June Rudolph Days

Hi everyone.  I'm playing along with June's Rudolph Days. 

This is another card that I made at the retreat.  I shared one HERE that is done with the same technique, which was led by Trina.  How this was done is shared in my first post (link above).

This time I sponge just one colour of blue ink, fading out towards the center and then diluted white acrylic paint was splattered for falling snow.  The die-cut reindeer was heat embossed in liquid platinum three times so it's thick and smooth looking.  I might have over-heated it a bit as you'll see some black bits on the close-up shot.  A simple white, heat embossed black sentiment banner finishes the card.

Here's a close-up ... you can see the woodgrain a little better in this shot.

Come join the fun at Rudolph Days.  Challenge is open from the 25th until end of month.

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Peacock Feathers Distress Ink; Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Inspired die (reindeer die) - Penny Black), Scalloped circle die, woodgrain embossing folder, masking paper (all from Trina); sponge, diluted white acrylic paint, splatter brush, white embossing powder heat tool, liquid platinum embossing powder

Challenges:
June Rudolph Days - Anything Goes Christmas

Double Embossing with Die and Embossing Folder

Hi everyone.  Sharing a technique led by Trina (Phamtastic Design) at our retreat.  This is so cool ... it actually created a one layer card front that has lots of texture and depth and looks like it's many layers.  I did pop the card front up on some foam before adding it to the card base, so it's no longer one layer.

It's hard to tell in the photo above, but the close-up below shows that the background is dry embossed with a woodgrain design.  The scalloped circle die was taped down to the folder and run through the big shot with a card front and silicone mat.  It dry embossed the scalloped edge and the circle.  We also cut a mask from the scalloped circle, removed the center and placed the background mask over the embossed card front so that the scallops lined up and just the center was open.  I sponged yellow, orange and purple inks on an angle, then splattered with water to add a bit of texture and interest.  The silhouette image and sentiment are stamped in black and heat embossed in clear so they stand out more.

Here's the close-up ...

You need to have a solid die for the main image (scalloped circle), so I need to go through my dies and see what I have that will work.  So fun!  Thanks Trina!!

Stamps:  Meadow (Inkadinkado); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Circle Solid Die (unknown); Woodgrain Embossing Folder (SU!), masking paper, clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Happy Hydrangea

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a sweet card that is perfect no matter what time of year.  I'm adding this to the gallery at CAS Watercolour June Challenge - Something Blue.

This pretty hydrangea has been in my NBUS stash for a long time.  Happy to finally get it inked up.  It also comes with a matching die.  I don't mind fussy-cutting, but the dies are so quick! :)

The flower was stamped in Versamark ink onto mixed media paper.  It was then heat embossed with liquid platinum which is a warm silver (love this colour!).  I watercoloured the flower and leaves using distress inks.  Using a white gel pen, added white to the center fo the flowers and then die-cut the image.  I used another NBUS stamp for the background.  A small script that is off to one side, stamped in the lightest blue I used for the flower.  The sentiment (from the same stamp set) is stamped and heat embossed to match the image.  I die-cut the flower from foam as well and popped up the layers onto the card front, which is also popped up from the card base. :)

Here's a close-up ...

Still three days left to play before the challenge closes at midnight (PDST) June 24th.

Stamps:  Happy Hydrangea (Technique Tuesday); Gabi's Postcards from Paris (49th & Market)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark; Distress inks:  Broken Glass, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Liquid Platinum embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, Happy Hydrangea die (Technique Tuesday), water brush, white gel pen

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour June Challenge - Something Blue

Fun in the Studio

Hi everyone.  A couple of days ago my dear, long time friend came over for a play day.  Fran and I have been friends for over 30 years, meeting at work through a mutual friend.  We have done all sorts of crafts together over the years.  And Fran was the one that introduced me to card making.  At the time I said I didn't want to get involved with this hobby because I knew it would cost me a lot of money for supplies. :)  Little did I know .... :)

Anyways, Fran brought two friends with her, Jeannie and Maria, both novice card makers.  It wasn't that they wanted to learn things per se, but just have fun and go home with some pretty cards.  I designed these cards for them and we had a blast getting inky.

Below are my cards I made as samples.  Simple designs using smooshed magical panels and white die-cuts.  Easy, but oh-so beautiful results.

As well, Maria saw one of my PB cards that she really liked so she made two versions using heat embossing and sponging.  Her cards were beautiful!!

The card above and the one below are made from one panel of smooshed magicals ...

Next two cards are made from one panel of smooshed magicals ...

Second card ...

And again, two cards made from one panel completes the cards for the session ...

and second card ...

I had a lot of fun getting inky with Fran, Jeannie, and Maria.  Always great when you can share a love of creating with others.  I hope we can do this again soon!

