Penny Black - Swimming By

Hi everyone.  I'm back with a card using stamps from two sets from Penny Black's latest release, Dream & Discover.

I started by creating the background for my underwater scene.  I randomly brushed water over a piece of mixed media paper.  I then used distress reinkers to add saturated colour to the water, first Peacock Feathers, and then a little Mowed Lawn towards the bottom.  Moved the ink around with a brush and then dried with my heat tool.  Splattered with water, let sit about 20 seconds and then used paper towel to remove  excess water.  This gives me the water drops / bubbles for the background.

I stamped the seaweed (Starfish Wishes 30-847) twice at the bottom of the background in Mowed Lawn distress ink.  I stamped the smallest starfish of the set onto a scrap of mixed media paper, first in Seedless Preserves distress ink, and then overtop of that with Wilted Violet distress ink.  I fussy-cut the starfish and set aside.

Next I stamped the seahorse from Swimming By (30-845) in black ink onto another scrap of mixed media paper and heat embossed in clear.  I fussy-cut before watercolouring with distress inks, Mustard Seed and Wild Honey.  Stamped the sentiment in black and heat embossed in clear.

Finally assembled my card, popping up the head of the seahorse and gluing his tail onto the card front.  I shaped the starfish slightly before adhering to the card front, popping up the center and gluing the tips flush.

Close-up ...

These sets are so fun to play with. :)

I'm going to send this card over to the Penny Black July Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Product Links

Starfish Wishes (30-847)

Swimming By (30-845)

Stamps:  Swimming By, Starfish Wishes (both Penny Black)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Seedless Preserves, Wilted Violet, Mowed Lawn; Distress Re-inkers:  Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Paint Brushes, Clear embossing powder (Ranger)

Challenges:
Penny Black July Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes

Poinsettias and Holly

Hi everyone.  I had two leftover stenciled poinsettia pieces in my stash, so used them on the above card.  The stenciling and sponging was all done I just added silver outlining to the images using a metallic pen.  Finished the card by adding a strip of silver metallic card stock to make a clean finish between the stencilled panel and my card base, and a silver heat embossed sentiment.  Always great when I can use up leftover pieces! :)  

Close-up ...

This view shows how shiny the silver outlining is on the stencilled panel. :)  For some reason, the sentiment doesn't look good but it does IRL.

I'm sending this card to a couple of challenges:

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #36 - Anything Christmas Goes

Rudolph Days

* * * * *

My sister is one of the people evacuated from her home due to wildfires.  She came down to the lower mainland last week with her hubby and two dogs.  They came by for a visit so I took a few photos to share.  Also happy to report the evacuation order was lifted a couple of days ago and they headed home today.

Tucker

Big size difference :)

Jessie loves her Auntie DeeDee

Challenges:

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #36 - Anything Christmas Goes

Rudolph Days

Penny Black - Mountain Magic

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card using one of the new stamps from Penny Black, Mountain Magic (40-751).

The background is a panel I made a while back, smooshing alcohol inks on acetate.  Even though there is the white card stock behind the AI panel, you can still see the translucent look with using acetate instead of Yupo or glossy card stock.

I stamped the row of bulrushes in Archival black ink.  Even though it does dry and shouldn't smudge, I always turn the panel over and put the stamped side against the card base to protect it.  I framed with black and added a simple sentiment (Happy Snippets 30-358) 

Close-up ...

Entering this card into the Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Product Links

Mountain Magic (40-751)

Happy Snippets (30-358)

Stamps:  Mountain Magic, Happy Snippets (both Penny Black)

Paper:   White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:   Alcohol Inks:  Ranger; Versamark
Accessories:   Acetate sheet, blending solution, Rectangle die (Spellbinders), white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
PB Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes

Twofer #40 Challenge

Hi everyone.  I am getting in just under the wire with the latest Twofer Challenge #40.  I have a lot of bird stamps, dies, and stencils, but I had to ink up my latest bird stamp purchases, Stay Chirpy (Polkadoddles) to use on both cards.

This is such a fun stamp set.  I saw my dear friend, Leslie (Running with Scissors) showcase it on her blog HERE.  I had to get on-line right away and buy it. :)  Then it sat until today.

