New Technique created by Karen

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a new techniques created by my dear friend, Karen (Snippets).  Click on the link to see her latest cards using this fun technique.

She is hosting the TLC (Try A New Technique) Challenge #640 at Splitcoast Stampers (SCS) this week, so I'm playing along.

This also works for today's SCS CAS Challenge #431 - Backgrounds, hosted by Kia. I'm playing along there too! :)

I used an old gift card and three colours of Distress Oxides to create the background.  I then used white acrylic paint to create the cross lines.  I framed it up, added a die-cut sprig, and stamped a sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Distress Oxides:  Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  old gift card, water mister, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Beach Sprig die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
SCS TLC Challenge #640 - Swipe your credit card
SCS CAS Challenge #431 - Backgrounds

Summer Sunflower

Hi everyone.  It feels like summer here, even though officially it's not summer for three more weeks.  The rain finally stopped a week ago or so, and we've had glorious sunshine and warm temps every since.  Today is supposed to get up to 25 C (high 70's F) ... but I think it will actually get even hotter than that.

What better flower to celebrate summer than a bright and cheerful sunflower.  I love this stencil that I got from my dear friend, Bonnie.  I have used it many times, and each time I find a different way to use it. :)  This time I used it with Lemon Yellow and Light Brown Brushos.  Even just using those two colours, you can see all the other colour pigments there are in the powders.  I sprinkled the Brushos over the stencil, sprayed with lots of water, and quickly removed the stencil. Let it sit for a bit and then lightly blotted with paper towel.  A simple stamped sentiment finishes the card.

I'm entering this card at Time Out (Challenge #84 - Flowers and friends make life a garden").

Stamps:  Thinking of You (Happy Little Stampers)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Brushos:  Lemon Yellow, Light Brown; Baked Brown Sugar (SU!
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Mini Sunflower Stencil (The Crafter's Workshop)

Challenges:

Time Out Challenge #84

Merry Mistletoe

Hi everyone.  I'm playing along with this week's Merry Monday (#249).  My friend Colleen is hosting and she chose Mistletoe for this week's challenge.

This is my one and only mistletoe stamp. :)  I stamped it twice and heat embossed in white.  Then I sponged with Broken China DOX inks.  I sprayed a little water and blotted to create a bit of visual texture to the background.  I die-cut into a circle and then coloured the leaves with a green zig brush.  I added some Dazzling Details glitter glue over the leaves, half pearls for the berries, and two small bows from silver cording.  The circle is popped up to give the card a bit of dimension.

Here's a close up:

A simple card that seemed to take forever to come together.  It happens sometimes. :)

Thanks for the fun challenge Colleen!  The challenge is open until Sunday, so there's still lots of time to play along.

And I'm playing along again this month at Rudolph Days, run by the lovely Maureen (Scraps of Life by Scrappymo!)!  Two months in a row ... maybe it will become a habit.  I hope so! :)

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

Stamps:  Easy Events (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Versamark; Broken China Distress Oxides Ink (Tim Holtz); Zig
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder, heat tool, sponge, water mister, dazzing details glitter glue (SU!), half pearls, silver cording

Challenges:
Merry Monday #249 - Mistletoe
May Rudolph Days

Happy Birthday Jer!

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing the birthday card I made for my youngest son's birthday. :)  Jer loved the artsy design!  :)

For the card I used a piece of alcohol ink drop paper that I created recently ... bright orange, yellow and lime green.  I die-cut it with the sticks frame, along with cutting a second frame from black.

I used snippets of black and alcohol ink panels to create the main focal point of my card, so I'm heading over to the Snippets Playground for some fun!

ETA:  Thanks to Trina and Darnell for giving me a prompt, I'm entering into the Less Is More #329 - Geometric.  :)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White (Neehan 110 lb. card stock); Yupo
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  Tangerine Orange, Sunbright Yellow (Pinata); Citrus (Ranger)
Accessories & Tools:  Blending solution, Stick Frames die (Poppy Stamps)

Challenges:
Snippets Playground - Week 281 & 282
Less Is More #329 - Geometric

Bright Watercoloured Flowers

Hi everyone.  I received this beautiful stamp set (and matching die) from my sweet friend, Trina (My Crafting Closet).  Thank you Trina!!  I had a lot of fun watercolouring this using my Zig CCR Brushes. :)

This is heading to the CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Flowers, which closes in just 3 1/2 days (midnight PST on May 24th).  I hope you'll join us if you haven't had a chance yet.

