Another Retreat Card

Hi everyone.  Sharing more pieces from my recent craft retreat.  This is colouring with pencil crayons (not watercolour pencils).  Susan led a session layering colours on our images with pencil crayons and then blending using a paper stump dipped in gamsol.  Oh my goodness ... I LOVE this technique.  It's so fun!  Thank you so much for teaching us this technique Susan!!

I used one of my favourite stamps from Simon Says Stamp, colouring the flowers in oranges and reds on watercolour paper.  I added a few details with a white gel pen and stamped a sentiment to finish.  Also rounded both top corners for something different. :)

Here's a close-up ...

I am also sharing photographs from our retreat if you are interested in taking a look.  I have added a tab at the top of my blog "2018 Retreat" or you can click HERE. 

My son-in-law Alex came over for a couple of hours one day during the retreat and took photos of us working on stenciling projects.  Thanks Alex ... your pictures are wonderful!  xx

Stamps:  Bouquet of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. hot press)
Ink:  Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  pencil crayons, gamsol, paper stump, white gel pen, corner rounder

Embedded Brushos Technique

Hi everyone.

Before I tell you about today's card, wanted to mention that for the past couple of weeks I haven't been receiving all the comments that are made on my blog posts.  I don't know if it's a problem with blogger for with gmail.  In the meantime, I'm checking my posts regularly and thanks to all that leave me comments.  I appreciate the time you take ... you are all so encouraging!  Thank you!


Made the background for the above card at the retreat using a technique that I led (we all took turns leading techniques).  Before we talk about the one above, I need to start at the beginning since the card is made with the third (and final) pull of the colours, which is always the lightest version.

Click HERE to see the video that inspired this card (first 6:50 min)  Brenda in IN --- you should definitely give this a try! :)

I will explain how it was done.  First, picked out an embossing folder ... the one I used is script.  Opened the folder up and placed a small panel of hot press watercolour paper inside.  Sprinkled with Brushos (I believe I used leaf green, lime, turquolise, ultra marine blue --- just a little of the ultra marine).  Next, I closed the top of the embossing folder and ran it through my Big Shot.  At this point everything is still dry.

The embossing folder dry embossed the hot press watercolour paper, embedding the Brushos into the paper.  I removed the w/c paper and spritzed with water.  By embedding the Brushos, they don't move as much once water is added.

I found there was still ink left inside my embossing folder, so I placed a second clean piece of hot press watercolour paper, spritzed the inside top of the folder, closed the lid and ran it through the Big Shot.  It picked up the left-over colour and dry embossed the panel at the same time.  Still had left over wet ink inside my folder so placed a third panel of clean hot press watercolour inside and pressed down on the lid, just using my hands as pressure (embossing folder stamping technique).  That have me the print I used on the card's background above.  Some of the girls only got one impression, some two ... but I was lucky enough to get three. :)

Once the other two panels were dry, I used a brayer to ink lightly over both panels to highlight the dry embossed areas.  Here's a photo of the two other pieces that I will make into cards in the future.
                             First pull                                            Second pull

Sorry for the long winded message.  Hope you'll give this fun and easy technique a try.

To finish off the card at the top of the post, I placed a small tulip stencil over top of my muted background and sponged with peacock feathers distress ink.  I then added a layer of glass bead gel over top.  The tulips are very sparkly! :)

Stamps:  Everyday Sentiments (AliExpress - Current link:  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/English-words-Transparent-Clear-Silicone-Stamps-for-DIY-Scrapbooking-Card-Making-Kids-Christmas-Fun-Decoration-Supplies/32851757043.html?spm=2114.13010708.0.0.3efd4c4d1JJmOc)
Paper:   Watercolour paper (Arches Hot Press 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Brushos:  Leaf Green, Lime, Turquoise, a litttle Ultra Marine); Peacock Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  Script embossing folder (Sizzix for Stampin' Up!); water mister, brayer,  acetate sheet, cut file for tulips from Silhouette America, Silhouette Cameo cutting machine, sponge, Glass Bead Gel (Goldent), palette knife

May Rudolph Days

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with May Rudolph Days, run by the lovely Maureen (Scraps of Life by Scrappimo!).  The challenge runs every month from the 25th to end of month and it's always Anything Goes Christmas.

