Happy Birthday Dolly!

Hi everyone.  Today is Darnell's (aka Dolly's) birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my dear friend!! :)

I'm sharing the card I made for her ... hopefully it arrived in time!

This is from a stamp, die, stencil and embossing folder set that Dolly gifted to me when she came for a visit in May.  This is such a beautiful set and I had so much fun making this card for her.  I used teal for the main flowers on the card, which I believe is one of her favourite colours.  The stamp/stencil set made this a quick and easy card, even though it looks complicated. :)  I added my own shading rather than using the stencil, because I like to control the blending of the colours.  And I used the fabulous sentiment from the set too. :)  I finished by adding a few dots and dashes of white with a posca paint pen.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the following challenges:

1)  Darnell's IDEAS June Challenge - Week 5 - Stencils

2)  Seize the Birthday #308 - I used the Anything Birthday Goes option. :)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Fragrant Florals (Altenew)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Wilted Violet, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder, heat tool, sponges, white paint pen (Posca)

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS June Challenge - Week 5 - Stencils

Seize the Birthday #308

Generation Stamping - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.   Quick note ... my current computer is done. :(  I have bought a new one, but can't figure out the new system ... everything has changed so much.  It will be a while before I'm up and running again.  Won't be able to visit your blogs, answer emails, etc. for a while.  I'll be back! :)

Today's technique is a basic stamping technique that creates the illusion of depth by simply offsetting the image and stamping a second time without re-inking.  This creates a lighter version of the image and makes it appear as if it is in the background.

This can also be used to create movement.  For instance, if stamping an animal, you can offset sideways and stamp (without reinking) as many times as possible before the ink is used up.  It appears as if the animal is running.

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

Group of Seven Cardmakers

This is the card I recently gave my son, Jeremy, for his birthday.  I started by sponging the main panel with Distress Inks (Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Peacock Feathers).  I then stamped the Pine Tree (Stampscapes) in Black ink.  Without re-inking, I moved the stamp down and to the right, and then stamped a second time my panel.  It took me a little while to decide I wanted a third tree.  By then the leftover ink on my stamp was dry.  So I inked the image again, stamped off on a piece of scrap paper, and then stamped the third tree.  This gave me a lighter image.  The two side trees look as though they are in the background behind my main (center) tree. :)  Easy peasy technique.

I cut the panel to size, added a strip of black card stock with white heat embossed sentiment at the bottom.  Then I popped the panel up with foam onto my black card base.

Sending this card to the AAA Cards Challenge #293 - Anything CAS Goes.  

* * * * *

I have created a Christmas card using the generation technique ...

I've used another tree image.  This time Pine Row from Stampscapes.  The background is sponged with Distress Inks: Salvaged Patina, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet.  The stamp was ink'd with black Memento ink and stamp in the middle, then stamped again to the left and higher up ... and then again, offsetting it from the other stampings.  I repeated this two more times to make a forest of trees in the background. :) 

I tore a piece of white card stock for my "snowhill", and stamped a retired sentiment from Paper Smooches.  I splattered with diluted white acrylic paint for falling snow to finish the card.

Sending this card to the Rudolph Days June Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Pine Tree (Stampscapes); Birthday Blowout (PoppyStamps - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Salvaged Patina (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:  sponges, White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool 

Card #2:

Stamps:  Pine Row (Stampscapes); Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Salvaged Patina, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   sponges, diluted white acrylic paint

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Generation Stamping

AAA Cards Challenge #293 - Anything CAS Goes

Rudolph Days June Challenge

Special card for Leisa

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card to celebrate Leisa's birthday (daughter of a dear friend).  I hope she's received it by now.

I made this card using the lovely Nature's Magic Set (Altenew).  This set has two pretty flower sprigs that come with a stamp, die, and matching stencils.  You gotta love that! :)  I used only one of the flower sprigs to create this CAS birthday card.  Stamped the flowers in black ink and heat embossed in black before watercolouring with distress inks (Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint).  I have used these colours before with this image ... they just seem perfect to me, so why change it??!! :)

I used a sweet die-cut rectangle frame with stitched lines (AliExpress) to cut my aperture.  I stamped the sentiment (Super Day - Penny Black) on the card front and then popped it up over top of my card base.  I tucked the flowers into the aperture.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the following challenges:

1)  IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes (2nd entry) - I used stenciling

2)  AAA Cards #293 - Anything CAS Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Nature's Magic (Altenew); Super Day (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)  
Accessories:   Stitched Rectangle die (AliExpress), Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, sponges

Challenges:

IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes (2nd entry)

AAA Cards #293 - Anything CAS Goes

Colourful Hello

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a fun card I made, inspired by AAA Colourful #17 challenge.  Here's the colours of the challenge ... it closes July 14.

