NBUS #10

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with Darnell's NBUS #10 challenge (NBUS = never before used schtuff). :)  I have also played with the optional theme of using bubble wrap to celebrate "National Bubble Wrap Day" in the U.S.  I had fun! :)

I used a piece of bubble wrap, squirted on two colours of alcohol inks (magenta and red) and then pressed a piece of Yupo paper on top.  I got lots of prints that I'll hang on to for future use.  This was my favourite from the bunch.

I added a simple die-cut sentiment, cut from black card stock and black foam.  Glued them together to create more dimension, and then coated it in glossy accents.  The shine from the sentiment matches the shine from the alcohol inks.

I hope you'll come play along at Darnell's NBUS #10 challenge.  It's the last of the three challenges that she has run to celebrate her 5 years of blogging.  The challenge is open until Feb. 5th.

Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Yupo paper
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  Poppyfield (Ranger); Senorita Magenta (Pinata)
Accessories & Tools:  Bubble Wrap, Love die-cut (Paper Smooches), black foam, glossy accents

Challenges:
NBUS #10 - optoinal theme: bubble wrap

hello ...

Hi everyone.  A few weeks back I did some experimenting with Alcohol Inks and cling wrap.  Seems that this is technique is very popular right now.

I dropped AIs onto Yupo paper (can't remember the colours, but looks like turquoise, lime and blue).  Then I squirted a little bit of blending solution to get the inks moving.  I took a piece of cling wrap (larger than the piece of Yupo I was working with), crunched it up to create creases, then opened it up and placed it over the wet inks, crunching the cling wrap a bit more to create lots of folds.  I left it to dry overnight.

When I removed the cling wrap, this is the background I got.  Makes for a very interesting background or die-cuts.  I'll definitely be making more pieces with this fun and easy technique.

Sharing this card at Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes.

Stamps:  Word Salad (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo paper
Ink:  Alcohol inks; Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blending solution, cling wrap, Meadow Leaf die (Poppy Stamps)

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

NBUS #9

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with Darnell's NBUS Challenge #9.  This technique is called Hidden Word or Camouflaged Word or Steganography.  :)

I found it a bit difficult to get a good picture of my card.  The camera seemed to be confused with the die-cut word in the middle of my smooshed Inka Gold panel.  It blends in, but it doesn't. :)

I used a snippet of leftover Smooshed Inka Gold from the video I did over a year ago. :)  Always pays to hang on to those pieces. :)  And I used a snippet of white card stock, painted it with gold and used it for the strip at the bottom of my panel and also for the butterfly.  My card is all snippets except for the card base. :)  So I'm heading over to join the fun at the Snippets Playground as well.

The NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) item is the thanks die from STAMPlorations ... it fit perfectly for this panel. :)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Peacock Feathers Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Gold Inka Gold (Viva Decor), water mister, thanks die-cut (STAMPlorations),  gold acrylic paint (Lumiere), paintbrush, embossed butterfly die-cut (Stampin' Up)

Challenges:
Darnell's NBUS #9 Challenge
Snippets Playground - Week 265 & 266

Sparkle Snowflake

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing another snowflake card using red, purple and gold for the background.  I love how the sparkly snowflake flourish pops on the saturated colours of the tag.  And I love my new set of tag dies that I HAD TO HAVE after seeing Bonnie's gorgeous Christmas tags last year.  Bonnie and I enable each other to shop! :)

I started by using liquid watercolour concentrate.  I get mine from Dick Blick (house brand), but there are other brands as well.   They are super concentrated with colour, so if I only add a little misting of water, I do get deep colours.  Adding more water produces lighter shades.

I die-cut the snowflake sash from sparkly paper and inlaid it into the tag.  I splattered gold over the tag and on the card front.  Then I stamped some script in the same gold in in the center of the card front, and also as the "joy" sentiment under the tag.  The tag is popped up with foam for added dimension.

This card is a reminder for two challenges.  CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Snowflake.

And CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Liquid Colours

Both challenges are open until the 24th of the month, so there's still a few days to play along.  I hope you'll join us!

