Autumn Tree

Hi everyone.  One more card for the CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Tree.  The challenge is still open for a few more days ... come join us!

I do love to splatter. :)  I have made a similar tree like this done in pinks for a cherry blossom tree, but this time it's the autumn colours.  This is such a fun stamp set from SU! (retired) that was gifted to me by my dear friend Nancy!  LOVE IT! :)

Started by inking up my tree in a very light ink onto watercolour paper.  I use a waterbrush and dark brown ink to go over the trunk.  Next, I tear a hole in a piece of paper towel and use that for my mask ... you want the shape to be imperfect.  Then I splattered away with yellow, green, and orange inks in different shades.  Remove the mask and lightly splatter a bit more so it has more of a random look.  Then I added in small bits of branches showing through the leaves using dark brown ink and a water brush.  Sentiment is stamped in the same dark brown ink.

Stamps:  Branch Out (Stampin' Up! - retired)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Stampin' Up! dye inks:  More Mustard, Soft Suede and more colours that I have forgotten :)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, old paint brush for splattering

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Tree

Christmas with Markers

Hi everyone.  One more card for the CAS Mix Up Challenge - Ink with Markers.

The card above uses an old stamp that I've had for many years.  I coloured the stamp with markers, colouring all areas of one colour first and then stamping.  I repeated with the other two colours.  The dove was stamped a second time onto white card stock, fussy-cut, layered with Wink of Stella (shimmery finish that doesn't show in the photo), and paper pieced on top.

I also wanted to try stamping onto patterned paper.  It turned out really well.  I love the soft colour of this pale turquoise and white polka-dot paper.  I used it to make three cards that I'm posting today.  Still have paper left over and hope to make more of these. :)

Here's the close-up of the above card:

The other two cards, which have the image inked with black and/or coloured markers and stamped onto patterned paper.  Parts of the image for these cards were also stamped onto white card stock, coloured with markers and paper pieced on top.  There is a mix of marker direct to card stock and watercolouring with markers.

Here's the close-ups ...

and ...

Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Wishes card:
Stamps:  Gifts at Christmas (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:   Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Stampin' Write Markers:  Real Red, Old Olive, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear Wink of Stella

Season's Greeting card:
Stamps:  Holiday Mail (Deep Red); Banner Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Stampin' Write Markers:  Old Olive, Real Red, Baked Brown Sugar, Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools: Water brush, Clear Wink of Stella


Let it Snow card:
Stamps:  Merry Delight (Penny Black)
Paper:   Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Stampin' Write Markers:  Real Red, Smoky Slate (SU!); Evergreen Bough Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, Softly Falling embossing folder (Sizzix for SU!)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Ink with Markers

Holly Wreath

Hi everyone.  Time for the reminder for CAS Christmas Challenge.  This month is being hosted by the very talented Nance.  She wants us to include a wreath on our CAS Christmas cards.

I got this small holly die from Impression Obsession a while ago and it's been waiting patiently for me to use it (NBUS again Dolly!!).

I die-cut it from patterned paper several times.  I used a stylus and mat to shape my holly leaves, and then glued them around a ring die-cut from card stock using two sizes of circle dies.  I used my small (1/16") hole punch to punch out some extra berries from red card stock and glued them on.  A simple sentiment was stamped in red to finish the card.  A QCAS card (quick, clean, and simple). :)

Here's a close-up ...

Check out the reminder post on the challenge blog to see the new, beautiful wreath cards from our Designers and Guest Designer, Birgit.  Then come join us.  We'd love to see you in the gallery!!  There's still a week left to play!

Stamps:  Christmas Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); Real red (SU!)
Ink:  Barn Door (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Patchwork Holly die (Impression Obsession), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinder), 1/16" hole punch

Challenges:
CAS Christmas September Challenge - Wreath

Happy Birthday Tree

Hi everyone.  We are already more than half way through September ... where is this year disappearing to??!!

Today I'm sharing a reminder card for the CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Tree, which is being hosted by me. :)

Placed a mixed media card base and tree stamp in the Misti.  Inked up the grass at the bottom of the image using two shades of green markers.  Spritzed with a little water and stamped onto the mixed media card base.  Spritzed again (not adding any more ink) and pressed again over the image.  Used my heat tool to dry before moving to the next colour.

Repeated the process above for the tree branches using two shades of light brown markers, spritzing and stamping.  Repeated another spritz and stamp without re-inking the image.  Added some dark brown ink to the lower trunks, spritzed with water and stamped.  Let dry.  With everything still in the Misti, I cleaned off the stamp and then inked with Versamark, stamped onto the image and then heat embossed in clear.  I was planning on sponging the sky and the heat embossing would protect the image from being effected by the sponging.  But in the end, I left it white.

Stamped sentiment several times to get good coverage and then heat embossed in clear so that it has the shiny finish to match the image.  To finish card, used corner round on top left corner.  I think this makes a great masculine birthday card.

Here's a close-up ...

Would love for you to check out the challenge blog where there is lots of inspiration from newly posted watercoloured tree cards from our amazing Designers, and wonderful Guest Designer, Ros.

Adding this to the CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Ink with Markers. :)

Stamps:  snowy village stamp (Penny Black); smile today! stamp (Penny Black)
Paper: Mixed media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Stampin' Write markers:  old olive, always artichoke, crumb cake, based brown sugar, early espresso; Versamark
Accessories & Tools: water mister, clear embossing powder, heat tool, corner rounder

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Tree
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Ink with Markers