Christmas with Markers

Hi everyone.  One more card for the CAS Mix Up Challenge - Ink with Markers.

The card above uses an old stamp that I've had for many years.  I coloured the stamp with markers, colouring all areas of one colour first and then stamping.  I repeated with the other two colours.  The dove was stamped a second time onto white card stock, fussy-cut, layered with Wink of Stella (shimmery finish that doesn't show in the photo), and paper pieced on top.

I also wanted to try stamping onto patterned paper.  It turned out really well.  I love the soft colour of this pale turquoise and white polka-dot paper.  I used it to make three cards that I'm posting today.  Still have paper left over and hope to make more of these. :)

Here's the close-up of the above card:

The other two cards, which have the image inked with black and/or coloured markers and stamped onto patterned paper.  Parts of the image for these cards were also stamped onto white card stock, coloured with markers and paper pieced on top.  There is a mix of marker direct to card stock and watercolouring with markers.

Here's the close-ups ...

and ...

Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Wishes card:
Stamps:  Gifts at Christmas (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:   Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Stampin' Write Markers:  Real Red, Old Olive, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear Wink of Stella

Season's Greeting card:
Stamps:  Holiday Mail (Deep Red); Banner Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Stampin' Write Markers:  Old Olive, Real Red, Baked Brown Sugar, Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools: Water brush, Clear Wink of Stella


Let it Snow card:
Stamps:  Merry Delight (Penny Black)
Paper:   Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Festive & Frosty DSP (Penny Black); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Stampin' Write Markers:  Real Red, Smoky Slate (SU!); Evergreen Bough Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, Softly Falling embossing folder (Sizzix for SU!)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Ink with Markers

CAS Christmas August Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the CAS Christmas August Challenge.  The challenge this month is being run by the extremely talented Hideko (Papercraft Bouquet) and she picked ...

For my card I used an old stamp that I've probably had for about twenty years. :)  I swiped the stamp with a light green ink pad, then dabbed a darker green ink pad randomly over top.  Stamped onto mixed media paper and then used a water brush to move the ink around.  I also added some brown ink for the trunk.  This created a background for my tree.  I repeated the same steps, but only lightly touched the image with my water brush so it didn't blur and the image stayed sharp.

Once dry, I heat embossed the tree in clear to set the colour.  I sponged the sky with two shades of light blue, sprinkled Shabby White Frantage over top for falling snow and melted it onto my card stock in my griddle.  Previously I would heat the frantage from underneath using my heat tool, but it would fly all over the place and I usually ended up with just a little sticking to my card.  Using the griddle means that every speck melted. :)

I added a torn piece of white card stock for a snow hill at the bottom of the tree and then framed it in white with a green stamped sentiment.

Here's the close-up ...

We are excited to have Barb (Barb's Studio Creations) as our Guest Designer this month.  Check out the challenge blog to see the wonderful card made by Barb, along with our beautiful Designer's cards.  Then come play along.  Remember to keep your card CAS.

We are so happy to have two new Designers, Colleen (One Smile Lifts a Spirit) and Linda (Lin's Craft Corner), joining our team.  Welcome Colleen and Linda!! :)

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree (Stampin' Up!); Snowman Sayings - Retired (AmyR)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White (Neeenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Gathered Twigs, Tumbled Glass, Broken China (Tm Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Clear embossing powder, heat tool, sponges, Shabby White Frantage (Stampendous), griddle, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinder)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas August Challenge - Tree

Poinsettia x 3

(Coloured with Distress Markers)

Hi everyone.  I got this beautiful poinsettia stamp just before Christmas.  I had to have it after seeing these beautiful cards done by my friend Toni (Frankie Helps Craft).

I wanted to experiment with different markers on Mixed Media paper.  Mixed Media takes water, but you use less than painting on watercolour paper.  And it absorbs the colour slower, so you have more time to move it around.

