Bits and Pieces

Hi everyone.  Sharing a card I made with bits and pieces from my leftovers ... along with a sweet little die-cut flower that I got from my dear friend, Joanna ... a long, long time ago. :)  Isn't it sweet??!!  And it fits perfectly in the little scalloped square.  I watercoloured the flower and for the background, used some leftovers from our rubber band technique we did a few months ago.  Just done with rubber bands around a brayer and inked with versamark and then heat embossed in silver.  I stamped and silver heat embossed the sentiment to match.

Here's a close-up ...

 ... and I "winked" the flower and leaves with Clear Stella, which didn't show up on the photos above.  Here's a super close-up so you can see just a little of the sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Many Everyday Sentiments (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Watercolour for flower die-cut (gift); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Shabby Shutters (Tim Holta); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Scalloped square frame - "do not open ..." die (Penny Black), Silver embossing powder, heat tool

Smile

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a fun card using this adorable octopus die that I just received from a sweet friend!!

Isn't it cute??!!  You just have to smile when you see the expression on his face.  I only made the background yesterday, which I die-cut for the octopus, but already can't remember what I used.  Seriously, this is scaring me a bit.  I have been SUPER busy on the computer with lots of admin work which takes concentration, but only a day to forget.  Geesh!  I think it was smooshed distess inks and if so, most likely mowed lawn and peacock feathers. :)  I used a stylus to shape his head and tentacles.

Luckily I made the rest of the card this morning, so it's fresh in my mind.  Background is made with the splash background technique using just peacock feathers distress ink.  A quick video on how to make this quick and easy background is HERE.  For the seaweed, I die-cut from the same piece as the octopus, but wanted it to be darker green so sponged mowed lawn ink over top.  To add a bit of "shading" I used the edge of my sponge in a few places ... lots of ink on the edges of sponges. :)  I stamped the sentiment in the same green ink.

Here's a close-up ...

When making this card I realized I don't have any sentiments that are "ocean themed".  Looks like I need to go shopping again. :)

Have a great day and hope this made you smile!

Stamps:  Believe (AliExpress)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Willow branch die (AliExpress); Octopus die (AliExpress), stylus, black marker

August Rudolph Days

Hi everyone.  I'm playing along with Rudolph Days.  The challenge runs from the 25th to end of month and it's always Anything Goes - Christmas.

I made this card using a snowflake dry embossed card front sent to me by my dear friend Bonnie.  Have to say that I've had this for a LONG time.  I put it away in a safe place. :)  I just found it the other day, so wanted to use it for today's card.

This was dry embossed onto Mixed Media paper.  I used the Splash Watercolouring technique (click link for video) with Brushos to make the background.  I love the randomness of this technique.  I love how the turquoise and ultra marine colours have lots of pigments .. you can even see a bit of purple.

Once it dried, I took a metallic silver pen and went along the tops of the dry embossed image.  It turned out pretty well considering my hand sometimes is not very steady. :)  I cut the panel down to size to just show a portion of the snowflake image.  I popped up the image on a piece of foam and added a silver embossed black banner to finish.

Here's a close-up ...

I had so much fun making this, I did a second one that I will donate.  My stash of Christmas cards is already well underway with over 60 cards done.  I do love to make Christmas cards! :)

Why don't you build your stash and come play along at Rudolph Days.  Maureen is the host and she is super friendly as are all the participants.  It's a fun place to be!

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sentiments (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper; White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Brushos:  Turquoise, Ultra Marine
Accessories & Tools:  Snowflake embossed image (gift from Bonnie - unknown origin), water mister, silver metallic pen, silver embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
Rudolph Days August Challenge

Crackle Poppies

Hi everyone.  Sharing one more stencil monoprint card before the challenge closes tomorrow.  This is my favourite stenciling technique and I have a huge whack of backgrounds in my stash, yet I keep making them! :)

I bought a crackle stencil a while back and hadn't had time to play much, but had a chance today and used the stencil monoprint technique and had SUCCESS!!  LOVE how this turned out.  Made a couple more backgrounds in different colours while I had the stencil out.

Stamped my favourite Penny Black poppy over top and watercoloured using distress inks and a water brush.  Stamped a simple sentiment to finish the card.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you had a chance to play along with this super fun and easy technique.  If not, there's still some time to give it a try before the CAS Mix Up challenge closes at midnight (PDST) August 24th.

I'm entering this into the Penny Black Saturday - August Challenge - Anything Goes - optional:  On the Move.  Well nothing moving here ... but this is my favourite Penny Black poppy.  :)

I'm also entering this into the Craft Stamper Take It Make It August Challenge - 2nd entry.

