Hi everyone. Sharing a card I made as a sample for a challenge being run by my good friend Nancy (scandinancy creates). Splitcoaststampers has a big yearly event (Dare to Get Dirty), with a week of challenges (5+ per day) run by past and present design team members, called "Dirty Girls". Lots of fun for the Fan Club Members who support Splitcoaststampers with their membership fees. Nancy is hosting one of the challenges, so I'm helping out with a sample card ... well, two actually --- I was having so much fun! :)
I started by sponging randomly over a stencil in soft green. I stamped my hibiscus and leaves onto mixed media paper in black archival ink, and watercoloured them with distress markers in soft colours (spun sugar and worn lipstick for the flower, shabby shutters for the leaves). I fussy-cut them out and mounted then over the stenciling, along with a few black die-cuts I received as a gift from my good friend Hazel (My Card Attic). Love how dramatic the black is again the soft green and pinks.
I splattered diluted black acrylic paint for the background and added a white heat embossed black sentiment banner. Had lots of fun making this card.
Here's my second card ...
This time I used two stencils for my card. The background is a stencil monoprint of honeycombs done with watercolour sprays. The design is subtle, but makes a great background for my bold sunflower. The sunflower was sponged over top of the honeycomb monoprint, then I spread Glass Bead Gel over the sunflower. It's so pretty and sparkly as the glass beads catch the light. I added a simple stamped sentiment to finish.
Another fun product to use with stencils. There's just nothing like glass bead gel ... it's so unique and beautiful.
Since the background of this card is sprayed, I'm adding this to the CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Sprays. :) Hope you'll come join us!
Thanks for coming by for a visit!
Thank You Card:
Stamps: Wild Hibiscus (Altenew); Sentiment - Painted Butterflies (Altenew)
Paper: White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media for flower and leaves (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink: Distress ink: Shabby Shutters and Distress Markers: Shabby Shutters, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools: Quadrefoil stencil cut with my Silhouette Cameo, sponge, paintbrush, black acrylic paint, black die-cuts (gifted)
Have A Great Day Card:
Stamps: A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper: White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media card front (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink: Distress ink: Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry, Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools: Watercolour sprays made from Liquid Concentrate in Yellow, Orange and Magenta (Dick Blick), Honeycomb stencil cut with my Silhouette Cameo, Mini Joyful Sunflower stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), sponges, glass bead gel
Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Sprays
Both your cards are absolutely Stunning my friend. Thank you so much for being one of my samplers for my 1st DTGD Challenge. I LOVE all your stencil techniques and CAS Designs. I must add the glass bead gel to my wishlist. TFS and always encouraging me! A Big Hug, nancy
ReplyDeleteTwo beauties, Loll! I too love the pop of the black foliage with the soft flower and background! And the sunflower is GORGEOUS! The glass beads add so much shimmer to the petals!
ReplyDeleteYou looked like you had so much creating these two fabulous and beautiful cards. As always I love the techniques. Love the flower on the first card against the black die cuts and the delicate background. Wow an amazing second card. Full of vibrancy and texture...Love it! x I use clear paste and then pop micro beads on top whilst still wet and that works a treat too x Thank you so much for sharing x
ReplyDeleteTwo lovely cards in your colours! You use those colours so well!! I particularly love the second one with the layering of the monoprint and the flower done with the glass bead gel.
ReplyDeleteWow! That sponged background on your first card looks so lovely and I am bowled over by the bright, sunshine burst of color from the second!
ReplyDeletetwo wonderful cards - hard to pick a favorite! love the background on the first one and the colors on the second - think i really NEED a sunflower stencil!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Both cards are stunners Loll! Love the bold black against the soft background on the first, and the splatters add extra artistry! The second, is bright, bold and oh so beautiful! The glass bead gel has given it extra sparkle . . . fabulous Loll! Have a lovely weekend my friend! Hazel xx
ReplyDeleteMy Card Attic
Awesome dual cards! I adore the 2nd one with the flower in flames :)
ReplyDeleteLove the bold sunflower, such a beautiful effect. But your first card has won my heart, Loll. The black with the soft pink and green is a beautiful combo xx
ReplyDeleteLove both of them, Loll! The top one is one of my favorite types of cards - love the bold black contrast to the soft flower! And that glass bead gel - gotta get some of that for sure!!
