Decorative Christmas Tree

Here's my latest post for Magenta, and you can see it on the Magenta blog today also.  I really like how this card turned out.  I seem to gravitate toward blues this time of year.  This lovely Decorative Christmas Tree stamp from Magenta makes such an effortless and beautiful card; it does all the work for you!

I inked the background with distress inks, using a blending tool, and dried it with a heat tool.  The tree and sentiment were both stamped with Versamark, and embossed with White Diamond embossing powder from Judikins.  After mixing some Perfect Pearl powder with water, I flicked that onto the card to simulate snow.  I used some Waterfall Stickles in a few areas to add even more sparkle.  In my photo, I could not really capture how sparkly this card is in real life.

Stamps all by Magenta:  Decorative Christmas Tree 42.170.O; Joyeux Noel 07.780.G (English version of Merry Christmas is available, and would also work here 07.779.G)

Other Materials used:

Versamark Ink

White Diamond embossing powder by Judikins

Distress Inks:  Chipped Sapphire; Faded Jeans; Stormy Sky

Perfect Pearls - Pearl

Waterfall Stickles

Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers!!

Christmas Wishes

I absolutely love the new circle and seal stamps from Magenta.  They remind me of Christmas ornaments, and they can give a very elegant look to a card.  Here I embossed them with gold embossing powder and punched them out with circle punches.  Very simple and quick to do!  These would also look great on tags.  You need a 2" round punch for the Christmas Wishes Seal stamp; a 1.75" round punch for the Reindeer Seal; and a 1.25" round punch for the Ornamental Circles.

By Dianne Johnson

Stamps used -all from Magenta
42.169.H Christmas Wishes Seal 

42.164.H Reindeer Seal

42.176.F Ornamental Circle 1 

42.177.F Ornamental Circle 2

07.779.G Merry Christmas

Paper is Red canvas paper from Magenta

Other:  Gold embossing powder

Xmas Red Stickles

Christmas Spirit

I have a new post on the Magenta Blog with some of my cards using one of my favorite Christmas stamps from Magenta, Christmas Spirit 07.777.G.  I can imagine so many different cards using this stamp, paired with the Memory Box jar dies; it's a perfect pairing.

Magenta stamps used:

07.777.G Christmas Spirit

42.171.J Christmas Ornaments

42.180.O Christmas Song 

Other:

Memory Box die 98382 Tall Canning Jar

Memento Ink:  Bamboo Leaves; Love Letter; Desert Sand

I inked up the ornament stamp with both Bamboo Leaves and Love Letter inks from Memento, and stamped it onto some patterned paper that had a little shading.  I also added the Christmas Song image, that I inked lightly.  I die cut the stamped image using the canning jar die.  On all three cards, I also die cut the jar in acetate to cover the image.  It's hard to see in the photos, but in real life, it's a fun look.  The jar lids were die cut from some scrap silver paper.

Magenta stamps used:

07.777.G Christmas Spirit

412.169.H Christmas Wishes Seal

Other:

Memory Box Die 98382 Tall Canning Jar

Memento Ink: Danube Blue

Stardream Fuse Vista paper

Waterfall Stickles

Embossing Folder:  Couture Creations Co723278 Powder Puff

On the card above, I used the Christmas Wishes Seal stamp, but it was a little big to fit in the jar, so I taped off part of it when inking.  It's such a pretty snowflake image, and this is a good way to get more use from your stamps!

Magenta stamps used:

 07.777.G Christmas Spirit

42.173.O Decorative Christmas Tree

Other:

Memory Box Die 98383 Small Canning Jar

Memory Box Die 98420 Magic Flourish

Distress Stains:  Mowed Lawn; Festive Berries

Memento Ink: Danube Blue

Stardream Fuse Fairway paper

Embossing Folder: Couture Creations Co723603 Sugarplum Ball

On this last card, I had stamped the Decorative Christmas Tree and embossed in gold, and tried applying Distress Stains to the image, using the splat technique.  I ended up not liking how that turned out, so I instead used that image to die cut the small canning jar.  I love how the gold flourish in the tree, and the red and green Distress Stain colors are perfect to show Christmas spirit.  I also used the rest of the tree image to die cut with the Magic Flourish die, showing Christmas Spirit swirling up out of the opened jar.  Fun!

