Brayered Christmas

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing another brayered card.  

I started with Bristol Paper.  I used Distress Oxide inks this time and they worked really well.  First I took a piece of torn copy paper to mask the snow at the bottom of the card.  Then I inked up the brayer, first with Candied Apple ink; second with Wilted Violet ink.

Next I used Mustard Seed Distress ink to add a sponged edge along the snow mask.  I stamped a row of pine trees (Pine Row - Stampscapes) in Black ink and then dried with my heat tool.  I used a white Posca pen to add snow to the trees and then splattered more diluted white acrylic paint for the snow falling.

I tore a few more masks and use them to add the hills in the snow, using Sahara Sand (SU!) ink to spong along the torn edges.  The sentiment was stamped in black ink.  The panel was popped up with foam onto a white card base.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card over to Rudolph Days September Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes.

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

* * * * *

Jessie

Out in the rain

* * * * *

If you would like to subscribe by email,

please fill out the subscription form in the upper right sidebar.

It is also important to add sw1subscribers@gmail.com to your contact list

so Google recognizes the address and delivers the updates.

Stamps: Pine Row (Stampscapes)

Paper:   Bristol (Strathmore - 2 ply); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Candied Apple, Wilted Violet; Distress Ink:  Mustard Seed; Sahara Sand Dye ink (SU!); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Speedball rubber brayer; copy paper for masking, sponges, White Posca pen, white acrylic paint, splatter brush

Challenges:

Rudolph Days September Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Guest Designer for Just Us Girls - Challenge #603

Hi everyone.  It's my last week as Guest Designer at Just Us Girls ... I'm sorry it's coming to a close.

The challenge this week (#603) is Photo Challenge.

I couldn't wait to dive into my card for this challenge.  I LOVE flowers, especially lilacs, which are not only beautiful, but have a wonderful fragrance!  Unfortunately, I don't have a lilac stamp that would work ... I need to do some shopping! :)

Instead I used this beautiful stamp, Bouquet of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp).  I stamped the image twice onto mixed media paper in black ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I used Wilted Violet Distress re-inker to watercolour my flowers, and Mowed Lawn ink for the stems.  I die-cut the two sets of flowers with the matching die, and set aside.

The background is dry embossed with a wood plank embossing folder (Stampin' Up! - retired).  This was my nod to the wooden barrel in the photo.  To finish, I popped up the flower blooms, gluing the stems to the card front.  The sentiment (Thoughtful Messages - Simon Says Stamp) is heat embossed with white on black card stock.  It's popped up on the card front for added dimension.  Last thing was to use my black Posca pen to add black dots to the stamins.

Close-up ...

Inside:

I hope you'll check out Just Us Girls challenge blog to see all the amazing cards from the Designers and then join in!

I have had a wonderful time creating cards for Just Us Girls as their September Guest Designer.  I want to thank the team for having me, with a special shout-out to Vicki, who was so encouraging.  I enjoyed all four of the challenges this month! Thank You!!

If you would like to subscribe by email,

please fill out the subscription form in the upper right sidebar.

It is also important to add sw1subscribers@gmail.com to your contact list

so Google recognizes the address and delivers the updates.

Stamps:  Bouquet of Thanks, Thoughtful Messages (both Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Wilted Violet Distress Re-inker; Mowed Lawn Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Clear heat embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, paint brushes (#2 & #4 Round), Woodland Embossing Folder (SU!), White embossing powder, Black Posca pen

Challenges:
Just Us Girls Challenge #603 - Photo Inspiration

Vintage Tea Cup

Hi everyone.  Today I have something different to share.  I don't usually do vintage style cards that have layers, but I was asked by my son Jeremy, to make a card for a friend's birthday.  The party is High Tea in Vancouver and he wanted the card to reflect the theme.

I started with the background.  Smooshed brown and red watercolour sprays and then when dry, stenciled over top with a damask image in crackle paste.  The layer behind the smooshing and crackle paste is Early Espresso card stock which has been roughed up with a distressing tool I bought a long time ago.

The teacup (Pop Rose Tea Cup - Stampendous) and lilies (retired) were both heat embossed with Liquid Platinum embossing powder and then watercoloured (sprays for the flowers, distress inks for the tea cup).

To finish, I heat embossed the sentiment (retired) in white embossing powder onto more Early Espresso card stock and attached with a staple.

Close-up ...

