Daisy Hello

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the February Sketch Challenge at Happy Little Stampers.  Kylie has come up with another fabulous CAS sketch ... which can be used for ANY style of card (doesn't have to be CAS).  I hope you'll come and play along! :)

Here's the sketch ...

I did keep my card CAS (clean and simple), sponging a background using a starburst stencil, and adding a die-cut flourish with a little sponging around the edges to give it interest.  The daisy is punched and shaped using tweezers and a stylus (see my written tutorial here on how I shaped this flower).  I added a teeny, tiny bit of pattern with the brad I used for the center of the daisy.  A simple stamped sentiment finishes the card.  I wanted to match the colour of my brad and didn't have an ink that colour, so inked the stamp first with ripe persimmon and then one quick swipe with barn door and then stamped ... it matched pretty well. :)

That's about it ... pretty simple design.  Easy peasy card to make that didn't take very long.  I hope you'll come and play along with our sketch challenge.

And, if you also enter your card into the same challenge located on the Happy Little Stampers Forum, your name is automatically entered for a random draw prize.

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You may have noticed that I haven't been around for a little while.  Just over a week ago, I was out for a nice walk with my hubby when I tripped and fell.  I tore a tendon in my leg and had to have surgery.  I've just been home from the hospital for a few days now.  The recovery is at least six weeks with not being able to put any weight on the one leg and have it straight at all times.  It's a challenge to say the least.  After that there will physio to get everything working properly again.  This means my on-line time  will be limited and I may not be get back to my studio for quite a while.   In the meantime, I have some pre-scheduled posts with some fun cards that I hope you'll check out.

Stamps:  Where Your Heart Is (Simon Says)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Pear Pizzazz (SU!)
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz (SU!); Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Barn Door (Distress inks by Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Starburst stencil cut with my Silhouette Cameo, sponges, Flourish #6 die (Crafty Ann), Medium Daisy Punch (Punch bunch), Designer Brad (SU!), tweezers and stylus for shaping daisy, glue dots

Watercolour Wash

Hi everyone.  Back with my last reminder for the January CAS Challenge at Happy Little Stampers.  There's still a few days left to enter  ...

I used the Watercolour Wash technique for my card above (see link to tutorial HERE by Gina Kim).  This is a quick tutorial, with lots of tips about how to make colours flow together, what stage to add salt (if wanted), and the dry values of colour versus wet ... it is worth watching!).  I followed the tutorial by taping down all four sides of my watercolour paper using masking tape to keep it from warping. I used a large brush to add lots of clear water to wet my paper and then picked up some Peerless watercolour paint from their booklets. I added Brilliant Yellow and Geranium Pink randomly over my watercolour paper and then let it dry.

I so happy with the way the background turned out.  I simply stamped this pretty stamp from Penny Black in versamark ink and heat embossed in white.  I ripped two pieces of card stock to create my snowbanks and stamped a simple sentiment at the bottom in soft gray ink.

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge at Happy Little Stampers Blog.  There's a link set up for anyone wanting to share their CAS Watercoloured cards ... but there's only a few days left, so pull out your watercolour paper, make a card and join in the fun!

I hope you've enjoyed seeing all the lovely watercoloured cards in the gallery ... and ones done by Karen, Kylie and me.  Looking forward to our next CAS Challenge which will be posted Feb. 3  at 6am (AEST) ... that's noon Feb. 2 my time (PST). :)

Stamps:  Snow Dust (Penny Black); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted
Paper:  White (card base); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Smoky Slate (SU!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Paint brushes, Peerless Watercolour paints (Brilliant Yellow, Geranium Pink), white embossing powder, heat tool

Just for You

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a quick and easy CAS card that I made using the sketch challenge at Happy Little Stampers.  This is such a great sketch that is easy to use ... any style of card is welcome for January's Sketch Challenge at HLS.

