Wednesday, September 01, 2021

CAS Mix Up September Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of a new CAS Mix Up Challenge for September - Autumn Colours.  Even though it is not "officially" Autumn yet, some leaves have already changed colour and are falling from the trees.  This is my favourite time of year.  I love Autumn colours and especially love it when it is cool and crisp outside. :)  This month's challenge is being hosted by the lovely Leslie (Running with Scissors).  She is asking us to include Autumn colours in our cards this month and there must be watercolouring as well.


I started by creating a gradiant background wash.  I tried it with two different types of paper (mixed media and bristol).  I used my Liquid Watercolors from Blick Art (concentrate).  I do love the intensidy of these concentrated colours.  I place some on my palette, sprized with a little water and also spritzed my paper with lots of water before using a large brush to pick up the colours and swipe them across the paper.  I overlapped them slightly so they would blend together.  Easy, peasy backgrounds! :)

After they were dry, I decided the mixed media paper was a slightly better blend of colours. I cut the panel to size and added some foam to the background to pop it up on my white card front.  I die-cut a new-to-me die, Leafy Branch (Simon Says Stamp).  I used gold mirror card stock (Tonic) and love how it looks.  Photographing it is another issue. :)  I glued the leafy branch over my watercolour wash and added a simple black sentiment banner with gold embossed HELLO (Happy Messages - Stampendous).

Close-up ...

I'm sending the above card to NBUS Challenge #30.  The leafy branch die is new-to me. :)

I have a Twofer for this post.  I took the negative left from the leaves die-cut gold foil card stock, and placed it over top of the Bristol paper with watercolour wash.  I added a simple white sentiment banner with gold embossed "Happy Birthday" (Many Everyday Messages - Hero Arts).  Sorry for the bad photo ... it was the best I could get because of all the reflection from the foil card stock ...

This is actually pretty in real life.  You'll have to take my word on that. :)

We are thrilled to have Ros (Mikey's Mom) as our Guest Designer this month at CAS Mix Up.  Welcome Ros!

Please check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful Autumn Colours cards from our amazing Guest Designer and our talented Designers.  Then come play along.  The challenge is open until end of day September 24th.

Hope to see you in the gallery!


Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)



Stamps:  Happy Messages (Stampendous)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!); Gold Mirror card (Tonic)
Ink:   Liquid Watercolors from Concentrate (Blick Art Materials):  Yellow, Orange, Red; Versamark
Accessories:   1" watercolour paint brush, water mister, Leafy Branch die (Simon Says Stamp), Gold embossing powder (Ranger); heat tool

Twofer:
Stamp:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
All other supplies the same as above card

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Autumn Colours

29 comments:

HilaryJane said...

That blended water colour background is truly amazing and the gold leaves over the top is all that is needed a stunning card. Great use of the negative on your second card too xx

Inkyfingers said...

What a great twofer, Loll! I particularly love the beautiful watercolour gradient - a perfect background for the gorgeous leaves.
Hope autumn is good for you this year.
Take care.
Hugs
Carol x

BożenA said...

Mirror paper can play a trick in a photo. While reading your post and browsing through the photos I had the impression that I was watching 2 cards :-) One with a golden branch and the other card with a branch inlaid with black elements :-)) This card is unusual in its reception. I like beautiful bold colors.
hugs,
BożenA

conil said...

Look at you with your Fall twofer. The boldness of those colors on your first card really makes the shiny leaves pop. Reminiscent of a fall forest with the bright sunshine pouring down on the trees. And clever use of the negative panel to ensure you got all that foil paper had to offer.

Nstiz said...

Beautiful fall card, Loll and I love the negative die over the gorgeous gradient. I never think to do that- and get two cards for the effort. Thanks for the link to Dick Blick liquid watercolors- not that I need to shop again but they do look like fun.

Pat said...

I love your pretty gold leaves over the gorgeous bright watercoloured background Loll and the wonderful contrast of the gold on black sentiment strip to make a beautiful card. x

Susan said...

Beautiful autumn colours, Loll - they look wonderful with the gold mirror card on it!

Barb Ghig said...

Gorgeous cards, Loll! I love how you used the colors of the rainbow for your background on the first card...so pretty and the shine on your gold foiled leaves is just perfect! I think your 2nd card is also beautiful, and I'll bet it looks amazing in person ~ xx

Liz said...