I stamped the image onto mixed media paper using archival (permanent) black ink.  I used seven colours (2 shades of orange, red, 2 shades of olive green, 2 shades of purple) and a water brush to watercolour my flowers.  I find this type of watercolour very relaxing. :)  I spent well over an hour going over things many times until I was happy with the depth of colour.

I used a white gel pen to add details and a few sequins for some sparkle.  The sentiment is from the same set, stamped in black.

Stamps:  Kind Soul (WPlus9)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Zigs; Archival Black (Ranger)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, white gel pen, sequins

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Flowers

Splattered Butterfly

Hi everyone.  I'm having fun playing with the CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Splattering.  The challenge is open until May 24th.

Another card made with a leftover piece of splattered card, die-cut with a butterfly, and lined with a solid orange butterfly.  It's placed over top of random stenciling of chicken wire.  The sentiment finishes the card. :)

My CAS Mix Up card has stamping, splattering, die-cuts, and stenciling.

Come play along!

Stamps:  Sweet Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Pumpkin Pie card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz); Baked Brown Sugar (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  paint brush, water mister, Moonlight butterfly die (Memory Box), Chicken Wire stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), sponges.

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Splattering

CASEing Karen

Hi everyone.  Today's card is a CASE (copy and share everything) of my dear friend, Karen's card (Snippets).  She is on the Design Team for The Flower Challenge and this month's challenge (#8) is to CASE one of the designers.  I am always inspired by Karen's beautiful cards and her unique, creative style.  Thank you Karen!

Karen's card

I kept my background all one piece, but did use blue and green, which are Karen's colours ... well, blue for sure! :)  I made this during the recent craft retreat with my friends.  It was an experiment of mixed media paper, a good coating of spray starch, and then dropping re-inkers over top.  I used Stampin' Up! re-inkers since I have LOTS.  I've been wanting to figure out some techniques using re-inkers and this worked really well.

After dropping ink into the spray starch, I placed a large piece of cling wrap over top, scrunching to add creases and folds.  I left it to dry overnight and then removed the cling wrap.

I used a beautiful silhouette die-cut flower frame, gifted to me by my good friend, Bonnie.  Thanks Bonnie!!

Since I used a Poppy Stamps die, I'm linking up to the current challenge PSC#32 - Flower Power.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore); White card stock
Ink:  Smoky Slate; Reinkers:  Garden Green, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Spray starch, cling wrap, Floral Stem die (Poppy Stamps)

Challenges:
The Flower Challenge #8 - CASE a DT member
PSC#32 - Flower Power

May Flowers

Hi everyone,  Just a reminder card for the CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Flowers.  There's still just over a week left to join our challenge.

The card above has a smooshed background of Distress Inks (wild honey, spiced marmalade, and ripe persimmon).   Once dry, I stamped the bouquet of tulips in Archival Black ink (permanent) and then watercoloured the flowers with more ripe persimmon distress ink.  A simple sentiment was stamped to finish the card.

Please click HERE to see the rest of the reminder cards from our wonderful Design Team and very talented Guest Designer, Mac!  I know you'll be inspired!

Playing along with the Poppy Stamps Challenge #32 - Flower Power.

Stamps:  Friends and Flowers (Poppy Stamps); Sweet Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon; Archival Black (Ranger)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, paint brush

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Flowers
PSC #32 - Flower Power

Watercolouring with Distress Stains

Hi everyone.  Sharing another card made during the craft retreat.  This technique is water stamping with distress stains.  Susan (Cardmaker's Garret) led the "class", using Heather Telford's wonderful video tutorial.

I love the softness of the watercolouring, and am happy with my first try using this technique.  I added some splatters and a sentiment to finish.

This is a reminder for the CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Splattering. There's still just over a week to play before it closes at end of day May 24th.  Check out the reminder post (link above) to see more inspirational cards from our talented Design Team, and our wonderful Guest Designer, Elaine.

