Bluegrass Farm Card Kits Full Reveal

Welcome to the reveal night here with Studio Calico's newest release, Bluegrass Farm. I'm super happy that you stopped by to take a closer look at my projects that use the Card kit and add on, Clarabelle. I was attracted to this month's kit because I love the blend of trendy patterned paper that has a country fresh feel to it. The patterns and colors were perfectly fresh and fun for spring!

For this card I used the main card kit and a fabulous over-sized sequin die designed by our very JJ Bolton! I love sequins and was so excited to use a sequin die to make pattern paper sequins as well as a sequins from other materials like vellum. To make the card, I embossed a cardstock panel and adhered it to the card base. I then punched photo corners from patterned paper and adhered them to opposite corners.

I die cut sequins from patterned paper and vellum and strand them onto a strand of thread which was stapled to card. To anchor the "banner"I added some pennant cardstock stickers behind the patterned paper sequins.

For this next card I also used the main Card kit. I covered a cardstock base with patterned paper  I then stitched rows of sequin paper die cuts to the patterned paper panel with yellow thread.

I folded a little of the yellow ribbon and stapled it to the card and added a cardstock sticker sentiment to finish off the card and add a little dimension to it. 

This card uses the Clarabelle add-on kit. The super trendy and fabulous stamp set that comes in this set has awesome large images that can easily be a focal point for any card. I stamped the hearts onto a cardstock base using Well Red, Coral Bay, Sunny Day, Orange Crush and Emerald Bay from the Color Theory ink line. I used a technique called, "second generation stamping" where you stamp an image once on scrap paper and then again (without re-inking) on the card to get some lighter shades of hearts.

Then, I embossed and die cut some hearts from vellum using the Wonky Hearts die and stapled them to the card along with a die cut star from the kit. I stamped a sentiment in a contrasting blue green over the hearts and I like the way it "pops" off the card.

Here's another card that uses the Clarabelle add-on kit. I was thrilled to get the Wonky Diamond Craft die this month--large correlate dies are my favorite! They're so versatile. I used this die to create a diamond background and punched out a few diamonds and adhered pattern paper to the openings and secured it to the cardstock base.

I took the yellow trim and tied it through some diamonds to create a "banner and then attached some clothespins holding burlap pennants to the yellow trim. A patterned paper butterfly and pink stick pin soften up the banner with some pretty color.

If you're a subscriber, kits and new product go live at noon (EST), but if you're not a subscriber you can snag these fabulous kits at midnight (EST) tonight! Make sure to get these kits and die cuts quickly-they're going to sell out fast!

Painting Images with Studio Calico Dye Inks

Today, I am excited to share a fun tutorial with you on how you can get more use out of your new Color Theory dye inks! I am particularly excited to share this technique with you because painting with ink creates beautiful results and is super fun!

I am so crafionately in love with Studio Calico’s new Color Theory Ink. I knew that I wanted to experiment with them. When I saw the little transparency sheet included with the main kit, I thought it would be an awesome idea to “paint” a stamped image with dye ink. Needing a few colors of ink, the transparency sheet, a brush and some water, this “painting with ink” technique worked great with the Studio Calico inks making them even more versatile.

 

Here's a step-by-step tutorial of how to "paint" ink on your stamps!

|1|   Gather your supplies together: You’ll need a transparency sheet from the Office Hours main kit, small spray bottle, Color Theory dye inks, a round 3 paint brush or similar detail brush and a stamp set (I used the Water Cooler add on kit stamp set).

|2|   Starting with the lightest color first, ink transparency sheet by pressing ink pad to sheet several times until you have all the colors you desire on the transparency sheet.

|3|   Spray the inked transparency sheet with water. Don’t spray to close to the sheet; just a gentle mist of one or two spritzes should be enough. When the ink runs like tin the picture shown, you’ve sprayed enough water.

|4|   Use the transparency sheet as a “palette” to load up your brush with ink and “paint” onto your stamp after you’ve applied it to an acrylic block. I started by applying Sunny Day to the top of the stem, and then paint some Yes Peas and Emerald City onto the stamp to create a gradient. Once your pleased with the ink coverage, stamp your card base.

|5|   As the ink dries, you can “shade” your stem by applying more ink with your brush to create darker values and shadows.

|6|   Stamp a circle with Coral Bay ink. Repeat steps 2-4 to “paint” the flower.

|7|   I struggle with machine-stitching straight lines. To fix my crooked ways, I lightly traced a rectangle using a wafer thin die as a template. Then, I stitched the rectangle with my sewing machine, and erased any the drawn line that may have still been showing.

|8|   I trimmed a 4.5” x 11” to create a cardstock base. I dry embossed half of it with raised dots and folded it in half.

|9|   Add patterned paper strips to the card base and adhere flower cardstock panel to card base with foam tape. Embellish flower with thread and enamel dots as shown. Adhere die cut and affix stickers to card to spell hi.

materials: Office Hours Card Kit | Water Cooler Card Kit | Sunny Day ink | Yes Peas ink | Emerald City ink | Coral Bay ink | Color Theory Enamel Dots | LemonLush Ephemera die cut