ETA:  My dear friend Bonnie just mentioned that this is perfect for the Poppystamps challenge #28 - Silent Snowflakes, to I'm entering there. :)

Stamps:  Script (Penny Black); Christmas Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb); Watercolour paper for tag (Arches 140 lb. cold press); Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Delicata Gold
Accessories & Tools:  Liquid Watercolour concentrate in Red, Violet, Gold (Dick Blick), water mister, Pinpoint Main Street Tags (Poppy Stamps); Simple Snowflake Sash (Poppy Stamps), gold sheer ribbon

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Snowflake
CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Liquid Colours
PoppyStamps Challenge #28 - Silent Snowflakes

Painting with Alcohol Inks

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing my first attempt of painting with Alcohol Inks.  I hope to figure things out with more practice.  For a first one, it's not bad. :)  I learned today that it's better using less colours.  I had originally added four layers of oranges and reds to the poppies, but the ink built up and became too thick.  Less is more with AIs (alcohol inks).  I ended up taking quite a bit of colour off with blending solution.

Since making this card, I have seen a tutorial by Tim Holtz where he adds blending solution to the barrel of a water brush and then picks up dried Alcohol inks with the tip and paints.  This seems like a much easier way to paint with AIs, so I will give that a try soon!

For the card above, I started by dropping three shades of yellow / brown in the background.  I added a squirt of blending solution and then used a folded up paper towel to move the colours around ... basically sponging the background.  I let it dry and then gave it a couple of spritzes of blending solution from a mister bottle.  As I mentioned in an earlier post.  When working with alcohol inks, rubbing alcohol or blending solution, make sure to work in a well ventilated room and keep the sprays away from your face.  Wear a face mask if you have one.

Once my background was dry, I stamped my poppies in archival ink and then painted over top with orange and red alcohol inks.  The archival ink stamps well on the dry background, but once you start adding AIs over top, it dissolves into the colour, making it similar to no-line colouring.

I added a simple frame and stamped sentiment to finish the card.

Going to add this card to the gallery at CAS Mix Up where the challenge this month is Liquid Colours.  Check out the challenge HERE if you haven't had a chance yet ... lots of inspiring cards in the gallery.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Blooming Garden (Penny Black); Heartfelt Thanks (Penny Black)
Paper:  White card base and frame (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  Sunshine Yellow, Butterscotch, Poppyfield (Ranger); Calbanza Orange (Pinata); Black Archival (Ranger); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Blending solution in mister, paint brushes, Rectangle Nestability (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Liquid Colours

Darnell's NBUS #8 Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for Darnell's NBUS #8 Challenge.  She is celebrating her 5 Year Blog Birthaversary, along with running  3 weekly back-to-back NBUS challenges.

The first challenge runs from Jan. 16-22 and is Coloured Pencils on Kraft.  She is open to other types of entries too.  You can read her rules HERE.

I have never coloured with pencils on kraft before, but have always wanted to try it out.  I managed to get a bit of shading on the leaves and stems, but not so much on the flowers.  I'm sure there's a trick and I just don't know it. :)

I used a NBUS stamp that I've had for YEARS.  I got it on sale at Michael's and it has sat collecting dust.  I'm happy to finally use it.  Thanks again Dolly ... I probably would never have used this stamp if it wasn't for your challenge!

Fun, whimsical stamp so thought I'd pair it with a Paper Smooches sentiment.  First time using a staple on a card as well. :)

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to click this link to check out Darnell's NBUS #8 Challenge!

Stamps:  Ditto; Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Crumb Cake (SU!)
Ink:  Versamark; Crumb Cake (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder, heat tool, Derwent Watercolour Pencils, staple

Challenges:
Darnell's NBUS Challenge #8

Winter Birthday

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder that CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Snowflake, is open for just over a week.   We have some beautiful watercoloured snowflake cards in the gallery.  I hope you'll check them out.  There are also some sample cards from our very talented Design Team and from our special Guest Designer this month, Hannelie (Desert Diva).

Today's card is very delicate colours for the background.  I wet my watercolour paper with lots of water and then floated in two colours of distress inks (Cracked Pistachio and Salty Ocean) to create a watercolour wash.  Because there was so much water, the colours are very soft.  After it was dry, I splattered with diluted white acrylic paint.  The sentiment is white heat embossed onto a piece of white dotted vellum that mimics the splattered background (a gift from my dear friend Nancy).  I added three die-cut snowflakes to finish.

I hope you'll come play along.  Create a watercoloured snowflake CAS card and join us!  We'd love to see you in the gallery!

I'm heading over for some fun at the Snippets Playground.  Haven't had a chance to play for a while and looking forward to seeing Di, Parsnip and the gang! :)

Stamps:  Frosty Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. cold press); Dotty vellum (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Cracked Pistachio, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  White acrylic paint, white embossing powder, heat tool, Snowflake die (Lil' Inkers), Small Snowflake dies (Impression Obsession)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Snowflake
Snippets Playground - Week

Marbled Thanks

Today's card is a reminder for the CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Liquid Colours.

I created this marbled background a while ago using shaving cream and re-inkers.  I cut the panel into a 2 1/2" square and then added a die-cut flower stem over top. The stem is die-cut from soft green card stock (similar in colour to the marbled background), and the flowers are punched from a deep turquoise.  Both the stem and flowers have been shaded with ink around the edges, and shaped with a stylus for more dimension.  A simple stamped sentiment finishes the card.

My CAS Mix Up card has Liquid Colours (reinkers used in the marbling technique), Die-cutting, Shaping, and Stamping.

Check out the rest of the cards made by our talented Design Team by clicking HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Sentiment - Where the Heart is (Simon Says)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Pear Pizzazz and Bermuda Bay card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Reinkers:  Peacock Feathers, Shabby Shutters (Tim Holtz); Old Olive and Bermuda Bay (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Shaving cream, Lavish Branch (Memory Box), Hydrangea punch (Martha Stewart), stylus and mat for shaping, mini pearls, sponges

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Liquid Colours

Card Purse

Hi everyone.  Today I've made something different.  My dear friend Karen (Snippets) made a card totebag about a week ago.

I give several of my (non-cardmaking) friends packages of cards for their birthdays and I think this is such a great way to "wrap" the cards ... presenting them to my friends in this card holder purse.

It's also a great way to use some of my stacks of 12" x 12" patterned papers. :) Win/win.  I hope to make a lot more of these.

Here's a link to the video tutorial that Karen used and shared on her blog ... Chic Handbag for Cards.

I struggled a little with the handles, but think maybe next time I'll soften the card stock with my bone folder before scoring and gluing and hopefully that will give a smoother curve.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Etched Branches

Hi everyone.  Playing again with my alcohol inks and trying to figure out how to make landscapes.  I seem to have very little control with this technique. :)

I did try something new with using some cheap paintbrushes (from the $1 store) to move the ink around a bit before adding more colour on top.  I soaked the brushes in rubbing alcohol afterwards and they came clean, so I'm going use them again with my next AI landscape card.

I finished by stamping some branches over top  And I stamped the sentiment in black and heat embossed in clear so that it was shiny and matched the shininess of the alcohol inks on Yupo.   I would have liked to have used black embossing powder but I couldn't find mine.  :)

The landscape panel was popped up on foam for a bit of dimension.

This is for the CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Liquid Colours.  Such a fun challenge and there's lot of amazing cards in the gallery.  I hope you'll check them out and then come play along.  Just make sure that your colour is liquid form (alcohol inks, sprays, liquid acrylic paints, etc.) before you start.

My CAS Mix Up card has alcohol inks, stamping, and heat embossing.

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

Stamps:  Etched Branches (Penny Black); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb); Yupo
Ink:  Alcohol inks:  Cranberry, Pool, Lettuce, Pesto (Ranger); Sapphire Blue (Pinata); Black Archival (Ranger); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Liquid Colours

Silver Snowflake

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a CAS Watercolour card featuring a snowflake. That's our challenge this month at CAS Watercolour ... check out the challenge to see all the beautiful entries.

I used brushos to create a background and then cropped to just a bit bigger than my snowflake.  I stamped the background in versamark and heat embossed in silver to create the look of more snowflakes falling.

The snowflake is a stitched die cut from silver foil card stock.  I heat embossed the sentiment in silver as well to tie it all together.

I hope you'll come join in the fun at CAS Watercolour.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge (Stampin' Up!), Frosty Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb); Watercolour panel (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Brushos:  Ultra Marine, Purple; Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Silver embossing powder, heat tool, Stitched snowflake die (Lil' Inkers)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Snowflake
Snippets Playground - Week

Alcohol Ink Landscape

Today I'm sharing an alcohol ink landscape.  This card was sent to dear friends who are dealing with a tragic loss in their family.  I hope that my card and words of support gave them some comfort.

I have been having some success working with alcohol inks lately.  This time I used Yupo paper and tried to create layers of colours to mimic a sunset.  Not sure I succeeded, but I am happy with how this turned out.

