Thursday, January 8, 2009

Stamp Simply -- it's still winter!

Hi all! How's the weather in your neck of the woods? Are you having to snuggle in a bit? It was slushy and 50 today! I am trying not to get too excited for warmer weather-- yet!

The weather is what today's Stamp Simply challenge ---courtesy of the fabulous Sharon Johnson --- is all about! That's why it's called - It's Still Winter! (keyword ssnotime69 on Splitcoast). Here's the gist - Let's pull out those snowflake and snowman stamps now that they've had a little rest since Christmas. Make any type of card that says WINTER -- and if you can do that without using a snowman or snowflake, all the better!

Well, I didn't pull out a stamp. I pulled out a stencil and some bleach! Because this is such a fun technique, I decided to break it down for you in a tutorial. EDITED TO ADD: When I posted this, I didn't stress that this technique is not one I came up with. I saw it at my local stamp store! Turns out, it is a technique from Dreamweaver's owner Lynell Harlow herself. So, I really have to give credit where credit is due. She has some AMAZING cards on the Dreamweaver gallery. Click HERE to check them all out!

Here's a peek at the card...
I wanted to create the look of a gently falling snow at night with the moon shining through. Here is how I did it! I started with a trees Dreamweaver brass stencil....

Then, I cut a piece of navy cardstock to measure the same as my stencil - roughly 4 by 5-1/2". Punch a hole in a post-it for my "moon" and create the snow line with a torn post-it down below. Mask it, so it looks like this...
Now, it's time to lay the stencil over top, gently taping it at the top. Fill a small spray bottle with bleach and spritz! You'll want to do this one rather heavy because you want the snow and moon to be pronounced. This is what you want to do....

Once you heat set the bleach, peel off the Post-Its and lift up the template, this is what your "scene" will look like so far!

Now, you want to rest the brass stencil back down trying to make sure it is aligned the same way and gently spritz again. Like this...

This time when you spray with the bleach, you want to make sure you spray from higher up so that your spray is a little more spotty. This is where you get your snowfall look! When you are done, lift up the template and heat set with your heat tool. This is what it will hopefully look like!

After I was done, I brushed on some Angel Wings Shimmerz so that not only did it look like snowfall, the paper glistened kind of like Stardream metallic paper! I love the way it looks in real life! You kind of get a picture of it here...

And, here again is my final product! Mat up the snow scene on some copper paper leaving a small edge mat. Add a tag and string some sheer navy ribbon through. Add a saying (I used the Thinking of you saying from a Flourishes sympathy set), add a little bit of bling and you are done!

Now, before I go-- don't forget to check out the challenge over at Sharon's place! That's where you'll find all the official details! And, be sure to check out the cards from the rest of the Stamp Simply team!
Have a fabulous weekend everyone! I have a ton of fun things brewing!!! Details on a great challenge, a new release from Shimmerz with brand new Blingz that are perfect for Valentine's Day and.... a fun project! So stay tuned!
Don't forget my blog candy HERE! I decided I'll close the Ultimate Valentine's Challenge on January 25th! So, there's still time! Regina's candy is only for a couple more days-- January 11th! So check that out HERE!
Thanks for stopping by!!!

46 comments:

Sharon (notimetostamp) said...

What an absolutely fabulous card and tutorial -- I am in awe over this strikingly gorgeous creation!!! You never cease to amaze me!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Julie, fantastic technique and gorgeous card!! Thanks for the tutorial!
Hope all is well with you! Have a great weekend!
smiles,Deena

ChristineCreations said...

Julie! This is gorgeous! And I love your tutorial...really gives you a better WOW for the card!

Norine said...

this is a wow card for sure thanks for the tutorial it was very clear
the card is beautiful
Hugs
Norine

Joan Fricker said...

Wow Julie this is amazing. I love it!!

Thanks for the great tutorial. It sure helps to see how it was done!!

Joan

Janine said...

Amazing Julie!! I love this and thanks for showing us how to!!
I will e-mail you today and update you!!

Anonymous said...

that is simply awesome Julie!!!!! Love love love it!

pacools said...

Wow is that an awesome idea. I met your mom the other day I dropped cards off to her at home. She lives right around the corner from my office.

Heather said...

This is beautiful. Thanks for the tutorial. I haven't seen brass stencils quite like that before, that particular one is lovely

Anonymous said...

Great Card! I bought this stencil in Nov because I love trees. I now have a reason to get it out and use it. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for the fabulous tutorial Julie, I have so many of the Dreamweaver stencils, but not that one. This is so beautiful Julie, I've got to try! I saw a lady at CHA last summer use stencil paste, but I've been using mine through the Wizard and embossing everything. This technique if awesome!

ReneeK said...

Hi Julie!

