Featured Stamper: Karen Herrmann

One of the really great things about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is meeting all the other demos, who so generously share their ideas and teach you what they know! I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Karen Herrman, a demo from Tecumseh, this past year. She has agreed not only to allow me to post this project that she taught at our monthly area demo meeting, she even wrote up the directions! (Note the beautifully decorated envelope that makes such a card a pleasure to receive even before you open it!)

Drunken Leaves

This technique used our classic re-inkers, our Encore gold pigment ink, and either rubbing or denatured alcohol on our glossy cardstock. It is actually known as Polished Stone. Since we are making 2 cards, go ahead and do both of the glossy pieces at the same time. They will take just a few minutes to dry or you can dry them with the heat gun.

1. Using the felt and wood block or cotton ball as an applicator, soak felt in alcohol. Add a couple of drops of re-inker in each color to the felt. Tap and slightly twist the felt pad onto the glossy white cardstock. Try not to over-blend, but also be sure that you are spreading the ink around. Add a drop or two more alcohol to the felt and a drop or two of the gold ink to the felt pad and repeat. Set aside to dry for a few minutes.
2. Using all of the ink colors (clean between colors, please) and your choice of the leaf stamps, add a few stamped-off images to the Naturals Ivory piece that goes inside of the card. Attach to the inside of the card.
3. Ink one of the larger leaf images in Dusty Durango and stamp twice, on the square of Naturals Ivory cardstock.
4. Use the stamp-a-ma-jig if desired, stamp “thanks” on the square, over the leaves. Layer it onto Dusty Durango. Stamp sentiment on inside, over leaves.
5. On the Soft Suede layer, ink one of the stamps in Soft Suede and stamp it a few times around the edge, for texture.
6. Be sure the glossy cardstock is dry, then stamp a few leaves on the polished stone piece – use a couple of colors and/or images, if desired.
7. Attach polished stone piece to the front of the Soft Suede card. Use plenty of adhesive around the edge, since the paper may have a slight curve to it as it has dried.
8. With the hand held punch, punch a hole on the left side (through both layers) or where you want the ribbon’s knot to be. Using the dotted grosgrain ribbon, thread the ribbon up through the hole, from the backside…holding the “tail” that is on the front-side down, wrap the long piece of ribbon all the way around the card until you are on the backside again. Thread the ribbon up through the same hole, so both ends are now on the front side – one tail on each side of the ribbon as it goes across. Tie a half knot, adjusting the ribbon so the dots are showing, if desired.
9. Add stamped leaf, layered square to the front of the card.

Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Many Thanks

Inks: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede classic re-inkers and ink pads; Gold Encore pigment ink

Paper: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Naturals Ivory, Glossy White CS

Misc: Dusty Durango or Soft Suede polka dot grosgrain ribbon, Rubbing or de-natured alcohol, cotton ball or felt for an alcohol ink applicator, stamp-a-ma-jig

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Thanks, Karen! This card was my first chance to use the Autumn Splendor stamp set and I'm still in love with it! Best of all, no raking necessary... Kathy