Generation Stamping - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.   Quick note ... my current computer is done. :(  I have bought a new one, but can't figure out the new system ... everything has changed so much.  It will be a while before I'm up and running again.  Won't be able to visit your blogs, answer emails, etc. for a while.  I'll be back! :)

Today's technique is a basic stamping technique that creates the illusion of depth by simply offsetting the image and stamping a second time without re-inking.  This creates a lighter version of the image and makes it appear as if it is in the background.

This can also be used to create movement.  For instance, if stamping an animal, you can offset sideways and stamp (without reinking) as many times as possible before the ink is used up.  It appears as if the animal is running.

Please check out the details for Generation Stamping technique and link to video on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers

This is the card I recently gave my son, Jeremy, for his birthday.  I started by sponging the main panel with Distress Inks (Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Peacock Feathers).  I then stamped the Pine Tree (Stampscapes) in Black ink.  Without re-inking, I moved the stamp down and to the right, and then stamped a second time my panel.  It took me a little while to decide I wanted a third tree.  By then the leftover ink on my stamp was dry.  So I inked the image again, stamped off on a piece of scrap paper, and then stamped the third tree.  This gave me a lighter image.  The two side trees look as though they are in the background behind my main (center) tree. :)  Easy peasy technique.

I cut the panel to size, added a strip of black card stock with white heat embossed sentiment at the bottom.  Then I popped the panel up with foam onto my black card base.

Sending this card to the AAA Cards Challenge #293 - Anything CAS Goes.  

* * * * *

I have created a Christmas card using the generation technique ...

I've used another tree image.  This time Pine Row from Stampscapes.  The background is sponged with Distress Inks: Salvaged Patina, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet.  The stamp was ink'd with black Memento ink and stamp in the middle, then stamped again to the left and higher up ... and then again, offsetting it from the other stampings.  I repeated this two more times to make a forest of trees in the background. :) 

I tore a piece of white card stock for my "snowhill", and stamped a retired sentiment from Paper Smooches.  I splattered with diluted white acrylic paint for falling snow to finish the card.

Sending this card to the Rudolph Days June Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Pine Tree (Stampscapes); Birthday Blowout (PoppyStamps - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Salvaged Patina (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:  sponges, White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool 

Card #2:

Stamps:  Pine Row (Stampscapes); Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Salvaged Patina, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   sponges, diluted white acrylic paint

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Generation Stamping

AAA Cards Challenge #293 - Anything CAS Goes

Rudolph Days June Challenge

Penny Black - Floral Silhouettes

Hi everyone.  I have a super CAS card for you today using one of the beautiful images from the Floral Silhouette Stamp set (30-563).

I think this is a very peaceful and soothing monocromatic design.  It could be used for a lot of different occasions.

I stamped two of the flowers (off set from each other) in smoky slate ink (softer gray).  I stamped one more of the same image over top, in the center of the other two flowers, in granite gray ink (darker gray).  The sentiment is stamped using the lighter gray ink.

Close-up ...

Thanks for stopping by!

Products:

Floral Silhouette (30-563) - Penny Black

Special Sentiments (30-574) - Penny Black

Stamps:  Floral Silhouette; Special Sentiments (both from Penny Black)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Smoky Slake; Granite Gray (Stampin' Up!)

Dreaming - Bliss

Hi everyone.  Back with another new stamp from Penny Black's latest release - Dreaming.  This beautiful flower is call Bliss (40-667).

For the card above, I started with a paper towel transfer background.  After using Lindy's magicals for another project, I wiped up the leftover ink and then transferred it to this card front of mixed media paper.  Not only does it make a pretty background, but there is sparkle from the magicals.

I stamped the image in gray Archival ink and watercoloured using more magicals.  Simple sentiment (Huggable 30-588) was stamped to finish the card.

Here's a close-up ... (camera didn't pick up the shimmer --- it's so pretty!)

While I had this beautiful stamp on my desk, I made a second card.  This time I stamped Bliss (40-667) in very light green ink several times to create the look of flowers in the background.  The stamp was inked with Old Paper Distress Ink, blotted off once, and then stamped onto the main panel before inking up again and repeating the process (second generation stamping).

