Big Backgrounds + Small Spaces = MAJOR Impact!

Hi everyone...Julie Ranae here with you today!

If you've ever taken a look at my projects, there are two things you will notice.

I typically only make cards...

I don't do a lot of dimensional projects.

I like to take big background images and use them for something 

'other' than backgrounds.

Today I thought it would be fun to share one of the Basic Tutorials

in my 'Building Blocks of Design' Series...

Big Backgrounds + Small Spaces = MAJOR Impact!

Market Street Stamps have a BIG variety of large background stamps

that of course, are great for backgrounds on your cards.

They are also terrific for small design elements as well.

Let's take a look at the first project completed...

Now...let's take a look at how we get there...

This is a perfect opportunity to use scraps of cardstock

that have found their way into your scrap box.

Because I work with cards, I took most of my 12 x 12 cardstocks

and cut them down to 8 1/2 x 11.  So this stack was the remainder

of those cuts and they are just right for stamping a bunch of

backgrounds for future use.

I find that using extremely 'juicy' ink pads are the absolute best

way to get solid, detailed impressions.

Once you choose a theme for  your card, it's time to determine your

next elements.  For this card, I decided on this fun flag die cut

and used the 'Flurries' background from MSS.

Yes...the plates for my die cut machine are lovingly used!

I am just waiting for those plates to completely crack : )

(new plates are standing by!)

I chose the new 'Essential Holiday Elegance' sentiments for

my little flags.

These little flags are so easy to make using toothpicks.

Just 'snap' off the tip at the bottom and sand it off.  I always keep

those fun little emery boards, that they sell for $1 in the Ulta

check out line, on hand.  They brighten up my work space and

make me smile when I use them.

I use my Japanese hole punch to create the perfect tiny holes

for the picks.  Easy peasy!

Now it's just a matter of finding the rest of the design

elements that you want to use to finish off your card.

I typically reach for the 'Stardust' Stickles for any 'snowy' look

because I like the shiny colors that are reflected.

You could also choose 'Icicle' or even 'Frosted Lace'

for a snowy look.

Make sure you wait until the entire card is assembled before

you apply it.  Any one who has applied it and THEN tried to glue

it down will know why : )

Here is another little tip...

Put your glitter glues upside down in your storage drawer

and write the name of the color on the bottom of

the bottle.  It helps to keep all the air bubbles to a minimum

when you are applying it to your projects.

That is pretty much it!

Here is a detailed photo of the background in the tiny space.

It's always good to remember to 'think small' when wondering

what to do when a stamp image makes you 'think big'.

Don't ya just love these owls?

They are from the 'Night Owl' set.

'Sweet Lace' was the first MSS background stamp I came to own

and it's still one of my very favorites.

This background is the brand new 'Grace' background.

It makes great texture on a tree limb.

The new 'Mesh' background makes a great moon.

Here's are the results...

Speaking of 'Sweet Lace'...

This 'small space' is just a bit bigger than the others....

I have lots of pre-made dies cuts and embellishments that

really need 'support'...in other words, something to fill

the space and still be relevant.  That's what MSS backgrounds

can do for your projects.

I hope you found inspiration with this basic tutorial from the

'Building Blocks of Design'.

They'll put your Market Street Stamps backgrounds to a

new & creative use!

*********************
from Angelica:
What a fabulous way to use backgrounds in all your projects!
Loved these cards, Julie!

Thanks so much for everyone who stopped by this weekend to check out our Designer Showcase!
Our Random Winner will receive 1 set of their choice from our November Release.
And the winner is.....
#31- Liz Terrazas !!

Liz said...

gorgeous stamp releases and the cards made are fabulous.. Fantastic work by all.. My fave Winter activity is decorating the house with Christmas cheer.. Lights outside, decorations throughout the house and of course creating my original one of a kind Christmas Cards..

Liz, please email Jorge (jorge at marketstreetstamps dot com) with the November set of your choice and your shipping address so we can get that right out to you! :)

Thanks again for coming by everyone, have a creative week!

