Introducing the Holiday Inspiration Club - One-Layer Elegance

I don't know about you, but the holiday season in 2013 was so busy!  I had very little time to craft and less time to just relax. As January is the year of resolutions, I have decided I will get a HUGE head start on my holiday crafting by doing a little every month.  The Rogue Crew will be helping me along the way!

Each month, we'll present some holiday inspiration and a chance for you to show off your fabulous creations as well!  Join us and keep the holiday spirit all year long! 

We'll be showcasing some of the best submissions on the RRD blog in February!

After such a busy season, we thought we would start with easy but elegant - one-layer creations.  You can create cards, tags, ATCs, scraplings and bookmarks to name just a few ideas. I was woefully light on cards this year, so I've made a bunch to start us off.

I have always loved masking and it is a great way to create a simple one-layer card.   There are so may ways to go with this technique.

For my first card, I thought I would start off with the ambassador of Christmas - Santa himself!

Stamps: Santa, Twas the Night background and sentiment Santa from Christmas Cheer
(Rogue Redhead Designs)

For this card, I used stamps from the Christmas Cheer set.  I started out by masking Santa and a small rectangle to his left.  I stamped the mini background, Twas the Night, from the set in the rectangle with Scattered Straw Distress ink.

Next, I sponged Wild Honey around the edges to give it a little depth.  By positioning the background panel offset, it provides a bit of feeling of movement to the card.

Finally, I removed the mask and added color with copic markers.  I added red to the hat in 3 shades.  For the beard, I added two tones of grey while the fur on the hat received a little light blue outlining. 

For the next card, I did a twist on two Technique Junkies technique, the first called "In the Middle" and the second "Depth of Field"..  For the center strip, I have highlighted the Santa's Ride stamp, a great silhouette of the old gent delivering all his gifts in quite a hurry.  Above and below, I have stamped the holly stamp from Christmas Cheer in 3 different shades of Distress Ink, overlapping the various impressions.  I think the effect was quite effective!

Stamps: Santa's Ride and Holly from Christmas Cheer plate
(Rogue Redhead Deisgns)

With the green ink still out, I decided to create a cheery little greeting with those sweet bunnies from A Winter's Tale.  I again turned to my Technique Junkies newsletters for inspiration and remembered an old favorite called "Mono Masking".  Obviously, I did not follow all the directions as this did not turn into a monochrome piece.  I was also supposed to add different elements in justaposed quadrants, but I really loved the way the snowflakes turned out so I kept going with them.

Stamps: Bunny Bunch and 3 snowflakes from Beatrix Potter's A Winter's Tale set
(available from Rogue Redhead Designs)

After this one, I decided to go back to minimal and magnificent.  I used some splendid kraft cardstock and kept it simple, black ink with a little white highlighting.

Stamps: Santa's Ride and Merry Christmas from Christmas Cheer plate
(Rogue Redhead Deisgns)

For those that like more color, I have another quick and uncomplicated look.  Use geometric shapes and a repeating pattern for a striking but simple card.  In this instance, I mixed the extremely useful circle from Bits and Pieces with the Christmas Tree from Christmas Cheer.  The sentiment comes from the mix-and-match sentiments of Bits and Pieces.

Stamps: Christmas Tree from Christmas Cheer plate and sentiment and circle
from Bits and Pieces plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Partial masking can create another fabulous look.  For the card below, I first stamped and colored the Precious Pair (named by our dear Trisha Too of the Rogue Crew) from Christmas Cheer.  I created an oval mask using my oval cutter and laid it over the girls.  From there, I used re positionable notes to mask out a stripe.  I stamped the Sequin Waste background (Behind the Scenes) over the stripe with Scattered Straw and sponged more of the same color along the stripe.  Finally, I stamped the Handwrittten Music background (also from Behind the Scenes) over the stripe with Wild Honey distress ink and added more Wild Honey around the edges.  Finally, I added the Merry Christmas sentiment in Jet Black StazOn.

