July CAS Mix Up Challenge - Things with Wings

Hi everyone.  Happy Canada Day!

It's the start of the July CAS Mix Up Challenge - Things with Wings.  This month is hosted by our talented Designer, Linda (Life in the Craft Lane).  This is a watercolouring challenge so watercolouring or watercolour technique must be included in the design.

I used a old stamp I've had for several years ... Fluttering by Memory Box (long retired).  I love this flight of butterflies.  Such pretty images with lots of movement.

I started with an Inka Gold background from my stash from long ago (Turquoise, Voilet).  I stamped my image on top and heat embossed in silver.  I pulled out my Inka Gold tubs that have all dried up.  I chipped away a couple of small pieces from the same two colours as the background and then misted them both with lots of water and used my palette knife to crush up the softened bits.  I ended up with some lovely shimmery paints.  I watercoloured the butterflies  and then left them to dry.  Happy with how they turned out.

I cropped my image to the size I wanted and popped it up the smaller panel on foam over my card base.  I stamped the sentiment (Oversized Smile - Waffle Flower) onto black card stock and heat embossed in silver.  Add the sentiment banner on top of my popped up panel to finish the card.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the lovely CAS "Things with Wings" cards from our wonderful Designers.

And I hope to see you in our gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Fluttering - retired (Memory Box); Oversized Smile (Waffle Flower)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Silver Delicata ink (Tsukineko); Inka Gold (Turquoise, Violet); Oversized Smile (Waffle Flower)
Accessories:   Silver embossing powder, heat tool, paint brushes

Challenges:
July CAS Mix Up - Watercolouring - Things with Wings

CAS Stencil May Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the CAS Stencil May Challenge.  This month is being hosted by our wonderful Designer, Sue (Sue's Card Craft). 

We have Michele (I Card Everyone) as our Guest Designer this month.  Please check out the challenge blog to see the stenciled cards from our wonderful Guest Designer, Michele ... and our amazing Designers.  Then come play along!

This card started with a background already done in my stash.  It is smooshed Inka Gold (rose and platinum) with just a little bit of brushed corduroy re-inker.  Pink and brown is a great colour combination.  There's not a lot of brown, but just a little that adds so much to the pink.  Click HERE to see my video tutorial on Smooshing with Inka Gold.

I stenciled over top with a Harlequin (diamonds) stencil using white embossing paste.  While the paste was still wet,  I sprinkled iridescent embossing powder over top.  It sticks to the wet paste really well.  Once the paste was dry, I used my heat tool to melt the powder into the embossing paste.  I love the little bit of sparkle.  If you heat emboss when the embossing paste is still wet, it will puff up a bit.  So you have options depending on the look you want.

A black silhouette branch was added to the popped up main panel, along with a simple black stamped sentiment to finish the card.

Here's a close-up.  It shows the beautiful sheen from the Inka Gold, but not much of the glitter from the embossing powder.  Trust me, it's sparkly!

Stamps:  Happy Messages (Stampendous)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White (Neenah 110 lb.); Black (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Brushed Corduroy Distress Re-inker (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Rose and Platinum Inka Gold (Viva Decor), water mister, White embossing paste (Dreamweaver); Mini Harlequin stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), palette knife, Ice embossing powder (SU!), Heat tool, winter branch die (Penny Black)

Challenges:
CAS Stencil May Challenge - Stenciling over Coloured Background

More Vellum Watercolouring

Hi everyone.  Another card to share with watercolouring on vellum.  I've had fun playing with this month's CAS Watercolour Challenge!

I was recently away for a few days, relaxing in a cabin on Galiano Island, overlooking Active Pass.  I have mentioned many times before on my blog, it's a favourite place for hubby and I to get away.  While I was there, I had some time to watercolour lots of images with my zigs.  The flower used today was one of those.

I previously made a smooshed background with yellow, green and blue inks ... can't remember what I used, but most likely Distress inks (my fav!).  I wanted to add something different to the look of the vellum, so I dry embossed with a delicate leafy design and used a flat sponge and silver Inka Gold to just catch the tops of the embossing to add highlights to my background.  I framed a small piece with a square stitched die and then added the fussy-cut flower that I mentioned above.  The card front is popped up from the background with a silver stamped sentiment.  I popped up the flower as well to add lots of dimension.  Added the flower to the corner of the square.

Here's a close-up ...

Stamps:  Persian Motifs (Altenew); Senitment (SU!)
Paper:  Vellum; White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Zigs; Silver Delicata (Tsukineko); Distress inks
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, Spring Leaves embossing folder (Elizabeth Craft Designs); Silver Inka Gold (Viva Decor), flat sponge, white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour March Challenge - Watercolouring on Vellum

CAS Christmas February Challenge

Hi everyone.  Welcome to CAS Christmas February Challenge.  This month's challenge is being hosted by the wonderful Colleen (One Smile Lifts a Spirit).

