The Amy Doodle Of It All . . .

Gel Press Fun!

Recently I watched a couple of video's about the Gel Press. Now I have played with it before but I am one of those people that sometimes needs to really play with a new product before I get the hang of it. I must say that I highly recommend playing with the Gel Press for an entire weekend to try it out. I guarantee once you start you won't be able to stop! I LOVE my GEL PRESS! 




It is so satisfying to play with it and create one of a kind backgrounds that in turn create clean and simple cards! I am always in need of clean and simple cards. Not only for my own stash, but also for the family members that are always wanting a stash of handmade cards of their own. Here are a few I made using just some blending techniques with Distress Oxide inks and a couple stencils.

 

I also did a project recently where I made 52 Valentines for a local Senior Center. You would think that's a lot of backgrounds but to be honest I couldn't stop myself...LOL. Once I got creating I just kept experimenting and playing with different stencils and Inks, and the project went by so fast! I used a combination of Distress Inks & Distress Oxide inks. (I like to buy mine HERE)






I intend to make a video on my Gel Press but for now it's just in the works. If you are looking for somewhere to get started I HIGHLY recommend Jennifer McGuire's Gel Plate video series. You will get lots of helpful tips and tons of inspiration!

Jennifer McGuire Gel Press Video

Be sure to check out my channel and be on the watch for new content coming!

Amy Hurley Purdie YouTube Channel

My Favorite Brutus Monroe Product Hop

This weeks blog hop the design team got free reign! We got to choose our favorite Brutus|Monroe products! Of course stamps are my all time fav but I decided to choose another product instead. I chose their yummy embossing powders! I created this card using just a sentiment stamp and some embossing powders. These powders are wax additive free.  The embossing powder melts quickly, and gives a nice even coverage which really makes the embossed image pop!

Brutus|Monroe Embossing Powders in 

Raven

Alabaster

Emerald

Rainbow

Brutus|Monroe Stamp Set Rock On

This is such a fun technique and I really love doing it because it feels like your just doing some sort of experiment! You add HEAPS of embossing powder to your paper and heat it from underneath the paper. It takes awhile but eventually it will start to melt and then you have this giant swirled puddle of melted powder. You should have your stamp standing by inked with Versamark ink, gently press in and then leave for a minute until the powder has started to cool.

 

Once you pull out the stamp you are left with an impression in the puddle of powder! I used a alcohol marker to fill in my impressed sentiment.

 

 

I love how all the embossing powders swirl together and the rainbow powder adds a little sparkle!

Hop on your way and see what favorites
the other designs have decided to share : )

VERITY BIDDLECOMBE

BERINA FEBIN

AMY (HERE)

MARIE HEIDERSCHEIT

WALESKA GALINDO

 CHITRA MENON

 

Honey Bee Polish Card

 I absolutely love this set from Honey Bee Stamps! It's a new company to me and they have a lot of cute stamps sets, so I for see a dwindling paycheck in my near future! I used my Copics to create a glitter effect and added Stickles to the highlight portion of the nail polish.

Honey Bee Shine On Stamp Set

If the Honey Bee Stamp Company wasn't cute enough . . . they had to through in some extra cuteness in my package!
Isn't this adorable?

 May your weekend be filled with crafting and sparkles!

Have a great weekend!

Photographing your cards and projects

 
I've been asked several times "How do you get your card's to look so great?" I know the struggle of working really hard on a beautiful card, only to photograph it and have it look terrible! It's so frustrating!!! Before I became a professional photographer I came across a pin on Pinterest that was perfect, and so I  made it! At the time is was perfect and affordable for me and thought it was worth a share. Here is the pin from Annette at Tips from a typical mom, and she has a fabulous post you can read about HERE!

You can see the difference on these cards. The first one I took with my old system. The next one is with the system above.

You can see how much more vibrant the colors are in the second picture, and you can see the details better. The colors are truer to the actual colors, and that's important when others want to make the card because they will have trouble matching those colors if their not correct. The project was really affordable to make, and well worth it if you don't want to spend a lot and you just want to use what you have.

Now for the second half of my post I want to show you my current set up, and share with you why I think it's even better! I won't use my professional photographer equipment, just some pieces I bought on Amazon.

I use this box and some old clamp lights from Lowes.

Link to Photography Box

Here it is in my studio. I want you to noticed the lighting. I place one regular bulb in the light on the left, and the LED Daylight (blue tone light) on the top and light on the right. Notice the difference in color? Now if all of my lights had regular bulbs, all my projects would have a yellow tone to them. With the LED daylight bulbs you have a crisp white that captures the true colors of your cards!

 

 

Let's see some side by side comparisons with normal daylight and the photo box
VS. Daylight bulbs and the photo box.

(I also used my phone because I know a lot of people don't have access to a fancy camera)

With the right even lighting your camera can pick up on details and colors, and can capture your image the way you want.

For my backgrounds I bought some patterned posterboard and cut them to fit my box. You can also include fun little do-dads to add visual interest. I went and spent $10.00 at the dollar store and bought some fun knick knacks to add some fun to my photos!

 

This is the system I use and I really do love having a great photo to show all the work and love I put into my cards. If you are not interested in the box, then use what you have at home and make the DIY version.

Either way your talents deserve to be showcased at their best!

 

 

Spunk Rock Crafting . . . reminding you 
there are no mistakes only embellishment opportunities,
to take time out for you because you're worth it, 
and to keep it Spunky & Fun ; )

Birthday Bear Stamp Giveaway!

I am doing a giveaway!