Jer was really happy with the card. :)

Sending this over two challenges:

Simon Says Monday Challenge - Fun with Stencils

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge where they are looking for Lots of Layers.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Pop Rose Tea Cup (Stampendous); Spring Bouquet (Avery Elle - retired); Cosmos (Technique Tuesday - retired)

Paper:   White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Early Espresso card stock (SU!); Bristol (2 ply)
Ink:   Watercolours from concentrate:  Brown, Red (Blick Art Materials); Distress Inks:  Gathered Twigs, Brushed Corduroy (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Damask stencil (Silhouette America cut file), Crackle Paste (Liquitex); Liquid Platinum embossing powder (Ranger); White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, paint brushes, sponges, distressing tool, water mister

Challenges:
Simon Says Monday Challenge - Fun with Stencils

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Lots of Layers

Guest Designer for Just Us Girls - Challenge #602

Hi everyone.  It's my third week as Guest Designer for Just Us Girls.  I'm having so much fun!!

This week's challenge (#602) is Yellow, Red, and Orange --- perfect for this time of year!

LOVE this colour combination, which is perfect for Autumn cards!  For my card today I started by smooshing my mixed media card through liquid concentrate watercolours in the three colours above.  This makes a vibrant and colourful background with lots of saturated colours.  I used a new-to-me stencil, Slimline Gentle Leaves (The Crafter's Workshop) overtop of the watercolours, using Versamark before heat embossing with Princess Gold embossing powder.  I used the same gold embossing powder to heat emboss the sentiment (Lacey Leaf Stamp - Concord & 9th - retired).

Close-up ...

This is a fun and easy challenge.  I hope you'll join us at Just Us Girls!

Stamps:  Sentiment - Lacey Leaves (Concord & 9th - retired)

Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.) 
Ink:   Liquid Watercolor Concentrate (Blick); Versamark
Accessories:   water mister, Slimline Gentle Leaves Stencil (TCW), Princess Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:
Just Us Girls Challenge #602 - Yellow, Red, Orange

CAS Challenges September Reminder

Hi everyone.  We are at the mid-point of the month, so time for Reminders for our two Challenges.  First up, CAS Mix Up September Reminder - Autumn Colours.

Leslie is our host.

I used a retired set from Stampin' Up! called Falling leaves.  I stamped two oak leaves in brown archival ink and then watercoloured using autumn colours.  I fussy-cut them and added a layer of Clear Rock Candy Distress Glaze.  This gives the leaves a beautiful, shiny, crackle finish.  The crackle is hard to see, but lovely in real life.  

My card front has one side stenciled with a leaf stencil from Silhouette America using Twisted Citron ink.  The other side is a Harlequin Stencil (The Crafter's Workshop) with white crackle paste.  Once everything was dry, I stamped the sentiment (Many Everyday Message - Hero Arts) in gathered twigs distress ink and glued the two leaves, popping up the top one slightly.

Close-up ...

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

Next is CAS Christmas September Reminder - Plaid.

Colleen is our host.

I do love plaid, especially on a Christmas card.  This time I used patterned paper (Modascrap (Sudtirol) to create three strips of plaid.  I die-cut Blooming Poinsettia (Poppy Stamps) from real red card stock, sponging the edges of the petals with Real Red ink.  I glued the three layers together, offsetting the petals and once dry, shaped the petals with my fingers.  To finish, I added small brown rhinstones to the center of the flower and stamped the sentiment (Merry Up - Penny Black) in Candied Apple distress ink.  I didn't use Real Red ink to stamp the sentiment because it stamps quite dark red on the white card stock I use.

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

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 - Crackled Leaves
Stamps:  Gently Falling (SU!); Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Cocoa (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Candied Apple, Twisted Citron, Gathered Twigs (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Leaf stencil (Silhouette America), acetate sheet, sponge, Harlequin Stencil (TCW), White crackle paste (DecoArt), Clear Rock Candy (Tim Holtz)


CAS Christmas Reminder - Joyful Wishes
Stamps:  Merry Up (Penny Black)O
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.);  Modascrap patterned paper (Sudtirol);  Real Red card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Real Red (Stampin' Up!); Candied Apple distress ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Blooming Poinsettia die (Poppy Stamps), sponge, mini brown rhinestones


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Reminder - Autumn Colours
CAS Christmas September Reminder - Plaid

The Flower Challenge #60 Reminder

Hi everyone.  A reminder card about this month's The Flower Challenge #60 - Colour Turquoise.  

I do love hydrangeas (Best Thoughts stamp set - SU! - retired) and they look amazing in turquoise.  Watercoloured using Bermuda Bay (SU!) ink ... just the one colour, using a second layer to add more depth of colour for shading.  Fussy-cut the two hydrangeas and popped them up over top of a white woodgrain background (gift from a friend).  Added little white dots to the flower stamens using my white Posca pen and finished by adding a pre-printed sentiment strip (Reverse Happy Sentiment Strips - CZ Designs).

Close-up ...

Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards by the Designers.  Then come join us.  There's still ten days left before the challenge closes.

