Venice Stamp Challenge

Venice Layout

by Piradee Talvanna

Another great layout from Piradee, one of our stamp winners.  She embossed the stamp images on little cards to create this great layout.  Read below how she did it...

Cut rectangular pieces of white cardstock with dimensions of 2.5" x 3.5"; total of 6 pieces were used.

Then select your favorite stamps (which just happens to be all of them); I inked the stamp with Versa mark and sprinkle clear embossing powder from American Crafts to create the images.
After applying the embossing powder, I used the heat gun to seal the images and then with baby wipes applied the distressed inks over the images. I used Tim Holtz distress ink - Brushed Corduroy & Frayed Burlap colors.  Then, after allowing the ink to dry abit, I sprayed Tattered Angels Iridescent gold mist over the cards to give it that shimmer metalic look.

Supply list details:
- cardstock: american crafts
- pattern papers: 7 gypsies - green script, brown music, black and white fleur de lys
- stamp: 7 gypsies - Venice Clear stamp
- vintage ephemera: 7 gypsies
- ink: tim holtz (brushed corduroy & frayed burlap)
- mist: tattered angels (iridescent gold) and maya road (brown)
- embossing powder: american crafts (clear)
- flowers: prima
- pins: maya road
- buttons, alphas: american crafts
- twine: shabby green door

Little Cottage gift box

by Christine de Plata 

Christine created this charming gift box from a printable pattern and added the Venice stamp to accent the design.  The perfect way to personalize the little cottage.

I created the gift box house using a printable template called Home Made from Papertrey Ink.  The base of the box was created with kraft cardstock covered with some patterned paper.  Using Papertrey Ink's coordinating stamp set, Home Made, I stamped the windows on some vintage book pages and painted on sky blue Shimmerz paint to mimic the look of glass.  The door was stamped on a piece of white cardstock and I used Lemon Yellow liquid pearls to make the doorknob pop a bit.  I used the Venice Stamps to add some final accents above the front door (Molto Bello) and side windows (architectural element) which completed the feel I was going for, beautiful vintage. 

For the roof of the house, before assembling it I used a CHF Aged Sheet Music scrapblock and tea dye distress ink to give it more interest.  I used the clock image from the Venice set on the sides of the roof.  Before adding the shingles portion, I used scor-tape to attach some cream colored lace under the eaves.  I really loved using the Venice stamps as the perfect final accent and can't wait to use them on more projects!

Venice Stamp Challenge

by Penny Bennington

Penny used the back of three 2 1/2" square mini canvases to create these terrific mini masterpieces.

This is how she did it:

Cut a piece of patterned paper the size of the opening on the back of the canvas. (For these, I used a 1 7/8" square of Victoria paper-Pandora.) Stamp desired image from the Venice stamp set, add scrap of vintage sheet music, vintage photo image (mine use images of Lina Cavalieri from Digital Collage Sheets   and piece of Dresden scrap.  Wrap a piece of Venice gaffer tape around the outside of the frame, and add 2 small pieces on the wooden face of the frame to bracket the opening, left and right. Using Versafine black ink, stamp Molto Bello or very beautiful directly onto the wood frame.  The lamppost is stamped onto white cardstock and colored with Patina Glimmer Mist then cut out and
adhered to the frame.  More Dresden scrap can be added to the wooden frame where desired.

Thanks Penny for some great inspiration, we love how you used the stamps as a simple background...just perfect for our own mini masterpieces!

Victoria Pandora paper

Venice gaffer tape

Venice Stamp Challenge

by Rhonda Van Ginkel 

Rhonda was a winner of one of the Venice stamp sets...and just look what she made using paper from the Venice line and the stamps!  

"I distress inked the cream cardstock for my background color using antique linen and weathered wood ranger distress inks, then polished off the sides with walnut stain." 

"I used my weathered wood ink with the Venice stamps to create a soft timeless background on the interior card.  I used black StazOn for the Molto Bello sentiment.  The same techniques were applied to my ticket on the ribbon.I really love these stamps, seriously they are just my style!!"

Thanks Rhonda, great job!

