Colouring Dry Embossing - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  This month our Group of Seven Cardmakers had fun Colouring Dry Embossing.  Bonnie made a couple of cards back in February, and shared the two ways she coloured dry embossing; sponging and watercolouring.  Bonnie led the team and showed us how she made the cards and shared a third alternative - inkpad swiping.  Thanks Bonnie!

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

Group of Seven Cardmakers

I do love to watercolour dry embossed images and have done it several times in the past (see below for more samples).  This time I used soft colours of distress inks (Shabby Shutters, Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral) to watercolour the embossed image of Roses (Tim Holtz) on mixed media paper.  I finished the card with a sentiment from Gratitude (Penny Black), stamped in black for contrast.

Close-up ...

It's the first time using this embossing folder, so I'm sending this card to NBUS Challenge #52.

I'm also sending the card to Can You Handle the Pressure July Challenge - with a twist of Nautical.  As you can see, I didn't use the twist. :)

Another card using similar colours ...

This time I simply sponged over the raised design.  Again with Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Shabby Shutters, and also Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed, and Chipped Sapphire distress inks.  This was a really quick and easy card.

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Card #1:

Stamps:  Gratitude (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:  Roses Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), paint brushes   

Card #2:

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Peeled Paint, Worn Lipstick, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Peony Bundle Folder (Simon Says Stamp), sponges, blue pencil crayon

Challenges:

Group of Seven - July - Colouring Dry Embossing

NBUS Challenge #52

Can You Handle the Pressure July Challenge - with a twist of Nautical

Playing with Stencils

Hi everyone.  I had a lot of fun playing in my studio the other day.  I used a stencil for the first time, even though I've had it for quite a while. :)

This is the Crackle Stencil from Lavinia.  It makes a beautiful background.  I ink blended three colours of Distress ink using my sponging brushes (Saltwater Taffy, Candied Apple, Vintage Photo).  So happy how these colour look together. :)  I added a black die-cut framed flower (retired), cutting a second layer of the flower and shaping with my stylus before popping up on top.  To finish, I stamped the sentiment (retired) in black ink and added a silver pearl to the center of the flower.

Close-up ...

Sending this card over to NBUS #51 ... I've played alot there this month!! :)

I'm also adding the card to Stencil Fun Challenge - June.  Stenciling is one of my favourite things to do :) ... I believe this is my second card this month for this challenge. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

If you would like to subscribe by email,

please fill out the subscription form in the upper right sidebar.

Make sure to add "subscribe" to the message.

It is also important to add SWL1subscribers@gmail.com to your contact list

so Google recognizes the address and delivers the updates.

To unsubscribe, please use the same form making sure to add

"unsubscribe" to the message.

Thank you.

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Saltwater Taffy, Candied Apple, Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Crackle stencil (Lavinia Stamps), sponge brushes, Floral Sten Collage die - retired (Poppy Stamps), silver pearl (Studio Katia)

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #51

Stencil Fun Challenge - June

CAS Challenges September Reminder

Hi everyone.  We are at the mid-point of the month, so time for Reminders for our two Challenges.  First up, CAS Mix Up September Reminder - Autumn Colours.

Leslie is our host.

I used a retired set from Stampin' Up! called Falling leaves.  I stamped two oak leaves in brown archival ink and then watercoloured using autumn colours.  I fussy-cut them and added a layer of Clear Rock Candy Distress Glaze.  This gives the leaves a beautiful, shiny, crackle finish.  The crackle is hard to see, but lovely in real life.  

My card front has one side stenciled with a leaf stencil from Silhouette America using Twisted Citron ink.  The other side is a Harlequin Stencil (The Crafter's Workshop) with white crackle paste.  Once everything was dry, I stamped the sentiment (Many Everyday Message - Hero Arts) in gathered twigs distress ink and glued the two leaves, popping up the top one slightly.

Close-up ...

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Next is CAS Christmas September Reminder - Plaid.

Colleen is our host.