I bought a fun set of stamps from my local $1 store a few years back for about $3 --- what a great deal!  The flower bouquet is one of them.  I inked it up with my markers and stamped onto my card front.  Then I coloured in the blooms with a light pink marker and added a darker pink to the centers.  I added a smattering of sequins and rhinestones.  That's it!  Quick and easy, fun card that took under 10 minutes to make ... you gotta' love that! :)

I'm going to enter this into a couple of other challenges - CAS-ology #130 - cue card: Friend, and Less Is More #207 - Friends.

Today I'm taking it pretty easy, just playing in my studio and then off to take my mom to the doctor's this afternoon.  Yesterday Gord and I were lucky enough to spend the day with Cooper ... and we'll be babysitting again tomorrow.  He's such a joy to be with ... a happy, happy guy!  I'm sharing a pic that my DDIL, Nikki posted on Facebook recently (so some of you may have seen it there).  It's from his one year portrait session ... he's growing up so fast! :)

Seriously, isn't he adorable??!!  Not that I'm a biased Nana. :)

Stamps:  Marine Drive (Heid Grace); Autumn Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  green sequins, clear rhinestones, stamp-a-ma-jig

Challenges:
January Sketch - HLS
CAS-ology #130
LIM #207

Christmas Critter

Hi everyone.  I'm just squeaking in at the last minute for the Merry Monday Challenge (#141 - Critters). :)

I bought this fun digi from Birdie Brown (no longer available).  But, I believe some of her wonderful designs are now sold as clear stamps at My Favorite Things.  :)

The sentiment is from Pink Petticoat (also digital), so I spent a bit of time on the computer getting this ready to print.  Then I paper pieced it, cutting it out of white for a sturdy background and piecing on top with the two shades of brown.  I sponged around each of the pieces to give it some dimension.  I coated the nose with my white gel pen and once dry, squeezed red glitter glue on top.  Love how it adds a bit of sparkle to the card, along with the shiny metal jingle bells.

That's it ... fun and easy card to make that had me smiling the whole time I was working on it! :)

Edited to Add:  My friend Susan mentioned a new-to-me challenge - 52 Christmas Card Throwdown, where their current challenge is bells.  So I'm entering there too! :)

Stamps:  Happy Santa (Birdie Brown); Signature Christmas Sentiments 2 (Pink Petticoat)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso (SU!)
Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, silver wired cording (thanks Bonnie!); two small green jingle bells, white gel pen, red glitter glue

Challenges:
Merry Monday #141
52 Christmas Card Throwdown

You Mean the World to Me!

Hi everyone.  Time for the first challenge of 2015 at Addicted to CAS (#55).  This challenge is being hosted by the talented Jaydee (Stampin! with Jaydee) ... and she chose this word ...

Our challenge is sponsored by

I used a free digital image from Melonheadz.  I've had it a long time ... just waiting for the perfect challenge to come along ... and this is it! :)  I printed the image and sentiment onto white card stock and coloured with Copics.  That's it ... simple CAS design.

It's the start of the new year with our newest ATCAS Design Team members joining us for the first time.  A big welcome to Barb, Bonnie, Rebecca, Jan and Joanna! :)

And, this month we have a very special Guest Designer, Julia from Create with Me. Julia has a wonderful CAS style ... and she also does mixed media projects.  I have learned so much from visiting her blog!!  So great to have you with us Julia!

Please click HERE to check out Julia's beautiful world card, along with the cards from the rest of our wonderful Design Team.  I'm sure you'll be inspired to play along! :)

Our challenge is open for two weeks ... hope to see you in the gallery!

I'm entering this into the current challenge at ATS&M #127 - Make Your Mark.  I used Copics for my colouring! :)  And also in the NBUS challenge ... I used this digital image for the first time after having it for AGES! :)

Stamps:  Girl with Earth --- with matching sentiment (Melonheadz)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Copics:  G43, YG67, B06, B16, Y21, Y32, YR24, R29, R39, W4, E00, E01

Challenge:
ATS&M #127
NBUS #3

Watercolour Spritz

Hi everyone.  Sorry I haven't been around much this week.  I have a virus that has overstayed it's welcome. :(  Hoping to kick this thing soon!

