More Monochromatic for Gof7

Hi everyone.  Another card for June's Group of Seven's Design Element - Monochromatic.

Simple CAS design all in shades of green on white card stock.  Sponged Shabby Shutter Distress ink over the Flourish stencil (Tim Holtz), fading out towards left side of card front.  Stamped Full Bloom (Penny Black) over top in Peeled Paint Distress Oxide Ink and added a simple sentiment:  Many Everyday Messages - retired (Hero Arts) in the same ink to finish card.

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Sending the above card to the following Challenges:

Stencil Fun July Challenge

Simply Clean & Simple July Challenge

            

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Full Bloom (Penny Black); Many Everyday Messages - retired (Hero Arts)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Shabby Shutters Distress Ink; Peeled Paint DOX ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Flourish Layering stencil (Tim Holtz), sponge, 

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Monochromatic

Stencil Fun July Challenge

Simply Clean & Simple July Challenge

Monochromatic - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  This month the Group of Seven are showcasing another Design Element - Monochromatic.  Gof7 definition is shades of one colour, plus small accents of white, black, or metallic.

Please check out the many wonderful inspiration cards from members of the Group.

Group of Seven Cardmakers - Monochromatic

For the card above I used the Peony Bundle embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp) with mixed media paper.  I started by sponging lightly with small detail sponges over the raised design in shades of orange distress inks (Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Crackling Campfire).  It turned out OK, but the colour was not smooth, so I went over the sponging with a wet waterbrush and more ink to get a smoother finish.  I did go outside the lines of the embossing a few times and used a small amount of bleach with a brush to clean them up --- worked great!

To finish, I used a white pen to add details for the flowers and leaves and then added a simple sentiment (Endless Birthday wishes - retired SU!), stamped in more Crackling Campfire.

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Sending the above card to Can You Handle the Pressure? - Anything Embossing Goes - I did not use the optional twist this time.

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This time I used different shades of gray, along with black and white card stock.  I decided to make a sympathy card, but this card could be used for many other occasions.

This was a very simple and easy card to make.  I started with a panel of black card stock and the lovely Vine Canopy embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp).  I inked the inside raised design (direct from stamp) with Lost Shadow Distress Oxide ink, placed my black panel inside and ran it through my Gemini Jr.  The ink transferred to the debossed side to create a lovely background panel for my leafy sprig (Dignified - Penny Black).  I popped up the panel onto my white card base and stamped a sentiment (Many Everyday Messages - retired - Hero Arts) in Hickory Smoke Distress Oxide ink.  

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Sending this card to Simply Clean & Simple June Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1

Stamps:  Endless Birthday Wishes - retired (SU!)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Crackling Campfire (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Peony Bundle embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), detail sponges, watercolour brushes, bleach, white acrylic paint pen (Posca)

Card #2

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages - retired (Hero Arts)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Smoky Slate card stock (SU!); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Lost Shadow, Hickory Smoke (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Vine Canopy embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp); Dignified die (Penny Black)

Challenges:

Group of Seven

Can You Handle the Pressure? - Anything Embossing Goes

Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes

IDEAS - Dies

Hi everyone.  It's Monday, which means it's time for the IDEAS Challenge from Darnell.  This week is "D" for Dies/Die Cuts".

I went through my NBUS box of dies and found a CoverPlate die (combination of embossing and cutting).  This is Stitched Diamond Coverplate - Pinkfresh Studio.  I used it for the background of my butterfly, cut from SeaGrass card stock (Simon Says Stamp).  LOVE this colour!  The butterfly die-cut is from a friend so I am using both a die and die-cut on this card. :)

I added the beautiful foil die-cut butterfly on top, popping up the wings for added dimension.  To finish, I added a gold embossed sentiment (Simply Sentiments - Lawn Fawn), which matched the antennae of the butterfly.

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I'm also sending this card to NBUS Challenge #60 - never-before-used schtuff)

... and to Triple B March Challenge - I used a butterfly.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); SeaGrass card stock (Simon Says Stamp)
Ink:   Versamark
Accessories:   Stitched Diamond Coverplate (Pinkfresh Studios), Foil Butterfly (gift from friend), Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:

IDEAS Challenge

NBUS Challenge #60

Triple B March Challenge

Guest Designing at Seize the Birthday!

