Our Wednesday March guest designer, Beatriz Jennings has created a divine designer paper to share with us today…

“Just Because” card by Beatriz Jennings

This fresh and lovely card would make a sweet and thoughtful gift that would brighten anyone’s day!

Bety used “Just Because” , one of the many heartfelt sentiments from the Sent With Love art stamp set.

Detail of embossed vellum designer paper

Bety has created a very special layer on her card by clear embossing a Butterfly Collector stamp on clear vellum.

This adds a soft textural dimension that begs to be touched. Here’s another view…

Close-up of clear embossing on clear vellum

This embossing technique is perfect on this vintage card. For more details, see Bety’s blog, “iralamija “.

Here’s another pretty example that Bety made using Vintage Roses embossed in white on pink vellum.

Detail of white embossing on pink vellum

It’s quick and easy to create these fabulous custom designer papers!

I hope you’re inspired to try embossing on vellum with Layers of Color stamps!

For more unique ideas visit our art galleries, Facebook and Flicker!

May your days be filled with layers of color,

Please help me give a warm welcome to

Layers of Color Guest Designer

for December,

Heather Jensen!

Card by Heather Jensen

Mmm, what a delicious card…like mint chip ice cream with whipped cream! I love the gentle colors, and the softness of the seam binding bow and the  butterfly (from Butterfly Collector art stamp set).

Heather used a special dryer sheet technique for this look. It’s  like a lovely morning fog over the garden. A feminine card with an old vintage quality. Beautiful card in every detail!

Welcome, Heather! It’s a joy to have you on board this month! This is a marvelous way to start your guest designing with us! I’m looking forward to each Wednesday with joyful anticipation!

Please visit Heather’s blog, “Simply Handmade by Heather“, for more lovely inspiring projects…and to find out how she created this wonderful effect!

Colorful blessings to everyone today,

Splash Paper Tutorial

Splashes of vibrant colors spilling all over the paper…getting inky with sunny orange, joyous pink and calming greens…what fun! This tutorial shows you how to easily make your own Splash Paper, which is perfect for all your colorful creative paper projects.

MATERIALS:

• White card stock 80 – 120lb
• Tsukineko Memento 0.5oz re-inker bottles in your choice of 3 colors (For this tutorial I used ~ Tangelo 200,Rosebud 400 ~ Pear Tart 703 ~ 2 warm colors and 1 cool color)
• Spray mist  bottle filled with water
• Paper towels
• Oven and iron ~ optional

On a protected surface, stack 2 sheets of white card stock on top of each other and lay them down on your surface. You will be creating 2 pieces of Splash Paper at the same time. You add color to the top sheet and the bottom sheet will automatically get created at the same time as it absorbs the ink from the paper above it.

With the Memento re-inker bottle in one hand and the spray mist bottle in the other, squeeze both at the same time (gently on the ink). As the drops of ink land on the paper, spray water on the ink causing the ink to spread out. Repeat this over the entire sheet of paper.

As the paper gets soaked with water, dab with paper towels to absorb the puddles.

Continue inking and spraying over the entire sheet of paper. Dab well with paper towels.

This left side shows the paper that was underneath and the right side shows the paper that was inked. It’s great to get two from one project! I’ve tried three, but it doesn’t absorb enough ink to create an lovely effect like these.

Let dry flat overnight or put on the oven rack for 10minutes at 250 degrees. Once dry they will have curled edges. I iron mine flat with a hot iron on cotton setting.

TIP: You can also dry and use the paper towels as a colorful, affordable and interesting texture to add to your projects.

Splash Paper Gallery

Card and Door Gem samples made with Splash Papers featuring Memento ink and Layers of Color art stamps

Show as slideshow or click a pic to zoom

Splash Paper - Memento inks: Pear Tart, Tangelo and Rosebud.

Door Gem - Memento inks: Pear Tart, Tangelo and Rosebud. Dotted Delights and Flowering Gems art stamp sets

Door Gem detail - Memento inks: Pear Tart, Tangelo and Rosebud. Dotted Delights and Flowering Gems art stamp sets

Splash Paper - Memento inks: Pear Tart, Grape Jelly and Bahama Blue.

Door Gem - Memento inks: Cottage Ivy, Lulu Lavender and Denube Blue. Backyard Birds art stamp set

Door Gem detail - Memento inks: Cottage Ivy, Lulu Lavender and Denube Blue. Backyard Birds art stamp set

Card detail - Under the Sea art stamp sets

Door Gem - Memento inks: Grape Jelly, Bahama Blue and Pear Tart. Architectural Blocks art stamp set

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Door Gems are cut from card stock (3 from 81/2X11), edge punch bottom, circle punch top, decorate and distress with Memento inks and markers. Add sparkle with a spray mist of Tsukineko’s Shimmer Spritz!

May all your creative projects be splashed with Layers of Color,

I’m excited to announce our new Guest Designer for July,

Melisa Waldorf!

Altered Flower Pot by Melisa Waldorf

Melisa’s talents and creative ideas are a perfect match with Layers of Color art stencils and art stamps. This altered flower pot is a great example! She used Nature Walk art stamps for the flowers and leaves in this gorgeous and unique paper art gift. I love the dynamic coloring, playful polka dots and joyful music!

Altered Box by Melisa Waldorf

This altered box is another treasure created by Melisa. What a wonderful gift! She used Vintage Roses art stamps as the focal point on the box top. Beautiful!

Please visit Melisa’s blog, Art From my Heart, to see more details of these delightful projects! And come back here each Wednesday in July for more creative inspiration from Melisa Waldorf!

Welcome, Melisa! You’re a marvelous addition to the team this month!

I’ve started making a mixed media Bird Book recently. The plan is to make each page from heavy felt and then stitch them together. I found an old book atlas at a thrift store for the background of this page. I put Elegant Touch art stencil on top of the atlas and sprayed over them with Tsukineko’s colored Walnut Inks. When I removed the art stencil it left the outline. The result reminds me of a decorative compass.

I added a star decorative stitch which is designed to have a row of stars, one after the other. I chose to stitch one star and then move the needle to a different location for the next star, and so on. I like this look as it resembles tracking a trip. I chose to add some sparkle by layering metallic netting under the atlas.

I stamped Touch of Elegance art stamp on the bird and the background. Notice this art stamp set is the same design as Elegant Touch art stencil. Fleur Heart art stamp is also stamped off the page. Again I stitched along the right side, this time with another decorative stitch. The bird is cut out of a thrift store bird book. All the pages of my book will have birds from this found treasure.

To make the flower I stacked two Spellbinder’s Scalloped Circles made from the atlas pages and snipped them towards the center to create petals. The coin replica came from a thrift store belt. Then I stitched the flower over a remnant of metallic trim. The crown stamp is from the Regal Wings art stamp set.

I’ve enjoyed the process of creating the first page of my felt Bird Book. I love combining several passions and favorites in one piece. The next page is already complete! I’ll share that with you in the near future. Until then…

May God richly bless you with many satisfying experiences in your artistic journey,