I'm back with another reminder that there is a new CAS challenge at Happy Little Stampers ... and it runs for the whole month of January.

The card above uses the Watercolour Spritz technique.  It's not hard to do, but there is a bit of a learning curve to figure out how much water to mist on your inked stamp before stamping onto the watercolour paper.  Getting some practice helps with that. :)

I inked up my rubber stamp using markers, spritzed with water a few times and then stamped onto dry watercolour paper.  I hold the stamp down for a few seconds so the watercolour paper absorbs the diluted ink.  Then remove the stamp and let it sit and dry for a while.  The image changes quite a bit as it dries ... and it looks as though you've watercoloured the image by hand.  So pretty!

For the card above, I used a post-it note mask to keep the area just below my stamped flowers clean.  I also die-cut the flower box from watercolour paper and used the same inking and misting of leaves, stamping them on both the background of my card and the w/c paper flower box die-cut.  To give the sentiment a watercoloured look, I inked it with my marker and then lightly touched it in spots with my waterbrush and then stamped.

I used Kylie's awesome sketch for this month from Happy Little Stampers ...

I hope you're inspired to join in the fun at Happy Little Stampers Blog.  Click HERE to share your CAS Watercoloured cards.  And click HERE to play long with the HLS January Sketch Challenge.  Or use both on your card. :)

I'll be back with a final challenge reminder next week with another CAS Watercoloured card using a different watercolouring technique.  Can't wait to show you! :)

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On another subject, wanted to quickly share my good news that one my cards was featured in this Embossing Paste article by Michele Boyer for Craftsy Paper Blog Crafts.  Thanks for including one of my cards Michele! :)

Stamps: Pocket Silhouette, Just Believe (SU!)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  SU! markers:  Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Old Olive
Accessories & Tools: Small Flower box die (Poppy Stamps), water mister, post-it note, waterbrush

Santa Shaker

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the current MUSE (#99 - Vicki Dutcher).  I focused on the shaker part of Vicki's inspiration card.  I definitely need some practice making these shaker cards, because my sequins are sticking to the foam all around the inside :)  Need to figure out what I'm doing wrong.  Might have something to do with running out of glue tape and having to use liquid glue. :)

This adds to my stash of Christmas cards for this year ... so at least I'm keeping that up.  I was hoping to make a bunch of these and thought the recipients could take the ornament off the card and hang it on the Christmas tree.

Used my nestie labels die to make the frame, and added a little piece of fun patterned paper on the inside.  I filled the pocket with different shades of green sequins and teeny red rhinestons I got from my local $1 store.

Thanks to Vicki for the wonderful inspiration.  Check out her card and the beautiful entries for the challenge HERE.

Paper:  White, Cheery & Jolly DSP (Paper Studio)
Accessories & Tools:  Framelits Label Collection dies (SU!), acrylic sheet, green sequins, red rhinestones, jump ring, red metallic twine (gift from my friend Susan)

Challenges:
Muse #99

Saturated Watercolouring Technique (Video)

Hi everyone.   My plan was to post watercoloured cards once a week as a reminder about the current CAS challenge at Happy Little Stampers.  But I'm obsessed with watercolouring right now and it seems that just about every card I've been posting lately is watercoloured.  :)  There's so many wonderful watercolouring techniques to try! :)

The card above is made with the Saturated Watercolouring technique.  It's fun and easy to do and probably a lot of you have already tried this.  I've done a video tutorial and posted it below for those interested (both cards shown in this post are made using the piece of watercoloured paper from the video).  The craft mat from Ranger makes it so easy to do these techniques and it wipes up easily too.

Saturated Watercolouring - YouTube video






Here's the second card using this technique ...

