"FEATURED CARD of the Month"

"BIG BUGHUNA" was on Dorothy Kansteiner's wavelength when she created this card.

She is the owner of THE ARTFUL HAND Stamp Store located at 416 East Fifth St., Washington, MO 63090, Phone:636.239.5995.

Stamps used in this card are: 219F - Big Bughuna, 547F - Tidal Wave, 546E - Sea and 7082E - How do I love thee, let me count the waves.

After stamping the wave and the sea on light blue cardstock, she used blue and green chalk pastels to to highlight the surf and then Liquid Applique to give the surf some dimension. She then stamped and cut out the "Big Bughuna" and used foam dots to place him on top of the waves which really gave the card great balance and perspective. Lastly, she stamped 1/2 the verse, "How do I love thee".

Dorothy is known for her wonderful Chalk Pastel works of art in stamping and her own artwork on canvas. Her "stuff" and her store are awesome so make sure you stop in to see the wonderful variety of stamps and techniques that her store has to offer!

"Chubbley and Friends"

Having a "crabbie" Day?

How about calling on our "Chubbley" friend and his line up of crabs to tell your troubles to!

Stamp 163E - Chubbley on white cardstock and 409B - Small Crusty in a row underneath. Maskin all images using Liquid Masking Fluid.

With Post-It Notes, mask off left side of card and brayer in an orange background. Mask off right side of card and brayer in lime green background. Repeat this technique around "Small Crusty" using blue and green inks. Remove all masks.

Stamp 557E - Solid Tropical Leaf on upper portion of cardstock with a clear Versa Mark pad. Brush on green and orange chalk pastels or Pearl Ex over the leaf.

Layer the card as you please and add whatever embellishment(s) you like....hopefully your day and whoever recieves this card is a whole lot happier!

"Hawaii or Bust"

Now's the time to think about stamping up some summer fun!

We stamped 558E - Open Hibiscus on white matte cardstock and then using Liquid Masking Fluid, mask all of the flowers.

Stamp 557E - Solid Tropical Leaf in brown randomly around the cardstock. Sponge in and splatter inks around the stamped images. Remove masks.

Using decorative tapes, decorate the cardstock, then layer.

Enhance our Hibiscus Flower by coloring in and then punching a hole in the middle of the flower and using decorative brads for the center of the flower.

Ready or not Hawaii - here we come!

"Just Another Day in Paradise"

Every May I head down to Kauii and stamp my days away on Kalapaki Bay. My own heady little retreat without any distractions.

When the snow in Chicago starts to pile up, I stamp this little "Hula Hunni" so that I can get through the gray days of our winters with a smile on my face and warm ink on my fingertips.

Stamp 217E - Hula Hunni or 218E - Hula Hannah onto white matte cardstock. Paint in Liquid Masking Fluid.

Stamp 558E - Open Hibiscus in upper 1/3 of card. Paint in Liquid Masking Fluid.

Using Post-IT Notes, Mask off a rectangular shape . Brayer in Big and Juicy Waterfall Ink inside the rectangle.

Peel off all Liquid Masking Fluid and Post-IT Notes. Color in flowers and your favorite "Hula Hunni or Hula Hannah" and then stamp 7057E - Just Another Day

By now you should be in Stamping Paradise!

"Sandy's Toes"

With the warm weather coming, it's time to think about dipping our toes into some color!

Stamp 409E - Crusty and 408E - Curly onto white cardstock. Mask them using Post-IT Notes.

Stamp 413J - Sandy's Toes in the background.

Tear different shades of light blue and green vellum and layer on top of another piece of cardstock.

Color all images and then cut out toes, umbrella, sandy beach and crabs as one large piece and layer on the vellum.

The card is done, but not my tan....go ahead now and soak up the fun!

Bring out the "Weber"

As the winter melts into spring it's time to bring out the "Weber" and start cooking up something good.

This card is a real "weiner" with Dad for Father's Day!

Stamp 240F - Weber onto white cardstock.

Stamp 583C - Hot Dogs onto right side of cardstock about 1" in from edge.

Using Liquid Masking Fluid, mask in all images.

Stamp in our "Unmounted only" SOLID Christmas Star ($ 1.50) in blue around the images. Sponge in background in yellow.

Peel of Liquid Masking Fluid and color in images.

Cut along the right hand side of the hot dogs so that inside of the card is showing.

Stamp 7105D - Whatchagotcookin' on inside edge of card.

Now that that is done, what's for dinner?