J-O-Y #2

Hi everyone.  I'm continuing my self-challenge to make several cards using the Immense JOY die from Penny Black.  

Today's card uses a beautiful image from Serendipity Stamps called Cardinals.  I stamped the image in black ink and heat embossed in clear before watercolouring with my Zigs.  I find it very therapeutic to watercolour these smaller images.

The rest of the card is finished using silver matte metallic card stock from Simon Says Stamp to die-cut the JOY (three times; layered for extra thickness and dimension).  The card front is white with dry embossing of the Woodlands embossing folder (SU!) before assembling all the pieces.   

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the Peace on Earth #56 Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes with optional mood board.  I was inspired by the red and green with snow. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Cardinals (Serendipity Stamps)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Silver Matte Metallic card stock (Simon Says Stamp)

Ink:   Black (Memento); Zig markers
Accessories:   Immense JOY die (Penny Black); Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool; watercolour brushes, Woodlands embossing folder (SU!)

Challenges:

Peace on Earth #56 - Anything Goes Christmas with optional mood board

Alcohol Inks with Gilding Flakes - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  I LOVE alcohol inks for their vibrancy ... add gilding flakes and you have a winning combination!  

Please check out the details for the technique and link to video on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers

* * * * *

Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...

• It's best to stick with 2 colours of Alcohol Inks (or 3 colours in the same colour family) so that the background doesn't become too busy (my first card was really busy, but I found something that complimented it.  Took me a while to figure it out. :)
• I found using a fine-tip glue bottle to add random lines of thin glue and then pressing gilding flakes lightly into the glue, worked the best to get the gilding flakes to stick.  You need to let the glue dry completely before burnishing them to remove the excess.  Only the last card in this post uses glue to stick the gilding flakes.

* * * * *

For the card above ...

When the gilding flakes wouldn't stick to my panel above, I added more rubbing alcohol and moved the ink around with my puffer tool, then quickly added flakes.  Just a few stuck (silver) that you might see on the background.  This piece turned out to be a very busy design even though I only used three colours of alcohol inks.  Adding the large die-cut Laurel Leaves Background Plate (Simon Says Stamp), seemed to tone it down a bit.  I'm happy with the finished card.

I'm sending the above card to Seize the Birthday Challenge #276 - Anything Birthday Goes.

Below is a Christmas card using Poppfield, Watermelon, and Shell Pink alcohol inks to create this design.  I added Verdigris gilding flakes as soon as I finished with the AIs and lots stuck this time.  A die-cut (Layered Poinsettia from Penny Black) cut from real red card stock and sponged with real red ink around the edges finishes the card, along with sentiment (My Favorite Things - retired) stamped in delicata gold ink.

Sending this Christmas card to Rudolph Days January Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes.  Sadly this is the last challenge for Rudolph Days as Maureen is closing it's doors.  Thank you Maureen, for all your hard work running this challenge.  I have enjoyed playing along.  All the best to you and Al for your future and I hope you find the perfect new home soon. Take care.

And, my last card ... I used Black Metallic Card for the base of my alcohol inks panel, smooshed with Pearl Alcohol inks.  I used my fine-tip bottle to apply really thin lines of glue, pressed gilding flakes overtop (pressing lightly) and then left it to dry for an hour.  Brushed off the excess and am happy with how it turned out.  Definitely an easier way for me to get the gilding flakes to stick. :)

The Lake Loon die - Gina Marie Designs is cut from gold metallic card stock.  It is popped up with foam and placed over the AI/Gilding Flakes panel onto a black card base.  To finish I stamped Happy Birthday and heat embossed with Princess Gold embossing powder.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1

Stamps:  Happy Birthday (Cavallini & Co)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo Paper; Silver Foil card stock (SU!); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Alcohol Inks:  Mermaid Lagoon, Sunset Orange, Teakwood (Ranger)
Accessories:   Rubbing Alcohol, Puffer Tool, Persian Dawn Gilding Flakes (Cosmic Shimmer); Laurel Leaves Background Plate (Simon Says Stamp), Silver Embossing Powder, heat tool

  

Card #2

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sayings (My Favorite Things - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo Paper
Ink:   Alcohol Inks:  Poppyfield, Watermelon, Shell Pink (Ranger); Real Red (SU!); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories:  Rubbing Alcohol, Hair Dryer, Verdigris Gilding Flakes (Cosmic Shimmer); Layered Poinsettia die (Penny Black), gold beads  

Card #3:

Stamps:  Greetings (Cavallini & Co.)

Paper:   Black card stock (SU!); Black Metallic card stock (Tonic); Gold Metallic card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Pearl Alcohol Inks (Ranger); Versamark
Accessories:   Lake Loon die (Gina Marie Designs); Fine-tip Glue applicator, Tombow Mono glue, Persian Dawn Gilding Flakes (Cosmic Shimmer), Princess Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Alcohol Inks with Gilding Flakes

Seize the Birthday Challenge #276 - Anything Birthday Goes

Rudolph Days January Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

One more Guest Designing for Seize the Birthday!