Hi everyone.  I'm excited to be the Surprise Party Guest at Seize the Birthday for November and January (the challenge takes a break for December). :)   Thanks Nancy!

Today's challenge (#273) is all about Neutrals ...

  

I had fun creating a CAS (clean and simple) card using two shades of brown ink with black accents.  I LOVE how this combo looks.

I started by using sponge brushes over a retired leaf stencil from Carabelle Studio, onto mixed media paper.  I started with Gathered Twigs for the complete background and then sponged in the middle with Vintage Photo.

I die-cut the leafy branch (Fresh Foliage from Memory Box) in black card stock and used a piece of foam with my stylus, to add shape to the leaves.  I also cut a small sentiment banner from black card stock; then stamped (Simply Sentiments - Lawn Fawn) in white pigment ink before heat embossing with white embossing powder.  I attached the leafy branch with glue on the stems and placed the sentiment banner over top at the bottom of the card.

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I'm sending this card to the Stencil Fun November Challenge.

The Seize the Birthday challenge is open for 12 days.  I hope you'll come join us with your Neutral Birthday cards.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Gathered Twigs, Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz); Unicorn - white pigment ink (Hero Arts)
Accessories:   Leaf stencil - retired (Carabelle Studio), sponge brushes, Fresh Foliage die (Memory Box), White Embossing Powder (Ranger)

Challenges:

Seize the Birthday #273 - Neutral Colors Only

Stencil Fun November Challenge

Faux Embossing

Hi everyone.  I recently watched a video by Gina K and thought this was such a cool technique.  It basically turns solid stamped images (or stenciled images) into the look of a dry embossed image with dimension.

I tried to replicate my success using other colours of card stock, colours of ink that I had in my stash, and solid stamps, but didn't have any success.  For now, this will be a "one of" design. :)

I used the Fading Florals stencil from Simon Says Stamp, inking it with Bermuda Bay ink (SU!) on the same coloured card stock.  I inked it a couple of times to strengthen the colour.  I then moved my stencil ever so slightly before inking again, this time in Lost Shadow DOX ink.  So happy with how it turned out.  I adhered the card front to my base and then stamped a sentiment (Simply Sentiments - Lawn Fawn) to finish the card. 

I'm sending the above card to July's Stencil Fun Challenge - optional theme Birthdays!

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I do remember something similar to this technique many years ago, but I don't think it involved pigment and definitely not DOX inks that weren't around at that time.  

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 SWL1subscribers@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:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Bermuda Bay card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Bermuda Bay dye ink (SU!); Lost Shadow DOX Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Fading Florals stencil (Simon Says Stamp); Blending brushes

Challenges:

July Stencil Fun Challenge

CAS Challenges October Reminder

Hi everyone.  We are now halfway through October so it's time for our reminders for our two challenges.  First up, CAS Mix Up October Challenge - Tone on Tone Stenciling, hosted by Viv.

Stencil Challenge

I really like how this tone on tone stenciling turned out.  I started with a piece of Island Indigo card stock (SU!).  I placed my stencil over top and sponged with Island Indigo ink.  I love the impact of the stenciling, even though it's a subtle tone-on-tone stenciling.  I wanted to try something different, so cut my stenciled piece into difference widths and adhered them to the bottom of my card front.

Over top I placed a die-cut large snowflake (top layer silver, 2 layers white underneath for added dimension).  I heat embossed the sentiment in silver to match.  It went bubbly.  Not sure why that happens some times.

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Christine is our host.

Above is my CAS Christmas reminder card. I love this beautiful stamp that I received from a wonderful friend a long time ago.  It was orginally wood mounted, but I pulled it off so I could use it with my Misti.

I stamped the image in Versafine Black ink (waterproof).  I heat set to make sure it was dry before colouring with my zigs.  I was going to do that background wash first, but I was so excited to start painting that I completely forgot and was almost finished before I realized. :)

I knew that painting the background would be tricky, especially when there's red ink involved.  I tried to carefully add the blue, but right away I got red ink bleeding.  I decided to just go with it and make the whole image have a bit of bleed.  I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Another happy accident!

