Sitting Here – Water-coloured

Posted on May 30, 2016May 30, 2016 by Mo Rootes

I can’t get enough of the Sitting Here stamp set, I just love it.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Sitting Here

I wanted to use the stamp set to try my hand at water colouring. I stamped the swing seat in Chocolate Chip ink onto Whisper White cardstock and used an Aquapainter with a tiny bit of water to paint the wooden slats. I wanted a really light, distressed effect to the wood – it worked really well. I used a Night of Navy marker to colour in the stripes on the cushion.

Using the Awesomely Artistic stamp set, I stamped the leaf and foliage image using Basic Grey ink and coloured it in using Sweet Sugarplum – one of the new 2016 – 2018 InColours available from 1^st June – Daffodil Delight and Wild Wasabi inkpads and the Aquapainter. The cat was also stamped in the Basic Grey and lightly coloured using Smoky Slate ink and added a light swipe of grey to ground the cat. I really liked the way the image turned out. I added the mat to a Thick Whisper White card base and called it done.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Sitting Here

The second card was stamped in exactly the same way using the same colours. I tried to watercolour the background, not very successfully as I was using regular Whisper White cardstock. The regular cardstock is thin and starts to pill if it gets wet; I should really have used Thick Whisper White or Shimmery White cardstock which both cope better with water. Best of all would be Water Colour paper which, of course, I have run out of. I added a layer of Chocolate Chip cardstock, leaving a thin border. I put the panel onto a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock whilst I looked for a piece of Whisper White and decided I liked it better.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Sitting Here

I mixed it up again with the third card by stamping the cushion in Bermuda Bay ink onto Whisper White cardstock and masked it off before adding the swing seat is in Basic Grey. Because this is an archival ink it doesn’t react with water so I coloured it lightly with Smoky Slate ink. I added the leafy canopy from the Sheltering Tree stamp set using 1^st and 2^nd generation Wild Wasabi ink. The grass, stamped in Garden Green, comes from the In the Meadow stamp set as do the flowers and the butterfly, which I coloured with a variety of markers. I added some shadowing using Smoky Slate ink. It needed some sky so I used a cloud punch out from the Tree Builder Punch and a Sponge Dauber to add light Soft Sky shading, love the puffy cloud effect this gives.

I love the 3^rd card; it looks just like a painting. I am tempted to frame it.

To purchase any of the products go to http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/crafty-rootes/ then click on the Shop Now tab. If you would like to join my team go to – http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/crafty-rootes/ – click on the Join the Fun tab.

Thanks for stopping by my blog, hope to see you again soon.

Mo x

Sitting Here – Sneak Peak

Posted on May 28, 2016May 28, 2016 by Mo Rootes

Today I have been playing with another new stamp set called Sitting Here which will be available from my online shop when the catalogue launches on the 1^st June. This is a fabulous set, especially if you like water colouring or colouring in with markers. I love the simplicity of the images and decided to keep the first 2 cards very simple.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Sitting Here

I used a Crumb Cake cardstock panel and stamped the image in Versamark ink, having used my embossing buddy on the cardstock first. I then covered the Versamark ink with White Embossing Powder and set it with my heat gun. I loved the result, so classy looking. I felt it needed a pop of colour though and stamped the small square cushion using Watermelon Wonder ink onto Whisper White cardstock and fussy cut it out. I popped it up using a dimensional. I used the Watermelon Wonder marker to colour in the stripes on the seat cushion and stamped the sentiment using same colour inkpad.

I planned to add the Crumb Cake panel to a Crumb Cake card base but it just didn’t look right. I tried a couple of different coloured mats and settled on Early Espresso with just a tiny border showing. I popped up the whole panel using dimensionals.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Sitting Here

Turning the card from portrait style to landscape gave it a different look. I embossed the Crumb Cake panel with white embossing powder in the same way and added the pot of flowers to the right-hand side. I used Rose Red, Crushed Curry, Wild Wasabi and Garden Green markers to colour in the flowers and the seat cushion. The sentiment is stamped in Versamark and embossed with the White Embossing powder. I mounted the stamped panel on a layer of Whisper White cardstock. I added the whole topper to the Crumb Cake card base. I was really happy with both the cards, hope you like them.

To purchase any of the products, click on the Shop Now tab.

