n*Studio | Return to the Light

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The n*Studio Creative Squad can’t wait for the days to get longer again. This month’s theme is Return to the Light and today it’s my turn on the n*Studio blog!

Here’s a sneak peek at my project in progress:

Marsha Valk | n*Studio Creative Squad: Return to the Light // DIY Votive Candle Holder

Check out what I created, including the step-by-step tutorial over on Nathalie’s blog.

And whilst you are over there, you might also want to check out the Creative JumpStart page, if you haven’t yet. Only 12 more days until we start with this one-of-a-kind creative online event!

n*Studio | Stampendous Summer Hop

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Hi there! Welcome to the Nathalie Kalbach and Friends Summer Hop!

If you would like to start at the beginning of this hop, then please check out the Stampendous Blog. They’ve started hopping on Monday, so there is loads to discover there!

I’m sharing this iconesque Fashion Dame today:

Marsha Valk | n*Studio Creative Squad: Stampendous Fashion Dame Hop

Here’s how I created her:

1 | Cut a sheet of grey board into four 4″ x 6″ pieces.

2 | Set two cards aside. Cut a rectangle window in one of the remaining cards and a Gothic arch in the other.

Marsha Valk | n*Studio Creative Squad: Stampendous Fashion Dame Summer Hop

3 | Use Archival Ink to stamp the Fashion Dame and her attire on one of the plain cards. Cut the Fashion Dame pieces out.

4 | Give the Fashion Dame pieces a coat of gesso and the other cards a coat of gold acrylic paint. Leave to dry.

Marsha Valk | n*Studio Creative Squad: Stampendous Fashion Dame Summer Hop
Marsha Valk | n*Studio Creative Squad: Stampendous Fashion Dame Summer Hop

5 | Use the Art Deco Wallpaper Stencil to stencil the background card in turquoise and dark blue. Use embossing ink to stamp a halo with the smallest of the Kaffee Klatch Cling Stamps, sprinkle on some Vintage Jade embossing glitter and heat set the powder with a heat tool.

6 | Take the Gothic window card. Use an old plastic (credit) card to apply gold paint to the card through the stencil that comes with the Elephant Foam and Cling Stamp Set. This will create a nice raised texture. Leave to dry completely.

7 | Take the rectangle window card. Use embossing ink to stamp with one of the stamps of the Fiesta Cling Stamp Set. Sprinkle with Blueberry Cheesecake embossing powder and heat set the powder with a heat tool. Use your finger to apply a bit of pink, blue and gold paint on top of the embossed frame.

8 | Adhere the Gothic frame to the background card and the rectangle frame to the front of the Gothic frame.

9 | Apply colour to the hands and face of the Fashion Dame with Neocolor II’s and a watercolour brush. Use acrylic paint to paint the lips and clothing.

Use one of the Fiesta Cling Stamps to stamp on top of the cardboard pants with embossing ink, sprinkle with Blueberry Cheesecake embossing powder and heat set to create the patterned pants.  Stamp over it once more with the pants stamp and Archival Ink.

Stamp and emboss the jacket with embossing ink and Mint Macaroon embossing powder.  Add black dots with a Posca marker.

Marsha Valk | n*Studio Creative Squad: Stampendous Fashion Dame Summer Hop

10 | Adhere the Dame to the icon frame and add small turquoise dots with a Pearl Pen.

Marsha Valk | n*Studio Creative Squad: Stampendous Fashion Dame Summer Hop

11 | Leave the card as is, or paint an old frame pink, apply gold stencilling with the Art Deco Wallpaper Stencil and adhere the Fashion Dame icon to the front of the frame.

For more inspiration, featuring Nathalie’s fabulous stamp sets check out all the wonderful projects in this Summer Hop!

Here are the links to the other designers participating in the hop today:

Stampendous Blog

Rae Missigman

Katy Leitch

Alison Heikkila

Mark Gould

Stampendous is kindly giving away three prize packages of Nat’s foam stamp sets. So don’t forget to comment for a chance to win and be sure to check out the Stampendous Blog to find out more! The give-away is closed! Winners are announced here!

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Ooooh… and before you leave! My post for the n*Studio Creative Squad is coming up on Tuesday, so be sure to check out Nathalie’s blog next week to see the spin off project I created with these leftover pieces:

Marsha Valk | n*Studio Creative Squad: Stampendous Fashion Dame Summer HopMarshaValk_nSCS_StampendousSummerHop_FashionDame-4

Enjoy your day!

Supplies:

n*Studio products:
Fashion Dame Cling Rubber Stamp Set
Kaffee Klatsch Cling Rubber Stamp Set
Fiesta Cling Rubber Stamp Set
Art Deco Wallpaper Stencil
Batik Stencil

I also used the stencils that come with the
Elephant Foam Stamp, Cling Rubber, and Stencil Set
Urban Scribble Foam Stamp, Cling Rubber, and Stencil Set
Mish Mesh Cling Rubber Stamp Set

Other:
Grey board
Vellum
Acrylic paint (Talens Amsterdam: Deep Gold, Lamp Black, Phthalo Blue, Turquoise Green, Quinacridone Rose)
Gesso (Liquitex)
Watersoluble crayons (Caran d’Ache Neocolor II: Apricot, Pink)
Pearl Pen (Viva Decor: Turquoise)
Permanent ink (Ranger Archival Ink: Jet Black)
Embossing ink (Tsukineko VersaMark)
Embossing powder (Wow!: Blueberry Cheesecake, Mint Macaroon, Vintage Jade)
Paint markers (Uni Posca: Black, Pink, White)
Sewing machine + thread
Cosmetic sponge
Old plastic gift card