Masked Stenciling - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  Welcome to a new month at Group of Seven Cardmakers.  The group is having fun playing with new-to-us techniques and products and love sharing our experiences with you.

Please check out the details for the technique on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers

This month, the Group of Seven have been inspired by an amazing card artist, Pat (Colourful Card Creations)!  Welcome Pat!  Thanks for joining us this month!

I first saw this beautiful card below on Pat's blog.  The Group of Seven were excited to try out this uniquely creative technique.

I have admired Pat's cards and followed her blog for many years.  

Pat's Inspirational Card

Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...

• The masked shape is part of the design of the card.
• It's important to add the mask first, then add stencil over top before sponging the design.
• To make your masked area pop, sponge a light colour once your mask is in place BEFORE you add your stencil over top.  Then add more sponging over the stencil.    
• I die-cut the curved masks for my designs but you can also hand-cut (or die-cut) any shape you like.

* * * * *

For the card above, I die-cut a curve and used it as a mask over my card front.  I placed a splash stencil  over top.  I thought it worked perfectly as large raindrops falling on my little girl with her rubber boots and umbrella (Rainy Days die - Simon Says Stamp).  I used Zigs to colour the girl's boots, coat and legs, but it was easier to sponge colour (Carved Pumpkin, Ripe Persimmon DIs) onto the umbrella.  I used my white Posca paint pen to add the dots.   I finished with a fun sentiment (retired), stamped in black and heat embossed with clear.

This is the first time using this sweet die (I've had it for a while!).  Sending this card to NBUS Challenge #59.

 

* * * * *

I made a second masked stencil card using a curved mask cut with a snowdrift die. :)  I used the Fading Florals stencil (Simon Says Stamp), sponging with Distress inks (Shabby Shutters, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed, Crackling Campfire).  I used my white Posca paint pen to add a few details to the stenciling and then stamped the sentiment (Gratitude - Penny Black) in more Crackling Campfire ink.

Sending the above card to Seize the Birthday Challenge #278.  No topping this time. :)

* * * * *

... and one more card ...

I first cut two masks from the same curve die.  Placed one over the bottom of the card (for a snowhill), and the second one on the right side of the card as part of the overall design.

For the stencil, I used a tree die (Tree Frame - Gina Marie Designs) that I cut from Yupo.  Yupo is made of plastic and it makes great stencils from dies because it never rips and after inking you can wipe the ink off with a damn cloth or paper towel ... and then it's ready to use again! :)

I used the colours of the rainbow to sponge over the tree stencil (Distress Inks:  Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet, Fired Brick, Picked Raspberry, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn ... then a little more of the Salty Ocean).  I removed the stencil and splattered with diluted white acrylic paint and gold acrylic paint.  Once dry, I stamped the sentiment (Believe - Penny Black) in gold delicata ink.

Sending this card to Christmas Craft Creations - Stencils or Embossing Folders.

... and sending it also to Rudolph Days Challenge.  Thanks to Helen for taking over for Maureen!!

I had a lot of fun with this technique.  Thanks for the inspiration Pat!!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Card #1:

Stamps:  Rainy Day Play (Clearly Besotted)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress inks:  Salvaged Patina, Salty Ocean,Carved Pumpkin, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz); Zigs:  Bright yellow, Flesh 
Accessories:   Curve die (My Favorite Things), Splash stencil (Silhouette America), sponges, scrap paper for curve mask;  Rainy Days die (Simon Says Stamp), Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Card #2:

Stamps:  Gratitude (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress inks:  Shabby Shutters, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed, Crackling Campfire (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Fading Florals stencil (Simon Says Stamp), detail sponge brushes, Snowdrift die (MFT), scrap paper for curve mask, white Posca pen

Card #3:

Stamps:  Believe (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Yupo
Ink:   Distress inks:  Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet, Fired Brick, Picked Raspberry, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold Ink (Tsukineko)

Accessories:   Tree Frame die (Gina Marie Designs), sponges, scrap paper for curve masks, white acrylic paint, gold acrylic paint, splatter brush

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Masked Stenciling

NBUS Challenge #59

Seize the Birthday #278

Christmas Craft Creations - Stencils or Embossing Folders

Rudolph Days February Challenge

IDEAS - Anything Goes

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with Darnell's IDEAS Challenge to use NBUS items.   This week is "A" - Anything Goes.