All three have the image heat embossed in silver, and I only used a waterbrush with my markers to colour the images.  So relaxing and fun to do.

I'm happy with how they all turned out and I would recommend using all three different markers (distress, zig, stampin'write) with Mixed media paper.  They each have a little different look.  The photo above shows the image using distress markers.

The second card (below) uses Zig Clean Color Brush markers.  They work wonderfully with mixed media paper and the colours are vibrant.  The only negative is the red colour that comes in the set of 48 markers.  The red turns pink when is diluted with water... it has nothing to do with the mixed media paper, just the markers themselves.  I wish their red marker was red.  :)  Of course, I could have mixed in some brown to try to get a red, but I just wanted to simplify my colouring this time.  And I can always buy a different shade of red, but wanted to use just from my set of 48 I purchased.

(Coloured with Zig Clean Color Brush Markers)

The last card is done with stampin' write markers.  They also worked really well on the mixed media paper.

(Coloured with stampin' write markers)

If you have a chance, try out some Mixed Media paper.  It's fun to work with and is great for watercolouring and watercolouring techniques (remember to use less water).  Just something different, and it's price point is in-between regular card stock and watercolour paper.

This is my first time inking up this beautiful stamp, so I'm entering Darnell's NBUS Challenge #6.  I have LOTS more NBUS items in my studio, so hope to make a few more cards before the end of the challenge on Mar. 10th.  Thanks for this wonderful challenge Dolly (aka Darnell) ... it really helps me to show some love to my neglected purchases.  :)

Thanks for dropping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Create a Poinsettia (Stampendous)
Paper: Mixed Media (Strathmore 400 Series)
Ink: Distress Markers (Ranger); Zig Clean Color Brush Markers (Kuretake); Stampin' Write Markers (Stampin' Up!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Silver embossing powder (Ranger); Heat tool; Waterbrush; Glossy accents for holly berries; clear glitter glue for mistletoe berries

Challenges:
NBUS #6

Vellum Flowers

Hi everyone.  Today I tried out a technique I saw on Jennifer McGuire's blog.  She embossed onto vellum and colored her image with markers, using a soft cloth to blend the inks.  The only difference is that I colored on the front of the image so that the colors were more vibrant.  I love how it turned out.  I made a few of the flowers and leaves (leaves are simply stamped in ink and fussy cut), so also made a tag (below).

This card is for the latest challenge at Simon Says Stamp - Emboss It! ... and for SCS Free For All Challenge (F4A230 - bright and beautiful) from last week (just catching up!).  The colors used for the flower are bright (orange, pink and red).

And the tag below is for a couple of challenges ... Tag, You're It! Challenge #2 - to create a CAS tag inspired by Lauren Bassen's beautiful tag (I kept the same colors and used a grid for my background, along with vellum accents) ... and for SCS Mix-ability Challenge #78 - summer tags (I used markers for coloring the vellum, and sponged ink for the background grid).

Here's the tag ...

Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral (SU!); Lots of Thanks (Simon Says); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White; Vellum (Bazzill)
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Real Red, Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder, heat tool, soft cloth, harlequin stencil, sponge, Tangerine Tango 1/4" satin ribbon

Challenges:
Simon Says - Emboss It!
SCS Free for All #230
Tag, You're It! - #2
SCS Mix-ability #78

Full of Blooms

For my Mixed Media Card Challenge post, click HERE.

Hi everyone.  Exciting news!! :)  Today is my first card as one of the new Design Team members for Addicted to Stamps & More! Yay!  As some of you may remember, I was on this team a while back, but took a break as life got a bit crazy.  I'm happy to say that life is calmer and Kylie welcomed me back to the team - thank you Kylie! :)

Our challenge today is ATS&M#102 - Make Your Mark.  Use any kind of marker, pencils, watercolor crayons, gellatos, etc. that you have to create something special for this challenge.  I used the marker layering technique for this beautiful image from StampArt Designs (our sponsor for this challenge).