I used two new dies for my card today.  I started with the background die of two deer with a stitched frame.  Cut from white card stock, I adhered a small piece of Inka Gold Smooshing from my stash to fill in the background.  I placed the panel on my warm grill and sprinkled with Chunky White Frantage.  I love how it melted to create the falling snow with a bit of texture.  To finish, I cut the peace from white card stock and sponged the top with Mermaid Lagoon ink, lightening the pressure as I moved down the letters.  This was to create a ombre sentiment.  Not sure it's ombre, but I like how it turned out. :)

Here's a close-up ...

Come check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from our Designers and our wonderful Guest Designer, Linda (Scrappin', Stampin', & Singin').  Then come play along.  Making Christmas cards all year is a great way to slowly build your stash so that when December rolls around, you have your cards ready to write and send off.  Why not make two cards at the same time to build your stash even faster! :)

Hope to see you in the gallery!

I'm adding this card to the CAS Mix Up challenge gallery ...

Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series)
Ink:  Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Playful Deer Stitched Frame die (Poppy Stamps), Swirled Peace die (Poppy Stamps), Inka Gold (Steel Blue, Platinum), water mister, Chunky White Frantage (Stampendous), sponge

Challenges:
CAS Christmas February Challenge - Peace
CAS Mix Up February Challenge - Dimensional Die-cuts

CAS Watercolour January Challenge

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the CAS Challenge for January.  This month is hosted by our talented Designer, Susan (Cardmarker's Garret).  I'd love for you to join us with your CAS (clean and simple) creations!

This was a super easy and fast card for me because I used a piece from my stash for the background.  I have a large supply of Inka Gold smooshed backgrounds in a variety of colours so I can easily make a quick card.  Click this link to see my short (4:01) video on how I smoosh with Inka Gold.

This is a NBUS die over top, depicting a cold winter's day in a forest of trees.  I added a thin black frame and black banner sentiment at the bottom which is heat embossed in white.

I don't make square cards often, but this square die really dictated the shape.  This is a 5 1/4" square card base.

Here's a close-up ...

Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing watercoloured winter cards from our Designers and wonderful Guest Designer, Janet (Swanlady Impressions).  Then come play along.  I hope to see you in the CAS Watercolour gallery!

Stamps:  Greetings (Cavallini, San Francisco based company - gift from my son)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Tree die (AliExpress), Inka Gold (Turquoise, Violet, Platinum), water mister, palette knife, white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Winter

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

May Rudolph Days

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with May Rudolph Days, run by the lovely Maureen (Scraps of Life by Scrappimo!).  The challenge runs every month from the 25th to end of month and it's always Anything Goes Christmas.

I love making my own backgrounds and this card is done with brushos and then run through my Big Shot with a snowflake embossing folder.  I took a piece of sponge and some Silver Inks Gold wax and lightly sponged over top, catching just the raised parts of the design.  I added my favourite tree and deer winter scene die (AliExpress) and stamped a sentiment under the panel in Delicata Silver (sparkly silver that doesn't need to be heat embossed).

I hope you'll come play along at Rudolph Days.  Always a fun time!

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sentiments (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. hot press); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Brushos (turquoise, ultra marine; Delicate Silver (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, snowflake embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Silver Inka Gold (Viva Decor), Tree die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
May Rudolph Days

Sending you Love

Hi everyone.  A reminder for the CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette.

My card starts with the Inka Gold background.  I smooshed Rose Inka Gold along with Brushed Corduroy re-inker.  It's a different colour combination for me, but I love how it turned out.  I then stamped script randomly over the background for some more interest.  I used a corner die-cut with dragonflies, cut from black to be my silhouette.  I framed it in white and stamped a sentiment.

We are already over half way through the month.  There's still just over a week to play along with our challenge before it closes.  There are AMAZING entries in our gallery.  Come check them out and see the reminder cards from the Design Team and our wonderful Guest Designer, Birgit.

Stamps:  Script (Penny Black); Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base & frame (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Ink & Re-inker:  Brushed Corduroy
Accessories & Tools:  Inka Gold Rose (Viva Decor), water mister, palette knife, Dragonfly Stems Left Corner die (Memory Box), Rectangle Nestability (Spellbinder)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette

CAS Watercolour September Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the beginning of September already!!  This year is flying by.  Time for a new challenge at CAS Watercolour.

For our challenge, silhouettes can be black, white, metallic or any other dark colour (gray, navy, brown).

My card starts with a tissue paper watercoloured background - click HERE to see my video tutorial.  I used a piece from my stash, so not sure of the ink that I used but believe it is Distress inks worn lipstick and peeled paint.  I glued it onto a piece of white card stock for sturdiness.  I placed a Wildflower stencil over top and sponged with Delicata Gold ink.  The card front was mounted onto a base and then the sentiment banner was glued on top down the left hand side.

We are thrilled to have Birgit (Rapport fran ett skrivbord) as our Guest Designer this month.  She won the July Butterfly challenge with this amazing card.  Welcome Birgit!!