Magenta November 2013 Challenge

November 2013 - Magenta Challenge :

Fall Colors

Create a Card, a Layout or even an alterned object if you feel like it!
You simply have to follow the Fall Colors theme and use at least one Magenta product :

papers, stamps, embellishment, Peel Off's, chipboard and more...

You have until November 28th to participate in the Challenge

You could win this Magenta Prize :

You can enter the challenge on the Magenta blog here and be sure to check out the samples from the Design Team for inspiration.

Here is my card, based on the Fall Colors theme:

Magenta Stamps used:  Oak Leaf 0664.J; Maple Leaf 1 0665.K; Maple Leaf 2 0666.K;
                                       I am in Love With This Day! 07.730.H
Distress Inks used:  Barn Door; Rusty Hinge; Peeled Paint; Mustard Seed
Memento Inks used:  Lady Bug; Olive Grove; Rich Cocoa
Artquest Palette:  Metallic

I masked a panel of white card stock with post-it notes and used the Distress Inks with a blending tool to create the  Autumn colored strip.  I stamped the leaf stamps with the Memento Inks over the strip of color.

The sentiment stamp I used is all in one line, and I wanted a shorter, stacked sentiment, so I used a stamp positioner to create that look.  I taped over the second half of the sentiment, and inked it up; then I removed the tape, positioned the first line of text on the card and stamped.  I then taped over the first half of the sentiment, inked up the stamp; removed the tape; and positioned the second line of text and stamped.  I love how this technique turned out, and I love that you can get more use from your stamps this way.

I applied the Distress Inks onto another piece of white card stock, using the blending tool and stamped over the colors I had created with the Maple Leaf 2 stamp, and cut it out.  I mounted the cut-out stamped image onto the panel using the technique that we learned in Montreal from Mimi of Mimi a la Carte.  You apply several blobs of silicone caulk (that you can find at the hardware store) onto the spot on your card where you want to pop up your image.  Be sure to draw the blobs up to a point when applying.  Gently place your cut-out onto the silicone and only press down very gently if at all.  Allow the silicone to dry for several hours.

After the silicone had dried, I matted the panel with Stardream Flame and Magenta red Canvas paper, and mounted onto a card.  I used Artquest Metallic water color to splatter the card.

I want to encourage everyone to enter this challenge.  You just have to use a Fall color theme, use at least one Magenta product, and go to the Magenta blog to enter; you will have a chance to win a great prize!

Dreamweaver Pasted Images and Zentangle

We had such a wonderful time at the annual Christmas party at Art 'n Soul!  Thanks so much to everyone who attended, it was wonderful to see you all!  We had multiple demos to share with everyone, including our guest artist, Helene from Magenta, Susie, Debbie and Marj.  We also had many sample cards to provide inspiration, from myself, Susie, Debbie, Marj, Deb, Patti and Sue.

I sat at a demo table with Marj, who was demoing the paste technique with Dreamweaver Stencils.  Marj had also pre-pasted some cards, and I sat and demonstrated Zentangle on them.  I honestly had so much fun doing that!

I had previously Zentangled on this owl that Marj made for me, using Dreamweaver Gold embossing paste.  It was so smooth, that it was effortless to draw on.  I just used a Micron 01 black pen.

