Hello Dolly! :)

Hi everyone.  Here is the birthday card I made for Darnell (djkardkreations).  Her birthday isn't until next week, but for some reason, all the planets aligned with Canada Post and USPS and it arrived early.  So now that Darnell (aka Dolly to me!) has received her card, I thought I'd share it with you.

I inked up my "new-to-me" stamp from SU! called Vivid Vases.  I was inspired to buy this after seeing several beautiful cards made by my friend Nancy.  I just love the sweet little vases filled with flowers, and I colored it up brightly with Copics to send off with birthday wishes to Dolly.

Super simple card ... stamped, colored with Copics with some Crystal Effects added to the vases for dimension and shine.

Happy Birthday Dolly!! :)  Have a fun, fun birthday next week, my friend! :)

I'm entering this into two challenges:  CAS on Sunday #36 - Birthday ... and ATS&M #101 - Anything Goes.

____________________

I have some exciting news to share.  I have been selected to be on the Design Team for a new challenge blog - The Mixed Media Card Challenge.  Whoo ... hoo!! :)

I am so excited.  I already know a few of the other Design Team members, and am looking forward to getting to know the rest of this creative group of crafters.

Our first challenge goes live on July 1st ... I hope you'll play along with us - it's going to be a lot of fun!!

For those of you who are not familiar with mixed media, Shery (owner) has written up a description as it pertains to The Mixed Media Card Challenge blog.  I'm sure there are many descriptions, but Shery's is very straightforward ... include stamps, ink and at least two other items on your card.  Here's her write-up ...


WHAT'S A MIXED MEDIA CARD?

Straight up, a mixed media card is a card that is created using a variety of mediums.

For this card challenge blog, it means using any of the following in addition to the usual stamps and inks:

• Mediums that add texture.  Some examples: fabric, stitching, embossing paste, texture gel, gel medium, modeling paste, gesso, textured paper, glitter, found objects
• Mediums that give dimension.  Some examples: die-cuts, chipboard, embossing powders, epoxy/thick stickers, embellishments, found objects
• Mediums that allow you to use (and even combine) different techniques.  Some examples: watercolor, pastels, alcohol inks, markers, chalks, acrylic paint, oils, crayons

Even using various tools and supplies is okay.  Some examples: die-cutting machine (manual or electronic), monoprinting tools (Gelli plate), embossing folders, punches, dies, stencils, templates.

Basically, a card that has stamps and inks PLUS at least any two from the list above is a mixed media card in our book :o)

Stamps:  Vivid Vases (SU!)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah)
Ink:  Copics
Accessories & Tools:  Crystal Effects

Challenges:

CAS on Sunday #36

ATS&M #101

Heated Copper Tutorial

Hi everyone.  I have some happy news to share.  I was asked to create a tutorial for Splitcoast Stampers and it's going live today.  The tutorial is for the heated copper technique and I'm sharing it below.  Thank you for this wonderful honor, Dina!! :)

Thankfully, Jer came over and filmed and edited the video for me, adding in the voice-over - he's so good with all the technology --- I would have been completely lost. Thanks Jer!!




The tutorial is done showing how I made the card above, but I also made a second card where the heated copper is used for the background (below).  The thick copper embosses beautifully, leaving very deeply-etched grooves from the embossing folder.

Edited to Add:  I use copper sheets made by K&S Precision Metals (Soft Copper - 36 gauge - #6020).  Click here to see the retail locations that carry their copper in the U.S..

In Canada, the copper may be purchased on-line through Cherish the Thought ... click here to view the copper in their on-line store.

First card:
Stamps:  Sunny Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah)
Ink:  Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Copper sheets - .005 thickness (K&S
precision Metals), mini butane torch, Big Shot, Leave die (Sizzix), woodgrain embossing folder (Sizzix), Copper cording - gifted from my friend Susan - thanks Susan! :)

Second card:
Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah); black (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Copper sheet - .005 thickness (K&S Precision Metals), mini butane torch, Big Shot, Meadow Leaf die (Poppy Stamps), Tiny Mosaic embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

You are my sunshine ...

Hi everyone.  Time for another fun challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This challenge is being hosted by me and I have chosen this code word for inspiration ...

Lots of ways to interpret this code word.  Above I created a watercolored background by squirting yellow, light orange and dark orange re-inkers onto my craft sheet, misting with water and then dragging a piece of watercolored paper through the ink (smooshing technique).  Once dry, I placed my sunburst stencil on top and added a coating of granular gel.  I love the pieces of plastic in this translucent gel medium ... it really makes the sun sparkle.

This challenge is being sponsored by

Prize:  7 digital images

I hope I have inspired you to join in the fun at ATCAS.  As always, our challenge is open for two weeks so there's lots of time to make a card to enter.  Just remember to keep your entries CAS, follow the code word ... and HAVE FUN!

