Arcade Friends

This week I am to sharing how to draw a scene or background for your cards. I will be using the “Arcade Friends” stamp set by Kindred stamp for my card. I decided I wanted to have my arcade friend bust though a brick wall.

but I don’t have a brick wall stamp, so I need to draw one. I know drawing can be intimidating but start with something simple, a brick wall is just a bunch of rounded rectangles.

Step 1: draw guide lines, this helps keep the bricks similar in size. My horizontal line are ½ an inch a part. I started with the top row of brick; the bricks are about ¾ of and inch in length. I left a small gap between each brick as to be the grout. Once I had my first row in I draw in the second row off setting the bricks to the first row.

Step 2 for the rest of my brick rows I altered between lining up with the 1^st and 2^nd rows. Rows 1,3,5,7,and 9 are all aligned the same, while rows 2,4,6,and 8 are all aligned with one another. Side note bricks are imperfect its ok if your drawing isn’t perfect. I left out brick where I waned to put my character. I used the stamp to judge how big to make the opening

Step 3 out line the bricks with a pen. I planned on coloring with Copic markers so I used a copic multi liner in a 0.3 size. You’ll want to use an ink that works with your coloring medium, has a similar thickness and color so your drawing will blend with your stamping.

Step 3.2 erase all of your pencil lines.

Step 4 making a mask for the foreground. I used a full sticky post-it note I placed it over the area and traced around the bricks I wanted to mask off. Fussy cut along the edge.

Step 5 once all your mask are in place stamp your character image.

Step 5.2 remove all mask and scream YESSS! when everything came out as planned.

Step 6 color in with your medium of choice, I used Copic makers.

RV69,R59,R27,R29 (Bricks) C3 & C5(Button) R15,YR07,YR15, YR65,YR02 (Shirt) W9,W7, W5 (Hole and Grout) E31,E11,E00 ( Skin) E29, E37,E57, E15 (Hair and Pants)

I hope you enjoyed this card share! I will be back soon with more craft room creations.

If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but help support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M

The Craft Bean

Video Game Brothers

I am back this week to share a fun one layer card with featuring the “Video Game Brothers” stamp set by Kindred Stamps.

I love one layer cards but they can be intimidating, since all the dimension is created with masking and coloring. I wanted to show you all how I break this style card down.

Step 1: Figure our your layout, use your stamps and play around with different layouts. For my card I decided to have one of the Brothers coming up from the pipe. NOTE: I always cut my card panels bigger and cut down at the end.

Step 2: stamping and masking. You want to stamp the forward most image first then mask it. For my Card I first masked off the ground with Post-it tape and stamped the pipe. I wanted a taller pipe so I just wipe off the ink on the bottom line. I create all my masks from full sticky Post-it notes, I placed my pipe mask on my card then stamped my character on top. To create clouds, a hill and a bush I draw them onto the Post-it notes and fussy cut them out and placing them where I liked on my card . I masked everything because I did an ink blended background. This is not necessary if you are plan to Copic color the background.

Step 3: Create the background, once every thing was masked I blended with distress oxide inks, starting with the sky , then I moved the ground mask up and then blended peeled paint, fossilized amber and vintage photo to create the ground. Remove all masks when blending is done.

Step  4: fill in outlines, using a Copic safe pen I draw in the outlines of my clouds, hill, bush, ground and extra tall pipe. I just follow the edge of where my mask was.

Step 5: Color in the images, I used Copic Markers.

Step 6: add sentiments, the outside sentiment came from the “Video Game Brothers” set and the inside Sentiment came from “Arcade Friends” stamp set both by Kindred Stamps

Step 7: Trim down or die cut card panel and add to a card base. I used a dotted rectangle die and a craft colored A2 card base.

I hope you enjoyed this card share, I’ll be back soon with more craft room creations.

If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but help support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M.

The Craft Bean

Galactic Hero

Today’s craftroom creation is a simple A2 card featuring a new digital Stamp from Kindred Stamps.

