Dry Embossed Highlights over Ink Blending - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  Today's technique is a combination of techniques (sponging, dry embossing, highlighting).  You have probably done this before, but it's a good reminder to use this technique again.  There are two videos ... one has a twist on the original technique.

Please check out the details for this month's technique and link to videos on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers - Dry Embossed Highlights over Ink Blending

This is how I made the card.  I started by sponging the a card front of regular Neenah white card stock.  I used three colours of Distress Oxide inks (Mustard Seed, Abandoned Coral, Picked Raspberry).  I did it in (sort of) vertical strips; left my card front overnight to dry, but you can use a heat tool to speed things up.

I then embossed my ink blended card front using the Floral Field embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp).  I used my white pigment ink pad (Glacier White - Ranger) to lightly tap over top of the embossing, which highlights the design.  I let it dry and then did a few more coats of white ink tapping, drying in-between each time.  The ink does take on the colour from underneath, but it gives a lovely muted look to the embossing.

To finish, I added a white die-cut of flowers (Painted Flower Stems die - Memory Box) and stamped a Simply Sentiment (Lawn Fawn) to finish.

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

• DOX inks work best to get a smooth blended transition between colours, but they also take longer to dry and bleed through more than dye inks
• Make sure to tap lightly with your white ink (or whatever colour you are using for highlights).  If too much pressure is applied, the colour will go through to the background of the embossed panel.
• Try this with patterned paper or coloured card stock as the base.

* * * * *

I made some more cards with this fun technique.  This time I went tropical.  Info on what I used is below in the card supplies ...

.. and for Christmas ...

Sending the above card to Rudolph Days January Challenge.

... and Winter-inspired.  This time I randomly sponged the two colours instead of two separate colours that meet in the middle ...

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1: (Spring)

Stamps:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Mustard Seed, Abandoned Coral, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz); Glazier White pigment ink (Ranger)
Accessories:  sponges, Floral Field embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp); Painted Flower Stems die (Memory Box)

Card #2: (Tropical)

Stamps:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz); Glazier White pigment ink (Ranger); Black ink (Memento)
Accessories:  sponges, Areca Palm embossing folder (Altenew); Pam tree die (AliExpress)

Card #3: (Christmas)

Stamps: Christmas Sentiments (Gina Marie Designs)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz); Glazier White pigment ink (Ranger)
Accessories:  sponges, Gracious Leaves embossing folder (Memory Box); Pepperberry embossed and die-cuts (Simon Says Stamp)

Card #4: (Winter)

Stamps:  n/a

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Speckled Egg, Iced Spruce (Tim Holtz); Glazier White pigment ink (Ranger)
Accessories:  sponges, Gracious Leaves embossing folder (Memory Box); trio of trees die (AliExpress); sentiment die-cut (gift from friend)

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Dry Embossed Highlights over Ink Blending

Rudolph Days January Challenge

Penny Black - Resting

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card using a new image (Resting - Penny Black).  I love this image, but it was challenging to watercolour with all those little berries.  I definitely will use markers next time. :)

I stamped in black ink onto mixed media paper and heat embossed with clear.  Then watercoloured the image using Distress Inks (listed below in the supplies).  I added a wash of diluted Faded Jeans at the end.  In hindsight, I should have watercoloured the background first or sponged.  It would have been easier. :)  

To finish, I splattered with diluted white pigment ink.  Once the splatters were dry, I stamped a sentiment (Festive Snippets - Penny Black) in black ink.

Close-up ...

Sending the above card to the following challenges:

1)  Penny Black Saturday Challenge - January - Something New

2)  NBUS Challenge #70 - 4th entry this month! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Resting; Festive Snippets (both Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Momento); Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin, Wild Honey, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Rusty Hinge, Faded Jeans (Tim Holtz); White Pigment ink (SU!)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, paint brushes

Challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - January

NBUS Challenge #70 

Happy Birthday Mom!

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for my mother who turns 96 soon.  She LOVES flowers and was an avid gardener when she was younger.  I have filled her card with lovely flowers that I know will make her happy. :)

I used a new-to-be Embossing Folder (Sun-Kissed Blooms by Altenew), along with the matching Stencils to sponge the design.  It turned out really well and was easy to do.  To finish I added a few dots of metallic silver for the stamens and a simple sentiment banner (Simply Sentiments - Lawn Fawn).

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the Seize the Birthday #297 - Use Something New (both the embossing folder and stencils are new), as well as another entry for NBUS Challenge #70. :)

  

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Salvage Patina, Peacock Feathers, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Sun-Kissed Blooms Embossing Folder  & Stencils (Altenew); detail sponge brushes, Black pen (Sharpie), Silver Metallic Pen (Pilot), White acrylic pen (Posca)

Challenges:

Seize the Birthday #297 - Use Something New.

NBUS Challenge #70 

More Ombré for Gof7

Hi everyone.  More cards for December's Group of Seven - Ombré - Design Element.  Today I'm sharing two Winter / Christmas cards that use stenciling with the Ombré technique. 

Group of Seven Cardmakers

I used DOX inks for sponging the Ombré background ... they go on so smoothly and create more of an opaque look.  I used three shades of purple inks (Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Villaneous Potion) over top of the stencil I made from a Tree Frame die (Gina Marie Designs), cut from Yupo paper.  Yupo makes great stencils ... it doesn't tear and you can use it many times; plus any water soluable ink will wipe off with a damp paper towel. :)

I cut my panel down a bit and then added a stamped sentiment in Wilted Violet ink to match the sponging.  Very quick and easy card to make!

