Valentines Day Cards in a non traditional sense- Unity Stamp Co.

I think we all can agree that my style of crafting is not exactly... well traditional. I have grown to really love what I do and through the process I have come to the realization that I tend to lean towards the artsy, colorful and re-purposed style of crafting... and I couldn't be happier.

I am trying to expand my horizons, as I have found that the reason that I do lean towards the artsy distressed style is not because clean and simple couldn't be a style I create... more or less to draw or cut a straight line kinda frightens me. I hide my mistakes with paint, flowers and inks... lol. But I am going to try and create some simpler designs because I love love love the look of it.

Today I created some non-traditional "Not yo' momma's" Valentines Day cards. These cards were for examples at CHA, of the New Crafters Inks by Clearsnap Inc. Both of these greeting cards were created using my new background stamps from Unity Stamp Co.

4 YOU greeting card

Products used: cardstock (Bazzill Basics), Inks, Glitter, and embossing powder (Clearsnap Inc), Stamps (Liz Hicks Studios for Unity Stamp Co.), Pen (Sakura of America), sequin and vintage paper (Unknown), Dry adhesive (Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L) and wet adhesive (Beacon Adhesives)

Foreground and background: use rich colors to create your focal point like I did using Collage of Digits here. I added some visual interest to the background by layering my stamps over tinted vintage paper. Using Dinged Dots and I.Kat along the side helps to break up the boldness of the main stamp.

 

Layer Colors and Patterns: The happening trend right now in fashion is not only color blocking BUT also blocking with complimentary patterns. Use analogous or complimentary colors with my stamps to create beautiful layered effects like you see above. I used three different colors and 3 different stamps to create this colorful collage.

Isolate a number and use it to your benefit: Here I added glittered embossing powder to the #4 to use it for my sentiment.

 Love You Card

Products used: Cardstock (Bazzill Basics), Inks and embossing powder (Clearsnap Inc.), Stamps (Liz Hicks Studios for Unity Stamp Co.), Pen (Sakura of America), Punchinella and Vintage paper (unknown), Dry adhesive (Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L) and wet adhesive (Beacon Adhesives)

Make a bold impression: Use a repetitive pattern (Like the hearts here) in bold colors to allow the stamped background to fade. Taking the visual interest off of the background with this bold heart pattern allows the viewer to see the hearts first and notice the background secondary, which translates really well as perceived depth.

Outline to define: Use a dark pen to outline letters or patterns that may otherwise get lost in the background.

Since this post IS a part of our Launch Party with UNITY STAMP CO. I want to remind you of our giveaways taking place till February 2nd 2013. Check them out here. 

I used ALL 4 of the background stamps on the first card and Dinged Dots & my alphabet on the second.

These background stamps are on sale for only $8.99 AND my Alphabet is only $20 right now. To add to the amazing prices... $1 of every sale goes to help Melody Ross with her work for Full Circle Exchange in bringing awareness and assistance to those involved in Human Trafficking. Sale is for this weekend only so grab them while you can. You can order your Unity Stamps right here.

Also make sure to check out the brand new LIZ HICKS STUDIOS facebook page that we created to keep track of all of the good stuff we are doing with Liz Hicks Studios. If you didn't know... Liz Hicks Studios is not just me, it is my family as well but mostly me and my husband. This is our families joint effort and I would love for you to check out what we are doing next by checking out our page here.

There is a whole lot of fun things going on this year... this is just the beginning. I hope you enjoyed these cards and the details that I have shared. With explaining them as I did, I hope that you can take this info and find ways to make it useful in your crafting.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Liz Hicks

Creative Crayons- Clearsnap Giveaway!

We are counting down to the last TWO episodes of Everyday Creative on My Craft Channel. I hope that this has been a fun adventure of techniques for you to enjoy. I know I have enjoyed getting to share each week with you a little tidbit of fun.

