IDEAS - Inks / Colour Mediums

Hi everyone.  I'm back with another card following Darnell's IDEAS Challenge.

Today is "I" - Inks / Color Mediums.

I recently bought two different sizes of 8 colours of POSCA pens (acrylic paint pens).  These pens are opaque and this is the first time I've used them to colour an image.  They are easy to use ... and they definitely cover over a dark or busy background with solid colours.  

I used a leftover smooshed panel of pearl alcohol inks as my background, stamped with Delicate Beauty (Penny Black) in black ink and clear heat embossed.  It's the first time I've used this stamp as well. :)  Coloured the image and then cut a piece from my panel to use as the sentiment banner, stamping from the same stamp set as above.

Close-up ...

I have used two NBUS items, so I'm sending this card to NBUS Challenge #60.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Delicate Beauty (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Coated card stock
Ink:   Black (Memento); POSCA paint pens (red, green, white)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #60

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! :)

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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.

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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.

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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. :)

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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 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 March Challenge

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the start of March's CAS Mix Up Challenge - Acrylic Paint.  This month is being hosted by the very talented, Jenny (My Paper Epiphany).

Our Guest Designer this month is Betty (created by bjk).  So happy to have you joining us this month Betty!  Welcome!

We're CELEBRATING this month!

It's our 4th Birthday!

Prizes

(must follow rules to be eligible for prizes)

$25 Gift Certificate to Simon Says Stamp for Challenge Winner.

$25 Gift Certificate to Simon Says Stamp for 

one random draw of all eligible entries

I started with a background from my stash.  I actually made this at one of the retreats almost two years ago. :)  It's a dirty pour with acrylics.  It's such a fun technique.  Messy, but so worth it.  I used the dirty pour for my ocean scene background.  I added a few die-cuts of reeds, coral, and fishes.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll help us celebrate our 4th birthday.  Create a CAS card using acrylic paint and add to our gallery.  Hope to see you there! :)

Stamps:  Ocean Wise sentiment (Stampendous)
Paper:  Canvas Paper (gift from Christine) ; White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Squeezed Lemonade, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Silver Delicata
Accessories & Tools:  Acrylic paints in blue, green, purple; shaped outline die (AliExpress), Fish, reeds, and coral die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up March Challenge - Acrylic Paint

Origami Dragonfly

Hi everyone.  I wanted to share a card today using anther NBUS stamp.  I have a huge stash of NBUS and I'm determined to ink them all up this year! :)

I love this artsy dragonfly stamp and had to get it.  This image is called "Libellule Origami" which means "Origami Dragonfly.

I made this card specifically to enter the Craft Stamper - Take It, Make It January Challenge.  This challenge is embraces all things mixed media.

I started with a paper towel background from my stash ... bright blue and a little purple.  I stamped the image in black and clear heat embossed.  The design is intricate, so using the black ink gives me all the details.  Heat embossing in clear sets the design.  If I used Versamark and black embossing powder, I would loose some of the detail.

I painted the image with metallic acrylic paints (green, light blue).  I used a water brush to dilute the paint as it was being added.  I stamped the image on my card front as well as on a second piece of mixed media paper.  Both were painted with the acrylics and then I used a damp paper towel to lightly swipe over top to enhance the black heat embossed lines.  The separate dragonfly was fussy-cut ... just the top wings and body.  I then added crystal glaze to the body and let it dry before adhering on top of my card front dragonfly. :)  Hope that makes sense.  You'll see in the close-up below, the two sets of wings which add a lot of dimension to this otherwise one layer card.

I finished by stamping the dream sentiment in black and heat embossing in clear so that it matches the dragonfly image.

Here's a close-up of the shimmer from the pearlescent paints ...

Stamps:  Libellule Origami (Carabelle Studio); Dream (AliExpress)
Paper:  Bristol (Strathmore  2-ply 400 Series)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Pumice Stone Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  clear embossing powder, heat tool; Pearl Emerald Green and Pearl Turquoise acrylic paints (Lumiere), water brush, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo)

Challenges:
Craft Stamper Take It Make It January Challenge

October Rudolph Days

Hi everyone.  It's time for the Rudolph Days October Challenge which runs the 25th until end of month.  Come join us!

Today I'm sharing a couple of cards using some of the dirty pours that I did at a craft retreat in May.  Dirty pours are basically diluting acrylic paint with water (or flow medium) until they are pourable, adding a few drops of silicone oil to promote cell formation, and then layering those paints into a cup and pouring it quickly over canvas, wood, canvas paper, heavy card stock, etc.  Then tilt and let the colours flow off the sides.  It's messy, but oh-so fun!

The ones I did on heavy card stock and canvas paper make beautiful winter skies over this pretty die-cut village.