Beautiful cards, Loll. I know what you mean about photographing mirror card! xx

Leslie Miller said...

Wow, such intensely vibrant and gorgeous colors! I thought it was a black die cut in your first photo, then everything looks different in your second. Amazing how things can change with the light. Either way it's absolutely beautiful! Love how you switched it up and used the negative for your bonus card. I know how pretty the gold foil is, so no doubt it's even more stunning IRL.

Ros Crawford said...

Your painted background is divine! And two beautiful cards Loll... Thank you for inviting me to join you this month!

Julie B said...

Love the vibrancy of the watercolour wash, Loll. I also agree that photoing mirror card is a nightmare!! :)

kiwimeskreations said...

Stunning cards Loll - gold class!! Love your backgrounds and the gold leaves look amazing over it - both the die cut and the negative
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Bobby said...

The blended backgrounds are glorious, Loll, and the gold leaves (and panel) look beautiful with them. Yay for getting a Twofer!

Bonnie said...

I know how hard it is to get a good photo of foil, and I also know how gorgeous it looks in person! Love your Autumn watercolored background and how it shows of the foil leaves! How awesome to get another from the leftover pieces!

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Dear Loll: I received your gorgeous card for my birthday yesterday, you must see it in real life to appreciate the amazing colors on it.
The gold foil paper is the most perfect way to enhance the warm Autumn colors on the leaves.
Thank you so much for thinking of me, sweet friend.
Stay healthy and safe.
Sending love and hugs.
Maria.

Christine Alexander said...

Beautiful autumn colours Loll and I always love them with a hint of gold. Great way to use the negative part of the die cut ♥

Darnell said...

I Love your Twofer designs, Lolly! The blending you did with the liquid watercolors is just flawless on both cards. It's great that it is ez-pz and any lovely die-cut leaf or flower would work. Another pin for my board!! Love, Dolly

TK said...

Fabulous! Lovely fall colors, so warm and inviting

Marcia Hill said...

Great twofer loll! I love the intensity of color you have on your background, and well you know I love pink and orange together, so this card totally stands out to me! And your gold leaf die is SO pretty against all that lovely color too!! Your 2nd card with the negative is just as pretty too. Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! Hugs. :0)

Mac Mable said...

The wash and the colours look beautiful on your first card and all enhanced with the stunning gold foil leaf die cut. Another fabulous second card and great use of the negative die cut and the other colour washed background. Two stunners Loll x.

Brenda said...

Love both of these cards Loll, the wash of color is just gorgeous! The gold too, just so beautiful. Can't waste that beautiful wash of color, so happy you used the cut out on a second card. Hugs, Brenda

Chrissie said...

This is so simple by my what a punch it packs... those background colours are so vibrant and dramatic. Great bonus to make the second card too!
Chrissie x

Viv said...

A gorgeous colour combo Loll - great makes! x

Papercraft Boutique said...

Two gorgeous autumn leaf cards, Loll! The gold leaf looks wonderful on the warm autumn color watercolor wash background. You used the negative of the di-cut so well for the second card. Love that you tried the watercolor wash with mix media and bristol paper and find how the liquid watercolor works on it! I know taking a good picture of foil cardstock is very difficult, but you took good shots!
Hideko xx

nancy littrell said...

Love your gradient watercolor wash background using Autumn colors, Lolly. TFS the close up of the gold shine from your beautiful die cut leaves. Such a Gorgeous Autumn card, my friend. TFS the 2nd card using your negative card front piece over the colored background. Happy Autumn, my friend. I am going to be busy today freezing corn...it is definitely Fall..my favorite time of year:-) Love and Hugs...Nancy

Susan Joyce said...

Love the vibrant colours on your background and the gold leaf die cut Loll, just perfect for the challenge this month.

Jo said...

Hi there! :D Two beautiful cards, optimization brilliance. Your colours have so beautifully blended and the pop of gold definitely highlights the fresh autumn background. NICE! The clinics have slowed down so much that I'm finally working my way back to the craft room, YAY! Hoping to play more often too.
Miss you dear friend, always a pleasure. Take care, xxx

Linda said...

WOW! This is so bold and bright ..... I love it! The gold die cut looks stunning xx