Creative Spaces

It's been a while since we have visited the studio of one of our Creative Team members...and what a beautiful and inspiring space it is!  We hope you enjoy this tour and short interview...so without further adieu we bring you the FABULOUS studio of Vicki Boutin. 

Digital Frames by Rhonna Farrer for Two Peas in a Bucket

 

1. Favorite 7gypsies product (old or new)?
Just one?  I guess I would have to say the Dangles!  I love that 7 G’s made jewelry for my scrapbook!!!  Love the paper tape too…and Gaffers tape…and the new Venice stamps!!  See, I can’t pick just one thing!

2. Favorite adhesive?
I love my Scrapbooks Adhesives by 3L Easy Runner and Foam Squares!

3. Favorite thing to much on while working?
Not munch, but drink…Diet Coke!!

4. Style of working~ do you gather all of your products, sketch it out first or make it up as you go along?
Plan, Sketch and Execute is my motto.  I look at the product I want to use, the number of photos (if it’s a layout), I sketch and then I create.  Love this system!

5. Sources of inspiration?
Ads, the internet, magazines, children’s clothes, anything!  I love interesting color combos, too!

6. Favorite thing in your studio?
I have a few things I love in my studio.  The white hutch that I found in the “As is” department at Ikea is definitely one of my favs!  I went in to buy the same hutch new and just happened to check out the “As is” section and there it was!  All assembled and in perfect condition!  I love my chandelier, too!

7. Favorite project they've made for 7gypsies?
I like them all but my favorite has to be my 4x6 Photo Display project.

8. Favorite pen/writing instrument?
I like the Sakura pens and the American Crafts Slick Writers.

9. Favorite website/blog?
I enjoy surfing the web!  It is fun to start at one site and see where the journey takes you!

10. mac or pc?
PC

11. What's on your wish list?
I have an endless home improvement wish list!  I want to decorate my house!  I also would love some new camera gear!

12. What your idea of a perfect day?
Hmmm…A sunny day with nothing to do but read a good book, create a little and spend some time with my family.  All of this while having a clean, organized house and dinner made by someone else.  Yeah…that would be nice!  Maybe a little antique shopping in there, too…in Paris!  A girl can dream!

13. Did you bring back a souvenir from your last trip?
I usually always pick something up when I am away.  The last trip I took this year was to Indiana and I picked up few ornaments for the tree.

14. Do you collect anything?
I love stuff!  I love antiques or better yet, JUNK!!!  I collect Barbie Christmas ornaments. 

15. What is your most treasured belonging?
I have some jewelry that I cherish.  But, I think my photos are my most treasured belongings!  I love all those snippets from our lives.

Thanks Vicki for letting us get to know you just a little bit better!

Venice Stamp Layouts

You have seen a lot of this Venice stamp this week but we couldn't bypass the opportunity to share some layouts with you before we move on.  The first uses the February Product Challenge Venice stamp and the other two are here for just plain inspiration.  Enjoy! 

Venice Layout 
by Charlene Byrd

When we saw this one up close we were surprised by all the different stamps used... the envelope, the corner and just tucked into little spaces.  Can you find which stamps Charlene used to make this fabulous two page layout? 

We LOVE this corner of the layout...inking, stamping and layering all come together to make a fabulous focal point.

We asked Charlene to tell us how she created the fabulous layered corner...

1. Cut a piece of wide lace about 6" long. Set the lace on top of the envelope and spray with Carmel Apple Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels. Remove the lace and let both the envelope and lace dry.

2. Once the envelope is dry ink the edges with Pinecone Ink Versa Color by Tsunikeo. Use Timber Brown Staz On ink to stamp randon script images on the envelope. Stamp the lamp post in the bottom corner and the word Journal.

3. To bunch the lace tie it tightly in the middle with crochet cotton (it's the perfect thin string). Secure this to the corner of the envelope.

4. Punch random circles from coordinating pattern paper 3", 2 3/4", 2 1/2" and a 1 1/2". Use a scalloped circle punch to punch a 2" and a 1 1/4" circle. Dampen them slightly with water or Glimmer Mist to help in crumpling them. Once they are dry, layer them one on top of the other adding foam squares to help add dimension. Secure a piece of ribbon under the large scallop punch.