Next week is our GRAND FINALE which we will be creating a faux encaustic canvas. Along with that, we are having a BIG GIVEAWAY full of prizes from all of the companies that have participated with giveaways. So you will want to make sure you check back for that.

For this weeks episode, I am sharing a bit of creativity with wax crayons. you may remember a video I had created back a bit with using crayons in a glue gun... well this weeks video of Everyday Creative shows you that and BEYOND. Watch it here. Here are the two projects I used it this weeks episode.

Thanks 6x6 Card

The Real Me Art Journal Cover

Originally a part of PAJWLH (Progressive Art Journal Workshop with Liz Hicks) seen here.

Products used for both of these products are from Prima Marketing Inc and Clearsnap Inc

Both projects were created with techniques using crayons  and are featured on the episode of Everyday Creative- Creative Crayons. The art journal is a part of the free art journal workshop I offer here on my blog. If you would like to see more art journal prompts, click here.

The winner of last weeks prize package is: KATINA! Congrats!!!!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


And for this weeks giveaway... We are featuring a collection of Clearsnap Goodies (Smooch ink and Smooch Spritz!) to enter in to this weeks prize, use the widget below. If it doesn't show up, refresh the page and it will load.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

This was another fun episode to share. I can't wait for next weeks episode... It is our last :( but It is good... and a whole lot of fun!!!

Thanks again!

~Liz Hicks 

Some fun stuff headed for CHA...

This week has been super crazy, seems like as much as I think I have done before CHA... it really isn't! CHA, tends to sneak up so many un-expected last minute details... and in all honest, I really do love it... not necessarily the last minute stuff... but CHA. This year I will be working in the SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L booth (3203) If you are headed there, make sure to stop by and say hello!

This year since I now work for an adhesive company... I have been able to open up other opportunities with various companies... and being that I love paint... I have been having some fun with some Clearsnap products... Here are some projects that will be in their booth this CHA.
Here are some projects featuring their new Jumbo Spritz colors.

Love You 6x6 Card

I took some Bazzill glazed cardstock and saturated it in Black Velvet Spritz, it created this beautiful two toned look, the spritz actually stuck nicely to the glaze on the paper.


And here are some pictures of the depth of texture that I created for the background. I love adding so much texture to pages, even simple cards can have a fun background.


And this one is possibly my favorite... I have to say, I haven't been asked to create a tag before, so I figured if I am going to do a tag... might as well have some fun with it!

This tag is used to blend colors together. I also added some vintage ephemera and some of the Clearsnap foils for something shiny!






this is a 6x6 layout using their Log Cabin, Gold Glow and Vanilla Shimmer Jumbo Spritz. I used some punchinella as a mask and then blended the colors together with water.


So this is the start of what is to come... I have some fun ART-C, and Prima stuff to share too... and of course some SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L samples too.

thanks for looking~

♥Liz

some fun stuff,

Paintables, glimmer mist and Dude cards...OH MY!

Paintable doen with girly glimmer mist colors

Thank you card using Dude line from Prima

Boyish paintable using Glimmer mist

Dude where's my card class

Well, like I said I have been up to something, definitely. Here are a few projects that I have had in the works and I have failed to post pics of. BTW, I am IN LOVE with glimmer mists. I have been using them seriously on every project, and am amazed!!! The paintables started off black and white but with just a few colors of glimmer mist they have a whole new look. I like the look and ease of glimmer mist because it is a one stop shop with the paintables. I also have used watercolor pencils and crayons, alcohol inks, stained glass paints glaze pens, and souffle pens. The possibilities are endless with paintables.

The "Dude Where's my Card" class is coming up at Scrapbooking Heaven in Huntington Beach, Ca. in July. With these cards I used the Dude rub-ons and paper line. We also are using some non traditional scrap items and altering crystals with this one. I haven't done a card class and am looking forward to this!

I would love to post some of my buds projects here if you ever have anything you are proud of and want to show off, then let me know!