More Ombré for Gof7

Hi everyone.  More cards for December's Group of Seven - Ombré - Design Element.  Today I'm sharing two Winter / Christmas cards that use stenciling with the Ombré technique. 

Group of Seven Cardmakers

I used DOX inks for sponging the Ombré background ... they go on so smoothly and create more of an opaque look.  I used three shades of purple inks (Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Villaneous Potion) over top of the stencil I made from a Tree Frame die (Gina Marie Designs), cut from Yupo paper.  Yupo makes great stencils ... it doesn't tear and you can use it many times; plus any water soluable ink will wipe off with a damp paper towel. :)

I cut my panel down a bit and then added a stamped sentiment in Wilted Violet ink to match the sponging.  Very quick and easy card to make!

Sending the above card to CAS on Friday Challenge #300 - Winter ...

* * * * *

For the next card, I used a lovely tree stencil from STAMPlorations called Christmas Trees.  I created a sponged Ombré background for the branches using only one colour of distress ink - Mowed Lawn.  The star is also Ombré using Wild Honey distress ink.  Once the sponging was dry, I placed the clean stencil back over top and used a palette knife to add a layer of Glass Bead Gel (Golden).  It's so beautiful when it dries, showing off the colour below and creating a sparkly finish on top with lots of texture.   A simple sentiment vellum banner, heat embossing with gold glitter powder, finishes this CAS design.

Sending the above card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #60 - Anything Christmas Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)

Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks: Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Villaneous Potion (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Sponges, Tree frame die (Gina Marie Designs) for creating stencil, Yupo Paper

Card #2:

Stamps:  Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)

Ink:   Distress Inks: Mowed Lawn, Wild Honey (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Sponges, Christmas Tree stencil (STAMPlorations), Glass Bead Gel (Golden); palette knife

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Ombré - Design Element

CAS on Friday Challenge #300 - Winter

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #60 - Anything Christmas Goes

Christmas Wreaths

Hi everyone.  Playing with a new-to-me Christmas Wreaths stencil from STAMPlorations.  I masked off the berries on the stencil and then placed my wreath off the edge of the card front.  Used distress inks with my blending tools to add two shades of green ink to the leaves (Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn ... then Twisted Citron again to blend).

Next, masked off the leaves and used distress inks and my blending tools to colour the berries (Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany ... and then Candied Apple again to blend).

Removed the stencil and when the ink was dry, stamped a Tim Holtz sentiment that fit perfectly in the opening of the wreath.

To finish I used a white Posca acrylic paint pen to add details to the leaves and berries as well as adding some "snow" on the leaves.

Close-up ...

I wanted to try doing a second one using clear heavy gel over top of the stencil.  Same masking, ink blending and then the heavy gel.  I got a few streaks of gel onto the background of my card front which makes the card stock shiny and there's no way to get rid of it.  I fussy cut the wreath and put it onto a clean card base.

I adhered the straight edge of the wreath flat to my card base; added pop dots along the outer (rounded edge) of the wreath.  Love the little bit of dimension and shine this design has.  LOVE happy accidents!  Added the white pen details at the end.

Close-up ... shows some of the shine from the gloss gel ...

This is an awesome stencil that has a smaller wreath on the same stencil.  Hope to play with that soon!

I'm entering this second card into the November Stencil Challenge at STAMPlorations.

Since this is my first time using this wreath stencil, I'm sending this card over to the NBUS #20 Challenge.

Stamps:  Deco Christmas - retired (Tim Holtz)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Christmas Wreaths stencil (STAMPlorations), ink blending brushes, White Posca paint pen, Heavy Gloss Gel (Golden); palette knife

Challenges:

STAMPlorations November Stencil Challenge - Anything Stencil Goes

NBUS #20 Challenge

CAS Mix Up July Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the CAS Mix Up challenge for July and it's all about Stenciling!  Nancy (scandinancy creates) is our host and she wants us to do some stencil tracing.  Basically you do your stenciling, and then with the stencil back over the image, outline it using any pen colour you want ... or outline the stenciled design free-hand.