Karen (Snippets) is Guest Designing for us again today ... click here to check out her GORGEOUS "Sun" card and the fabulous cards from our other Design Team members.

Stamps:  Sunny Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah); watercolor
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango (SU!); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Silhouette Cameo for cutting stencil, plasic sheet (Grafix), Sunburst cut file (Silhouette America), Granular Gel Medium (Golden), palette knife

Birthday Candles

Hi everyone.  Today there's a birthday party happening over at Addicted to Stamps & More.  It's the 2nd birthday of this wonderful challenge blog --- congrats to Kylie and the DT!  They have a new challenge starting today (#100 - Photo Inspiration), with lots of prizes.  Come join in the fun! :)

And there's also a party happening at CAS-ology - ya-whoo!  ...  to celebrate their 100th challenge.  The cue card is Celebrate.  What better way to celebrate than with some birthday candles :)

I know it's the 2nd birthday, but had to go with the rule of odd numbers looks better, so I included three candles :)

I used several pieces of rainbow-striped washi tape placed on a diagonal on white card stock and then ran it through my Cameo to cut out the candles.  The flames have a coating of Wink of Stella to give them shine.  I used one of my favorite new stamps sets from Clearly Besotted called "A Little Sentimental" ... I've been using it A LOT lately - love the font - simple and clean ... and there's lots of words in the set.

Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah); Smoky Slake, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Rainbow Washi Tape, Silhouette Cameo, candles cut file, wink of stella pen

Challenges:
ATS&M #100
CAS-ology #100

Happy Father's Day Evan!

Hi everyone.  Today we are celebrating with our family ... this is the first Father's Day for our son Evan, so I wanted to make him a special card. :)  If you want more details on how this leaf was watercolored/splattered, click on this link to a post from a week ago, where the fern leaf was done in the same way.

Happy Father's Day Evan!

He loves being a dad ... and both he and Nikki are so happy to have Cooper in their lives (us too!).  He is the sweetest little guy and I can't help but kiss his head whenever I'm holding him. :)

Here's a picture of Cooper that was taken recently.  He's asleep, but still holding on to his toy - so adorable! :)

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah), Watercolor (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Leaf die-cut from my friend Susan (Spellbinders), Grid stencil cut with Silhouette Cameo, sponges, brush, water mister, Gold Acrylic Paint (Lumiere), Copper Acrylic Paint (Tsukineko), Copper thread twine

____________________

Wanted to mention that there's a new crafting forum that just launched yesterday.  It is being run by Kylie of Kylie is Addicted to Stamps (and now butterflies).  She is already the proud owner of two challenge blogs (Addicted to Stamps and More / Addicted to CAS), and is very talented at bringing together new ideas.

If you have a chance, check out the new forum Happy Little Stampers.  It's a great way to chat to other crafters about any questions you may have or exchange ideas or tips and tricks you've learned in your card marking.  The site also includes a general forum for discussions on all other types of crafting.  The link is below ...

Happy Little Stampers

Golden Angel for Christmas

Hi everyone.  Today I played with my Cameo cutting machine.  So far I have used the machine to mostly cut stencils (which I LOVE!) ... but haven't cut out very many images from it.  I downloaded a whole bunch of Christmas cut files and I've started cutting them out in different sizes so they can be used for both cards and tags.

The first one I cut is this beautiful angel silhouette.  I cut her four times (once in gold card stock and three times in white).  The layers are all glued together to give the cut image some thickness.  I mounted her onto an embossed background that I made a few months ago when my friend Susan came over for a day of card making.  She brought a huge supply of gorgeous Christmas embossing folders.  Here's the first once I've used ... and I cut it a little smaller so that I could add a thin (1/4") strip of gold at the side to tie it to the angel.  I added some gold glitter glue to the angel's halo and stamped and embossed the sentiment in the liquid platinum embossing powder (love this color!).  Simple but pretty card! :)

The challenge at Christmas Cards All Year Round for June is Christmas Angels, so I'm entering this card.

Stamps:  Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah); gold card stock (SU!); 40 lb. vellum (Bazzill)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Cameo, angel silhouette cut file, gold glitter glue, liquid platinum embossing powder, heat tool, embossing folder for background (borrowed from Susan - don't know the name)

Challenges:
Christmas Cards All Year Round - June

Happy Graduation!

Hi everyone.  Today I had planned on making a graduation card for my second cousin Demi.  She just graduated from high school, and will be heading off to UBC in the fall.  We are all so proud of her!!

