Merry Monday Farewell

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with the last Merry Monday Challenge #296 - Rustic Christmas.  It's always good to make my Christmas cards throughout the year so there's no panic come November.  This challenge has helped me with that so I'm sad to see it ending.  Thanks to all the wonderful Designers that have kept us inspired weekly for many years!

The white tree was what I noticed first with the inspiration photo and then the warmth from the brown wood.   I think the colours of the sky look very rustic, so hoping this card qualifies.

I made a quick, clean and simple card using a wonderful die-cut paired with a Floating Alcohol Ink background.  The sentiment was stamped in brown ink to finish the card.

Here's a close-up ...

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sentiments (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Glossy card stock (unknown)
Ink:  Alcohol Inks (Ranger); Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Evergreen Window die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
Merry Monday #296 - Rustic Christmas

Penny Black - Framed Irises

Hi everyone.  I love these beautiful irises from Penny Black.  I stamped in Versamark and heat embossed in Liquid Platinum embossing powder onto Hot Press Watercolour paper.  I used a water brush and distress inks to watercolour and then fussy-cut the image.  It was a little delicate with some of the thin stems, but I got it worked out. :)

I die-cut a rectangle frame, popping it up over top of my card base and tucking the bottom of the iris stems in-behind.  I added a few pop dots and glue dots to secure the flower heads in place.  A sentiment was stamped several times (using the Misti) to get a clear image.  The inside sentiment says:  Have fun and smile today!

Here's a close-up ...

If you get a chance, pop over to the Simplicity at it's best blog to see some inspiring cards from my Simplicity Sisters.

Penny Black Products:
40-610 summer glow

30-461 smile today!

Stamps:  summer glow, smile today! (Penny Black)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. hot press); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Dye ink markers:  (light green, dark green, light pink, dark pink, dark brown)
Accessories & Tools:  Liquid platinum embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, white gel pen, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

June Rudolph Days

Hi everyone.  It's time for the June Rudolph Days Challenge.  Maureen is looking for Christmas cards to be entered from the 25th to the end of the month.  The theme is always "Anything Goes Christmas".

I was over on Vancouver Island for a little vacation back in March.  I look along some heat embossed images and my Zigs so I could watercolour.  This is one of the images I took.  I've had this stamp for several years and think I've only tried to colour it once before.  Back when I first got it, I didn't know anything about watercolouring ... and Zigs were in someone's imagination, but a long way from being in the market.  Needless to say, it was disaster and I didn't even get one finished card from it.

I thought I'd revisit the image now that I have learned different ways to colour.  I used Zigs to watercolour in bright green and blue.  These ornaments remind me of the old fashioned glass ornaments that my mom used to have. 

After watercolouring, I covered all the ornaments first with clear Wink of Stella for some shimmer, and then glossy accents for some shine.  Unfortunately, the camera is not happy about all the shimmer and shine, so things look a little blurry. :)

Added a simple frame on top and heat embossed the sentiment in silver so it matches the ornaments.

Here's a close-up ...

Stamps:  Hanging Christmas Ornaments (Hero Arts); Snowglobe Sentiments (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Zigs
Accessories & Tools:  Silver embossing powder, heat tool, water brush, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
June Rudolph Days - Anything Goes

Blooming Wreath

Hi everyone.  First, I want to thank everyone for the lovely and supportive comments on my Penny Black sneak peek post and the Simplicity at it's best blog.  I appreciate all your kind words of encouragement!  xx


I've had this stamp set for a while (and matching die), but have only used the sentiments so far.  Today I wanted to play with the wreath image.

I stamped onto mixed media paper with Black Memento and then watercoloured with my Zig clean brush markers.  So quick to do, especially with just this little bit of colouring.  The bright colours really pop against all the white.

I used two colours for the flowers, pink and red; and just one colour of green for the leaves.  I stamped the sentiment in the same black and then popped up the die-cut wreath on tiny pop dots that I got as a gift from my friend Nancy.  These are SU! mini pop dots and they are perfect for intricate die-cuts like this one.

