Gesso through Stencil

Hi everyone.  Hope you are having a great day!  

Sharing another new-to-me technique.  Following Eileen Godwin's methods, I sponged (very lightly) gesso through a stencil (Leaves - Simon Says Stamp - retired) onto my card front.  It dries in seconds and then I could move on to the next part, which was sponging distress inks (Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick) over top of the gesso'd stenciling (I masked a border before starting).  Used blender brushes to get a nice blend of colour and then used a damp paper towel to remove some of the ink from the gesso'd areas (resist).  Removed the mask and then stamped my image (Wildflowers - Inkadinkado) and sentiment (Cosmos - Technique Tuesday - retired).

To finish added some Clear Wink of Stella around the outside of the stenciling leaves and stems, making sure not to touch the black ink stamped wildflower because it was done in non-permanent ink.  Added a few white dots around the stem of the flower to complete the card. 

Close-up ...

This is another technique I did with my friends over Zoom.  We are learning to much and having a lot of fun! :)

Is it just me, or does it seem like stamps and stencils are being retired more quickly now??!!  I guess it's all to keep us buying the latest new releases.  But I do love a lot of my older stamps and stencils and I won't be getting rid of them.  This just means my studio is bursting at the seams right now and I really need to find a larger space. :)

I'm sending this card over to the Seize the Birthday #207.  I'm not using the optional topping this month, but wanted to share my latest birthday card! :)

Stamps:  Meadow (Inkadinkado); Cosmos (Technique Tuesday - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   White Gesso, Leaves Stencil (Simon Says Stamp), sponge, blending brushes, masking tape, Clear Wink of Stella, White Posca pen

Challenges:
Seize the Birthday #207 - Hearts

Double Embossing with Die and Embossing Folder

Hi everyone.  Sharing a technique led by Trina (Phamtastic Design) at our retreat.  This is so cool ... it actually created a one layer card front that has lots of texture and depth and looks like it's many layers.  I did pop the card front up on some foam before adding it to the card base, so it's no longer one layer.

It's hard to tell in the photo above, but the close-up below shows that the background is dry embossed with a woodgrain design.  The scalloped circle die was taped down to the folder and run through the big shot with a card front and silicone mat.  It dry embossed the scalloped edge and the circle.  We also cut a mask from the scalloped circle, removed the center and placed the background mask over the embossed card front so that the scallops lined up and just the center was open.  I sponged yellow, orange and purple inks on an angle, then splattered with water to add a bit of texture and interest.  The silhouette image and sentiment are stamped in black and heat embossed in clear so they stand out more.

Here's the close-up ...

You need to have a solid die for the main image (scalloped circle), so I need to go through my dies and see what I have that will work.  So fun!  Thanks Trina!!

Stamps:  Meadow (Inkadinkado); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Circle Solid Die (unknown); Woodgrain Embossing Folder (SU!), masking paper, clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Twofer Challenge #10

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the start of the October Twofer Card Challenge #10 - Harvest!  I recently bought a stamp set from Inkadinkado that has this beautiful wheat image.  Thought it would be perfect for the theme this month. :)

Remember to follow the word prompt from the badge above using the instructions from the badge below.  And please include a picture on your blog (and in the link to the challenge) of the two cards together.  Thank you!

My first card uses a paper towel background that adds lots of visual texture from the soft colours and quilted design that transferred from my paper towel.   I stamped the wheat image (three stocks of wheat) twice in Antique Linen for the background.  The last stamping is done in a darker brown (Brushed Corduroy).  The sentiment is also stamped in Brushed Corduroy to finish.  The card front is popped up on foam for added dimension.

Here's a close-up ...

For the second card, I used a product for the background that isn't new, but new-to-me.  It's called Liquid Metallics.  I used purple and red, smooshing the purple first and then red on top.  I love how the colours did stay separate, but also blended beautifully into this dreamy looking background.  I stamped the same wheat image in Versamark and heat embossed in silver, along with the sentiment "Hello" which didn't want to photograph very clear.  I cut the panel down to about 2 1/4" by 3 1/2" so there's lots of white space in the background to balance the strong colours and popped it up on foam for more dimension.