This morning I checked the challenge at Simon Says and it is "Stencil It" ... perfect, it's my favorite technique right now.  Before I could start my card, the postie dropped off my latest order from Simon Says Stamp and inside was this fabulous mesh stencil :)  I knew I had it ink it up right away.  LOVE IT! ... and know I will be using this A LOT!  I wanted to make a modern card, but with lots of bright colors to match Demi's personality.  This is what happened. :)  Super simple, CAS card that didn't take very long to make --- love it when that happens.  Since it's CAS, I'm entering it into the current challenge at ATS&M #99 - CAS.

I simply taped the mask over my card front and sponged five colors of ink in graduated tones.  I also added a little stenciled strip at the bottom inside of the card as well to tie it all together.  I cut out the letters in basic gray card stock, and then three times in white and glued them all together to create some thickness.  The challenge at Muse #71 - card by Therese Calvird inspired my design and the Fusion Challenge inspired the colors.

Muse #71 card by Therese Calvird

Edited to Add:  Thanks to Kimberly for letting me know that my card qualifies for Paper Crafting Challenge #11 - use stencils.  I was also going to add to Classy Cards n Such, but they didn't want to make my link ... ah, technology! :)

Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah); Basic Gray (SU!)
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Calypso Coral, Regal Rose (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, High Rise alphabet dies (MFT), Textured Mesh Stencil (Memory Box), sponges

Challenges:
Simon Says - Stencil It
ATS&M #99
Muse #71
Fusion
Paper Crafting Challenge #11

Feel better, friend ...

Hi everyone.  I'm back at trying more watercoloring ... I struggled a bit with this card ... not only with the watercolored flower, but what to use for the backdrop.  In the end, the card is fairly busy and not my usual CAS style, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

This is for a friend that is recovering after a horrific time in the hospital.  I hope my card will bring her a little joy.

This is also for the challenge at Darnell's blog (djkardkreations).  If you haven't visited Darnell's blog yet, please do - you'll be glad you did.  Not only is she a creative card maker, but she has a wonderful sense of humor and is a lovely, supportive, crafting friend to many.  Which brings me to the reason for this challenge on her blog ... she is celebrating 500 followers! :)  Wow ... congrats Darnell (Dolly to me)! :)  She has coined the saying "NBUS" - never-before-used-schtuff! and it has caught on in the card making blog-o-sphere.  The challenge is to use a NBUS and to celebrate friendship.

Here's the link to the challenge ... come and play along!

The stencil I used for the background and the flower stamp are NBUS.  As well, I don't think I've used the Wisteria Wonder ink before either ... so three NBUS items on this one card!

Stamps:  Graceful (Penny Black); Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah); Watercolor (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Old Olive, Summer Sun, Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant (SU!); Old Paper (TH Distress inks)
Accessories & Tools:  Branches stencil cut with Silhouette Cameo, plastic sheet (Grafix), sponges, water mister, water brush, paint brush for splattering

Challenges
NBUS #1 Challenge

Watercoloured Fern

Hi everyone.  Today I'm honoring my friend Nancy from SCS (stiz2003) ... she is Queen for the Day this week and not only is she an amazingly talented card maker, but she also leaves the most encouraging and supportive messages.  Thank you Nancy!!

I CASE'd this card of Nancy's, focusing on her beautiful leaf die-cut.  I don't have any of the gold leafing that she used, instead I watercolored my fern die-cut using diluted green re-inkers and some gold paint.  Thank you for the inspiration Nancy.  Enjoy your week!! :)

I had fun playing with inks and water for this card and found an easy way for me to "watercolor".  First I die-cut the fern from watercolor paper.  Then I used my painter's palette to mix up three separate pools of green ink, diluted with water (pear pizzazz, old olive and garden green).  I misted my leaf with water and then used a paint brush and add lots of the lightest green, basically covering the whole fern.  I dried the fern with my heat tool, which also sets the colors.  I repeated this twice more: using the medium green and then drying; and then using the darkest green and then drying.  The darker the shade, the less I added, concentrating more on the center of the leaf (leaving the lighter shade showing more at the tips of the leaves).  After drying for the last time, I splattered my fern with A LOT with garden green and diluted gold paint.  So happy with how it turned out.  And absolutely no stress, which isn't always the case for me when watercoloring :)

This is also for this week's challenge at SCS, CAS #275 - Quick and Stackable.  It's not a super quick card, but the majority of the time was drying with my heat tool ... so it was simple.  I popped up the fern, but it could as easily been glued flush on the card front.  Either way, it's fairly thin and easy to mail. :)

That's it for me today ... off to play and make a few more of these! :)

Stamps:  Sunny Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah); Watercolor (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Garden Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Fern die (Cheery Lynn), paint brush, paint palette, water mister, Gold acrylic paint (Lumiere)

Challenges:
SCS - QFTD214
SCS - CAS #275

Loads of Love

Hi everyone.  Time for the next challenge at Addicted to CAS.  Today's challenge is being run by the wonderfully talented Karen (serendipity dragonfly).  She chose this code word:

This challenge is being sponsored by:

Prize:  5 digital images

Lots of scope with this code word.  I used a sweet image from Penny Black that was gifted to me by my good friend Debbie.  Love the hedgies!! :)  I colored the image with Copics.  Simple, easy and fun card.