The above card starts with a bright yellow splashed background.  Click HERE to see my video on splash watercolouring.  The stencil image is from Silhouette America and it is cut with my Silhouette Cameo machine using a piece of acetate.  I sponged through the stencil and once dry, went over the stencil again with a coating of matte gel (clear).  It makes the colours more vibrant.  Outlining was a bit of an issue with the gel, so I ended up outlining around the outside of the gel, rather than using the stencil as a guide.  It worked well.  A black sentiment banner with white heat embossing finishes the card.

My card has Splash Watercoloured Background, Stenciling, Sponging, Embossing Gel, Stencil Tracing, and Heat Embossing.  Whew!  That's a lot on a card that is still CAS. :)

Close-up ...

We are so happy to have THREE Guest Designers this month.  Please check out the challenge blog to see Greta (GG Creations), Sandie (London Days), and Kia (Kia's Art Bits) wonderful Stencil Tracing cards and the lovely cards from the rest of our Designers.  I know you'll be inspired to give this a try!

Products
Birthday Blowout (sentiment) - Poppy Stamps
Poppy Field cut file - Silhouette America (Donna Downey)

Stamps:  Birthday Blowout (Poppy Stamps)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  More Mustard, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Peeled Paint, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Spring flowers stencil (cut wtih Cameo), acetate, sponges, Clear Matte Gel (Goldens), Black Micropen, White embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up July Challenge - Stencil Tracing

Eat, Sleep, Craft, Repeat 2019

(l to r:)  Christine, Trina, Susan, Darnell, Colleen, Loll (me),

Bonnie, Nancy, Linda

Hi everyone.  Recently returned home after spending a week with my stamping buddies.  This is the third year for the ESCR (Eat, Sleep, Craft, Repeat) retreats, with each year being better than the last!  We were lucky to find a very large house in the Crescent Beach, B.C. area to accommodate our expanding group and allow us the opportunity to have wonderful guests join us throughout the week.

What fun we had!  From last year's group of me, Susan, Christine, Nancy, Darnell, and our guest Trina (who came for the whole retreat this year) ... we were joined by our wonderful, sweet friend, Bonnie.  We were all so excited to finally meet Bonnie in person after being on-line friends for years!

We also had three guests join us for a few days; Linda and Colleen, and Nancy's daughter Jeani.  We all just clicked and had a great time together!

We had Alex taking photographs of our crafting again this year.  Check out the tab at the top of this blog Retreat Photos to see us in action!

The location for the retreat was awesome.  Huge house so that we could spread out; Crescent Beach and White Rock Beach within a short drive (gorgeous!!); a local craft store for some retail therapy; and a delicious, yummy bakery a couple of blocks away! :)

Today I'm sharing a card made from the retreat.  This is one of my cards from an Embossing Paste / Gel session that I led.  We played with glass bead gel, white paste, glitter gels, crackle paste and more.  Everyone had fun getting messy! :)

This is one of my favourites from the session.  I started by smooshing my card front with distress inks in yellow, orange and reddish purple.  Love this combination.  I borrowed this amazing stencil from my friend Nancy and sponged with the same colours over the flower, but with more intensity.  I cleaned off the stencil, placed it back over top, lining up the image.  I then used a palette knife to add a thick layer of glass bead gel.  I LOVE the sparkle and shine from this gel.  It's really spectacular.

Here's a close-up ...

Everyone from the retreat is posting one of their cards made at the retreat.  I hope you'll find time to pop by and visit to see what we were up to!

Susan

Christine

Nancy

Darnell (aka Dolly)

Trina

Bonnie

Colleen

Linda

I'll be sharing more retreat cards over the next few weeks.  See you soon!


Entering this card into the ARTplorations May Mixed Media Challenge ...

Stamps: smile today! (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Seedless Preserves (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Peeking Dahlias stencil (STAMPlorations), Glass bead gel (Golden), palette knife

Challenges:
ARTplorations May Mixed Media Challenge - use a stencil

CAS Mix Up May Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of a fun new challenge at CAS Mix Up.  This month, Bonnie has us using a ...

