Autumn Leaves

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing two cards made with the positive and negative of a framed leafy die.  I used a piece of yupo with alcohol inks.  Can't remember the colours as I made it a long time go, but has deep orange, brown and rust.  So pretty together.

Die-cut the leaf frame and glued it to a piece of faux-mother-of pearl card stock which was sponged with antique linen .. very subtle but adds another layer of warmth to the card.  Stamped the sentiment in rust and popped up the panel on foam for more dimension.

I then used the negative pieces of the alcohol ink paper, along with another die-cut of the leafy frame from white, popped it up over a piece of copper coloured card stock and added that to a kraft card base.  Sentiment is the same as above, stamped with the same colour.

This is such a quick and easy way to make two CAS birthday cards. 

Jer loves to "shop" at Mom's card store and has already claimed the kraft based card for himself. :)

Stamps:  Many Everyday Sentiments (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb.); Copper (unknown); Kraft (received free package of cards and matching envelopes from Scrapbook.com from ordering)
Ink:  Alcohol Inks (Ranger and Pinata); Distress Inks:  Antique Linen, Rusty Hinge (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  framed fern die (penny black), blending solution (Ranger); Frost White paint (Tsukineko), cling wrap, sponge

September Rudolph Days

Hi everyone.  Playing along with the Rudolph Days September Challenge, sharing a fun card I made using a NBUS image.  After seeing an adorable snowman image on my friend Joanna's blog, I had to ask where she got it.  She sent me to Whipper Snapper.  It's a new-to-me company and I had a lot of fun looking through their stamps.  I ordered a few to play with. :)

Isn't this dog a cutie??!!  I stamped him in black and watercoloured on mixed media paper using my zigs.  Added some wink of stella for a bit of sparkle on the holly and berries, and crystal glaze on his nose.  I did a little shaping with my stylus to round out his cheeks, ears and bone and then popped him up on a piece of patterned paper.  The sentiment seems perfect! :)

Here's a close-up ...

And I made two more while I was at it.  The next two cards are watercoloured on hot press w/c paper using distress inks.  The card below uses the same patterned paper as above for a simple frame.

... and the last one I modeled after my grand-doggie Violeta.  This has a simple ground made with masking and sponging.

Can you see the resemblance??!!

Violeta

I hope you'll come play along.  The challenge runs from the 25th to the end of month.  It's always Anything Goes Christmas.

Stamps:  Dog Candy Bone (Whipper Snapper); Say It's Christmas (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base and frame (Neenah 110 lb.); Frosty and Festive patterned paper (Penny Black)
Ink:  Black (Versafine); Real Red (SU!); Zigs
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, wink of stella, white gel pen, crystal glaze (Nuvo), stylus

Challenges:
Rudolph Days September Challenge

Bundled Up

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card I made for Jingle Belles.  The current challenge has us using snow.  There's lots of snow on this card. :)

I got this new release stamp set from Penny Black.  Stamped in light brown onto mixed media paper and then no-line watercoloured over top with Stampin' Up! inks and Distress inks.  Once I was finished the snowman, I heat embossed in clear before adding a wash of soft brown and blue to the background.  Final step at to stamp the sentiment in black.

There's lots of amazing entries at the challenge.  Come check them out and be inspired to play along.  The challenge is open until October 3rd.  Don't miss it!

Stamps:  Buncled Up; Christmas Sentiments (both from Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Real Red (SU!); Distress Inks:  Pumice Stone, Black Soot, Barn Door, Aged Mahogany, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, paint brush, white gel pen

Challenges:
Jingle Belles - Let it Snow

Penny Black - Simplicity at its best

Hi everyone.  I'm sharing a little sneak peek of my Penny Black card that is posted on the Simplicity at its best blog.  Click HERE to check out a full-size photo of my card, along with complete instructions on how it was made.

My Simpliciity Sister, Mayline, is posting today on the Penny Black blog as well.  She is such an amazing designer.  Hope you'll drop by to see both of our projects.  Thank you!