Since Stencils are listed for the fifth Monday (which only happens a couple of times a year), I thought I'd use a NBUS stencil for today's card as my Anything Goes. :)

I bought this layering stencil (Leaves All Around - The Greetery) several months ago.  This is it's first outing.  It's a beautiful image to frame any large sentiment, die-cut, or other stamped images.  I used Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Saltwater Taffy, and Abandoned Coral to sponge the three layers of stencils.  Easy, peasy ... and very fast.  This card took less than 10 minutes to make, which is rare for me. :)

I stamped the sentiment (Special Sentiments - Penny Black) in Gathered Twigs Distress Oxide ink.  I sponged a scrap of paper with Saltwater Taffy ink, die-cut the small heart, and then sponged Abandoned Coral ink around the outside edges of the heart.

Close-up ...

I'm also sending this card to NBUS Challenge #59 (never-before-used-schtuff). :)

... and ... sending to February Stencil Fun Challenge - where the optional theme is "Love / Hearts". :)

Edited to add:  Entering into the JUGS Challenge #715 - Anything Goes Stencil Week, hosted by Bobby.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Special Sentiments (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral; Gathered Twigs Distress Oxide Ink (all from Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Leave All Around Stencil set (The Greetery), sponges, small heart die

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge

NBUS Challenge #59

February Stencil Fun Challenge

JUGS #715

J-O-Y #4

Hi everyone.  I'm back with my fourth card using the Immense JOY die from Penny Black. 

Today's card features patterned paper and a simple, watercoloured winter scene with the sweetest deer (Cozy Winter - Penny Black).   I always like to make a few masculine Christmas cards so I thought the Buffalo Plaid card stock (Carta Bella) would be perfect with this image. :)

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to Peace on Earth Challenge #58.  I LOVE plaid, especially for Christmas cards. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Cozy Winter (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!); Buffalo Plaid card stock (Carta Bella)

Ink:   Black (Memento), Salvaged Patina Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Zigs
Accessories:   Immense JOY die (Penny Black); watercolour brushes, diluted white acrylic paint for snow

Challenges:

Peace on Earth Challenge #58

IDEAS - Embossing Folders

Hi everyone.  It's another Monday, which means I am playing along with Darnell's IDEAS Challenge to use her NBUS items at least once a week.  This week is "E" - Embossing Folders.

Turns out I have about six or so that I haven't used yet.  It's not one of my go-to products, but I need to change that because they add so much lovely dimension and interest to cards.

The folder I used today for my background is called Floral Field (Simon Says Stamp) and I've had it for a couple of years but never used it before.  I embossed a piece of white card stock and then used some detail brushes to sponge over top, concentrating on the center of the daisies.  Distress Inks were used for adding colour ... first, Mustard Seed, and then for the centers, Ripe Persimmon.  I die-cut Floral Stem Collage (Poppy Stamps) to place over top.  To finish, a simple hello sentiment (Happy Messages - Stampendous) is stamped in black ink.  The die-cut flower and frame are popped up over the daisy background for added dimension.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this to NBUS Challenge #59 ...

... and sending to Can You Handle the Pressure? February Challenge  I didn't use the optional twist this month.

... and Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #14.  I didn't use the optional mood board this time. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Happy Messages (Stampendous)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon (Tim Holtz); Black ink (Obsidian - Altenew) 
Accessories:   Floral Field Embossing Folder (Simon Says Stamp), Floral Stem Collage (Poppy Stamps), details sponge brushes (AliExpress)

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge

NBUS Challenge #59

Can You Handle the Pressure? February Challenge 

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge #14

More Alcohol Inks with Gilding Flakes for Gof7

Hi everyone.  Another card for January's Group of Seven technique - Alcohol Inks with Gilding Flakes.

Today I'm sharing hubby's Valentine's Day card. :)

I used an alcohol ink panel from my stash, adding thin lines of glue and then adding gilding flakes over top; letting it dry before brushing off the excess flakes.  I cut the heart die (Streaming Heart - Simon Says Stamp) from black card stock and again from my alcohol ink panel and then pieced them together. 

The heart is popped up with foam over a black card base to give it some dimension.  To finish, the sentiment is heat embossed with Princess Gold embossing powder.  I love the vibrancy of these alcohol ink colours! :)  

Sending this to Simply Clean & Simple February Challenge - optional theme - Pink.

... and to Double D Challenge - Heartfelt.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  From the Garden (Penny Black)

Paper:   Black card stock (SU!); Yupo paper
Ink:   Alcohol Inks (Ranger); Versamark
Accessories:   Streaming Heart die (Simon Says Stamp); Princess Gold embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Alcohol Inks with Gilding Flakes

Simply Clean & Simple February Challenge - optional theme - Pink

Double D Challenges - Heartfelt

IDEAS - Dies

Hi everyone.  I'm back for another Monday, following Darnell's IDEAS Challenge (see graphic below) that she started last week to use her NBUS items.  I'm playing along with her to (hopefully) use a lot of NBUS items that have been collecting dust! :)  This week is "D" - Dies / Die-cuts.

