Totally Tool and a simple technique

This card uses a technique called "Grounding". See the shading under the hammer? Ot's what grounds the hammer so it's not floating in air. This technique is often used under the wheels of a bike or car, or under a person or object. See p. 59 (the vehicles), p. 82 (the robot), p. 89 (the dog), p. 92 (the animals), p. 103 (the chair, flowerpot and basket) from the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog for other examples.

All it takes is a little soft suede or basic gray ink and a blender pen and you'll be "grounding" like a pro. Give it a try and post your comments!

6x6 Technique Scrap book

I love this scrap book from the Summer Mini. I love polka dots and old olive, so what's not to love. The cover is a very durable vinyl, perfect for a technique book. Since I will be teaching more technique classes over the next few months, so I wanted to make a nice book to display them in. I was able to adhere design right to the front of the album. The techniques will be on 6x6 scrapbook pages so it will be a perfect fit.

I used the Scallop Oval Die, the Flower Fusion Sizzlit, the leaf from the Flower Layers Die and the smaller leaves from the XL Bird Punch.

Embossing on Vellum with the Big Shot!

Did you ever use a light box to emboss? Too slow for me. I LOVE the embossing folders used with the Big Shot. For this card I ran card stock vellum (not the thin stuff) through the big shot, water-colored the roses in regal rose, rose red and summer sun chalk on the back of the vellum, smooshed some garden green chalk around the edges using our fabulous daubers and I was in business! When the vellum dried it puffed up a little adding some extra texture.