I do love plaid, especially on a Christmas card.  This time I used patterned paper (Modascrap (Sudtirol) to create three strips of plaid.  I die-cut Blooming Poinsettia (Poppy Stamps) from real red card stock, sponging the edges of the petals with Real Red ink.  I glued the three layers together, offsetting the petals and once dry, shaped the petals with my fingers.  To finish, I added small brown rhinstones to the center of the flower and stamped the sentiment (Merry Up - Penny Black) in Candied Apple distress ink.  I didn't use Real Red ink to stamp the sentiment because it stamps quite dark red on the white card stock I use.

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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 both challenges close on 24th at midnight PST.  Come join us!

CAS Mix Up Reminder - Crackled Leaves
Stamps:  Gently Falling (SU!); Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Cocoa (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Candied Apple, Twisted Citron, Gathered Twigs (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Leaf stencil (Silhouette America), acetate sheet, sponge, Harlequin Stencil (TCW), White crackle paste (DecoArt), Clear Rock Candy (Tim Holtz)


CAS Christmas Reminder - Joyful Wishes
Stamps:  Merry Up (Penny Black)O
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.);  Modascrap patterned paper (Sudtirol);  Real Red card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Real Red (Stampin' Up!); Candied Apple distress ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Blooming Poinsettia die (Poppy Stamps), sponge, mini brown rhinestones


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Reminder - Autumn Colours
CAS Christmas September Reminder - Plaid

CAS Challenges June Reminder

Hi everyone.  Time for reminder cards for both CAS Mix Up and CAS Christmas for June!

Viv is our host.

Starting with CAS Mix Up, the above card was a simple and easy card to make.  I sponged a piece of mixed media paper with angled horizontal strips of yellow, red, and purple.  Misted the paper with water and took a large brush to go back and forth over the colours, washing my brush in-between colour changes.  This is an easy way to make a watercoloured background.  I let it dry and then splattered with drops of water and blotted to add some texture.

The birds stencil (STAMPlorations - Some Birds) is sponged in black ink.  Added a simple frame and black sentiment (Many Everyday Messages - Hero Arts) to finish the card.

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Hideko is our host.

Here is the reminder card for June's CAS Christmas challenge - Snowman.  I love this sweet image from Gerda Steiner (Little Snowman).  I created some backgrounds using Brushos (Turquoise, Violet, White).  I always sprinkle way too much, so just kept adding water and ended up with six backgrounds. :)

I added two torn snowhills on top.  Then stamped my image onto my card and also onto a piece of mixed media paper.  Fussy cut the image and watercoloured using distress inks.  Added some dots with a white acrylic pen and red chalk for his cheeks.  Glued him on top of the image stamped on my card.

Added a simple sentiment (Simple Celebrate Winter - Lawn Fawn) stamped in black and clear heat embossed to match the image.

Quick, fun card to make.

Close-up ...

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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 both challenges close on 24th at midnight PST.  Come join us!

CAS Mix Up Reminder - Hello There
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Candied Apple, Wilted Violet, Black Soot (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, water mister, paint brush, Some Birds Stencil (STAMPlorations), Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)


CAS Christmas Reminder - Little Snowman Greetings
Stamps:  Little Snowman (Gerda Steiner); Sentiment - Simply Celebrate Winter (Lawn Fawn)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Brushos:  Turquoise, Voilet; Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Carved Pumpkin, Wilted Violet, Salty Ocean, Tumbled Glass (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, clear embossing powder, paint brush, White Posca pen, red chalk


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up June Challenge - Flight
CAS Christmas June Challenge - Snowman

The Flower Challenge #53

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the new challenge at The Flower Challenge #53.

This is a new-to-me stamp (Statement Flowers - Simon Says Stamp) that I watercoloured with distress inks on mixed media paper.  I first added some stenciled dots (Mini Tiny Circles Stencil - TCW) to the background before stamping and colouring the flowers.  I do love the large size of these flowers --- were fun to watercolour.  To finish, I added a shadow around the flowers using a dark gray Zig brush marker.  Both the flowers and sentiment (Many Everyday Messages - Hero Arts) are stamped in black and heat embossed in clear.

