October CAS Mix Up Challenge

Hi everyone.  The challenge at CAS Mix Up this month is Blackout Embossing (also known by other names).  It's a combination of dry embossing, colouring, and direct to stamp inking.

To create my card above, I dry embossed with Layered Leaves Embossing folder (SU!) with a piece of Cold Press Watercolour paper (Arches).  I smooshed the debossed side with Liquid Concentrate Watercolours (Blick Art Materials) randomly with three colours (yellow, orange, pink).

Once my panel was dry, it was placed inside the same folder, lining up the images.  You can feel by pressing lightly that they fit back into position.  Ran it through my embossing machine to redefine the embossing that might be lost when watercolouring.  

I used a Walnut Stain Distress Oxide pad to swipe over the raised areas.  The colour looks more gray/brown to me and I love how it works with the colours of the leaves.  I believe using black ink would have made the colours pop even more.  Next time ... :)

Out of a single card front, I was able to get three CAS cards ... the one above, and two more below. :)

 

Sending this card to the following challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes

NBUS Challenge #91 - first time using my Walnut Stain Distress Oxide Ink 

I hope you'll come join us for this fun technique.  Hope to see you in the CAS Mix Up gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Heartfelt (Penny Black); Cosmos (Technique Tuesday); Heartfelt (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press W/C  (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:   Liquid Concentrate Watercolours (Blick Art Materials); Walnut Stain Distress Oxide Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Layered Leaves Embossing folder (SU!), water mister

Techniques:  Dry Embossing, Smooshing, Direct to Paper Inking

Challenges:

CAS Mix Up October Challenge - Blackout Embossing

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes

NBUS Challenge #91

October CAS Christmas Challenge

Hi everyone.  This month the CAS Christmas Challenge is hosted by Colleen.  And she has chosen Poinsettia. :)

This card is the made with the Penny Black 3D Poinsettia embossing folder.  I ran it through my embossing machine with a piece of cold press watercolour paper.  Watercoloured the Poinsettia with Distress Reinkers and die cut using the matching die.  It's such a large image that I split it into two and made two cards.  It's a great way to build your stash of Christmas cards. :) 

I used a snowflake embossing folder for the background panel, popping it up on my card front and adding a sentiment banner (Penny Black - Christmas Sentiments).

Close-up ... 

Sending the above card to the following challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes - I watercoloured an embossed image

CCC26OCT - SCS Christmas Challenge

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press W/C paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Reinkers:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey (Tim Holtz); Distress Oxide Inks:  Candied Apple (for stamping sentiment)
Accessories:   3D Poinsettia embossing folder (Penny Black), 3D Poinsettia cut out (Penny Black), watercolour paint brushes, Snowflake embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

Techniques:  Dry Embossing, watercolouring, die-cutting

Challenges:

CAS Christmas October Challenge - Poinsettia

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes

CCC26OCT - SCS Christmas Challenge

Guest Designing at AAA Birthday Cards

Hi everyone.  I'm thrilled to be Guest Designing at AAA Birthday Card Challenge:  Game #90 - Big and Bold.  Thanks so much Jane and team!

  

 

I do love this time of year.  Fall cards are fun to make. :)

For today's card I started with a background I had in my stash (smooshed liquid concentrate watercolours in Pink and Orange - Blick Art Materials).  I used a large stamp overtop, Crackle Background (Simon Says Stamp), stamping in Vintage Photo Distress ink.  To add the last layer, I used the Peeking Sunflower stencil from STAMPlorations.  I pressed my versamark ink pad over the stencil, sprinkled with Fired Brick Distress Glaze, and then heat set.  You can still see the stamped design in the background, even with the glaze heat embossed over top.  It's awesome!  To finish, I added "on your birthday" sentiment on the inside. :)

Close-up ...

I hope you'll join us for at AAA Birthday Cards Challenge:  Game #90 - Big & Bold.  The challenge is open all month, so there's lots of time to play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Crackle Background (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Pink and Orange Liquid Watercolor Concentrate (Blick Art Materials); Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Peeking Sunflower sencil (STAMPlorations), Fired Brick Distress Glaze (Tim Holtz), heat tool

Challenges:

AAA Birthday Challenge:  Game #90 - Big & Bold

Poinsettia and Vellum

Hi everyone.  Today's card uses an older stamp from Avery Elle (Holiday Bouquet).  I love this stamp set and have it used many times over the years.  

