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Tuesday, July 30, 2024

IDEAS July - Stencils

Hi everyone.  I want to thank everyone for their well wishes, thoughts & prayers.  The surgery went well and I'm home recovering.  I appreciate all the support!

Today's card is for the IDEAS Challenge with Darnell.  There are five Monday's this month, so this week is "S for Stencils".


I used a stencil (Interlaced Circles - Color Factory) for the background which is from my NBUS box. :)  I sponged the stencil with Scattered Straw, creating an ombre effect.  I torn along the top of my stenciled panel at an angel; then added it to my card base.  

I die-cut Dignified (Penny Black) leafy branch, watercoloured with Peeled Paint Distress Re-inker, and then cut it up to place behind my Hellebore image (Stampendous), which is also from my NBUS box. :)  The image is stamped in Watering Can Archival ink and watercoloured with Distress Re-inkers.  I stamped a sentiment to finish the card.

Close-up ...
Sending this to the following challenges:

  
 

Edited to add:  Adding to the JUGS #737 challenge - thanks for the heads up Lisa!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:   Hellebore (Stampendous); Many Everyday Day Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Watering Can Archival Ink (Ranger); Distress Re-inkers:  Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Aged Mahogany, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Interlaced Circle Stencil (Color Factory); Dignified die (Penny Black), sponge brush, watercolour brushes

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Kaleidoscope - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  Today we are starting a new technique at Group of Seven.  I saw a beautiful card made by my friend Jenny (My Paper Epiphany - third card in post) using this technique and I'm so excited we tried it out for Group of Seven. :)  Thanks Jenny!!

Jenny's inspiration card
For the card at the top of the post, I stamped a large image in Versamark onto mixed media paper; then heat embossed with Liquid Platnium (Ranger).  I used Distress Re-inkers to watercolour the image, making sure the whole card front was covered with colour.  I believe it would be OK to leave bits of white, but not large patches of white.  Once dry, I cut the panel up into 1/2" wide pieces, rearranged them in a random order; then taped them to my card front.  These bright colours are so HAPPY!! :)

Please check out the details for the technique and link to video on the blog ...
Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...
  • Tried this with a variety of stamped images and was happy with each one.  A great technique if you are looking for an arsty type of card.
  • The technique is to colour the images loosely, which I did for the Christmas cards below, but keep mostly inside the lines for my two Floral cards.  Both ways worked.
  • Also tried this with stencils and it worked great.  Best to make sure your background is coloured before sponging over the stencil.  I simply smooshed a light colour of ink.
  • Try cutting up your panel in random-sized strips for a different look
  • Great way to use some images from your stash that you've been hanging on to for a long time, but not used because they aren't "quite right".  This technique makes everything look good. :)
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Close-up ...

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I had this image in my "need to finish" pile for a long time.  It's called Roses Be Happy (Stampendous - retired).  It was already watercoloured, but I used my zigs to add more colour as I find vibrant colours look awesome with this technique.  Then I cut it up into strips, rearranging them randomly and cut it into a smaller panel.  LOVE how it turned out.

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I decided that I should try this using sponging through a stencil. :)  I smooshed the background, then sponged over the Layering Poinsettia stencil by Tim Holtz with more Distress Inks.  

The stencil was removed before I sponged around the outside edge of the poinsettias and holly.  We have done this technique before and we called it Stencil Bleed (click to see our Group of Seven post)

I cut the panel in half and outlined one with a silver metallic pen.  The other panel was left as is.  It's amazing how different they look. :)  Thanks for the suggestion to try it both ways Christine!

 
Sending the above card to the following challenges:
 

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I have done a similar technique in the past, cutting up pieces with random widths and spacing them apart a little (below ... 1) foiled piece; 2) stenciling over coloured card stock).  Here's a few alternative ways to try this technique ... 
Past cards
(click on photos for more info)
 

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:
Stamps:  Dahlia Collage (Stampendous); Birthday Blowout (Poppy Stamps)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark; Distress Re-inkers: Mowed Lawn, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Salvaged Patina (Tim Holtz)
Accessories: Liquid Platinum embossing powder, White embossing powder (both from Ranger), heat tool, watercolour brushes

Card #2:
Stamps:  Roses Be Happy - retired (Stampendous); Happy Snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark; Zig markers
Accessories:  Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool; watercolouring brushes

Card #3 & 4:
Stamps:  Merry Christimas (SU! - retired)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Salvaged Patina, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed 
Accessories:  Water mister, Layering Poinsettia stencil (Tim Holtz); detail sponges, Silver metallic pen (Pilot)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

In the Studio with Frances

Hi everyone.  Last month, my dear friend Frances, came over for a day of playing with alcohol inks.  We made some lovely backgrounds on different types of substraits, using different techniques.  I finally got around to using one of the backgrounds I made that day ... pearl alcohol inks smooshed on vellum.  I folded the excess over the edge of a white card stock panel and taped it down.  I added a simple white die-cut flower (Ascending - Penny Black), and a white heat embossed sentiment (Happy Messages - retired - Stampendous).   A pretty card that was simple to make.