Autumn Tree

Hi everyone.  One more card for the CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Tree.  The challenge is still open for a few more days ... come join us!

I do love to splatter. :)  I have made a similar tree like this done in pinks for a cherry blossom tree, but this time it's the autumn colours.  This is such a fun stamp set from SU! (retired) that was gifted to me by my dear friend Nancy!  LOVE IT! :)

Started by inking up my tree in a very light ink onto watercolour paper.  I use a waterbrush and dark brown ink to go over the trunk.  Next, I tear a hole in a piece of paper towel and use that for my mask ... you want the shape to be imperfect.  Then I splattered away with yellow, green, and orange inks in different shades.  Remove the mask and lightly splatter a bit more so it has more of a random look.  Then I added in small bits of branches showing through the leaves using dark brown ink and a water brush.  Sentiment is stamped in the same dark brown ink.

Stamps:  Branch Out (Stampin' Up! - retired)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Stampin' Up! dye inks:  More Mustard, Soft Suede and more colours that I have forgotten :)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, old paint brush for splattering

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Tree

Christmas with Markers

Hi everyone.  One more card for the CAS Mix Up Challenge - Ink with Markers.

The card above uses an old stamp that I've had for many years.  I coloured the stamp with markers, colouring all areas of one colour first and then stamping.  I repeated with the other two colours.  The dove was stamped a second time onto white card stock, fussy-cut, layered with Wink of Stella (shimmery finish that doesn't show in the photo), and paper pieced on top.

I also wanted to try stamping onto patterned paper.  It turned out really well.  I love the soft colour of this pale turquoise and white polka-dot paper.  I used it to make three cards that I'm posting today.  Still have paper left over and hope to make more of these. :)

Here's the close-up of the above card:

The other two cards, which have the image inked with black and/or coloured markers and stamped onto patterned paper.  Parts of the image for these cards were also stamped onto white card stock, coloured with markers and paper pieced on top.  There is a mix of marker direct to card stock and watercolouring with markers.

Here's the close-ups ...

and ...

Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Wishes card:
Stamps:  Gifts at Christmas (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:   Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Stampin' Write Markers:  Real Red, Old Olive, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear Wink of Stella

Season's Greeting card:
Stamps:  Holiday Mail (Deep Red); Banner Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Stampin' Write Markers:  Old Olive, Real Red, Baked Brown Sugar, Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools: Water brush, Clear Wink of Stella


Let it Snow card:
Stamps:  Merry Delight (Penny Black)
Paper:   Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Stampin' Write Markers:  Real Red, Smoky Slate (SU!); Evergreen Bough Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, Softly Falling embossing folder (Sizzix for SU!)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Ink with Markers

Holly Wreath

Hi everyone.  Time for the reminder for CAS Christmas Challenge.  This month is being hosted by the very talented Nance.  She wants us to include a wreath on our CAS Christmas cards.

I got this small holly die from Impression Obsession a while ago and it's been waiting patiently for me to use it (NBUS again Dolly!!).

I die-cut it from patterned paper several times.  I used a stylus and mat to shape my holly leaves, and then glued them around a ring die-cut from card stock using two sizes of circle dies.  I used my small (1/16") hole punch to punch out some extra berries from red card stock and glued them on.  A simple sentiment was stamped in red to finish the card.  A QCAS card (quick, clean, and simple). :)

Here's a close-up ...

Check out the reminder post on the challenge blog to see the new, beautiful wreath cards from our Designers and Guest Designer, Birgit.  Then come join us.  We'd love to see you in the gallery!!  There's still a week left to play!

Stamps:  Christmas Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); Real red (SU!)
Ink:  Barn Door (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Patchwork Holly die (Impression Obsession), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinder), 1/16" hole punch

Challenges:
CAS Christmas September Challenge - Wreath

Happy Birthday Tree

Hi everyone.  We are already more than half way through September ... where is this year disappearing to??!!