I love working with digital stamps because they are budget friendly and there is no waiting on the mail man. I printed on 80 lb card stock since my printer can be a little picky about the type of paper it wants to work with.

My Galactic Hero was colored with Copic makers and fussy cut out. To make it look like I know how to cut perfectly, I ran a black water based maker along the edge to hide the white core of the paper.

I wanted to make a custom sentiment for this card so I just use a my computer to type one up. After printing on the same 80lb card stock I used a stitched rectangle die to cut the sentiment panel.

The galaxy background paper is from the “Space Hero” box but you could easily make your own galaxy background with watercolors or distress inks.

The card base is gray card stock cut to 4 1/4 by 11 and scored and folded at 5 1/2 inches.

To pull the card together I layered the galaxy paper onto the gray card base and my white sentiment panel on top of the galaxy paper. Lastly I popped up my Galactic Hero in the center of the card with foam dots.

My 5 year old son decided to craft along with me and create his own card. He used a sentiment is from the “Space Hero” stamp set and crayola colored pencils.

I hope you enjoyed this card and have a very Happy April fools day.

This is a free digi stamp for all the Kindred Stamps fans so make sure to join the Facebook Fan club.

If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but help support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M.

The Craft Bean

Lil Stinker

My latest craft room creations are featuring the new adorable “lil Stinker” stamp set by kindred Stamps.

The entire Kindred Stamps March release will be available Friday, March 22nd at 8am PST/11am EST. Be sure to check out the Kindred Stamps blog on Friday for the full product release as well as the complete line up of all the Kindred Stamps Design Team projects from release week! If you visit and comment on all of the designers’ blogs this week, you could win $15 in Kindred Stamps shop credit! So join the Fan Club and release event, show the design team some love, and get ready to empty those wallets this Friday!

I love small sets because you get a lot of bang for your buck. I created 3 different project with 3 different coloring techniques.

The first project is an altered mug from the dollar tree.

I started with a plain white mug from the dollar tree I clean it really well with rubbing alcohol. To stamp on smooth or glossy surface you’ll need to use an alcohol based inks like Staz On. I need to be able to curve the stamp so I just mounted the stamp on my fingers. Go slow and press firmly on the stamp. Its OK if you mess up you can wipe it off with rubbing alcohol and try again. It took me a couple of attempts to get it. To color the skunk in I use a dotting technique with Copic markers because they don’t blend well together on smooth surfaces. I let the ink dry and set it with my heat tool. If you plan on drinking out of the mug don’t add any stamping or coloring near the edge of the mug. I would hand wash only. My mug lives on my desk and hold the colors I’m currently using.

My next project are some quick and easy lunchbox notes for my twins. I had to use the “hope your day doesn’t stink” sentiment it was too perfect.

I cut my lunchbox notes to 2 1/4 × 3 inches. I colored one with Copic markers and one with Zig clean color real brush markers (picture below) I added it to a scrap of solid color card stock and used a white gel pen to write a note on the back.

Side note I just want to share the skunk image colored with 3 different mediums (left to right) Copic makers, Zig clean color real brush markers and Prisma colored pencils.

I often get asked which I like better for me its hard to pick because they all color beautifully but are very different. As they say “variety is the spice of life.” I love to color and have been crafting for over a decade, I’ve slowly built my crafty horde. I personally say by some grays in the different color mediums and play away that way you’ll get an idea of what you like.

Copic Colors: 0, C1, C3,C5, C7, C9 and R20

Zig Clean color real brush markers colors: 091 light gray, 090 gray, 095 dark gray, 010 black and 200 S. almond pink

Prisma color pencils colors: PC 938 white, PC 1059 10% cool gray, PC 1061 30% cool gray, PC 1063 50 % cool gray, PC 1065 70 % cool gray,PC 1067 90% cool gray, PC 935 black and PC 1018 pink rose

The last project I have to share is a card. This is an A2 top folding card.