5. Cut a 6" piece of film strip. Tuck the edge of the film strip under the flower. While you fold the filmstrip, staple to secure it through only the top layer of the envelope.

6. Attach the envelope to your layout.

7. Add the Bar Book Turn on the left side of the envelope.

8. Tie crochet cotton into the button and secure on top of the flower. Add the flower with a foam square.

9. Secure the top of the transparent 'o' onto paper and add a torn piece of paper to cover your adhesive. Add a piece of stripe paper on top. Use the Tim Holtz (Tonic) Paper Distressor to distress the edges. Wrap with string, knot and tie in a bow. Add the 'Our Story' stamp. Insert this into the envelope along with the Daily Dose card which has also been misted with Carmel Apple Glimmer Mist.

Here are a couple more close ups-

Product used:
7Gypsies - Venice paper

7Gypsies  - Venice clear stamp

7Gypsies - Bar Book Turn 
7GYpsies - Disclaimer Clear stamp
("urgent, please write all the really important stuff here" stamps)

Pink Paislee paper (used under the 'o' transparency and the large photo corner)
Envelope
'O' transparency -Daisy D
Daily Dose Journaling card -My Mind's Eye
Flowers -Prima

Film Strip -Tim Holtz
Edge Distressor (Tonic)
Bazzill Cardstock
Misc lace, crochet cotton, buttons, ribbon.

Love You

by Piradee Talvanna 

Piradee sent us this great Venice layout after we contacted her that she was one of the winners of the Venice stamp sets.  

 She used 3 colors of paper from the Venice line along with stickers from the new "N is for Nest" 97% complete sticker and some of our French ribbon.

Since Piradee was one of the winners of the Venice stamp sets, we are looking forward to seeing more of her work in the near future!

Posing for Mom

 by Darien Anderson 
Here's another great layout we came across.   We love the little detail where the paper is rolled back to reveal the stripe on the backside of the paper.

Here's how Darien did it:
"Use Glimmer Mist and Stencil calculating where you want the detail, then simply rip the 7gypsies paper - LIDO without being accurate, just using my fingers, as long as you want. Then roll the edges of the paper that was ripped and roll them tucked underneath the paper and glue it using glue dots. I used a flower from my stash and some Basic Gray bling to finish it off."

Other product used:

Glimmer Mist
Basic Grey Bling

Bazzill 12 x12 Cardstock - French Vanilla
Martha Stuart Punch "Classic Butterfly"

Distress Crackle paint ( For the Title) " Antique linen"

You can see more of Darien's work on her blog, Loving Life.

Venice Card Set

by Debbie Crouse

I love the Venice clear stamp set.  I made a set of thank you cards using the stamp set along with paper, paper tape, bakers twine and ribbon, an old dictionary and 7g kraft envelopes.  

Cut cards to fit the 7g kraft envelopes.   Stamp card and add bits of paper and paper tape.  Include ribbon or twine in stitching on card and don’t forget the envelope flap.  Simple, easy and I love having some thank you cards ready and waiting when the occasion arises.

Card No. 1

sew over string

tie a bow

Card No. 2

Card No. 3

Remember our February Product Challenge?  

We have been so busy with Valentines Day ideas that you may have forgotten we have a Product Challenge this month using our Venice stamp.  We sent out 5 Venice stamps to fellow gypsies...2 Venice stamps went to US winners and 3 were sent outside the US to Brazil, Singapore and Norway.  We're keeping our fingers crossed that the stamps find their way to their destinations quickly!  If you missed it, you can read about the challenge back in the post from Feb 1st...remember, we're giving away a Venice prize package to one lucky winner that will be drawn at random.

We also have members of the gypsy design team participating in the challenge this month.  We started off the month with Rachel's fabulous heart shaped Venice stamp pillow and today we have another fabulous project from Vicki...your gonna love it.

