It's already half way through February, so time for reminder cards for both CAS Mix Up and CAS Christmas Challenges.
Starting off with CAS Mix Up reminder ...
Nancy is our host.
Started out with a piece of card from my stash. I believe this was done with watercolour sprays and cling wrap to give a lovely design to the background. I sponged a stencil (Peeking Sunflowers - STAMPlorations) - given to me by a dear friend, over top of the background using Distress inks (Ripe Persimmon, Crackling Campfire, Ground Espresso). I then used Versamark to go over the stencil again, sprinkled UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) over top and heat set. I love the thick shiny finish of the sunflowers. Stamped a sentiment in Ground Espresso and clear heat embossed to match the rest of the design.
Close-up ...
Sending this card over to the STAMPlorations February Stencil Challenge - Anything Goes.
Also this is a new to me stencil, so adding this to the NBUS #23 gallery as well ...
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Susan is our host.
This card uses a new-to-be stamp set called All Cats (Gerda Steiner). I stamped the image in black, clear heat embossed and then did the same with the sentiment (Stampin' Up! retired stamp) except used red ink. I fussy-cut the image and watercoloured with Distress Inks (Hickory Smoke; Black Soot; Spun Sugar) Added cheeks with red chalk and small white dots with my Posca pen; then crystal glaze for the eyes. The background is done with a Snowflake Stencil (Paper Artsy), sponged in Tumbled Glass ink and then coated and heat set with Kaldeiscope Embossing Powder (Stampendous). You can see the shimmer a little better in the close-up photo, but you can't see that the shimmer is iridescent with lots of colours. So pretty!
Close-up ...
Since I heat embossed through the snowflake stencil, I'm adding this card to the CAS Mix Up challenge gallery!
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I hope you'll check out the challenge blogs to see the amazing cards from our Designers, Guest Designers, and participants. If you haven't had time to play along, there's over a week left before both challenges close on 24th at midnight PST. Come join us!
CAS Mix Up Reminder - Hey Sunshine!
Stamps: Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper: Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink: Distress Inks: Ripe Persimmon, Crackling Campfire, Ground Espresso (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools: cling wrap, watercolour sprays, Peeking Sunflowers (STAMPlorations), UTEE, heat tool
CAS Christmas Reminder - Merry Christmas Cat
Stamps: All Cats (Gerda Steiner); Sentiment - retired (SU!)
Paper: Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink: Black (Momentum); Distress Inks: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Spun Sugar, Tumbled Glass (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools: Snowflake Stencil (Paper Artsy), blending brush, Kaleidoscope embossing powder (Stampendous), heat tool, clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, red chalk, white Posca acrylic paint pen, crystal glaze (Nuvo)
Challenges:
CAS Mix Up February Challenge - Stencil Heat Embossing
CAS Christmas February Challenge - Dogs and/or Cats
STAMPlorations Stencil Challenge - Anything Goes
Love that sunflower card, Loll - simply stunning.
ReplyDeleteI love that Gerda Steiner little kitty and of course you presented it perfectly! Love the background you worked around him too. Just a fun "make me smile" kind of card.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize it was a double post. The sunflower is gorgeous especially with your background. I love the techniques you employ and it reminds me to crawl out of my comfort zone sometimes.
ReplyDeleteYour little kitty card is just so adorable. Love your stenciled snowflakes in the background.
ReplyDeleteLove these sunflowers, Lolly! They are so bright and beautiful! And that little kitty just makes me smile! Love the snowflakes too!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what you would call your sunflower card but I call it beautifully dramatic!! I don't know how in the world you think up doing all this - I would probably make a mess! Obviously you system works Loll so keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI am a cat lady so you know I love your Merry Christmas cat.
Sandy xx
OMG..Stunning stenciled and heat embossed sunflowers, Lolly!!! I love how you started with a piece of cling wrap background and then stenciled your beautiful sunflowers. Your color choices are perfect for the sunflowers. TFS your sweet kitty CAS Christmas Card Challenge card too. Looks like you had sweet fun making this card. Your watercoloring of your kitty is perfect. Love your softly stenciled snowflakes for the background too. TFS both cards my friend. Love and Hugs..Nancy
ReplyDeleteSo happy that you shared your 2nd card with the heat embossed stenciled snowflakes with us at CAS Stencil Challenge too. Isn't it amazing how versatile our stencils have become:-) Love and Hugs...Nancy
ReplyDeleteBoth are fabulous, Loll. Love the shine and the rich colours in the sunflower one. And I love that kaleidoscope embossing powder in the background snowflakes for the cat one - I know the lovely iridescence in that ep give. And what a sweet little cat holding the Christmas message - great fussy cutting! Thanks for making such a great card for the challenge I'm hosting.
ReplyDeleteyour sunflower is stunning Loll, Love the mix of crackling campfire and ground espresso, and your little Gerda Steiner kitty is adorable:)
ReplyDeleteI've been calling "Hey Sunshine" for a few days now, but she isn't answering?! LOL Beautiful card with the warm sun and such an adorable little Christmas card with that precious kitty image too! Fun :)
ReplyDeleteWow to the stunning and happy sunshine card Loll....great colours and striking stencilling x. Adorable Christmas card and that little kitty's face is super sweet x.
