Get Well Soon

Hi everyone.  Back with a reminder for the CAS Stencil January Challenge.  Make sure to check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful reminder cards from our talented Designers.

I started by sponging over a honeycomb stencil onto regular card stock.  This is from my stash, so not sure the colours I used for sponging, but most likely Distress Inks:  Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed.  I only wanted the center to be sponged and so faded out as I got towards the edges.

I used a NBUS stamp set that I bought from AliExpress.  I stamped the image in Versafine Black (Permanent ink) onto a scrap piece of mixed media paper.  I set the colour with my heat tool and fussy-cut the image.  The image is watercoloured with zigs and popped up over the sponged card front.  I stamped the sentiment from the same set.

Here's a close-up ...

Here's a photo of the inside of the card.  I used more stamps from the same set.  The honey jar was stamped on a piece of scrap mixed media, fussy-cut and glued to the inside of the card.

I hope you'll come join us for the very first CAS Stencil Challenge.  If you haven't played along yet, there's still lots of time.  Challenge closes January 24th at midnight PDST.

Stamps:  Get Well Soon (AliExpress)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark Black; Zigs; Distress Inks:  Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Honeycomb stencil (cut with my Silhouette Cameo), sponge, water brush, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Stencil January Challenge - Sponging

Christmas Joy

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a reminder card for CAS Christmas January Challenge, hosted by Christine.

I had a piece of silver heat embossed rubber band design in my stash.  Smooshed it with blue magicals and die-cut from a NBUS die that I bought from AliExpress.  I also die-cut a second "JOY" from silver foil card stock, along with small layering poinsettias.  Glued the two "JOY" die-cuts together with the silver foil in the background, off-setting it slightly from the top layer of blue.  I popped it up on foam and added a layered poinsettia.  Three small glitter balls were added to the center of the poinsettia to finish.  QACAS (quick and clean and simple) card that was fun and easy to make.

Here's a close-up ...

... and an even closer look ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from our Guest Designer, Kaj (Kajcyika Crafts), and our wonderful Designers.  Then come play along.  There's still a week left before the challenge closes on January 24th at midnight (PST).

Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Silver Foil card stock (SU!); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark, Lindy's Magicals
Accessories & Tools:  silver embossing powder, rubber bands, brayer, heat tool, water mister, JOY die (AliExpress), Poinsettia Parade die (Simon Says Stamp), mini silver glitter balls

Challenges:
CAS Christmas January Challenge - Blue and Silver

Winter Wonderland

Hi everyone.  Sharing watercoloured card today of a NBUS (never before used schtuff ... as Dolly would say) stamp.  This is from Serendipity.  Very simple card with the stamped image watercoloured with distress inks and fussy cut.  Created a peek-a-boo window card with a sky background and popped the image over top.  I added wink of stella to the snow for a bit of sparkle but it doesn't show in the photo.

This is my reminder card for the CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Winter.  There's still over a week to play along in the challenge.

Here is a close-up ...

I hope you'll have time to check out the reminder post on the challenge blog to see new, inspiring cards from our Designers and Guest Designer, Janet.  Then come play along!

Stamps:  Cardinals (Serendipity Stamps)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Broken China (Tim Holtz); Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, Clear Wink of Stella

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Winter

Bokeh Love

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder post for CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Bokeh.  Nancy is hosting this challenge as her final month at CAS Mix Up!  We will miss you Nancy!

I love the look of this wonderful photographic technique.  For my card above, I started with a very small strip of leftover yupo with alcohol inks that I had in my stash.  It was JUST wide enough to fill the background for the square peek-a-boo window.  I knew I wanted a black silhouette die-cut to place on top, so looked through my dies and found this darling cupid that I received as a gift from a very sweet friend.  Thank you BozenA!  This goes with the bokeh background perfectly and so does this sentiment that I tend to use a lot (love it too!).

To remove colour from the alcohol ink background to create the bokeh design, I started with my alcohol lift pad.  I've had it for a while, but not used and it was already dry.  Apparently that happens so you need to order re-inker for it (which I had).  I added the reinker, but it was still going slowly.  I folded up a paper towel and placed it in a small container and poured in blending solution.  Picked up some of the solution with a finger dauber, dabbed off any excess and then sponged through a circle stencil.  It worked great!!  I will probably use this more than having to buy alcohol ink lift re-inker all the time.  That's just my experience ... you need to decide for yourself..

Here's a close-up of the card ...

Sweet!  Right??!!

Please check out the reminder post on CAS Mix Up challenge blog to see the reminder cards from the rest of our Designers, along with our wonderful Guest Designer, Viv.

Then come play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Since I used sponging through a circle stencil to remove colour ... I'm adding this to the CAS Stencil January Challenge - Sponging!

Stamps:  Many Everyday Sentiments (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Yupo; White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Alcohol inks
Accessories & Tools:  Blending solution, finger dauber, Circle Stencil (AliExpress), Stitched Window die (AliExpress); Cupid die (gift from a friend - unknown)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Bokeh
CAS Stencil January Challenge - Sponging