Smiles and Hugs

Hi everyone.  Today's card is inspired by AAA Colourful Challenge #19.  Gorgeous colours and I LOVE the photo of the beautiful fall leaves, but went a totally different way. :)

I recently got this adorable doggy die in the mail, and couldn't wait to play with it.  The colours of the challenge work perfectly for him.  Don't you love that patch over one eye! :)

To finish, I added sponging of two shades of pink and then framed it up in a "window".  I love that the paws are hanging over the edge, like he is ready to jump out and give a big, slurpy kiss to the recipient of this card. :)  Simple sentiment finishes the card.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

AAA Colourful #19

Darnell's IDEAS - Week 1 - Inks.  There's a whole lot of ink sponging on this card. :)

NBUS #78 (never-before-used-schtuff) - Doggy die is new.

      

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Banner Sentiments (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Coloured Card stock:  More Mustard, Chocolate chip, Natural (SU!); Rust Card stock (unknown)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Antique Linen, Rusty Hinge, Ground Espresso, Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Doggy Die (AliExpress), Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders - retired), sponges, white acrylic paint pen (Posca)

Challenges:

AAA Colourful #19

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 1 - Inks

NBUS #78

Embossing with Dies - Group of Cardmakers

Hi everyone.  Today at Group of Cardmakers, we are sharing our experimenting of Embossing with Dies.  This is a super simple technique that uses your dies and makes them into an embossed image. :)

Check out the post at Group of Cardmakers for links to wonderful videos and more sample cards from Christine, Pat, & Susan.

First up, my fav card of this post ... a pretty Peace Rose.  I watercoloured the rose in colours of a Peace Rose that I had in my garden at my last house.  The bloom was a delicate pink.  The edges turn to soft yellow when it opens.  I stamped my flower in black ink, heat embossed in clear; then watercoloured using Distress inks.  I used the matching die to cut it out before mounting it on my debossed background of a pretty leaf die.

Close-up ...

Sending the above card to:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes - Embossing with Dies (2nd entry)

* * * * *

A Christmas card featuring a holly die.  I created a deboss of the holly image for the background, then die-cut the same die from Mixed Media paper and watercoloured, placing it over top.  A simple sentiment is added to finish the card.

* * * * *

I've made two cards using a postage frame die.  And I used it two ways, embossed with the cut side of the die showing a thin outline; and debossed with the backside of the die recessed (thicker outline).  That is a bonus to this technique.  With most dies, you can use either side of the embossed image depending on the look you want.  See below two cards using the same die but different sides of the embossed impression. 

Thin outline of die (embossed)

Thick outline with die (debossed)

One more card with a different way of doing this technique.  Sorry for the long post, but as you can tell, I had a lot of fun playing! :) 

This time I used a stamp and matching die to stamp the flower onto mixed media paper, heat embossing in silver.  Then I watercoloured the image using Distress re-inkers.  I finished by placing the matching die over top of the image, but instead of cutting it out, I embossed the image so that my stamped image has it's own outline.  This also adds texture and a bit of dimension to my otherwise flat card. :)  It's subtle in the photo above, but so pretty IRL. :)

* * * * *

Bonus ... you can take a lot of your dies and turn them into embossed images, then use the same die to cut matching stencils to use over top of your images.  Lots and lots of options!

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Enchantingly (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black ink (Memento); Disttress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Delicate Leafy Branch die (Simon Says Stamp); Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, Enchantingly die (Penny Black), watercolour paint brushes

Card #2:

Stamps:  Happy Snippets (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Crackling Campfire, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Ground Espresso (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Posted die (Penny Black), Autumn Decor dies (Penny Black), sponges 

Card #3:

Stamps:  Love & Magic; Jolly Snippets (both Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Posted die (Penny Black), watercolour brushes, red chalk

Card #4:

Stamps:  Handy Christmas Sentiments (Amy R - long retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Gathered Twigs (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Holly and Berry Branch die (Penny Black), watercolour brushes, Clear Wink of Stella, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo)

Card #5:

Stamps:  Amazing Things (Pinkfresh Studios)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Versamark;  Distress Re-Inks:  Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Silver embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, Amazing Things die (Pinkfresh Studios)

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 4 - Anything Goes - Embossing with Dies (2nd entry)

Stencil Monoprint - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  This month we are looking back at an older technique, Stencil Monoprint.  It's an easy and fun technique that creates lovely backgrounds or main panels for cards.

Please check out the details for the technique and link to videos on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers

* * * * *

My first card above uses powdered inks (Brushos - Terra Cotta, Orange, Leaf Green, Light Brown).  Using powdered inks or sprays allows me to make a positive (print) and negative (monoprint) from just one application of colour (see pictorial below).  I used one of my favourite stencils (Joyful Sunflower - The Crafter's Workshop), which was a gift from a sweet friend several years ago.  I'll share my print card at another time. 

Sending the above card to Just Us Girls #746 - Stencil Week.

* * * * *

For my second card, I used powdered inks again (Brushos - Lime Green, Leaf Green), along with the Wander & Find stencil (Carta Bella - retired).