Here's the close-up ...

Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing Harvest cards from our talented Designers and wonderfully talented Guest Designers, Linby (Crafty Linby) and Liz (Crafty Sunflower).  Then come play along!  The challenge runs for two weeks - Oct. 10th-24th.  We'd love to see you in the gallery!


Card #1:  
Stamps:  Meadow (Inkadinkado); Fond Expressions2 (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
Accessories & Tools:  Paper Towel Background print ... ink transferred from inky paper towels.

Card #2:  
Stamps:  Meadow (Inkadinkado); Hello sentiment - Bouquet of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Liquid Metallics:  Metallic Quartz, Metallic Ruby (Ken Oliver); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, silver embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
Twofer Card Challenge #10 - Harvest

Watercolouring with Re-inkers

Hi everyone.  We're already over half way through December.  Just a reminder about the CAS Watercolour's December Challenge this month ...

I've had this background stamp for AGES but think it's the first time being inked up. Always good to use a NBUS item (a la Darnell). :)

I actually removed it from the wood base that it came with and added a cling sponge base so I could use it in my Misti.  The thing about intricate background stamps (or large stamps) is that they don't always ink evenly.  I think it helped.  Still a few little bare spots, but looks good.

I stamped this onto mixed media paper with versamark ink and heat embossed with white.  Once cool, I lightly sprayed with water.  Three small random dots each of Ripe Persimmon re-inker and Picked Raspberry re-inker were added over top, then misted with more water until the colours flowed.  I let it air dry and then cut down my panel.  It's a busy pattern, so I opted to leave it plain, just adding a simple die-cut sentiment.

Check out the other Design Team Reminder cards, along with our Guest Designer Deepti by clicking HERE.

I hope you come play along at our challenge.  Create a CAS card using the Watercolour Resist technique and then enter your card in the linky.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps:  Swirly Background (Inkadinkado)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Main panel:  Mixed media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Ripe Persimmon and Picked Raspberry re-inkers (Tim Holtz); Delicata Silver
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour December Challenge - Watercolour Resist

Christmas Angel

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with the Merry Monday Challenge #153 - Angels.

This is the only Angel stamp I have.  And I've had it for a long time and believe I've only used it once.  Good to pull it out and ink it up! :)

Because the image is intricate, I decided to keep everything else very simple to give it a clean look.  The image, sentiment and border are all heat embossed gold.  Using the gold embossing powder around the outside edges of my card front, ensures that the whole card is all the same colour ... which helps with the clean look.

It was hard to photograph this card with the all the shine of the embossing powder.  It definitely looks better in real life.  I really need to work on finding a better solution for my photos.  It's on my 'to-do' list but will have to wait until I'm getting around better ... soon, hopefully!

It's a glorious, sunny and warm day here.  Hubby and I are both suffering with a virus right now, but I'm hoping to convince him to head out to the deck for some fresh air. The rain is supposed to be back with us by Friday so we need to take advantage today and tomorrow. :)

Stamps:  Christmas Silhouettes (Inkadinkado); Handy Christmas Greetings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Gold embossing powder (Hero Arts), heat tool

Challenges:

Merry Monday #153 - Angels

Stencil Mask

Hi everyone.  Today's challenge at SCS for new techniques is Cluster Stamping, run by the very talented Joan Ervin.  The challenge is to take a die-cut (at least 2" wide or long ... the bigger, the easier to use), and make a stencil out of it.  Then cluster stamp inside the stencil area.  So fun!!  I had to give it a try.  Mine is basically a one layer card ... except that I always add a smaller card front - so I guess it's more like a one layer card front. :)

I used a window die to cut from a post-it note.  I placed the die-cut window on my card front and then used the rest for the cut (outside of window) as a mask over top.  Then I sponged some green for the grassy area and blue for the sky.  I used only two stamps for the window scene ... a leafy sprig that I stamped two or three times before re-inking (second generation stamping), and a branch with buds.  I love how it turned out.  Taking off the masks to reveal the card front was so exciting. :)  I stamped the sentiment in soft gray to mimic the softness of this sponged scene.

This is perfect for the Happy Little Stampers April CAS Challenge - Stenciling.  And it's a different way to use die-cuts and stencils.  Awesome!

I'm definitely going to be making more of these cards!

Stamps:  Cause a Scene - Master #1 (Kittie Kits from Rubbernecker Stamps); Branches (Inkadinkado); Elements of Style (SU)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass (Tim Holtz); Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Small Madison Arched Window die (Poppy Stamps), post it notes for making mask, sponges

Challenges:
HLS April CAS Challenge - Stenciling
SCS TLC #528 - Cluster Stamping

Pine Branches

Hi everyone.  I made a reminder card for December's Sketch Challenge at Happy Little Stampers.  I love this CAS sketch ... so easy to use.  I hope you'll play along and join in the fun.  The challenge is open until the end of the month.

Here's December's sketch challenge ...

I simply stamped a pine branch three times in dark green ink, and stamped a second, smaller branch, three times in light green ink.  I coated the sprigs with clear glitter glue for sparkle (hard to see in the photo, but it's very pretty in real life).  I splattered more of the two green inks over top and stamped a sentiment. Fun and easy card to make! :)

Come join in the fun ... the challenge runs for the whole month, so there's lots of time to join in.  There's two ways to enter ... on HLS Blog  ... or on HLS Forum (or both!). :)

If you upload your entry to the forum, you will be in the running for a randomly drawn prize --- don't miss out!

Also wanted to mention Happy Little Stampers is introducing a new challenge at the beginning of January.

We hope you'll check out the challenge at the beginning of January and play along!! :)

____________________

And just a few more pics.  On Saturday, I hosted a High Tea for some friends and wanted to share a few pics.  I used to work with these lovely ladies and have known them for over 30 years.  Sorry for the poor quality of the pics ... my living room/dining room is very dark.

Here's the food (all made by me!) ... first the savory tray (chicken and cranberry croissants, egg salad sandwiches, Borsin cheese and sun-dried tomato pesto crostini)

Here's the sweet tray (raisin scones with devon cream and raspberry jelly), cherry winks, shortbread cookies, mincemeat tarts, brownies, gingerbread tartlets with pumpkin mousse filling)

... and we had an appearance by a very special guest (and his daddy) :) ...

Stamps:  Watercolour Winter (SU!), Branches (Inkadinkado); Christmas Greetings (SU)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz Distress Inks)
Accessories & Tools:  Dazzling Details (clear glitter glue) from SU!, paint brush for splattering, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Delicate Sky

Hi everyone.  Time for the next challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This challenge is being run by the very talented Shana (Stress-free Stamping with Shana).  Shana chose this fabulous code word:

The challenge is being sponsored by

Prize:  5 digital images

I sponged three distress inks onto my main panel (Broken China, Peacock Feathers and Evergreen Bough), then stamped the branch in Versamark and heat embossed in white.  The sentiment is stamped in soft gray to match the soft colors of the sponged sky.  Super CAS and super simple card.

It's a new month and that means a new Guest Designer.  We are so excited to have Cathy (Cathy's Card Spot) join us for the month of July.  Check out the challenge - ATCAS#42 - code word SKY and see the fabulous  Design Team's cards! :)

As always, the challenge is open for two weeks, so there's lots of time to play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery! :)

Stamps:  Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah)
Ink:  Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Evergreen Bough (Distress Inks); Smoky Slate (SU!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, embossing buddy (powder); white embossing powder, heat tool

Delicate Branches

Hi everyone.  Have been wanting to play along with the CAS - Colours & Sketches challenge all week, but just found time this morning.  Love the colours this week and decided to sponge a background with them and then stamp a simple silhouette.  Hope you like.

