Clearly iStamp

Its all about options at Clear Dollar Stamps!

Hi friends!  Its Katie here to welcome you to a Tuesday Tutorial.  Just like my title says, I wanted to share a couple of cards that were made using different options that are available here on Lori's blog as well as from the store.

If you recall or if you haven't seen it yet, Lori created a very handy stamp grid template to help you create the perfect stamped background...taking the randomness and making it easy. 

Well, I opted to use it for another purpose and for a different result.  I also created the same type of technique and design using a fabulous new stamp set released for this month called Diamond Circle Background.

Download Stampgridtemplate

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Here are your basic tools that you will need.

To start out, I printed the diamond grid background onto Cottonball White Cardstock.  I cut the piece to my own dimensions, your basic A2 card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")

 

Next, all you have to do is line up each printed line with any of the grooves, just make sure you've got the same groove lined up... trust me, I've missed before :)  Then just score away.

 

Flip your piece over and voila a perfectly even scored background.

 

Here is a sample I did using a white core cardstock.  In this case, I already had this piece of cardstock cut and I just attached to a piece of copy paper and printed.

Follow those lines and score away.

 

Flip over, grab your sanding too and create another fabulous textured look.

 

Here I grabbed my white piece and opted to ink my score marks with a creamy distress ink.

 

My next piece uses the same technique, but I've opted to use the new Diamond Circle Background stamp. This is a fabulous and large image.  The stamp measures a whopping 5" square.  I opted to stamp a 4"x4" square for this sample.

Stamp your image... doesn't have to be perfect for this technique.

 

Use the same technique on your Scor-pal to create your scores.  This grid will give you different dimensions compared to the free download... remember its all about options and choices.

 

And now for a couple of finished cards for you.  For this one I used the inked up grid from the free download and paired it with a set called Peace for the Journey and another New Release set this month called Marquee Labels.

I wanted to let you know that my photo color is off and the cardstock I used was Ripe Olive which is a match for the velvet ric rac. 

 

For my last card, I used the piece that I scored using the large stamp as my guide.  I paired it with this month's card kit stamp set called Daisy Flower Tag.  Remember, this set can be purchase by itself or with several kit options.

 

So there you go.  Thanks for joining me here at Clearly iStamp.  I hope you have a wonderful day!

 
 
 
 

A Father's Day Tutorial - woodgrain continued

Hi friends, its Katie here with Tuesday's tutorial but on Wednesday :)  Today, I've got one final Father's Day idea for you.  I think this would work for any type of father out there.

I combined my idea with that great PDF woodgrain freebie that Lori created from last week.  I just couldn't get enough of it.

CLICK HERE to get to the free download.

So let's get started.   For this project you will need 2 sheets of printed woodgrain and 2 pieces of cardstock.

We'll start with the top portion.  You will need a piece of cardstock measuring 8 1/2" x 5 3/4"

 

Score 2" in along the 8 1/2" side.

 

Flip and score in 1 3/4" on both sides.

 

Cut for flaps.

Next, you will need to cut a piece of the printed background measuring 1 3/4" x 5"

 

Attach to the middle section of top piece.

Next, I used the second to the smallest circle in the small set to create my openings for the top. 

I cut 3 openings.

Apply adhesive and fold up.

Its now time to create the bottom of the container.  You will need a piece of cardstock measuring 8 1/2" x 11 3/4"

 

Score along both the 8 1/2" sides  at 1 3/4".  Score along both the 11 3/4" sides at 5".

Cut side flaps.

You will need 2 more pieces of the woodgrain background paper measuring 5" x 5" and 2 pieces measuring
1 3/4" x 5".   Attach the 5x5 pieces.

 

And the side pieces.  There will be a bit that over extends, but don't worry.

Flip the box over and decide with side will be your front.  Apply adhesive all the way across the top, but only extend down about 1 1/2" or so, just the height of the top portion you just created.

 

Lay the top portion down where you just applied the adhesive. Lift flaps and attach to the upper top.

Next, apply adhesive to the outside of the flaps and the bottom sides and the "top" portion of your bottom.  You can just make out where I already laid my adhesive in the picture.

 

Attach the flaps to the inside of the box.

 

Lift the bottom portion upward and attach to the smaller box portion (top) and then bring in your side flaps.

 

Your organizer/ pen/pencil holder is finished.  At this point the sky is the limit as to how you would like to decorate it.  Imagine putting a fabulous picture of the kids on the front. 

 

I chose to create a plaque of sorts and spell out DAD for my front.  I cut a piece of the woodgrain background as well as a couple of extra pieces of cardstock to give my piece some thickness.  I used a nestability for this, but you could just cut and use a ticket punch.

 

I then grabbed some chipboard letters that I have in my stash, inked them, and then used the woodgrain stamp to create some texture for my letters.

Then just pop dot it right onto the front of my organizer.  I also did a lot of direct ink to my edges... love the look.

 

And remember those cards from last week?  Perfect combo!

