Twofer Challenge #27

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with Twofer Challenge #27 - Flowers.  You all know how much I LOVE flowers, so I couldn't miss this! :)

I used a stamp that I've had for AGES, but don't believe I've ever used on a card before.  So I'll be sending this first card to NBUS Challenge #14.

I stamped my hydrangea on a post-it note and fussy-cut to create a mask.  I stamped my first image in the center (bottom) of a piece of mixed media; topped that image with my post-it mask, and then stamped on either side of the center image to have the flowers go all along the bottom of my card.

I watercoloured the hydrangeas with distress inks, stamped a simple sentiment, and added a little bit of white with my gel pen to finish the card.

Close-up:

For my second card, I stamped the same hydrangea image onto mixed media paper and again watercoloured with distress inks.  I cut a stitched square aperture in my card front, adding the watercoloured image to the background.  A simple sentiment finishes the card.

I hope you'll join in the fun at Twofer, creating two different designs using the same stamp, die or stencil.  And if you use something new (or old but unused), come add your card to the NBUS gallery!

Stamps:Floral Bouquet (Avery Elle); Special sentiments (Penny Black); Where your Heart is (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black permanent (Versafine); Distress Inks:  Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools: paint brushes, white gel pen, Stitched Square die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #27 - Flowers
NBUS Challenge #14

CAS February Challenge Reminders

Hi everyone.  We have reached the middle of the challenges, so time for a reminder for all four (CAS Mix Up, CAS Watercolour, CAS Christmas, and CAS Stencil).  I hope you'll come play along in any (or all)!

I used a lily of the valley circle die to cut a stencil from thin card stock.  The stencil was placed over a background of Lindy's magicals and white embossing paste was added to the stencil.  Once dry, the image was mounted to a white card base and topped with a card front which had a small circle aperture, along with a debossed larger circle around it (hard to see in photo).  A delicate sentiment was stamped to match the delicate image.  For my CAS Mix Up card there is Stencil from die-cut, smooshing, embossing paste, debossing and stamping.

TIP:  when using embossing paste over an ink coloured background, some of the colour will soak through the paste.  Use white acrylic paint (or in my case white gouache) to paint over top of the dried paste to make it bright white.

Thanks to Joanna ... I now look at my dies in a whole new way!

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Isn't this cat the cutest??!!  I stamped with permanent black ink onto mixed media paper, watercoloured with different inks and fussy-cut. Added white paint dots to the large heart, covered with sparkle and then coated with crystal glaze.  I used a small stitched rectangle for the background, adding different-sized (and intensity of colour) dots to create a bokeh background.  White pigment ink was also used to add a few very light coloured dots.  Sentiment is stamped in black and the stitched panel is popped up on foam as well as the cat bing popped up for added dimension.

Thanks Marcia for a very fun challenge!

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I used a sweet wreath from Avery Elle.  Stamped in permanent black ink and watercoloured with distress and SU! inks.  Added a little sparkle to the berries before adding the die-cut sentiment, which is two layers thick and coated with sparkled and then glaze.  I dabbed off most of the glaze with a paper towel to leave a shiny, but textured surface.

Thanks to Lin for this very fun challenge ... our gallery is filled with JOY!

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I started with a piece of lightly smooshed magicals in my stash ... leftover ink from another project.  I added transfer gel through the Barley Stencil (STAMPlorations) and foiled in copper.  I mounted my panel onto a card base and added a card front with a loop frame.  The sentiment is stamped in Vintage distress ink.

I struggled with this challenge for some reason.  I've used foil before, so not sure what I was doing wrong.  My first attemps were for large areas of foil, which may have been the problem.  But in the end, I was happy with both my launch and reminder cards.  Patience was needed. :)

Thanks to Barb for this challenge.  I learned a lot about what not to do. :)  But when it turns out, there's nothing like foil --- so beautiful!

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I hope you'll check out the challenge blogs to see the amazing cards from our Designers, Guest Designers, and participants.  If you haven't had time to play along, there's over a week left before all four challenges close on 24th at midnight PST.  Come join us!

