Poinsettias

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a different-for-me Christmas card.  I used a pretty poinsettia stencil to create the background for my card.  First, I dry embossed my card front with the stencil.  I left it taped together while sponging all over with Festive Berries Distress ink and then sponging Fired Brick ink in the centers of each poinsettia to give the flowers some depth.  I used a metallic silver pen to colour over the center stamens.  To finish the card, I added a simple black Joy die-cut layered with foam for added dimension.

On a personal note ...

Just wanted to give a quick update on the health front.  In my post from Sept. 16, I told my story about fighting breast cancer this year.  Since then I met with an Oncologist and was sent for tests, and so was the tumour they removed.

I got the good news that I do not need chemotherapy. :)  I'm so happy!!  I will be having radiation treatments starting the later part of January 2017.  I have the next three months free of tests and treatments so I'm going to enjoy the quiet time.  :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Distress Ink:  Festive Berries, Fired Brick (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Poinsettias stencil (Kite), Big Shot, sponges, metallic silver pen, Joy die (Hero Arts)

Quick CAS Christmas cards

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing four QACAS (as Darnell would say) cards ... quick and clean and simple. :)  Alcohol Ink backgrounds with white die-cuts --- simple.

Again with the alcohol inks backgrounds ... hope you aren't sick of seeing these. :) As I mentioned before, I found smooshing with AIs on yupo paper to work best for me.

For the background above, I used three colours of AI (botanical and mermaid from Ranger; sapphire from Pinata).  Love the colours together.

And two more cards made from one panel that I cut in half.  Mix of red and green AIs with gold fixative.  Where the red and green mixed together, I got dark brown, which I love.

The last card below uses two shades of green, along with gold fixative.  I used a 4 1/2" x 6" piece of Yupo, smooshed, and then cut the piece into four equal panels ... making four QACAS cards (all the same). Sentiment is heat embossed in gold.  This time I used gold foil paper for the candle die-cut.

Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps:  Merriest (Avery Elle); Big Scripty Greetings (Simon Says)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink: Alcohol Inks:  Botanical, Mermaid, Pesto, Poppyfield (Ranger); Sapphire, Rich Gold (Pinata); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Country Landscape die (Memory Box), Deer Trio (Impression Obsession), Tree Line die (Impression Obsession), Glowing Candles die (Memory Box)

Orange and Purple Autumn

Hi everyone.  I'm really loving orange and purple colour combo right now. :)  I used it on THIS CARD I posted a little while ago. :)

For today's card I used the "Splash Watercolouring" technique to create my background.  Click HERE to see my video tutorial on this fun and easy way to create a watercoloured background.

The flower stem is smooshed into diluted dark purple distress ink, and more was used to splatter a little for the background.  Sometimes distress inks don't stamp well ... but with using my Misti and stamping the sentiment twice, I was able to get a clean, crisp impression.

This is a reminder about the new CAS Watercolour card challenge that just launched at the beginning of October ...

There's only a couple more days to play along October's challenge if you haven't already. The challenge is open until Oct. 24th at midnight (PDT).

Create a CAS (CLEAN and SIMPLE) Watercoloured card following October's challenge - Autumn, and then link up on the challenge blog.    Come join the fun! :)

I used snippets of watercolour paper for my splash panel and for the die-cut flowers.  I'm heading over to join the fun at the Snippets Playground.

Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Worn Lipstick, Seedless Preserves (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Flower Frolic die (Penny Black), paint brush for splattering

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour October Challenge - Autumn
Snippets Playground - Week 252

More AI Christmas cards

Hi everyone.  Last week I posted two CAS Christmas cards made with alcohol inks on yupo paper.  I made several pieces of smooshed AIs while I was at it, and today I'm sharing a few more cards using small snippets for the backgrounds.

Each card is made from an alcohol ink background done with red, magenta and gold. And each card uses white die-cuts to play off the bright colours of the backgrounds. The white die-cuts are cut from snippets too. :)  The main difference between the cards is the layout.

Delicata Gold ink was used for stamping the sentiments.  I love this ink as it's metallic looking without having to heat emboss.  The only trouble is photographing ... it tends to look a bit blurry in photos, but it does stamp crisp, clear images. :)

Here's a couple more designs ...

