February's challenge is ...
I used the same die for the two cards above. This is the Stacking Hearts Die from Simon Says Stamp.
Both cards have the same background technique. This is were I take one of my "mop up" paper towels, place it over top of a piece of watercolour paper or mixed media paper, spritz with water and then press firmly with my fingers to transfer the ink. The colours are always soft and delicate. I keep these backgrounds in my stash for when I want a softer looking card (or cards!). Today is the day.
I die-cut the stacking hearts from white card stock, removed all the center hearts (which are already part of the die-cut) and I'm left with a frame of hearts. I added a simple sentiment with white embossing on black card for the "sending" and black die-cut hugs (cut from black card stock and black foam as well and layered with the foam underneath for added dimension). I used my clear wink of stella to add a bit of shimmer to the hugs. For the finishing touch, I added some translucent blue and clear sequins for more sparkle.
Here's a close-up ...
The card above uses the hearts outline of the die, the card below uses the centers.
I sponged white card stock with worn lipstick and cut out the hearts. I didn't worry about the sponging being perfect. I like that the hearts have colour variation on each one. The background matches with the paper towel transfer of ink in worn lipstick and mustard seed. I stamped the sentiment in Delicata Gold ink.
Here's a close-up ...
Check out the challenge blog to see the amazing "Hearts" cards from the rest of our talented Design Team. And then come play along. The challenge is open for two weeks, closing on Feb. 24th. Hope to see you in the gallery!
I'm sending the first card (Sending Hugs) to the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - It Must be Love and AAA Cards #108 - All You Need is Love.
I'm sending the second card (Heartfelt Thanks) to CAS on Sunday #126 - Dies and to CAS Watercolour February Challenge - Heart. :)
Card 1:
Stamps:
Paper: Mixed Media card stock (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink: Left over distress ink from earlier project - mopped up with paper towel; Versamark
Accessories & Tools: Stacking Hearts die (Simon Says Stamp), water mister, hugs die (?), clear wink of stella, white embossing powder, heat tool, sequins
Card 2:
Stamps: Heartfelt (Penny Black)
Paper: Watercolour paper (Arches Hot Press 140 lb.);
Ink: Leftover ink from earlier project (Worn Lipstick, Mustard Seed) - mopped up with paper towel; Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools: Water mister, sponge
Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #2 - Hearts
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - It Must be Love
AAA Cards #108 - All You Need is Love
CAS on Sunday #126 - Dies
CAS Watercolour February Challenge - Heart
These look great. Love how you used the reverse image of the die!
ReplyDeleteFabulous as always Loll. x
ReplyDeleteThe hearts against the soft aqua background are just dreamy, Loll ... what a fantastic contrast with the bold, crisp, black sentiment! The variation of colour in the background and hearts on your Twofer is delicious ... it adds such yummy interest ... and the gold is gorgeous with it! Hugs, Anita :)
ReplyDeleteThose backgrounds are so pretty, Loll. Great idea to use the mop up paper towels. I want to try to remember that. I usually just toss 'em not even thinking how pretty they might look as a background. They both look wonderful. I also really like how you used the outline on one card and the centers on the other. Way to stretch your supplies, too! Awesome! :) Hugs!
ReplyDeleteBoth cards are soft and pretty!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to try that technique with the paper towel. Not only does it give a lovely, soft color, it also brings a smidgen of dimension, too. LOVE that!! What a great idea to use the outsides for your first card, and the insides for your second. Two really, really pretty cards! Love them! Have a wonderful weekend. Bev
ReplyDeleteThis post was a light-bulb moment for me, Lolly! I keep those paper towels and try to figure out how to use them, but they are bumply. I didn't even think about spritzing them and smooching them onto card!! Thank you for that awesome tip! Both your designs are fabulous! I love the frame of hearts by itself on the beautiful hugs card and then as tender punctuation on the thank you card ~ and I like the modulated sponging, too! Hugs, Dolly
ReplyDeleteEven though you used the same background technique on both cards you managed to create very different designs! I greatly admire your recycling skills! To use your "mop up" paper towels to make these beautiful soft backgrounds AND use the outline of the die on one card and then the cut out hearts on the second card makes my no-waste-loving heart beat faster! Absolutely love them both! (Bought that die a few months ago, it's still in my NBUS box. Thanks for the inspiration!)
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful cards!! I like that you used the inside of the hearts as well as the outside. Your background are so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteSaw these beauties just on Darnell's 2fer blog a few moments ago, and loved 'em. Love 'em all over again at the closeup. Love that you were able to use the inlay from the hearts die to form the design on #2 (clever you!) and the design looks delicate & pretty on each card. Love the idea of the mop up spritz to color another c/s, as it makes such a soft look with so much texture. TFS & happy weekend. Hugs too.
ReplyDeleteYour paper towels left quite an impression on both of your cards and on me! I'm going to give your technique a try. Beautiful twofer, Loll! The white heart outline really shows off the background behind it and the bold black sentiment is a wonderful contrast. Your pink and gold combination is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love both of these, Loll. What a great die that is and is now on my wish list! Your background turned out just gorgeous. Now if only I can remember not to throw out those stained towels. Love that technique and must remember to use it. Love the black sentiment on the first one- such a wonderful contrast. I am intrigued that you never have gray or muddy paper towels- always bright, vibrant colors!>
ReplyDeleteAha!! You noticed the colours are clean for the backgrounds. That's because my I have "mop-up" paper towels for each colour family. That keeps the colours from getting muddy! Thanks Nancy! xx
DeleteBoth are beautiful Loll, the backgrounds are so soft. I love the pop of black on your first card :)
ReplyDeleteYou always get great color when you used this technique. Loll. I can't wait to see what you do with all the other hearts that come from that wonderful die. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your mop-up paper towel backgrounds on both your cards, Loll. Especially the 2nd card where the texture from the paper towel really shows up. Both beautiful CAS designs. So weird...I just put the stacked hearts die on my SSS wishlist...today! TFS my friend. Such a fun Twofer Challenge. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteUsing the paper towel to do double duty is so clever. It gives great texture and fun to the background. Love that you used both parts of the die. Great cards, Loll.
