Viva Las VegaStamps!: always be yourself/mermaid

Thursday, November 08, 2018

Always Be a Mermaid | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone!

Sue Plumb here today to share a sweet little project I created recently for my daughter, and it's in stark contrast to my previous project share which featured my "zombie" cat. This time I opted for a small scale project - working on an index card, which fits perfectly into a small 6x4" frame that can then go into my daughters bedroom.

I started by applying a light coat of gesso all over the card, before using Faber-Castell gelatos to add some colour. I used a moist baby wipe to blend each colour, mixing the 3 colours together, but concentrating on having the darkest tone around the outer edge to border it. Once I was happy with the colour, I set it aside to dry.

I then took the Cat Mermaid stamp, which was to be my focal image, and stamped it onto some white cardstock using Staz On ink. I again used my gelatos to add colour; this time by adding a little to my craft mat and then using a water brush to pick up the colour so I could colour my image.

I then turned my attention back to my index card, using the gorgeous Sky of Stars Background stamp and Ranger Archival ink to add a whimsical touch. I also used the Scribble Heart stamp to add a little love.

Next, I fussy cut around my cat mermaid; before stamping the quote using the Always Be Yourself/Mermaid stamp onto cardstock. I again used a gelato to add some colour, then fussy cut the quote into two pieces.

Now it was time to construct my piece. I started by adding a small paper doily to the centre of the card, topped with some messy cotton thread, then added my cat mermaid on top.

I then added the two pieces of the quote above and below the cat.

For a bit of extra whimsy, I finished my piece with a sprinkle of sequins.

This was a super fun little project to make. I must admit that I wasn't really used to creating pieces on such a small scale when I began working on this team; but my amazing VLVS teamies inspired me to give it a go and now I love creating these delicate little pieces!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I hope I have inspired you to get inky too!

Stamps used:

- Cat Mermaid

- Sky of Stars Background

- Scribble Heart

- Always Be Yourself/Mermaid

Other materials:

- Index card

- Colour Blast White Heavy Gesso

- Cardstock

- Faber-Castell Gelatos

- Tsukineko Staz On ink

- Ranger Archival ink

- Paper doily, cotton thread, sequins

- Miracle Tape

Thursday, August 09, 2018

Be a Mermaid | Sue Plumb

Hi everyone!

Sue Plumb here to share my latest design team project with you. Today I am sharing simple a 12x12" scrapbook page I created using one of my favourite stamps as a focus. I have recently been sick in hospital and unable to sit up and create; so a simple yet effective technique was just what I need to get my hands dirty again.

I decided to create this layout to document my daughter's achievements at her school swimming carnival last year, and what better feature shape than with a star? The Squiggly Star Collage is one of my absolute fave pieces of VLVS rubber, so I decided to use it multiple times.

I started by painting some scrap pieces of cardstock using Ranger Dylusions paints. I then stamped out my stars using black StazOn ink, then cut them out and set them aside.

Next, I got a fresh sheet of white cardstock, and used the Row of Distressed Lines stamp to add some structure to my page to begin working from. I kept the background to simple black on white as I wanted the colours of the stars to pop.

I used a small piece of Miracle Tape on the back of each star to adhere them around my page. Once in place, I used the Grunge 2 to stamp a number two onto each of the red stars, and the Grunge 3 to stamp a three onto the green ones to represent the second and third ribbons she won.

I then arranged my photos together, added some cardboard to the back and stuck them onto my page. I used the She Spread Her Wings stamp several times around my page, along with the Star Sliding stamp to reinforce the star theme.

To finish off, I used the Always Be Yourself/Mermaid stamp to provide a focal quote and title; before splattering some Colour Blast 'Citrus' Colour Artist Ink around my page.

I then added my journalling using a Sharpie pen and stamped the date.