Christmas Foliage

Days gone by an old mason jar could hold almost anything and at Under Construction there have been many beautiful  pieces designed to fill this jar. To show off this Christmas  foliage our designers chose a dark green card.The red strip down the side has been embossed with a flourish folder for just a touch of texture.It has been mounted on a Christmas Bo Bunny card stock which ties  all the colours together. Stamp Under Constructions Christmas foliage with Ranger's Vintage Photo on card stock suitable for alcohol markers.(Pro markers were used for the sample).On a separate piece of paper stamp image again  and cut out to create a mask. Place this mask over original image stamped.Ink Under Construction's Mason Jar with Ranger's Vintage Photo ,stamp  with part of the image over the mask and under the foliage. This should layer the two images. If you have not done this technique before practise on scrap paper just to get an idea about placement. Colour the image(note alcohol markers were used so as not to lose any details) Using a glue pen highlight areas in the foliage and add the sparkliest glitter you can find.On the berries add glass jewels for a three dimensional touch.To make the jar look like glass add Ranger's glossy accents. Attach all your layers and you are ready to send out your first Christmas card.

November's Stamp of the Month is our daisy corner stamp available in cling or wood mounted as pictured. The card on the left hand side measures  5 1/2 x 4 1/4 when folded. Stamp on right side of card Under Construction's daisy corner.Place it so the actual corner is touching the edge of the card. It will be easier to space the design if you stamp the middle image first.Next stamp the image on either side so you have created a  border.Cut patterned card stock sized to meet up with the border. Stamp Under Construction's words "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten the words."on the card stock.(This will get rid of the white space and add interest).Colour the daisies to co-ordinate with  the paper you have chosen. On a separate piece of card stock stamp Under Construction's Thinking of youthen,mount on card stock to frame the words.Pop this piece for a 3D look.  Send to some one you are thinking of .  The second card pictured uses the same stamps in a different colour scheme.

Wings To Fly

Wings To Fly...This is the time of year we think of everything fall and what is more fall than a Canada Goose getting ready to fly south. If you are looking for an idea for the men or hunter in your life this will fit the bill. Cut an 8 1/2 - 11 card length wise ,score and fold. Stamp Under Construction's wild weeds inked with Ranger's oregano off to the side .On a separate piece of card stock stamp  with Ranger's espresso Under Constructions Canada goose . Colour with pencil crayons. Cut card stock down closer to edges of image. Distress edges with Ranger's Tea Die. On a craft mat spread some of the same colour ,spritz with water. Using a wet paint brush dab into colour and tap spots all over the piece to get rid of the white space. Choose an accent colour of card stock ,stamp Under Constructions leaf border. On a card 2x2 stamp Under Construction's Wings to fly. Distress edges,punch hole in both card and tag.Attach to card. Assemble all elements .Inside add decoration of Under Construction's wild weeds . Send your goose to your favorite nature lover.

October is  already here! It is our Birthday and We are having a PARTY!!!!!!!!! Sat October 12th Under Construction will  CELEBRATE 19 years in business and 1 year in Peterborough.We are celebrating and saying THANK YOU to everyone over the years who has supported us.Please bring a friend (we have a surprise for everyone who brings someone new to the store) and join in the FREE make'n take .See some of our new projects we have been introducing .Register for our all day Super Stampers event and of course there will be party food. Check under events on the blog for all upcoming workshops.

Thank You and PORCH SALE

Hello Every one THANK YOU for checking in with us.I haven't posted for quite a while.There is lots of up coming art work to inspire you over the summer months. TODAY however I  want to let you know about a special event coming up. THIS PORCH is where you want to be on Fri. July 12th  and Sat. July 13th because  we are having a HUGE SALE of stamps and stamp stuff. Some things will be brand new and some will be demo stamps and stuff. Each day will be different so if you can't come one day come the next and if you can come both days you will not be disappointed.Sale starts at 10:00 am. 190 Charlotte St.In the center of the mews across from Champs Bar and Grill. See you soon!!!

A Happy Accident

A wonderful accident happened this week which lead  to this posting.  We had a leak in our store and water got sprayed  from the leak on to paper we had  used during class with Distress ink. The end result is the      photo you are looking at.So to start these instructions use a few colours of Ranger's Distress Inks combine colours on card stock with a distressing tool and foam.Using the technique best described as flicking (as opposed to spritzing) water on the patch of ink and allowing the area to naturally dry. On a clean   piece of card stock suitable for pro markers stamp Under Constructions old car with Black Soot (Ranger's Distress Ink) Allow this image to dry  or set the ink with your heat tool. The car was coloured with a base of sand and a  dark brown and red.,highlights were added with grey and a silver gel pen. Stamp Under Construction's Birch Trees three times on a separate piece of card stock.Use a grey marker just to highlight the lines that are already there. Cut out all of the images you have stamped and coloured.Arrange trees and vehicle with some of the trees behind the car and one in front of the back end. Mount the entire creation on a   navy piece of card stock. If you decide to change the arrangement add glitter for a winter vibe.