For my first card, I used some stencils for the background; Rolling Clouds (My Favorite Things), and Slimline Grassy Hillside (Lawn Fawn).  I used my soft blending brushes along with distress inks (Broken China, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness).

Stamped my Birdhouse and bird in black ink and heat embossed in clear.  Stamped another bird on a separate piece of mixed media paper and fussy cut before watercolouring with Zig markers.  The birdhouse was also watercoloured with Zigs.  Crystal Glaze was added to the birds eyes and hearts.  A simple sentiment (comes with the stamp set) was stamped to finish.

For my second card I watercoloured the background by wetting my mixed media paper and brushing on blobs of ink in colours of the rainbow.  I added more water and blended the colours a bit.  Stamped the two birds twice; once on the card front and second on a separate piece of mixed media paper.  I heat embossed and fussy-cut the birds before adding just small touched of colour with my Zigs.  I glued the birds over top of the stamped images and drew in the legs with a thick black marker.

The sentiment (Up, Up & Away Sentiments - PaperTrey Ink) is stamped in black and clear heat embossed to match the images.  This set was a gift from a sweet friend.  Thanks friend!

There is still another day left before the challenges closes, so if you have time, come play along!

Product Links

Rolling Clouds Stencil (MFT)

Slimline Grassy Hillside Stencil (Lawn Fawn)

Stay Chirpy (Polkadoodles)

Up, Up & Away Sentiments (PaperTrey Ink)

Card #1:  hey tweetie

Stamps:  Stay Chirpy (Polkadoodles)

Paper:   White card base (Neenah 110 lb.), Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks: Broken China, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento); Zigs
Accessories: Rolling Cloud stencil (MFT), Slimline Grassy Hillside stencil (Lawn Fawn), blending brushes, clear embossing powder, heat tool, paint brushes (#2 & #4 Round), Crystal Glaze

Card #2: Rainbows & Sunshine

Stamps:  Stay Chirpy (Polkadoodles); Up, Up, & Away Sentiments (PaperTrey Ink)

Paper:   White card base (Neenah 110 lb.), Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks: Candied Apple, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento); Zigs
Accessories:   water mister, paint brush (#6 Round), thick black marker

Challenges:

Twofer Challenge #40 - Birds

Floral Garden

Hi everyone.  Back with another 6" square card.  This time I'm using a new to me stamp, Floral Garden (Simon Says Stamp).  This would work great for a slimline card too, making two different designs by using only half of the image on each card. :)

I started by lightly sponging Squeezed Lemonade distress ink at the top, and Mowed Lawn ink at the bottom.  Once everything was watercoloured, I added a little more ink to the sponging, using Mustard Seed at the top to bump up the colour.

The image was stamped in black ink and clear heat embossing.  I then watercoloured the flowers using my distress markers.  I'm finding it much easier to get stronger shading on the flowers.  I'll list the colours I used below --- there are lots! :)

I stamped the sentiment (comes with the same stamp set) in versamark on black card stock and heat embossed in white.

For the inside, I sponged more colour on the one side and stamped and watercoloured just a few of the flowers ...

The only finishing touch I added was a bit more sponging (as mentioned above) and a little bit of dots added with a white Posca pen.

Sending this card to the NBUS #28 Challenge ... using lots of new stamps this month! :)

Product Links

Floral Garden (Simon Says Stamp)

Stamps:  Floral Garden (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks / markers:  Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Spiced Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet, Abandoned Coral, Picked Raspberry, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Clear Embossing Powder (Simon Says Stamp), Paint brushes (Blick #2 & #4 Round), sponges, White Posca pen

Challenges:
NBUS #28 Challenge

Penny Black - Set Sail

Hi everyone.  I'm back using another stamp from the new Penny Black release, Dream & Discover.  This set is called Set Sail (30-842).

Very simple CAS card .... I know that's a double simple, but the card really is!

I placed a piece of temporary tape to create a horizon line on the right hand side of my card.  I sponged lightly with distress inks - Mustard Seed and Salty Ocean.  The boat is stamped in black ink, heat embossed in clear, and fussy-cut.  I watercoloured the image using Zig markers, which are very vibrant.

To finish, I stamped a sentiment from the same stamp set in black ink.

Close-up ...