It's the start of a new month, so I'm happy to announce that Karen (Snippets) will be joining us at ATCAS as Guest Designer for June.  Please check out her blog ... she has lots of beautiful creations for you to see.

And check out her sweet card for the above challenge, along with the cards from the rest of the DT here.  The challenge is open for two full weeks, so lots of time to play along with us! :)

Stamps:  Loads of Love (Penny Black)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah)
Ink:  Copics:  E0000, E000, RV00, Y21, Y32, YR24, E44, W4, V25, V09, R29, R39, 0 (colorless blender)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear Wink of Stella Pen

Pearlescent Christmas

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for a few challenges ... Sparkle Christmas #27 - use a stencil, ATS&M #98 - Holiday and Christmas Stampin' All Year Round #13 - Anything Goes

I made a card about a week ago to honor my friend Peggy, and today's card uses leftovers from that card ... pear pearlescent stenciled background, white pearlescent card stock for the poinsettia - I love these together --- so soft and shimmery.  The poinsettia has such a big presence with the five layers - love how it turned out.  I added three small, clear rhinestones for the center.

Here's a close up ...

I am a big fan of Jennifer McGuire.  She has mentioned several times how much she loves the color of the Liquid Platinum embossing powder from Ranger, so I "had" to get some. :)  She is right ... it is really a beautiful color, and I used it on today's card for the sentiment which is embossed on vellum.

Looks like it's going to be a nice day.  Not sure if I'll finally get out to my front garden ... the weeds have been waiting for me for a long time :) ... or maybe hubby and I will head to the beach for a walk.  Either way, it will be nice to get out and have some fresh air and fun.

Have a great day!

Stamps:  Christmas Greetings (SU)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah), 40 lb. vellum (Bazzill)
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Blooming Poinsettia (Poppy Stamps), Quatrefoil stencil, liquid platinum embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, small rhinestones

Challenges:
Sparkle Christmas #27
ATS&M #98
Christmas Stampin' All Year Round #13

Mixed Media

Hi everyone.  I'm really enjoying the mixed media on my cards.  Today's card has stenciling, sponging, embossing gel with glass beads, and a heated copper die-cut butterfly as the focal point.  LOVE the sparkle and shine from the clear embossing gel that gives a raised effect with tiny glass beads to catch the light.  Since it's clear, sponging colors underneath works well as the colors show through.  I've also added some of the clear paste on the left side of my card, just over the white card stock and you can still see how it sparkles.  One of my most favorite new toys! :)  This gel is not a new product ... it's been around for a while, sold at art supply stores and mostly used by artists.  It is fairly new to card making, I believe.  Seems like more and more art supplies are making their way onto cards ... especially with the mixed media - so fun! :)  And I've learned I save money shopping at the art supply store ... embossing gels and pastes are cheaper and come in large sized containers - bonus!

Here's a close-up ...

There's a new challenge starting up on July 1st called The Mixed Media Card Challenge.  Really looking forward to playing along.  Right now they are having a DT call and there are already six entries that are all so amazing - it's worth checking it out.  I'm going to throw my hat into the ring and see what happens.  :)

I also used my new distress inks from Simon Says Stamp ... and the butterfly die that I bought from there to make this card, so I'm entering it into the current Simon Says Stamp challenge - Anything Goes.

It's Sunday, so that means our family are coming for dinner.  Today I'm making it very easy on my self by cooking up a lasagne and garlic bread from Costco, and then making a Caesar salad, veggie tray and fruit tray to go with it.  This means I have more time to spend on making dessert, which is the favorite part of the meal for most of us :)  I baked up some gingersnap cookies along with a Rhubarb pie.  Yum, yum!  I'll send leftover goodies home with the kids.  That's it for me ... off to add the meringue topping to my cooked pie.

Stamps:  Handwritten Notes (Avery Elle)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah)
Ink:  Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade (TH Distress Inks)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box), Silhouette Cameo for cutting stencil, grid cut file (Silhouette America), sponges, Clear Glass Bead Gel (Golden), palette knife, copper metal sheet .005 thickness (K&S Precision Metals), mini butane torch

Challenges:
The Mixed Media Card Challenge
Simon Says - Anything Goes