Pasted image by Marj Marion
Zentangled by Dianne Johnson
Dreamweaver Stencil LG 751 Open Owl
Dreamweaver Gold Embossing Paste

I completed the following two at the party on Sunday.  They are both beautiful cards that Marj made and then offered to let me Zentangle on the pasted images:

Card by Marj Marion
Zentangled by Dianne Johnson
Dreamweaver Stencil LG 674 Oval Ornament
Dreamweaver Gold Embossing Paste
Memory Box Die 98732 Winterberry Sprig

Card by Marj Marion
Zentangled by Dianne Johnson
Dreamweaver Stencil LJ 906 Maple Branch
Dreamweaver Glossy White Embossing Paste

This next one of the ornament is an image that Marj pasted for me to Zentangle onto, and I completed it at home

Image pasted by Marj Marion
Dreamweaver Stencil LG 674 Oval Ornament
Dreamweaver Glossy White Embossing Paste

I brought home a few more images that Marj pasted, and offered to me to add Zentangles, so I will post those as I get them finished.  I hope you like these!  If you are local to Art 'n Soul, I will have these on display at the shop.

Class in Montreal at Mimi a la Carte

As many of you know, I got the opportunity to go to Montreal and visit Magenta Stamps, which was just an amazing trip.  While we were there, Susie and I got to take a class at Mimi a la Carte, at 3778 Masson, Montreal QC.  Helene of Magenta took us there; and it's such a fabulous shop, tucked away along the street.  When you enter, you are immediately inundated with the most beautiful cards you have ever seen.  Mimi welcomes you to take pictures of the amazing samples that line the shelves, and I admit that I tried to take pictures of them all!

Part of one wall at the entrance of Mimi a la Carte

Mimi is the owner (Micheline Jourdain) and she, along with her daughter Emilie (pronounced Emily) Jourdain Maher were so welcoming to us that we felt immediately at home.

Emile (left) and Mimi (right)

The class was held in the back at an intimate table, lined with everything that we would need to complete our project.  Behind, and around the table were other supplies, ready if needed.  We loved how they displayed their nesting dies on a bulletin board near the table where we worked.

The class was to learn the technique of using Tombow markers on watercolor paper, and using a brush and water to create a beautifully shaded image.  This is definitely a technique that takes some care and practice, but it was just so much fun to do.  Emilie conducted the class, and used it as an opportunity to practice her English on us.  She kept saying it was challenging to speak to us in English and teach to us at the same time, but honestly, she did so well, she made it look effortless.  She is a fantastic teacher, and her English is really very good.  Helene was there to help with any needed translations, but we found we could understand Emilie very well.

When we finished coloring our images, Emilie also showed us an additional technique of popping up one of the parts of the image.  They use clear silicone sealant that you can find at a hardware store!  You apply a blob of the sealant where you want your popped up image to be, and it's very important to draw the blob up to a point.  Then you gently lay your cut out piece on top of the point and don't press down very much.  Allow it to dry that way, which may take several hours or overnight.  We also used liquid appliqué (which puffs when heated) and glitter, and Stampendous chunky embossing enamel in a few places on the piece to simulate snow.  Here is the finished card I made.  It's hard to see in the picture, but the top part of the child in red is popped up.  This was colored completely with Tombow markers and a wet brush.

Magenta Stamps:  42.188.L Sledding Day; 07.780.G Joyeux Noel (small)

For those of you who are local to Art 'n Soul, we will have more samples of cards using this technique with Tombows.  We will also have the liquid appliqué and Stampendous embossing enamel in stock for our Christmas Party on October 27, from 1:00-4:00.

While we were there, many regular customers of the shop came in, and when they learned that Helene was in the back with American guests, they all came back to say hello.  Many of them spoke English to us, and welcomed us to the area and to Mimi a la Carte.  They were also thrilled to be able to greet Helene.  Magenta Stamps products are as popular there are they are at Art 'n Soul!

Before we left, Mimi kindly sat down and showed us an amazing technique for creating snow drifts, and stamping images in the snow she had created with ink.  She also showed how to make tree shadows in the snow, by stamping on a piece of plastic packaging and applying it to the image.  She mostly spoke in French, but somehow we could understand her, and with just a few translations from Helene.  We were bowled over by the beauty she created right in front of us with seemingly little effort.  She was very much in her element, and is so happy when she is creating!

Magenta stamp:  Small Deer Family 42.186.E
I did not get the information on the tree stamp, but the Magenta stamp Fir Tree 32.036.J would work well for  a picture like this.