Stamps: Precious Pair and Merry Christmas from Christmas Cheer plate and Handwritten Music
and Reverse Sequin backgrounds from Behind the Scenes plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Finally, I used some Post-It 6-Line Labeling and Cover-Up tape to create quick masked areas on the card below after stamping Santa in the middle with Memento ink and masking with a cut oval.  I filled in the exposed cardstock with Spun Sugar Distress ink, edged with Worn Lipstick Distress ink.  I stamped the Twas the Night mini background with Fire Brick Distress ink.  I used the same combination to add some red to Santa's hat with an aquabrush.  His beard I outlined in Stormy Sky.

Stamps: Santa and Twas the Night mini background from Christmas Cheer plate
  (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Well, those are my cards for this month.  Lots of variation for our One-Layer Elegance theme!  Now, it is your turn!

First, grab a badge for your blog to show you are participating.

Next, share your fabulous one-layer creations with the Holiday Inspiration Club right here on this post!  You don't have to use RRD stamps, but it goes without saying that we LOVE it when you do!

Don't forget that the Christmas Cheer unmounted half plate is ON SALE until January 31, 2014 for US$10.00 (reg. US$15.00). 

Visit our Specials page at the Rogue Redhead Designs website to see what other great bargains we have on offer!

Let's get inspired by each other!  Be sure to visit your fellow Holiday Rogues!

Simple Set Saturday: Stenciling Vintage CAS Cards

The clean and simple style doesn't sound like it goes with either a vintage feel or stenciling, but I am not one to stick to the obvious.  One of the things that has always drawn me to vintage illustrations is their great lines and sense of form.  These are the same things that have caught my eye with stenciled pieces.  After an ah-ha moment, I decided to combine the two.  The process is very simple and involves one of my favorite techniques, albeit only briefly, masking which is basically a kissing cousin to stenciling.

I find my stencils in a variety of places, even making some on my own.  I actually really like working with painting stencils such as those that you might find in a craft store.

To start, I decide which stamp I would like as my focal image.  To make this work, it is best to chose a simple image with a distinct closed image.  Before I stamp the image on the actual card, I start off by making a mask by stamping the image onto a repositionable note and cutting it out.  Be sure to cut on or slightly inside the outline of the image; this will prevent your image being haunted by a "ghost" of an outline.

I then choose placement.  I start with my card base and use my mask in conjunction with my stencil to find a good placement for both.  I want to highlight my image but I also want it to overlap the stencil a little.  Move your mask and your stencil around until you are happy with the positioning.

Once the positioning is worked out, stamp your chosen image in the positioning you selected and cover with your mask.  You may want to attach your cardbase to your work surface with art tape.  It's good not to have things moving around too much while you are working with stencils.  I also secure my stencil as well, also with art tape.

I like to pounce in the color with either daubers, sponges or cotton balls.  You can select several colors or just one.  The stencil design  will help guide your imaginative forces.  If you use several colors, you may wish to use Distress Inks to create a nice blended tone.

Once you have finished applying ink to your stencil, remove both stencil and mask.  Voila!  Quick and easy look! 

Once I had removed the stencil, I pounced on some green ink for a soft grass look under the cat to complete this simple and soft scene.

Stamp: cat from Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

You can do a scene like the one above or avail yourself of some of the beautiful ornamental stencils.  I blended my inks to achieve the following look.

Stamp: Dot from Milliner Misses plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

You can also go whimsical with a simple pattern such as these fun flowers! For both the above cards, I added my brightest ink last to fill in any white spots and to brighten up the deep shades.

Stamp: Old Couple from Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

The variations are endless!  You'll get addicted to these fun and fabulous one-layer cards.

Sharon Briss: Totally Beachy

As the bright Summer sun starts to fade into the more muted tones of the September skies, I am trying to hold onto those last days of perfect beach weather.

 For these cards, I used a simple ink-a-licious combo!  I started by inking up my craft sheet with distress ink and then misting it.  After smooching my glossy paper through the distress ink and letting it dry, I got out my alcohol inks and pounced 3 to 4 colors around the edges of my panels. Before calling it day with my inky-goodness, I splashed around some alcohol blending solution and let that work its magic.

Stamps: Beach Babes and sentiment from
Beach Babes plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Once dry, I stamped my Beach Babes onto the panels with StazOn.  I kept the cards themselves rather plain.  Although my camera bleached them out a bit, the card base is a lovely butter yellow. that matches the center of the image panel.  I framed the images in black to tie-in with the Jet Black StazOn.  I then added a simple sentiment to each.