Hi everyone.  I'm back with my last card as Surprise Party Guest for Seize the Birthday.  I've had such a wonderful time joining the team for November and January!

 

Today challenge (#276) is so fun (Kraft and Another Color), plus you can use neutrals.  I found the closest ink colour to kraft  and used it along with shades of orange for a smooshed background on white mixed media paper (Distress Inks:  Gathered Twigs, Ripe Persimmon, Crackling Campfire).  I die-cut the Fresh Foliage (Memory Box) in gold metallic card stock and then added shades of orange alcohol inks on top.  To finish, I stamped the birthday sentiment in white pigment ink and heat embossed in white. 

Close-up ...

I hope you'll join us with your Happy Birthday card(s).  As always, Anything Birthday goes with optional theme.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Birthday Blowout - retired (Poppy Stamps)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Kraft card stock (Carta Bella)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Gathered Twigs, Ripe Persimmon, Crackling Campfire (Tim Holtz); Unicorn white pigment ink (Hero Arts); Alcohol Inks (Ranger)
Accessories:   water mister, Fresh Foliage die (Memory Box), White embossing powder, Heat tool

Challenges:

STB #276 - Kraft and Another Color

J-O-Y #1

Hi everyone.  I bought the Immense JOY die (Penny Black) late last year and didn't get a chance to use it.  I decided to challenge myself to make several cards with it, using different stamps and dies.  This is the first one. :)

I LOVE this sweet image from Wild Rose Studios.  So sad when they went out of business.  I stamped the image in black ink and heat embossed in clear before watercolouring with my Zigs (something I have neglected for a while!).

I'm so happy how this darling image fits inside the "O".  I cut-out the bottom of Santa's list so it would extent beyond the "O" to add a little dimension to the card.

The card front is cut from Real Red card stock (SU!) and the JOY is cut three times and layered together from kraft card stock (Carta Bella).

Close-up ...

Since this is the first time using the large JOY die, I'm sending the above card to NBUS Challenge #58 (third entry).

Edited to add:  Playing along with Die-cut Divas January Challenge - use a NBUS (Never-Before-Used-Schtuff).  Thanks Linda!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Santa & Rudolph (Wild Rose Studios - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Real Red card stock (SU!); Kraft card stock (Carta Bella)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Zig markers
Accessories:   Immense Joy die (Penny Black); Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool; watercolour brushes; white acrylic paint pen (Posca); red chalk

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #58

Die-cut Divas January Challenge - NBUS

Elegant Christmas

Hi everyone. 

A simple CAS Christmas card. :)

I started by embossing a small scrap of gold metallic paper with the Filigree Snowflakes embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp).  Then I die-cut three of the Lavinia Snowflake die - retired (Poppy Stamps); two from white card stock (glued together to make a thick piece); the other from the gold embossed paper.  I paper pieced the center of the ornament from the embossed gold paper over top of the white die-cuts.  I also added a few gold metallic half pearls to the center of the white snowflakes.  I finished by gold heat embossing the sentiment Season's Gifts (Penny Black).  Simple and easy card to make.

I was inspired by the mood board at Peace on Earth Challenge #55, so adding my card to their gallery.

 

... and also adding this to the Simply Clean & Simple January Challenge where I played along with their optional challenge this month:  Winter.

First time using the Filigree Embossing Folder, so I'm sending this card over to NBUS Challenge #58.  This is my second entry. :)

Close-up.  Sorry for the blurry photo, I need to get a new camera!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Seasons Gifts (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Gold Metallic Paper (Tonic)
Ink:  Versamark 
Accessories:   Filigree Snowflakes embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), Lavinia Snowflake die - retired (Poppy Stamps), gold metallic half pearls (Studio Katia), Princess Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:

Peace on Earth Challenge #55

NBUS Challenge #58

Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes with optional theme: Winter

More Torn Edges

Hi everyone.  A few more cards for Group of Seven Design Element - Torn Edges.

For the card above, I smooshed the background with Lindy's Magicals, which have mica powder mixed in.  You'll see the shimmer more on the close-up photo.  I embossed a piece of vellum using the Kitchen Weave embossing folder (Cuttlebug).  I then tore a diagonal strip off the top, leaving the rest to cover the card front.  I added Delicate Leafy Branch die (Simon Says Stamp), cut from Cobalt Velour Tonic Mirror Card Stock.  I stamped the happy birthday onto a white sentiment banner using a mix of Salty Ocean and Blueprint Sketch distress oxide inks.  It worked to match the leafy die colour. :)

Close-up ...