Mimi gifted us with the sample that she created, and we will have it on display at our Christmas Party at the shop.  We are also very excited that Helene will be there at our party to show this technique to everyone who comes.  Having learned the technique from Mimi, Helene is also a master at it, and it will be such a treat to see her do it at Art 'n Soul.

Helene took this picture of the happy students and teachers before we left.

Emilie, Me, Susie, and Mimi

Magenta Giveaway!

Magenta is having a giveaway!  You could be the lucky winner of a $50 gift certificate just by entering.

Magenta wants to say Thank You to all of its faithful followers!

Enter this special “Give Away” for a chance to win!

You could win a $50 gift certificate

applicable on your next order on our online store! *

* Certificate is valid only on our online store and shipping is not included

Simply follow Magenta on the Magenta Blog or Facebook and use the widget in this blogpost to enter!
You have until October 31st to enter!

www.facebook.com/style.magenta

www.lestylemagenta.blogspot.ca

Magenta Floral Elements Template

As promised, here are the two samples I created for the new Magenta October 2013 Supplement.  These samples will be on display at Art 'n Soul, and we have ordered a supply of these templates, as well as many of the new stamps from both of the new catalog supplements.

By Dianne Johnson
Magenta Template design by Ellie Knol - TM-39
Magenta Sentiment stamp:  07.700.G  Life is Art
Memento Ink:  Danube Blue; Grape Jelly; Rose Bud; Bamboo Leaves; Cottage Ivy

by Dianne Johnson
Magenta Template design by Ellie Knol - TM-39
Magenta Sentiment stamp: 07.691.G  Art Washes
Memento Colors:  Sweet Plum; Grape Jelly; Bamboo Leaves; Danube Blue
Wink of Stella purple glitter pen

These were so fun to do, and so effortless.  All that was needed was the template, sponge daubers or stencil brushes and ink pads.  A sentiment stamp is the final touch.

Sorry I've been absent for the blog for a bit, but September is a crazy busy month for me.  Also, at the end of September, and first week of October, I traveled to Montreal, and got to visit Magenta!  More on that later, but I wanted to let you know that Magenta has a new October 2013 release out that is fabulous.  You can check out the images here

When I was at Magenta, I was honored to be asked to create a sample for this October supplement using the new Magenta template.  The template is based on stamp designs by the talented Ellie Knoll.  My sample is on the last page of the supplement, so be sure to page through it to the end.  I actually did two samples using the new template, and I will share my pictures of both of them with you soon.

Zen Pumpkin

Last year I saw a video by Suzanne McNeill, CZT, where she Zentangled on a foam pumpkin.  She made it look so effortless and fun!  Well, I went out and bought foam pumpkins, but then I never did Zentangle on them.  Last night I decided it was time, so I got one out.  Suzanne used Sharpie paint pens, which contain an oil based paint.  Here are some pictures of my efforts.  It's really not as easy as it looked when Suzanne did it!

By Dianne Johnson

You can definitely see that the lines are far from perfect, but I didn't care - it was a lot of fun to do!  Drawing on a curved surface was a lot harder than drawing on a flat one!  Every once in a while, my pen would just go off on it's own and the lines would not be what I had planned.

By Dianne Johnson

Although the paint pen that I used is the smaller one that is available, it is still has a bullet point tip, which is much thicker than the Micron 01 that I'm used to.  With that being the case, some patterns are better than others to use.  

By Dianne Johnson

I ended up coloring in some lines where my pen just veered off!

By Dianne Johnson

Wherever the oil based paint dried, it acted like a "speed bump" to my pen.  The pen would hit it and come to a screeching halt and then jump over the painted place.

By Dianne Johnson

I even did the bottom, because you KNOW people are going to pick it up to look at it!

In spite of it being more difficult to do, there was such joy in doing this, and I actually love how it turned out.  You should definitely try it!  I chose a white pumpkin and a black pen to do first, but I also have a black pumpkin and white pen, and I'm going to do that next.