Document Folder

A single sheet of cardstock scored and folded 1" from the bottom  makes a functional document folder. 

1. Lay cardstock flat to stamp, color, and collage.  Measure 1" from the bottom edge and score from the back of the sheet. 
2. Fold up at score line and rub flat with a bone folder or scissor handle.
3. Secure folder  by attaching a button with a cord to keep your folder closed.  Make sure the cord is long enough to wrap around the folder.
4. Create a matching envelope to tuck inside if desired.

The three Stampotique stamps used for this simple project are from Stampoptique.com.  Look for Antique Description (7228), Carol's Flower Large, 9165, and Little Friends (9154)

Digi Stamps now available for instant download on Etsy

I'm pleased to announce that Vera Lane Studio Digi stamps are now available for instant download in my Etsy shop. 

 

 The current catalog is available by request.  Please email me at:

 

janet@veralanestudio.com

 



June Birthdays

There sure seem to be a lot of them.  I'm one, so is my husband, and many of our friends have June birthdays.  Since the celebrations are beginning soon I put off a couple of items on my agenda to create some small birthday cards. 

The Stampotique Birthday Cake Cube with Candle was a good option to begin my June birthday card set.  I had a stack of 2 x 2" Twinchie cards cut for my children's studio, colored cardstock and my pile of PITT pens (that I can't live without).  To complete this simple collection I used Copics, BIC markers, a corner cropper, and Jim Holtz Distress Inks. You'll also need scissors, adhesive, and foam or adhesive dots.

The completed cards measure 3.5" x 4". 

Cut assorted card stock 3.5" x 8", score in the center and fold.  Stamp a variety of cakes in a variety of colored inks on white card stock.  Color cakes to your desired palette.  Add some bling, glitter, or what ever you desire.  Trim cakes, accent with Pitt pens for some contrast.
Now design a border on your 2 x 2" white card (Twinchie) with the PITT pens.  I like the small tip. 
Pull some colors from the cake and decorated your border design. Attach the 2x2" decorated Twinchie in the top center of the card.  Clip 2" wide scraps to add to the bottom. 
Now embellish the edge of the card with the PITT pen and color with markers.  Add the cake in the center of the Twinchie with double sided sticky foam to make it dimensional. 
Trim corners with a corner cutter and distress the edges with monochromatic Distress Inks. 

It's good therapy to work on variations of a theme, and not a bad idea to make up a batch of birthday cards in advance!


 

E I E I O

It's hard for art teachers to do their own thing when they are planning and creating with children all week.  So I decided to initiate a monthly "Art Night" with some artsy friends to visit and share my studio space.
When I was cleaning party aftermath my attention deficit made me sit down and respond to SDC99 Stampotique Designers challenge...Summertime.

With full intentions of focusing on "summer in the city" I grabbed the mini city cube, the town and country cube (mini trees on these cubes), and the sun sliver...but then I came across the barnyard cube, and well, EIEIO.  The little red house is cut from row houses.

EIEIO

 

Art Night!

 

 

Count your rainbows

I received my shipment of Stampotique Wizard of Oz characters this week. After stumbling across the quote, "Count your rainbows, not your thunderstorms,” I respond to this week’s designer's challenge no. SD91 Sketch featuring the Dorothy image.
 

The colors from the background papers were motivation to pull additional scraps that directed the color palette of the piece.  Dorothy is colored with Copics and a little glitter for her ruby shoes.

Note: The background painted paper is made with tempera in my children’s workshops.  We set up trays of diverse colors at each station and apply watered down tempera to make solid sheets.  After the sheets are colored, children will move about to different stations where there are a variety of gadgets to print with.  Repeat patterns added. When the papers are dry they are flattened and cut in quarters.  I use these papers for a wide variety of projects.

New Images from Background Stamps

 

I was playing with some dry wash and paper mask techniques for my young students and decided to use it as a springboard to respond to Sam Read's Stampotique Designer's Challenge #90; Song Inspiration.  "Good Day Sunshine” (Beatles) uses three Stampotique  images; Love Definition , Vintage Script,  and Flower Girl. 

I cut a circle mask for the sun and tore out a curved shape to create a hill.  Pebbles Pearlescent chalks, Copics, and a little glitter pen scribble was applied after laying down  the paper masks.  Flower Girl's dress is paper pieced.

 The next images use all background stamps with paper masks and a little line work. 

I created three random mask shapes for the trees by cutting into a post-it note and tearing desired shapes.   A dry wash of chalk was applied prior to stamping background stamps. For the house I cut out the rectangle and triangle on separate masks and applied the Baroque Background with colored dye inks.

Scrap paper completes the house door.

 

 

 

 

New Images on Vera Lane

 
"Bloom" is a set of three images that will come to you in six files. Why six files? Three of the blooms are very light and will print in a softer value. I used the lighter set for this delicate watercolor wash.

I arranged the three Bloom images and inserted a borderless text box to type "Merci." Using a water brush, it took under a couple of minutes to add some light watercolor washes, and tie with a bow. 

 

Stella Luna is a set of four digi stamps.  I would love to show you a sample, however, my dog ate it. (True story)  She's really quite cute, and I wanted to get her in the shop before we hit October.