Stamps:  Blooming Garden (Penny Black); Where the Heart is (sentiment - Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy; Gathered Twigs, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Barn Door, Fired Brick, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Crackle Stencil (Prima)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge
Penny Black Saturday - August Challenge - Anything Goes - optional:  On the Move
Craft Stampers Take It Make It August Challenge - Anything Goes

Penny Black - Simplicity at its best

Hi everyone.  I'm back with another Penny Black card that is posted on the Simplicity at its best blog.  Here's a little sneak peek.  Click HERE to check out the full details and instructions on how I made the card below.

Thanks so much to everyone who dropped by the Simplicity blog last month and left me some love --- appreciate it beyond words!

Sparkly Christmas Trees

Hi everyone.  Sharing two very quick CAS Christmas cards today.  The CAS Christmas August Challenge is open for another five days, so lots of time to play along! :)

I made these at the craft retreat in May.  We played with encrusted jewels technique, which I have mentioned a couple of times before.  I have a small griddle that I used to heat my die-cut trees (die-cut from heavy white card stock - just one layer).  I sprinkled over top for the card above, lime green embossing powder along with bright blue glitter embossing powder that I've had for about 15 years. :)  They look fantastic together.  Coated them with UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel) --- or you could use clear embossing powder --- to seal all the glitter.   I had this already made in my stash, so simply tore two pieces of heavy white card stock to create my snow hills at the bottom, and stamped my sentiment in Salty Ocean distress ink and sprinkled with more of the blue glitter.  I'll show you a close-up of the trees so you can how pretty they are.

Here's a close-up ...

... and I have a second card that is made exactly the same with the torn hills and stamped, embossed sentiment.  Used a different die-cut tree and heated it with a mixture of green glitter and blue glitter embossing powders, and added shaved ice melted on top ... that's what gives the iridescent shine.  Gold embossing powder on the trunk of the tree.

... and close-up ...

Do you have any die-cut or stamped trees in your UFO box??   Make them into a CAS card and join us ... we'd love to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Gina Marie Designs)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Heavy white card (140 lb.) for die-cuts
Ink:  Salty Ocean Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Card #1 tree die (Alpine Trees - Memory Box); Card #2 tree (Christmas Tree #1 - STAMPlorations), embossing powders:  lime green, green glitter, blue glitter, gold , UTEE, Shaved Ice (Stampendous)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas August Challenge - Tree

Holiday Magic

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder post for the CAS Christmas August Challenge - Tree.  This month's challenge is being hosted by the talented, Hideko.

I love the movement of this beautiful die-cut and even though it is considered a winter branch, I though it made a beautiful tree. :)  I created a background with Lindy's Magicals.  The shimmer and shine is amazing ... close-up below.

I cut my panel to size, adhered the winter branch die-cut in white over top of the colourful background, gluing just at the center of the tree so the branches are free-flowing.  I tore a thick piece of white card stock for the snowbank and stamped the sentiment in Delicata silver to finish.  Easy and fun card to make.

Here's a close-up ...

... and a close-up of the shimmer ...

There's still one week left to play along with our challenge.  I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the reminder post with the amazing Christmas tree cards from our Designers and very talented Guest Designer, Barb.  Then come join us in the gallery!

Stamps:  full of merriment (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Lindy's Magicals (tibetan poppy teal, bells of ireland green); Delicata Silver (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, winter branch die (Penny Black)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas August Challenge - Tree

Hello Sunshine!

Hi everyone.  It's already over half way through the month, so here's a reminder card for the CAS Watercolour August Challenge - Sunflower.  This month's challenge is being hosted by my wonderful teammate, Marcia.

I used a NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff). :)  I recently bought this fun set.  I though this whimsical sunflower pot would like cute as a tag.  I stamped the image in permanent black ink onto Bristol paper (having fun experimenting as I've not used this type of paper before), watercoloured with zigs, added yellow gingham paper at the bottom and die-cut into a tag.  To finish I added a small sentiment tag and some twine.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the reminder post for the challenge blog to see a new set of inspiring cards from our Designers and wonderful Guest Designer, Izzy!  If you haven't had a chance to play along yet, there's still lots of time before the challenge closes at midnight Aug. 24th (PDST).

Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Our Friendship Grows (Lawn Fawn); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  Bristol paper (Strathmore 2 ply); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); yellow gingham patterned paper (unknown)
Ink:  Versafine Black; Zigs
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, Pinpoint Main Street Tag (Poppy Stamps); Lemondrop twine (The Twinery)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour August Challenge - Sunflower

Crackled Sunflower

Hi everyone.  We are already half way through August.  It's time for a reminder card for the CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Stencil Monoprint, being hosted by Nancy (scandinancy creates).

This is my all time favourite stencil that was gifted to me by sweet Bonnie.  I have used it over and over again.  I can always find a new way to use it, or different colours, or design.  LOVE IT!