Stamps: Beach Lass and sentiment from
Beach Babes plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

If you liked these cards, don't forget to check out the Beach Babes plate with all its fabulous vintage images so yo can create your own seascapes and daydreams :)

Simple Set Sunday: Paint Sample Simplicity

The lazy days of Summer are upon us so it's definitely time for another Simple Set post!  As with all these posts, the emphasis on creating a set of cards quickly and simply.  One of my fav materials for adding extra interest without much muss or fuss is to use the sample paint chip cards from hardware stores.  They always have delightful color combinations and are a great size for stamping!

For this set, I stamped a focal image on the paint chip with Jet Black StazOn ink (no smearing that way) and trimmed it up.  Then, I picked a simple designer paper with either a simple or a subtle pattern.  I paired each image with a simple sentiment stamped in the same Jet Black ink on white cardstock.  I matted the sentiment in black to compliment the ink. 

Here's how they came out!

Artwork by Sharon Briss
Stamps: Beach Boy and sentiment from Beach Babes (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Artwork by Sharon Briss
Stamps: Beach Girl and sentiment from Beach Babes (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Artwork by Sharon Briss
Stamps: Thomas and sentiment from Relish Reading (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Artwork by Sharon Briss
Stamps: Lily of the Valley and sentiment from Floriculture (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Hope you like these simple cards and get to creating some of your own!

Rebel Challenge 25: Get Sketchy

For Rebel Challenge #25, we want you to create your own take on our simple sketch layout.  The background can be designer paper, your own inky stylings, embossed panels or a combination of all of them.

You don't even have to stick to cards for this one.  Let's see your journal pages, altered books, box tops, and canvases.

What you must do is

Get Sketchy!

PLEASE READ OUR RULES CAREFULLY.
We reserve the right to delete submissions that do not
follow our guidelines!

Please check our FAQ for all the info on our challenges! Here's the short version.

1) You can use any products to participate in this challenge. You do not have to use Rogue Redhead Designs products but it would be fabulous if you did!

2) Your submission must include some stamping.

3) Please read the directions for the challenge. We like to add a twist here and there. Your submission must be use the sketch featured above for the main design of your card.

4) Only links that are to a single post (ie only to a general blog post) will be accepted.

5) All submission posts need to include a link back to this challenge to be eligible for the challenge prize.  Please note: the challenge must be named in your list and not simply listed by its URL.  Thank you.

6) You can submit up to 3 entries and you may combine this challenge with  only up to 5 other challenges, but more than that and you will disqualify yourself.

One challenge winner will be drawn randomly from the qualified submissions for a $15.00 US voucher at the Rogue Redhead Designs Store. This challenge will end on August 4, 2013. The winner will be announced on August 7, 2013 and will have until September 7, 2013 to claim their prize.

Here's some easy ideas to get you started!

This first sample is a one-layer card put together using 3 of the backgrounds from Behind the Scenes and Meagan from Relish Reading.  To create this style of card, make a reverse oval mask and stamp your main image.  Use the discarded cut oval as a mask for the rest of the card.  I attached it with repositionable TOMBO.  I then masked the right half of the card and lightly added Wild Honey distress ink and overstamped with the Handwriting background.  I then masked the left side and the bottom right corner and did some direct to paper with my distress ink and then overstamped with sequin waste.  From here, I masked the upper right corner and exposed the lower right corner.  I dabbed on some distress ink with a sponge and overstamped with the Handwritten Music background.  After removing all the masks, I colored Meagan in with copic markers and added "Imagination" also from Relish Reading.

Stamps: Meagan and Imagination from Relish Reading;
Handwriting, Handwritten Music and Sequin Waste from Behind the Scenes
(Rogue Redhead Designs)

This example is a super easy card. Just grab all your scraps and have some fun! I've had these bits of coordinating paper for ages and I thought Midge would look terrific in turquoise!  She is so easy to color!  Her stylish look lends itself to so many different looks!