Stamps:  Best Thoughts, Birthday Blooms (both retired - Stampin' Up!)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White Woodgrain paper (gift from a friend)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Bermuda Bay (SU!); Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder, heat tool, waterbrush (Sadoku); White Posca pen, All Thngs Happy Sentiment Strip (Simon Says Stamp)

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #60 - Colour Turquoise

Guest Designer for Just Us Girls - Challenge #601

Hi everyone.  Back as Guest Designer at Just Us Girls Challenge for the second week of this month.  Happy to be playing along with the Just Us Girls team! :)

The challenge this week (#601) - is Shakers!

Shaker cards are a lot of fun to make and fun for the recipient.  I used to struggle, but I followed Jennifer McGuire's video instructions and it worked out great.  I didn't make as many layers as her, but the card still turned out great.  These cards are just as fun to give as to receive!

I used a cute die, Underwater Scene (Memory Box) to create my shaker.  First I used white card stock to die-cut four of the U/W Scene.  I removed the reeds and coral from four of the layers, leaving just one with everything.  I die-cut my card front with the same die, adhered a piece of acetate to the background and glued the full-die-cut to the front, inlaying in the circle.  I took the rest of the dies and glued them to the back, over top of the acetate, making sure things lined up as best I could.  These four layers created the space for my sequins and beads.  For the background, I used a piece of Pool Party card stock and sponged with a Waves stencil (Simon Says Stamp) using my blending brushes and two distress inks:  Salvaged Patina, Cracked Pistachio.  Once the ink was dry, I sprayed the background with shimmer spray.

The sequins and beads were place in to the prepared area (green, blue, purple iridescent sequins, clear sequins, clear seed beads).  The background was glued down over top.  Added some foam to the bottom back and popped my card front over top of my card base.  Stamped the sentiment, Ocean Wisdom (Stampendous) in more Salvaged Patina.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the JUGS Challenge blog to see the amazing shaker cards from the Designers.  Come join us for this very fun challenge!!

Stamps:  Ocean Wisdom (Stampendous)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Salvaged Patina, Cracked Pistachio (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Underwater Scene die (Memory Box), acetate, Wave stencil (Simon Says Stamp), shimmer spray, sequins, seed beads,

Challenges:
Just Us Girls Challenge #601 - Shakers

You are Cherished

Hi everyone.  I'm back using this pretty Fading Florals stencil by Simon Says Stamp.  I'm using a different shade of blue ink this time - salvaged patina.  LOVING this new colour!

I used blender brushes to add colour to this stencil, masking off the two colours as best I could.  There's a little overlap. :)  I then cut around the design and adhered it to the bottom of my card base.  A simple sentiment (Thoughtful Messages - Simon Says Stamp) was added using the same salvaged patina ink.

Close-up ...

This was such a quick and easy card to make.  I do love all these wonderful new stencils! :)  

The Flower Challenge #60 is Turquoise.  I'm adding this to the gallery.  Come play along!

Stamps:  Thoughtful Messages (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.0
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Salvaged Patina; Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Fading Florals Stencil (Simon Says Stamp), blending brushes, White Posca pen

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #60 - Turquoise

Guest Designer for Just Us Girls - Challenge #600

Hi everyone.  I'm so excited to be Guest Designing at Just Us Girls for the month of August.  Thanks to the team inviting me and special shoutout to Vicki for providing all the details!

This week's challenge is #600 - 6 of Anything.

Prizes!!  Check out the challenge blog!

I started with a new-to-me stencil, Painted Flowers Wreath (Simon Says Stamp).  It has six flowers and six large leaves. :)  I sponged on colour and then removed stencil and lightly sponged a soft brown ink over top of the wreath, leaving the rest of the card white.  In the middle of the wreath, I stamped Sending Hugs (Impression Obsession) in black ink, heat embossed in clear.  I finished with adding just a few dots of white from my Posca pen.

The inside has stenciling off the edge with more soft brown sponging overtop.  Finished the card with a sentiment on the inside, Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn).

Inside view ...

I hope you'll come join us for this very fun challenge.  Check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from the talented Design Team and see what's available for prizes!

  

What 6 things will you add to your card?? :)  See you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Simply Sentiment (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Antique Linen (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Painted Flowers Wreath Stencil (Simon Says Stamp), blending brushes, painters tape for masking, water mister, clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:
Just Us Girls #600 - 6 of Anything

The Flower Challenge #60

Hi everyone.  Time for a new challenge at The Flower Challenge (#60).  We are so excited to have Kailash (Kailash Crafts) as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Kailash!

I LOVE turquoise and was so happy when I saw this challenge!  I started by stamping Beautiful Bouquet Dahlia (WPlus 9) in Versamark and heat embossing in Princess Gold.  I then watercoloured the flower and leaves with Zig markers.  Love the bright colours.