And I still have one more piece of this colour combination on yupo for future playing. :)

Working with Alcohol Inks is messy, so it's a great idea to make up several sheets to get the mess over and done with.  Then you have lots of beautiful backgrounds or pieces to die-cut when you're ready to create cards. :)

Stamps:  Christmas messages (Hero Arts);
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo
Ink:  Alcohol inks:  Poppyfield (Ranger); Senorita Magenta and Gold (Pinata); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  Blooming Poinsettia die (Poppy Stamps); Poppy Parade dies (Simon Says), gold pearl pen (Viva Decor)

On a Roll ...

Hi everyone.  As my title says ... I'm on a roll! :)  After struggling for many weeks after my surgery, my mojo is finally back and I'm having fun creating.  Most of the cards you have seen over the past while were done before surgery, a few after.  The ones done after took many tries to get something I was happy enough to share with you. :)

Today I just had fun playing.  This is a very CAS one layer card with the colours of Autumn.  I used a tree stamp that actually has a swing hanging from the larger branch (which I masked off).  I did the no-line watercolouring technique ...  happy how it turned out. :)

I stamped the image in crumb cake ink (light brown) and then watercoloured over top with many different colour of distress inks  I made this specifically for a challenge being hosted by my friend Karen (Snippets).  This is for the One Layer Simplicity challenge ... Red, Orange and Yellow.

I'm also adding this to the gallery at CAS Watercolour October Challenge - Autumn.

And I'm adding this to Paper Player #317 - CAS with Leaf.  Haven't played there for a LONG time, so happy to renew myself with the challenge.  Went there after seeing Hannelie's DT card.  Thanks Hannelie!

Stamps:  Tree Swing (Stampendous); Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Crumb Cake (SU!); Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Festive Berries
Accessories & Tools:  water brush

Challenges:
One Layer Simplicity Challenge#32 - Red, Orange and Yellow
CAS Watercolour October Challenge - Autumn
Paper Players #317 - CAS with Leaf

Thank You Dear Friends

Hi everyone.  I had fun using this beautiful leaf stencil with Brushos.  I used a combination of autumn colours (yellow, orange and red) ... and threw in a little tuquoise to add something a little unexpected.  So happy with how they turned out. I made several of these, each one just a little different as Brushos always gives a unique look.

This is a reminder of the new CAS Watercolour Card Challenge that just started this month.

October's theme is ...

I hope you'll find some time to play along.  Create a CAS (Clean and Simple) Autumn Watercolour card and come join us!!  :)

I'm also entering this card into Snippets Playground.  I used snippets of watercolour paper for my focal panels.

Stamps:  Sentiment Builders - Thank You (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Brushos:  Lemon, Orange, Terracotta, Turqoise; Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Leaves Stencil (Carabelle Studio), water mister, clear embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour October Challenge - Autumn
Snippets Playground - Week 251

Ghosting Splats

Hi everyone.  Just a reminder that we are already half way through October.  The CAS Mix Up October Challenge - Ghosting is open until Oct. 24th.  Come play along!

I used water splats to remove colour and create a ghosting of falling snow ... very subtle, but pretty.  Also super easy to do. :)

Here's a close-up ...

I started by sponging my background, flicked water, and then blotted with a paper towel.  I tore two strips of white card stock for my snow drifts, and adhered a beautiful street light die-cut given to me by my friend Marcia (Marcia's Stampin Pad).  Thanks Marcia!!  xx

I hope you'll check out the reminder post for the CAS Mix Up October Challenge - Ghosting to see the beautiful cards from the rest of our Design Team. You'll be glad you did.

Still lots of time to play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Season's Gift (Penny Black
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Ink:  Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, black die-cut lamp (gift from friend)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up October Challenge - Ghosting

Guest Designer at Craft Stamper Magazine

Hi everyone.  Today I'm thrilled to be the Guest Designer at Craft Stamper Magazine.  I was so excited to win their August challenge with THIS CARD.  Not only am I a Guest Designer, but there's more information about me in a Winner's Profile from last month.  I also get a two-page spread in the December issue of their magazine, featuring my winning card.  YAY!!

The challenge for October is "Take a Theme - Autumn (or Fall!)".  I do love this time of year.  The colours are spectacular, and I wanted to reflect that in my card.  I used Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon and Seedless Preserves on my autumn leaves, using the Splash Watercolouring technique.  Click HERE to see my video on this easy and fun technique.