Here's the colors:

Stamps:  Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado); A Word For You (SU!)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss, Pool Party, Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Modern punch, sponges, adhesives, and dimensionals

Here's a close-up:

____________________

I have been working on my next set of card candy and made a prototype ... but decided to change it, so went to remove the items from the acetate sheet, only to find that the dimensionals that I had used to adhere the items worked too well. :)

I thought they would pop off the acetate sheet easily and then re-attach to a card, but no ... they attached the items to the acetate really, really well and are difficult to remove.  Oops!!

For everyone that has received the candy from me ... I apologize.  I'm going to use temporary adhesive from now on and hope that fixes the problem.

Merry Trees ... and Window with a View

Hi everyone.  I entering a Design Team call for Inkspirational, a new challenge blog that will go live at the beginning of January.  Four cards, one for each challenge (CASE, Color, Photo, Sketch) are required and I posted my first card (for the photo inspiration) a couple of days ago - Christmas Wreath.

Today is all about the color challenge:

Love these colors together.  I didn't have any designer paper that had all three colors, so I made my own.  I used Whisper White for the base, stamped large and small snowflakes in both olive and pale blue; and then added some suede dots.  I die-cut three trees and sponged more olive around the outside edges.  The base of the tree is suede.  I'm so happy with how this turned out ... and happy that I was able to make my own DP! :)  The green glitter paper finishes the card off with some bling.  Hope you like.

Stamps:  Holiday Cheer (Sizzix / Hero Arts), Merry & Bright sentiment (Amy R)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Whisper White (SU!); green glitter paper ($1 store)
Ink:  Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Tree die-cuts (Holiday Cheer set - Sizzix / Hero Arts), Star die (C.C. Designs - part of the Christmas Tree die set), Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, sticky strips, and dimensionals

Here's a close-up of the DP I made:

____________________

And, as per usual for me, I had a hard time limiting myself to just one card with these colors.  So here's a second card, that uses different techniques ... and is a totally different style but still CAS.  Hope you like.



Stamps:  Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado); Leaf sprig (Cause a Scene, Master #1 - Kittie Kits); Thoughts of you (Rubber-Art Stamps)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs), Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Small Madison Arched Window die (Poppy Stamps), sponge, paper piercing tool & template, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sticky strips, glue, and dimensionals

I glued three layers of the window die together to create a thick die.  I sponged Baja Breeze onto Whisper White, and stamped the branch in Soft Suede ink.  I then stamped the leaf sprig in Old Olive ink, two or three times before re-inking and stamping more (second generation stamping).  A sentiment stamped in soft suede and a line of piercing finishes the card.

Here's a close-up of the view:

Autumn Sunset

Where has this week gone??!!  It's been a busy week, so not as much time in the studio as usual.   It's already Thursday and there's lots of challenges that I haven't had a chance to enter.  But, I did manage to find a little time this morning and made a one-layer card for this week's OLW Challenge (#106 - Sponging).  This week's challenge is hosted by the very talented Heather Telford ... I love her cards and have spent many a happy hour gazing through her gallery.

For today's card, I sponged a sunset using the colors of Autumn.  I cut out a mask from the Nestabilities Labels Two, sponged on four colors of ink, removed the mask, and added a simple branch and sentiment.  Fun and easy card to make ... except for the fact that when I was finished, I smudged some dark brown ink on the front of the card .... acckkkk!!  I need to remember to wash my hands as soon as I'm finished sponging!!  Lesson learned (you'd think!) ... but I did it again with my second version.  There's a tiny smudge on the right hand side and I've decided I can live with it. :)  Hope you like.

"Autumn Sunset"

Stamps:  Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado); Season of friendship (SU!)
Paper:  White
Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, Labels Two Nestability (Spellbinders), Stamp-a-ma-jig

Delicate Branches

Today's card is for three challenges:  Paper Players #112 (Colours from Lesley - Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Basic Black) ... and Less is More #84 (One Layer - Foliage) ... and CAS-ology #10 - Sky.

I struggle with one layer cards.  I'm really not one to add lots of layers, but usally I have two or three and I love using die-cuts.  So this challenge is just that for me.  I went to Heather Telford's wonderful blog for inspiration.  To me, she is the expert at one layer cards ... her masking and sponging is second to none.  What's also amazing about Heather's work is her huge gallery of cards that are all so unique.  Hope you like my "ode to Heather" card for today using the soft, muted palette from the Paper Players challenge.

Please email me if you have any questions about how I made this card ... or check out Heather's tutorials on her blog.

"Delicate Branches"

Stamps:  Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado); Elements of Style sentiment (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, post-it notes for masking, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Butterflies in Flight

Today I'm posting two cards for tomorrow's CAS Challenge (CAS157) - Sketch by Nancy Littrell.  I had a lot of fun working with Nancy's fabulous sketch!!  With the first card I used the latest tutorial on SCS by Karen Barber - Marker Layering.  Nancy had made a card yesterday using this technique and sent me the link ... I just loved the way her images turned out, so checked out Karen's wonderful video tutorial and tried it out for myself (click here to see the tutorial).  I definitely need some practice, but it was fun and I like the way my butterflies look like stained glass!  Hope you like.

Nancy's original sketch:

Here's my version of the sketch:

"Butterflies in Flight"

Stamps:  Butterflies Cling (Inkadinkado); On the Grow - sentiment (SU!)  

Paper:  Basic Black, watercolor paper (SU!)

Ink:  Stazon Black, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Blending tool, sticky strips, glue dots and dimensionals

I stamped the butterfly image onto watercolor paper three times with Stazon Black ink (two are only partial images).  I stamped two extra butterflies on watercolor paper scraps.  I used my Stampin' Write markers and the blending tool to color in the butterflies with the Marker Layering Technique (click here for the tutorial on SCS).  I cut out both of the extra butterflies (one is for the inside of the card and the other was layered on top of the main butterfly on the card front).  The top butterfly was mounted using rolled glue dots and dimensionals to give it depth.

I stamped the sentiment in Basic Black ink onto watercolor paper, framed it in Basic Black cardstock and mounted it to the card front using sticky strips.

I mounted the card front onto a Basic Black card base.

____________________

Here's the second card using Nancy's sketch.  This time I sponged a stencil I made using "Pair of Ferns" die-cut from Cheery Lynn.  I originally stamped the sentiment in Kiwi Kiss ink, but it was too light and didn't photograph very well, so I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement and stamped over in Black ink.  I can't believe how perfectly they lined up ... you can just see a hint of the Kiwi Kiss in the background (doesn't show in the photo).  Hope you like.

"Ferns"

  

Stamps:  A Word for you (sentiment) (SU!)

Paper:  Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss (retired), Urban Garden DP (retired) (SU!)

Ink:  Kiwi Kiss (retired), Old Olive, Basic Black (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Pair of Ferns die-cut (Cheery Lynn), sponge, small eye make-up sponge, removable tape, Stamp-a-ma-jig, and adhesives  

I ran both fern die-cuts (left and right) through my Big Shot with large scrap pieces of cardstock.  I removed the die-cuts and kept them to be used at a later time.  I used the cut-out as a stencil.  I positioned it on my Whisper White cardstock and secured it in place with removable tape.  I sponged the whole image in Kiwi Kiss ink.  I used a small make-up sponge and Old Olive ink to add more color down the stem and at the base of each leaf.  I removed the stencil.  I repeated this process using the other stencil (opposite angle), sponging only a partial image twice.  I removed the mask.

I stamped the sentiment in Kiwi Kiss ink and then over-stamped in basic black.

I mounted the main image onto a frame of Urban Garden DP and then onto a card front of Whisper White. 

I mounted the card front onto a card base of Kiwi Kiss (for stability).