Saturday, August 28, 2021

Penny Black - Puptastic

Hi everyone.  I'm sharing a Penny Black card using a recent release.  I started by stamping the main image (Puptastic 30-830) in black ink and clear heat embossing.  The background is sponged with green and blue inks.  I tried to add clouds to the sky but it didn't work out ... but I did get some lovely texture to the sky - a happy accident. :)

The pup and flowers are coloured with Zigs.  The sentiment is from another stamp set in this release, called Blown Away (30-836).

Close-up ...

Very simple card which works perfect with these fun stamps!

Product Links


Stamps:  Puptastic, Blown Away (both Penny Black)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean Distress Inks (Tim Holtz); Zigs
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, sponges, paint brushes


Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Be Merry

Hi everyone.  I dug through my box of leftovers and found a piece of yupo with alcohol inks.  That started my card. :)

The background is alcohol inks (blue and green), cut with the circle die.  I tore a piece of white card stock to create the snowy hill for the reindeer die (Retro Reindeer - Simon Says Stamp) to stand on.  The background is embossed with Woodland folder (Stampin' Up! - retired).  A simple sentiment (Snowglobe Sentiments - MFT - retired) is stamped in Evergreen Bough distress ink to finish the card.

Close-up ...


Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sentiments (MFT - retired)
Paper:   White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo
Ink:   Alcohol inks (Ranger); Evergreen Bough distress ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Circle die (Spellbinders - retired); Retro Reindeer die (Simon Says Stamp); Woodland Embossing Folder (SU! - retired)

Challenges:



Sunday, August 22, 2021

Stamping Through Stencil

Hi everyone.  Back with another stamping through stencil using the same heart stencil as THIS CARD.  There are still a few days left to play along with our CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Stamping Through Stencil.  
Jenny is our host.

I loved how my first heart stencil worked, so did a second card using it again.  Placed it over my card front panel and secured with tape before lightly sponging with Picked Raspberry distress ink.  After watercolouring the flowers, I wasn't thrilled with the colour combination, so sponged salty ocean over the picked raspberry background and ended up with this pretty background colour. :)

Stamped the image, Peony Stems & Blossoms - retired (Poppy Stamps) in black ink and clear heat embossed.  The blossoms and stems were watercoloured with Zigs (they are so bright and happy colours!).  I placed the stencil back overtop and outlined the heart with a thin black marker.  It made a huge difference to the design.  Finished by stamping a simple sentiment (A Little Sentimental - Clearly Besotted) near the bottom of the heart.  The card front was popped up from the base to some dimension.  

Close-up ...



Stamps:  Peony Stems & Blossoms - retired (Poppy Stamps); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White Card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Picked Raspberry distress ink; Zigs
Accessories & Tools:  Heart stencil (cut from die); clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool), Watercolour Paint Brushes (Round #2 & #4), thin black marker


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge Reminder - Stamping through Stencil


Thursday, August 19, 2021

Zoom Session - Embossing with Foil Card Stock

Hi everyone.  Yesterday we had our regular monthly Zoom call.  This month Bonnie shared a new-to-us technique following one of Jennifer McGuire's videos.  

Bonnie graciously mailed each of us a package of different coloured foil card stock to use.  Love happy mail! :)  Thanks Bonnie!  Each of us made several cards from the foil card stock ahead of time and then shared our finished cards on our Zoom call.

Technique is simple.  Dry emboss foil card stock and embossing folders (regular or 3D EFs both work well).  As an added element, use a sanding block to highlight the raised design.  It removes the colour to reveal silver underneath.  Then make your card.

I tried several of the colours so there are lots of photos below.  I cut the pieces to make two cards from each of an A2 Foil card front (5 1/2 x 4 1/4).

My favourite is the card at the top of this post.  I LOVE the rose coloured foil with black and white accents.

Sending the first card to NBUS Challenge #29.  Actually every one of these cards uses a new product. :)  Yay!


All products I used are listed at the bottom of this post.


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Love the blue foil paired with white die-cuts ...

 

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The bright green makes beautiful Christmas cards.  Three more for my stash! :)

  


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Last, but not least, gold foil card stock with a beautiful flower embossing folder.  No sanding on the butterfly card (gorgeous butterfly die-cut gifted to me by Bonnie)


  
I hope you like this technique and will give it a try.


Product Links
Card 1:

Card 2:

Card 3:
Frieda Curve die (Poppy Stamps - retired)

Card 4:

Card 5:
holly vine die (retired)
Inspired (Penny Black) - reindeer die
Art Deco Celebrate Christmas - Poppy Stamps - retired

Card 6:

Card 7:
Snowglobe Sentiments (My Favorite Things - retired)

Card 8:
Dreamy die (Memory Box) - butterfly die-cut gifted to me by Bonnie
Brushed Wishes (Stampendous - retired)

Card 9:
Two flowers die (AliExpress)



Challenges:

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Penny Black - Seashells

Hi everyone.  I'm back with a card using one of the new release stamp sets from Penny Black, Seashells set (30-843).  