Here's a close-up ...

I'm playing along with this month's Flower Challenge #21 - Use a Previous Challenge ... I'm going to choose The Flower Challenge #14 - CAS.

Stamps:  Watching Bloom (Memory Box)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Zigs:  Light Carmine, Dark Carmine, Light Green
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, Watching Bloom matching die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
The Flower Challenge - #21 Use a Previous Challenge

Penny Black - Simplicity at its Best

I'm so excited to announce that I am one of the newest Simplicity Sisters for Penny Black's Simplicity at its best blog.  I'm thrilled to be part of this exciting and very talented team.  Thank you to Jill Foster for inviting me to the team.

Today I'm sharing a sneak peak of my card that is on the Simplicity at its best blog.  Click HERE to check out the full design and details.

While you are there, check out the amazingly, creative designs from the rest of the Simplicity Sisters, including Patti, who is also sharing a project on the blog today.  I know you'll be inspired! :)

Would really appreciate if you have time to leave me a comment on the Simplicity at its best blog. There's a "Leave a Comment" button on the left side, directly under the post title.  Thank you!!

Peace on Earth

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder for the June CAS Christmas Challenge - Masculine.  This month's challenge is being hosted by Christine.

I started by using a new embossing folder that I bought recently of birch trees.  I pressed two shades of light blue distress inks onto the inside of the folder, spritzed with a little water and laid a piece of mixed media paper on top.  I closed the folder and ran it through the Big Shot.  This is the background I ended up with.  Love the soft colours of the cold winter's day.

I tore two pieces of heavy white card stock to create my snow hills and adhered them to the background.  The deer was die-cut from a medium brown and the sentiment was stamped in the same colour of brown ink.

Quick and easy card.  So easy, I made four. :)  I made two large backgrounds and then cut them in half to make two cards of two slightly different designs.

Here's a close-up ...

... and here's the second design.

Please check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from our talented Designers, and special Guest Designer, Bobby.  There's still one week left to play before the challenge closes on June 24th at midnight (PDST).

Stamps:  Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Soft Suede (retired from SU!); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Tumbled Glass, Broken China (Tim Holtz); Soft Suede (retired from SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Woodland embossing folder (SU!), Deer Trio die (Impression Obsession), sponge, water mister

Challenges:
CAS Christmas June Challenge - Masculine

Jewels of the Sea

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder that we are over half way through June.  The CAS Watercolour June Challenge is Ocean, and there are new cards by the Designers and Guest Designer, Robyn, up on the challenge blog.  Check them out.

For my card today, I used a paper towel transfer piece for the background.  I save my mop of towels and then spritz them with water and transfer the ink to a background.  This time I got lots of water and colour in the middle  with a bit of the quilted design of the paper towels towards the edges.  This is mostly peacock feathers ink with a little green added.  Thought it is the perfect colour for a tropical ocean.

I used the Encrusted Jewel technique with my ocean die-cuts (two shells and starfish).  I started with the starfish, and decided to add a little bit of purple glitter along with the white and gold embossing powder.  Added a few tiny sequins and some shaved ice as well.  It all melted so beautifully together.  I decided to use the same combination (minus sequins) on the two shells so they all work together.

I die-cut three squares from my background.  I die-cut again in white card stock and inlaid the white pieces to create a flat card front.  Then I popped up the watercoloured squares on top and glued the embellishments.  The sentiment is heat embossed in gold to tie in with the rest of the colours.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out today's inspirational cards on the challenge blog, and then come play along.  The challenge is open until June 24th.  Hope to see you in the gallery.

Stamps:  Beach Sentiments (retired - Amy R)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches Hot Press 140 lb.)
Ink:  Leftover ink from mopping up another project
Accessories & Tools:  Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Shells & Starfish dies (AliExpress), gold embossing powder, gold tinsel embossing powder, Seedless Preserves glitter (gift from a friend), White & Gold Frantage (Stampendous), tiny clear sequins, Shaved Ice (Stampendous), heat tool, hot plate

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour June Challenge - Ocean
CAS Mix Up - Layered Embossing Powders

Glitter Embossed Butterfly

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder post for the CAS Mix Up Challenge.  This month it's hosted by me and I chose --- Layered Embossing Powders.

I played around with the Encrusted Jewel technique a few months back and had so much fun with it.  So easy to do if you have a hot plate ... but you can also use your heat tool.  For my butterfly, I used some very old embossing powders that I've had since I first started making cards many years ago.  They are so old and they don't work well on cards (I've tried), but they are perfect layered with each other.  I have green glitter and blue glitter, which I sprinkled on top of my die-cut butterfly very liberally.  Once they started to melt, I threw in a few pinches of Shaved Ice.  This products is pearl, iridescent flakes, but if they are heated they turn into deep green and blue iridescent flakes that melt.  So pretty.  I've had the Shaved Ice for at least 10 years and don't think I've used it before. :)

For my card, I created a leaf background stencil from a Penny Black die and used it to add embossing paste to the background.  Placed a card front over top that was cut with a peek-a-boo window, stamped with a simple silver sentiment.  The butterfly is popped up on top.

Here's a close-up ...

... and closer-up ...

I hope you'll check out today's post on the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from our Designers and wonderful Guest Designer, Jane.

Layer up embossing powder any way you want, create a CAS card that includes stamping and one other mixed media element and then join us in the gallery.  We'd love to see you there.

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb)
Ink:  Delicata Silver (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box), Green glitter embossing powder, Blue glitter embossing powder, Shaved Ice (Stampendous), Peek-a-boo window die (AliExpress), ? die (Penny Black), acetate sheet, White embossing paste (Dreamweaver)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up June Challenge - Layered Embossing Powders

Alcohol Inks and foil

Hi everyone.  I haven't been feeling well for about a week now.  Most days I can manage to do a few things, but for three days this week I have felt pretty bad.  At least I had the energy to get dressed today!  :)  Hopefully that's a sign of better times ahead.   I thought since I was a bit better today, I'd see if I could make a quick card ... and I did.

I played the other day with alcohol inks, adding transfer foil to the sticky bits after the majority of my panel was dry.  I find that if I add too much ink, it pools and creates dark outlines on my pieces that don't completely dry.  I watched a video by someone who used the opportunity to add foil to cover up the sticky bits.  What a clever idea.  Sorry, can't remember who it was that started this, but it has become popular and there are now several videos done by others.

Edited to Add:  Got a prompt from Darnell that it was Kelly Latevola's video I watched on this technique.  Click HERE to take a look.  Thanks to Kelly for this fabulous idea!

Anyways, it worked really well and I ended up with a pretty alcohol ink panel with lots of shine from the gold foil.  Just so happens that this week's Just Us Girls challenge is Alcohol Inks (hosted by my friend Bobby).  So I wanted to play along.

It was quick to make this into a card since the panel was already made.  I added two die-cuts (flower stem and sentiment) that are both from AliExpress, and cut from white paper.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll come play along with this fun challenge.  It's open for three more days.

Stamps:  None
Paper:  Yupo; White cardstock (110 lb. from Michaels)
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  Wild Plum (Ranger); Senorita Magenta, Sunshine Bright (Pinata)
Accessories & Tools:  Blending solution (Ranger), Gold foil sheet (Ranger), Flower die (AliExpress), sentiment die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
Just Us Girls - #444 - Alcohol Inks

Twofer Challenge #6

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the Twofer Card Challenge #6 ...

As always, please join us by making TWO CARDS, following the word prompt above, and the guidelines below.

I have used the same tree stamp from Darkroom Door for both my cards.  The first card is a friendship / encouragement card; the second, a Christmas card.

For the first card, I started by stamping the tree (bare branches) in soft brown.  Then I used a leaf sprig stamp to add leaves all over, filling the tree.  I added a small grassy area at the bottom of the tree, and a large, bright sun shining in behind.

Here's the close-up ...

The second card uses the same tree, this time heat embossed in silver, over top of an Inka Gold smooshed background from my stash.  I used a white gel pen to add some snow along the branches and along the sentiment "peace", which is also heat embossed in silver.  A snow hill die-cut is added at the bottom and I finished by splattering diluted white ink for falling snow.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful tree cards from our Designers, and wonderful Guest Designer, Maria (swimrunbikeandstamp).  Then come play along!

Card #1:  Brighten My Day
Stamps:  Bare Tree (Darkroom Door);
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Srathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Gathered Twigs, Mowed Lawn, Twisted Citron, Mustard Seed, Squeezed Lemonade (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  waterbrush, sponge

Card #2:  Peace
Stamps:  Bare Tree (Darkroom Door);
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Inka Gold (?) (Viva Decor); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, silver embossing powder, heat tool, white gel pen, Stitched snowhill die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #6 - Trees

Playing with Silver Glimmer Paste

Hi everyone.  Sharing a QCAS card (as Dolly would say --- quick, clean and simple).  I recently bought some Nuvo Glimmer Paste and wanted to give it a try.  At the retreat, we spent a morning playing with all different types of mixed media that could be used for snow on cards.  This was one of them.

There's amazing sparkle from this glimmer paste and it looks so elegant against the black.  I used a large snowflake stencil and added the paste.  Once dry, I simply heat embossed a sentiment in silver.  The sentiment does shine, but hard to capture with the camera that is fooled by the snowflakes. :)

Here's a close-up ...

I will warn that my first container I received in my order of Nuvo Glimmer Paste was completely dry.  I contacted SSS and they contacted Nuvo and a new container was sent to me.  The second container is fine, but I have decided I need to use this paste sooner rather than later to avoid the possibility of it drying out before I can use it all.  I've added a piece of cling wrap under the lid to help seal as added protection.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Edited to add:  My dear friend Christine reminded me that this makes a lovely masculine Christmas card, so I'm adding it to the CAS Christmas June gallery ...

Stamps:  Snowman Sayings - retired (Amy R)
Paper:  Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Large Snowflake stencil (Paper Artsy), Nuvo Glimmer Paste - Silver Gen, palette knife, silver embossing powder, heat tool

CAS Christmas June Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the CAS Christmas June Challenge.  Can you believe it's half way through 2018??  Time is whizzing by and thankfully I have a good start on my Christmas cards. :)

This month's challenge is being hosted by Christine (It's a Card Day's Night).  She is challenging us to make CAS Christmas cards that are ...

I don't make many masculine Christmas cards, but as soon as I saw this challenge, I knew exactly what to do.  My dear friend Julia, sent me a few pieces of birch patterned paper.  PERFECT for a masculine card, don't ya think??!!

Very simple design.  I cut the birch panel to size, stamped and heat embossed three branches, and added Nuvo crystal red drops for the berries.  After the drops were dry, I heat embossed a black sentiment banner in white and framed the panel in black, popping it up on a foam layer on my card front.  It only took me a short time to make this card.  The longest time was waiting for the drops to dry and harden. :)  I made a second card exactly the same while I was at it.  More for my stash!!  I had to buy these drops after seeing this beautiful card made by my friend Marcia.

Here's a close-up ...

We are thrilled to have Bobby (bit and pieces) as our Guest Designer this month.  Please check out the challenge blog to see Bobby's masculine Christmas card, along with the cards by the rest of our amazing designers.  I know you'll be inspired to play along!

Stamps:  Branches (Inkadinkado)  Snowglobe sentiments (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Birch paper (gift from friend); White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Black card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Black (Memento), White Pigment (Hero Arts)
Accessories & Tools:  Black embossing powder, White embossing powder, heat tool, Nuvo crystal drops - Autumn Red

Challenges:
CAS Christmas June Challenge - Masculine