If you would like to join my team go to – http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/crafty-rootes/ – click on the Join the Fun tab.

Thanks for stopping by my blog, hope to see you again soon.

Mo x

Painter’s Palette for Christmas – I know the ‘C’ word and it’s only May……..sorry

Posted on May 16, 2016May 16, 2016 by Mo Rootes

One last project ….for now, using the new Painter’s Palette stamp set, available for the 1^st June in the new catalogue.

I stamped the gorgeous easel stamp using Archival Basic Black ink and die cut the centre panel with the new – coming in the new catalogue – Layered Square Framelit dies.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Painter’s Palette & Snow Place

I stamped the sweet little snowman from the Snow Places stamp set, again using Archival Basic Black ink and die cut it using the co-ordinating Snow Friends framelit dies. The little hat was stamped in Real Red ink and die cut using the same die set and added to the snowman, at a jaunty angle, with Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive.

The snowman was glued in place on the die cut Whisper White panel with Tombow and the little stick arms were stamped using Early Espresso Ink. The Panel was added to the front of the easel with dimensionals. The sentiment, from the same stamp set, was stamped in Archival Basic Black ink. The Whisper White panel was backed with a mat of Basic Black and the topper was then added to a Real Red card base.

A really simple but gorgeous Christmas card in May……..

I hope you like the card. If you would like to join my team go to – http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/crafty-rootes/ – click on the Join the Fun tab.

Thanks for stopping by my blog, hope to see you again soon.

Mo x

Traveller – One for the Guys

Posted on May 13, 2016May 13, 2016 by Mo Rootes

Great classes this week using an older stamp set, often overlooked in the current catalogue but luckily it is carrying over to the new catalogue. The Traveller set has great masculine images and is also great for anyone travelling – gap year students come to mind – or those going on holiday. A great set for scrap-bookers as well.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Traveller

The first 2 cards were fairly straight forward, using Night of Navy and Mint Macaron, a bit of dsp from the Birthday Bouquet pack with some accents of Silver Foil cardstock.

The final card was definitely the ladies favourite. They all loved the reflection or mirror technique and were delighted to find it was so simple to do. We used the lovely Timeless Textures stamp set to create the water and a little masking for the clouds and the sun. The ladies made some beautiful cards, each one a little different.

What are we going to be playing with next month………good question? So much to choose from….

Stop by again soon to see what I come up with.

Mo x

Bravo card for my new Bronze Elite Friend and Downline

Posted on May 10, 2016May 10, 2016 by Mo Rootes

Today, I am celebrating the promotion of my lovely, fellow Stampin Up demonstrator and downline team member, who, also happens to be one of my oldest friends. She has promoted to the title of ‘Bronze Elite’ and now earns 25% discount on almost everything she buys from Stampin Up. She also earns the same 25% commission on anything she sells………..and who doesn’t like a discount….

I decided to use the Bravo stamp set, which has some great, large, celebratory sentiments and is sadly retiring at the end of this month.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Bravo

I teamed the large sentiment with a new product which will be available in the new annual catalogue launching on the 1^st June, Copper Embossing Powder. I have been itching to use this since it arrived in my pre-order, and this is the perfect opportunity.

I stamped the sentiment in Versamark Ink onto Shimmery White Cardstock and covered it with the embossing powder, and yes, I did remember to use my Embossing Buddy first, I usually forget…… I used my heat tool to melt the embossing powder; the change from powder to glossy image never fails to delight.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Bravo

I ran my Aqua-painter over the embossed image, laying down a film of water. Using ink from the lid of my ink pads, I added layers of Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Crushed Curry inks then allowed the cardstock to dry.

I rounded the top, right and bottom, left corners of the water coloured piece and added it, using Tombow Mono Multi Adhesive, to a mat of Old Olive cardstock with identical rounded corners. I adhered the whole panel to a card base of Thick Whisper White using Dimensionals. I added some sequins from my stash for a bit of bling.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Bravo

I really hope my friend likes the card and the goodie bag that goes along with it. If you would like to join my team go to – http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/crafty-rootes/ – click on the Join the Fun tab. To purchase any of the products, click on the Shop Now tab

Thanks for stopping by my blog, hope to see you again soon.