I just love these colours together.  They made a bright and happy card. :)

I started with a stencil (Textured Mesh - Memory Box), randomly sponging each of the colours over the background.  I die-cut two of the flowers (Refresh - Penny Black) from black card stock, shaping them with a stylus and mat before adding them to the card front.  The sentiment (Hello Builder - Penny Black) is stamped in black ink to finish the card.

Close-up ...

This was a very easy and quick card to make ... you gotta' love that! :)

I'm sending this card to the following challenges:

1)  AAA Colourful #17

2)  Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes

3)  PBSC June Challenge - Anything Penny Black Goes - I used Penny Black die and sentiment.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Hello Builder (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Textured Mesh stencil (Memory Box), Refresh flower dies (Penny Black), sponges

Challenges:

AAA Colourful #17

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes

PBSC June Challenge - Anything Penny Black Goes

Christmas Love and Magic

Hi everyone.  Today I'm working on building my stash of Christmas cards for sending out to family and friends in December.

I'm starting with this new-to-me image of a sweet bear with a bouquet of holly (Love & Magic - Penny Black).  I stamped him in black ink and heat embossed with clear on mixed media paper before watercolouring using distress inks.  I fussy-cut him, added gloss to the holly; once dry, I splattered diluted white acrylic paint for falling snow.  He is then popped up overtop of the background panel, which is dry embossed with Allover Stitches EF (Penny Black) ... first time using this embossing folder. :)  I stamped the sentiment banner (Shine Upon You - Penny Black), adhering at the bottom of the panel before adding it to my card front.

I hope you like this quick and easy CAS design.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the following challenges:

1)  Darnell's IDEAS - Week 3 - EFs

2)  NBUS Challenge #75 - first time using this sweet image :)

3)  Christmas Kickstart Challenge #99 - Christmas Critters

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Love & Magic; Shine Upon You (both from Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Lumberjack Plaid, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Squeezed Lemonade, Lost Shadow (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Allover Stitches Embossing Folder (Penny Black), Watercolour brushes, crystal glaze (Nuvo), diluted white acrylic paint

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS - Week 3 - EFs

NBUS Challenge #75

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #99 - Christmas Critters

CAS Birthday

Hi everyone.  I made this CAS birthday card the other day, using a sweet frame that I adore from Penny Black (Sewing Stackers).  It's just the perfect compliment to the flowery panel. :)

The flowers are stamped in Memento Toffee Crunch and then sponged using matching stencils, although I only used three out of the five layering stencils, opting to add the shading myself instead of using their two shading stencils.  I used distress inks (Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint) to colour the flowers and leaves, then added a simple sentiment and the little scalloped frame cut from kraft paper.  The panel is popped up for added dimension.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the following challenges:

1)  Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 2 - Dies challenge.  Thanks for the inspiration!

2)  We Love Stamping - June - Nature or Anything Goes

3)  Color Hues #111 - Coral and Green - used shades of coral and green for the flower and leaves.  Light brown is my neutral.

3)  Die-cut Divas - June - Colour Challenge - use three of the colours + die-cut.  I've used light brown, light coral, dark coral, green from the colour palette and die-cut frame. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Blooming Branch Stamp (retired); Super Day (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Kraft card stock
Ink:  Toffee Crunch (Memento); Distress Inks:  Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint
Accessories:   Blooming Branch Stencils (retired), detail sponge brushes, Sewing Stackers Frames (Penny Black)

Challenges:

IDEAS Challenge - Week 2 - Dies

We Love Stamping - June - Nature or AG

Color Hues #111 - Coral and Green

Die-cut Divas - June - Colour Challenge

In the Studio with Dolly, Susan, and Christine

Hi everyone. Recently, my friend Dolly (aka Darnell) came for a visit.  She stayed for three days and we had so much fun visiting, playing with ink, and eating! :)  Our good friends Susan and Christine, joined us for two of the days ... it was great!!