This card is on the fence about being CAS ... but I have to say that it was a fairly simple design to make.  I'm counting all the white space of the sunflower as my open space. :)

I used three colours of distresss inks (Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Peacock Feathers) and swiped them on the back of my stencil.  I spritzed with water and then turned it over and placed it on top of a piece of watercolour paper.  I blotted with a paper towel to absorb any excess ink.  When finished, it leaves me with the background of the sunflower in the inky colours, and the sunflower plain.  I wanted to make the sunflower stand out more, so once everything was dry (and the stencil was washed off and dried), I placed the stencil back over top, lining up the image.  A layer of crackle paste was spread over the stencil.  I have tried three different crackle pastes, and the one used today is my favourite (Finnabair Crackle Paste).  To finish, the sentiment was heat embossed in white onto coloured card stock.

Here's a close-up ...

If you haven't had time to play along yet, I hope you'll give this a try and join us.  It's lots of fun.

Check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from the rest of our Designers, and our wonderful Guest Designer Cathy.

I'm also adding this to the CAS Watercolour Challenge - Sunflower.

And adding to the gallery at Craft Stamper - Take It Make It August Challenge.

Stamps:  Simply Said You (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. hot press); Island Indigo (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Mini Joyful Sunflower stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), water mister, Finnabair Crackle paste, palette knife, white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Stencil Monoprint
CAS Watercolour August Challenge - Sunflower
Craft Stamper Take It Make It August Challenge

Penny Black - Special Day

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card made with the beautiful Flower Flourish die from Penny Black.  

The Flower Flourish is die-cut from Hot Press Watercolour paper.  Distress inks were used to watercolour the die-cut, just one colour of ink for the flowers, adding two layers so that the petals have colour variation.  Two shades of green ink were used for the stems and leaves, with the lighter green also diluted with water and splattered in the background.  The sentiment is stamped in the same colour as the flowers.  Very quick and easy CAS card using this gorgeous die!

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:

51-421 flower flourish

30-105 gratitude

Stamps:  gratitude (Penny Black) - sentiment
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. Hot Press); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Flower Flourish die (Penny Black) water brush, paint brush for splattering

Twofer Challenge #8

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the August Twofer Card Challenge.  The word prompt this month is ...

Remember to follow the challenge badge below and include the word prompt from the badge above, and include a picture on your blog of the two cards together.

I used a hexagon die that was gifted to me by a sweet friend.  I used all things from my stash, so it was basically designing and adding the stamped sentiment or a little bit of sponging through a stencil.  Love when that happens.

Here's the first card ...

The background for the hexagon was in my stash.  It's a piece of smooshing with re-inkers.  I have a video - Saturated Watercolour (Smooshing with Re-inkers) if you'd like to check out this quick and easy technique. Using reinkers gives you very bold colours, which I love. I have used pink, light orange and dark orange for the piece above.  I used a chicken wire stencil to sponge light orange ink onto my card front, then popped up the hexagon on foam for dimension.  A white heat embossed simple sentiment was added along with a white die-cut flower.

Here's the second card ...

For this card, I used the hexagon die to cut an aperture for my card front.  The watercoloured background is from my stash as well as the flowers.  They are a snippet of a larger flower spray that was too big for an earlier card, so cut about 1/3 off and saved it for later.  Later is today! :)  The sentiment was heat embossed in gold to match the flowers.

We are thrilled to have two Guest Designers with us this month.  Welcome to Cheryl (Paper Panacea) and Brenda (Inkspired to Stamp).  Please drop by the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from Cheryl and Brenda, along with the fabulous cards from the rest of our Designers.  Then come play along.  Reminder the challenge is open for two weeks.  It closes at midnight (PDST) on August 24th.

Card #1:  Hello
Stamps:  Word Salad (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Srathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Re-inkers:  Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie (SU!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, stitched hexagon die (unknown), flower die (AliExpress), Chicken Wire stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), sponge, white embossing powder, heat tool

Card #2:  Happy Birthday
Stamps:  Kind Soul (WPlus9); everyday sentiments (AliExpress)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark; Zigs
Accessories & Tools:  stitched hexagon die (unknown), god embossing powder, heat tool, water brush, paper towel, leftover ink, water mister

Challenges:
Twofer Card Challenge #8

Stained Glass Hibiscus

Hi everyone.  I have seen a few cards around blogland using the stained glass technique.  It's an easy technique with colouring a die-cut image and adding several layers of the outline image over top.  Then the recessed (coloured) areas are filled with Crystal Glaze.

I had just bought this beautiful hibiscus die from Simon Say and thought it would work perfect for this technique.  I watercolour the flower with two shades of coral / red and the leaves with two shades of green.

I cut three of the outline images, adhering them together with glue and then adhering over the hibiscus watercoloured image.  Crystal Glaze is added over the flower and leaf to fill in the space between the sections of outline image.  A black sentiment banner is added over top with white heat embossing.  The die is square, so I made a square card.

Here's a close-up of the shine from the Crystal Glaze:

I'm sending this card along to the AAA Cards #121 Challenge - Friendship.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Simply Sentiment (Lawn Fawn)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Barn red, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, glue, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo), white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
AAA Cards #121 - Friendship