There are several ways to use baby wipes with card making.  A few videos are on the challenge blog to get you started.  Or you can come up with your own idea.

I started by finding this die-cut leaf in my stash.  It's made with a leftover piece of paper towel with yellow and purple inks.  Paper towel was glued onto white card stock for stability, and then die-cut with the leaf.  It's been sitting there for a while.  Before adding it to my card, I sponged more purple on the tips of the leaves to darken them and make them stand out.

The background is sponged purple and yellow distress inks randomly on mixed media paper.  By using similar colours as the die-cut, it really brought the design together.  These colours are opposites on the colour wheel, so I was careful not to blend them together too much.  A scrunched up baby wipe was pounced over top of the sponged inks.  It removed some of the colour in a random pattern.  When dry, it looks like suede to me.

I die-cut a small rectangle window for my card front, placed the "suede" piece in the background, and then popped up the die-cut leaf.  A simple stamped sentiment finishes the card.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from our talented Designers.  And also take a look at the gorgeous card from our wonderful Guest Designer, Berry (Berry's Bramble).  I know you'll be inspired.

Make a CAS mixed media card using baby wipes and join us!

Stamps:  Remarkable You (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Bristol (2 ply); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Oxides:  Ground Espresso, Gathered Twigs; Distress Inks:  Barn Door, Aged Mahogany, Walnut Stain (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, baby wipe, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), clear embossing powder, water brush, Heavy Matte Gel (Golden), palette knife

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Baby Wipe

Embedded Brushos Technique

Hi everyone.

Before I tell you about today's card, wanted to mention that for the past couple of weeks I haven't been receiving all the comments that are made on my blog posts.  I don't know if it's a problem with blogger for with gmail.  In the meantime, I'm checking my posts regularly and thanks to all that leave me comments.  I appreciate the time you take ... you are all so encouraging!  Thank you!


Made the background for the above card at the retreat using a technique that I led (we all took turns leading techniques).  Before we talk about the one above, I need to start at the beginning since the card is made with the third (and final) pull of the colours, which is always the lightest version.

Click HERE to see the video that inspired this card (first 6:50 min)  Brenda in IN --- you should definitely give this a try! :)

I will explain how it was done.  First, picked out an embossing folder ... the one I used is script.  Opened the folder up and placed a small panel of hot press watercolour paper inside.  Sprinkled with Brushos (I believe I used leaf green, lime, turquolise, ultra marine blue --- just a little of the ultra marine).  Next, I closed the top of the embossing folder and ran it through my Big Shot.  At this point everything is still dry.

The embossing folder dry embossed the hot press watercolour paper, embedding the Brushos into the paper.  I removed the w/c paper and spritzed with water.  By embedding the Brushos, they don't move as much once water is added.

I found there was still ink left inside my embossing folder, so I placed a second clean piece of hot press watercolour paper, spritzed the inside top of the folder, closed the lid and ran it through the Big Shot.  It picked up the left-over colour and dry embossed the panel at the same time.  Still had left over wet ink inside my folder so placed a third panel of clean hot press watercolour inside and pressed down on the lid, just using my hands as pressure (embossing folder stamping technique).  That have me the print I used on the card's background above.  Some of the girls only got one impression, some two ... but I was lucky enough to get three. :)

Once the other two panels were dry, I used a brayer to ink lightly over both panels to highlight the dry embossed areas.  Here's a photo of the two other pieces that I will make into cards in the future.
                             First pull                                            Second pull

Sorry for the long winded message.  Hope you'll give this fun and easy technique a try.

To finish off the card at the top of the post, I placed a small tulip stencil over top of my muted background and sponged with peacock feathers distress ink.  I then added a layer of glass bead gel over top.  The tulips are very sparkly! :)

Stamps:  Everyday Sentiments (AliExpress - Current link:  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/English-words-Transparent-Clear-Silicone-Stamps-for-DIY-Scrapbooking-Card-Making-Kids-Christmas-Fun-Decoration-Supplies/32851757043.html?spm=2114.13010708.0.0.3efd4c4d1JJmOc)
Paper:   Watercolour paper (Arches Hot Press 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Brushos:  Leaf Green, Lime, Turquoise, a litttle Ultra Marine); Peacock Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  Script embossing folder (Sizzix for Stampin' Up!); water mister, brayer,  acetate sheet, cut file for tulips from Silhouette America, Silhouette Cameo cutting machine, sponge, Glass Bead Gel (Goldent), palette knife

Twofer Challenge #5

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the start of Twofer Card Challenge #5.