Just a Little Note

Just a little note to brighten up your day! This colourful card will cheer up anyone and make them  feel special. Choose a violet coloured card stock 8 1/2 x 11 ,cut it in half  so it measures 4 1/4 x 11. Fold in half.            Choose white card stock to measure 4 x 5. Stamp Under Construction's Lilac stamp in Black Memories(Stewart Superior) all around the outside of the card.Using Tom Bow water colour markers colour lilacs.Mount this on a green card stock that  matches the green you used to colour the lilacs. On white card stock ,stamp  Under Construction's Just a little note to brighten up your day.Mount this on the same green previously used and then also on the same Lilac card stock . Inside the card stamp the rest of  the sentiment to read,  and let you know you are special in every way. For some added interest also stamp on the inside the Under Construction's  lilac stamp. Who will be the special person on your list?

Hearts to Flowers

February usually marks the end of using your heart stamps unless there is  a wedding or an anniversary,not today.This beautiful Under Construction lace heart is the base for this card.Stamp the heart five times with Rangers  Distress Raspberry on a complimentary soft pink card stock On each of the hearts stamp Under Construction's Smartie Heart six times..Cut  out each of the hearts  and set aside.Cut white card stock to measure 5x10.Fold in half.This is the base for your card. Cut pink card stock 41/2 x 41/2.With white card stock choose  one of the Nellie square die cuts and cut size appropriate to just frame the flower you are going to make. Layer  the hearts in a circular  formation ,placing one side of the heart under the one in front of it.Create your set up first before you attach to card.. When you have your placement the way you like it  adhere.A really nice finishing touch is  three little pearls in the centre. Remember ,to change the feel  of the card all you have to do is change the colours. Hope you can now love your hearts all year long.

SWEET CAKE

SWEET,and PINK says it all. Start this card with a little bit of prep work.A fun technique using re inkers and shaving cream was used  to create the back ground that our cupcake is sitting on. Use inexpensive shaving cream.Spray it on a disposable cookie tray.Drop drops of ink from reinkers (I used Rangers Distress brand).Drag a knife through the mixture to give a marble effect.Place card stock on the mixture ,lift off and wipe with a paper towel.It will dry almost instantly.This card stock was then cut with Nellie's Oval die. Spray with a mixture of Perfect Pearls and water.Set aside to dry. Cut white card stock  8 1/2 x 11 in half length wize. Cut three pieces of co-ordinating pinks sized to  layer and frame each other.On separate piece of white card stock stamp just the cup cake from Under Constructions Mug's and Kisses stamp.Colour in pinks and browns.Mount this on the oval die cut.If you use double sided foam it will add dimension.Stamp Kisses from same stamp and cut in the shape of a tag.Mount on a pink tag.Your final step is the sprinkle of clear crystal glitter.  SWEET.

Xs and Hearts from Mugs n kisses

 Tell some one you LOVE them with this very simple classic card. Only three colours are used.The black and white and one other colour theme always works.Start  with a very rich coloured red card stock.Size to measure 8 1/2 x 5 1/2.Score and fold.Measure and  cut white card stock sized to 5x4 .From  Under Construction's Mugs and Kisses stamp ink with black Tom Bow marker only the X and heart.Repeat  this three times.Colour  last heart in the row red.Cut card stock close to images.Cut black card  stock just large enough to form a frame around these images. Cut red card stock to form frame around black card stock. Adhere all these layers together .With a stardust pen out line all Xs and hearts.On last heart that you have coloured red  add glossy accents for dimension.Using your stardust pen outline white and black frame.Send to who ever needs some lovin!

Mugs'n Kisses

 Hope you are loving pink today.This card screams Friends and  time together.Choose a soft pink card for your base.Using Under Construction's distress stamp (#1) stamp using Memories  pink  randomly all over surface,some times tapping off just to get various strengths of colour.Also stamp a strip aprox. 1 inch wide, set aside. On  white card stock(suitable for Pro Markers) stamp Under Construction's Mugs n'Kisses with Ranger's  Black Soot .Stamp image again as you are going to cut out an extra mug and the top of  the cupcake. Colour everything with Pro Markers.Cut out second mug and top of cup cake.Pop these images with double sided foam.The mug that is on top should be placed a little to the left for proper visual proportion.Glossy accents was used on this mug to make it look like glass.Stamp Under Construction's  triple dots in the background with pink...not too many just enough to take away from the white space.Cut a darker pink card stock to frame this piece and the strip that will act as an accent.Adhere all layers together.Your final touch will be to add stardust to the little dots. If you are sending this as a Thinking of You card its always nice to add a hot chocolate or a tea bag..

