CAS Mix Up August Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of a new challenge here at CAS Mix Up.  This month is hosted by the talented Jenny (My Epiphany).  This is a stenciling challenge and Jenny wants us to stamp through a stencil.

I had so much fun making this card.  I used a stencil that I cut with my silhouette cameo, using a cut file from Silhouette America.  I lightly sponged randomly over the stencil first with Mustard Seed distress ink and then did a second sponging with Wild Honey.  I stamped a small bee (three times) through the honeycomb stencil.  I've had this bee image for ages and don't know the name of it.  I used black ink and heat embossed in clear before colouring with distress markers.  The bees fit perfectly through the honeycomb stencil.

Next I stamped the adorable large bee in black ink onto the card front as well as on a separate piece of mixed media paper.  This stamp is called "bee mine" from Stamping Bella.  I fussy-cut the bee from the separate piece of mixed media paper before watercolouring with distress markers.  I added clear Wink of Stella to give sparkle to the wings and crystal glaze to the bee's nose.  To finish, I glued the watercoloured bee over top of my stamped card front.

Close-up ...

We are thrilled to have two wonderful Guest Designers this month.  Bobby (bits and pieces) and Michele (I Card Everyone) are making some fabulous cards to inspire you.  Please check out the challenge blog to see their cards as well as the amazing cards from our Design Team.  Then come play along!

Product Links

bee mine (Stamping Bella)

Stamps:  bee mine (Stamping Bella); small bee (unknown), friend sentiment (AliExpress)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks and Markers:  Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Black Soot, Broken Glass, Brushed Corduroy, Rusty Hinge, Worn Lipstick, Candied Apple (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Honeycomb stencil (Silhouette America), clear embossing powder, Watercolour paint brushes (Round #2 and #4), Clear Wink of Stella, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Stamping through Stencil

CAS Christmas February Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today we're starting February's CAS Christmas Challenge.  This month is hosted by the talented Susan (Cardmaker's Garret).  Susan wants us to add to our CAS Christmas cards ....

So fun!  I bought a lot of Stamping Bella stamps last year when there was a big sale. :)  This is one of them - Christmas Tug of War.  I love how the dog and cat are "sharing" the gift ... I wonder who will win the tug of war??!!

I stamped in black ink and clear heat embossed before watercolouring with Zigs.  The colours are so bright and vibrant.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the fun cards from our Designers as well as our wonderful Guest Designer, Jane (Onions and Paper).

Hope to see you in our gallery!!

Stamps:  Christmas Tug of War (Stamping Bella)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Momentum); Zigs (Kuretake)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder, heat tool, water brush

Challenges:
CAS Christmas February Challenge - Dogs and/or Cats

Santa Making a Delivery

Hi everyone.  Today I've had fun with another of my new Stamping Bella stamps.  This is called "Sneaky Yeti" because originally where was a Yeti peeking out from behind the cottage.  I masked him out.  I wanted to focus more on Santa, even though it's a small part of the image. :)

I'm playing along with Christmas Craft Creations this month where they want to see Christmas Characters.

I started by stamped my image onto mixed media paper in permanent black ink.  Heat set to make sure the ink was dry before watercolouring with distress inks.  My main colours are Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles, and Mowed Lawn.  Once I had finished watercolouring with those colours, I used the leftover ink to create a smooshed background for my card.  An easy way to tie the colours all together.

I finished watercolouring and then fussy-cut the image.  I stamped the sentiment in red before assembling the card.  The main panel is popped up for dimension, as well as the fussy-cut image.  To finish I splattered with diluted white gouache paint, and even though I masked off my sentiment, it managed to get underneath and blur the lettering a bit.  Grrr!  I'm just going with it! :)

I've added a few finished touches such as gray shadows on all the snow area, followed by clear wink of stella --- love the shimmer of the snow!  Also added crystal drops to the Christmas lights and the windows to make them shine.

Close-up ...

Since this is a new-to-me stamp, I'm entering this card into the NBUS #17 Challenge gallery.

This was so much fun to make!

* * * * *

Sharing a couple of Jessie photos :)

Jessie loves sticks! (photo by Alejandro Garcia)

Jessie's so dog-tired she didn't notice her head was on the floor :)

Products
Sneaky Yeti (Stamping Bella)
Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn)
Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media paper (140 lb.) - Blick Art Materials

Stamps:  Sneaky Yeki (Stamping Bella); Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Versafine); Distres Inks:  Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles, Mowed Lawn, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs (Tim Holtz); Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Water mister, water brush, Clear Wink of Stella, Crystal Drops (Nuvo)

Challenges:
Christmas Craft Creatons July Challenge - Christmas Characters
NBUS #17

Santa is Stuck!

Hi everyone.  This is one of my new-to-me Stamping Bella stamps.  I thought this was so cute and I had a lot of fun watercolouring the image.  I fussy-cut and then popped it up over a background of sparkle embossing paste snowflakes.  Two stitched snow hills were adhered at the bottom (another NBUS).  The sentiment is stamped in red so it stands out. :)

Close-up ...

Another card that had me smiling the whole time I was working on it! :)

Sending this card to a few challenges:

July's Rudolph Days Challenge

and

Christmas Craft Creations

(July - Christmas Characters)

and

NBUS #16 ...

Products
Santa is stuck stamps (Stamping Bella)
Falling Snow stencil (Simon Says Stamp)
Glitter Snow embossing paste (Aleene's)

Stamps:  Santa is Stuck (Stamping Bella)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Versafine); Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Rusty Hinge, Black Soot, Candied Apple (Tim Holtz); Real Red (SU!); Zigs (Kuretake)
Accessories & Tools:  Paint brushes, Falling Snow stencil (Simon Says Stamp); Glitter Snow Embossing Paste (Aleene's); palette knife, Stitched snow hills die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
July Rudolph Days - Anything Goes Christmas
Christmas Craft Creations - July - Christmas Characters
NBUS #16