Mo x

Prehistoric Painter’s Palette

Posted on May 8, 2016May 8, 2016 by Mo Rootes

Here, as promised is another project using the fab Painter’s Palette stamp set. I can’t get enough of this set and decided to use the No Bones About It stamp set to create the picture in the frame. I stamped the easel image in Archival Basic Black ink onto a scrap piece of Whisper White cardstock and used 2 of the new Layering Square Framelits to die cut the frame from the easel image. I die cut the frame again, from a panel of Whisper White cardstock using the same 2 layering dies, this time tilted for a more whimsical look.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Painter’s Palette and No Bones About It

The dinosaur straddles the background and central panel and is stamped in the new 2016 – 2018 in-colour, Flirty Flamingo. I added the bones to the front of the dinosaur on the inner panel. The leaves are stamped in Emerald Envy, another of the 2016 – 2018 in-colours. The die cut frame was added using the new thin Foam Adhesive Strips.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Painter’s Palette and No Bones About It

The stamped panel was added to a piece of Emerald Envy cardstock after rounding the upper right hand corner. The whole topper was then added to a Thick Whisper White card base at an angle.

This would make a lovely birthday card for a child.

I am just loving this stamp set, so many ideas, so much fun. To get you’re your hands on it, check out my online shop – http://www2.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx – on the 1^st June

Thanks for stopping by my blog, hope to see you again soon.

Mo x

Painter’s Palette Framed

Posted on May 7, 2016May 7, 2016 by Mo Rootes

I have to say I am really loving the new Painter’s Palette stamp set which will be available in the new Stampin Up catalogue which goes live on the 1^st June.

Today, I decide to use the easel as a frame. I stamped the easel image in Archival Basic Black ink onto a scrap piece of Whisper White cardstock, then used 2 of the new Layering Square Framelits to die cut the frame from the easel image.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Painter’s Palette with Garden in Bloom

I die cut the frame again, from a panel of Whisper White cardstock using the same 2 layering dies. The die cut frame was removed before I stamped the 3 step flower from the Garden in Bloom stamp set overlapping both the centre panel and the main Whisper White panel.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Painter’s Palette with Garden in Bloom

The outline image was stamped in Smoky Slate ink. The base layer is 2^nd generation Sweet Sugarplum ink (ink the stamp then stamp off onto scrap paper before stamping it onto you panel). The top layer of the flower is 1^st generation Sweet Sugarplum to give extra depth. I added the bee for a bit of fun.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up – Painter’s Palette with Garden in Bloom

I rounded the upper right corner of a Sweet Sugarplum panel and the stamped Whisper White panel and adhered them together using Tombow Mono Multi adhesive. This panel was added to a Thick Whisper White card base again using Tombow. The die cut frame was added using the new thin Foam Adhesive Strips. These are strips are fab and are going to be amazing for creating shaker cards …….. now there’s a thought…..

I am just loving this stamp set, so many ideas, so much fun. To get you’re your hands on it, check out my online shop – http://www2.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx – on the 1^st June

I love this card; it looks really classy and fun. Stop by to see what I come up with next. Have a good weekend.

Mo x

Sneak Peak – Painter’s Palette

Posted on May 6, 2016May 6, 2016 by Mo Rootes

Happy days, my demonstrator pre-order box of goodies has arrived, whoop, whoop and let the fun begin.

The first thing I pulled out of the box was a stamp set called Painter’s Palette and I couldn’t wait to try it out. I really love the painter’s easel and have lots of ideas for using it.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up Painter’s Palette in Dapper Denim

The first thing I did was stamp the easel onto a panel of Whisper White cardstock in Dapper Denim, one of the gorgeous new 2016 – 2018 in-colours. I used the new Layering Squares Framelits to die cut the inside of the easel then, stamped the die cut square using another new stamp set called Playful Backgrounds. This was one of the free sets I was given at Onstage last month. I used 1^st and 2^nd generation stamping with Dapper Denim, rotating the stamp before stamping the 2^nd time. This gives a cool two tone effect.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up Painter’s Palette in Dapper Denim

The small stamped square was then mounted I also stamped the sentiment from Butterfly Basics in Dapper denim. I rounded the bottom corners of the stamped panel and a panel of Dapper Denim and adhered the two panels together. The small stamped panel was then added to the easel using dimensionaIs. The whole panel was then mounted onto a Thick Whisper White card base.