Today I'm sharing a reminder card for the CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Tree, which is being hosted by me. :)

Placed a mixed media card base and tree stamp in the Misti.  Inked up the grass at the bottom of the image using two shades of green markers.  Spritzed with a little water and stamped onto the mixed media card base.  Spritzed again (not adding any more ink) and pressed again over the image.  Used my heat tool to dry before moving to the next colour.

Repeated the process above for the tree branches using two shades of light brown markers, spritzing and stamping.  Repeated another spritz and stamp without re-inking the image.  Added some dark brown ink to the lower trunks, spritzed with water and stamped.  Let dry.  With everything still in the Misti, I cleaned off the stamp and then inked with Versamark, stamped onto the image and then heat embossed in clear.  I was planning on sponging the sky and the heat embossing would protect the image from being effected by the sponging.  But in the end, I left it white.

Stamped sentiment several times to get good coverage and then heat embossed in clear so that it has the shiny finish to match the image.  To finish card, used corner round on top left corner.  I think this makes a great masculine birthday card.

Here's a close-up ...

Would love for you to check out the challenge blog where there is lots of inspiration from newly posted watercoloured tree cards from our amazing Designers, and wonderful Guest Designer, Ros.

Adding this to the CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Ink with Markers. :)

Stamps:  snowy village stamp (Penny Black); smile today! stamp (Penny Black)
Paper: Mixed media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Stampin' Write markers:  old olive, always artichoke, crumb cake, based brown sugar, early espresso; Versamark
Accessories & Tools: water mister, clear embossing powder, heat tool, corner rounder

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Tree
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Ink with Markers

Inking Line Stamps

Hi everyone.  It's the middle of September which means it's time for a reminder for the CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Ink with Markers.  This month's challenge is being hosted by Bonnie and we've had a lot of fantastic entries already into the challenge gallery.

I had a play day a while ago with Susan and Christine and we always try something new.  It has really helped me to expand my techniques and uses for products.  We love getting inky! :).

Susan suggested we try playing with inking line stamps.  She had seen a video, so we basically followed this video from Jennifer McGuire.  Although I've done this technique before, Jennifer has a couple of twists that were fun to try.  One didn't work for me, but the other two did. :)

For the first card, the stamp was placed in the misti, inked with markers, lightly spritzed with water and stamped onto mixed media paper.  I used a water brush to move the colour around.  Once dry, I re-inked the stamp and stamped again for a crisp outline.  This is a technique that I have done many times and it's always fun.

Here's a close-up ...

Below is a second card.  This time Jennifer's video suggested spraying the watercolour paper and then stamping with an inked stamp.  I didn't like the flow of the ink, so scraped that card.

I placed another piece of watercolour paper into my Misti and stamped again without cleaning off the ink from the previous try.  This time I got all the leftover water and I really like how it only coloured parts of the flowers and leaves.  Once dry, I re-inked the stamp and stamped again to get a crisp outline.  To me, the card below has more of an artsy look to it.  Happy with it!

As you can see, both cards are finished the same, splattered with green ink and stamped with 'thank you' in brown with top corners rounded.

Please check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful reminder cards from our wonderful Designers, and Guest Designer, Chrissie.  Then some join us!

Stamps:  Full of Glee (Penny Black), ? (Penny Black)
Paper:  1st card:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); 2nd card:  Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. Hot Press)
Ink:  Stampin' Writers:  Rose Red, Strawberry Slush, Old Olive, Baked Brown Sugar (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories & Tools:  Misti, water mister, water brush or paint brush,

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Ink with Markers

Lilies

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card using a NBUS stamp.  I've had this for a while, but only now pulling it out. :)

I love lilies so when I saw this stamp set, I had to buy it! :)  I made a stencil monoprint background using a mini dot stencil and distress inks (spiced marmalade, abandoned coral, mustard seed).  Once dry, I tore off the top on an angle and then stamped my lilies in permanent ink.  I watercoloured the image with more distress inks (abandoned coral, festive berries, barn door, peeled paint).  Adhered the torn panel to a white card base and stamped my sentiment in black.

Stencil Monoprint is my FAVOURITE stenciling technique.  And I find watercolouring with inks so relaxing and fun!

Here's a close-up ...

Sending this card along to The Flower Challenge #24 - Anything Goes.  I do love to make flower cards, but don't always have time to play along.  This month I've played twice! :)  Check out the gallery to see the amazing cards from the Designers and participants.

Stamps:  Spring Bouquet (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Bristol (2ply); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink: Versafine Black; Distress Inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Abandoned Coral, Mustard Seed, Festive Berries, Barn Door, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools: Mini Dot stencil (TCW), water mister), water brush, white gel pen

Challenges:
The Flower Challenge #24 - Anything goes

Penny Black - Lots of Love

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card highlighting one of the beautiful flowers from the ebullient stamp set.

The background is done with smooshing alcohol inks onto heatproof acetate.  This is a simple technique and by using acetate, it gives the piece a translucent, shiny finish.  I used one of my favourite colour combinations of plum, yellow, and orange.  This beautiful flower from Penny Black is heat embossed in silver on the acetate (non-ink side).  The coloured panel is mounted onto a piece of white card stock the same width, but about 1/2" longer, leaving room for the sentiment which is heat embossed in silver to match the image.

Here's a close-up ...

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

Penny Black Products:

30-474 ebullient

30-358 happy snippets

Stamps:  ebullient (Penny Black); happy snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  wild plum (Ranger); sunbright yellow, tangerine orange (Pinata); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  acetate sheet, silver embossing powder, heat tool

Twofer Challenge #9

Hi everyone.  Welcome to Twofer Challenge #9!  I hope you love the challenge this month as much as I did! :)  I also got to use a few NBUS ... die, fabric.  YAY! :)

Remember to follow the word prompt from the badge above using the instructions from the badge below.  And please include a picture on your blog (and in the link to the challenge) of the two cards together.  Thank you!

I used the same leaf die on both cards.  LOVE IT!

For the first card, I pulled out some fabric I bought several years ago.  I was at a quilting shop (which is weird because I do not sew!). :)  I saw this package of 2" squares of pretty fabric with pinked edges.  I bought them on a whim and today is the first time using them.  I used one square as the background and a plain green fabric square to die-cut my leaf.  I was happy that the fabric die-cut so well.

I just got a Gemini Jr., which is an electric cutting machine.  I have an auto-immune disease that causes pain in my ligaments, and cranking the Big Shot was causing me too much pain.  I will use the new Gemini for the majority of my die-cutting and embossing now. :)

I popped up the paisley fabric square on a piece of foam for dimension, and also added a foam die-cut leaf to the back of my fabric leaf for stability.  Finished this easy card by stamping a sentiment in red.

Here's a close-up ...

For the second card I used a piece from my stash for the background. This is two shades of green distress inks blended onto a piece of mixed media card stock.  Then took a baby wipe, crumpled up in my hand so there are lots of creases, and pounced light over top.  Hard to see in the photo, but it leaves a very subtle, yet pretty design.

For the leaf, I used a piece of copper smooshed with red, green and yellow alcohol inks.  Once dry, I die-cut the same leaf.  The copper cut well in my new die-cutter! :)  I added a stitched rectangular frame over the bright green background and tucked in the copper leaf sprig.  A sentiment was stamped in the lighter of the green inks to finish the card.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the amazing twofer cards from our Designers and from our two Guest Designers, Linda (ScrappinBari) and Susan (Cat's Inkcorporated).

Then come play along.  The challenge is open until September 24th at midnight (PST).  Hope to see you in the gallery!



Card #1: Leafy Hello 
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Leafy sprig die (AliExpress), pinked piece of paisley fabric, piece of green fabric, foam

Card #2:  Thank You
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Leafy sprig die (AliExpress),  sponges, baby wipe, stitched rectangular frame (AliExpress)

Challenges:
Twofer Card Challenge #9