I love making my own backgrounds and this card is done with brushos and then run through my Big Shot with a snowflake embossing folder.  I took a piece of sponge and some Silver Inks Gold wax and lightly sponged over top, catching just the raised parts of the design.  I added my favourite tree and deer winter scene die (AliExpress) and stamped a sentiment under the panel in Delicata Silver (sparkly silver that doesn't need to be heat embossed).

I hope you'll come play along at Rudolph Days.  Always a fun time!

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sentiments (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. hot press); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Brushos (turquoise, ultra marine; Delicate Silver (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, snowflake embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Silver Inka Gold (Viva Decor), Tree die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
May Rudolph Days

Eat, Sleep, Craft, Repeated 2018

(l-r) Nancy Littrell, Trina Pham, Susan Bridgman,
Loll, Christine Alexander, Darnell Knauss

Hi everyone.  As I mentioned the other day, I'm away this week at a craft retreat in Vancouver, B.C.  Above is a picture of the six of us on a short break, enjoying the sunshine in Christine's beautiful backyard (courtesy of my son-in-law Alex - always great to have a professional photographer in the family!).

We also were thrilled to be joined for part of the retreat (via skype) by our good friends Bonnie Klass and Nance Salkeld.

We have been playing with all kinds of techniques, learning lots together, and having a LOT of FUN! :)

So far we have played with glitter, pan pastels, embossing folders, alcohol inks, watercolouring and different ways to make snow on cards.

We also did a dirty pour with variety of techniques.  I'm sharing a picture of some of our work, along with a close-up of one of the pieces I made using the swipe technique dirty pour.  :)

... a close-up of my swipe technique ...

Christine has been an amazing host for our event and we have enjoyed staying in her lovely home.

We also had afternoon tea yesterday in Susan's beautiful English garden.  The scones were DELICIOUS and the garden a sea of colour.

What a special time we've had together!

We still have one more day of play before we pack up and head home.  It will be a sad goodbye.  Hopefully we'll be getting together again next year to ... Eat, Sleep, Craft, Repeated Again!  :)

Revisiting an old technique

Hi everyone.  I'm currently at a craft retreat with five wonderful stamping friends.  We are having a week together getting inky and having lots of laughs. :)  Today's card is just one of the many techniques we are playing with this week.

This technique that has been around for a long time, but believe this is the first time for me to give it a try.

Several years ago I bought this flower embossing folder from Stampin' Up! and honestly didn't use it very much.  It has sat waiting for me and when I was researching embossing folder techniques (which is one of the set of techniques I am leading at the craft retreat), I found this idea and decided to play a bit.  I'm happy with the results and am now looking a my embossing folders in a new way, and wanting to buy more. :)

First, I embossed a piece of watercolour paper with my flower folder.  Then using a brayer (or you could use a flat sponge, but it is a little more difficult), inked up the brayer with versamark and lightly ran it over the embossed image, catching the high spots of the design.  Sprinkled clear embossing powder and heat set.  This ensures I have a crisp outline of my image.

I then watercoloured with distress inks.  This time I only used Abandoned Coral, adding two layers of ink to create shaded areas.  Stamped the sentiment several times with the same colour ink to get a good impression.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll give this technique a try.

Stamps:   Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb. Hot Press)
Ink:  Versamark; Distress Ink:  Abandoned Coral
Accessories & Tools:  Manhattan Flower embossing folder? (SU!), clear embossing powder, heat tool, waterbrush

Smiley Snowman

 
Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder post for the CAS Christmas May Challenge - Snowman, hosted by Susan.

