All about Shimmer

Today at Sisters in Stamping we are focusing this last week in March on Shimmer Paint. Hope you have enjoyed all the techniques that were covered this past month.  It was fun to use some products that I haven't used in awhile.  Plus it forced me to be creative with some things that I don't normally use (i.e. things that may not be my favorites).

Here is my card.  I used the shimmer paint, frost white, on a dauber and applied it directly to the inked stamp.  You can see that I used it only on the outside of the medallion and not on the inside circle.  That is just solid ink in Rich Razzleberry.  So first, I inked the stamp in Rich Razzleberry ink.  Then I took a sponge dauber and dipped it in the Frost White shimmer paint.  And finally, I just tapped the dauber all over the area that I wanted to have shimmer on it.

The picture below shows a close-up of the tulip frame embossed very vanilla cardstock.  I used the sponge dauber (after I used it on the inked stamp) to lightly brush on some color and shimmer.

And this final picture is a close up of the medallion that I applied shimmer too.  See how pretty it is. Here you can see the difference between the shimmered part and the non-shimmered part better too.

I loved making this card.  It was a bit different but I think the finished project is just stunning.  Of course, it's just so much better in real life.  For even more ideas using Shimmer paint, check out the Sisters in Stamping blog.

Don't forget Sale-a-bration is ending next Thursday, March 31.  Contact me today to place your Sale-a-bration order so you can receive at least one of the Sale-a-brations items for FREE.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Brayer? When was the last time you used yours?

Let me start off by saying, "I'm so sorry for being a bit absent these last two weeks."  Not sure how it happened but I have been extremely busy and unable to sit at the computer much to type my posts.  I hope to post more often this coming week so please be sure to come back often.

Now on to business, this week at Sisters in Stamping in are focusing on the brayer and the ways you can use it. I must admit that this was a bit tricky for me because I don't use the brayer much at all.  Honestly I can't tell you the last time I used it.

So I decided to to a quick card using the brayer for the reflection technique.  Ever tried your hand at it?  This was my first time and it wasn't too bad. But I'll let you be the judge of that, what do you think?

See the trees in the reflection of the water?  I stamped up the multiple tree stamp from the great, classic, Lovely as a Tree stamp set.  I rolled the brayer over the stamp and then rolled it onto the cardstock.  This allows you to get the reverse image.  I then stamped the trees the "normal" way of stamping onto the cardstock.  To finish it off, I used the brayer to add the water and the green to the top of the images.  I suggest you use glossy cardstock when using the brayer because it is easier to "move" the color on the glossy rather than the smooth cardstock.

I also used the two way glue pen and some dazzling diamonds glitter to make the reflection "glimmer" in the water.  I will certainly be playing with this technique more because it was fun and pretty easy to do.  Hope you enjoyed and learned a new tip this week.

Don't forget to head over to Sisters in Stamping to see what else you can do with the brayer.  Have an awesome weekend.  I know I will. I'm headed to Hartford, CT this weekend for one of Stampin' Up! regional seminars.  I love stamping with several hundred friends.  I'll be sure to share more about the seminar next week.

Time to Heat Things Up

Welcome to another fabulous Friday at Sisters in Stamping. This week we are heating things up with embossing, aka embossing with a heat gun and some embossing powder.
Remember the entire month of March we will be focusing on different stamping techniques.  So be sure to come back every Friday to see what the technique of the week is.

I used the Bold Blossom stamp set for my Spring card.  I'm really itching for Spring at this point.  I want all the snow melted and out of sight until at least December.  Will it happen, who knows, that's the beauty of living on the mountain in NEPA.

Anyway, I did the emboss resist technique on my card. Here's what you do, stamp in versamark, emboss with white or clear embossing powder, and then sponge different colors over the embossed images.  The embossed image resists the ink.  The ink won't stick to it.

Isn't she a beauty?  Definitely saying ready for Spring with this one.  I also used the versamark pad to ink the flowers on the 3 different strips that are attached to the base layer.  That way I got the tone on tone look without having to use 3 different ink pads and cleaning the stamp in between colors.  One of my favorite uses for the versamark besides embossing. So now it's time for you to go get out your heat gun and do some embossing.

Have a great day!

March 2011 Classes

**Stampin’ Classes**

By Rachel Yurkanin – Stampin Up! Demonstrator

570-689-5371 Email: dryurkanin@comcast.net

Website: www.rachelyurkanin.stampinup.net

Gather your friends for a night of fun while you earn free stamps and supplies. Book your workshop today. We can do any theme you would like.

March 2011 Classes

Classes are held at my home unless otherwise noted.

Let’s Get Punchy Class: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 6:30 PM

Make 2 different 6x6 pages and 2 cards of characters/things using Stampin’ Up! Punches. The pages and cards will use the same characters/things.
• This class will be offered on the second Tuesday of every month.
• Cost: $25.00 for the first month (this includes a 6x6 album to place your pages in for future reference). Every other month after the first will be $10.00. This fee includes all supplies to complete the pages and the cards. All you need to bring is your own snail adhesive.