I created simple layers with card stock and patterned paper. The skunk and sentiment was stamped and colored on Strathmore toned tan paper which is my favorite paper for coloring with my Prisma colored pencils. lastly I added a bow and called it done.

I hope you enjoyed these projects and I will be back soon with more craft room creations.
If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but help support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M.

The Craft Bean

Ten projects One stamp set part 1

I am back this week to share my latest craftroom creations with you, this week I am sharing the first part of a two part series I’ve decided to call “10 projects one stamp set.” I wanted to share how versatile just one stamp set can be. The stamp set that I will be featuring is the Tea Friends set by Kindred Stamps.

The first project I will be sharing is a simple altered frame from the dollar tree.

I created a simple photo mat with a bit of pattern paper and card stock. I stamped, colored and fussy cut the characters I wanted to add and pop them on the front of the frame with strong double sided tape. Altered photo frames can be used in home decor, gifts for family members, and as a birthday party decoration.

The second project I have is a handmade card.

The teal card stock base was cut to 4 ¼ x 11 and scored at 5 ½ to make a A2 sized top folding card. I used pattern paper cut to 4 x 5 ¼ inches for the background. For the main character panel I stamped out the images in black memento ink and then colored with Copic makers. The colored panel was backed with gray card stock and added to the card with fun foam.. To finish off the card I added a few sequins. Who doesn’t love receiving a handmade card!

The third project is an altered notebook from the dollar tree

I found a 3 pack of mini notebooks at the dollar tree to jazz them up, I first recovered them with pattern paper then added a ribbon closer. Lastly I added a simple focal image on the front cover with the cat and small sentiment. These are great for classmate gifts, party favors and Easter basket stuffers.

The forth project is a tea bag holder.

The outside cover is made out of card stock cut to 3 ½ x 9 ¼ inches then scored at 2, 2 3/8, 5 ¾, and 6 1/8 inches it was then decorated with pattern paper and colored characters from the Tea Friends stamp set. The tea booklet is held close by small velcro dots. To make the tea bag pockets, the card stock was cut to 6 x 6 ½ inches on the 6 ½ inch side score at ½ and 3 ½. On the 6 inch score at 2 7/8 and 3 1/8. Before taping the pocket together trim out the small rectangle on the ½ inch flap and then fold all score line and add double sided tape to the ½ inch flap and fold over at the center score line to create the pockets. I used the envelope bunch board to create the notches on my pockets. Add to the cover with double sided tape and decorate. These would be great for any tea lover and as party favors.

The fifth project is a paper wreath

Start by cutting lots of strips of pattern paper mine were all 12 inches long but varied in width from 1 ½ to ½ inch.. score along the 12 inch side every ½ inch and fold accordion style, adhere the two ends together. Then press flat and add a small circle to the center, I found hot glue to be the best for this step. Made a bunch and then glue them together in a large ring shape. Decorate with stamped images and add some ribbon to hang it. This project would be great as home and party decor.

here are the Copic colors that I used through out all 10 projects.

I hope you enjoyed part one of “Ten projects one stamp set” I will be back next week with five more projects.
If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but help support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M.

The Craft Bean

Prehistoric Party

I had fun creating a personalized invitation with the prehistoric alphabet stamp set by kindred stamps this week.

For the outside of my invitation I used an older technique call punch art, before cute critter dies became a thing many crafters used punches or simple shaped dies to create critters. I wanted a Dino shaped card but I don’t own a Dino die plus I wanted to use things I already had in my craft hoard, so I deiced to made my own Dino.

My card bases is made out of olive green card stock cut to 5 ½ x 11 inches scored at 4 ¼ and 8 ½ inches

I used a Swiss dots embossing folder to add texture and two circle dies to make eyes (1 inch and 1 ½ inches ) and my regular hole punch for the nose.