I really was just "winging it" to get the colours.  I made a few different ones, but this was the only one I really liked,  The others are still on my worktable and I may just turn them over and try again on the back. :)

I squirted the purple and blue first, adding blending solution to make the colours move across the paper.  Once they seemed settled (not dry), I added the other two colours.  Right now I don't have any tips on this technique ... it's trial and error for me, but I'm hoping to learn as I make more. :)




Stamps:  Pine Tree (Stampscapes); Bloom of Hope sentiment (SU!)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb); Yupo
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  Passion Purple, Baja Blue, Calabaza Orange, Lime Green (Pinata); Archival Black Ink (Ranger)
Accessories & Tools:  Blending solution (Tim Holtz)

Christmas cards

Hi everyone.  Today I'm posting some cards I made in December.  It was a tough month with radiation treatments, along with having the flu ... and then a nasty cold. I tried to keep up with visiting blogs, but I know I missed a lot.

I also missed posting my last eight cards that I made for some very dear friends. These are all made from alcohol inks on yupo - click here to see my video.  They are all CAS designs ... I hope you like them.  This will be a picture-heavy post, but no descriptions.  Email me if you have any questions.

Thanks to MaryH for this lovely ornament die!

Edited to Add:  Had a couple of emails about blending solution being dangerous in a mister.  I'll attach a screen grab from Ranger below and you'll see the warning on the bottom left.  When working with any liquid chemicals, it's important to be careful.  Make sure to protect your face if you decide to spray with blending solution or rubbing alcohol.  Some people believe that rubbing alcohol in a mister would be better.  It's still a chemical and you need to be cautious using it as well.  It definitely will save money using rubbing alcohol over blending solution, but the results will be different.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

CAS Watercolour January Challenge

Welcome to a new year of challenges at CAS Watercolour.  Starting off with a fun challenge for January ...

We'd love to see you create a CAS (Clean and Simple) Watercoloured card that includes a snowflake or snowflakes!  Easy and fun!

For my card, I started by sprinkling three colours of Brushos crystals over watercolour paper.  I misted with water and then tilted the panel to let the colours flow together.  Love these colours!  I then stamped the Snowdust stamp from Penny black in Versamark and heat embossed in white.  Such a beautiful contrast against the deep colours of the background.  I used a technique that has been done many times by my good friend Nancy ... I pressed my versamark pad along the bottom and heat embossed in white to create a snowhill.  Love this look and thanks for the tip Nancy!

To finish I added a simple die-cut sentiment.  Fun card to make. :)

We are excited to have Hannelie (Desert Diva) as our Guest Designer this month. Make sure to click HERE to check out her amazing card, along with cards from the rest of our talented Design team.  And then come play along.




Stamps:  Snowdust (Penny Black)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Watercolour paper main panel (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Brushos (Ultra Marine, Turquoise, Violet)
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder, heat tool, Let It Snow die (CUTplorations)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour January challenge

CAS Mix Up January Challenge

Hi everyone.  Happy New Year!  Starting off with the CAS Mix Up challenge for January ... and it's a fun one! :)  Hosted by Bonnie ... this is such a cool challenge.

Use any product that starts as a liquid ... could be alcohol inks, stains, re-inkers, liquid paints, etc.  The choice is yours. :)

I started with a Floating Alcohol Ink panel that I made last year.  This technique is a little messy, so I made several up at one time.  Click HERE for a link to a video tutorial on this fun and easy way to use alcohol inks.  I believe I used mixed media card stock, but you can use glossy, regular card stock and haven't tried it, but yupo should work well too. :)

I die-cut this modern hexagon background from my card front and the alcohol ink panel.  I inlaid the white pieces back into the design, and then glued most of the matching alcohol ink pieces on top, popping up the rest for a bit of dimension. Wanted to keep the design very CAS, so added a simple stamped sentiment to finish.

My CAS Mix Up card has alcohol inks, floating alcohol ink technique, die-cutting, inlaid die-cutting and stamping. :)

We are so happy to have Trina (My Crafting Closet) as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Trina!!

We hope you'll join in this fun challenge, which is open until January 24th.  See you in the gallery! :)

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps:  Word Salad (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Ranger Alcohol Inks:  Mermaid, Poppyfield, Ultra Marine
Accessories & Tools:  Mod Hex Background die (Poppy Stamps), container for floating AIs

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Liquid Colours