Close-up ...
Sending this card to:
- Paper Players Challenge #699 - Clean & Simple from Joanne




Thanks for stopping by!

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On a personal note ... I'm scheduled for more surgery tomorrow.  I thought last year would be my last surgery for a long time, but I was wrong.  I have scheduled a couple of posts that will go live while I'm away.  Hopefully I'll be back making cards soon!

Stamps:  Happy Messages - retired (Stampendous)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Vellum
Ink:   Alcohol Inks:  Yellow, green, and blue Pearl AIs (Ranger); Versamark
Accessories:   Blending solution, Ascending die (Penny Black), White embossing powder, heat tool

Monday, July 22, 2024

IDEAS July - Anything Goes

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the IDEAS Challenge with Darnell.  This week is "A - Anything Goes".

For my Anything Goes, I've tried a new-to-me technique.  Thanks to Tiffany Solorio for this great video.  I used a panel of alcohol inked yupo from my stash, ran it through my Gemini with the Vine Canopy embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp).  I then used a sanding block to sand off the top of the raised design, which turns white.  I love the effect and will try this with more of my AI panels that have been collecting dust. :)

I popped it up on my card front which has been stamped with a sentiment from Happy Snippets (Penny Black).

I die-cut the Ascending die (Penny Black) from black card stock and adhered it on top.

Easy peasy card using a panel from my stash. :)

Close-up ...
Sending this card to the following challenges:
Can you Handle the Pressure? - Anything Goes with an optional twist of Stripes and/or Checks

  

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Happy Snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo; Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Alcohol Inks (turquoise, green, purple) - Ranger
Accessories:   Blending Solution, Vine Canopy embossing folder, Ascending die (Penny Black)

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Penny Black - Blooms

Hi everyone.  I'm back with two cards using one of the new releases at Penny Black, called Blooms (31-064) with matching die-cuts, In Bloom cut out (51-824).

I'm again following one of Jill Foster's video, Permission to Play #4.  She uses the hexagon frame for her card samples, but I'm using the same sketch, only substituting circles.  I started with the background, cutting two panels (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and die-cutting a circle from each one (different sizes).  Both card fronts (and circles) were then run though my Gemini Jr. to dry emboss with Variegated embossing folder (65-008) using Bermuda Bay card stock.  I used a light touch of sponging over the raised design with the matching colour of ink.

I stamped both images from the Blooms stamp set onto mixed media paper in Watering Can Archival ink (Ranger) ... it's a dark gray and I love the colour.  I watercoloured both images in the same colours of Distress Re-inkers (Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint), and then used the matching dies to cut them out.

The first card uses the card front with the smaller cut circle.  I placed the daisies so the edge of the stems are inside the circle and the flowers are popped up.  I added a small die-cut sentiment in white (Heartfelt - 51-093).

Close-up ...
Sending the first card to the following challenges:
 

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The second card uses the larger circle cut out, popped up on foam for added dimension, with the second flower die-cut and popped up on top.  For the sentiment, I used Shining Wishes (Stick and Shine - 15-017) and added turquoise foil over top.  I love the shine! :)

Close-up ...
I had fun making these cards! :)

Sending the second card to the following challenges:
 

Thanks for stopping by!

Penny Black Products
 
                                                  Blooms (31-064)              In Bloom Cut Out (51-824)

  
                              Variegated (65-008)         Heartfelt (51-093)       Shining Wishes (15-017)
                                                                                                                           Stick & Shine


Stamps:  Blooms (Penny Black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Bermuda Bay (SU!)
Ink:   Watering Can Archival (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Evergreen Bough (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   In Bloom cut out (Penny Black); Variegated embossing folder (Penny Black); Shining Wishes (Stick and Shine) Penny Black, Watercolour brushes, sponge, white acrylic pen (Posca)


Tuesday, July 16, 2024

IDEAS July - Embossing Folders

Hi everyone.  It is a dear friend's birthday today and this is the card I made for her.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sweet friend.  Have a wonderful day of celebration! :)

It's also time for the next IDEAS Challenge with Darnell.  This week is "E for Embossing Folders".  I usually post on Mondays ... but I delayed a day so I can post it today.  Hopefully my friend has received this card in the mail. :)


I started by dry embossing the background using the new Diagonals embossing folder (Penny Black).  This is the first time I've used this embossing folder!  And it fits the Can you Handle the Pressure? optional twist of stripes challenges this month. :)  

I recently bought this beautiful stamp and die set from Pinkfresh Studio (Amazing Things).  The image is stamped in permanent ink (Archival Watering Can - Ranger), and then watercoloured with Distress inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss).  The matching die was used to cut it out (I had to add a few shims for it to work).  The image is popped up over the dry embossing, glued at the bottom and pop dots on the flowers and leaves.  Thinking of you  sentiment from the same stamp set was stamped on black card stock, white heat embossed and die-cut; then added over top, along with a strip of black card stock at the bottom.

Close-up ...
Sending this card to the following challenges:
Can you Handle the Pressure? - Anything Goes with optional twist of Stripes and/or Checks
  
Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Amazing Things (Pinkfresh Studio)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Watering Can Archival Ink (Ranger); Distress inks:  Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
Accessories: