J-O-Y #2

Hi everyone.  I'm continuing my self-challenge to make several cards using the Immense JOY die from Penny Black.  

Today's card uses a beautiful image from Serendipity Stamps called Cardinals.  I stamped the image in black ink and heat embossed in clear before watercolouring with my Zigs.  I find it very therapeutic to watercolour these smaller images.

The rest of the card is finished using silver matte metallic card stock from Simon Says Stamp to die-cut the JOY (three times; layered for extra thickness and dimension).  The card front is white with dry embossing of the Woodlands embossing folder (SU!) before assembling all the pieces.   

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the Peace on Earth #56 Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes with optional mood board.  I was inspired by the red and green with snow. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Cardinals (Serendipity Stamps)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Silver Matte Metallic card stock (Simon Says Stamp)

Ink:   Black (Memento); Zig markers
Accessories:   Immense JOY die (Penny Black); Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool; watercolour brushes, Woodlands embossing folder (SU!)

Challenges:

Peace on Earth #56 - Anything Goes Christmas with optional mood board

Flora Thistle

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a quick card I made just for fun. :)  I wanted to use my Lavinia Flora Stencil that I've had for ages, but not used yet.  I LOVE the design from this stencil!  

I thought it would pair well with the Thistle stamp (Serendipity Stamps) and so used the colours of the thistle for my background.  I masked the right and bottom edges of my card front and then lightly sponged distress inks (Mowed Lawn, Wilted Violet).  I removed my masks and stamped the thistle in black ink and clear heat embossed before watercolouring with more of the same distress ink colours.  To finish, I stamped the sentiment from Bouquet of Thanks (retired) from Simon Says Stamp in black ink, again heat embossing in clear so it really stands out next to the stenciling.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this over to the NBUS Challenge #37 (never-before-used-schtuff).

And I'm sending this over to Color Hues #39 Challenge - Purple and Green!

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

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 sw1subscribers@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:  Thistle (Serendipity Stamps); Bouquet of Thanks - retired (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Flora stencil (Lavinia), sponge brushes, Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, waterbrushes

Challenges:
NBUS Challenge #37

Color Hues #39 - Purple and Green

March CAS Challenges Reminder

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminders for all the CAS Challenges.  First up, CAS Mix Up

Jenny is our host.

Well, this is a totally different style of card for me.  I had a lot of fun making it.  I watched one of the videos Jenny provided where three drops of different colours of acrylic paint were placed on card stock and then pulled across using a credit card (or any straight edge).  I tried some of the greens and blues and wasn't happy.  Then I remembered my Liquitex Acrylic Paints I bought about 5 years ago and haven't used very much (shame on me!).  I pulled out Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, and Neutral Gray 5.  Went to add some to my card stock and some of the paints had separated because they were so old (not the gray).  Pulled it across and ended up with this artsy background.  Found an artsy sentiment set to stamp over top and heat embossed in clear. I think I'll keep this for Jer's birthday card in May! :)

------------------------------------------------

Julia is our host.

CAS Watercolour March challenge.  I bought some daisies one year that were called "Irish Eyes" because the center was bright green. They didn't last in my garden over the winter, but I thought of them when I made this card.  I took artistic license with my daisies as they are yellow in real life. :)

Stamped the image in grey shadow archival ink.  Watercoloured using distress inks to add a little bit of colour here and there.  Used smoky slate (gray) ink from SU! to watercolour a shadow on the wall and ground.

------------------------------------------------

Colleen is our host.

CAS Christmas March Challenge.  Stamped this beautiful poinsettia image onto mixed media paper and heat embossed in silver.  The sentiment is silver embossed as well.  Watercoloured the image with distress inks, splattering some of the red ink to finish the design.

------------------------------------------------

Viv is our host.

CAS Stencil March Challenge.  Made a stencil out of a Penny Black leaf die and sprayed it with Pixie spray so it would stick to the watercoloured background that was not completely flat (from my stash of backgrounds).  Sponged two shades of green distress ink and then sprinkled with clear embossing powder.  Heat set and repeated.  Still not shiny enough for me, so added a melted layer of UTEE- perfect!  Cut my panel to size to fit inside the frame, popped up on foam and added a small stamped sentiment banner.  Showing you the above shot so you can see the shine from the embossing.  Oh, and don't use Pixie Spray when heat embossing over top.  It leaves a sticky residue and the embossing powder sticks to everything ... guess how I know that?? :)  Always learning. :)

------------------------------------------------

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 PDST.  Come join us!

CAS Mix Up Reminder - Paint Outside the Lines
Stamps:  Subway Builder Art - Create (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Acrylic Paints:  Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Neutral Gray 5 (Liquitex); Black ink (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Stencil pal to pull paint, clear embossing powder, heat tool

CAS Watercolour Reminder - Wishing You Luck
Stamps: Corner Vase (Serendipity)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Grey Shadow (Ranger Archival); Distress Inks:  Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush

CAS Christmas Reminder - Enjoy the Season
Stamps:  Warm Wishes; ? (both Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark; Distress Inks:  Festive Berries, Barn Door, Twisted Citron (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Silver embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush

CAS Stencil Reminder - Leafy Thanks
Stamps:  Million Thanks (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Lindy's magicals background from my stash, Lively die (Penny Black), acetate sheet, clear embossing powder, UTEE powder, heat tool, Simple Stackers die (Penny Black)


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up - Acrylic Paint
CAS Watercolour - Luck of the Irish
CAS Christmas - Winter Flower
CAS Stencil - Heat Embossing

CAS Mix Up August Challenge

Hi everyone.  Welome to the start of the CAS Mix Up August Challenge.  This month is hosted by me and I'm looking for you to use paper towel on your card ...

I started by using one of my paper towel transfer backgrounds I had in my stash.  My video on this easy technique is HERE.  The background I choose was done in pinks and oranges ... and with Lindy's Magicals (lots of shimmer).

I stamped my image in gray Archival ink and then watercoloured the thistles and leaves with Magicals as well so the whole card has shimmer.

The image was cut into a circle and popped up with foam onto the card front.  A black banner with white heat embossed sentiment finishes the card.

Here's a close-up ...

The close-up shows the texture of the quilted design from the paper towel. :)

Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing Paper Towel cards from our Designers and our wonderful Guest Designer, Betty (created by bjk).

Then come join us.  It's a great way to make use of those inky paper towels rather than throwing them away.

* * * * *

Jessie

Chill-axing in her memory foam bed

Stamps:  Thistle (Serendipity Stamps);  Happy Messages (Stampendous)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Grey Shadow Archival Ink (Ranger);  Lindy's Magicals ( )
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, white embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Paper Towel

Winter Wonderland

Hi everyone.  Sharing watercoloured card today of a NBUS (never before used schtuff ... as Dolly would say) stamp.  This is from Serendipity.  Very simple card with the stamped image watercoloured with distress inks and fussy cut.  Created a peek-a-boo window card with a sky background and popped the image over top.  I added wink of stella to the snow for a bit of sparkle but it doesn't show in the photo.

This is my reminder card for the CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Winter.  There's still over a week to play along in the challenge.

Here is a close-up ...

I hope you'll have time to check out the reminder post on the challenge blog to see new, inspiring cards from our Designers and Guest Designer, Janet.  Then come play along!

Stamps:  Cardinals (Serendipity Stamps)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Broken China (Tim Holtz); Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, Clear Wink of Stella

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Winter