Heat embossed image in silver and then watercoloured using distress reinkers.  Added some shading using pencils that I got recently.  I'm not very good with pencils and need lots of practice.  The shading was a bit streaky for my liking, so I added another layer of watercolour over top.  It did tone it down a little. :)

Dry embossed vellum using the Pepperberry embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp).  Tapped my white pigment ink pad over the embossing to highlight the design and taped it to the back of the frame I created using a rectangle die (Nestibilities).  Assembled and stamped the sentiment (from the same stamp set) in Candied Apple Distress Oxide Ink.  Done. :)

Playing along with a few different challenges listed below photo.  Wanted to give a special shout out to Di, Sarn and Dudley!  Happy to be back at Snippets Playground with this card.  :)

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

Rudolph Days September Challenge

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 3 - Embossing - the Vellum background is embossed

Snippets Playground Challenge #542 - used snippets of mixed media paper for the poinsettia and holly, as well as snippet of vellum for the embossed design in the aperture. :)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Holiday Bouquet (Avery Elle)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Thick Vellum (Oplymio - Amazon)
Ink:  Versamark; Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:  Silver Embossing powder, heat tool, watercolour brushes, Holiday Bouquet matching die (comes with set); Rectange die (Nestabilities) 

Challenges:

Rudolph Days September Challenge

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 3

Snippets Playground Challenge #542

... one more sunflower card ... :)

Hi everyone.  One more card for CAS Mix Up Challenge - Sunflower.

I LOVE this time of year.  And I do love sunflower images and this is a beauty.  It's a lovely image from Power Poppy (In Praise of Sunflowers).

I stamped the image in Toffee Crunch Momento ink (light brown permanent).  I then watercoloured using distress inks (mustard seed, wild honey, shabby shutters, peeled paint, gathered twigs, ground espresso).  I wanted to add a strip of patterned paper at the bottom and started looking for olive green paper, but came across this very old patterned paper from SU! in shades of brown. :) 

To finish, I stamped the two-part sentiment (from In Praise of Sunflowers stamp set) in more ground espresso ink. :)

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

NBUS Challenge #90 - first time using this stamp set

We Love Stamping September Challenge - Anything Goes option

CAS on Friday Challenge #343 - Autumn

SCS Ways to Use It Challenge (WT1122 - Anything Fall)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  In Praise of Sunflowers (Poppy Power)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); patterned paper (SU!)
Ink:   Toffee Crunch (Momento); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Wild honey, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Watercolour paint brushes (Princeton #2, #4 Round)

Challenges:

CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Watercolour - Sunflower

NBUS Challenge #90

We Love Stamping September Challenge

CAS on Friday Challenge #343 - Autumn

SCS Ways To Use It (WT1122 - Anything Fall)

Reminder - CAS Mix Up Challenge - Sunflower

Hi everyone.  Today I am sharing two cards made for reminders of the CAS Mix Up Challenge - Sunflower.  I put away my stamps this time and pulled out my watercolour paints and brushes and went for it. :)

I watched several videos on hand-painting sunflowers.  I spent a few days painting and trying to figure out what the heck I was doing. :)  All-in-all, it was fun.  And I did learn what NOT to do. :)

I used Kuretake watercolour paints, Blick Masterstroke Brushes, and Arches 140 lb. cold press (best w/c paper you can buy here, according to my son, Jeremy).

For the above card, I kept the image very small and die-cut with a medium-sized circle.  The sentiment is Penny Black Happy Snippets, stamped in Ground Espresso DOX ink.

I wanted to add a subtle background, so I ran my old olive cardstock through my embossing machine with the Laurel Leaves Background Plate (Simon Says Stamp - retired) with a silicone mat.  I left the "sandwich" fairly thin so the leaves pattern just shows.  I like it! :)  You can see the background slightly better in the photo below.

Close-up ...

* * * * *

I practised a litte more and about a week later, ended up with this version.  Again, another small painting.  I'm happier with this painting. :)  I added a hello sentiment to finish.  I used all the same paints and paper as the card above.

Sending the above card to the following challenges:

SCS Ways to Use It Challenge - SCSWT1122 - Anything Fall

SCS Watercolor Wednesday Challenge - SCSWCW295 - A Freebie Week

SCS Watercolor Wednesday Challenge - SCSWCW329 - Pumpkin or Yellow Flower

I'm adding both these cards to the gallery of the CAS Mix Up September Watercolour Challenge - Sunflower, hosted by our wonderful Designer, Bobby.  Come join us!  The challenge is open until Sept. 30th.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Happy Snippets (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press W/C paper (Arches 140 lb.); Old Olive cardstock (SU!)
Ink:   Kuretake Watercolour Paints; Ground Espresso DOX ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Blick Masterstroke Brushes (Round: #4, #6, Liner brush), Laurel Leaves Background plate (Simon Says Stamp - retired)

Card #2:

Stamps:  Happy Messages (Stampendous - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press W/C paper (Arches 140 lb.); Old Olive cardstock (SU!)
Ink:   Kuretake Watercolour Paints; Rustic Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Blick Masterstroke Brushes (Round: #4, #6, Liner brush)

Challenges:

CAS Mix Up September Watercolour Challenge - Sunflower

SCS Ways to Use It Challenge - SCSWT1122 - Anything Fall

SCS Watercolor Wednesday Challenge - SCSWCW295 - A Freebie Week

SCS Watercolor Wednesday Challenge - SCSWCW329 - Pumpkin or Yellow Flower

Reminder CAS Christmas Challenge - Woodland Critters

Hi everyone.  We are half way through the CAS Christmas Sepember Challenge - Woodland Critters, hosted by Lisa.