I started by smooshing the background panel using a few drops of Peacock Distress ink Re-inker (very concentrated) and a few drops of Delicata Gold Re-inker.  Spritzed with water and moved the colour around using a plastic knife.  Smooshed with a piece of mixed media paper until the entire surface was covered with ink.  Still had ink left on my mat, so smooshed a second piece, adding a bit more water, but not more ink.  This second panel is the one used on this card.

Stamped the image in black ink and clear heat embossed before watercolouring mostly with perfect pearls (pink, copper, gold) and distress ink Pine Needles.  There is a lot of shimmer on this card!

The sentiment (from the same stamp set) is stamped in black and clear heat embossed.  Adhered the panel over a white card base.

Product Links
* * * * *
Jessie had surgery yesterday on her left hip.
It seems to be a lot harder on her than her last surgery (right hip) which was 7 months ago.
Hopefully today will be a better day.

* * * * *


Stamps:  Seashells (Penny Black)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Peacock Feathers Distress Re-inker; Delicata Gold Re-inker (Tsukinecko); Black (Memento);  Pine Needles distress ink (Tim Holtz); Perfect Pearls (pink, copper, gold)
Accessories:   Water mister, Plastic knife, Clear embossing Powder, heat tool, paint brushes


Sunday, August 15, 2021

CAS Challenges August Reminders

Hi everyone.  Back to reminder you that we are half way through August.  There's nine days left to play along with our CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Stamping Through Stencil.  Jenny is hosting this challenge and I've had a lot of fun looking through my stencils to see what would work with stamping.  Another great way to stretch the use of some of our stencils!!

Jenny is our host.
I used a stencil that I made with one of my heart dies.  Placed it over my card front panel and secured with tape before lightly sponging with Antique Linen distress ink.  I sponged darker around the edges.

Stamped the image, Rose Teacup (Stampendous) in versamark ink and heat embossed with Liquid Platinum embossing powder (Ranger).  The roses and berries are watercoloured with distress markers, Candied Apple and Mahogany; the leaves are watercoloured with distress marker Peeled Paint.  The card is finished with a sentiment from an AliExpress stamp set, stamped in Candied Apple ink.  

Close-up ...

We have been so lucky to have two very talented Guest Designers with us this month.  Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from our Guest Designers, Bobby (bits and pieces) and Michele (I Card Everyone).  Also check out the beautiful reminder cards from our talented Design Team.

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And here is the reminder card for CAS Christmas August Challenge - Decorations.  This is a cute image from Gerda Steiner (Little Reindeer).  I love how the reindeer has decorated his antlers! :)

Cathy is our host.
Used a new-to-me embossing folder to add a frame of embossed snowflakes to the background.  Stamped the reindeer in black and heat embossed in clear, then watercoloured with zigs.  Added cheeks using red chalk and white Posca pen, shine on the his nose and the stars is Crystal Glaze.  Tore a piece of white card stock for the snow hill and added clear wink of stella to the torn part to add some shimmer.  The sentiment (Merry Messages - Lawn Fawn) is stamped in Candied Apple Distress Ink.

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I hope you'll check out the challenge blogs to see the amazing cards from our Designers, Guest Designers, and participants.  If you haven't had time to play along, there's over a week left before both challenges close on 24th at midnight PST.  Come join us!


CAS Mix Up Reminder - sending you love
Stamps:  Pop Rose Teacup (Stampendous)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White Card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Antique Linen distress ink, Distress Markers:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Heart stencil (cut from die); Liquid Platinum embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool), sponge, Watercolour Paint Brushes (Round #2 & #4); Snowflake Oval Frame embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp)


CAS Christmas Reminder - Merry & Bright
Stamps:  Little Reindeer (Gerda Steiner); Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Real Red card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Zigs; Candied Apple Distress ink
Accessories & Tools:  Snowflake Embossing Folder (?), paint brushes, Clear Wink of Stella, red chalk, white Posca Pen, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo)


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge Reminder - Stamping through Stencil
CAS Christmas August Challenge Reminder - Decorations


The Flower Challenge #59 Reminder

Hi Everyone.  Today is the reminder for The Flower Challenge #59 - Use a Die.

I received this beautiful stamp set (Kind Soul - WPlus 9) and matching die (Kind Soul die - WPlus 9)  from a sweet friend a few years ago.  I have used it A LOT and still love it.  So many ways you can use this image!

This time I stamped and heat embossed the image in Princess Gold embossing powder.  I cut out the image using the matching die and then cut off one side and fussy-cut the ends a little so that the image would fit on it's side, inside a dotty border (Hemstitch Border - Spellbinders).  I used soft pink, blue/green, and green distress inks to watercolour the image.  I then used the pink and blue/green to add a smooshed background with border.  