CAS Mix Up Reminder - Lily Thanks
Stamps:  Sentiment - Peony Stems & Blossoms (Poppy Stamps)
Paper:  Mixd Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Magicals:  Prima Donna Purple, Tiffany Bue, Sassy Sapphire (Lindy's);
Accessories & Tools:  Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinder); Lily of the Valley Sprigs Circle (Memory Box), Pixie Spray, White embossing paste (Dreamweaver); White Gouache (Arteza)

CAS Watercolour Reminder - With Love
Stamps:  so loved (Penny Black), sentiment - it's your day (Penny Black)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink: Obsidian (Altenew); Real Red (SU!); Zig (light gray); Candied Apple distress ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, White Paint Pen (?); Glitter Pen (Spectrum Noir clear), Crystal Glaze (Nuvo); Circle stencil (MFT), sponges, chalk, Stitched die (Lil' Inkers)

CAS Christmas Reminder - Love, Peace and Joy
Stamps:  Festive Wreath (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Versafine Black; Peeled Paint distress ink (TH); Real Red ink (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush; Peace, joy and love die (Penny Black); Sparkle Pen (Spectrum Noir), Crystal Glaze (Nuvo)


CAS Stencil Reminder - Copper Foiled Oats
Stamps:  Sentiment - Thank You (Lil' Inkers)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Lindy's magicals (autumn maple); Vintage Photo distress ink (TH)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Barley stencil (STAMPlorations); Transfer Gel (Decofoil); Copper Foil sheet (Decofoil), Laminator, Stitched Loops Frame die (Penny Black)


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up February - Stencil from Die-cuts 
CAS Watercolour February Challenge - Red & Black
CAS Christmas February Challenge - Joy
CAS Stencil February Challenge - Foil

Sweetest Birthday

Hi everyone.  It's time for the reminder that there's only about a week left to play along with us at the CAS Watercolour May Challenge - For a Child, hosted by the mega talented Karen!  We are also thrilled to have Bobby as our Guest Designer this month.

Doesn't everyone love ice cream bars??!!  This is my first time inking up this fun stamp set from Avery Alle.  I have a sweet tooth (that's an understatement!).  When I was young, I loved to buy Creamsicles.  They were vanilla ice cream bars coated with orange.  Delicious!!  These stamps reminded me of them, so I coloured them in bright, ice cream colours using my Zigs, after stamping the images in black and clear embossing.  Crystal Glaze was added to the bright part of the orange and pink ice cream bars.

The background is a paper towel transfer background using the same colours, cut with a stitched, partial circle die.  The bars are popped up for some added dimesion.  I stamped the sentiment in black and embossed with clear so it would match the bar images.

Here's a close-up ...

Check out the fun gallery of cards on the challenge blog.  And then come join us.  Still lots of time to play along!

Stamps:  Sweetest (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Zigs (Kuretake)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, crystal glaze (Nuvo)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour May Challenge - For a Child

Twofer Challenge #14

Hi everyone.  It's the start of a new Twofer Challenge.  I had lots of fun designing my cards for this month's challenge.  I inked up this new-to-me stamp set that's been around for a while.  So fun working with these images! :) ... and used another NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) too! :)

Make sure to follow the word prompt from the above badge, along with the rules from the badge below.

Stamped the birds and balloon image onto mixed media paper.  Watercoloured the first card with Zigs, the second with Distress Inks.  All the images were fussy-cut and popped up on the cards for added dimension.

The first card has a frame with stamped leaves in the background.  The second card is cut with a curved, stitched border with splattering in the background.

Here's the close-ups ...

... and ...

Adding the above card to a new challenge that just started this month "Day of the Month Card Club #1 - "I want you to be happy day".  All the best to this new challenge offered from Cornelia, Rosi and Gundi!

Check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from our Designers, along with our two Guest Designers, Julie (Crafted by Jules) and Lucy (Little Scraps of Lucy).  Then come play along.

Make two differently designed cards for two different occasions using the same balloon stamp, die, or stencil.  Then join us!

Stamps:  Toucan Party (Avery Elle); Plant Background (The Stampin' Place)
Paper:  White card bases (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series)
Ink:  Permanent Black ink (Versafine); Zigs (Kuretake), Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, Rectangle die frame (AliExpress), Stitched Borders die (Pretty Pink Posh), Clear Wink of Stella, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo)

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #14 - Balloons
Day of the Month Card Club #1 - I want you to be happy day

CAS Watercolour November Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the CAS Watercolour November Challenge.  This month the challenge is hosted by our talented Designer, Susan (Cardmaker's Garret).  She chose ...

I do love this stamp and die set from Avery Elle and have used the large flower bouquet for today's card.  I stamped in black, watercoloured and die-cut; then placed it inside my antique frame die.  I didn't think it needed anything else, so no sentiment.

Here's a close-up ...