I adore all the Penny Black critter images I have ... but this one is the sweetest. :)  I stamped Hopping by (Penny Black) in black ink onto mixed media paper.  I heat embossed in clear and then watercoloured using distress inks and reinkers.  I used the matching die (Hopping by Cut Out - Penny Black) to die-cut the image.  I cut a medium-sized panel for my card, sponged softly with Salty Ocean distress ink on the right side.  I added two torn snowhills at the bottom with the stamped sentiment from the same stamp set, done in Candied Apple Distress Oxide ink.  The bunny was added on top, just slipping his feet slightly under the edge of the torn snow and popped up with dimensions.  The whole panel was popped up from the card front.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 2 - Dies - I used the matching die to cut out the bunny image

Critter Crazy Challenge #114 - Anything with Critters goes

Inkspirational Challenge #376 - Furry Friends

SCS Christmas Challenge - CCC26SEP

I hope you'll have time to join our challenge.  See you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Hopping by (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black Ink:  Obsidian (Altenew); Distress inks and reinkers:  Pumice Stone, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Hopping by Cut Out (Penny Black), Sponge, White Posca pen, red chalk

Challenges:

CAS Christmas September Challenge - Woodland Critters

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 2 - Dies

Critter Crazy Challenge #114

Inkspirational Challenge #376 - Furry Friends

SCS Christmas Challenge - CCC26SEP

Reminder - Christmas Kickstart Challenge #114 - Reindeer Games

Hi everyone.  I'm Guest Designing this month at Christmas Kickstart Challenge #114 - Reindeer Games.  I'm so happy to be working with Jo again ... she is so sweet and wonderfully talented.  Thanks again Jo!  

 

I'm back with a reminder card using a favourite stamp I've used many times before.  This little guy makes me happy. :)

He is stamped in black pigment ink, heat embossed in clear, die-cut with matching die, watercoloured with distress inks, and then a few finishing touches are added with crystal glaze and white acrylic pen.  It is popped over top of a piece of long retired SU! patterned paper and two torn pieces of white cardstock provide snowhills at the bottom.  The panel is popped up, and a sentiment (Season's Gifts - Penny Black) is stamped under the panel with the same black ink.

Close-up ...

There's still lots of time to play along at Christmas Kickstart Challenge #114 - Reindeer Games.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Little Reindeer (Gerda Steiner); Season's Gifts (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Retired patterened paper (SU!)
Ink:   Black Pigment (Obsidian - Altenew); Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Little Reindeer die (Gerda Steiner), clear embossing powder, heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, crystal glaze (Nuvo), white acrylic pen (Posca).

Challenges:

Christmas Kickstart #114 - Reindeer Games

Poinsettia Present

Hi everyone.  Today's card uses a NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) stamp and die set (Present - Penny Black).  I bought this a while ago, but this is the first time using it.

I stamped the Present image in black pigment ink and clear heat embossed to set the colour.  I spent time masking the outside edges and the ribbon and bow and then stamped a poinsettia image (Holiday Bouquet - Avery Elle) off the edge to add a bit of design to the present.  The masks were removed and then the poinsettia image was watercoloured using distress re-inkers.  I used silver delicata reinker to watercolour the bow and ribbon.

To finish, a tiny tag was added with a simple sentiment.

 

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 1 - Inks (second entry)

NBUS Challenge #90 - first time using this stamp and matching die ... and tag die

SCS September Fan Club Christmas Challenge (SCSCCSEP26) - must be a SCS member

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Present (Penny Black); Holiday Bouquet (Avery Elle)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Cherry Cobbler card base? (SU!)
Ink:   Black Pigment (Obsidian - Altenew); Distress Reinkers:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey (Tim Holtz); Silver Delicata Reinker
Accessories:  Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, removeable tape for masking, watercolour paint brushes (Princeton), small tag die (unknown)

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 1 - Inks

NBUS Challenge #90

SCS September Fan Club Christmas Challenge (SCSCCSEP26) - must be a SCS member

September CAS Mix Up Challenge

Hi everyone.  This month at CAS Mix Up September Challenge is a Watercolour Challenge and we are asking for Sunflowers. :)  I used the no line watercolouring technique with diluted distress reinkers.

I started by stamping my image (Radiant from Penny Black) onto cold press w/c paper using Brushed Corduroy Distress ink (light touch).  I used my diluted distress inks to paint the image, using the faintly stamped outline as a guide. It worked great.  

When the image was dry, I added some splatters in dark brown.  I finished the card by stamping a sentimnt (Spring Sentiments - Stampendous) in Ground Espresso DOX ink.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

PBSC August Challenge - Anything PB Goes

Seize the Birthday #333 - Anything Goes option

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Radiant (Penny Black); Spring Sentiments (Stampendous - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press w/c paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Reinkers:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Aged Mahogany, Rusty Hinge, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Blick Masterstroke w/c paint brushes

Challenges:

CAS Mix Up September Challenge

PBSC August Challenge - Anything PB Goes

Seize the Birthday #333 - Anything Goes option