I decided to go with a monochromatic look of all green, stamping the image in a dark green and watercolouring the petals and leaves with a lighter green.  I cut the panel down and added the pretty Leaf Stitched Frame (51-552) which is also part of the new release.  A simple sentiment was stamped from one of the stamp sets in the Dreaming release called Happy Heights (30-548).  I thought the main image was a little dark, so added some dots with a white paint pen to lighten.

Here's the close-up ...

I hope you've enjoyed my two cards using the Bliss image.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Bliss (Penny Black); Huggable (Penny Black); Happy Heights (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Grey Shadow (Archival ink by Ranger); Lindy's Magicals (Hydrangea blue; Freaky Franken Lime; Yellow Rose of Texas); Distress Inks: Salty Ocean, Old Paper, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, Leaf Stitched Frames die

Timeless - new release from Penny Black

Hi everyone.  Back again today with some more sweet new images from Penny Black's new release - Timeless.

My first card I'm sharing uses watercolouring with Zig Clean Clear Markers.  I stamped the sweet image (30-543 flower teddy) in permanent black ink and set the ink with my heat tool before colouring.  I used zigs and a water brush to watercolour and then fussy-cut the image.  I popped the teddy over top of a paper towel transfer background I had in my stash.  I made this with transferring ink from a mop-up paper towel onto a card front.

Isn't this little guy the cutest??!!

Here's a close-up ...

For the second card, this is a pretty, CAS card that was fun and easy to make.  I used one of the silhouette images from 30-563 floral silhouette.  I lightly stamped the flower head randomly over the background of my main panel.  Then inked the whole image again, spritzed with a little water, and stamped over top.  I cut the image with the 51-517 square frames die.  Inlaid my coloured panel to the frame and then added a second die-cut white frame over top.  A simple stamped sentiment, 30-560 from the garden, stamped in matching blue, finishes the card.

... and a closer look ...

I hope you've enjoyed the cards from today.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Penny Black Products:
30-543 flower teddy
30-563 floral silhouette
30-560 from the garden
51-517 square frames

Card #1:  Floral Teddy
Stamps:flower teddy (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb., 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versafine Black ink (permanent); Zigs (Kuretake)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush


Card #2: Framed flowers
Stamps:  floral silhouette (Penny Black); sentiment - from the garden (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb., 400 Series); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Ink:  Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, water brush, square frames die (Penny Black)

You're so Tweet!

Hi everyone.  Today we are half way through July so it's time for a CAS Mix Up Reminder.  Check out the challenge blog to see new inspiration from the Designers and our wonderful Guest Designer, Sue.

Bonnie is hosting this month and she has us colouring our die-cuts.  It really makes them special when you add some colours and other details.  The sweet little birdhouses above are a new-to-me die-cut.  I cut them from woodgrain paper given to me by a sweet friend. :)  Then watercoloured them with distress inks.

I created a Splash Watercolour background with two layers of Tumbled Glass distress ink.  Once dry, I used some tiny grass stamps and leaf sprig stamps to create my grass at the bottom, and the leaves off to the left side.  I used first and second generation stamping with the leaves to add dimension.  I used the same colour for the sentiment as I did for the sweet little birds.

Here's a close-up ...

Since I used Splash Watercolouring for the background, I'm sending this card over to the CAS Watercolour as well.

I hope you'll be inspired to come play along.  Colour your die-cuts using any colour medium, keep your card CAS, and then join our gallery!

Stamps:  Sentiment - Love Bug (Fiskars); Master Garden #1 (Kittie Kits - Rubbernecker)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Woodgrain - gift from a friend; Black (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Tumbled Glass, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, water brush, white gel pen

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up July Challenge - Colour your Die-cuts
CAS Watercolour July Challenge - Splash Watercolouring

Twofer Challenge #6

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the Twofer Card Challenge #6 ...

As always, please join us by making TWO CARDS, following the word prompt above, and the guidelines below.

I have used the same tree stamp from Darkroom Door for both my cards.  The first card is a friendship / encouragement card; the second, a Christmas card.