 Shrinky Dink Charms

Vicki Boutin

I love the new trend of vintage “finding” made in to jewelry so that is where the idea started for my part in the Venice Stamp Challenge.  When I started looking through my years of accumulated junk, I mean treasurers, I came across a package of shrink plastic.  That got the wheels turning.

For the first step, I stamped a few images from the Venice Stamp set on shrink plastic (you need to use Staz On for this) and then I cut the images out in basic shapes.  Keep it simple and leave a fair bit of negative space.  I would recommend punching the holes you will need to hang the bits BEFORE you bake them.  I did this with the second batch.

Once the images are stamped and cut out, bake them according to the directions for your brand of shrink plastic.  You may need to flatten the pieces with a spatula as soon as you take them out of the oven.  Images will shrink quite a bit, so choose larger images for the best results.

To give a few of the pieces a soldered metal look I covered the edges with double sided tape and then applied foil in gold and silver.  You may want to cover the foiled pieces with a clear sealant because the tape remains a little tacky.

To complete the necklace, link all of your desired bits together with jump rings and add a few of your favorite 7Gypsies Dangles.  Voila!!  From old junk to a new treasure!

The Love Book

by Paula Cheney

What do you do with a great card once the birthday or anniversary has past?  I have kept the notes and cards my husband and I have written to each other over the years, but eventually they always ended up in box on the shelf where the sentiment is lost for a time. 
So for Valentines Day I decided to create a place for these cards, letters and personal notes I have saved.  I used a 7gypsies large Portfolio for the structure of the "book" and added manila file folder pockets on the inside to hold the cards.  Traditional Valentine colors felt a little cliche, so I decided to change it up a bit and create something in un-traditional colors just for him. Okay, the ribbon on the side is for me, but the color was for him.

File Folder Pockets

I used a rotary cutter to cut about an inch off the folded end of 3 file folders (so they will fit into the portfolio).

Cover the front of the file folders with paper.  I used three different kinds of paper:
Green script from the new Avignon line, brown stripe and one that has little envelopes on it called, Gondola from the Venice line.

Once the paper is adhered to the file folder you can use your sewing machine to embellish as I did with the little stem or you can just stitch up the sides and bottom to finish pocket.  I cut each stem by hand and embellished with a black pen, then words cut from an old book.   Repeat for each folder.
I also added a series of years to each tab so not only would I know where to file a card or note but I would also know where to find it later.

Once the folders are complete, lay them inside the portfolio to decide where to punch the holes.  I knew my book would end up being very thick, so I folded the portfolio along the 3rd score line from the center to create depth.  Punch holes in the 3 file folders to match the portfolio.  I used my Binderie Punch for all the holes in the book.

I cut an oval shape from Sticky Back Canvas and inked it with some distress ink.

I stitched around the oval about 4 or 5 times then peeled off the backing and added it to an oval I had previously cut from Terrassa paper (back of the brown stripe).
The whole idea for the name of the book came when I saw a House of 3 download for a Vintage Text Garland....thinking....thinking....I don't need a garland but I do need the word LOVE.  So, I printed it out (super easy), mounted the word on a piece of chipboard and cut it out.  Added a bit of Distress ink- Victorian Velvet (new from Ranger) and a touch of Vintage Photo on the edges. Done.

I cut various sizes of paper for the cover, really just a bunch of long scrap pieces left from the file folders and other projects.  I secured them to the cover with a UHU glue stick.  As I said, I used the same three papers from the file folders and just added a couple more: White/black script (the opposite side is the green script paper) and pages from a vintage book.
I also added Venice paper tape (that's the turquoise strips that are almost transparent) at the very end.  I love how you can see the brown stripe paper through the tape...I just love this stuff and I can't seem to get enough of it!

Once the cover is finished, wrap Gypsy Market gaffer tape (it's made from fabric) around the spine of the book to reinforce it.  Thread ribbon (I used the new Avignon seam binding) through the portfolio and file folder pockets. Tie bows on the outside to finish.

I know Valentines Day is upon us, so I hope you will think about making a Book of Love for someone  close to you.  Think birthday, anniversary...really any occasion to say, I love you...
You can find more information on the Love Book here .
Happy day of Love!
p