Thursday, February 11, 2021

February's Zoom Fun!

Hi everyone.  Yesterday was the monthly Zoom call with my Crafty Friends. :)  We tried out a few more sponging techniques that everyone seemed to enjoy.  These are just two of the card samples I made for the call.

Starting with a technique from a recent Kristina Werner video.  Not sure what she calls this, but I would say it's like a sponging bleed through a stencil.  I have enjoyed trying bleeds from watercolouring, and this is similar in look.

Used a beautiful stencil (Festive from Tim Holtz), along with my blender brushes to add different colours of distress ink over the stencil (Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn, Forrest Green, Rustic Wilderness, Gathered Twigs, Chipped Sapphire).  With using the really small brushes to get into tight spaces, I didn't have to do any masking - bonus!

Removed stencil and then used the blender brushes to add a very soft "haze" over each of the stenciled images in the same colour ink.  This blending fills in most of the white space and softens the overall look.  LOVE IT!

Close-up ...
Added a few extra details such as white paint pen to add snow to the pinecones, holly, and leaves, crystal glaze to the berries; stamped the sentiment (Big Scripty Greetings Holiday - Simon Says Stamp) in Chipped Sapphire ink, heat embossing in clear.  I thought it didn't stand out enough, so used the small tip of the crystal glaze to draw over the sentiment.  To finish, I splattered "falling snow" using diluted white acrylic paint.




Here's the second card I made ... can you tell I'm still happy to be making Christmas cards??!! :)
I'm really happy with how this turned out as well.  Used a stencil from Kaisercraft (Poinsettia), and the same technique as above.  Used a silver metallic pen to add dots to the centers of the poinsettias, and pencils to add veins to the poinsettias and holly.  Just adding little details makes a big difference.  I die-cut "noel" (from Memory Box - retired) from black card stock four times and layered them together with glue.  I covered the stack with Versamark and heat embossed with UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) three times to get this beautiful, glossy finish.

Close-up ...
Thanks for stopping by to take a look.  I hope to post more sample cards soon, as well as the cards I made yesterday.


Stamps:  Big Scripty Greetings Holiday (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Night of Navy card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn, Forrest Green, Rustic Wilderness, Gathered Twigs, Chipped Sapphire (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Festive stencil (Tim Holtz); blending brushes, Posca white acrylic paint pen, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo), clear embossing powder, heat tool

Stamps:  None
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories: Poinsettia stencil (Kaisercraft); blending brushes, silver metallic pen (Pilot), watercolour pencils (Derwent), Noel die (Memory Box), UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel), heat tool  

31 comments:

Tina Z. said...

Wow, what a stunning technique and absolutely amazing cards.
Hugs xx

Heather said...

These are gorgeous Loll, another appealing technique to try!

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, my word, both of these are fantastically beautiful! I have to go look at the video. Thank you!

Nstiz said...

WOW! What a burst of color this is and what a powerful effect! Thank you for the link! This is something I must see. I LOVE the effect of this technique but your choice of color really makes these pop.

Sharyn Polesel said...

These are wonderful! I can't wait to try this technique.

Susan said...

Two gorgeous Christmas cards, Loll! Especially the first one - love the navy strip down the side - it really emphasizes the berries. Such a great technique!

Gibmiss said...

Two stunning cards Loll....
Hugs Sylvie xx

Sandy said...

Definitely attractive - I really, really like the Poinsettia card.
Sandy xx

nancy littrell said...

Wow..Two really stunning stenciled with added blended shading Christmas cards Lolly!!! I definitely have this technique on my to do list. TFS the link the Kristine's technique. Love the 2 Christmas stencils, your colors, sentiments and your gorgeous stacked and thick heat embossed Noel. Loved all your beautiful final details on both cards too. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Bonnie said...

Two beautiful Christmas cards, Lolly! I love the blended stenciled technique! Thanks for sharing it with us! Love those bold sentiments too!

Christine Alexander said...

thanks for finding this technique for us Loll- it was such a fun zoom :)
Love both cards but the blue became my favourite XX

TK said...

Pretty stencils, but you've made fantastic cards with them -- love this technique!

Robyn Oliver said...

Wonderful technique Loll, and two gorgeous cards... the soft colour bleeds look lovely and fill in the background... another for my to do list, hugs Robyn

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful cards Loll - love the soft 'look' of the final card.
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Julie B said...

That technique gives the cards a dreamy look that is very appealing. I love the second one, but then it is a poinsettia stencil and I love poinsettias. My real life one is hanging in there just! :)

Jeanne said...

How fun for you and your friends! This technique looks wonderful. I really like the soft effect, but the use of bold colors as well. And I really like that you are continuing to work on Christmas cards. Very smart. Thanks for sharing this neat technique and the lovely cards that resulted from using it. :) crafty hugs!

Kris said...

These are just gorgeous, Loll! I've finished my sewing projects for now and cannot wait to get to play with inks and stencils!! Thanks for sharing :)

Viv said...

Oh these are GOR-JUSS Lolly!!!
Off to check out the video too as I have to have a go! xx

JosieD said...

These cards are beautiful and unique. Love this sponging technique...thanx for sharing it from your group.

Brenda in IN said...

I love the blue berries and soft look of this technique. It is my favorite of the cards we made, although I love them all. All new things I haven't tried before. The poinsettia card is beautiful and what a pretty, shiny sentiment. Thank you for sharing your samples and techniques.

Mac Mable said...

That technique sure does produce unique and stunning backgrounds and effects Loll. Both cards are amazing and I love your attention to detail x. As you say adding little details makes a big difference. The sentiments on both cards look stunning too x. Looking forward to seeing more Loll x.

Anita in France said...

The softness of both cards is just gorgeous, Loll ... the additional sponging over the stencilling adds a kind of glow to each one ... and your final touches are fabulous! Looks as though you had a fun session! Hugs, Anita :)

Marcia Hill said...

These are both absolutely beautiful Loll and now you've given me another technique I want to try out!! Love the blue on your berries in the 1st card...so pretty and striking!! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! Hugs. :0)

HilaryJane said...

Great technique, it really adds a glow to your cards, stunning xx

Brenda said...

Wow, looks like it was a successful zoom date as always! I love those stencils you used Loll and I love both of your cards. They are stunning! Looks like a fun technique to do and you got lovely results. I love the colors you chose for both of them. Again, stunning cards! Hugs, Brenda

Ros Crawford said...

You are the Queen of techniques and whatever you did here produced two amazing and unique creations... Stunning!

Papercraft Boutique said...

Wow, both cards are stunning and eye-catching, Loll! I love the haze effect and the shiny details! Glad that you had another fun and productive zoom crafting session. :-)
Hideko xx

Linda said...

WOW! This technique looks like fun, with amazing results. I love the colour combination and the hazy effect on the first card, and the poinsettias look beautiful on the second xx

BożenA said...

If you make such a beautiful Christmas card, you can never get bored! I love your cards, especially the second card. The addition of a haze of color makes the card even more beautiful and gains so much delicacy. All details added to the picture bring the picture to life.
xx

Rachelle Oltean said...

WOW- two beautiful cards and the techniques you used are amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at the Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog!
Rachelle DT : )

Bobby said...

I'm way behind in commenting but I'm slowing weeding through March's emails and had to comment on this card. (You'll be seeing more as I go to newer posts but I won't necessarily comment on them all.)
You've made me fall in love with that TH stencil, Loll. I've used it a few times and never really liked it but using smaller brushes and then inking over the finished stencil really makes a difference. I'm saving to remind myself. ;)