And since it is watercoloured flowers, I'm adding this to the CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Flowers gallery as well.  Again, just over a week left to play along.

Stamps:  First Blush (Penny Black); Gratitude (Penny Black)
Paper:  Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb. Hot Press)
Ink:  Distress Stains:  Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Water mister, paint brush for splattering

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Splattering
CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Flowers

Eat, Sleep, Craft, Repeat

Christine, Susan, Nancy, and me!

Just wanted to share a picture of the four of us from our Craft Retreat in Vancouver, all wearing customized aprons made by my DDIL.  Thank you so much Nikki!!  Don't we all look happy??!!  This was near the end of our time together.  We were all sleep deprived and our voices were hoarse from talking, but we couldn't stop smiling the whole time. :)

We took a short break from card making techniques during the retreat, to create Dirty Pour Canvases (acrylic paints).  Each of us is posting tonight with our favourite canvas (we each did two).

Here's mine ...

We have learned a lot from watching videos and feel that our canvas pours are getting better as we learn more about what to add to the paints, etc.  This time we added in some silicone oil, which helps to keep the cells separated from each other. More cells emerge with a torch.  Click HERE for a video tutorial.

Here's a close-up of part of the canvas above so you can see the details ...

So cool!

I hope you'll take a few minutes to check out the canvases done by the other girls. Just click on the links below ...

Susan

Christine

Nancy

Thanks for visiting!

More Crafting with Friends

Hi everyone.  Continuing playing with inks and different products for the week with my good friends Susan, Christine and Nancy.

Above is our play with glass bead gel.  I started with a fairly light background  made with smooshing DOX inks.  Stencil was placed over top and Clarity Brushes were used to add colour to the flowers.  I love the softness that the Clarity Brushes produce. Cleaned off the stencil and placed it back over top, lining up everything, then used a palette knife to add a coat of glass bead gel over the flowers and stems. It gives a lot of texture and amazing sparkle, which is hard to capture in a photo.

Next up is a play with Alcohol Inks.  We actually tried a few techniques, but I haven't made my pieces into cards, except for the card below.

Nancy showed us how to use alcohol inks with stencils.  Mine didn't turn out well ... there was a halo between the stenciled image and background.  Instead of throwing it away, I fussy cut the stenciled image and created a CAS design. :)

I'm entering the above card into the current AAA Card Challenge #89 - Bright and Beautiful.

Here's a picture of the girls hard at work. :)  See the big smiles ... we are all having such a great time. :)

You're a Great Friend card:
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Oxide Inks:  Worn Lipstick, Wilted Violet, Fossilized Amber (Tim Holtz); Distress Inks:  Worn Lipstick, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Wilted Violet, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Bloom Group Stencil (made with my Silhouette Cameo), Clarity Brushes, Glass Bead Gel (Golden), white embossing powder, heat tool

With Love card:
Stamps:  Gratitude (Penny Black)
Paper:  Yupo Paper; White card base (Neenah)
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  Tangerine (Pinata); Wild Plum, Raspberry, Lettuce,  (Ranger); Distress Ink:  Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Lovely Large Flower stencil (Wendy Vecchi)

Challenges:
AAA Cards #89 - Bright and Beautiful

Crafting with my Friends

Hi everyone.  I'm in Vancouver having a crafty week with three special friends.  :)

We are having a great time.  Susan (Cardmaker's Garret), Christine (It's a Card Day's Night), Nancy (scandinancy creates), and I are trying out all kinds of different techniques.  What fun we've had.  We also headed to Granville Island yesterday, picking up lunch at the market and eating outside overlooking the water.  Then we had some fun shopping at a Stamping store on the island.  We all came home with a few new goodies to play with. :)

Today we were joined Trina Pham (My Crafting Closet) for a few hours of fun.  It was so wonderful to meet her in real life!!

Above is a card I made with my new Distress Oxide Inks (DOX) and using a silhouette stencil over top in black ink.  Love the colours of the background.

Yesterday Nancy led a demonstration on layering stencils and we each made two.  I have not done this very much at all, so learned a lot.