I just love this smiling snowman from Penny Black.  You can't help but smile looking at him! :)  I pulled a background out of my stash that hadn't worked out.  I had heat embossed a snowflake background stamp with iridescent glitter embossing powder.  Then added a light wash of gray.  Awful! :)  Turns out I used regular card stock, so had to be careful not to add too much water.  I sprayed with blue and purple watercolour sprays a couple of times to get lots of depth of colour.  They go quite dull on regular card stock, so then sprayed with a shimmer mist.  Still not happy. :)  Brushed on a coat of Heavy Gloss Gel.   Now I was happy.  Cut the background in half and made two cards exactly the same; one for my stash and one to donate.  Snowman was heat embossed in silver, fussy-cut and watercolour with the same sprays used for the background.  I used a metallic silver pen to add stripes to his hat and scarf.

Here's the close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from our wonderful Guest Designer Barb and the CAS Christmas Designers.  Come join us!!
.

Stamps:  Snowy (Penny Black); Snowflake Background (Hero Arts); Say It's Christmas (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper for Snowman (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark; Blue and Purple Watercolour Sprays made from Concentrate (Dick Blick); Light Pink Zig
Accessories & Tools:  Iridescent embossing powder (SU!), Shimmer Spray (Imagine), Silver embossing powder, heat tool, paint brush, silver metallic pen

Challenges:
CAS Christmas May Challenge - Snowman

Rainbow Dreams

Hi everyone.  We're already more than half way through May, so it's time for the reminder for the CAS Watercolour challenge.

I used embossed resist for my card above.  I used a large background stamp, heat embossed in white.  Then I sponged colours of the rainbow over top in stripes using Distress inks.  I spritzed with water so the colours blended to give a watercolour look.  Pretty simple to do and I love the bright, fun colours.  I added a simple white die-cut dragonfly to finish (gift from a dear friend).

Here's a close-up...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from our wonderful Guest Designer Hannelie, and our talented Designers.  Check out the entries in the gallery as well ... so many gorgeous cards and one of the prettiest galleries with all the colours!  Then come play along.

Stamps:  Dream (Unity)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  White Pigment (Hero Arts); Distress Inks:  Barn Door, Spiced Marmalade, Squeezed Lemonade, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder, heat tool, sponges, water mister, ? die (Elizabeth Craft Designs)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Rainbow

Birthday Bubbles

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder that we are over half way through CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Gelatos and Crayons. 

This was my first time using Gelatos.  I'm having fun with rainbows this month with the CAS Watercolour challenge, so decided to carry that theme to my CAS Mix Up reminder card. :)

I placed a circle stencil over my mixed media card panel and lightly scribbled over top with four colours of gelatos.  Scribbling the colour on lightly was key for me as I found when I used a lot of pigment, it got caught on the edges of the circles around the stencil and I wanted a softer look.  I picked up the colour with my finger and blended a bit, then used a small sponged dauber that was spritzed with just a little water to finish the blending.

I stamped the scripty font in black and added a black frame to tie it all together.  I love the font on this sentiment.  It's from a set of sentiment stamps I bought from AliExpress.

Very simple CAS card using gelatos, stencil, sponging and stamping.

The Designers and Guest Designer, Jenny have made some beautiful cards to inspire.  Come check them out at the challenge blog and play along.

Stamps:  Sentiments (AliExpress)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Gelatoes - Watermelon, Margarita, Snow Cone, Raspberry (Faber-Castell), Circle Stencil (Kaisercraft), sponge daubers

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Gelatos and Crayons

Cherry Blossom Splatter

Hi everyone.  Happy Mother's Day to all of those celebrating today!

Today I'm sharing a watercolour splatter tree card that I made a while ago, but never posted.  I have done a few of these in the past.  They are so fun and easy to do.

This time it's a cherry blossom tree.  We have a lot of these where I live.  The blooms are mostly finished now, but they are always a cheerful sight in spring.

I started by lightly stamping the bare tree image in light brown ink.  Just wanted to get an outline to begin with.  I took a piece of paper towel and ripped a hole from the center to make an outline mask for my blossoms.  I placed the mask over the top of my tree trunk and then splattered away until I was happy with the look.  I used three different shades of pink ink, diluted with water so that they were easy to splatter.  I blotted with paper towel after adding the first few layers of splatter.  This created a soft colour for the background.  Then splattered a few more layers on top without blotting.