Just a reminder that the challenge is to make TWO CARDS following the guidelines below and using the prompt word in the above badge.

I'm using my favourite butterfly die for my cards this month.  I'm sure you've seen this die used on my blog several times. :)  I have other butterfly dies, but this one is just the perfect size.

First up is a very CAS design using mostly white.  I have my white card base.  On top I have popped up on foam for dimension, four one inch squares of white card stock that have been dry embossed with a leaf design.

A piece of alcohol inks on yupo paper from my stash was used to die-cut the butterfly and body.  They were glued together and then glued just off-center of the middle of the four squares.  A birthday sentiment is stamped below in bright orange ink to match the colours of the butterfly.

Here's a close-up ...

Second card is a CAS mixed media design.  I started by watercolouring white tissue paper with dye inks.  It's from my stash so I don't know what colours I've used, but believe this is done with distress inks.  I glued the piece onto white card stock and cut my panel to size.  Then I mixed some heavy gloss gel with gold acrylic paint and spread randomly over a honeycomb stencil.  I love how the gloss shines.  The sentiment was stamped in matching gold ink onto a white banner and adhered at the bottom of the panel.  The butterfly is cut from the same white and glued to the front panel, which is popped up with foam for added dimension.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you like my two butterfly cards.  Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing butterfly cards from our two wonderful Guest Designers Linda and Mac, and the rest of our talented team.  I know you'll be inspired to play along.

Just a reminder that this challenge is open for two weeks ... May 10-24.  Don't miss out.  Come join in the fun!


Card #1:  Happiest Birthday
Stamps:  Watching Bloom (Memory Box)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Yupo
Ink: Alcohol inks (Ranger / Pinata); Ripe Persimmon Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Leaf embossing folder (Stampin' Up!), Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box), blending solution

Card #2:  Thankful for you
Stamps:  Lots of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); white tissue paper
Ink:  Distress Inks (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, honeycomb stencil (cut with my silhouette cameo), heavy gloss gel (Golden), Lumiere Gold acrylic paint, palette knife, Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
Twofer Card Challenge #5 - Butterflies

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

In the Studio with Susan and Christine

Hi everyone.  Spent yesterday in my studio with two wonderful, crafty friends ... Susan and Christine.  We met through Splitcoaststampers, which is an amazing community of wonderful crafters.  We meet up about once a month or so, to have a play day. :)  Yesterday we experimented with different types of watercolour mediums and papers.  It was a lot of fun!!

Christine brought the above embossed image (gloss gel paste through a stencil on top of coated card stock), and her bister powders.  We sprinkled the bister on top of the stenciling and spritzed with lots of water.  I got a little carried away (as I usually do) and added way more crystals than I needed so it turned out fairly dark.  I thought this would make a great masculine card and I am always in need of those.  I simply added a small strip of heated copper at the bottom and stamped a sentiment. Easy card to make since I already had the main panel done from yesterday.

We usually have a fourth friend join us, but Shirl was not feeling well.  We missed you Shirl!!

I'll be back over the next while sharing more of our experiments.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.

Stamps:  Bitty Birthday (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Coated Card Stock
Ink:  Bister powders; Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, gloss gel, Clock stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), heated copper

Golden Friendship

Hi everyone.  Time for the next challenge at Addicted to CAS.  Today, the challenge is being run by the mega-talented Deepti (Dee's Art Utopia) ... and she chose this brilliant code word ...

The challenge is being sponsored by:

Prize:  5 digital images

I had lots of fun making the card above.  I used a heavy clear gloss medium and tinted it with gold paint.  Then I spread it over my textured mesh stencil, just covering the center area of the card front.