I hope you're inspired to join in the fun at Happy Little Stampers Blog and share your CAS Watercolour cards.

I'll be back with a reminder next week with another CAS Watercoloured card using a different watercolouring technique.  Stay tuned! :)

I'm going to enter the butterfly card into the current challenge at Virginia's View (#11 - clean slate).

Butterfly card:

Stamps:  Be Happy (Amy R)
Paper: White (Neenah); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press) - Butterfly
Ink:  Smoky Slate; Re-inkers Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Spray bottle filled with water, Elegant Scrollwork die (Memory Box), Moonlight Butterfly Die (Memory Box)

Leaf card:
Stamps:  Sunny Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Smoky Slate; Re-inkers Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Spray bottle filled with water, Fresh Foliage die (Memory Box), Hydrangea punch (Martha Stewart)


Challenges:
Virginia's View #11

Gift from a Dear Friend

Hi everyone.  Today I was working on organizing my studio.  I bought a couple of containers from Ikea and thought I'd spend the day getting things more organized.

Then late this afternoon the mail came ... there was a package for me - yay! :)  My dear friend Nancy sent me an old SU! stamp set that I have been wanting for years.  It retired just as I started getting into stamping and I couldn't get it anywhere.  I was so excited when I open the package and there it was.  So, of course, I had to ink it up! :)  Thanks so much Nancy! :)

I watercoloured the background by just pressing some distress ink onto my craft mat and spritzing with water, and then pouncing my watercolour paper into the diluted ink.  By pouncing, I end up with lots of drops and splotches that gives the background some visual texture.  Once dry, I inked up the tree, spritzed the stamp with a little water and stamped onto the watercolour paper.  Then I did the same for the foliage of the tree, using different autumn colours of distress inks.  So fun! :)

Watercolouring is my favourite technique right now ... I just can't get enough of it.  :)

Since this is a CAS Watercoloured card, I'm going to add it to the growing gallery at Happy Little Stampers January CAS Challenge. :)

And by coincidence, it also follows Happy Little Stampers January Sketch Challenge - bonus!! :)

Stamps:  Branch Out (SU!); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, heat tool, water brush

Brusho Snowflakes

Hi everyone.  Today I made my first Christmas card of the year ... never too early to start, right??!!  :)

The snowflakes were done with Brushos Colour Crystals ... my plan was to play with them today and I did!!  Love the vibrant and intense colours of these watercolours. The snowflakes above are done on watercolour paper, but I experimented with regular card stock and with glossy, and they each have a different look.  I'll use them on future cards.  So fun to play! :)

I used a vellum strip to keep the card looking very clean, heat embossing the sentiment in white.

I made the card for a few challenges ...

First up, the challenge at Merry Monday (#140) to use a snowflake(s) on your card. This was my jumping off point.  Here's the inspiration picture for Merry Monday ... doesn't it look yummy!!

I also used the sketch from STAMPlorations (#25), and used Stamps and Ink so I can enter their January challenge as well - bonus!!

This is also a good example of a clean slate card for Virginia's View #11 challenge.  I have the feeling most of my cards will fit this category! :)   Lots of white space on this one.

It is a winter card, so perfect for the challenge at Just Us Girls (#274) where the word is "Winter".

And this is for the SCS (Splitcoast Stampers) CAS Challenge (#306 - white + one colour).

Another multi-challenge card ... I'm on a roll:)

Stamps:  Sentiment - Holiday Sketches: Christmas Flower (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press); Vellum (Bazzill)
Ink:  Versamark; Brusho Colour Crystals
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder, heat tool, water mister, Stitched Snowflake dies (Lil' Inkers); Small Snowflake dies (Impression Obsession)

Challenges:
Merry Monday #140
STAMPlorations Sketch Challenge #25
STAMPlorations January Challenge
Virginia's View #11
JUGS #274
SCS - CAS #306

PS ... I Love U

OK, so I posted this card a few hours ago ... and somehow it disappeared.  I went back in to see what happened, and most of my blog post is missing.  How the heck did that happen??!! :)  Darn technology ... couldn't possibly be me??!! :)  Here is is ... again.