I traced my water color pallet on the top and bottom of my green card stock base to make the curve of the mouth. I then traced the smaller circle die 5 times starting in the center of a 5 ½ x 2 inch card stock to make the teeth.

The inside center panel with the party info was typed up in a word document on my computer leaving space to stamp “RYAN” with the prehistoric alphabet set by kindred stamps. I also created masks out of post it notes for the letters so I could stamp the foot print across my invitation. I colored everything in with Copic markers.

To put the card together you will need:

1 card base

1 center panel

2 small black circles

2 lager white circles

1 large green circle (cut in half)

2 Tiny black circles

2 sets of teeth

I layered the white, black and half green circles together to make the eyes. To give them a bit of dimension I add a small pop dot under the green half circle. I add the teeth to the inside of the card which I did cover with scraps of embossed green card stock. The tiny black circles I placed on the front of the invitation to make the nose.

for a bonus project I made two simple cards to go along with my invitation.

I used the same fonts from my invitations to type up two different sentiments to make simple but cute cards. The “Thank You”card would be great to send to guess after the party and while the ” I love you” card would be the prefect Birthday card from any family member.

Some quick tips about making computer text files for cards:

• change to margin size to .25 (1/4 inch) it makes the math for a A2 card easy
• use the grid feature to break up the text document into 4 equal sections
• Set the grid to No line, that way it won’t print the lines but will show them in grey while designing
• Create the text layout in 1 section and then copy and paste into the other 3 to get same spacing on all 4 panels
• For adding typed sentiments inside card type in the bottom 2 quadrants
• print on high quality card stock

I hope you enjoyed these project! I will be back soon to share more craft room creations with you all.
If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but help support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M.
The Craft Bean

Royal Throne

I am back this week to share a fun project featuring the Royal Thrones stamp set. I am a planner girl so I created a double sided magnetic page maker.

on the first side I stamped out one of the members of the royal family.

leaving about ¾ of an inch and remembering to flip the direction I stamped out the throne image.

Using my score board I scored about a ½ of an inch above the Throne Image. Next fold and crease the score line.

using my zig makers I colored in both images. Next I backed the whole piece onto black card stock to make it more durable since it will be moved through out my planner and then I used my scissors to partially cut out each image. To finish off the the edges I used a black memento maker to hide the white core of the paper.

To add the magnets to the back I added double sided tape to each magnet and line them up, making sure one was + and one was – . To keep them in place and make them blend into the background I punched out two small circles from black card stock and added them on top with liquid glue.

Once the glue is dry your page maker is ready to add to any planner, notebook or book.

here is a little bonus project! I used Royal throne and the retired Cute Dragons stamp sets from kindred stamps.

I stamped out and masked the throne onto a card stock panel then created a blended background with distress oxide ink in faded blue jeans and distress ink in black soot.

The crown was borrowed from one of the characters from the Royal Throne set I just fussy cut it out.

The cute dragon took a bit of masking since I wanted him to be sitting and looking forward. I first stamped out both onto full back post it notes, then I trimmed out the head I wanted and then the body I wanted. A misti stamping tool is very helpful when trying to mix and match to stamps. I stamped the head first making sure to only ink up that part of the stamp and mask off the body. Remove the body mask and place the head mask down and line up the body stamp. Ink up only the body part this time and stamp down. I used a Copic safe pen to fix any gaps in the image.

I colored all of my images with my Copic makers and then fussy cut out the dragon and crown.

I stamped out the Greeting in black versafine ink and added the stamped panel to a black top folding A2 card base. I glued the crown to the dragon and popped them up on foam dots.

for the inside I added a white card stock panel and stamped “it’s a Boy” which I found in a very old baby stamp set that’s in my stash.

I hope you liked these projects if you recreate any of them tag me on social media @TheCraftBean I would love to see your recreations.
If you are interested in this stamp set or any by Kindred Stamps consider using my affiliate link, It cost you nothing but helps support my blog. Kindred Stamps.

Brandi M

The Craft Bean