Stamp: Midge from This N That (Rogue Redhead Designs)

You can also go for a texture-based background. For this card, I used a distress ink / alcohol ink background for my Cosmos blossom. To add some feeling of texture, I added some torn cardboard, handmade paper and a raffia bow. I loved the rustic feel of these pieces together!

Stamp: Cosmos Blossom from Floriculture (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Come back and visit our blog over the next month to see some more creations using this sketch. 

Now, it's your turn! Find your creative rebel spirit!

An InLinkz Link-up

Simple Set Saturday: Tissue Tape Trio

I don't know about where you are, but here in Massachusetts it is too hot to ...well...it's almost too hot to breathe.  Redheads, at least in my family, are not made for the heat, the sun....summer in general.  My craft studio is on our top floor - yup, I know that was a mistake - so I have made a really, really, really quick set of cards today.  This set is great if you have to whip something up at the last minute, especially if you need a masculine card in a hurry.

To start off, I created a simple white cardstock base of traditional size ie 4.25" x 5.5" folded.  A little while ago, I caved and bought some of Tim Holtz Idea-ology Elements Tissue Tape.  Boy, does it come in handy for quicky cards! 

I lined up my card base on my completely essential mat board with its fabby 1/4" grid.  I love working with tape as you can stick it right down to the mat too to hold it in place.  I laid the first strip down 1/4" into my card.  I then lined up the next strip, 1/4" from the right edge of the first and, finally, laid down my last strip 1/2" away from that.  I wanted to vary the spacing a little but still keep a look of intention in the placement.

When I was satisfied with my layout and agonizing over which tissue tape to put where, I opened up the card and trimmed the excess from the edge.

To finish off, I just cut a white cardstock oval, stamped a sentiment on it and matted it with black.  Pretty simple, right?  Simple and quick aka goes together quick enough to avoid me melting into a puddle of redhead in my studio.  What do you think?

Stamp: sentiment from This N That (Rogue Redhead Designs)

I made two more, varying positioning and tapes.  Three cards in about 10 minutes!

Stamp: sentiment from This N That (Rogue Redhead Designs)

The last one, I had a little fun with as I had kind of felt like I was having a "YOLO" moment all morning.

Stamp: sentiment from This N That (Rogue Redhead Designs)

That's it for Simple Set Saturday on this gorgeous yet blazing hot July day!

Rebel Challenge 24: Slender Benders - Moos and Scraplings

This time around we are asking all our Rogues to get skinny with their art!  Create your own Scraplings and Moos and share them right here! 

Slender Benders

Scrapling Aetwork by Annette Goatley
Stamps: roses and sentiemnts from Floriculture (Rogue Redhead Designs)

PLEASE READ OUR RULES CAREFULLY.
We reserve the right to delete submissions that do not
follow our guidelines!

Please check our FAQ for all the info on our challenges! Here's the short version.

1) You can use any products to participate in this challenge. You do not have to use Rogue Redhead Designs products but it would be fabulous if you did!

2) Your submission must include some stamping.

3) Please read the directions for the challenge. We like to add a twist here and there. Your submission must be use either a Moo (1 1/8" x 2 3/4") or a Scrapling (1 1/2" x 4.25" folded).

4) Only links that are to a single post (ie only to a general blog post) will be accepted.

5) All submission posts need to include a link back to this challenge to be eligible for the challenge prize.  Please note: the challenge must be named in your list and not simply listed by its URL.  Thank you.

6) You can submit up to 3 entries and you may combine this challenge with  only up to 5 other challenges, but more than that and you will disqualify yourself and your submission will be deleted..

One challenge winner will be drawn randomly from the qualified submissions for a $15.00 US voucher at the Rogue Redhead Designs Store. This challenge will end on July 7, 2013. The winner will be announced on July 10, 2013 and will have until August 10, 2013 to claim their prize.

Here's some easy ideas to get you started!

Moo Artwork by Sharon Briss
Stamps: Sequin Waste & Handwritten Music Background
from Behind the Scenes; cosmos blossom from
Floriculture (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Paintchip Scrapling Artwork by Sharon Briss
Stamp: Beach Boy from Beach Babes
 (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Scrapling Artwork by Sharon Briss
Stamps:Forest Scene and sentiment
from Nature Notes  (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Come back and visit our blog over the next month to see some more scraplings and moos! 