Gorgeous card! I thought you might enjoy a weather report from Great Falls this morning. We, too, had 50 degrees yesterday and sunshine, lots of the snow had melted - a gorgeous day. Woke up to about 4" more of snow this morning. I'm sure it will be icy out there, as there was still quite a bit of slush/water on the streets before it got cold.

Stay warm!

Darlene said...

This is AWESOME Julie!!! Thanks so much for sharing this technique! I just LOVE how this turned out and will definately giving it a try. Of course I have to find that beautiful stencil first, LOL!! MAGNIFICIENT ... love this look!!!
Have I told you lately what an inspiration you are???

The Rubber Maid said...

That stencil is one of my favorites and you did an awesome job using it with that technique. It is a gorgeous card as usual. Mom

Anonymous said...

I never would have thought of doing this with a brass stencil! Beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous card! Thanks for the step-by-step instructions for this wonderful technique!

Curt in Indy said...

Julie, this is just gorgeous! I love what you did with the technique. Simply beautiful!

Best, Curt

Anonymous said...

Here I am ~ stuck at work ~ and I see this truly INCREDIBLE idea. I am old, I may not remember it by the time I get home. Plus figure out if I have any bleach, but I can finally use one of those misters I bought IF I can figure out where I stashed them. Thanks for sharing this one, Julie ~ way too cool! Happy Weekend!!

Tammy Hershberger said...

Julie, this is amazing! Your card is beautiful, and thank you so much for sharing the technique! :)

Deborah Saaranen said...

Wow-- gorgeous design and fabulous tutorial! I must try this! Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

That's an awesome card! Love how you created the effects! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Scrapping Donna said...

Wow, this is awesome!!

Thanks for sharing how to do it!

Lorraine said...

This is a truly beautiful card! And so unique! Thanks for sharing your wonderful talents with us in such a great tutorial!

Bev J. said...

Wow, what a wonderful card and tutorial. tfs

Anonymous said...

did you just "oh... i will just do this. look people, look what i can do!" i am so jealous of you Julie... you are so smart! i will spank my own self if i don't take the time to try this, i swear! this is sooooo cool!

later dude!
see you at Raffia tomorrow, if you have time:)

Anonymous said...

Fabulous Card and tutorial!! THis is just gorgeous Julie!

Elizabeth said...

Fantastic technique! Thanks for the tutorial, the card is amazing!

carole (TruCarMa) said...

Wow, Julie! That. Is. COOL!!! Thanks for sharing how you made this!!!

Anonymous said...

THIS IS INSANE! Beautiful!

Nana711 said...

This is a great tutorial. Thanks for sharing it.

Jennifer Buck said...

Beyond stunning, Julie! You totally rock! :) TFS! :)

Stacy Morgan said...

This is so cool Julie. I love the trees, wonderful tutorial too.

Anonymous said...

Holy cow..this is so pretty. And thanks for showing how you made it. I even think I might could make it!

Anonymous said...

Julie,this is stunning. Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial on the technique. You made it so clear and the photos were "spot on"! I have quite a few stencils, but never thought to use them this way, only for dry embossing.
Thanks!
Gail S.

Anonymous said...

OMGosh! This is beautiful! Thanks so much for the tutorial. I just happen to have that particular Dreamweaver stencil. Looks like I may have a great project to try this weekend!

Anonymous said...

What a move from bleaching by paint brush to spritzer! Thank you for the mental bump and technological upgrade. Gorgeous as ever!!

Dianette Seda said...

Hi!

I don't think I need to tell you how much I admire your work! So, you know that I've loved all the cards you've done!

It is so nice that your mom is making these cards for kids and that so many are helping. I am going to work a few cards for her and finally make the announcement in my new blog this Sunday. I think it would be lovely for more people to run the voice and I think that they're doing just that. I've seen this posted in many blogs I visit. And I'm WAAAAAYYYYY behind in my read so I'm sure I'll be seeing it in many more blogs.

I need to tell you that I admire not only your work, but your dedication and I hope that in 2009 you get as much inspiration as you've gotten so far and if possible to multiply it even more.

Thanks for sharing your talent with such a nice and complete tutorial! Take care!

SmilynStef said...

Wow ... this makes me want to dig out my brass stencils ... fabulous technique and gorgeous card.

Cheryl said...

This is awesome! I love how the trees look with the bleach. So cool!

Shirley said...

Gorgeous card and wonderful tutorial!

Elena said...

What a great technique! Thank you for the wonderful tutorial Julie!

Charmaine said...

Absolutely gorgeous card! I will have to definitely try this technique...love the results.

Charmaine

Mescrap said...

This absolutely a gorgeous card !!

Melanie said...

wowee, would never have guessed this was a brass stencil!!

Donna said...

what a beautiful card. i love the way you multi purpose tools and share the ideas with all of us. thank you so much.

Darlene said...

WOWZA! This is STUNNING! Thanks for sharing this beautiful creation and the "how to's"