Dolly showed up with a beautiful set of images from Altenew for me ... Fragrant Florals.  It included matching stamp, die, embossing folder, and layering stencils.  I made the card above using just the embossing folder and layering stencils and I'm looking forward to playing soon with the stamp and die! :) 

After I finished sponging through the stencils onto the embossed image, I took a SU! marker (early espresso) and drew in the branches and stamens.  And I used diluted distress ink (Mowed Lawn) and a fine paint brush to draw in the embossed veins on the leaves.  These little additions made a big difference. :)

Thank you Dolly, for this beautiful set.  I am going to have loads of fun making many cards with it!!  And thank you for the visit, I had such a great time!! :)

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

1)  IDEAS Challenge - Week 1 - Inks (sponged with distress inks)

2)  NBUS Challenge #75 - new folder and stencil sets

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Fragrant Florals (Altenew); Many Everyday Message (Hero Arts - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Mustard Seed, Wilted Violet, Mowed Lawn; SU! marker - Early Espresso
Accessories:  Fragrant Florals embossing folder (Altenew), sponges, fine watercolour paint brush,  

Challenges:

IDEAS Challenge - Week 1 - Inks

S Challenge #75

Batik - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  This month's technique is Batik.  This is a type of artform that uses wax to create a resist before dyeing fabric.  The best way to replicate the art is to start with Emboss Resist and then add folds and sponging.  

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

Group of Seven Cardmakers

For the above card I used a retired stencil from The Crafter's Workshop, sponging the leaves in two shades of green distress inks (Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness).  I pressed my Versamark pad over top of the stencil and then sprinkled with Clear Embossing Powder, heat setting to melt the powder.

I then added a few random creases, both horizontally and vertically.  I used my bone folder to help make the creases sharper, although you will always end up with jagged edges when folding card stock.  I flattened out my card panel as best as I could and then randomly sponged two colours of Distress inks (Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean) over top of my entire panel.  I took a piece of paper towel to wipe the excess ink that was sitting on top of the embossed stenciling.  

The card was finished with stamping a simple sentiment in more Rustic Wildness ink. 

Inspired to play along with the above card in the IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes.  I chose stenciling for my AG.  Thanks Dolly!

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

• Silhouette images are best for this technique
• The creases add to the artistic look of this technique
• Thinner paper worked better for me with folding, but the creases are more subtle.  My friend Susan used very light paper (a heavy printer paper) and instead of folding, she crunched the paper up, flattened it and then sponged over top.  It looks great!!

Another Batik Technique card ...

This time with more of a masculine look.  I stamped the image (Wild Flora - Inkylicious) in Versamark and stamped onto kraft card stock (thinner than my regular card stock used above).  I heat embossed with clear and then repeated the steps above.  A simple sentiment was stamped in black ink and the card was popped up over a black card base.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to Seize the Birthday #306 - Use a Frame or Anything Goes Birthday.  I opted for AG Birthday. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Slimline Gentle Leaves stencil (TCW - retired); sponges, bone folder

Card #2:

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz)
Accessories: 

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Batik

IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes - I chose stenciling

Seize the Birthday #306 - Use a Frame or Anything Goes Birthday

Orange Roses

Hi everyone.  Today's card is the second image from the stamp set, Enchantingly (Penny Black).  Here's a link to the first image I used.  

I stamped the flowers in Toffee Crunch ink and then watercoloured with Distress Inks.  I used a circle stencil to add dots to the background using a light green.  The sentiment (Super Day - Penny Black) is stamped in more Toffee Crunch to finish the card.  

Close-up ...

Imspired to make this card by the following challenges:

1) The Flower Challenge #102 - Add Spots or Stripes

2) Penny Black Saturday Challenge - May - Anythng PB Goes

3) Just Us Girls #776 - Stencil week - Edited to add, thanks to Lisa! :)

 

* * * * *

My friends Fran & Deb were over for a visit recently.

Fran snapped this photo of Jessie chill-axing. :)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Enchantingly; Super Day (both Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Toffee Crunch (Memento); Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Ripe Persimmon (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Watercolour paint brushes, Circle Stencil (Silhouette America cut file); sponges

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #102

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - May

Just Us Girls #776 - Stencil week