Please check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful silhouette cards from our Design Team and Guest Designer, Birgit.  And then come play along!

Stamps:  The Big, the Bold, The Happy (Winnie & Walter)
Paper:  White tissue paper; White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.).
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Worn Lipstick, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Wildflower stencil (Tim Holtz), sponge

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette

Copper, Gold, and Turquoise

Hi everyone.  I'm playing along with Merry Monday Challenge #239 (Copper/bronze, Gold, and Turquoise) which is hosted by my wonderful friend, Marcia.   I was super busy this week, so only managed to find a little bit of time today to play along.

I started by smooshing a piece of mixed media paper.  FYI, I buy my pads of mixed media, yupo and watercolour paper in 9" x 12" sheets.  I divide them into quarters (4 1/2" x 6") which gives me just the right size for a card front, with a little extra.  I smooshed only one piece with Gold and Turquoise Inka Gold waxes, a few drops of copper metallic acrylic paint and some water.  Such a pretty combination of colours.

The shine from the inka gold and copper paint is really beautiful, but doesn't show in the pictures.  Once dry, I cut the piece in half (3" x 4 1/2"), trimmed off just 1/4" from the bottom and used it for the card above.  Splattered the background with diluted white paint to falling snow, and added white die-cut snowdrifts and reindeer.  I heat embossed the sentiment in copper to finish.

I still had 1/2 of my sheet left, and managed to die-cut two pieces from it to create my "two-fer" and "three-fer" cards (a la Darnell). :)

ETA:  Thanks to Nonni, I'm entering the above card into Inkspirational Challenge #130 - Smooshing.

Always great when I can add to my Christmas card stash. :)  The challenge closes tomorrow at noon (PST), so if you want to play along, you need to be quick! :)

Since I smooshed on all my cards, I'm adding them to the CAS Mix Up March Challenge (and 1st Birthday Celebration) - Smooshing. :)  Come check out the gallery of beautiful entries.

And since I used snippets for all three of the cards, I'm heading over to play at the Snippets Playground. :)

Stamps:  Festive Snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Inka Gold (Gold and Turquoise), copper embossing powder, heat tool, Snow drifts die (My Favorite Things), Peace love joy die (Penny Black), Ornament - Set 2 Dies (Elizabeth Craft Designs), Retro Deer Die (Simon Says Stamp)

Challenges:
Merry Monday #239 - Copper, Gold, and Turquoise
CAS Mix Up March Challenge - Smooshing
Snippets Playground - Week 273 and 274
Inkspirational #130 - Smooshing

Just for You

Hi everyone.  We are celebrating our 1st birthday at CAS Mix Up.  Come join the fun!

Made this card as a reminder for the CAS Mix Up March Challenge - Smooshing.

I started with a smooshed Inka Gold background from my stash (blue and dark blue). A mini dot stencil was placed over top and embossing paste was randomly added. The bird and branch were die-cut from watercolour paper and painted with diluted distress inks and then Wink of Stella was added for a bit of sparkle.  To finish, a simple sentiment was stamped onto a white banner.

My CAS Mix Up card has Smooshing with Inka Gold, Stenciling with embossing paste, Die-cuts and Watercolouring. :)

I hope you'll take some time to check out the reminder post at CAS Mix Up.  There you'll see more CAS Mix Up Smooshed cards from our Guest Designer, Marcia ... and from the rest of our Design Team.  I know you'll be inspired by their wonderful creations.

I'm playing along at Inkspirational, where Watercolour Smooshing is the theme. :)

Stamps: A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press); White cards base (Neenah 110 lb)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools: water mister, Inka Gold (Steel blue, Cobalt Blue), Mini Tiny Circles stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), embossing paste, Perched Reed Bird die (Memory Box), Little Leaves die (Sizzix), paint brush, Wink of Stella

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up March Challenge - Smooshing
Inkspirational #130 - Watercolour Smooshing

NBUS #9

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with Darnell's NBUS Challenge #9.  This technique is called Hidden Word or Camouflaged Word or Steganography.  :)

I found it a bit difficult to get a good picture of my card.  The camera seemed to be confused with the die-cut word in the middle of my smooshed Inka Gold panel.  It blends in, but it doesn't. :)

I used a snippet of leftover Smooshed Inka Gold from the video I did over a year ago. :)  Always pays to hang on to those pieces. :)  And I used a snippet of white card stock, painted it with gold and used it for the strip at the bottom of my panel and also for the butterfly.  My card is all snippets except for the card base. :)  So I'm heading over to join the fun at the Snippets Playground as well.

The NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) item is the thanks die from STAMPlorations ... it fit perfectly for this panel. :)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Peacock Feathers Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Gold Inka Gold (Viva Decor), water mister, thanks die-cut (STAMPlorations),  gold acrylic paint (Lumiere), paintbrush, embossed butterfly die-cut (Stampin' Up)

Challenges:
Darnell's NBUS #9 Challenge
Snippets Playground - Week 265 & 266