We are excited to have Maura (Maura's SCS gallery) as our Guest Designer this month.  Please check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful CAS Christmas cards from our Designers and wonderful Guest Designer, Maura  Then come play along!

Adding this card to the Jingle Bells Challenge - Mele Kalikimaka (Christmas Flowers) Challenge.

Stamps:  Holiday Bouquet (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base and frame (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Versafine); Real Red (SU!); Distress Inks:  Crushed Olive, Forest Moss (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, matching dies for Holiday Bouquet stamp set (Avery Elle); Antique Frame die (Penny Black)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour November - Christmas Florals and Greenery
Jingle Bells - Mele Kalikimaka

Lilies

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card using a NBUS stamp.  I've had this for a while, but only now pulling it out. :)

I love lilies so when I saw this stamp set, I had to buy it! :)  I made a stencil monoprint background using a mini dot stencil and distress inks (spiced marmalade, abandoned coral, mustard seed).  Once dry, I tore off the top on an angle and then stamped my lilies in permanent ink.  I watercoloured the image with more distress inks (abandoned coral, festive berries, barn door, peeled paint).  Adhered the torn panel to a white card base and stamped my sentiment in black.

Stencil Monoprint is my FAVOURITE stenciling technique.  And I find watercolouring with inks so relaxing and fun!

Here's a close-up ...

Sending this card along to The Flower Challenge #24 - Anything Goes.  I do love to make flower cards, but don't always have time to play along.  This month I've played twice! :)  Check out the gallery to see the amazing cards from the Designers and participants.

Stamps:  Spring Bouquet (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Bristol (2ply); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink: Versafine Black; Distress Inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Abandoned Coral, Mustard Seed, Festive Berries, Barn Door, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools: Mini Dot stencil (TCW), water mister), water brush, white gel pen

Challenges:
The Flower Challenge #24 - Anything goes

CAS Christmas September Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the CAS Christmas September Challenge.  I hope that you've been playing along with us this year and now have a good start to your Christmas cards for this year. :)

This month, the challenge is being hosted by the creative talents of Nance (Soul Stampin').  As you can probably guess from my card above, the theme this month is Wreath. :)

I don't have a lot of wreath images so I had to make the sacrifice and go shopping. :)  I found this sweet stamp set from Avery Elle.  It has lots of little bits and bobs that I can use for dressing up the wreath, but for it's first time being inked, I have left it fairly plain, just adding a bow at the bottom.

As you know that I have a love / frustrated relationship with red ink, you're probably not surprised that I had to fussy-cut the wreath.  Thankfully only had to cut the outside as the inside didn't seem to have any red ink running amok! :)

I had to use my SU! real red ink for the berries.  I LOVE the bright, yet deep colour.  For the leaves, I used two shades of green distress inks (Crushed Olive / Forest Green).  These are colours that I don't use very much.  I'm so happy how they work together and hopefully I'll be using them more often.

The wreath is watercoloured in the inks above, fussy cut around the outside.  A sentiment (same stamp set) was stamped in black in the middle and the wreath was popped up on the card base for a little dimension.  Stamped the bow on a scrap piece of mixed media card, watercoloured and fussy-cut, gluing it flat on the bottom of the wreath.

Super simple, easy peasy to do ... I love this CAS Christmas Wreath design.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the gorgeous Wreath cards from our Designers, and our wonderful Guest Designer Birgit (Rapport fran ett skrivood )  Then come play along!

Stamps:  Festive Wreath (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versafine Onyx; Distress Inks: Crushed Olive, Forest Green (Tim Holtz); Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush

Challenges:
CAS Christmas September Challenge - Wreath

Crackled Sunflower

Hi everyone.  We are already half way through August.  It's time for a reminder card for the CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Stencil Monoprint, being hosted by Nancy (scandinancy creates).

This is my all time favourite stencil that was gifted to me by sweet Bonnie.  I have used it over and over again.  I can always find a new way to use it, or different colours, or design.  LOVE IT!

This card is on the fence about being CAS ... but I have to say that it was a fairly simple design to make.  I'm counting all the white space of the sunflower as my open space. :)

I used three colours of distresss inks (Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Peacock Feathers) and swiped them on the back of my stencil.  I spritzed with water and then turned it over and placed it on top of a piece of watercolour paper.  I blotted with a paper towel to absorb any excess ink.  When finished, it leaves me with the background of the sunflower in the inky colours, and the sunflower plain.  I wanted to make the sunflower stand out more, so once everything was dry (and the stencil was washed off and dried), I placed the stencil back over top, lining up the image.  A layer of crackle paste was spread over the stencil.  I have tried three different crackle pastes, and the one used today is my favourite (Finnabair Crackle Paste).  To finish, the sentiment was heat embossed in white onto coloured card stock.

