Inspiring Iris

Hi everyone.  Before I get to today's card, I will be signing off for a few of weeks as we move to our new home.  I'll be back before you know it! :)

Today's card is a CAS design using a lovely stamp set from SU (Inspiring Iris).  I've had this stamp in my NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) box for a LONG time! :)

I started by masking a rectangle using Background Basics stencil (Penny Black) and a sponge brush with Salvaged Patina Distress Ink to create an ombre background.  Then I stamped the outline image of the irises.  There is a matching stamp for the flower heads, but I couldn't get it to line up, so I watercoloured with more Distress Inks (Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn).

To finish, I stamped the sentiment (Super Day - Penny Black), in black ink.

Close-up ...

I'm sending the above card to the following challenges:

1) NBUS Challenge #71

2) CAS on Friday - Challenge #301 - Flowers

3) We Love Stamping February Challenge - CAS

  

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Inspiring Iris (SU!); Super Day (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Salvage Patina, Milled Lavender, Wilted Violet, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Background Basics stencils (Penny Black), sponges, watercolour paint brush

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #71 

CAS on Friday - Challenge #301 - Flowers

We Love Stamping February Challenge - CAS

Dry Embossed Highlights over Ink Blending - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  Today's technique is a combination of techniques (sponging, dry embossing, highlighting).  You have probably done this before, but it's a good reminder to use this technique again.  There are two videos ... one has a twist on the original technique.

Please check out the details for this month's technique and link to videos on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers - Dry Embossed Highlights over Ink Blending

This is how I made the card.  I started by sponging the a card front of regular Neenah white card stock.  I used three colours of Distress Oxide inks (Mustard Seed, Abandoned Coral, Picked Raspberry).  I did it in (sort of) vertical strips; left my card front overnight to dry, but you can use a heat tool to speed things up.

I then embossed my ink blended card front using the Floral Field embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp).  I used my white pigment ink pad (Glacier White - Ranger) to lightly tap over top of the embossing, which highlights the design.  I let it dry and then did a few more coats of white ink tapping, drying in-between each time.  The ink does take on the colour from underneath, but it gives a lovely muted look to the embossing.

To finish, I added a white die-cut of flowers (Painted Flower Stems die - Memory Box) and stamped a Simply Sentiment (Lawn Fawn) to finish.

* * * * *

Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...

• DOX inks work best to get a smooth blended transition between colours, but they also take longer to dry and bleed through more than dye inks
• Make sure to tap lightly with your white ink (or whatever colour you are using for highlights).  If too much pressure is applied, the colour will go through to the background of the embossed panel.
• Try this with patterned paper or coloured card stock as the base.

* * * * *

I made some more cards with this fun technique.  This time I went tropical.  Info on what I used is below in the card supplies ...

.. and for Christmas ...

Sending the above card to Rudolph Days January Challenge.

... and Winter-inspired.  This time I randomly sponged the two colours instead of two separate colours that meet in the middle ...

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1: (Spring)

Stamps:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Mustard Seed, Abandoned Coral, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz); Glazier White pigment ink (Ranger)
Accessories:  sponges, Floral Field embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp); Painted Flower Stems die (Memory Box)

Card #2: (Tropical)

Stamps:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz); Glazier White pigment ink (Ranger); Black ink (Memento)
Accessories:  sponges, Areca Palm embossing folder (Altenew); Pam tree die (AliExpress)

Card #3: (Christmas)

Stamps: Christmas Sentiments (Gina Marie Designs)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz); Glazier White pigment ink (Ranger)
Accessories:  sponges, Gracious Leaves embossing folder (Memory Box); Pepperberry embossed and die-cuts (Simon Says Stamp)

Card #4: (Winter)

Stamps:  n/a

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Speckled Egg, Iced Spruce (Tim Holtz); Glazier White pigment ink (Ranger)
Accessories:  sponges, Gracious Leaves embossing folder (Memory Box); trio of trees die (AliExpress); sentiment die-cut (gift from friend)

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Dry Embossed Highlights over Ink Blending

Rudolph Days January Challenge

Penny Black - Resting

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card using a new image (Resting - Penny Black).  I love this image, but it was challenging to watercolour with all those little berries.  I definitely will use markers next time. :)

I stamped in black ink onto mixed media paper and heat embossed with clear.  Then watercoloured the image using Distress Inks (listed below in the supplies).  I added a wash of diluted Faded Jeans at the end.  In hindsight, I should have watercoloured the background first or sponged.  It would have been easier. :)  

To finish, I splattered with diluted white pigment ink.  Once the splatters were dry, I stamped a sentiment (Festive Snippets - Penny Black) in black ink.

Close-up ...

Sending the above card to the following challenges:

1)  Penny Black Saturday Challenge - January - Something New

2)  NBUS Challenge #70 - 4th entry this month! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Resting; Festive Snippets (both Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Momento); Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin, Wild Honey, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Rusty Hinge, Faded Jeans (Tim Holtz); White Pigment ink (SU!)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, paint brushes

Challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - January

NBUS Challenge #70 

Happy Birthday Mom!

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for my mother who turns 96 soon.  She LOVES flowers and was an avid gardener when she was younger.  I have filled her card with lovely flowers that I know will make her happy. :)

I used a new-to-be Embossing Folder (Sun-Kissed Blooms by Altenew), along with the matching Stencils to sponge the design.  It turned out really well and was easy to do.  To finish I added a few dots of metallic silver for the stamens and a simple sentiment banner (Simply Sentiments - Lawn Fawn).

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the Seize the Birthday #297 - Use Something New (both the embossing folder and stencils are new), as well as another entry for NBUS Challenge #70. :)

  

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Salvage Patina, Peacock Feathers, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Sun-Kissed Blooms Embossing Folder  & Stencils (Altenew); detail sponge brushes, Black pen (Sharpie), Silver Metallic Pen (Pilot), White acrylic pen (Posca)

Challenges:

Seize the Birthday #297 - Use Something New.

NBUS Challenge #70