To finish, I gold heat embossed the sentiment Cosmos - retired (Technique Tuesday) and added a gold and white diagonal strip washi tape to the bottom of the card.

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the fantastic cards from our Designers, and our amazing Guest Designer, Kailash.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Beautiful Bouquet Dahlia (WPlus 9); Cosmos - sentiment (Technique Tuesday - retired)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Versamark; Zigs
Accessories:   Princess Gold embossing powder, heat tool, Watercolour paint brushes (Round #2 & #4), Gold and white striped washi tape.

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #60 - Turquoise

CAS Christmas September Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the September CAS Christmas challenge, hosted by Colleen (One Smile Lifts a Spirit).  Colleen would like us to include plaid on our cards!  So fun!

I started by die-cutting the two reindeer from a red and brown plaid patterned paper, Modascrap (Sudtirol).  I bought these adorable reindeer dies (My Favorite Things - now retired) after seeing Bonnie using them.  Bonnie is very good at enabling me to spend money! :)

I used another piece of patterned paper from the same pad for the background.  It looks so good with the red plaid.  Tore a piece of white card stock to create a snow hill and stamped the sentiment (Christmas Sentiments - Penny Black) in Candied Apple distress ink.

Fun and simple card to make!

Close-up ...

We are so happy to have Melanie (Cards by Melanie) as our Guest Designer this month.  Please check out the challenge blog to see the fabulous plaid CAS Christmas cards from the rest of our Designers, and from our wonderful Guest Designer, Melanie!

Product Links

Modascrap Patterned Paper (Sudtirol) - via Simon Says Stamp

Reindeer Dies (My Favorite Things)

Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)

Paper:   Modascrap Patterned Paper (Sudtirol); Baked Brown Sugar card stock (Stampin' Up!); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Candied Apple Distress Ink
Accessories:   Reindeer dies, Patterned Paper

Challenges:
CAS Christmas September Challenge - Plaid

CAS Mix Up September Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of a new CAS Mix Up Challenge for September - Autumn Colours.  Even though it is not "officially" Autumn yet, some leaves have already changed colour and are falling from the trees.  This is my favourite time of year.  I love Autumn colours and especially love it when it is cool and crisp outside. :)  This month's challenge is being hosted by the lovely Leslie (Running with Scissors).  She is asking us to include Autumn colours in our cards this month and there must be watercolouring as well.

I started by creating a gradiant background wash.  I tried it with two different types of paper (mixed media and bristol).  I used my Liquid Watercolors from Blick Art (concentrate).  I do love the intensidy of these concentrated colours.  I place some on my palette, sprized with a little water and also spritzed my paper with lots of water before using a large brush to pick up the colours and swipe them across the paper.  I overlapped them slightly so they would blend together.  Easy, peasy backgrounds! :)

After they were dry, I decided the mixed media paper was a slightly better blend of colours. I cut the panel to size and added some foam to the background to pop it up on my white card front.  I die-cut a new-to-me die, Leafy Branch (Simon Says Stamp).  I used gold mirror card stock (Tonic) and love how it looks.  Photographing it is another issue. :)  I glued the leafy branch over my watercolour wash and added a simple black sentiment banner with gold embossed HELLO (Happy Messages - Stampendous).

Close-up ...

I'm sending the above card to NBUS Challenge #30.  The leafy branch die is new-to me. :)

I have a Twofer for this post.  I took the negative left from the leaves die-cut gold foil card stock, and placed it over top of the Bristol paper with watercolour wash.  I added a simple white sentiment banner with gold embossed "Happy Birthday" (Many Everyday Messages - Hero Arts).  Sorry for the bad photo ... it was the best I could get because of all the reflection from the foil card stock ...

This is actually pretty in real life.  You'll have to take my word on that. :)

We are thrilled to have Ros (Mikey's Mom) as our Guest Designer this month at CAS Mix Up.  Welcome Ros!

Please check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful Autumn Colours cards from our amazing Guest Designer and our talented Designers.  Then come play along.  The challenge is open until end of day September 24th.

Hope to see you in the gallery!

Product Links

Liquid Watercolors (Blick Art Materials)

Leafy Branch die (Simon Says Stamp)

Gold Mirror Card Stock (Tonic via SSS)

Happy Messages (Stampendous)

Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Stamps:  Happy Messages (Stampendous)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!); Gold Mirror card (Tonic)
Ink:   Liquid Watercolors from Concentrate (Blick Art Materials):  Yellow, Orange, Red; Versamark
Accessories:   1" watercolour paint brush, water mister, Leafy Branch die (Simon Says Stamp), Gold embossing powder (Ranger); heat tool

Twofer:

Stamp:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

All other supplies the same as above card

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Autumn Colours

NBUS #30 Challenge