Here's a close-up ...

If you haven't had time to play along yet, I hope you'll give this a try and join us.  It's lots of fun.

Check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from the rest of our Designers, and our wonderful Guest Designer Cathy.

I'm also adding this to the CAS Watercolour Challenge - Sunflower.

And adding to the gallery at Craft Stamper - Take It Make It August Challenge.

Stamps:  Simply Said You (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. hot press); Island Indigo (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Mini Joyful Sunflower stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), water mister, Finnabair Crackle paste, palette knife, white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Stencil Monoprint
CAS Watercolour August Challenge - Sunflower
Craft Stamper Take It Make It August Challenge

Peace and Joy

Hi everyone.  I've having fun creating right now.  Have been busy making lots of cards - YAY! :)  Today I'm sharing a card for the Merry Monday #279 challenge - Poinsettia.

I do love this stamp set and it has matching dies, which is something I rarely buy, but well worth it with this set as fussy-cutting would be a challenge. :)  I stamped the images in Archival black ink and then watercoloured using Stampin' Up! reinkers.  I die-cut the images and then arranged them on my card base, stamping the sentiment as well.  I just taped down the single poinsettia and the double poinsettia spray in the middle of the back only so that the edges are loose.  I was hoping it would give it a little dimension.  I think it worked. :)

Here's a close-up ...

I hope to make some more of these in the coming days while I still have this wonderful stamp set on my work table.

Hope you'll check out the Merry Monday #279 Challenge and see all the beautiful cards from the Design Team.  And then join in JoAnne's challenge - poinsettia.  The challenge is open until Sunday.

Stamps:  Holiday Bouquet (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series
Ink:  Re-inkers:  Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight (SU!); Archival Black (Ranger); Black (Memento - for sentiment)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, matching dies (Avery Elle), white gel pen

Challenges:
Merry Monday #279 - Poinsettia

You Are Loved

Hi everyone.  It's time for the reminder about CAS Watercolour February Challenge - Heart.  The challenge is being hosted by the very talented Bonnie.

I didn't know where I was going with this card ... it just evolved and turned into something completely different than what I had in mind at the start.  The background is cold press watercolour paper.  I had created a background a while ago with orange and pink re-inkers and cling wrap.  I cut the flower heart from white for the front of my card and was going to just place it over top, but I wanted something with more umph! This means the original background wasn't going to show at all. :)  But the colour does add to the depth of the zig watercolouring I did on top.

First I used the card front as a template and outlined the image onto my watercolour panel using a metallic gold pen.  I used my zigs to watercolour the flowers in deeper colours.  Placed the die-cut panel over top and was happy with the results.  Stamped and heat embossed the sentiment in gold to match ... this is a great sentiment set that was gifted to me by a sweet friend.

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from our wonderful Guest Designer, Sue (Sue's Card Craft) and our talented designers.  Then come join us!

Stamps:  Simply Said: You (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb. cold press); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Zigs (Kuretake)
Accessories & Tools:  Flower Heart die (Simon Says Stamp); Gold metallic pen, paint brush, gold embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour February Challenge - Heart

Holiday Bouquet

Hi everyone.  Sharing another watercoloured Christmas card.  This one uses a new-to-me stamp that I HAD TO HAVE after seeing this beautiful card done by my friend, Colleen.  Isn't it lovely??!!  I immediate went shopping on-line and bought the set, matching die, and another by the same company that Colleen has used lately. :)  Thanks for enabling me Colleen!

I absolutely love my new set of four partial die-cuts that I got from AliExpress.  I have used mostly this honeycomb one (my fav. of the four), but all of them are great.  I love that it just adds a little something special to the upper corner of this card.

The image is heat embossed in liquid platinum and watercoloured using distress inks and a water brush.  Some extra shading was added using watercolour pencils.

I'm adding this to the CAS Watercolour November Challenge - Holiday gallery.  Hope you'll come play along!

Also sending this over to the "Take It Make It" challenge at Craft Stamper Magazine.

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Twelve Tags of Christmas starts in THREE DAYS!

Stamps:  Holiday Bouquet (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Wild Honey
Accessories & Tools:  Liquid platinum embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, watercolour pencils,  Corner die-cut (AliExpress)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour November Challenge - Holiday
Take It Make It November Challenge