Saturday, August 01, 2026

August CAS Christmas Challenge - Santa's Sleigh

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the August CAS Christmas Challenge, hosted by the talented Julia.  She has chosen the challenge ...


For today's card, I made a night sky background using Brushos Powdered Inks on mixed media card.

Once dry, I added black die-cut Santa, Sleigh and Reindeer, along with a row of houses.  The sentiment is stamped in black ink to finish the design.  Easy and fun card to make. :)

Close-up ...
Sending this card to the following challenges:
Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes - I used Powdered Inks
NBUS Challenge #89 - first time using the row of houses die
SCS CCC26 AUG - SCS Christmas Challenge


Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Hero Arts)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black cardstock (SU!)
Ink:   Black Pigment (Obsidian - Altenew); Brushos:  Turquoise, Ultra Marine, Purple, Violet
Accessories:   Row of Houses die & Santa Sleigh (both from Spellbinders - Simon's Snow Globe Etched die set)

Challenges:
Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes
SCS CCC26 AUG - SCS Christmas Challenge

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Adding Dimension to Die-cuts - Group of Cardmakers

Hi everyone.  We are a small group now with several people moving on.  We decided that this will be our last post at Group of Cardmakers.  We appreciate those that have followed us, left wonderful comments, and shared their talents by playing along.

For out final technique this month at Group of Cardmakers,  we are playing with adding dimension to die-cuts.  There are several ways to do this ... layering, sponging edges, shaping, etc.


I started with a new-to-me die (Garden Cosmos Layering dies - Altenew), a gift from a very good friend ... thanks B!  I cut all the pieces from cold press w/c paper and watercoloured using distress re-inkers and distress inks.  I found it a challenge to put the pieces all together, but in the end it all worked.  I LOVE how my flowers turned out, even though I took creative license with the colour as Cosmos do not grow in a deep purple, but rather a pinky purple tone. :)

To create the card I started with the background.  I smooshed both Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade distress inks with lots of water and smooshed my cold press w/c paper card front.  I used these colours for the centers of the flowers as well ... tying this together.  I watercoloured all the flower petals with wilted violet distress re-inker ... that's how the colour is so intense.  LOVE IT! :)  I used Villaneous Potion distress ink to add sponging around each petal, giving the flower visual depth.  After they were dry, I also shaped each petal using a stylus with my sponge mat ... adding even more depth.  For the stems / greenery, the pieces were watercolour with Mowed Lawn distress ink and sponged with Rustic Wilderness ink.  It's always good to have a variety of shades of green.

The flowers were assembled and then attached to the greenery.  I only used half the flowers from the set, so you will see another card with purple cosmos in the future.

The finishing touch is adding the stamped sentiment (SU - retired stamp - Endless Birthday Wishes), Villaneous Potion ink on white card.

Close-up ...
Sending this card to the following challenges:
Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 4 - Anything Goes - Inks / Dies / Sponging / Smooshing
NBUS Challenge #88 - first time using this Cosmos Die set

   

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Endless Birthday Wishes (SU! - retired)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Re-inkers:  Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Distress Ink:  Villaneous Potion (Tim Holtz); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Garden Cosmos Layering Dies (Altenew); watercolour brushes, stylus, foam mat

Challenges:

Sunday, July 26, 2026

CAS Mini Christmas Tree

Hi everyone.  I made this quick and easy CAS card yesterday.  I used a new-to-me die of a mini Christmas tree.  I really like the simplicity and used earth tones for my colours.  I love that little burlap sack. :)

Close-up ...
Sending this card to the following challenges:
SCS Christmas Challenge - SCSCCJUL26 - link to gallery, can't find challenge page

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Jolly Snippets (Penny black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb.); Baked Brown Sugar Cardstock (SU!)
Ink:   Baked Brown Sugar (SU!); Distress Reinkers:  Peeled Paint, Gathered Twigs (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Mini Christmas Tree die (Temu), Watercolour Paint Brushes, Burlap, Cream twine

Challenges:

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Another Eclipse card

Hi everyone.  Just a reminder that this month at CAS Mix Up Challenge, the challenge is ...


For the card above, I tried the Optical Illusion variation of this technique.  I followed the video by Natasha Foote on the challenge blog, using two of the same patterned papers to create a card with partially layered strips.  This was quick and easy to create something a little different.

Close-up ...


Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Spring Sentiments (Stampendous - closed)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Patterned Paper (unknown)
Ink:   Gathered Twigs DOX ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   n/a

Challenges: