THE END OF THE BASICS IS NIGH

I'm almost finished showing you the projects that I completed as I worked my way through the Stampin' Up! online class, The Basics.

Today I will present five of the final projects:

Project 25

In this project, we were "introduced" to "watercoloring" on watercolor paper. I say "introduced" because I have done this technique countless times. But, this course is called "The Basics" for a reason.  The original project was a simple tag, but I turned my simple tag into a card.

While I love the cat/bird/flower image and how my "painting" turned out, as well as some of the components of the card, this is not one of my favorites.

Project 26

This project gave me quite a challenge. The whole purpose of this technique was to teach us how to add color to the Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper. 

I do not own any of this paper, nor have I ever seen it in real life. The description in the catalog for this DSP reads "Shiny, raised patterns printed on heavy-weight Natural paper. Patterns appear brown and glossy." Hmmmm. The description in the project of this DSP adds: " . . . comes with pre-embossed images and the materials used to make the paper have similar characteristics to Watercolor Paper in the way it soaks up the ink and water." OK. Well.

My interpretation of this paper is images stamped in VersaMark on Crumb Cake cardstock, covered with Clear Embossing Powder, and heated to emboss. Good so far. Except, my Clear Embossing Powder must be contaminated because I got zillions of little white dots all over my embossed images. Great. 

Overlooking the white dots (it's the only Clear Embossing Powder I had on hand.), I proceeded with finishing the technique. Other than the <unattractive> white polka dots, I was happy with the end result.

Project 27

Now, this is a technique that I will definitely be using again! Loveliness and grace personified.

Place a piece of Vellum Cardstock inside your choice of embossing folders and run it through the Big Shot. Then simply use reinkers to "paint" into the recessed portions of the embossed image. I added Basic Pearls in various sizes to further enhance the feminine qualities of this piece.

Project 28

This project gave me a good opportunity to play with my Button Buddies set. The purpose of the project was to free-hand draw a conversation cloud and "paint" it in with reinkers. 

Well, since I'd opted to feature the snail, and figuring that snails don't "talk", I decided to change mine to a thought bubble. 

Project 29

This project was to merely take advantage of one of the super aspects of Stampin' Up!'s products: the fact that many of our stamped images are meant to be used either alone, as simply a stamp, or in conjunction with either one of our punches or Framelits sets. Using it with a cutting element makes for fast and easy work to create your own popped-up focal image. 

In my card, I utilized the combination of the Hearts A Flutter Framelits and the matching stamp set. I added a little plaque for the heart to hang on with one of the frames from the Apothecary Accents Framelits set. 

Why don't you take some time to learn or revisit The Basics?

Smiles.