Petal Cone Die Class: Sunday, March 13, 2011 – 2:00

• Make 6 projects (cards and 3-D items) using the Petal Cone Die available in the Occasions Mini Catalog. This die is so versatile you won’t believe all that you can make using it. A heart card, an ice cream cone card, an altered smaller sized box just to name a few.

• Cost: $40.00 – Includes all supplies to complete the cards and projects plus your own Petal Cone Die to take home with you. All you need to bring is your own snail adhesive.

• Registration Deadline: March 8, 2011.



Stamp-A-Stash: Thursday, March 17, 2011 – 6:30 PM

• Make 12 cards: 3 designs, 4 of each design. Great way to build your card collection so you won’t be caught without a card for the next special occasion.

• Cost: $20.00 – Includes all supplies to complete the cards and envelopes. All you need to bring is your own snail adhesive.

• Registration Deadline: March 15, 2011



Big Shot Club, Sunday, March 27, 2011 2:00 PM

Do you love the big shot but can’t justify the expense all at once? Well, I have the perfect club for you. Read on for all the details.

As a part of this club you are in essence purchasing a big shot and some accessories for it using a layaway plan.

• This club will run for 4 months and be $46 a month.

• At the end of the club you will have your own big shot machine, one die ($21.95), the Stampin’ Up! Texture plates ($11.95), one embosslit ($11.95) and one sizzlit 4 pack ($19.95).

• This is plenty of supplies to have a lot of fun playing with your new big shot at the end of the club.

• Each month we will meet and I will share 3 projects with you (that you will make as well) using the big shot. By the end of the club you will know how to work all the great tools that are available for the Big Shot. We won’t be using just paper either. I will show you several different materials that work wonderfully with the Big Shot.

• If you are unable to attend the make n take session, you can still join this club. I will make the projects for you and get them to you. So this is a club for everyone.

• Plus as a club member you will receive $15 credit and a level 1 hostess gift. Isn’t this a sweet deal?

• If you already own the Big Shot you are welcome to attend the class for $10 per month.

Let's start 2-steppin'

This month, yes, the whole month, over at Sisters in Stamping we will be focusing on different stamping techniques rather than specific products like we have been.  We thought we'd switch it up a bit.  So for the first week the theme is 2-step stampin'.  One of perhaps the easiest techniques that many stampers start with but one that ALWAYS give a wow in the end. I love 2-step stampin' because it gives me a lot of color with minimal effort.  You all know how much I love to color, NOT!!!!!!!!

I decided to use the Awash with Flowers stamp set for my card.  (And, here's a side note, for anyone attending either of my events on Saturday, this is one of the cards you will also get to make)  This is a set that many people were able to get last year before it debuted in the big book, so I know those stampers will appreciate another idea using a  set they already have.

I went for a bright look and a stark contrast by using the black and white cardstock.  I love how it looks in person.  The camera just doesn't do it justice.  I used Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, & Tempting Turquoise cardstocks and ink.  I also used Wild Wasabi ink for the tiny little leaves on the flowers. Again, I did my current favorite ribbon technique, what I call, "ruffling" to finish off the card.

Here's a close-up of the stamped portion of the card.  The "inside" stamps (the one that are different colors) don't line up exactly inside the "outside" (aka line) stamps and that is how it's supposed to be.  SOOOOOOO, don't stress when you don't get it "perfect."  Those of you who stamp with me on a regular basis know, "It's not supposed to be perfect. It's homemade and comes from the heart. That's all that matters."  Right???

Don't forget to head over to the Sisters in Stamping blog to see more 2-step stamping ideas.  Next week we will be looking at different techniques using the heat embossing method.  You certainly won't want to miss out on those ideas.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Boy, does time fly!!!!!

I can't believe I haven't posted since Friday and here it is Thursday already.  Where does the time go?  It sure flies by even when your not having tons of fun.  Although, I did have some fun this past weekend.  Don and I went to New York City for some sprucing up our 'do's and to see a show.  The show was my birthday present and I must say it was so worth the month and a half wait.  We saw Wicked and I recommend it to everyone.  I will never watch the Wizard of Oz in the same mindset that I used to. That's all I'm going to say because I don't want to ruin it on anyone.

So since I'm talking about flying by, I thought I would share with you a card I made for February's Stamp-a-Stash class. One of the attendees asked in advance for a masculine card and this is what I came up with. I used the awesome Plane & Simple set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

I know I struggle with masculine cards so when she asked for it, I completely understand why she wanted them.  It's so much easier to make "girly" cards.  Besides I like when I get requests because then I know I'm doing what people want and it challenges me to sometimes work outside my little safe haven.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for a Fabulous Friday posting.  For the month of March the Sisters in Stamping will be focusing on techniques.  This first week we are going to look at a classic technique that is always a wow, two-step stamping.  See you tomorrow.