We played with alcohol inks today and tomorrow will most likely involve a messy play with acrylic inks and canvases.  The messier the better!:)

Hope to be back later this week with some more makes from our craft retreat.

Thanks for stopping by.

Silhouette card:
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Hot Press Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Oxides:  Worn Lipstick, Wilted Violet, Fossilized Amber (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Wildflower Layering Stencil (Tim Holtz), white embossing powder, heat tool

Spring Flowers

I'm having fun playing with the both CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Splattering and CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Flowers.  Today's card is for both. :)

I started by stamping the flower in brown ink onto mixed media paper.  The image was heat embossed in clear since the brown ink used wasn't waterproof.  I pressed yellow, orange and pink inks onto my mat and spritzed with just a little water.  I used a paint brush to pick up the yellow first, adding to the center of one of the flowers, then added some orange around the yellow, and finished with pink ink around the outside edges of the petals.  I repeated for all flowers.  I just did loose watercolouring so the colours would mix a bit.  Orange and pink inks were splattered over top.

I cut the panel down to size, cutting off a strip at the bottom for my sentiment to create a split design.

I hope you'll come play along with one or both challenges.  We already have lots of wonderful entries in the gallery.  Come check them out and be inspired!

Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps:  Blossom Bunch (Stampendous); Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Cocoa (Memento); Distress inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear embossing paste, heat tool, watercolour brush

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Splattering
CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Flowers

Splat Thanks

Hi everyone.  Thought I'd share this quick and easy card that I made while filming my latest video on Splattering.  Click HERE to see the video.

I used Distress Paints to create the splats, spritzing the sponge dauber end of the paint bottle a few times with water before pouncing it onto my watercolour card stock.  I love the fun, grungy look of the large splats.  A simple black die-cut sentiment finishes the card. :)

I entering this into CAS-ology #247 Challenge - Flow.

* * * * *

I've been super busy this week packing up supplies.  I'm heading to Vancouver to spend five days crafting with my dear friends Susan, Christine, and Nancy.  We'll be experimenting with techniques and products.  It's gonna be a LOT of FUN! :)

I have a few posts planned while I'm away so you'll still hear from me next week. And if I get a chance, I'll share some of the experiments from our retreat as well.  :)

Paper: White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Watercolour Paper (Tim Holtz); Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Distress Paints:  Ripe Persimmon, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz), paint brush, Thanks die (Paper Smooches)

Challenges:
CAS-ology #247 - Flow

CAS Watercolour May Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Flowers.

I had a lot of fun making the card above.  I started by added just a little subtle stenciling on the white card base.  You can just see it peeking out from the main panel.  I used my clarity brushes and a soft blue ink over a mesh stencil.  It just adds a little somethin' to the background. :)

The main panel I pulled from my stash.  This is done with the Splash Watercolour technique (click HERE for my video tutorial).  I used bright blue and lime green to create a colourful backdrop.

I just received this pretty flower die-cut in my lastest on-line order.  It was part of my order that I placed using a gift certificate from my sweet friend, Mary.  Thanks Mary!  I just love the look of this die ... it gives you the outline and also the filler for both the flower head and the leaves (didn't use the leaves with this card).

The flower head is cut from another piece in my stash.  It's a background I made by smooshing Liquid Watercolour sprays make from concentrate.  The pink, purple and red hues are really vibrant and pop off the blue background.

To finish the card I added a dark gray border with a white heat embossed sentiment.

We are thrilled to have Mac (The Sweetest of Peas) as our Guest Designer this month.  Please click HERE to check out Mac's card, and cards made by our talented Design Team.  Then come play along!

I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank Harriet (Ally Cat Cards) for all her hard work and inspirational cards that she has provided to the CAS Watercolour Challenge over the past eight months.  She is leaving the design team and we will miss her!

Stamps:  Sentiment (Painted Butterflies - Altenew)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Mixed media paper main panel (Strathmore 140 lb.); Basic Gray card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Broken China, Salty Ocean, Twisted Citron (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Textured Mesh Stencil (Memory Box), water mister, Sketch Daisy die (Memory Box), Liquid Watercolour concentrate in magenta, purple and red (Dick Blick), white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Flowers