I'm sharing this card over at CAS on Friday Challenge #209 - Sunshine. :)  Perfect challenge for this time of year.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Product Links

Set Sail (30-842) Penny Black

Stamps:  Set Sail (Penny Black)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz); Zigs
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder, heat tool, sponges, masking tape

Challenges:
CAS on Friday #209 - Sunshine

Penny Black - At Ease

Hi everyone.  There's a new release at Penny Black called Dream & Discover.  The image above is from one of the new stamp sets called At Ease (30-844).

I stamped the boathouse in Archival Shadow Grey and watercolopured with markers.  I added a small birthday wish sentiment from the Blown Away (30-836) set, stamped in Candied Apple distress ink.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to Seize the Birthday #218 - Framed (or Anything Goes Birthday).  I didn't use the "framed" topping, but this is a summer birthday card, so happy to add it to their gallery!

And also adding it to Simon Says Monday challenge - Lazy Days of Summer. :)

I'll be back soon with more cards using this new release, Dream & Discover.

Thanks for stopping by!

Product Links

At Ease (30-844) - Penny Black

Blown Away (30-836) - Penny Black

Stamps:  At Ease, Blown Away (Penny Black)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Archival:  Shadow Grey; Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Salty Ocean, Brushed Corduroy, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Smoky Slate Stampin' writer (SU!)
Accessories:   Water brushes (Round, #2 & #4)

Challenges:

Seize the Birthday #218 - Framed (or Anything Goes Birthday)

Simon Says Monday - Lazy Days of Summer

Bonnie's Birthday

Hi everyone.  Today we are celebrating my dear friend, Bonnie's birthday.  I made another 6" square card so that I would have lots of room to work with some new large stamps. :)

Started off by stamping the Crackle Background (Simon Says Stamp) in gathered twigs distress ink (blotted with paper towel to make it a faded version).

Then I stamped two of the main image for Beautiful Mothers (Simon Says Stamp) in black ink and heat embossed in clear.  Then watercoloured them with distress inks:  Mowed Lawn, Wilted Violet, Candied Apple, Mustard Seed.  I used Mowed Lawn re-inker for the leaves to get lots of depth of colour.  To finish, I used my white Posca pen to fill in the centers of the red flowers and add a few dots to the yellow centers of the purple flowers.  The sentiment (Smiles - Penny Black) was stamped in black and heat embossed in clear.

I also stamped the bottom left corner of the inside of the card (you can see it peeking out in the photo above).  I used the Special Sentiments (Penny Black) stamp set to stamp "WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, to the inside.  I forgot to take a photo of the background before writing my message and adhering to the inside.  Oops. :)

Sending this to the NBUS #28 Challenge! :)

And to Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Emboss it!

Bonnie, I hope you enjoy my card and ...

WISHING YOU A VERY SPECIAL DAY, MY FRIEND!!!

Love you!

Product Links

Crackle Background (Simon Says Stamp)

Beautiful Mothers (Simon Says Stamp)

Smiles (Penny Black)

Special Sentiment (Penny Black)

Stamps:  Crackle Background and Beautiful Mothers (both from Simon Says Stamp); Smiles and Special Sentiments (both from Penny black)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Wilted Violet, Candied Apple, Mustard Seed
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, paint brushes,White Posca pen

Challenges:
NBUS #28 Challenge

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Emboss it!

CAS Challenges July Reminder

Hi everyone.  Here's my CAS Mix Up Reminder card.

Last year I bought some Pearl Alcohol Inks and had a play day with Susan and Christine (prior to Covid).  One of the things we tried was using these gorgeous inks on vellum.  The shimmer of the pearl inks is so pretty but impossible to photograph. :(   This made for a very quick card --- gotta love that!

Coni is our host.

Dropped pearl alcohol inks onto a piece of vellum, letting the circles spread into one another.  Die-cut  the fern (Framed Fern - Penny Black - retired) from white card stock and also cut a backing from more white card stock.  Glued the AI vellum to the backing and trimmed to size.  Glued the pieces together and popped them up over a white card front.  Stamped the sentiment (Birthday Blowout - Poppy Stamps) in black ink to finish.

Product Links

Birthday Blowout (Poppy Stamps)

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Here's my CAS Christmas reminder card for July - Poinsettia.

Linda is our host.