I stamped the Pop Sunflower image onto mixed media paper, watercoloured using Distress Inks, fussy-cut, and popped it up over my Stencil Monoprint background.  That little bird is so sweet! :)

Sending this card to Seize the Birthday #292 - Anything Birthday Goes.

* * * * *

Here is a pictorial of my process of making the Stencil monoprints with powdered inks.

 

   1) Stencil on mixed media paper        2) Brushos sprinkled over stencil

 

                            3) Right card - Water misted over      4) Left card - Inky stencil flipped onto

                                 Brushos (positive print)                       second card / blotted with

                                                                                                     paper towel  (stencil monoprint)                    

 

                                  5)  Stencil removed                               6) Left to Right - 

                                       / paper left to air dry                            Stencil monoprint/ Print

                                       (finished Stencil Monoprint)             

Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...

• This is an easy technique that works with lots of different mediums, substrates, and stencils. 
• It can be a main panel or background - so lots of flexibility
• Use a generous amount of water so the colour spreads, especially when using powdered inks.
• Important to remove the stencil quickly after spraying with water.  This prevents the water from spreading under the stencil and loosing definition of the design.
• You can create several panels with one application of ink.  Repeat adding inked (wet) stencil onto card and blotting with paper towel until there isn't any colour left.  First stencil monoprint will be the strongest colours, each monoprint will be lighter in colour than the previous.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Pop Sunflowers (Stampendous); Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Early Espresso (SU!)
Ink:   Brushos: Terra Cotta, Orange, Leaf Green, Light Brown; Versamark
Accessories:   Clear acrylic block to elevate panel when adding stencil and ink (optional - but worth it), Mini Joyful Sunflower stencil (The Crafter's Workshop); Water Mister, White embossing powder (Ranger); heat tool

Card #2:

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black Pigment: Versafine Clair Nocturne; Brushos: Lime Green, Leaf Green; Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Gathered Twigs, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)

Accessories:   Clear acrylic block to elevate panel when adding stencil and ink (optional - but worth it),

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Stencil Monoprint

Just Us Girls #746 - Stencil Week

Seize the Birthday #292 - Anything Birthday Goes

Rocker Card

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing my first attempt at a Rocker Card.  This is the challenge at Just Us Girls #640 this week.

I have never made one of these cards before, but after seeing the adorable cards made by the JUGS Design Team, I had to give it a try.  When I saw the cards, I thought the shape looked like a watermelon slice ... I went with that.  I die cut a circle, folded in half and then sponged (masking as I went).  Used Mowed Lawn and Rustic Wilderness distress inks for the rind, and Picked Raspberry and Festive Berries for the center.  Used a black marker to draw the seeds.

 

I then looked through my stamps to find an image that would be hanging over the edge and this sweet dog (retired from Impression Obsession) was perfect (sponged him with distress inks).  I originally constructed the background panel with the dog image and sentiment combined.  Attached to my watermelon slice and the darn thing was too top heavy. :)  I have to admit that I didn't watch the video on how to make these cards ... I just winged it.  So I removed the dog from the panel, cut down the sentiment and attached it behind the dog with a thin piece of card stock.  Better, but still not centered so I had to add a few pieces to the back to weight it until it sat straight. :)  Trial and error.  Should have watched the video! :)

Close-up ...

Thanks to Carol Mc of JUGS for the fun challenge!

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Stamps:  Dog - retired (Impression Obsession); Sweetest (sentiment - Avery Elle)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Clear embossing powder, sponges, black marker (Sharpie), white marker (Posca) 

Challenges:

Just Us Girls #640 - Rocker Card

Guest Designing at PBSC

Hi everyone.  I'm happy to be Guest Designing at Penny Black Saturday Challenge for May.  This is an Anything Goes challenge with an option this month of "Nature".  Thank you to Helen and the team for having me.

I rarely seem to use my DOX inks, so I pulled them out and made a couple of smooshed backgrounds (two because I put a lot of ink on my work surface). :)  The cards are the same with the exception of the die-cut flowers and the sentiment.

Both are made with DOX inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry).  I pressed one ink pad at a time onto my mat and spritzed with water.  I smooshed a piece of mixed media paper, using my heat tool to dry and then went onto the second and third colours, drying in-between each addition.  I repeated the process with a second piece of card.  I love the way these inks layer colours.  I finished the background by splattering with gold acrylic paint ... I love this yellow gold colour from Lumiere.  I used the same paint to add colour to the sweet scalloped frames (Penny Black - Sewing Stackers frames). 

For the card above I used the Flower Flourish die (Penny Black), die-cutting from white card stock and adding a small gold center to each of the flowers.  The sentiment (Banner Sentiments - Penny Black) is stamped in white pigment ink and heat embossed in white.  

Second card ...

Using the second piece of smooshed background, I added a second gold frame and then a Cherry Blossom (Penny Black) die-cut from white card stock.  Again, I added small gold centers to the flowers.  The sentiment (Trust Me Builder - Penny Black) is heat embossed in white.  It doesn't stand out very well against the colourful background, so I tried to make it more obvious by underlining with a white acrylic pen.  

