideshow of the card at several angles (click here if you can’t see the slideshow).

I hope you enjoy this… I had a LOT of fun.  I am designing a Christmas pop up card for a ‘Christmas In July’ workshop I am doing on Saturday evening for one of my FAVORITE customers.  Okay, don’t you need a ‘Christmas’ themed in-home workshop?  Contact me if you are in the So. Chester Co. PA/northeast MD/DE area!

So… how did you like it?!

 CLICK HERE to view my Flowerpot Accordion Card video (if you are receiving this via email, the video doesn’t come through).

Just in time for Mother’s Day!  This is my Mother’s Day card to my awesomely wonderful mother-in-law… don’t tell her!   Sets: A Rose is a Rose, Bella Toile backgound stamp;  Accessories: Creamy Caramel c/s, Vanilla c/s, Close to Cocoa ink, Riding Hood Red ink, Pink Pirhouette ink, Kiwi Kiss ink, Baja Breeze ink.

To the left, I have included the flowerpot template as well as the ‘map’ for stamping the roses for the inside of the card below as explained in the video (and in case you are crazy like me and wish to make the same exact card). 

Below are thumbnails you can click on for larger images of the flowerpot ‘accordion’ card from different angles.  This card isn’t as hard as it looks!

Enjoy this video… it seemed monotone to me, but I got up at 4am to tape so that the house would be quiet.  My voice sounds strange because I was trying to film and not wake anyone up! 

So, am I getting better at video?  I’ve created an ‘AmyTV‘ page (which will pull all my videos together in one place).  Enjoy!