(l to r) Jeannie, Frances (standing), Maria ... and their beautiful creations!

Great work girls!

Thanks for dropping by for a visit!

Card #1 & 2:  
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts); Family Sentiments (Penny Black
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock card base and front (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Lindy's Magicals (dark pink and light pink); Gold Delicata Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Circle wth flowers die (unknown), Hollyhock die (Impression Obsession --- thanks Robyn!), paint brush for splattering, white embossing powder, heat tool

Card #3 & 4:  
Stamps:  Many Everyday Message (Hero Arts); happy snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base and die-cuts (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Lindy's Magicals (assorted colours); Silver Delicata Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Floral Stem Collage die (Poppy Stamps), Cornflower die (Alexandra Renke), white embossing powder, heat tool

Card #5 & 6:  
Stamps: Happy Messages (Stampendous)
Paper:  Arches Watercolour paper (Hot Press 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Lindy's Magicals (Copper and dark brown); Versamark
Accessories & Tools: water mister, Winter branch die (Penny Black); Fresh Foliage die (Memory Box); white embossing powder, copper embossing powder, heat tool

Golden Tulips

Hi everyone.  Time for the reminder for the CAS Stencil June Challenge hosted by Linda.

I started with a watercoloured background from my stash.  It was done with Liquid Watercolour Concentrates, so is very bold and vibrant.  A tulip stencil was placed over top and taped down.  Vermark pad was pressed over the stencil, making sure to get the clear ink through all the stencil openings.  I brushed over some gold Perfect Pearls, and once the Versamark was dry, a paper towel was used to brush off all the excess powder.  The sheen of the Perfect Pearls is gorgeous, although I couldn't capture it in the photo above.  The close-up shows it much better ...

My white frame was cut smaller than the card base and it is popped up for dimension.  A sentiment was stamped in Delicata Gold ink which matches the yellow gold of the Perfect Pearls perfectly.

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the new, inspiring cards from our Designers and our Guest Designer, Chrissie.

Challenge is open for another week ... come play along!

Second entry this month at Craft Stamper Magazine's Take It Make It Challenge.

Stamps:  happy snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base and frame (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Liquid Watercolour Concentrate in Orange, pink and yellow (Blick Art Supplies); Versamark; Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, tulip stencil (cut with Silhouette Cameo), Gold Perfect Pearls, brush, Rectangle frame (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
CAS Stencil June Challenge - Perfect Pearls / Pearl-Ex
Craft Stamper Magazine June's Take It Make It Challenge

Fun Holiday Season

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder post for CAS Christmas June Challenge - Gifts.  Our challenge is being hosted this month by the lovely, Linda!

I used another whimsical image.  These are so fun to watercolour ... I smiled the whole time. :)  Used zigs to get the bright colours.  Originally I was going to frame the little guy, but couldn't get anything to work out.  So I doodled a border and trimmed it to size.  Should have let the black ink dry before placing it in my cutter ... smudges everywhere.  So I fussy-cut him, stamped him on the front of my card base, and paper pieced my watercoloured one on top.  It gives him just a little extra dimension, so it all worked out in the long run. :)

Stamped the adorable sentiment to finish this one-layer card. :)

Here's a close-up ...

There's still a week left to play along so I hope you'll join us.

We have a wonderful Guest Designer, Leslie (Running with Scissors) joining us this month.  Check out the challenge blog to see Leslie's sweet CAS Christmas Gifts card along with the new, inspiring cards from our Designers.

Stamps:  Christmas Fun (Penny Black); Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black Versafine; Zigs; Festive Berries distress ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush

Challenges:
CAS Christmas June Challenge - Gifts

Seaside Sketches

Hi everyone.  Time for the reminder for the CAS Watercolour June Challenge hosted by Bonnie.

I've had this stamp for a little while, so happy to use another NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff - coined by Darnell).

I started by heat embossing this sweet image with black embossing powder on mixed media paper.  I sloshed (a la shirley-bee) on some distress inks in shades of blue.  I got a little carried away adding black splatters. :)

Here's a close-up ...

You'll find lots of inspiration on the challenge blog with the amazing cards from our Designers, and wonderful Guest Designer, TaeEun!  I hope you'll check them out and then come join us!

Stamps:  Seaside Sketches (Stampin' Up!); enjoy ... (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark; Distress inks:  Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Chipped Sapphire (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Black embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, diluted black acrylic paint, paint brush for splattering

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour June Challenge - Something Blue

Cherry Blossom Birthday

Hi everyone.  Time for the reminder post for CAS Mix Up June Challenge - Ombre.  Mac is hosting and Bobby is our Guest Designer this month.  There are lots of beautiful ombre CAS cards in the gallery!