Well that's it folks!  An early Happy Father's Day to all those Dads out there!  Thanks as always for joining us at Clearly iStamp.  I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

A freebie, a prize, and some Father's Day Inspiration

Hey friends, its Katie here with lots of business to take care of.  First of all, we'd like to thank all of you who commented and shared ideas about Lori's new Card Kit endeavor.  I've said this over and over again, but Lori truly hears what you have to say when it comes to stamps and product.

We've got a winner coming so without further ado...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

1

Timestamp: 2010-06-08 06:13:20 UTC

Can you believe it?  It always seems like its rare that #1 wins, but that is the case today.

Shelly Cameron is our winner of Clear Dollar Stamps first card kit!  Shelly, please e-mail [email protected]  with your mailing address.

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Now for the FREEBIE!  Lori has been coming up with some fabulous downloadable backgrounds for you and today I've got another one to share with you.

Today's is a woodgrain design which if I recall was a specific request from last time around and just in time to create some fabulous "manly" cards for the Dads in your life.

Download WoodGrain

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And now to show you some of the ways you can use this background.  Here is a photo of the background printed on a piece of Mud Pie Cardstock.  This background will print in brown and if you don't have a color printer it will print black. 

Below is a better representation of the cardstock color... One option is to dry emboss your cardstock after you've printed the background.  This adds even more texture to the piece.  As you can see, I used the Distressed Stripes folder.

 

Here is a side by side comparison.

Feel fee to ink away too.

 

How about using the VersaMarker embossing pen?  I was a bit heavy handed with the marker, but you can see that it creates another look to this background.  I used clear embossing powder.

How about creating your own wood flooring with another embossing technique... same Versamarker pen, but with gold embossing powder this time. 

I can totally envision this background with Wendy's stamp set Pirate Ahoy!

 

Here are a couple of Father's Day inspired cards that I created using this fabulous FREEBIE.

I grabbed Old Wagon, stamped it with VersaMark ink and used clear powder to create my image.  I then took some craft paint and smeared it over the image and then took a tissue and blotted it away.  The tissue left bits while I was dabbing, but I loved this look.

If you notice, I also used Worn Parchment to print my background on too.  Sentiment came from one of the newer releases called Gone Fishin'.

And my next card was created with the embossed background and features one of my all time favorite sets called Scenic Trees.  #1 Dad is from another new release by Wendy called Backyard Barbeque. I paired some Tim Holtz distress ink with some Mossy Woods textured cardstock.

I hope you enjoy Lori's latest background for you and as well as getting inspired for Father's Day.  Its just around the corner...

Thanks for visiting today and don't forget we've got our newest challenge going as well as a chance for a guest design team spot.  Its all below, so just keep on swimming... er scrolling!

Have a great day!

 

Another FREE background download

Hi friends, its Katie here to welcome you to a FUN FRIDAY!  Lori's been at it again and has created another free Downloadable  PDF for you to create your own background paper.  If you missed it earlier, Lori's first background PDF can be found in THIS POST (just scroll down).

Before I get to today's freebie which is available in a small, medium, and large scale, I wanted to share with you a couple of ways that you can use these backgrounds to create your own look or customize them to the exact colors you want.

Your first option is to create entire 8 1/2 x 11 sheets and save for future use or you can print smaller pieces of cardstock.  I have no idea how other people do it, but this is what I do and it works for me.

For this example, I cut a piece of silk lightweight watercolor paper and a piece of neenah white cardstock.  I used a very small piece of ATG tape (literally just 1/4" worth) to tape these pieces onto an 8 1/2 x 11 printer paper.

Then I put the whole thing into the printer.

Here is your peek at the NEW BACKGROUND.  Gently remove your cardstock pieces.

  

Here is a sampling of the three different scales.

But before we get there... here is another option for you.  You can print right on colored cardstock and create your own backgrounds this way.  You can color or you  can leave plain.

Here are some examples of backgrounds and cards that I created for you.  This one uses the background printed on plain silk watercolor paper and the neenah cardstock.  I used Copic RV06 (bubble gum) and YR07(tangelo smoothie) and Tombow 755 (bubble gum) and Tombow 925 (tangelo smoothie).

 

Here are some cards using these and other backgrounds.  This sentiment comes from the set called Words of Gratitude.  I wanted the focus to be on this fun background and used the largest scale for this background.  

 

Next up is the background printed on Tickled Pink cardstock.  I used an image from Fashionably French and colored the dress with Copic Marker RV04.  It was cut using Spellbinders Labels 8  with the addition of stain and silk ribbon.

And one last one using Turquoise Gem cardstock.  I opted to color in some of the circles for a different look.  I used Still Waters to mat and the image is from Cute Caboose.  Accent ribbon is Sweat Pea.

 

So how about that FREE background!

Download FlowerDotBackgroundSmall 

Download MediumFlowerDot

Download LargeFlowerDot

Remember to test your printed background for fastness with either your Tombow and/or Copic markers. You may need to heat set or let sit overnight.

Thank you for coming to visit and I hope you have fun with and enjoy this new downloadable background.