ReplyDeletelove your mix up card, those sunflowers are stunning and what a perfect background for them. It is always so nice when you find something like that in your stash. The embossed shine is such a lovely enhancement xx
ReplyDeleteForgot to say something about your Christmas card, what a cute cat, love his expression and rosey cheeks. the lovely shine on the snowflake background is a perfect backdrop xx
ReplyDeleteLove your sunflower card Loll, it is just stunning! The colors you used are so warm feeling, so the sentiment is just perfect. Gorgeous!! Your cat card is soooo cute! I love how you have colored him, the glittery snowflakes behind him are amazing. Love that! Two amazing cards! Hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteSunflowers, and a cat? Two of my favorite things, and two wonderful smile-inducing cards!
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Your sunflower card is AWESOME Loll!! I love the rich colors and shine...just gorgeous!! And your little kitty with his sign is just too cute and the sparkly bachground is SO pretty!! Two awesome cards my friend! Hugs. 😊❤
ReplyDeleteI said "oh" out loud when I saw each of these cards, Loll. The sunflowers are so beautiful with the mix of colors you used. I want to reach out and touch them in person. The kitty image is so darling. Great snowflakes stenciled behind her.
ReplyDeleteTwo beauties here Loll - your Utee Thick embossed flowers are just stunning on the first - and that cat is just the cutest little thing holding her Christmas message with the snow flurrying around her! xx
ReplyDeleteTwo fabulous cards, Loll! I love the layers on your first card and how you added texture to the sunflowers with UtEE...so striking! I also love the expression on your little kitty...he is too cute, and the stenciled snowflakes are just beautiful! Someday I'll learn to watercolor just like you...thanks for inspiring me to practice ~ xx
ReplyDeleteBoth of these cards are gorgeous Loll and absolutely adore those sunflowers over your sprayed background and the colours and very shiny embossed finish using the UTEE is really stunning, and the sweet and prettily coloured cat with the glittery snowflake background makes the perfect Christmas card. x
ReplyDeleteOh, my word, I have so much to learn from all of you at CAS Mix Up. Your sunflower card is totally amazing in the most scrumptious colors. Wow, that crinkly background! Making note to self. It's an adorable twofer you have there with the kitty and delicate snowflake background. I have that GS set, but never thought to use it for Christmas. I love it!
ReplyDeleteLolly, these are both amazing! That fiery uber-glossified sunflower is incredible in every way! I love how you were able to compose the design to give equal attention to both the beautiful pearly background and the bold flowers. Even the sweet sediment is perfect! And your new cross-eyed kitty couldn't be more adorable wishing us a Merry Christmas with his gorgeous fur and rosy cheeks. The iridescent shimmer on those background snowflakes must be sensational irl! Pinning them both! Thank you for sharing with everyone at NBUS! Hugs, Dolly
ReplyDeleteAwesome sunflowers Loll, love the texture and colours you achieved.
ReplyDeleteAha! Cling wrap is one of the watercolour techniques I have just been learning so it's wonderful to see it in action on your card! Love that you gave it a coat of shine and what an appropriate sentiment. The Christmas card has a very different feel. The stencilled background is very pretty and I've been seeing a lot of sparkling embossing going on at the moment (another thing I 'need'!!) What a cutie that little cat is with his rosy little cheeks! Vicky x
ReplyDeleteWhoa! That stencilled sunflower is stunning! Your kitty Christmas card is adorable! Beautifully watercoloured. The shimmery embossed snowflake background is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAmazing sunflower card, Loll! Love the unique cling wrap background and the glossy bold sunflowers! Wonderful tone of the colors.
ReplyDeleteThe chubby cat Christmas card is so adorable, especially with those shiny round eyes! I can see the pretty iridescent shimmer in the close-up, but I'm sure it's more beautiful in real life!
Hideko xx
LOVE the sunflower card, the clear embossing gives a fantastic shine and great texture too.
ReplyDeleteYour little Christmas kitty is sooo cute, I love the sparkly background too xx
Both your cards are lovely but I think the sunflower card has stolen the show; it is so artistic and eye catching.
ReplyDeleteThis is a stunner!! From that gorgeous kitty to the gentle background... Stunning!
ReplyDeleteForgot to comment on that amazing sunflower!! I was so engrossed with it... Love the BG and the petals look like something I could eat... salted caramel? It's divine and so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe stencilled card is jaw-dropping:) The colours are amazing! The Christmas card is very cute too.
ReplyDeleteWOW! WOW! WOW! especially for the first card. It is so striking in its beauty !! I love every element of it, both the stunning background and the beautiful sunflower created by stencil and UTTE. You are genius! The second card with this cute kitty lit my face with a smile :-)
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The out-of-focus look on the background of your sunflowers is fantastic, Loll, as is the beautiful gloss on the flowers. I have that GS cat stamp but never thought to use it for a Christmas card. I hope I have a sentiment that fits the card.
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