Lazy Cat

Words of encouragement,Happy Retirement,Take  a break,Feel Better Soon,the list just goes on and on.This fun card starts out with  folding half of a half of an 8 1/2 x 11 of  an olive green piece of card stock.Cut bright yellow card stock 4x5.Randomly stamp Under Constructions Row of Petunias all over  card making sure you go off the page.On water colour card stock stamp Row of Petunias with Memories Black (this is a permanent ink and will not bleed when you paint).Using tombow markers to paint  your flowers. Stamp Under Constructions Sleeping Cat on water colour card stock once again using  Memories Black.  Water colour cat and then cut out both the cat and the flowers.Arrange over top of yellow card stock .Place some of the flowers out in front of the cat to give lots of dimension  . Remember cats and flowers can be lots of different colours so go wild and change things up.

Margie Saves the Day

This is the time of year so many of us are under the weather.It's good to have on hand just the right card.This card is always great if someone  is sick or they are just down in the dumps. Margie is one of Under Constructions favorite ladies.In this case she is holding a box of  kleenex  and wearing her fluffy bunny slippers. How can you not smile?                Cut an  8 1/2 x  11 card in half  .Fold the card so the two ends meet  in the middle,crease.Choose a complimentary colour of card stock to place on each of the folded panels.Before attaching  card stock stamp Under Constructions little trio of dots as a back ground. Stamp Margie on white card  stock and colour in with pencil crayons.This sample was done with a monochromatic colour scheme. Margie was given a little extra colour  in her cheeks.It's either a fever or an "I'm all that and a bag of chips" attitude.The kleenex box was coloured in red,and then a little tuffed of kleenex was attached to the box to give it a soft 3D effect.. Attach finished Margie on to card stock just large enough to create a frame.Attach one half on to left side flap of card.. Inside card  stamp  words...Feel Better Soon add randomly trio dots . This will fill up your white space.  TIP: To match your card  to your envelope use a marker on Margie and colour only the fluffy slippers.Make a border across the  bottom.You will have the reciever of your card smiling before they even open the card.

Bloggers ,This is my thank you to you for following us and giving us great feed back.This is just one more way to use Under Constructions   Five Daisies in a Row our stamp of the month for January. Start with a base card  of   chocolate brown ,cut a piece of olive green to measure about two thirds the size of the front of your card and attach . Cut a piece of ecru card stock so that you will have a frame of aprox.1/4 of an inch. Ink just the heads of the flowers with Tea Stain Distress Ink (Ranger) randomly stamp all over the card.Be sure when you do this you stamp off the page.You do not want to make wall paper.Distress the outer edges of the  card softly.Stamp Under Constructions Thank you in the centre and then add  just a few of the little daisies randomly in Art print brown(Stewart Superior).On kraft coloured card stock stamp the heads of the Five Daisies in a Row. Cut  out your three favorite and then distress them with Tea Dye Distress ink.Add quite a bit of colour so they will really stand out.Curl the edges of the blossoms around a small paint brush.Attach just the centres of the flower so it will stay three dimensional. Fold up the lower right hand corner.Distress and attach a matching chocolate brown ribbon.As a finishing touch use a stardust pen to add accent dots in the centre of  the blossoms. Now you are ready  to send to who ever you need a special thank you for.

Lazy Daisies!!!!!!

Lazy Daisies!!!!!!!!!!!!This is one fun card .Sometimes you can get a brilliant idea just by turning your stamp around in different directions.In this case sideways. The base of this card is one of the new Hero Arts card stocks.It is  an orange colour on one side and white on the other.Cut the 8 1/2 x 11 in half and then score and fold.Remember to score with the white side up.  Layer with red card stock to frame image.Stamp Under Constructions Five Daisies in a Row on white card stock suitable for pro markers.Choose  colours in the red ,orange and coral colour range.Colour the heads of the daisies.Choose two or three colours of green for the stems.The variation of colours is pleasing to the eye.Turn your image sideways.Ink Under Constructions Thinking of You one word at a time. Place each word one at a time above a different stem.Using an exacto knife make a slit on either side of the third stem.Feed a slim brown ribbon  through the two slits and tie a bow . Now its time to let someone know you are thinking of them.

Lets send some smiles with this colourful row of daisies                                                                          .Begin by selecting an olive coloured card stock.Cut an 8 1/2x11 in half and fold for the base of your card.Layer Hero Arts word card stock sized 3 3/4 x5. Choose a strip of card stock in a co-ordinating green 5 1/2 to tuck under image. The next part is the fun part.Stamp Under Construction's Row of Daisies with black distress ink on card stock suitable for colouring with pro markers.Colour with pro markers using lavenders and violet colours.In centres of daisies add yellow flower soft for texture.On a separate piece of card stock stamp Smiles and cut into tag shape.Mount onto card stock same colour as strip used for background.Adhere with lavender colour bakers twine. Send to some one who needs a smile.