All Occasion Handmade Cards with n*Studio Stamps

Hi everyone, welcome to my stop on today's blog hop with Stampendous and n*Studio! I'm excited to be able to participate today in sharing some fun project inspiration using Nathalie's Stampendous stamp sets.

For today's post, I decided to use the Elephant Foam Stamp, Cling Rubber, and Stencil Set to make some handmade cards. I can always use some fun all occasion cards; I like to keep a little stash of them in case I need a card quickly, and the elephants seemed like such a fun motif to use for these. Who doesn't love elephants?

I put together a quick little overview of how I made each of these cards, along with a few more photos so you can see some of the details.

First up, I really wanted to make some kind of a window card. To start, I made my own card base from cardstock and sized it to work with the stamps. I took the stencil from the kit and inked through it with gold pigment ink, then I heat embossed with Aged Gold Frantage Embossing Enamel.

Next, I used some gold paint in a dauber bottle to paint the solid side of the foam stamp - I centered that on the embossed area and stamped it. I wasn't worried about precision; I just wanted the outline so that I could use my x-acto blade to cut out the elephant shape.

Once I had my window, I used some gold foil washi tape to add a frame around the edge of the card.

I found a fun printed transparency with purple foil polka dots, so I cut a piece of that to back the window. Then on the front, I outlined the cut-out area with gold dimensional paint. Once that was dry, I stamped the rubber stamp elephant on the inside, lining it up with the opening on the front. I painted around the elephant with gold matte paint, then added a sketchy outline around the image and a border around the edges.

To finish it off, I decided to add a little nod to India with some sequined trim and a fun sari applique. The perfect touch, don't you think?

A few more photos of how this card turned out - I think it's kind of fun, elegant, and eclectic all at once!

Now for the second card... this one is actually reversible! I used the detailed side of the foam stamp plus the rubber stamp - they face opposite ways, so it makes it perfect for this type of card.

Here's a quick overview of how I made this one.

First, I lined up the two stamps on the cardstock, then stamped each one of them in black. I cut around one of the elephants, leaving about a 1/4" border. When I got to the point where the images met, I folded it in half (carefully - it takes a bit of checking to make sure they line up) then I used the first cut elephant as a guide to outline the second one so the edges would all line up. (I don't usually have much luck folding it in half and cutting both at once - it's almost always wonky!)

Next up, I pulled out a gouache palette and added some watercolor to the stamped images. I used complementary colors to reinforce the reverse / opposites theme.

Once the watercolor was dry, I used glitter glue to add some fun sparkle and detail.

To finish off this card, I mounted it on another piece of cardstock to add some more stability, then punched some holes and threaded ribbon through the top. Here you can see each of the sides:

That's it! I hope you enjoyed today's projects, and that you're feeling inspired with new ways to use Nathalie's awesome stamp and stencil sets.

Before you go... make sure you comment below and stop at all of the blogs on this week's hop for even more chances to win one of three awesome prize packages from Stampendous!

Here are all of the blogs on today's portion of the hop... make sure you check in on the Stampendous blog each day so you can be sure and catch all of the fabulous inspiration this week.

• Stampendous Blog
• Gwen Lafleur <-- you are here!
• Louise Healy
• Janelle Stollfus
• Nathalie Kalbach Blog

 Until next time... happy stamping!

 

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Comments

[Julie Kitchener]

Wow stunning! i just LOVE elepahants

[Linda Gund Agers]

Gorgeous card and great tutorial. Thanks for posting

[barb macaskill]

OOOOOOOOOOOOO! These are truly magical!! LOVE everything about both of them!! Totally GENIUS ideas!! TFS!
Barb in VT

[Sarah]

Sooo unique. I never would have thought to do the techniques you used, they were stunning.

[1aquagirl]

Wo, great technique. Thank you for sharing!

[Nathalie Kalbach]

Ohhhhh Gwen you did it again!!!! Love these cards! Anyone receiving the cards is a lucky person. Thank you for sharing your amazing takent❤️

[Rachel Alexander]

Wow, these cards are stunning, so much attention to detail, love them

[karen hansen]

gorgeous cards! I love the added sequins on the first one!

[marian riley]

The two-sided elephant card isexquisite!

[Michele H.]

This elephant project is AMAZING! I love that bright color and sparkle!

[stephanie]

great projects!

[Joi@RR]

SERIOUSLY - dear me - you gals are blowing me away with all your incredible talent with Nat's stamps. GWEN - both of your cards are just BEYOND FABULOUS. I am near speechless. The first one is truly a work of art - such attention to detail and such a UNIQUELY INCREDIBLE design - LOVELY. And the second card is a SHEER DELIGHT - totally makes me giggle - it's just SPLENDIDLY FUN. I am just AWED. j.

[Amanda R]

I look the different designs on each csrd!

[Becca Yahrling]

Such fun, unique and creative cards. Love them both!

[Judy]

Very pretty cards. Love the elephant shaped one, so cool. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Julie]

I would love to make these! Thanks for the lesson. :)

[Mary Holshouser]

Love elephants - I think I've said a time or two.
The first one looks so pretty with his pink polka
dots. His blanket would have lots of extra trim.
I have to get this stamp.
thanks for sharing.

[Mary Holshouser]

forgot - I'm in Southern Illinois.
Getting old.

[Carla Hundley]

Fabulous designs with
this elephant. Love
the first card.
Carla from Utah

[Jean Marmo]

Absolutely amazing!!! Love all the fabulous details!

[Myriam Le Blanc Élie]

So many details on those elephants! Your cards look gorgeous.
Myriam from Quebec, Canada

[Bea]

Your work is always special...b

[Kathleen Burgess]

Two fabulous cards!! Unique ideas in each elephant card! Thx so much for sharing your creativity! And I agree, who doesn't like elephants!

[Kathleen Burgess]

Forgot to mention that I live in Cary, NC, a few miles from Raleigh.

[Rob]

I love these stamp sets, especially the elephant. Great card, very much in the Indian style.

[D.Ann C]

These are terrific! LOVE the elephant shaped card!! - FL

[VikiB]

These are gorgeous!!!!I love the shaped card.

[Claudia Jean Nelson]

Absolutely gorgeous. You are such an amazing artist. I love everything you do. Thank you for your inspiration. C21claudia@aol.com

[TracyM #6773]

EXCITING cards Gwen!!!
WOW - LOVE the colours, textures and CREATIVE designs!!!
Your elephants are AWESOME, THANK YOU for sharing!!!
Tracy from Australia

[Jackie Schachter]

Lovely colorful, fun cards! You have great ideas of how to
put cards together. Thanks for sharing.

[Deborah S]

Both cards are wonderful but your first card is just stunning tfs.

[Beverly Parkison]

My goodness...how smart. Thanks.

[Sarah]

The window card is awesome. Your work is wonderful.

[Barbaara Poe]

Such vibrant and beautiful work! I love it.

[Cynthia Xavier]

Your cards are so cool.

[Tamiko McCurry]

love how you did both cards using the negative and positive portion from the card!! Love all the lil details as well!!

[Susan Pratt]

I especially liked the two sided card. Great colors that really pop!!

[Teresa Godines]

Fabulous projects. TFS

[Lilian]

Those are cool ideas!!!
Lilian (Maryland, USA)
The Leaf Studio

[Janet]

Wow! I LOVE these! So clever and beautiful! Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas!

[Linsey R]

I love your beautiful elephants! You are so inspiring!!! :)

[NancyGrace]

What AMAZING elephants you created. I cannot choose between them for a favorite, and I am not usually so wishy/washy here in Hillsboro, Oregon.