Hi everyone.  Today is a snow day for me :)  My plan was to play with my brushos ... but, I had an idea for a card that would fit a few challenges that are currently running, so thought I'd play along.  Honestly, I saw this fun free digital image from Hannelie, a long time ago, and have wanted to make this card since she posted it ... it's about time! :)

I LOVE this sentiment and knew exactly what I wanted to make with it.  Hannelie has many, many free sentiments on her blog that she freely shares with everyone --- so generous!  If you haven't been by to see her at Desert Diva ... then you're really missing out.  She is one talented card making ... and her blog is filled with gorgeous cards to inspire.  Thanks Hannelie!

My card today is for three challenges.  The idea as sparked by the current challenge at Inkspirational.  Like I said, I've had this card in my head for a long time and so happy to finally get it made.  LOVE the new graphics for their challenge --- looking good, girls!

This is also for the latest NBUS Challenge run by our good friend, Darnell (Dolly to me!).  Because of Dolly's wonderful encouragement, I have pulled out never-before-used-schtuff, given it a dusting off and been glad I did.  For today, I used the note edge punch that I've owned for over three years and never used --- crazy!!  Plus I used the NBUS of the sentiment from Hannelie ... so two for the price of one :) Thanks Dolly for encouraging us to use our NBUS!

And, this card is also for the latest challenge at Virginia' View (#11 - Clean Slate).  I didn't find time to play much last year, but hope to join in more of her wonderful challenges this year.  Virginia has the most wonderful and fun challenges, with lots of amazing sample cards, and fabulous guest designers.  I think my card is in the "Card with lots of white space" category. :)

Stamps:  PS I Love U (Desert Diva); Pencil (free digital image from internet)
Paper:  White; Just Add Cake DSP (SU!)
Ink:  Copics
Accessories & Tools:  note edge punch, pewter brad, cork, wink of stella

Challenges:
Inkspiration #73
NBUS #3
Virginia's View #11

New CAS Challenge at Happy Little Stampers

Hi everyone.  At Happy Little Stampers we have started a new Challenge for 2015 ... CAS Cards --- yay!!  Here's our first challenge ...

I used a version of the Acrylic Block Watercolouring technique for my card above (see Kylie's tutorial HERE).  This card is CAS Mixed Media with a watercoloured background, stenciled leaves, and stamped script.  An alcohol ink sponged copper leaf is my focal point and a simple banner finishes the card.  There's still lots of white space.

There are so many wonderful watercolouring techniques that can be used for making cards.  Use any type of products for your watercolouring ... paints, inks, watercolour pencils, markers.  And use any technique that works for you.  It's all about having fun!

Make sure to keep your card CAS and then enter it into the challenge at Happy Little Stampers blog.

You can also add it to your gallery at Happy Little Stampers Forum with a link to the challenge there ... all entries are automatically entered  for a chance to win a monthly random prize draw.  Not a member??  Join up today!  Membership is free ... so join in, set up a gallery and start adding your cards.  Then link up to the challenge on HLS Blog and Forum.  We'd love to see you there!

New to watercolouring??  Check out the challenge, where you'll find links to some watercolouring tutorials to try.  And you'll find cards to inspire you ... thanks to Karen (Snippets) for being our first guest designer for the CAS challenges!

I'll be back in a week with a reminder card using a different watercolouring technique. :)

Stamps:  En Francais (SU!); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White (card base); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick, Ripe Persimmon, Brushed Corduroy (Distress Inks by Tim Holtz); Poppyfield and Honeycomb Alchohol Inks (Ranger)
Accessories & Tools:  Acrylic block, water mister, leaf stencil made with my Silhouette Cameo, copper sheet, Little Leaves die (Sizzix for SU!), blending solution, cotton balls