Now, it's your turn! Find your creative rebel spirit!

Rebel Challenge 23: May Flowers

We have all had enough of showers I am sure.  Let's move on to those beautiful May flowers that are popping up all over the our gardens!  For this Rebel Challenge, all you have to do is include a stamped image of a flower or a flower embellishment on your card or project!  That easy!  We hope you join in the fun!

May Flowers

PLEASE READ OUR RULES CAREFULLY.
We reserve the right to delete submissions that do not
follow our guidelines!

Please check our FAQ for all the info on our challenges! Here's the short version.

1) You can use any products to participate in this challenge. You do not have to use Rogue Redhead Designs products but it would be fabulous if you did!

2) Your submission must include some stamping.

3) Please read the directions for the challenge. We like to add a twist here and there. Your submission must  include a flower in the form of a stamped image or embellishment.

4) Only links that are to a single post (ie only to a general blog post) will be accepted.

5) All submission posts need to include a link back to this challenge to be eligible for the challenge prize.  Please note: the challenge must be named in your list and not simply listed by its URL.  Thank you.

6) You can submit up to 3 entries and you may combine this challenge with  only up to 5 other challenges, but more than that and you will disqualify yourself.

One challenge winner will be drawn randomly from the qualified submissions for a $15.00 US voucher at the Rogue Redhead Designs Store. This challenge will end on June 2, 2013. The winner will be announced on June 5, 2013 and will have until July 5, 2013 to claim their prize.

Here's some easy ideas to get you started!

You can make a flower the focal point of your card,

Stamps: lily of the valley from Floriculture; sentiment from
Bits and Pieces (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Or incorporate your flowers, in this case blossoms, into the main design,

Stamps: checkerboard and sentiment from This N That; Cosmos
blossom from Floriculture, handwritten background from Behind the Scenes;
floral embellishment and flourish from Nature Notes (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Or just add some beautiful flower embellishments to your project!

Stamps: Midge from This N That (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Come back and visit our blog over the next month to see some more  May Flowers. 

Now, it's your turn! Find your creative rebel spirit!

Krisha: Journaling with This N That

What a fun page to work on, and of course I got to use my This N That RRD013 love bird stamp!!  In the background is the script stamp from the Behind the Scene/RRD012 Stamp.  The circles were made with Gelatos, a stencil, and  my finger...LOL  There was also texture added with a heart stencil and modeling paste, after it dried I blended some Bubble Gum Gelatos over the page here and there.  I stenciled the "love" then painted the letters black, and added a heart around the love birds.  Some outlining with a white gel pen finished it off.  I have been having so much fun with this new plate of stamps!!!  I do have a step by step tutorial, with a lot of pictures on my blog if you feel like you need further assistance.
Inky Hugs
Krisha

We've Bundled Up Some Great Deals for You!!

We've gone Rogue with our Bundles!

To start off, we have the Rogue's Choice Bundle which includes both our newest release, This N That, and the ever popular Milliner Misses.

Get both these great plates for the sale price of $18.00 (reg. $22.50) until May 30th!

Get stylish wiith Midge from This N That...

Artwork by Sharon Briss
Stamp: Midge from This N That plate

and Dot from Milliner Misses!

Artwork by Sharon Briss
Stamp: Dot from Milliner Misses

That's not the only bundle we have for you!

We've put two of our Essential line plates together to give you a great building block bundle! We've paired our Behind the Scenes plate, featuring four fabulous backgrounds, with our Bits and Pieces plate with tons of mix-and-match sentiments and some fun shape blocks for you to ink up!

These two fabulous plates, regularly $37.00 separately, are currently on special for $27.75 until May 30, 2013!

Here's a beautiful Artist Trading Card created with the Behind the Scenes backgrounds.  Isn't she lovely?

Artwork by Trisha Too
Stamps: handwrotten music background from the Behind the Scenes plate

Here's a delightful birthday postcard using our Bits and Pieces plate!

Artwork by Beverly G.
stamps: circle, distressed block and happy birthday from
Bits and Pieces plate

Be sure to check out Specials page for all our fabulous deals and don't forget to give our Limited Singles too!