These are simple cards to make and it was fun to create with my favourite colour combination. :)  I hope you'll make a card using Penny Black products and join in the challenge.

I'm sending the second card to Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Feminine.

Thanks for stopping by!

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:  Banner Sentiments, Trust Me Builder (both Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Squeezed Lemonade, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz); Unicorn white pigment ink (Hero Arts)
Accessories:   water mister, heat tool, Gold acrylic paint (Lumiere), paint brush; Sewing Stacker dies, Flower Flourish die, Cherry Blossom die (all from Penny Black); gold pearls (Studio Katia), white embossing powder (Ranger)

Challenges:
PB Saturday Challenge May - Anything Goes with Optional "Nature"

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Feminine

Penny Black - Seashells

Hi everyone.  I'm back with a card using one of the new release stamp sets from Penny Black, Seashells set (30-843).  

I started by smooshing the background panel using a few drops of Peacock Distress ink Re-inker (very concentrated) and a few drops of Delicata Gold Re-inker.  Spritzed with water and moved the colour around using a plastic knife.  Smooshed with a piece of mixed media paper until the entire surface was covered with ink.  Still had ink left on my mat, so smooshed a second piece, adding a bit more water, but not more ink.  This second panel is the one used on this card.

Stamped the image in black ink and clear heat embossed before watercolouring mostly with perfect pearls (pink, copper, gold) and distress ink Pine Needles.  There is a lot of shimmer on this card!

The sentiment (from the same stamp set) is stamped in black and clear heat embossed.  Adhered the panel over a white card base.

Product Links

Seashells (30-843)

* * * * *

Jessie had surgery yesterday on her left hip.

It seems to be a lot harder on her than her last surgery (right hip) which was 7 months ago.

Hopefully today will be a better day.

* * * * *

Stamps:  Seashells (Penny Black)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Peacock Feathers Distress Re-inker; Delicata Gold Re-inker (Tsukinecko); Black (Memento);  Pine Needles distress ink (Tim Holtz); Perfect Pearls (pink, copper, gold)
Accessories:   Water mister, Plastic knife, Clear embossing Powder, heat tool, paint brushes

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

The Flower Challenge #58 Reminder

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder that we are half way through the month for The Flower Challenge.  Still lots of time to play along ...

I added both spots and stripes to my card today.  Started by adding a dotty border using the Hemstitch Rectangles die (Spellbinders).  I then stamped my flower (Birthday Blooms - SU! - retired) in princess gold embossing powder and heated it to melt.  I watercoloured using distress inks (Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness).  I fussy cut my image and set aside.

I bought some corrugated card stock from AliExpress a while back and wanted to add some to my card (the stripes!).  I used a dark brown which worked really well with the colours of my bloom.  Added a piece that fit just inside the dotty frame and then popped up the flower over top.  I stamped the sentiment (part of the stamp set) and also heat embossed in princess gold.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the amazing reminder cards from the Designers.  Make sure to take a look at the gallery ... it's filled with lots of amazing spots and / or stripes cards!

Thanks for dropping by!

Product Links

Hemstitch Rectangles dies (Spellbinders)

Stamps:  Birthday Blooms - retired (Stampin' Up!)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Corrugated Brown card stock (AliExpress)
Ink:   Versamark; Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Princess Gold  Embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, Hemstitch Rectangles (Spellbinders)

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #58 - Spots and/or Stripes

More Mixed Media Play Time

Hi everyone.  I had so much fun following Eileen Godwin's techniques last week, that I have continued to play with layering stamps and stencils to create mixed media cards.  Eileen really helped me get out of my comfort zone of CAS design.  

Today's card uses three stencils and one stamp to create a fun and bold card for a friend.  I started by doing a stencil monprint on mixed media paper with a crackle stencil (retired) in Distress inks Brushed Corduroy and Gathered Twigs.  I then used the beautiful STAMPlorations Peeking Dahlias stencil to add flowers to the corners.  I LOVE this stencil ... it reminds me of my Great Uncle Fred who always had a huge garden of dahlias each year ... all different colours, shapes and sizes.  I used several Distress inks to sponge the dahlias (Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogant, Black Soot).  It really adds so much depth with the shading.  I used my black thick POSCA pen to add the "seeds" in the center and a fine liner black to add some details to the petals.  The center is covered in Crystal Glaze to give it shine and depth.  

I added a little stenciling of some beautiful vines (Twisted Vines from Sweet Poppy Stencils - gift from a sweet friend). Used Brushed Corduroy again so that it shows over the crackle background.  The vines are outlined with Clear Wink of Stella for some sparkle.

Finally, stamped the sentiment Friend (Happy Messages from Stampendous) to finish the card.

Close-up ...

I'm entering this card into the STAMPlorations January Stencil Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Happy Messages (Stampendous)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Black Soot
Accessories:   Water mister, Crackle stencil - retired (Prima); Peeking Dahlias stencil (STAMPlorations), Twisted Vines Stencil (Sweet Poppy Stencils), sponges, Black Posca Pen, Fine Black Liner (Sharpie), Clear Wink of Stella, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo)

Challenges:
STAMPlorations January Stencil Challenge