Close-up ...

We are thrilled to have Sathya (Sathya Paper Crafts) are our Guest Designer this month.  Make sure to check out the challenge blog to see the amazing art from our Designers and lovely Guest Designer, Sathya!

I hope to see you in our gallery!

Edited to Add:  Since this is the first time using this beautiful stamp, I'm heading over to add my card to the NBUS #23 gallery!

Stamps:  Statement Flowers (Altenew); Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)

Inks:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey; Zig: Gray

Accessories:  Mini Tiny Circles stencil (TCW), sponge, Clear embossing powder, heat tool, water brush

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #53 - Use your latest Stamps or Dies

NBUS #23 Challenge

More playing with Eileen's Sponging Techniques

Hi everyone.  Sharing another card from our last Zoom call (I have another three that I will share over the next week or so).  This one uses a technique from Eileen Godwin that I've used before.  I started by sponging lightly against a straight edge.  I moved the straight edge in several directions and used three different colours of distress ink (Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry).  The sponging was done with blender brushes which gives a very soft blend.  Then I placed a sweet daisy stencil (PM008 PA Mini Mask from Paper Artsy - gift from a lovely friend), overtop and used the same three colours to sponge over top.

Finished the card by stamping a silhouette image of leaves (Soulful Silhouettes from Penny Black) and hello (Many Everyday Messages - Hero Arts) sentiment.  I love the layering that Eileen does in her work, and I'm enjoying trying it for myself more and more.

Close-up ...

I'm playing along with Penny Black Saturday Challenge where Anything Goes.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing this card.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamps:  Soulful Silhouettes (Penny Black);  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Stencil scraper (straight edge); blender bruses, Paper Artsy Mini Stencil, sponges

Challenges:
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes

The Flower Challenge #51

Hi everyone.  It's the start of December's The Flower Challenge.  This month, we want you to Add embellishment(s) on your card.

We are thrilled to have Helen (Cards from Helen) as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Helen!

I kept my embellishment fairly simple by using some Autumn Flower Soft for the center of my stenciled dahlia.  Not only does it add some darker colours, but it has lots of texture as well.

The stenciling was done during a Zoom call I had with some crafting friends.  Julia (Create with Me) was sharing the shaving cream technique with re-inkers.  The twist was to use it through a stencil.  It was fun and messy all at the same time! :)  My stencil had two partial flowers on it, so I fussy-cut them and created two cards.  

Second card ...

Again, used Flower Soft for the center of my dahlia, with a copper embossed black sentiment border to complete the CAS design.

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from the Designers and Guest Designer, Helen.  Then come join us!  Remember to use a floral image as your main design and include at least one embellishent.  See you in the gallery!

I used a beautiful Dahlia stencil from STAMPlorations, so I'm joining their December Stencil Challenge ...

Stamps:  ...everyday (Penny Black); Every Day Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card bases (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Re-inkers:  Mustard Seed, Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Peeking Dahlia stencil (STAMPlorations); shaving cream, palette knife, Crystal Glaze, Flower Soft (Autumn), copper embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #51 - Add Embellishments
December Stencil Challenge - STAMPlorations

Zooming with Friends

Hi everyone.  A couple of weeks ago, a group of us got together on Zoom to have a crafting session.  We followed Kathy Racoosin's video Print Making with Die-cuts.

The group of us are all posting our cards today.  Would love for you to check out the links to the other's blogs and leave them a comment as well.

Bonnie
Brenda

Christine
Darnell
Susan

I believe you get the best results from this technique using watercolour paper (Cold or Hot Press).  I used Arches 140 lb. Cold Press for both cards

For the card above I used a Penny Black die-cut, along with watercolouring with distress inks (rather than markers like Kathy used in her video).  Added a frame and stamped sentiment to match the colour of the leaves.  Happy how it turned out.

