Stenciled Butterfy by AJ Otto

Hi all-

AJ here to share how to create this stenciled butterfly card using Samantha's Newest dies Butterfly Corner from Spellbinders paper arts and stamps from JustRite.

 Here's my finished card-I love how the yellow pops off the butterfly after being stenciled using the die template.

 After you cut and emboss your die, leave it in the die template, and sponge ink over the open spaces.

Gently work the ink around all the open areas until you get the coverage you like.  I used a pigment ink, so I let it sit to do dry a bit before popping it out.  You can get this same stenciled effect with any of Samantha's dies.

enjoy!!

AJ

A Little Impressabilities™ Show and Tell by AJ Otto

Hiya!  AJ here with a few cards using Samantha's Spellbinders Impressabilities™.

If you haven't used these or seen them before, these are MUCH larger than Spellbinders others they carry.  These are meant for use in the Grand Calibur™ Die Cutting machine, but can be customized for those of you who may have a smaller platformed system.  Since they are made from metal, they can be easily cut down to size.  You can also use them to stencil, or as an actual metal embellishment.

Today I am using them for their intended purpose, to emboss!  This is the GI-002 Butterfly Garden Impressbilities I am using today.

 Here's the basic Grand Calibur sandwich for these- base plate, Impressabilities, paper, tan mat, and embossing plate.

I have a piece of the Paris Girl 6 x 6 paper pad that I am using today.  Depending on which side you use, you will have a different embossed/debossed look.  Here the butterflies are raised.

 And on the flip side they are debossed.  Your embossed patterned papers are ready to use!

 Continuing on with my card, I m using Samantha's S5-146 Botanical Swirls, Corners, & Accents.

For her Spellbinders dies, the Grand Calibur sandwich is- base plate, die- cutting side UP, paper, and cutting plate.  (Mine is used and abused! ;)

 Run through your machine and you can see this die template create two die cuts.  Make sure to emboss as well.

Here I have separated the dies after being embossed so I can stamp my sentiment onto the middle piece.

I am using the Botanical Swirls and Labels stamp set from JustRite stamps here that coordinate with the dies.  There are a few ways to do this if using red rubber stamps- One is to stamp FIRST, then line up your die around the image, or you can do it this way.  Grab some temporary adhesive, and Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.  *This stays on my desk I use it so often*

 Temporarily adhere the smaller die cut to your working space with the temporary adhesive.  Stamp your image onto your SAMJ.  Place the SAMJ over your die cut.

 But the handle up into the corner of the plastic sheet.

 Line up just where you want it to stamp.

 I usually do this two handed, but didn't have a third arm for photographs today.  I always hold the blue handle steady and stamp- but you get the just of it.  ;)

 Another quick tip- When using some of the more intricate Spellbinders dies, place a piece of wax paper over the die BEFORE you place your cardstock down.  This is the Eiffel tower die template from the S5-145 French Frills set that coordinates with her same stamp set from JustRite Stamps.

 And here are my finished projects- my first card uses the new Paris Girl line from Carta Bella, and the Botanical Swirls and Labels stamp set.  You can see I used the pink side of the embossed paper.  I adhere the die cuts with some 3D Foam Squares to make them pop.

 The second card uses the backside of the embossed patterned paper, and the Ooh La La French Frills stamp set from JustRite stamps.

 And one more to show another of her Impressabilities, the GI-003 Sea Flowers, paired up with the label from the French Frills die set, and a stamp from the Ooh La La French Frills stamp set.

Sometimes it's fun to emboss patterned paper to add a little texture to it.

enjoy!

AJ

Creative Team Spotlight with AJ + Wonderful Wednesday! April 25, 2012

AJ Otto is our spotlight this month!  I'm thrilled to feature AJ as a two term member of our team. AJ has a way of making crafting appeal to all skill levels. Her little twists of ingenuity in her designs give people fresh ideas for their projects. I know you'll enjoy what AJ has to share with us today!

 For my first card, I am using a mix of Samantha's products-her line of Spellbinders dies, Creative Imaginations Big Top Birthday line of paper, and her rub on's also from the same CI line.  The two dies cuts are from the Ornate Artisan Tags and Accents set. 

 Again using a mix of her lines, this card features Spellbinders dies from the Ornate Artisan Tags and Accents and the Cuckoo Clock sets, and her Creative Imaginations paper.  The larger die cut is from the Ornate Artisan Tags and accents and the bird is from the Cuckoo Clock set.  The sentiment is the coordinating stamp set from Unity, Ornate Artisan Stackers.  The green patterned paper is the Kokeshi Lanterns paper.

The last card uses just patterned paper.  Some times just playing with paper is fun! ;)  I covered my card front with the orange circular patterns (from CI), and then trimmed a small strip from the backside of the same piece to break it up.  The butterflies are fussy cut from her Blossom Flutter paper.

Q: What is your favorite technique?
A: I'm not a techniquey type person.  (Is that a word?!;)  I started out as a stamper back when I first started making cards, so I tend to lean towards working with paper and stamps still today even in this era of digital designs!  I love to paper piece, I'm not a big colorer, and I just love playing with patterned paper.
 

Q: Where did you learn how to design?
A:  I just like to play with patterns and color.  Checking out magazines, blogs, and online galleries, figuring out what styles appealed to me and just jumping in head first!

Q: What influences your design choices?
A:Clean lines, graphic images, and pops of color.  I am a less is more type of gal, and lean towards cleaner designs and open space. Occasionally I step out of my comfort zone and am pleasantly surprised by playing with other styles. 

Q: Who are your artsy inspirations...
A: My friends.  I don't have specific people, although I have a long list of people I find inspiring, not just necessarily in the crafting world.  I love to peruse magazines and clothing ads as well.

Q: What do you enjoy doing besides crafting and designing…
A: Besides crafting...I am a mom!  That's a full time job as you all know.  My kids are active in sports and clubs at school and I have become taxi this year! If I am not hustling them around town watching their games, I love to cook from scratch, bake, and photography.  I am also hoping to learn how to use more of the amazing digital lines this year.  

Be sure to visit AJ's blog to see more of her fabulous work!

*****