First time using this awesome embossing folder (gift from a friend long ago --- what was I waiting for??!! :)  I'm sending the above card to NBUS Challenge #58.

 ... and one more.  I use torn snowhills for many of my Christmas cards.  I love the randomness of the tear. :)

This card was made using leftover ink from this card.  I sopped up the ink onto hot press watercolour paper, stamped my image in black and then splattered with diluted white and black acrylic inks.  A torn piece of hot press w/c paper was added for the snowhill.

Sending this over to the Merry Little Christmas Challenge #54 - anything Christmas goes!

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Everyday Script Sentiments (AliExpress)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Vellum; Cobalt Velour Mirror card stock (Tonic)
Ink:   Magicals (Lindy's); Distress Oxides:  Salty Ocean, Blueprint Sketch (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   water mister, Kitchen Weave embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Delicate Leafy Branch die (SSS)

Card #2:

Stamps:  Stamp #391 (Studio Light Essentials)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Bister Powders:  Bister Blue, Bister Green, Bister Dark Brown; Versamark; Black (Memento) 
Accessories:   Water mister, diluted white and black acrylic paint, splatter brush

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Torn Edges

NBUS Challenge #58

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #54

Guest Designing for Seize the Birthday!

Hi everyone.  I'm so happy to be back as the Surprise Party Guest for Seize the Birthday again this month.  

 

Today starts the first challenge of 2024 with a choice of options (Embossing Wet or Dry) - Challenge #275.  I made two cards (the one above with dry embossing, and a second card with wet embossing).

The card above uses the Perfect Peonies from Clearly Besotted.  I stamped the image in black ink and heat embossed with clear before watercolouring using Distress Inks (Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed).  I placed the peonies on a layer of pink card stock, covered with a dry embossed vellum piece I received in the Christmas card from my friend Leslie.  It was so pretty, I had to use it right away! :)  Thank you Leslie!  I finished the card by adding a simple Happy Birthday sentiment stamped in black.

I'm sending the above card to the Triple B (Birds, Butterflies, & Blooms January Challenge.  They have provided a mood board for inspiration.  My flowers are pink and the layer of embossed vellum (sort of) looks like snow. :)

... and then ....

This card is done using "Wet Embossing" and my very favourite embossing gel, Glass Bead (Golden).  I used the Leaves stencil from Simon Says Stamp, sponged with Distress Inks (Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness).  I removed the stencil and cleaned off the ink before placing it back over top to add a layer of glass bead gel.  I love the sparkle from this amazing product.  I kept the card design CAS (clean and simple) so that the beautiful leaves were the star, simply adding a sentiment to finish.

I hope you'll join us with your Happy Birthday card(s).  As always, Anything Birthday goes with optional theme.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

I'm sending the above card to Stencil Fun January Challenge - where it's always Anything Stenciling Goes with optional theme.  I went with the Anything stenciling this time. :)

... and I'm also sending this card to Simply Clean & Simple January Challenge - Anything CAS Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Perfect Peonies (Clearly Besotted); Greetings (Cavallini & Co)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Pink Pirouette card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Obsidian Black Pigment Ink (Altenew); Distress Inks:  Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Dry embossed vellum (gift from a friend), clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Card #2:

Stamps:  Brushed Wishes (Stampendous)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Leaves Stencil (Simon Says Stamp), sponge brushes, Glass Bead Gel (Golden), palette knife

Challenges:

STB #275 - Embossing Wet or Dry

Triple B (Birds, Butterflies, & Blooms January Challenge

Stencil Fun January Challenge - anything Stenciling goes

Simply Clean & Simple January Challenge - Anything CAS Goes

Watercolouring with Dry Embossing

Hi everyone.  I follow Heather Telford's blog, an amazing artist and card maker.  Recently she has made some beautiful watercoloured cards and added dry embossing over top when she is done.  So cool!  I had to give it a try. 

I did the watercolour spritz technique for the Full Bloom image (Penny Black), using Distress Inks .  This means using water soluable markers to colour direct to stamp, misting with water and then stamping on to water-friendly card stock (I used mixed media).  It really does give your cards a true watercolour look.  Once my image was dry, I ran the card front through my embossing machine with the Leafy Branch embossing folder - retired (Cuttlebug).  I love how it adds some wonderful texture to the background.  To finish, I added a simple white sentiment border stamped using a retired SU! stamp set.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the Can You Handle the Pressure Challenge - Anything Goes Embossing with a twist of Winter.  I opted out of the twist this time ...

Edit to add:  Adding this card to the Simply Clean & Simple January Challenge as well.  

Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Full Bloom (Penny Black); Endless Birthday Wishes - retired (Stampin' Up!)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Wilted Violet, Villianous Potion, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   water mister, Leafy Branch embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

Challenges:

Can You Handle the Pressure - Anything Embossing Goes

Simply Clean & Simple January Challenge - Anything CAS Goes