I added some embossing paste through a stencil for the background, just to add some texture and interest.  But it's all about the pops of colour on this card.  I kept the card in my CAS mixed media style that I love best. :)

Thanks for coming by, and if you have a chance, pop over to the Craft Stamper Magazine to take a look.  I hope you'll join in this fun and easy challenge to create an Autumn Themed project.

* * * * *

This card is also for the CAS Watercolouring October Challenge - Autumn.  Hope you'll come play along!

Stamps:  You (Simon Says)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock), Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Seedless Preserves (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Stripes Layering Stencil (Tim Holtz), Dreamweaver Embossing Paste, Palette Knife, Tattered Leaves die (Tim Holtz), Acrylic Block, water mister, Thinking of You die (Simon Says), white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
Craft Stamper Magazine - Take A Theme Challenge - Autumn (or Fall!)
CAS Watercolour October Challenge - Autumn

Splash Watercolouring & AIs

Hi everyone.  Making more Christmas cards as the big day is fast approaching.

Today's card is CAS (I do love CAS).  I die-cut the tree from some watercolour paper, and then used the "Splash Watercolouring" technique to add colour.  Click HERE to see my video on this fun and easy technique.  I changed it up a bit from the video, using my large acrylic block instead of my mat for adding colour.  I found I had a little more control as to where the colour would go ... as much control as you can have when watercolouring, that is. :)

I made a second exactly the same to donate.  Easy and quick card.

I decided to use the same layout and design, but this time, used one of my alcohol inks on yupo paper die-cuts.  I love the look of combining the traditional Christmas colours.  As you know, red and green are opposites on the colour wheel, so the colours did mix a bit and created a few dark brown spots ... but I like it.  A happy accident that just adds to the artsy look of the tree.

Thanks for dropping by for a visit.

Stamps:  Merriest (Avery Elle); Christmas Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press); Yupo
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Alcohol Inks:  Poppyfield, Botanical (Ranger); Gold Fixative (Pinata)
Accessories & Tools:  Fir Trees die (Impression Obsession), water mister, gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Success with Alcohol Inks

Hi everyone.  I have a love / hate relationship with alcohol inks. :)  I have had success with using them on pieces of copper and acetate, and with the floating alcohol inks technique.  But when it comes to playing with them on yupo paper that is all the rage now, I have had little success.  I made one a few months back and it turned out well ... turns out it was beginner's luck. :)

But, I'm stubborn! :)  And it has paid off for me.  I was determined to make things work and I found out that I had the best luck by smooshing alcohol inks.  I placed some drops of colour on a piece of foil (red and magenta) and added a few drops of gold metallic fixative.  Then I smooshed. :)

I ended up with several pieces that actually look pretty good.  I'm happy!  LOVE the vibrant colours from these inks and kept the cards super CAS by having just a single layer of my die-cuts along with splattering diluted gold acrylic paint in the background and stamping a sentiment.

I do struggle with a few products and techniques.  I'm just happy that I have overcome my problems with alcohol inks ... for now. :)

Here's a close-up of the poinsettia ... LOVE these bold colours.

And I made another using an ornament die ...

Updated:  Since I used snippets of my alcohol ink smooshed paper for the poinsettia and ornament, I'm heading over to the Snippets Playground to join the fun. :)  Di and Parsnip are celebrating their 250th week --- congrats!!

Stamps:  Peace - Merriest sentiments (Avery Elle); Be Joyful - Big Scripty Greetings Holiday (Simon Says)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo white
Ink:  Alcohol inks:  Poppyfield (Ranger); Senorita Magenta, Gold (Pinata); Gold Delicata (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  Blooming Poinsettia die (Poppy Stamps); Ornament Set 2 die (Elizabeth Craft Designs), gold beads, gold cording, gold acrylic paint (Lumiere) for splattering, paint brush

Challenges:
Snippets Playground - Week 250

More Autumn Colours

Hi everyone.  Enjoying working with the beautiful colours of Autumn.  This card started with a sponged background of Spiced Marmalade and Ripe Persimmon.  I placed a chicken wire stencil over top, spritzed with water and removed.  Waited a few seconds and then blotted with a paper towel.  The water removed the design of the stencil to create a fun and textured looked background, even though there is really no texture. :)

I stamped the two leaves onto watercolour paper and heat embossed in copper.  I then watercoloured the leaves using the same colours that I used for the background with the addition of some barn door to make them slightly different in colour.

I heat embossed the sentiment in the same copper on black card stock, popping it up over top of the leaf stems.