ReplyDeleteTwo beautiful backgrounds on both of your lovely cards Loll - what a delicate hearts die! Julia xx
ReplyDeleteBrilliant cards
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful Loll, I love the delicate look to the backgrounds and that heart die is so pretty xx
ReplyDeleteLoving that aqua background and the use of the die cut hearts. The pink one is pretty too. Thanks for joining in with the current AAA Cards challenge.
ReplyDeleteBoth are just Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteFaith
Love how you have made two very different card designs with the one die Loll! Great makes! Have a wonderful day my friend! Love & Hugs. Hazel xx
ReplyDeleteMy Card Attic
Two lovely cards you have made with the same die. I will have to try this technique. Thanks for the tip. I really love the soft background and the white hearts die cut on the first card. (blue is my favorite color) :)
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous! Love your inking!Thanks so much for playing Simon Says Stamp Wednesday “It Must Be Love” Challenge! Beautiful colors and design. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with your 'mop-up' technique, Loll! I just tossed a few paper towels from a watercolor project, and retrieved them when I read your post :) This heart die is going on my wishlist even though Valentine's Day will be gone by the time I get it...I love how you used it on both cards, and how you achieved a variation in those pretty pinks on your thank you card! Thanks so much for inspiring us to play along...count me in!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat use of the fall outs from that pretty die cut. Great to keep the mop ups separately and each colour family x Wonderful inspiration Loll, two very different cards and so creative and beautiful x
ReplyDeletePastel and Delicate, both are amazing cards! I definitely have to try your paper towel technique. Love the soft imprint left behind ...I suppose you also recycle these pastel towelettes in mixed media? Hmm, ingenious!!! xx
ReplyDeleteThose backgrounds are so soft and pretty. I always forget to save those mopped up paper towels. Fabulous inspirations.
ReplyDeleteSwooning over these cards Loll! I love the backgrounds you create and these are no different. They are so soft and beautiful. Dreamy like! I really need to make a list of techniques I want to try! Love how you used this heart die, such a beautiful die and such beautiful cards you have made. Love, love, love! Hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteWell, what pretty cards Loll, and like Darnell I never think to wet the towel and transfer the colour for a softer look, so will remember that for future reference. Your designs using the outline hearts on the first and then the hearts themselves on the second work beautifully and adore both the pink and the blue backgrounds. x
ReplyDeleteBoth are beautifully done and I love the water colored backgrounds on both.
ReplyDeleteOh how fabulous Loll - love your soft backgrounds and how you achieve them :-)
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Maxine
Both of these are so pretty, Loll! I love the soft colors and the imprint of the paper towels! The backgrounds are so perfect for these little hearts!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of using your mop-up paper towel. There are times when I want a soft look to background paper. I especially like it on watercolor paper because the texture of the paper is very visable. Thanks for all that you share Loll. I hope you are feeling well.
ReplyDeleteSoft and pretty twofer cards with a great use of Stacking Hearts Die, Loll! I love the nice visual texture the "mop-up" paper towel technique leaves on the background. The bold brush script die-cut gives an"oomph" to the soft background. Hideko xx
ReplyDeleteLove the soft background colors on these cards while also making use of those mop up towels that normally fill my trash can so fast(!) Have seen your idea for this on some of your other posts, but hit me this time to actually start saving and using those paper towels. Thanks for the creative idea and the inspiration from your beautiful cards.
ReplyDeletebeautiful cards...great example of how using the same thing can give a totally different look
ReplyDeletexx Karen
Hi Loll,
ReplyDeletewhat super twofer cards and their designs are so brilliantly created.
Love the subtle colours you have created for the backgrounds.
Super designs also.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.
What a great mop up idea Loll. Thanks for the tip. Love the soft backgrounds and beautiful hearts. Lovely Twofer cards.
ReplyDeleteSuch pretty cards Loll, love the effect with the paper towel. Fab die too, can see lots of uses for this one...how easy to use those little hearts from inside.
ReplyDeleteClever you! Pretty cards with lovely backgrounds. Great texture from the paper towel. Who would've thought? It's a "must try" technique!
ReplyDeleteGreat use positive/negative forms of the hearts. Lovely cards you made :)
ReplyDeleteboth your cards are gorgeous! thanks for joining us at AAA Cards!
ReplyDeleteLoll, you always have the most beautiful cards! I aspire to create cards like yours! You're probably a lot more adventuresome that I am...which is how you create so many beautiful backgrounds! Love these two cards!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards! Love them both! Thanks for playing along with us at AAA Cards!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Super makes Loll. For some reason this challenge cause me no end of issues and I've ended up making six cards before I got it right!!!
ReplyDeleteKathyk
Two awesome cards! SO beautiful! I love them both.
ReplyDeleteAnita
What a great idea to reuse those mopped up inks, it really does create such a lovely soft pastel backgrounds! Thanks for the inspiration. Hugs Gwendolyn
ReplyDelete