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I hope you'll check out the challenge blogs to see the amazing cards from our Designers, Guest Designers, and participants.  If you haven't had time to play along, there's over a week left before both challenges close on 24th at midnight PST.  Come join us!

CAS Mix Up Reminder - Silver Snowflake
Stamps:  Big Scripty Sentiments - Holiday (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Island Indigo card stock (SU!); Silver Foil card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Island Indigo (SU!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Large Snowflake die (AliExpress), Wander and Find stencil (?), sponge, silver embossing powder, heat tool


CAS Christmas Reminder - Christmas Birds
Stamps:  Christmas Birds (Northwoods); Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Zigs
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), white embossing powder, heat tool


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up October Challenge - Tone on Tone with Stencils
CAS Christmas October Challenge - Christmas Birds

Zooming with Friends

Hi everyone.  A couple of weeks ago, a group of us got together on Zoom to have a crafting session.  We followed Kathy Racoosin's video Print Making with Die-cuts.

The group of us are all posting our cards today.  Would love for you to check out the links to the other's blogs and leave them a comment as well.

Bonnie
Brenda

Christine
Darnell
Susan

I believe you get the best results from this technique using watercolour paper (Cold or Hot Press).  I used Arches 140 lb. Cold Press for both cards

For the card above I used a Penny Black die-cut, along with watercolouring with distress inks (rather than markers like Kathy used in her video).  Added a frame and stamped sentiment to match the colour of the leaves.  Happy how it turned out.

Second card ...

This time I used a fern die from AliExpress.  I found when using die-cuts with lots of openings, it's best to just add the prints from the die-cuts.  If I watercoloured the fern on top of my main panel, because of all the openings, I would end up with blobs of colour that distract from the design.  Ask me how I know this. :)  I cut my panel down and added the black sentiment border.  I'm really happy how this turned out as well.

I hope you'll give this technique a try.  It's fun and easy to do.  With it being more free flowing it always turns out to be a beautiful and arsty card.

Products

Flower Flourish Die (Penny Black)
Gratitude (Penny Black)

Fern die (AliExpress) *

Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

* AliExpress links are temporary

Card #1 - Have a Wonderful Day
Stamps:  Gratitude (Penny Black)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Flower Flourish die (Penny Black); paint brushes, water mister, Rectangle die - retired (Spellbinders), white acrylic paint pen (Posca)

Card #2 - You're the Best
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. cold press); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Crushed Olive, Forest Moss (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Fern die (AliExpress); paint brushes, water mister, white embossing powder, heat tool

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.

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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!)

More Green for Irish Luck

Hi everyone.  Made a few quick CAS cards for CAS Watercolour's March Challenge - Luck of the Irish, so sharing another today.  It doesn't have to be about St. Paddy's Day ... as long as it ties in.  And green is definitely an Irish colour. :)

Inked up my image with two shades of green ink, spritzed with a little water and pressed onto mixed media paper.  Inked the image a second time (no water this time) and stamped over top to sharpen up the images.  Added a simple sentiment in black, and popped up my main panel over a larger panel of green.  Fun and easy card!

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Hope to see you in the gallery at CAS Watercolour!

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My Mom (91 years young) stayed with us for the weekend.

She and Jessie had a great time together. :)

Stamps:  Wild Floral (Inkylicious); special sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Gumball Green (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour March Challenge - Luck of the Irish

Citrus Birthday Card

Hi everyone.  Today is my friend's (Anita in France) birthday.  I hope that she has received this card in time. :)  Happy Birthday Anita!!

I dug through my stash of partly started cards.  I have several of them, including this beauty that I made during last May's retreat.  My friend Bonnie brought some Nuvo Mousse to share with the group and I just couldn't resist playing with this gorgeous Citrus Green colour.  I spread it with a spatula through a flower stencil and sprinkled with chunky glitter while it was still soft.  I wish you could see the sparkle --- it's awesome.

I had a few areas where the mousse went under the stencil, so I fussy-cut it out and glued it onto a fresh card base ... problem solved. :)  I added a simple black sentiment banner with white heat embossing.

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Thanks for coming by for a visit!

Stamps:  Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Bloom stencil (Mayco); Citrus Green Mousse (Nuvo), palette knife, Diamond Dust glitter (Twinklets); white embossing powder, heat tool