I used diluted brown ink and went over the trunk of the tree and added a few bits of branches.  I added more brown at the bottom of the tree to ground it.  Once dry, I added a few splatters without the mask and then stamped the sentiment.  I rounded the top right corner to finish the design.

Stamps:  Branch Out - retired (Stampin' Up!); Sentiment - Where the Heart Is (Simon Says)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories & Tools:  Brush for splattering

Twofer Challenge #5

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the start of Twofer Card Challenge #5.

Just a reminder that the challenge is to make TWO CARDS following the guidelines below and using the prompt word in the above badge.

I'm using my favourite butterfly die for my cards this month.  I'm sure you've seen this die used on my blog several times. :)  I have other butterfly dies, but this one is just the perfect size.

First up is a very CAS design using mostly white.  I have my white card base.  On top I have popped up on foam for dimension, four one inch squares of white card stock that have been dry embossed with a leaf design.

A piece of alcohol inks on yupo paper from my stash was used to die-cut the butterfly and body.  They were glued together and then glued just off-center of the middle of the four squares.  A birthday sentiment is stamped below in bright orange ink to match the colours of the butterfly.

Here's a close-up ...

Second card is a CAS mixed media design.  I started by watercolouring white tissue paper with dye inks.  It's from my stash so I don't know what colours I've used, but believe this is done with distress inks.  I glued the piece onto white card stock and cut my panel to size.  Then I mixed some heavy gloss gel with gold acrylic paint and spread randomly over a honeycomb stencil.  I love how the gloss shines.  The sentiment was stamped in matching gold ink onto a white banner and adhered at the bottom of the panel.  The butterfly is cut from the same white and glued to the front panel, which is popped up with foam for added dimension.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you like my two butterfly cards.  Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing butterfly cards from our two wonderful Guest Designers Linda and Mac, and the rest of our talented team.  I know you'll be inspired to play along.

Just a reminder that this challenge is open for two weeks ... May 10-24.  Don't miss out.  Come join in the fun!


Card #1:  Happiest Birthday
Stamps:  Watching Bloom (Memory Box)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Yupo
Ink: Alcohol inks (Ranger / Pinata); Ripe Persimmon Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Leaf embossing folder (Stampin' Up!), Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box), blending solution

Card #2:  Thankful for you
Stamps:  Lots of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); white tissue paper
Ink:  Distress Inks (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, honeycomb stencil (cut with my silhouette cameo), heavy gloss gel (Golden), Lumiere Gold acrylic paint, palette knife, Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
Twofer Card Challenge #5 - Butterflies

Gilded Butterfly

Hi everyone.  I've mentioned before that I keep my mop-up paper towels from projects and today's background has a print made from one of them.  I love how the quilted design of the paper towel shows. :)  I also smooshed just a little of the Delicata Gold ink onto my mat and added it on top of the watercolours.   

I die-cut a butterfly that had sookwang tape on one side, removed the cover and pressed the sticky side into gilding flakes.  Used a "Rub-it Scrub-it" pad to burnish and remove the excess.  Placed a card front die-cut with a peek-a-boo window over the watercolour background and then popped the butterfly on top.  Stamped the sentiment in Delicata gold to match.

Here's a close-up ...

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.) for w/c panel; White (Neenah 110 lb.) for card base, card front and butterfly
Ink:  Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, peek-a-boo window die (AliExpress), Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box), Red Blaze gilding flakes (Cosmic Shimmer), Sookwang sheet, Rub-it Scrub-it pad

CAS Christmas May Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the CAS Christmas May challenge.  This month is hosted by Susan and she chose ...