Blast Off! with Market Street Stamps

HEY!! Julie Ranae here!

I am super excited to be sharing this post with you today

in my official capacity as a Senior Designer over at

Market Street Stamps

I absolutely love playing with our fun & fab

'peach-tinted'...yes...'peach tinted'

stamps!

You may that I now have four grandsons and I am 

constantly thinking boy-themes lately.

I think my oldest grandsons CJ (who is 8)

would love this card!

It's difficult to see in the photo, but I used 

silver metallic cardstock underneath the

cut panels, so it lends a real 'space' feel.

I used the Blast Off set and oh what fun!

Hey!!  You are gonna love this next part!

In honor of the new design team week,

look at what Market Street Stamps is offering...

You can get in on an amazing giveaway!

Just click here 

Each of the new designers has chosen their

favorite stamp set and they are being given away!

You have until 11:59 CST, Thursday Aug 4th to enter

It's a pretty big deal and you could win!!

So glad you could stop by today!

Today's Project Recipe:

Designer Paper: 'Planes & Trains' by GCD Studios
Stamps: 'Blast Off' by Market Street Stamps

Ink:  'Tuxedo Black & Paris Dusk' Memento, Copic Markers

Tools: Fiskars corner rounder

Embellishments: 'Stardust & Platinum' Stickles

Introducing a NEW Senior Design Team Member!

Hello everyone! I hope you've been keeping crafty while we are keeping our BIG SECRET! Yes, only a few more days until our NEW DESIGN TEAM is revealed! And you won't want to miss it! We'll have giveaways lasting all day long with a new designer announced every hour, on the hour! August 2nd is the big day - can't wait!! We have NINE incredibly talented designers joining our team and another new addition - but to our Senior DT!


I am so pleased to announced that Julie Ranae of Julie's Open Window will be joining our Senior Design Team! Julie is a sweet, knowledgable and all-around crafty girl whom I'm absolutely honored to have aboard!

Julie Ranae comes from The Forest City of Rockford, Illinois. She has been married to her British-import husband Paul for 20 years and is the mother of two children and is expecting her fourth grandson in July (any day now!).

Her professional background in retail marketing & consulting eventually led into her opening the largest rubber stamp and paper-crafting store in Illinois.  She has gone on to organize paper-crafting events and workshop and retreat weekends which have drawn crafters from all over the world.  She is currently a Creative Consultant for A Muse Studio, a wonderful line of rubber stamps that were once sold in her retail store, but are now only available through independent consultants.

In June 2009, she began a new journey with her creative blog Julie’s Open Window.  It quickly became an outlet for her passion of creative writing and a place to share her work.  Nearing its 2-year ‘blogaversary’, she is honored that nearly 700 people have become followers and participate in a variety of blog hops, challenges and fun when they visit.

She is the creator of the very popular weekly color challenge, The Play Date Café. Her newest challenge, which features the Clean & Simple-Style, is CAS-ual Fridays . She is also the Design Team Coordinator for The Twinery and Lil’ Inker Designs, designer and newsletter editor for The Craft’s Meow and is looking forward to be joining the Market Street Stamps design team.  Her work in the rubber stamping industry has been featured in a variety of trade publications and her designs have been featured in Scrapbook News & Review, Paper Craft Planet, CARDS and Moxie Fab World. 
She has recently become acquainted with Skype and can now be seen in front of the mirror, checking her makeup on an hourly basis...just in case someone calls!

Welcome to the Market Street Family, Julie!! This is the ador-a-ble card Julie made for me when she came to the Milwaukee Stamp & Scrapbook Expo! Love it! She used Follow Your Heart.

Thanks for stopping in, be sure to leave a little love for Julie over on her blog, and join us tomorrow where we'll introduce you to our LAST Senior Designer and start the countdown to our HUGE DT announcement!! Can't wait! xo Angelica