Once dry, I layered some gathered gold thread on top, and then placed my butterfly on top of that.  The solid butterfly is watercolor paper that was used to soak up leftover ink on my craft sheet (yellow, orange, red).  I used gold foil paper for the top layer of the butterfly and for the sentiment (stamped with Staz-on ink).

It's the start of a new month, which means we have a new Guest Designer at ATCAS.  Welcome to Lyndal (Ideas and Paper) ... we're so happy to have her on our team!  Click here to check out Lyndal's amazing "Gold" card along with the rest of the fabulous cards from the DT.

As always, the challenge is open for two weeks, so there's lots of time to play.  Just remember to follow the code word and keep your entries CAS (Clean and Simple)! Hope to see you in the gallery! :)

____________________

Butterflies are all around us during the summer ... so this is a reminder card that the August challenge for Mixed Media Card Challenge #2 is ...

I hope you'll come play along with us!

I'm entering this card into the current challenge at Mixed Media Monthly Card Challenge (#3 - use stencils and modeling paste).

Stamps:  Friendship Messages (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White, watercolor, gold foil
Ink:  yellow, orange, red; Staz-on Black
Accessories & Tools:  Moonlight and Kaleidoscope butterfly dies (Memory Box), Textured Mesh stencil (Memory Box), Heavy Gloss Gel (Golden), Gold paint (Lumiere), gold thread, palette knife

Challenge:
Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #3

Happy Birthday Kylie!

For my ATCAS post, click HERE.

Hi everyone.  Today is Kylie's birthday.  She is a fabulous friend who is kind, generous, supportive and a lot of fun!  Not only that ... Kylie is incredibly talented.  Check out her blog  Kylie's is Addicted to Stamps (and now butteflies) - you'll be glad you did. Kylie is also our leader at ATS&M and ATCAS challenge blogs ... and the BEST boss ever! :)

Today is all about you, Kylie.  Below is a Linky Party in your honor.  Friends have come together to help make this a fun and exciting birthday for you.

Kylie, here is my birthday card to you, my friend.  Have a fantastic birthday with lots of fun and lots of laughs.  And enjoy this special tribute to you!!  Happy Birthday!!

To all of Kylie's friends ... come join in the fun and link up below.  Thanks for playing along!

Here's how to play.  Make a card for Kylie ... upload to your blog or favorite gallery (Flickr, Splitcoast Stampers, etc.) and link below to join the party.  The link will be open for two weeks, so there's lots of time to play along and send your happy birthday wishes to Kylie.

Thanks to Sandie and Nonni for setting up the "Linky"! :)

For details on how I made this card, please click HERE.

An InLinkz Link-up

Reminder ... my card for Kylie works great for the new Mixed Media Card Challenge #1 - Touch of Nature.  The challenge is open until July 25th ... hope you'll play along!! :)

You are my sunshine ...

Hi everyone.  Time for another fun challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This challenge is being hosted by me and I have chosen this code word for inspiration ...

Lots of ways to interpret this code word.  Above I created a watercolored background by squirting yellow, light orange and dark orange re-inkers onto my craft sheet, misting with water and then dragging a piece of watercolored paper through the ink (smooshing technique).  Once dry, I placed my sunburst stencil on top and added a coating of granular gel.  I love the pieces of plastic in this translucent gel medium ... it really makes the sun sparkle.

This challenge is being sponsored by

Prize:  7 digital images

I hope I have inspired you to join in the fun at ATCAS.  As always, our challenge is open for two weeks so there's lots of time to make a card to enter.  Just remember to keep your entries CAS, follow the code word ... and HAVE FUN!

Karen (Snippets) is Guest Designing for us again today ... click here to check out her GORGEOUS "Sun" card and the fabulous cards from our other Design Team members.

Stamps:  Sunny Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah); watercolor
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango (SU!); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Silhouette Cameo for cutting stencil, plasic sheet (Grafix), Sunburst cut file (Silhouette America), Granular Gel Medium (Golden), palette knife