I love the pot full of pretty blooms and had fun coloring it.  Reminded me of coloring as a child - very fun! :)   I printed off the digital image onto watercolor paper, and then used my blender pen to pick up color from my marker tips and add them to the image.  Once I had a light base coat, I went back and added more color directly with my marker and then smoothed it out with the blender pen.  Just remember to only do a small area at a time so the watercolor paper is damp when blending, then move on to the next area.

Here's more info about the challenge ...

Our sponsor is

Prize:  5 digital images

The challenge is open for one week and any style of card is welcome.  Remember to follow the theme of the challenge (use markers)  ... and have fun! :)

Please click here to check out the challenge and see the amazing design team cards from the rest of the team.

Stamps:  Full Bloom (StampArt Designs); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  Watercolor (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Cameo Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Summer Sun, Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen

Dahlia

Hi everyone.  Time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS.  Today, the very talented and always entertaining Marie (baileyrosy) has chosen this code word ....

LOVE this challenge!  Looking forward to seeing all the creative cards in the gallery! :)  I used a digital image printed onto watercolor paper.  I used my yellow marker to outline along the outside edge of the image and then used a wet paint brush to blend it to create a sunny glow around the dahlia.  I then used my inks and blender pen to color the flower (marker layering technique).

This challenge is sponsored by

Prize:  5 free digital images

(please follow the rules to be eligible to win)

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge (ATCAS Challenge #38 - code word:  Off the Edge).  As always, the challenge is open for two weeks so there's lots of time to play along.  Click on the link to find out about the challenge and see the wonderful Design Team cards by the rest of our team.

We are so excited to have Darnell (djkardkreations)  join us as Guest Designer for May.  If you haven't visited Darnell's blog yet, be sure to take some time and drop by to say hi - you'll be glad you did! :)

Stamps:  Dahlia (Clearly Digi); Friendship Garden - sentiment (Fiskars)
Paper:  Watercolor (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Raspberry Ripple, Pear Pizzazz (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen, paint brush

Love Grows

Hi everyone.  Time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This time, the challenge is being run by the very talented Sylvia (Poppy's Papercraft Patch), and she chose this word ...

This challenge is being sponsored by

Prize:  Rubber Stamp Set "It's All About You"

(please follow the rules to be eligible to win)

Now, I only used one wheel on my card ... so hope that's OK with Sylvia! :)

I inked the wheelbarrow with my gray marker and stamped.  I used my blender pen to add more ink to the wheelbarrow, masked it with a post-it note and then stamped leaf sprigs and flowers (yellow, red and purple) using generation stamping.  I removed the mask and stamped a few leaf sprigs that are falling over the side of the wheelbarrow and a few of the red flowers as well.  I like the watercolored look.

The sentiment is from a Fiskars set I had bought a while back from my local $1 store (it was $3.00 for the whole set).  I have several of these clear stamp sets, but find I don't always get a crisp and clean stamp from them so didn't use them very much.  Then I watched a video by Darlene Devries (DarleneDesign.com) ... where she describes having the same trouble and how she fixed this problem.  She places the stamp on her acrylic block, figures out where she wants it on her card, places a Stamp-a-ma-jig against the block, inks and stamps.  She lifts up her stamp, leaving the stamp-a-ma-jig in place, and re-inks and stamps again if necessary.  I did that today and it worked perfectly.  Thanks for the great tip Darlene!!  By the way, if you haven't checked out Darlene's blog, please do so if you have time ... she does a video each week showing how she makes her cards.  I have learned a lot from her!

This is the last challenge of March ... which means we have to bid fond farewell to our March Guest Designer ... Karen.  Thanks so much Karen for joining us this month ... we've really enjoyed having you on our Design Team!!! :)

As always, our challenge is open for two weeks so there's lots of time to play along.  Please check out the challenge for Addicted to CAS - Wheels ... and see all the wonderful cards from the rest of the Design Team.