Sending the above card to CAS on Friday Challenge #300 - Winter ...

* * * * *

For the next card, I used a lovely tree stencil from STAMPlorations called Christmas Trees.  I created a sponged Ombré background for the branches using only one colour of distress ink - Mowed Lawn.  The star is also Ombré using Wild Honey distress ink.  Once the sponging was dry, I placed the clean stencil back over top and used a palette knife to add a layer of Glass Bead Gel (Golden).  It's so beautiful when it dries, showing off the colour below and creating a sparkly finish on top with lots of texture.   A simple sentiment vellum banner, heat embossing with gold glitter powder, finishes this CAS design.

Sending the above card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #60 - Anything Christmas Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)

Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks: Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Villaneous Potion (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Sponges, Tree frame die (Gina Marie Designs) for creating stencil, Yupo Paper

Card #2:

Stamps:  Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)

Ink:   Distress Inks: Mowed Lawn, Wild Honey (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Sponges, Christmas Tree stencil (STAMPlorations), Glass Bead Gel (Golden); palette knife

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Ombré - Design Element

CAS on Friday Challenge #300 - Winter

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #60 - Anything Christmas Goes

Red & Kraft

Hi everyone.  I'm starting out 2025 with some Christmas cards using new-to-me gifts from Christmas!  Today I'm playing with a new die (Glorious Poinettia - Memory Box).  I cut the flower from mixed media paper and then sponged colour over top (Real Red and Baked Brown Sugar inks - SU!).

The background uses the Splash Watercolouring technique to create an artsy backdrop for this pretty poinsettia.  The sentiment (Christmas Messages - Hero Arts) is stamped in more of the Baked Brown Sugar ink.

I made this card specifically for the Color Hues Challenge #101 - Red & Kraft.  Love this colour combo!!

Since this is a new die, I'm sending this card to a couple of more challenges, NBUS Challenge #70 and Die Cut Divas January Challenge - Something New.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Christmas Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Real Red, Baked Brown Sugar (both from Stampin' Up!)  
Accessories:   Glorious Poinsettia die (Memory Box), sponges, water mister

Challenges:

Color Hues Challenge #101 - Red & Kraft

NBUS Challenge #70

Die Cut Divas January Challenge - Something New.

Winter Storm

Hi everyone.  I had fun playing with Brushos yesterday.  It's been a while.  I forgot how messy they can be. :)  Next time I will definitely wear protective gloves. :)

But, you can't deny, that the colours are so amazing.  I used just Black Brushos over top of the Aspen Tree Stencil (The Crafter's Workshop) on mixed media paper.  I spritzed with lots of water, quickly removed the stencil and let the water sit for a few seconds before carefully blotting with a paper towel.  I LOVE the gorgeous mix of colours you get.  Very simple card to make too!!  I added two snowhills by tearing my white card stock for the bottom; splattered diluted white acrylic paint for falling snow, and added a simple sentiment.  Done! :)

Close-up ...

I made this specifically for the January Stencil Fun challenge - Hello and/or Winter.  Thanks for the great challenge Darlene & Diane!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sayings (retired - MFT)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Black Brushos; Black (Memento)
Accessories:   water mister, Aspen Tree stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), white acrylic paint, splatter brush, Deer Trio die (IO)

Challenges:

January Stencil Fun challenge - Hello and/or Winter. 

Happy New Year!!

Hi everyone.  I hope you had a wonderful Holiday season and are starting off 2025 happy and healthy!!

Last year was a tough year for me.  I had more medical issues to deal with and ended up having surgery near the end of July.  It's taken most of the remainder of 2024 for me to recovery, but I am now feeling much better. 

On a positive note ... we found our forever home and get the keys a few days ago! YAY!  We sold in May last year and weren't able to find what we wanted so leased a rental house for a year.  Thankfully, we now can take our time moving into our new house since we still have the rental house until the end of March.  It all worked out in the end!! :)

On to today's card ...

I was inspired a three challenges to create this card using some new-to-me Christmas gifts. :)

I started by sponging the background of my card front panel with distress inks (Salvaged Patina, Wilted Violet), then ran it through my Gemini with the Comfy embossing folder (Penny Black).  I used my white pigment ink pad to lightly tap over top of the embossing, which left white ink on the highlights of the texture.  I tore two strips of white card stock to create the snow hills at the bottom and added a die-cut reindeer, (Antlers - Penny Black), cut twice and glued together to create a thick die-cut.  The sentiment (Festive Snippets - Penny Black) is stamped at the bottom in more Salvaged Patina ink.

This card is made with all Penny Black products. :)  Speaking of Penny Black, I have been a contributor for them since 2018, along with many other talented card makers.  This year they have switched things up and are not using most of the past contributors.  I'm a little sad that I won't be designing for them.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

1)  NBUS Challenge #70- never-before-used schtuff

2)  Can you Handle the Pressure - Anything Goes Embossing with a Twist of Winter

  

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Festive Snippets (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Salvage Patina, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Unicorn pigment ink (white) - Hero Arts
Accessories:   Comfy embossing folder (Penny Black), Antlers die (Penny Black), sponges 

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #70

Can you Handle the Pressure