I started by stamping the cherry blossoms in Versamark ink and heat embossing with silver.  I used a sponge and one colour of distress ink (Twisted Citron) to sponge the top corner of my card front.  I added lots of layers of ink to build the colour ... going from dark in the corner to light in the center of the card.  I used my clean water brush to remove some of the green ink from the flowers before watercolouring with distress inks.  The sentiment is stamped and heat embossed in silver to match the image.

Here's a close-up ...

Check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from our Designers and Guest Designer, Bobby.  I know you'll be inspired to play along.

Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  first blush (Penny Black); special sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series)
Ink:  Versamark; Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Worn Lipstick, Candied Apple, Frayed Burlap, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Silver embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, sponge, water brush

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up June Challenge - Ombre

Another Great Retreat Technique

Hi everyone.  I'm sharing one of my cards made at the retreat using this awesome technique of making prints from plants from the garden.  Led by Christine (It's a Card Day's Night), we all had wonderful success with this fun and easy technique.

This is how it's done ...
Pick flowers, leaves, stems from your garden that are fairly flat and interesting in look or colour.  Place between two pieces of mixed media paper and run through your Big Shot with full sandwich to press the flowers.  If the plants are "juicy" you will end up with a bit of liquid squirting out, so have paper towels handy.  Sandwiching the plants between two pieces of mixed media paper gives you two prints each time.  Let them dry completely and brush off any plant matter that has stuck to the card.

I used a leaf sprig that Christine picked for me that was burgundy in colour.  When pressed, mostly purple and gray were transferred.  SO COOL!!!  Thank you Christine!!

I cut a window in my card front and then smooshed it with Wilted Violet and Pumice Stone distress inks.  The colours work really well with the leaf print.

Here's a close-up ...

Also sharing a photo taken by Dolly (Darnell), of us stopping to smile for the camera during one of our sessions.  Wasn't until the last day that we remembered we had a tripod and camera with timer, which we could have used so Dolly was in the picture too. Oops!

  left to right: (Linda, Bonnie, Colleen, Susan, Christine, me, Trina, Nancy) ... Dolly taking photo.

Entering the card into Craft Stamper Magazine's June Take It Make It Challenge.

------------------------------

Just returned home after spending four days with my sister and BIL, who live in the B.C. Interior.  We had a great visit with them and also got to spend a lot of time hanging out with their two Springer Setters, Lexie and Tucker.  So fun! :)  Couple of pics ...

 

Lexie                                                             Tucker

  

Me, Lexie, Tucker                        Hubby and Lexie

Stamps:  No image stamps --- used leaves from the garden; sentiment Hello (Happy Messages) Stampendous
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Wilted Violet, Pumice Stone - smooshed on card front; Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinder), water mister, Big Shot for pressing leaves,

Challenges:
Craft Stamper Magazine - Take It Make It June Challenge

Twofer Challenge #17

Hi everyone.  Time for Twofer Challenge #17 - Bees!  Turns out I didn't have one bee stamp or die in my stash ... I think I need to go shopping! :)  I borrowed this sweet bee stamp set from my friend Trina.  Thanks Trina!

As always, you need to create two cards using this month's prompt (Bees), following the rules in the badge below.  Make sure to take a picture of the two cards together and use that image when linking to the challenge.

I used the same bee stamp for my two cards.  The card above is stamped in the corner with fun flowers.  I watercoloured them using distress inks and then added more ink in-between the flowers, blending them with water, hoping it looked like more flowers in the background.  I don't think I succeeded but the background still is pretty. :)  I popped up a frame over the image for some dimension, as well as adding a pop dot to the back of the bee.  The tiny sentiments are adorable.  This makes one happy birthday card.

Next up ...

I used the same bee stamp as the above card, along with these delicious looking strawberries from the same stamp set.  I love this time of year when the fresh, local strawberries are in season.  Yummy!!  I used a piece of acetate to add some blue smooshed sky to the background.  Stamped my images in black and heat embossed in clear; then watercoloured with Distress inks and added a horizon line with brown ink.  The "bee happy" sentiment is so fun and makes me think of that song ... now I have it stuck in my head! :)  I hope this sweet card will make the recipient happy.

We are thrilled to have Coni (Which Craft?) as our Guest Designer this month.  Please check out the challenge post to see the fantastic cards from Coni and our Twofer Designers.  Then come play along.  The challenge is open for two full weeks from June 10 - 24.

Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps: Bee Happy (Hello Bluebird); Flowers (AliExpress)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card bases (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Black (Versafine); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry, Tumbled Glass, Broken China (Tim Holtz); Tombow markers (red, black, brown)
Accessories & Tools:  clear embossing powder, heat tool, water brush, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), acetate, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo), Clear wink of Stella, iridescent glitter

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #17 - Bees