For the first card, I started by stamping the tree (bare branches) in soft brown.  Then I used a leaf sprig stamp to add leaves all over, filling the tree.  I added a small grassy area at the bottom of the tree, and a large, bright sun shining in behind.

Here's the close-up ...

The second card uses the same tree, this time heat embossed in silver, over top of an Inka Gold smooshed background from my stash.  I used a white gel pen to add some snow along the branches and along the sentiment "peace", which is also heat embossed in silver.  A snow hill die-cut is added at the bottom and I finished by splattering diluted white ink for falling snow.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful tree cards from our Designers, and wonderful Guest Designer, Maria (swimrunbikeandstamp).  Then come play along!

Card #1:  Brighten My Day
Stamps:  Bare Tree (Darkroom Door);
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Srathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Gathered Twigs, Mowed Lawn, Twisted Citron, Mustard Seed, Squeezed Lemonade (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  waterbrush, sponge

Card #2:  Peace
Stamps:  Bare Tree (Darkroom Door);
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Inka Gold (?) (Viva Decor); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, silver embossing powder, heat tool, white gel pen, Stitched snowhill die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #6 - Trees

Watercoloured Tissue Paper Die-cut

Hi everyone.  A reminder that we are already half way through July.  Still just over a week left to play along with CAS Mix Up July's Challenge - Tissue Paper.

I created this watercoloured, textured, and heat embossed background while filming my latest video (Tissue Paper Watercolouring & Techniques).  I used it to die-cut the flower and frame, placing it over a soft brown script background (second generation stamping).  Both the frame and flowers are popped up for added dimension.  I've had so much fun playing with tissue paper this month!!

Here's a close-up ...

Check out the challenge blog reminder post to see more tissue paper cards by our talented Design Team, and Guest Designer, Sue.  I know you'll be inspired.  Come join us!

Stamps:  Script (Penny Black); Lots of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); tissue paper
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holz); Baked Brown Sugar (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, gold embossing powder, heat tool, Floral Stem Collage die (Poppy Stamps)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up July Challenge - Tissue Paper

Merry Christmas

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the Happy Little Stamper's August Sketch Challenge.

I don't have any pennant stamp or banner stamps, so this stumped me for a little while.  Then I finally came up with this idea viewing the sketch upside down.  Hmmm ... looked like hills with trees to me, albeit rainbow-coloured trees. :)

For my card, I masked the sides of my card front with large post-it notes, and also cut out my snowbank die with another post-it note to use for my hills.  The trees were inked with light green and then used a darker green marker to randomly add some interest to the trees.  I huffed on the stamp to moisten it, stamped once, and then stamped again to create a faded tree in the background (second generation stamping).  I do love this technique.

I used a sponge to add definition to the snow banks.  I added a stamped and popped up sentiment to finish.

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog HERE to see the wonderful and creative cards done by the rest of the Design Team.  And I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge!

____________________

More exciting news from Happy Little Stampers.  A few days ago I mentioned that there are now a line of Happy Little Stamps, check out the shop HERE.

We are also excited to announce the Happy Little Stampers Craft Retreat in the UK, Summer of 2016.

Click HERE to see all the details.  There is a limited number of spots, so if you'd like to attend, please fill out the "expression of interest" form before Aug. 31, 2015. Thank you!

Stamps:  Outdoor Master (Kittie Kits from Rubbernecker Stamps); Season of Joy - sentiment (SU!)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Soft Sky, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  post-it notes for masking, Snow Drifts die (My Favorite Things), sponges

Challenges:

HLS August Sketch Challenge

HLS July CAS Challenge - Stamping

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the  July CAS Challenge at Happy Little Stampers, and it's the start of our new Design Team.  Yay!!  Kylie and I are thrilled to have eight talented designers joining us.  Welcome to Anita, Bonnie, Chrissie, Hazel, Linda, Sue, Toni and Valentyna. :)

Today is my friend, Dolly's (aka Darnell) birthday .  Hopefully she received this card in time and this is not the first time she's seeing it! :)

Happy Birthday Dolly!

