Stamping A to Z

October?

Really?

Really.

Sheesh. From now until the end of the year, everything is going to be on fast forward, isn't it? Yikes!

So sorry I've been MIA, but I've been trying to enjoy as much of this incredible autumn weather as possible. I hope you don't blame me! But before my poor old blog starts to develop cobwebs, I figured I better post an update and what could be better than a stamping tutorial?! (And a winner, too - announced at the end of this post!)

I had the honor to be asked to contribute to Two Peas in a Bucket's Stamping A to Z event for the month of October. I am *so* not a huge stamper, but I've been loving it more and more lately thanks in large part to our affiliation with Hero Arts their gorgeous stamps based on our BasicGrey designs.

Supplies: BasicGrey Life of the Party patterned papers, stamps, transparency; Wander alpha stickers

Other: American Crafts Zing Embossing powder, Versamark ink, Bazzill cardstock & buttons, Jillibean Soup twine, Fiskars punches.

For this layout, I used BasicGrey's Life of the Party papers & rubber cling background stamps. The stamping is on the tickets that are to the left of the photo as well as the little ticket "parts" that are used as accents.

In these close ups, you can really see the fun I had with the details on this page especially that embossing. Have I mentioned I loveeeee embossing especially with all the fun colors of Zing! that there is and how beautifully and crisply the BG/Hero stamps...well...STAMP!

Tickets patterns and shapes have been a huge trend in scrapbooking for the past six months or so and I can't get enough of them. A handful of tickets is so fun but even MORE fun when you can customize them and make them your own. And that's exactly what I did for this layout of Turner's 9th birthday. And here's how I did it:

This is what you'll need to get started: a clear embossing pad/ink, embossing powders, a favorite stamp, a heat gun and some cardstock. (This is a FANTASTIC way to use up your scrap bits and pieces!) P.S. Please ignore the totally wrecked BG cutting mat. I use mine daily and it is much loved...and very old ;)

Ink up your stamp with the clear embossing ink.

Stamp onto smooth cardstock (or the backside of textured cardstock). Be sure to press nice and firmly all the way around. (I didn't do this as well as I should in my hurry to take these photos and you'll see that in the next image - oops!)

While your image is still wet....

....sprinkle desired color of embossing powder over your design making sure to cover it completely.

Heat your design from underneath until the powder melts forming a smooth image. I heat from underneath to keep my image from "burning" - those heat guns get crazy HOT!

Once your design has cooled, cut scraps into ticket shapes. I used a variety of sizes, but for this particular one, the measurements are 1.5"x3".

Using a small circle punch (or even a hole punch), snip off the corners of the rectangle to make it look like a ticket. Experiment and play around to give each one a unique look.

And there you have it! Ta-da!!

I hope you'll try making some of your own. If you do, please link me up. I'd love to see them!
And finally the winner of the BasicGrey PICADILLY and the Fall issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today...Come on down, KRISTIN HAYNE!!! Congratulations, girl, and please email me at kelly(dot)goree(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your prize!

Have a great week!
xoxo,

kg