ReplyDeleteTwo wonderful cards, Loll. Love the addition of the black foliage and splatters on your first card and the warm tones of your second. Will have to check out this new to me glass bead gel. have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteYour thank you card is my most favorite style of yours! Love the rich contrast on that one and the gorgeous colors! The sunflower- magnificent! You do make me want to try glass bead gel again after my first flop! Yours is just gorgeous in those sunny colors!
ReplyDeleteStill in love with the Thank You card ;) A very courageous use of black foliage which makes it stunning! That sunflower is one vibrant beauty, got to use glass beads more often. Thanks for sharing <3
ReplyDeleteLoving these Loll -gorgeous cards. The mono-print behind the sunflower is beautifully subtle.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Maxine
Love how you combined the Wild Hibiscus with dies! Always looking for different ways to use this set! Thank you for the inspiration! The subtle stenciled background and the splatters are a great finishing touch!
ReplyDeleteAnd you found yet another way to use that fabulous sunflower stencil! The glass bead gel is on my wish list - thanks to you! ;)
so bright and beautiful card
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful designs Loll - the black foliage and sentiment strip really pops off the the light green stenciling on the first and the bright colors on your sunflower really scream summer heat! Julia xx
ReplyDeleteThese are both gorgeous, Loll ... one a fantastic blend of soft colours with bold die cuts ... the second a stunning, vivid, shimmery beauty ... I do love it when you use that glass bead gel! I've enjoyed spending time catching up with your cards and posts over the last age that I've been MIA in blogland ... what a delight to see all that loveliness in one sitting! Thanks for the inspiration ... I really do need another couple of days a week to use it!! Hugs, Anita :)
ReplyDeleteTwo stunners Loll .... love the delicate stenciled background on the first one and then there's that gorgeous sunflower again. It looks fab done with the glass bead gel. After seeing this stencil on your blog I had to track it down ..... and yes it's now on it's way to the Isle of Man ..... ooops! Have a fan weekend my friend xx
ReplyDeleteThese are just beautiful and I would not be able to choose a favourite. Wonderful designs and great techniques!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Carol x
These are gorgeous Loll, and so opposite of each other. The first is bold and striking with that amazing contrast, and the second is soft and dreamy with the blended colours. Love em both!! hugs :)
ReplyDeleteTwo absolutely stunning cards Loll. I love the techniques you used and the glass beads look gorgeous. Barbxx
ReplyDeleteTwo stunning card Loll, great techniques and love your use of those pretty glass beads
ReplyDeleteAnne
Wow, both cards are stunning Loll! I love the thank you card, that green background is just stunning with the black and pinks. Love it! And of course I am so loving the sunflower card! It bold bright colors make me so happy feeling and I love the print on the background. Just a lovely card! Hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteTwo fabulous cards, Loll. So beautiful. Love the softness of the first one and the shimmery and bolder colors of the second.
ReplyDeleteTwo gorgeous cards Loll, the first is so soft and pretty and I love the bold colours of the second. Carol x
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous, the both of 'em. Love the soft green stenciling with the texture of the dimensional pieces. Such a lovely bouquet. Enjoyed seeing that wonderful sunflower again, you've gotten a lot of use from that stencil. Each time it's just so beautifully done. TFS & Hugs
ReplyDeleteWhat two beautiful card, Loll! I love the first card is so expressive and full of content. A wonderful combination of gentle background with a beautiful flower and black elements. The second card is amazing and I imagine groan delicate crystal sparkle in the sun. I like it very much.
ReplyDeletehugs,
BozenA
2 gorgeous cards Loll, I love the look of the bead gel it makes the flower shimmer beautifully, Cathy x
ReplyDeleteStill catching up on my comments!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely cards, Loll.
I like the drama of the black on the first and the way you've used half the design on the second.
Fantastic. X
Gosh, I've really fallen behind on my visits...and, shame on me, since I ALWAYS feel so inspired when I stop by :)
ReplyDeleteTwo really, really beautiful cards, Loll! Your first one is so elegant, and I love all the sparkle you achieved with your Glass Bead Gel on the 2nd card! I am totally in love with your sunflower, too...It's just perfect!!!