For the card I used a beautiful stamp from PinkFresh called Blooming Branch.  I have used this stamp before, but never the die that matches it.  I stamped in black, heat embossed in clear and then cut apart the large die-cut to make a few branches of blooms.  I then watercoloured using Distress Inks (Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint).

I pulled out a NBUS die - Wooden Crate (Honey Bee).  Have to say it didn't die-cut very easily and I will have to use it with thinner card stock than the 110 lb. I used for this card.  But other than that, I absolutely love the flowers spilling out of the crate! :)  I used a few pop dots for some of the flower stems and for the front of the crate at the top.  It gives it more dimension.  I finished with a simple sentiment from AliExpress.  Since the wooden crate and the blooming branch die are NBUS items, I'm sending this over to NBUS Challenge #59.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to a couple more challenges:  Seize the Birthday #277 -  Anything Birthday Goes.

 

... and ... Simply Clean & Simple February Challenge - optional:  Pink.  I do love pink, especially pink flowers! :)

* * * * *

Yesterday we all got together to celebrate my Mom's 95th birthday.   She struggles with her memory, but yesterday was a great day.  She really enjoyed herself ... and so did everyone else. :)  Jeremy was holding the cake for her and helped her blow out the candles. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Blooming Branch (PinkFresh Studio); Everyday Script sentiments (AliExpress)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Obsidian Black Pigment ink (Altenew); Distress Inks: Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint
Accessories:   Blooming Branch die (PinkFresh Studio), Wooden Crate die (Honey Bee), watercolour brushes

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge

NBUS Challenge #59

Seize the Birthday #277 - Anything Birthday Goes

Simply Clean & Simple February Challenge - optional:  Pink

J-O-Y #3

Hi everyone.  I'm back with my third card using the Immense JOY die from Penny Black.  When I started this self-challenge to use the JOY die, I thought I would be watercolouring images for all of them.  But I had this idea to use a die, to that's what I did this time. :)

I'm using a wreath die (Breezy Wreath from Poppy Stamps), die-cut many times and then cut into pieces) to create a layered wreath that fits around the "O".  I used two shades of green cardstock from SU! (Gumball Green, and Mint Macaron) ... the latter was a gift from a friend LONG ago!  I love these two colours together, plus I added in some shine with silver accents.

The card front is more of the Mint Macaron card stock, stamped with Winterberry Background (PinkFresh Studios) and heat embossed in silver.  I also cut several of the JOY die in white, layered together for added dimension.  For the finishing touch, I added a few metallic silver half pearls for berries.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the Merry Little Christmas Challenge #54 - Anything Christmas Goes.

Edited to add:  Sending this card to Double D Challenge - Heartfelt.  The green background matches the bottom right image. :)  Thanks for the heads up Michele!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Winterberry Background (PinkFresh Studios - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Mint Macaron (SU!); Gumball Green (SU!)

Ink:   Unicorn White Pigment ink (Hero Arts)
Accessories:   Immense JOY die (Penny Black); Silver embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool; Breezy Wreath die (Poppy Stamps - retired); Silver half pearls (Studio Katia)

Challenges:

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #54

Double D Challenge - Heartfelt

IDEAS

Hi everyone.

I have a lot of NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) items in my stash and play along with the NBUS challenge as much as possible.  When Darnell mentioned last week that she is challenging herself  to create a card every Monday using the acronym below, I wanted to play along.  Thanks for the inspiration Dolly!

This is a self-challenge ... and we'll see how I do. :)  I will try to stick to her list of products each week, but as long as I use any NBUS item, I'll be happy!  :).  Here's the link:  Darnell's IDEAS Challenge.

I have a package of 48 watercolour markers (Arteza) that I bought not too long ago after watching a video tutorial by Jill Foster.  She used them and the colours were lovely.  I just haven't had the time to try them out, so today is the day! :)

I picked a large floral image that is also a NBUS item (Bouquet ballet - Penny Black)  I stamped it in black pigment ink and heat embossed in clear before watercolouring with my markers.

I had fun colouring with these new markers and I LOVE the periwinkle blue that I used for the largest flower ... it fades to a pink, which is so pretty!  To finish the card I added a sentiment (Smiles - Penny Black) stamped in black ink and clear heat embossed.

Close-up ...

I was inspired by the Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Mood Board #13.  Adding this to their gallery.

I'm adding this to NBUS Challenge #59 after using two NBUS items from my stash. :)

... and ... I'm sending this to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge for February.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Bouquet Ballet (Penny Black); Smiles (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Obsidian Black Pigment ink (Altenew); Watercolour Markers (Arteza)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder, heat tool, watercolour paint brushes

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge

Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Mood Board #13

NBUS Challenge #59

Penny Black Saturday Challenge