I am so excited and I hope you are too!

I have this adorable kit featuring Brutus|Monroe Stamp set,

as well as lots of card making goodies!

WORTH $35.00

 

One lucky winner will win this entire kit!

Kit includes:

I will be throwing in 5 handmade cards with the winning kit!

 

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!

4 lucky winners

will win the Brutus Monroe Clear Stamp Set and 2 Distress Cube inks!

WORTH $21.00

 How to Enter:

Follow me on Instagram HERE

Like my Facebook Page HERE

Leave a comment below about your favorite Birthday Stamp!

You have until the 29th to enter!

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE 30th

Good Luck!

 

No Line Coloring Hero's!

I thought I would do a little something different today and share with you the talented people that inspire me! I mean hey, who couldn't use more blogs to spend endless hours on.....right? All kidding aside if you love the technique of no line coloring or you just want to admire it, these ladies are very, very talented. I think I enjoy this technique so much because once you are done coloring it, it appears as though you illustrated the image yourself. It also has an unusual colored look to it, almost like a comic book.

First up and in no particular order . . .

Sandy Allnock

Her Blog

Her YouTube

Sandy's no line coloring cards are stunning, but I must warn you. If you go to her blog (and you should) you'll see that Sandy is a multi talented artist! From coloring, creating backgrounds, painting, water coloring, and more she does it all! You'll find tons of inspiration at her sites.

 

  

Alice Wertz

Her Blog

Instagram

Alice is not only a no line coloring genius, but she has managed to create a unique style that's instantly recognizable. Her ability to create these wonderfully colored images, and combine them with simple designs is completely gorgeous!

 Jane Allen

Her Blog

Instagram

Jane creates some of the most incredible cards I have ever seen. She does the no line coloring technique, but manages to add all this incredible texture to her images. You can learn ALOT from the gal, so be sure to check her out!

 

 

Kristina Werner

Her Blog

Her YouTube

Kristina is one of those crafters that does just about everything beautifully. That includes most definitely no line coloring! I love that her no line coloring tends to be simple, and bright and cheerful. I love that she uses the technique in many different mediums as well. 

 

Torico (Yoshie Nakagaki)

Her Blog

Instagram

Torico is another one of those no line colorist, that even though she is doing the same technique as all of the artist above, her work has a beautiful softness to it. I really love her color choices and the subtle shading she does.

Well I hope that today's post inspires you and introduces you to some new artists that you have never seen before. Inspiration and sharing is part of what makes this hobby so wonderful. Pass on what you know, and be sure to share your talents to inspire others!

 

"Creativity is contagious, Pass it on!"

-Albert Einstein 

No Line Coloring Valentine Tutorial

No line coloring technique is perfect for a valentine card. It will look like you illustrated the image yourself, creating a beautiful handmade look. I am by no means an expert, but what I have learned is the more you try the more you learn. So don't be afraid to dive in and try something new. Mistakes are a part of the learning process. Make sure you check out this weeks blog posts to learn more about the technique. Below are some of my favorite coloring tools I use to create my cards!

 

 

Copics:

The Merry Artist

 

Prisma Colored pencils:

Amazon

 

Watercolors:

Amazon

 

 

Distress Ink blank Ink pads

Just a quick little note about Distress Inks blank ink pads. I recently picked one up and I AM HOOKED! You will have so much fun customizing your own ink pads, and you can even make your own Ombre' ink pads! There are some Ombre' ink pads on the market, but with this option you can create your own!

It's so much fun to customize your own, and all you need are the re-inkers for your Distress Inks.

Look at how beautiful the results are!

You can find them for sale Here:

http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product.aspx?id=323140

If you live locally (Salem, Oregon) then I encourage you to buy it here:

Wednesday Product Review Jolee's Embellishments

I just happen to stumble upon these stunning stickers by Jolee! They are called Jolee's Boutique Floral Prism Stickers, Spinel.

 

They come in a couple different colors and photographing them does not do them justice. They absolutely sparkle and shine right off the card or page you use them on. While Jolee's stickers can be a little pricey, this set does come with 13 stickers. Making you feel a bit better about the price.

 

I used a simple tree stamp to stamp onto light blue paper, and just through the stickers on to resemble cherry blossoms. Add a sentiment, and you've got a card in a matter of minutes that people will ooooo and ahhhhhh over all it's blingy glory!

 

 

Epic Gamer Sets for card making and more!

This week on product review I've got some real EPIC Gaming stamps and die sets for you! I have a HUGE family of Gamers so these sets were begging for me to take them home! I find that it's really hard to find the perfect sets for video gaming, so when I find one I just have to buy it!!! I use them a lot for scrapbooking, gift making, and of course cards!

First up it's My Favorite Things Level Up Stamp set and coordinating Die-Namics Game Controller! I love this set because it's got tons of gaming sentiments which is just as hard as finding graphic stamps for gamers. This 11 piece set coordinates with the Game Controller Die-namics and I love it for scrapbooking.

 

I used some Glossy Accents to make the dots seem more like buttons.

The second set I want to share with you is Close To My Hearts Tech Speak.  I love that this set has not only the gaming aspect but it's also got some computer elements.

 

I made a fun girl gamer themed card using some bright neon colors!

 I created this totally awesome geek necklace using the motherboard stamp and neon green embossing powder. Once it was dried I added copper Stickles to the circular edges, and popped it into a Close to My Heart Base & Bling Wearable Craft Necklaces.

Just imagine all the geek and gamer inspired crafts you could make with these sets!