Watercolor Acetate Technique

I made this Birthday card using the watercolor acetate technique.

It's hard to see it in the picture, so I'll tell you that there is a piece of acetate overlaying the white cardstock. The Watercolor Wonder Crayons on the Whisper White cardstock underneath the acetate sheet gives a unique look and feel to this card.

Certainly, the person who receives a card like this will feel special.

More Birthday Calendar Pics

Here are more pictures of my perpetual Birthday Calendar. It has been fun selecting stamp sets and colors. The options are almost endless. It could also have some ribbon and other embellishments to make it even prettier.

As you can see, when I did the month of April, I did more to stay out of the center of the page. With February, I wasn't concerned about that, although I did try to use lighter colors in the center. You can do this in a way that pleases you.

There are two simple ways to block off the center. That technique is called masking.

1. A piece of regular copy paper cut to size can be attached using a temporary adhesive. If any adhesive sticks you can use an adhesive eraser to gently remove it.





2. Use Post-It notes to cover the center while you're stamping.

Either of these methods work fairly well. You can use whichever you have on hand. I happen to like the look of background printing, so I'll probably continue to do that as I finish my calendar.

Project: Birthday Calendar

Each year at the beginning of the year, what's one of the first things you do with your new calendar? Re-write everyone's birthday and anniversary on the new calendar, hoping all the while that you don't either miss someone's birthday, or write it in on the wrong date. Well I've found an answer to this yearly problem. It's a Perpetual Birthday Calendar. It helps me keep track of all the birthday's and anniversaries, and I'll never have to transfer them again!

Don't forget to check out my upcoming classes for February at http://www.stampedblessings.stampinup.net/Events.aspx.

So Sweet

I wanted to try out some new stamps and colors. I used images from two Stampin' Up! stamp sets to create this look. You'll notice that the flowers are done with the Two-Step Stamping method. The stamps are designed to work this way. Use a lighter color for the solid stamp. Then a darker coordinating color for the outline stamp. With stamp sets like this, it's easy for you to create a great looking card.

Stamp Sets:

• So Very, 2007 Sell-A-Bration Mini Catalog


• Springtime Stems, level 1 Hostess set

Card Stock Colors:

• Naturals White


• Brocade Blue


• So Saffron


• Garden Green

Ink Colors:

• Brocade Blue


• Night of Navy


• Perfect Plum


• Pale Plum


• So Saffron


• Certainly Celery


• Garden Green

Other Tools/Supplies:

• 1-1/4" Circle Punch


• 1-3/8" Circle Punch


• Window Punch


• Stampin' Dimensionals

The Stamper's Blessing

by Laura Smith

In the morning she awakes
with blessing in her mind.
The question is who will she bless,
and how she'll find the time.

Throughout her day she muses
on which dear friend to pick.
Because she knows the power
of her friendly little trick.

"This one has a birthday coming.
That one needs some cheer.
My other friend has been the best,
when I've been looking down, not up."

Then once again she pulls together
paper, ink and stamps.
She cuts and taps and rolls and glues
to make her favor dance.

The pictures cross the paper.
They mount themselves with glee,
for in the morning they will ride
with the Postman through the streets.

They'll wait in silent hiding,
within their shrouded lair.
'Til all at once they hear the shout,
"What have we got here?"

Perhaps a birthday greeting,
perhaps a "Thank You, dear",
or maybe, just maybe,
the beholder's eyes will tear.

To know that you've been thought of,
is a great gift in this life,
as people go about their days
filled with grief and strife.

Once again the words are read.
The noise begins to fade,
as peaceful notes of quiet rest
begin to take their place.

The pictures and the colors
from beginning to the end,
tell the stamper's story
she hoped that she would send.

Ribbons and embellishments,
reminders of the care
taken to adorn this card
with love and thankful prayers.

If someday you go out
to the mailbox to get your post,
and in the mail that day you find
a heavy envelope,
then know that someone holds you dear
and wants for you to feel
the wonder of the blessing
which stampers all revere.

Copyright 2006, Laura Smith
All rights reserved.