Group of Cardmakers - Stenciling with Mica Powders

Hi everyone.  This month at Group of Cardmakers, we are stenciling with mica powders.  I have a few different kinds in my studio - Perfect Pearls, Pearl-Ex, Arteza.  I've used the Arteza Mica Powders for all of today's cards. :)  This was a lovely gift from my dear friend, Barb.  Such beautiful colours!!

Please check out the details for this month's technique and link to video on the blog, along with more card samples from Pat, Susan, and Guest Designer Robyn.

Group of Cardmakers - November

Arteza Mica Powders have no binding agent.  Which means you have to add some sort of adhesive to get them to stick to card stock.  For this first card I added Versamark ink through my stencil and then sprinkled with Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger).  I heat set the image (it melts really fast), which leaves the stenciled images sticky so the mica powders can adhere.  To make clean-up easier, I cleaned the stencil after adding the versamark ink and then added it back over top of the image, lining it up carefully.  I used a medium brush to add my Mica Powders (Lettuce Green, Tangerine Orange, Royal Orange, Caramel Brown).  I removed the stencil and tapped my card front onto a scrap piece of paper to catch the excess powders.  Then I heat set again (just for a few minutes) to reactivate the gluey embossing powder so it traps the mica powders.

To finish, I used a small piece of dry swiffer cloth to wipe off the excess powder in the background.  A torn vellum sentiment banner stamped with versamark and heat embossed with copper embossing powder is added over top.  I wrapped around the excess vellum and taped to the back of my card front before adhering to the base. :)

Close-up ...

Sending the above card to Stencil Fun November Challenge - Anything Stenciling Goes

* * * * *

Next, I made a set of cards using the same stencil on black card stock.  One uses the Essential Glue Pad (Tsukineko), pressed over top of my stencil.  The second using Versamark ink followed by Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger).  Both versions turned out really well and both images are set and don't rub off.  I outlined them using a silver metallic pen (Pilot) and added a simple sentiment banner to finish.  You'll see below the texture of the images is different.  The first is flat, the second has texture.  Both are very shimmery from the Mica Powders, but it doesn't show in the photos.

Using Glue Pad - no texture

 

                

Using Versamark and Sticky Powder - texture

Sending the above card to Rudolph Days November Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Gratitude (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Vellum
Ink:   Versamark
Accessories:   Mini Joyful Sunflower stencil (Crafter's Workshop); Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger), heat tool, Arteze Mica Powders, medium brush, swiffer cloth, Copper embossing powder (Ranger)

Card #2 & #3:

Stamps:  Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Essential Glue Pad; Versamark
Accessories:   Berry Branch - TM 48  stencil (Magenta), Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger), heat tool, Arteze Mica Powders, medium brush, swiffer cloth, Silver embossing powder

Challenges:

Stencil Fun November Challenge - Anything Stenciling Goes

Rudolph Days November Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Poinsettia Postage

Hi everyone.  I enjoy using this postage stamp with Christmas images.  Here's another to add to my stash of Christmas cards. :)

This time I stamped the Posted (Penny Black) image directly onto my card front in soft gray ink.  I used a small piece of mixed media card to stamp the poinsettia image in black ink, heat embossing in clear.  I sized the panel to fit inside of the posted stamp, sponging the lower portion before watercolour the image with distress inks.  I popped the panel up onto my card front for some dimension.  The sentiment is on the inside.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the We Love Stamping November Challenge - Anything Christmas.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Posted (Penny Black); Poinsettia Poem (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Shadow Grey Archival (Ranger); Black (Memento); Distress inks:  Candied Apple, Lumberjack Plaid, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Sponges, Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour paint brushes 

Challenges:

We Love Stamping November Challenge - Anything Christmas

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104

Hi everyone.  

I had to play along at Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104 - Just Add Antlers.  I have quite a few reindeer dies and stamps.  The hard part was figuring which one to use. :)  I ended up pulling out my favourite die that I've had for several years.

I started by cutting a panel to the size I wanted and blending with distress inks.  Once the ink was dry, I splattered with frost white paint.

I centered the panel on my card base, leaving more space at the bottom so I could add my die-cut reindeers and trees (cut from silver matte foil card stock) ... and stamp the sentiment (Christmas Sentiments - Penny Black).

Close-up ...

* * * * *

Sharing the latest photos of Jessie and Violeta.  They were on their daily walk and stopped at a park near our house.  They do love their walks with "Poppy" (aka Alejandro). :)

You can just see the benches in the background.

They are situated right above the ocean and

it looks as though Jessie was getting a whiff of

the ocean breeze! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Silver Matte Foil card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Salvaged Patina, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Reindeer die (AliExpress), sponges, Frost White acrylic paint for splattering

Challenges:

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104 - Just Add Antlers

Guest Designing at Color Hues #122

Hi everyone.  I'm so happy to be Guest Designing at Color Hues this month, hosted by the very talented Nanc' Leppek.  This is such a beautiful colour combination ... and perfect for Christmas cards.

   

For my card above I've used foil card stock for the main elements.  The ornament, Lavinia Snowflake Ornament - Poppy Stamps (long retired), is die-cut from matte silver (SU!) and shiny teal (Ranger).  I used the snowflake frame in silver and added the ornament piece cut from teal foil card stock.  A vertical strip was also cut from the teal foil card stock and both teal pieces were dry embossed with the Filigree Snowflakes folder (Simon Says Stamp).  After dry embossing, I used a sanding block to expose the silver foil underneath the teal layer, highlighting the beautiful snowflake design.

I added a simple stamped sentiment (Season's Gifts - Penny Black), stamped in Delicata Silver ink.

I had leftover pieces of embossed teal foil card stock, so I made a second card ...

I used a different, older die (Glowing Candles die - Memory Box).  Surprisingly, this die (released in 2013) is still on their website. :)  I cut the die twice, from Silver Matte Foil card stock (SU!) and more of the Teal foil card stock (Ranger).  I pieced them together and popped up the beautiful die over top of more of the embossed teal foil card stock with sanded, silver highlights. :)  I stamped the sentiment (Big Scripty Greetings Holiday - Simon Says Stamp - retired) with Silver Delicata ink to finish the card.

The challenge is open until the 29th, so there's lots of time to play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Season's Gifts (Penny Black); Big Scripty Greetings Holiday (Simon Says Stamp - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Silver Matte foil card stock (SU!); Teal foil card stock (Ranger)
Ink:  Delicata Silver ink (Tsukineko)  
Accessories:   Lavinia Snowflake Ornament die (Poppy Stamps - retired); Filigree Snowflakes embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), sanding block (PaperArtsy); Glowing Candlies die (Memory Box - retired)

Challenges:

Color Hues #122 - Teal and Silver