I used a background from my stash so I'm not sure what colours I used to smoosh this background.  Looks like it might be DOX inks to me. :)  I do love the warm caramel-y colour.  Die-cut the Joyful die (Penny Black) from mixed media paper and watercoloured using my Distress markers (Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Wild Honey).  Shaped the flower with a stylus and mat and then popped it up in the white card stock frame (Rectangle Nestabilities - Spellbinder - retired).  To finish stamped the sentiment from the Merry Up! stamp set (Penny Black) in Candied Apple (stamped several times to get the intense red).

Product Links

Joyful die (Penny Black)

Merry Up! (Penny Black)

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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 - Framed Fern

Stamps:  Birthday Blowout (Poppy Stamps)

Paper:   Vellum (SU!); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Pearl Alcohol Inks (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Framed Fern die (Penny Black - retired)


CAS Christmas Reminder - Joyful Wishes
Stamps:  Merry Up! (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  DOX inks for background; Distress markers:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn Rustic Wilderness, Wild Honey)
Accessories & Tools:  Joyful die (Penny Black), paint brushes, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinder - retired)


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up July Challenge - Alcohol Inks on Vellum
CAS Christmas July Challenge - Poinsettia

The Flower Challenge #58 Reminder

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder that we are half way through the month for The Flower Challenge.  Still lots of time to play along ...

I added both spots and stripes to my card today.  Started by adding a dotty border using the Hemstitch Rectangles die (Spellbinders).  I then stamped my flower (Birthday Blooms - SU! - retired) in princess gold embossing powder and heated it to melt.  I watercoloured using distress inks (Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness).  I fussy cut my image and set aside.

I bought some corrugated card stock from AliExpress a while back and wanted to add some to my card (the stripes!).  I used a dark brown which worked really well with the colours of my bloom.  Added a piece that fit just inside the dotty frame and then popped up the flower over top.  I stamped the sentiment (part of the stamp set) and also heat embossed in princess gold.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the amazing reminder cards from the Designers.  Make sure to take a look at the gallery ... it's filled with lots of amazing spots and / or stripes cards!

Thanks for dropping by!

Product Links

Hemstitch Rectangles dies (Spellbinders)

Stamps:  Birthday Blooms - retired (Stampin' Up!)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Corrugated Brown card stock (AliExpress)
Ink:   Versamark; Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Princess Gold  Embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, Hemstitch Rectangles (Spellbinders)

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #58 - Spots and/or Stripes

Crocus

Hi everyone.  I have been busy organizing my Art Studio.  I got so involved with it, that my mojo took off for a few days. :)  I tried making some DT cards, but they all ended up in the garbage.  I decided I would try using some of the many large stamp sets I have sitting waiting to be inked.

This stamp is called Crocus (Waffle Flower).  First set I have bought from Waffle Flower and I do love it.  I know it's long past Spring, but I saw this a few months ago when I had self-imposed a buying moratorium.  That is now over ... whew! :)  

I started by stamping the image in black ink and clear heat embossing over top.  I watercoloured using distress inks in various forms.  I used markers for the flowers (Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet), distress re-inker for the leaves (Mowed Lawn --- my marker needs replacing), and distress inks for the pot (Pumice Stone, Gathered Twigs), dirt (Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso).  I used a bright zig for the stamins.

Once finished watercolouring, I cut a mask for the image and then sponged lightly with Wilted Violet ink over top of a stencil I cut with my Silhouette (Silhouette America cut file - lattice).

To finish I stamped the sentiment (same stamp set) in black ink and clear heat embossed.  For the final step, I added a wash of green under the pot.  I was so nervous, but thankfully it worked. 

Below is a photo of the inside of the card, using another stamp from the same step, along with more lattice stenciling ...

Adding this to the gallery at The Flower Challenge #58 - Spots or Stripes.  I have the diagonal stripes from the stenciled background.

Also sending to NBUS Challenge #28.     

Product Links

Crocus (Waffle Flower)

Stamps:  Crocus (Waffle Flower)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Wilted Violet, Shaded Lilac, Mowed Lawn, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso, Pumice Stone (Tim Holtz); Zig - 
Accessories:   Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger), heat tool, Blick paint brushes (#2, #4), Lattice Stencil (Cut file from Silhouette America, Silhouette, acetate sheet).

Challenges:
The Flower Challenge #58 - Spots or Stripes

NBUS Challenge #28