Second card ...

This time I used a fern die from AliExpress.  I found when using die-cuts with lots of openings, it's best to just add the prints from the die-cuts.  If I watercoloured the fern on top of my main panel, because of all the openings, I would end up with blobs of colour that distract from the design.  Ask me how I know this. :)  I cut my panel down and added the black sentiment border.  I'm really happy how this turned out as well.

I hope you'll give this technique a try.  It's fun and easy to do.  With it being more free flowing it always turns out to be a beautiful and arsty card.

Products

Flower Flourish Die (Penny Black)
Gratitude (Penny Black)

Fern die (AliExpress) *

Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

* AliExpress links are temporary

Card #1 - Have a Wonderful Day
Stamps:  Gratitude (Penny Black)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Flower Flourish die (Penny Black); paint brushes, water mister, Rectangle die - retired (Spellbinders), white acrylic paint pen (Posca)

Card #2 - You're the Best
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. cold press); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Crushed Olive, Forest Moss (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Fern die (AliExpress); paint brushes, water mister, white embossing powder, heat tool

CAS Mix Up July Reminder

Hi everyone.  Today's card is a reminder that we are already half way through July.  There's still nine days left until the CAS Mix Up July Challenge closes.

I'm having fun with Stencil Tracing, which is hosted by my dear friend, Nancy.  This time I used only a portion of a large flower stencil, tracing the stencil with a metallic silver pen.  It turned out well, even though the silver pen had a mind of its own. :)  It doesn't like to stop and start, usually leaving a little extra of the silver ink behind.

I cropped my image to fit inside this beautiful PB frame.  I then heat embossed the sentiment in silver to match.

My CAS Mix Up card has stenciling, stencil tracing, sponging, die-cuts, heat embossing, and stamping.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll come join us.  Make a stenciled card and then trace the design using the stencil as a guide.  Come join us!

Products
Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Bloom Stencil (Mayco) - Blick Art Materials
Simple Stackers frame dies (Penny Black)

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Broken China, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Bloom stencil (Mayco), sponges, Silver metallic pen (Pilot), Simple Stackers frame (Penny Black), silver embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up July Challenge - Stencil Tracing

Twofer Challenge #29

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with Twofer Challenge #29.  I'm sure you can guess what the challenge prompt is ... :)

Remember to follow the rules ...

I have created two different designs for two different occasions using the same butterfly die-cut.

First up, a CAS birthday card ...

The background behind the butterfly is stamped in delicata silver ink.  The butterfly's main body is cut from a piece of mixed media paper that had been smooshed with purple and red metallic liquids.  The outline of the butterfly is layered over top and a simple sentiment is stamped to finish the card.  This a one layer card which I don't make often.

The second card is a CAS mixed media encouragement card ...

The background is from my stash of paper towel transfers with pink and orange inks.  I stenciled over top with a honeycomb stencil in both bright pink and gold inks.  You can't really see the original background any more unless close up.  This time I only used the outline of the butterfly.  Die-cutting it from black really makes it pop off the background.  I complimented it with a black sentiment banner with white embossing.

I hope you'll come join in the Twofer Challenge.  It only runs for two weeks, so have your two cards posted before end of day July 24th!  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Products
Flitter Side Butterfly die (Memory Box)
Liquid Metallics (Ken Oliver)
Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Card #1 - Happy Birthday Butterfly
Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge (SU! - retired); Happy Birthday sentiment (Cosmos - Technique Tuesday - retired)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Delicata Silver (Tsukineko); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools: Flitter Side Butterfly (Memory Box); Liquid Metallics:  Ruby Red, Quartz (Ken Oliver)

Card #2 - Happy Birthday Butterfly
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Picked Raspberry Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko); Versamark
Accessories & Tools: Flitter Side Butterfly (Memory Box); Honeycomb stencil (cut with my Silhouette Cameo); sponges, white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #29 - Butterflies