This card is all about the wonderful technique of generation stamping (or second generation). Basically you stamp an image and then stamp again (and possibly again) without reinking your stamp.  Multi-generation stamping can create the illusion of depth or movement.

I inked my tree trunk and then used a paper towel to randomly removed some of the ink from the top branches, stamped off once onto scrap paper, and then stamped onto my card front.  This gave me a general outline for the tree without having dark branches that would show through the leaves.

Then I stamped the leaves three times before re-inking and stamping again.  It really creates the look of leaves in the background and foreground, giving the tree visual dimension.  So cool! :)

I hope you'll be inspired to join in our fun challenge.  It's open for the whole month of July, so there's lots of time to play along.  Simply make a CAS card that includes stamping and join the challenge.

This card actually works perfectly for the HLS July Sketch challenge that began two days ago, so I'm adding it over there as well.  Here's the sketch ...

And Virginia's View Challenge for July is 100% Stamping, so I'm linking up there.

Stamps:  Leafless Limbs (Stampscapes); Leaf sprig (Kittie Kits Outdoor Master from Rubbernecker), Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Squeezed Lemonade, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Brushed Corduroy (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges

Challenges:

HLS July CAS Challenge - Stamping
HLS July Sketch Challenge
Virginia's View #16 - 100% Stamping

Stencil Mask

Hi everyone.  Today's challenge at SCS for new techniques is Cluster Stamping, run by the very talented Joan Ervin.  The challenge is to take a die-cut (at least 2" wide or long ... the bigger, the easier to use), and make a stencil out of it.  Then cluster stamp inside the stencil area.  So fun!!  I had to give it a try.  Mine is basically a one layer card ... except that I always add a smaller card front - so I guess it's more like a one layer card front. :)

I used a window die to cut from a post-it note.  I placed the die-cut window on my card front and then used the rest for the cut (outside of window) as a mask over top.  Then I sponged some green for the grassy area and blue for the sky.  I used only two stamps for the window scene ... a leafy sprig that I stamped two or three times before re-inking (second generation stamping), and a branch with buds.  I love how it turned out.  Taking off the masks to reveal the card front was so exciting. :)  I stamped the sentiment in soft gray to mimic the softness of this sponged scene.

This is perfect for the Happy Little Stampers April CAS Challenge - Stenciling.  And it's a different way to use die-cuts and stencils.  Awesome!

I'm definitely going to be making more of these cards!

Stamps:  Cause a Scene - Master #1 (Kittie Kits from Rubbernecker Stamps); Branches (Inkadinkado); Elements of Style (SU)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass (Tim Holtz); Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Small Madison Arched Window die (Poppy Stamps), post it notes for making mask, sponges

Challenges:
HLS April CAS Challenge - Stenciling
SCS TLC #528 - Cluster Stamping

Autumn Branch

Hi everyone.  I love this time of year with the autumn leaves falling from the trees - so beautiful.  I tried to capture that beauty with my copper leaves which have been pounced with alcohol inks.  I used a color card base today (unusual for me!), and a small strip of patterned paper, over-stamped (second generation stamping) with my favorite background script stamp.  To finish, I stamped a simple sentiment and added a few strands of knotted copper cording gifted to me by my good friend Susan.

This is also a reminder of the current challenge at Mixed Media Card Challenge (#3 - Autumn colors with optional element:  metal or leaves) which is open until Sept. 25th.

I hope you'll check out the wonderful creations from the DT, as well as the amazing cards that have been entered into the challenge ... you will find tons of inspiration! And hope you'll play along with us.

I'm also entering this into Virginia's View Challenge #7 - Pattern Paper.  I used a strip of patterened paper for my main panel.

Stamps:  En Francais (SU!); For You (Rubber-Art Stamps)
Paper:  River Rock, Early Espresso, Well Worn DP (SU!)
Ink:  Early Espresso (SU!); Alcohol inks:  Honeycomb, Poppyfield, Botanical (Ranger)
Accessories & Tools:  Grove Branch die (Memory Box); Small and Large Leaves #2 dies (Cheery Lynn), copper metal sheet .005 thickness (K&S Precision Metals), felt and applicator for sponging ink, copper cording

Challenges:
Virginia's View #7