I'm adding these to two challenges ... CAS Mix Up, where the challenge this month is ghosting (removing colour ... which I did with the chicken wire stencil).

... and CAS Watercolour, where the challenge this month is autumn.  I watercoloured the leaves with distress inks.

I hope you'll come play along with both challenges.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Gently Falling (Stampin' Up!); Sentiment - Where the Heart is (Simon Says)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Barn Door (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, Chicken Wire stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), water mister, copper embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up October Challenge - Ghosting
CAS Watercolour October Challenge - Autumn

Autumn with Brushos

Hi everyone.  Pulled out my brushos again ... so much fun!  Used a LARGE Hero Arts flower stencil, sprinkled with autumn colours of brushos, spritzed with water and then let dry.  Ended up with a large piece that I cut in half to make two cards.  Love when I can get a twofer out of one image. :)

For those of you that might not have read my earlier posts, Bonnie and I have started a new card challenge --- CAS Watercolour.  This card is heading there. :) The first challenge is ...

Create a CAS Autumn card using watercolouring (any watercolour technique or products are welcome), and then come link up and join the fun.  We'd love to see you in the gallery.

There's also a Design Team Call from October 1-15, 2016 for those that might be interested.

Also heading over to join the fun at the Snippets Playground.  I used a snippet of my watercoloured flower for the card, along with a snippet for the sentiment panel.  :)

My friend Aileen has started up a new card challenge, The Flower Challenge.  It just launched yesterday with a fantastic line-up of talented design team members.  The first challenge is "Anything Goes", I'm entering my card above. Congrats on a fabulous new challenge Aileen and team!!

Stamps:  Sunny Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Brushos:  Lemon, Orange, Terracotta; Distress Ink:  Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Large Flower stencil (Hero Arts), water mister

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour October Challenge - Autumn
Snippets Playground - Week 249
The Flower Challenge - Anything Goes

CAS Mix Up October Challenge & New CAS Watercolour Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the CAS Mix Up October Challenge.  This month we are looking for "ghosting" on your cards.  And no, not the type of ghosts that show up for Halloween later this month :) ...  but a ghost of an image.

Ghosting is fun and easy to do.  Check out my video tutorial on Ghosting.

The stencil I used above is VERY open, so I wanted to create a ghost of the outline of the leaves. I sponged my card front randomly with turquoise and green inks. Then I sprayed the back of the stencil with water first, layed it on the card front, pressed down and removed.  Let the water sit for about 10 seconds to work it's way into the sponged colours, and then blotted with a paper towel.  Voila!!  This combines Stencil Monoprint with Ghosting. :)

This month we are excited to have Mac Mable (The Sweetest of Peas) are our Guest Designer.  Mac won the CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Sprays with this GORGEOUS CARD.  Welcome Mac!

Please check out our challenge blog to see Mac's Ghosting card, along with the rest of the Design Team cards.

I hope you'll give Ghosting a try and come join us at the CAS Mix Up challenge with your CAS (Clean and Simple) mixed media cards.  We'd love to see you in the gallery.

As always, the challenge is open until the 24th of the month.

* * * * *

CAS Watercolour's first challenge is live!

As I mentioned on my blog a couple of days ago, Bonnie and I are excited to begin a new adventure with a new challenge --- CAS Watercolour Card Challenge.

The first challenge starts today.  Future challenges will begin on the 2nd of every month. The challenge is to create a CAS (Clean and Simple) Watercoloured card following the theme each month.

Here's October's challenge ...

And here's my card ...

Come join our new challenge.  Create a Clean and Simple Watercoloured Autumn card and enter it in the linky on the challenge blog.  The challenge runs until Oct. 24th.

* * * * *

MORE EXCITING NEWS!

We are having a Design Team Call for both CAS Mix Up and CAS Watercolour Card Challenge.

The Design Team Calls run from October 1st - 15th for both challenges.  Check out the details on both challenge blogs.

CAS Mix Up Card with Ghosting:
Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Leaf stencil (Carabelle Studio), sponges, water mister, Fresh Foliage die (Memory Box), stylus and mat, sequins

CAS Watercolour Card - Autumn:
Stamps:  Script; Heartfelt (both from Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Delicata Gold (Tsukineko); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Watercolour sprays made from liquid concentrate in Orange and Magenta (Dick Blick), Acetate sheet for smooshing background, Maple Leaf die (Poppy Stamps)


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up October Challenge - Ghosting
CAS Watercolour October Challenge - Autumn