Stamps:  Always Thanksful (SU!); Master #1 (Kittie Kits - Rubbernecker Stamps); Friendship Garden (Fiskars)
Paper:  White (Neenah - card base); Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Smoky Slate, Early Espresso, Basic Gray, Black, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Elegant Eggplant (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Spring Garden

Hi everyone.  It's great to be back in my studio again.  The past few weeks have been very hectic and it's nice to finally have a break and be able to play! :)

I made this card for this week's Muse Challenge (#54 - card by Therese Calvird).  I loved Therese's beautiful spring card and used similar colors and layout.  It's not very often that I have a colored card base, so this was a challenge for me! :)

I love this stamp set from SU! (Simply Soft) and have made many cards with it - I never get tired of these beautiful flowers.  I used the marker layering technique to color in the blooms so I'm entering this into the latest challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More - #82 - make your mark (use markers).  The sentiment is from a stamp set that I received as a gift from my good friend Debbie ... love this sentiment and perfect for so many occasions!

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Just a quick note about our family.  Last Sunday I held a baby shower in honor of my DGS Cooper.  It was such a fun afternoon and my cousin graciously took lots of photos.  Wanted to share a couple of sweet six-week-old Cooper and his beautiful parents. :)  The lighting was low so the pics are a bit on the blurry side.

Stamps:  Simply Soft (SU!); Fluttering By - sentiment (Verve)
Paper:  Pear Pizzazz, watercolor
Ink:  Staz-on Black, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze, Pretty in Pink, Raspberry Ripple, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen, white gel pen

Challenges:
Muse #54 - Therese Calvird
ATS&M #82 - Make Your Mark

Playful Cat

Hi everyone.  Today is the latest challenge at Addicted to CAS (#27).  Our host this week is the mega-talented Vicki (All I Do Is Stamp).  She has chosen this fun code word ...

This challenge is being sponsored by:

Prize:  CAS Perfectionist gets to choose 5 of their wonderful images

(please follow the rules to be eligible to win)

This adorable image is from Bugaboo.  I printed it onto watercolor paper and colored it using the marker layering technique.  I cut it to size and added some fun yellow gingham and raffia.  A simple sentiment finishes the card.

Here's a close-up:

Stamps:  Garden Cat - Pots (Bugaboo); Sweet Summer Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White, Yellow Gingham; Watercolor
Ink:  Black, Smoky Slate, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze, Gumball Green, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Tempting Turquoise, Soft Sky (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Blender Pen, Raffia, Stamp-a-ma-jig, adhesives, and dimensionals

I hope you'll join us for the fun challenge.  Check out the details for the ATCAS - code word:  Pet challenge and see all the fabulous cards by the rest of the Design Team.

Pink Flowers of Kindness

Hi everyone.  Over at the MUSE (#40) challenge this week ... the guest designer is my friend Darnell.  Congrats Darnell!!  She made a gorgeous card in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Please click here to read Darnell's post - you'll be glad you did.

Here's Darnell's card for inspiration.

I really focused on the flowers and the colors of Darnell's card, changing up the layout a bit.  I used an old set from SU! called Echoes of Kindness (hence the name of this post).  It's such a beautiful set of flower stamps ... I never get tired of them.

I stamped the image in staz-on black ink and color using a blender pen and ink onto Whisper White card stock (marker layering).  I outlined the image with my Certainly Celery Stampin' write marker to give it a shadow effect.

Stamps:  Echoes of Kindness (SU!); Sunny Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White; Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Staz-on black, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, blender pen, adhesives, and dimensionals

Here's a close-up of my card so you can see more details:

I'm finding that now I have new shelving, it blocks the light where I always have taken my photos of cards.  Isn't that always the way?? ... change one thing for the positive, and it has negative effects somewhere else :)  It probably doesn't help that this time of year, the light coming in the window from outside is dull --- my pictures seemed much better during the summer.