To finish, stamped the sentiment (part of the stamp set) in Versamark and heat embossed in more Princess Gold embossing powder.

Close-up ...
I used two dies - the matching die to the flower image and the border die. :)

Hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the amazing reminder cards from the Designers.  Challenge is open for ten more days!  Come join us!


Product Links


Stamps:  Kind Soul (WPlus9)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Versamark; Distress Inks:  Picked Raspberry, Evergreen Bough, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Princess Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, paint brushes (Round #4 and #2), water mister, Kind Soul die (WPlus9)

Challenges:

Friday, August 13, 2021

Cosmos

Hi everyone.  I have another 6" square card to share today.  I bought several large flower stamps recently and am having so much fun with them!  This one is called Cosmos Background (Simon Says Stamp).  I stamped in black ink, heat embossed in clear, and watercoloured with distress inks: Picked Raspberry, Festive Berries, Mustard Seed, and Peeled Paint.

The sentiment was a bit of a challenge.  Nothing showed up on this busy background.  Thankfully I tried adding a vellum banner and it was enough to show the black die-cut sentiment (Sending Smiles  - Simon Says Stamp) - YAY!  It also lets you see the design through the vellum - bonus.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Heat Embossing.  The cosmos are clear heat embossed.

Also sending to NBUS Challenge #29 - believe it's the first time this stamp has been inked up.  Definitely the sentiment die is new. :)


Thanks for stopping by!


Stamps:  Cosmos Background (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black Card Stock (SU!); Vellum (SU!)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Picked Raspberry, Festive Berries, Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger); Watercolour paint brushes (Round #2, #4, #6)

Challenges:

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Twofer #41 Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the last Twofer Challenge (Twofer #41).  Dolly (aka Darnell) ... thank you for all your hard work and dedication running this unique and fun challenge!  It's been a really fun four years, my sweet friend! 

Remember to follow the rules.
I used Puppy Mail (Gerda Steiner) for both my cards.  The first card is an encouraging message I'm sending to a dear friend.  I recently made a snow globe card that used 10 layers of frames ... so I have 10 pieces of the center left over and used one today for my background. :)  I sponged the top with Rolling Clouds stencil from My Favorite Things in Broken China distress ink.  The grass is another stencil called Slimline Grassy Hillside (Lawn Fawn), sponged with Mowed Lawn ink.  I added a few details with a green watercolour pencil to the grass.  The mailbox and puppy are stamped on a separate mixed media panel, watercoloured with zigs and fussy-cut.  The sentiment (part of the same stamp set) was stamped in black to finish the card.
For the second card I used the same puppy from the first card, changing up the colour of his fur.  He is stamped, watercoloured with distress inks and fussy cut.  I die-cut the Giant Happy Birthday die (Lawn Fawn), and watercoloured with zigs in colours of the rainbow.  The puppy is popped up to add a bit of dimension.  To me, it looks like the puppy is singing "Happy Birthday to you". :)

I had a lot of fun making these cards.  These cute critters had me smiling the whole time. :)

I'm also going to send the second card to NBUS Challenge #29.  First time using this adorable stamp set and the large birthday die. 

Product Links
Giant Happy Birthday die (Lawn Fawn)



Stamps:  Puppy Mail (Gerda Steiner)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Zigs; Distress Inks:  Broken Glass, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Acessories:  Rolling Clouds Stencil (My Favorite Things), Slimline Grassy Hillside stencil (Lawn Fawn), paint brushes, sponges, Giant Happy Birthday die (Lawn Fawn)

Challenges:

Friday, August 06, 2021

Penny Black - Mountain Magic, Part 2

Hi everyone.  Years ago I used to love brayering cards.  I followed Michelle Zindorf ... she is amazing with this technique and I learned a lot just reading how she made her cards.  

But then I started trying all different types of techniques and I left brayering behind for several years.  I have seen some cards using this technique lately, so thought I'd see if I could remember how to do it. :)  Here is my first attempt.  Overall I'm happy with the card, but I definitely need more practise brayering.  :)

I used glossy paper so that the brayer glides on the paper.  I started by sponging the center first with Mustard Seed ink and then on top of that with Abandoned Coral ink.  Next I inked up my brayer with Chipped Sapphire, which is a deep blue.  This looks like a night sky to me.  I did add some Wilted Violet at the top but it doesn't really show.

I stamped my silhouette mountains and bullrushes (Mountain Madness 40-751) in black ink to finish.  It takes a while for the ink to dry on the glossy paper so I set it aside.  Once dry, I stamped my sentiment (Good Wishes 30-541) in black ink onto my card front before adding the popped up, inked panel.

Close-up ...
Thanks for stopping by!





















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Jessie's playday with Attalie
(First meeting and good friends already!)

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Stamps:  Mountain Magic, Good Wishes (both Penny Black)
Paper:   Glossy Paper (SU!); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Abandoned Coral, Chipped Sapphire, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Sponges, Brayer