I don't know about you, but I can't stop smiling when I see the fun snowman images that are available.  I just bought this snow family from Wild Rose Studio.  First time buying from them and I'm really happy with my stamp. :)

This is a bit busy for a CAS card, but by keeping the embossing paste snowflakes white in the background, it isn't too busy.  I added glitter embossing powder on top and heat embossed when the paste was dry.  The snowflakes are very glittery in real life. :)

I stamped my family in archival black ink, fussy-cut and then coloured with my Zigs.  I found it easier to fussy-cut first so that I didn't have to worry about touching the zig colours and it transferring.   I'm learning something every time I make a card. :)  I used a piece of patterned paper for the partial circle background.  Patterned paper again?? ... it's becoming a habit! :)  I love this blue sky with the falling snow.  A white gel pen and blue marker were used to add pattern to the hats and scarves.  I stamped the sentiment and heat embossed in white to finish.

Here's a close-up ...

While I had everything out, I made a second card with the same image, coloured with zigs, and the same background stencil with embossing paste and glitter embossing powder. :)  This design is more CAS with a white-on-white design ...

Not happy with my placement of my stamped sentiment, but there it is and it's staying. :)

We are thrilled to welcome Barb (Barb's Studio Creations) as our very first Guest Designer at CAS Christmas.  Welcome Barb!!  Please check out the challenge blog to see Barb's snowman card, along with the cards from our Designers.  I know you'll be inspired to play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Snowmen (Wild Rose Studio); Snowglobe sentiments (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Stratmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Patterned paper (unknown)
Ink:  Archival Black (Ranger); Zigs
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, PS070 Stencil (PaperArtsy), Embossing Paste (Dreamweaver), Iridescent embossing powder (SU!), heat tool, Partial circle die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas May Challenge

CAS Watercolour May Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the CAS Watercolour May Challenge.  This month is hosted by me. :)

Everything looks good in rainbow colours! :)  This is such an uplifting challenge.  Take a look at your stamps and see what you can come up with in watercoloured rainbow colours.  I know you'll have a smile on your face the whole time making your card!  :)

This is an older stamp from Stampin' Up! that I've had for several years.  I wanted to use six colours for the rainbow, but there were only five vases.  What to do??  Do two colours on each vase ... so happy with how it turned out.  I wanted the vases to be the focal point, so watercoloured the blooms all in soft yellow.  I added glossy accents to the vases to make them shine and give them a little dimension.

Here's a close-up ...

We are thrilled to have Hannelie (Desert Diva) as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Hannelie!

Check out the challenge blog to see Hannelie's Rainbow card along with the beautiful cards from our Designers.  Then come play along!  Remember to keep your design CAS (clean and simple), with watercolouring and include a rainbow.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Vivid Vases (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Mixed media paper (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Barn Door, Spiced Marmalade, Squeezed Lemonade, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear embossing powder, heat tool, water brush, glossy accents

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour May Challenge - Rainbow

CAS Mix Up May Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the CAS Mix Up May Challenge.  I'm so excited about this month's challenge.  I've had some NBUS mixed media products sitting around for ages.  The challenge and video tutorials have been a great help to get me going with these fun products.

Today's card uses Distress Crayons by Tim Holtz.  I followed the video tutorial on the challenge blog by Shari Carroll.  I had a play with spreading the colour of the crayons a while ago with no luck.  Shari mentioned that you need to add quite a bit of colour, and once the colour is down, adding more on top makes it easier to spread and blend.  It worked!!  I used three colours (pink, orange and yellow ... my fav combination!).  I did spritz just a little water to get things moving easier.  My background is done on mixed media paper.  Then I placed a harlequin stencil over top and used a baby wipe to remove some of the colour.  Love the artsy background I ended up with.

Stamped my flowers in black and added a white frame with stamped sentiment.  I will definitely be using my Distress Crayons more often! :)

Here's a close-up ...

We are excited to have Jenny (My Paper Epiphany) as our Guest Designer this month.  Check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful cards from our Designers and Guest Designer, Jenny.  Then come play along.  Challenge is open until midnight (PST) May 24th.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Insightful Meadows (Unity); Amazing Mackintosh Words (Chocolate Baroque)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Crayons: Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, harlequin stencil (cut with my Silhouette Cameo), baby wipe, Rectangle Nestability (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Gelatos or Crayons