I have been thinking for a while now about making a light box for taking photos ... this is hopefully going to push me to do it sooner rather than later :)  I found instructions on-line and now I just need to talk hubby into helping me build it.  It's not going to be on his priority list  ... but if I start mucking with the tools in his shop, he'll probably take over so that I don't damage anything :)  We'll see if that works :)

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Card Candy Giveaway # 8 - Winner

Thanks to everyone that commented on my latest Card Candy Giveaway - #8 (Windows & more).  I used the True Random Number Generator to pick the winner of the Card Candy:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 52 

... and the winner is ...

Jeanne (Reba Li Creates)

Congrats Jeanne ... please email your mailing address to me (click on the "Email Me" in the right-hand column near the top), and I'll send you the Card Candy. :)

Fall Leaves

Hi everyone.  The latest challenge at Bugaboo's Catch the Bug Challenge blog is Bingo.  I just love this time of year with all the falling leaves ... had so much fun coloring this adorable fall image.

I used the bottom horizontal line, subbing die-cut for the punch (hope that's ok).  I used the marker layering techique (Player's Choice) and the image came with it's own sentiment (Leaves). :)


Here's a close-up:

Stamps:  AKV-Fall Leaves (Bugaboo)
Paper:  Watercolor; White; Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake, Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Blush Blossom, Blushing Bride (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Grass Border die (Cheery Lynn), Puffy Clouds Dies (Memory Box), Small Sun die (Lil' Inkers), blender pen, sponges, glue, glue dot, adhesives, and dimensionals

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge!  Click here to check out the wonderful cards from the rest of the design team.

Holly Branch

Hi everyone.  This card is for the current challenge on my friend, Nonni's blog (Korttikarkuri) ... "Let's Get Inky - Stamp a Happy Christmas".  We would love to see more entries ... come and join in the fun!! :)

I stamped this beautiful holly branch in Staz-on Black ink and colored it with my inks and blender pen.  I added glitter glue on top for some sparkle (hard to see in the photo) ... and a tiny bit of detailing on the berries with my white gel pen.


Here's a close-up:

Stamps:  Watercolor Winter (SU!); Handy Christmas Greetings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs)
Ink:  Black Staz-on, Gumball Green, Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, blender pen, red glitter, green glitter, paint brush, white gel pen, Maraschino Twine (The Twinery), adhesives and dimensionals

Hope you'll join us!

Happy Thoughts for You

If you are looking for my DT card for the ATCAS Challenge, click here.

Hi everyone.  Time for another Saturday Challenge at Bugaboo's Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.  Today it's a Theme challenge ...

Indian Summer

We frequently have Indian Summer's here on the Westcoast of B.C.  In fact, September is one of my most favorite months ... the sun is shining, but it's cool and breezy.  Perfect weather to be out in the garden (another of my hobbies).

Today I colored three sunflowers that are a partial of a digi stamp from Bugaboo, called "Sunflowers Vase".  I didn't print off the vase part, instead printed the sunflowers in two different sizes, colored them and then mounted them on a beautiful flourish.  I even managed to include a piece of designer paper from my stash!


Here's a close-up:

Stamps:  Sunflowers Vase (Bugaboo); Sunny Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); watercolor; Early Espresso, Old Olive, Orchard Harvest DP - retired (SU!)
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Flourish #6 die (Crafty Ann), Tender Leaves die (Memory Box), blender pen, sponges, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals


I printed the sunflowers onto watercolor paper and used the marker layering technique to color (link to tutorial is on my Tutorials Page).  I die-cut two flourishes and two leaves, sponged the edges, and used my Old Olive Stampin' Write marker to draw in the embossed lines on the leaves to make them more visible.

I hope you'll join us for this week's Theme challenge - it's gonna' be fun!!  Check out Catch the Bug Challenge Blog to be inspired by all the beautiful cards from the rest of the Design Team.