For the second card the easel was stamped, directly, onto the Thick Whisper White card base, in Soft Suede ink. The inkpad really needs re-inking, the colour is faded and a little patchy but I decided I liked the look.

This time, I stamped the die cut inner square using another 2 of the new in-colours, Peekaboo Peach and Flirty Flamingo. These colours go so well together and I again used 1^st and 2^nd generation stamping. This panel was added to the front of the easel with dimensionals. The sentiment was stamped in Peekaboo Peach.

I have so many more ideas for this set, so stop by and see what I come up with. Hope to see you again soon.

Mo x

Bokeh Balloon Celebration for Telford Swaps

Posted on May 2, 2016May 2, 2016 by Mo Rootes

Whilst looking through my recent projects, I realized, I have never shared the swaps I made for the Stampin’ Up! Onstage Event in Telford last month. 350 UK demonstrators gathered to celebrate the new catalogue launch, see and play with new product, meet up with old friends and make new ones and craft together.

We also make swaps to share with other demonstrators, always great fun. The guidelines suggest that each demo makes approx. 50 items, you can make as many or as few as you have time for. Common makes are card fronts (not whole cards), bookmarks, boxes, notepads, bags etc… You then swap your item for one made by another demo giving a source of inspiration for the future. So here are my swaps.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up Balloon Celebration bokeh style

I started by using the 2” circle punch to punch a hole in a panel of Whisper White cardstock. I used the negative punched piece as a mask, adhering it temporarily to a piece of white cardstock. I sponged the circle with Pool Party ink, and then added patches of Mint Macaron and Island Indigo ink using Sponge Daubers.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up Balloon Celebration bokeh style

When this was dry, I created the Bokeh effect by added circles of Whisper White ink using a sponge dauber. I then left the piece to dry for a couple of hours before removing the mask and stamping the little dandelion clocks from the Balloon Celebration stamp set using Archival Basic Black ink. The sentiment comes from the Rose Wonder Stamp set. I added a sprinkle of glittery circles, punched from Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper using the 1/8″ and 1/4″ hand held punches

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up Balloon Celebration bokeh style

I mounted the stamped piece onto a panel of either Island Indigo or Mint Macaron card stock. I had to make a couple more as I forgot to photograph them before giving them all away. This one I have mounted onto a Whisper White card base, after rounding the top left corner on all layers.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up Balloon Celebration bokeh style

Thank you for stopping by. Hope to see you again soon.

Mo x

Watercolor Masculine Birthday

Posted on April 27, 2016April 27, 2016 by Mo Rootes

Today I am sharing a card I made recently for the husband of my upline, Mikaela. Rumour had it; a big birthday was coming up……

Like many people I find masculine cards a bit of a challenge, but after seeing some lovely ideas on Pinterest, I dug out my water colour cardstock and my aquapainter and got to work. I haven’t water coloured for a while but I have seen some lovely ideas on Pinterest that I wanted to try out.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up Number of Years, masculine water colored card

I chose to use Island Indigo and Mint Macaron inkpads, a bit of a go to colour combo of mine at the moment, they go so well together. I squeezed the inkpads to get ink in the lid and used that to messily watercolor the bottom ⅔rds of the cardstock. I wanted an area of darker colour fading out towards the top of the cardstock. When I was happy, I left it to dry.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up Number of Years, water color, masculine card

I wanted a little more texture so added some speckles using the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set. I stamped 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd generation using Night of Navy ink.

crafty-rootes.co.uk – Stampin Up Number of Years, water color, masculine card

I stamped the 50 from the Number of Years stamp set using Island Indigo ink and die cut the numbers using the co-ordinating Large Number dies. To give extra dimension, I die cut both numbers 3 more times and adhered them together to give a raised, chipboard effect. I stamped the little banner from the Number of Years stamp set onto Vellum cardstock using Night of Navy ink and added the birthday sentiment from the same stamp set using the same ink.

I added a strip of patterned paper from the gorgeous, and sadly retiring, Birthday Bouquet Dsp pack to each side of the watercoloured panel. I added a strip of Silver Glimmer card to either side and mounted the whole panel to a card base of Island Indigo using dimensionals.

I was really happy with how this card turned out, and so was the recipient. It turned out that he was a few years older than 50…..I had managed to get my wires crossed. Still my card had a front of shelf position ……. happy days…..

Thank you for stopping by. Hope to see you again soon.

Mo x