The second card is non-traditional colours for a sky ... but I love how the red and purples look with the winter village die ...

This is a great way to use up acrylic paints that may have been sitting around for a while in your studio.  I hope to do more of these as they make easy and fun cards.  There are several dirty pour videos on YouTube if you want to give this a try.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: banner sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  White heavy card stock (140 lb.)
Ink:  Wilted Violet Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  winter village die (Penny Black), acrylic paints, throw-away plastic cups for mixing, stir sticks, silicone oil

Challenges:
Rudolph Days - October - Anything Goes Christmas

CAS Mix Up February Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the CAS Mix Up February Challenge.  This month's challenge is being hosted by our very talented and creative Design Team member, Joanna.

Lots of scope as you are welcome to use Felt, Cork, OR Canvas along with stamping and one item from the *Your Choice list on the challenge blog sidebar.

I started off the challenge using a piece of canvas that was gifted to me by Bonnie.  Thanks Bonnie!  The only canvas I have worked on before was framed. :)  To see my dirty pour canvases from last year, click HERE and HERE.  I was inspired to make a small version for a card after seeing a card made with leftovers from a dirty pour done by Cathy (Cathy's Card Spot).

I created a mini canvas with a 2" x 2 1/4" piece of canvas.  First I coated the canvas with gesso and let it dry thoroughly.  I thinned out four colours of acrylic paint with water, poured them randomly into a small cup and poured it over the canvas piece (dirty pour).  The canvas was tilted so the paint flowed to cover it completely, with the excess paint pouring over the sides.  Once dry, this is what I ended up with.  LOVE IT! :)  I wouldn't mind having a large one like this to hang on the wall. :)

I finished by stamping a sentiment from STAMPlorations in black ink.  Just perfect for my card.

Here's a close-up of just the painting.  You can see the texture of the canvas.

We are excited to have Marianne (Marianne's cards 'n stuff) as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Marianne!!

Check out the challenge blog to see Marianne's card, along with the amazing cards from our talented design team.  And then come play along!

Stamps:  Art Builders (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  Canvas; White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Gesso, sponge brush, Acrylic Paints in Crimson Red, Violet, and Titanium White (Liquitex), Dark Turquoise Acrylic paint (DecoArts), water, small plastic mixing cups

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up February Challenge - Felt, Cork, or Canvas

Sparkling Holiday

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a Christmas card.  I was hoping to make multiples of Christmas card designs, but I only had a small piece of this blue acrylic paint smooshed background, so this will be a one-of card. :)

I die-cut the tree border and added a bit of clear glitter glue around the tree branches.  I also used the clear glitter glue to stencil the falling snow onto a piece of acetate.  It's a clear gel, so it works for the CAS Mix Up June Challenge - Embossing Pastes / Gels.  I love how the falling snow sparkles on the piece of acetate.  I attached the background (blue panel) to my card base and attached the acetate with fallling snow to the inside of my card front frame.  I popped up the frame to add a bit of distance between the acetate and the snowy scene.  A simple sentiment stamped in soft gray finishes the card.

I hope you'll come join us.  Use whatever you have on hand to create a CAS Embossing Paste / Gel card ... embossing paste, gel medium, glitter glue.  If you don't have any of those, check out the CAS Mix Up challenge where there's a recipe to make your own paste with simple household items.

Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps:  Christmas Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo (blue panel)
Ink:  Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Three shades of blue acrylic paint (smooshed onto Yupo), Fir Tree Border die (Impression Obsession), Dazzling Details glitter glue (SU! - retired), acetate, Falling Snow stencil (Simon Says Stamp)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up June Challenge - Embossing Pastes / Gels

Blue Bird Thanks

Hi everyone.  One more Inlaid Die-cutting card for April's CAS Mix Up Challenge, which ends in four days.

This is a thank you card I sent to my sweet friend, Bonnie.  She had sent me a gift certificate for Simon Says Stamp and part of my purchase was this gorgeous die-cut bird.  Thanks again, dear friend! :)

The background of the bird and strip along the bottom of the card is yupo paper with smooshed acrylic paints.  A few weeks ago I made some canvases, and this was the leftover paint that flowed over the sides of the canvas.  I smooshed several types of paper to use of the paint (card stock, yupo, mixed media).  They all turned out pretty, but I think the Yupo is the prettiest!

I've really enjoyed making inlaid die-cut cards this month.  It's not a technique that I've used often and it was fun.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Sentiment: Where the Heart is (Simon Says)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Yupo
Ink:  Pacific Point (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Acrylic paints (mix of blues and greens), Bird of Roses die (Simon Says Stamp)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up April Challenge - Inlaid Die-cutting