Penny Black - Captivate

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing another new release from Penny Black.  This image is from the stamp set Captivate.  I've also used a frame from a new background die, All-in-One Octagon - Penny Black.

I love the simplicity of this off-the-edge CAS design.  The image is stamped in black ink and heat embossed with clear before watercolouring with Distress Inks (Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed).  I stamped and watercoloured the flowers of a second image, then fussy-cut the blooms and popped them on top of the base image (Paper Tole Technique).  It adds lots of depth to the flowers.

I finished the card with a lovely sentiment, Super Day - Penny Black, which is stamped in black and clear heat embossed to match the image.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to Seize the Birthday #280 - Spring Floral.  Great challenge Lin!!  Happy to be playing along!

Penny Black Products

Captivate (31-050)

All-in-One Octagon (51-816)

Super Day (31-044)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Captivate; Super Day (both from Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Fabriano 108 lb.)
Ink:   Black Pigment (Obsidian - Altenew); Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour brushes, All-in-One Octagon die (Penny Black)

Challenges:

Seize the Birthday #280 - Spring Floral

Penny Black - Radiant Red

Hi everyone.  Today's cards feature a stamp from the Penny Black Christmas release (Radiant Red - 40-903).  This is a gorgeous poinsettia image that is fun and easy to watercolour.

This is my first time using this stamp, so I'm sending the above card to NBUS Challenge #55.

... and I'm also sending it to Penny Black Saturday Challenge - September, where Anything Penny Black Goes.

For the card above, the outline image is stamped off-the-edge onto mixed media paper.  I heat embossed the image in white and watercoloured using Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Fired Brick, and Aged Mahogany.

The sentiment (Full of Christmas 30-734)  is stamped with black ink.  To finish the card, I splattered with diluted white acrylic paint ... there's a bit of a snow storm going on with this card. :)

Close-up ...

And I've created a second card using the same inks and white embossing, but this time I used vellum.  The embossed image is on the front with the watercolouring done on the back of the image.  I have sandwiched the vellum between two pieces of white card stock, both with a circle die-cut in the center.  

I added a foiled sentiment using the Xmas Classics (15-004)  and some silver foil.  You simply rub the design onto your card, burnishing the sticky design, lay your foil over top and burnish again.  So simple and quick to do! :)  The sentiment looks black in the photo above.  I wasn't able to get a photo, but trust me, it's lovely and shiny silver foil. :)

I'm sending this card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #52.

Penny Black Products

Radiant Red (40-903)

Full of Christmas (30-734)

Xmas Classics (15-004)

* * * * *

Just a quick note that I added a new tab (Sketches) at the top of my blog of some of my favourite sketches I use when making my cards.  These sketches are Clean & Simple designs and I use them a lot (with slight variations to keep things more interesting).  I've also included small photos of several cards that I've made using each sketch with links to the original blog posts.  I hope you find this useful. :)  

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Card #1:

Stamps:  Radiant Red (Penny Black); Full of Christmas (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Versamark; Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Fired Brick, and Aged Mahogany (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   White Embossing Powder, heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, diluted white acrylic paint, splatter brush

Card #2:

Stamps:  Radiant Red (Penny Black); Xmas Classics (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Vellum
Ink:     Versamark; Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Fired Brick, and Aged Mahogany (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   White Embossing Powder, heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, diluted white acrylic paint, splatter brush, Circle die (Spellbinders - retired), silver foil (decofoil)

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #55

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - September

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #52

Fall Floral

Hi everyone.  Fall is my favourite time of year with all the amazing colours of the fall flowers and changing leaves.  This card is made with Peeking Dahlia Stencil (STAMPlorations), which is an off-the-edge design.  I used Distress Inks:  Spiced Marmalade and Seedless Preserves Seed for the flower - LOVE the contrasting colours.  I stamped the sentiment (Lots of Thanks - retired) in Seedless Preserves DOX inks.  I always forget to use DOX inks when I'm stamping a sentiment.  It makes a solid image in one go which means it stays true to it's colour, whereas I usually have to stamp Distress Inks two or three times to fill in a sentiment, which usually ends up darker than I want.  

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the Simply CAS September Challenge (second entry), where it's always Anything Clean & Simple Goes.  This month the optional theme is "Use A Stencil".

... and while I'm at it, I'm going to also enter this card into September Stencil Fun! Challenge (also second entry), where it's always Anything Stencil Goes.  This month the optional theme is "Fall".

I wanted to say I'm so impressed with Darlene and Diane's challenges.  I know the work that goes into organizing them, and they have a huge assortment of challenges every month (and some even bi-monthly).  Thanks for all your hard work Darlene & Diane!  You and your teams are appreciated!!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Thank you.

Stamps:  Lots of Thanks (retired - Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Seedless Preserves; DOX Ink:  Seedless Preserves (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Peeking Dahlia stencil (STAMPlorations), sponge brushes

Challenges:

Simply CAS Septmeber Challenge

September Stencil Fun! 

More Off the Edge cards

Hi everyone.  A few more cards for June's Group of Seven technique - Off the Edge.  I do love this design element!

The card above uses a stencil "Off the Edge".  I started by masking the outside petals of the sunflower stencil (Mini Joyful Sunflower (6x6) - The Crafter's Workshop) using post-it-notes, sponged two shades of brown Distress Inks (Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs) for the center and then removed the masks.  Add more masking to the inside of the flower and then sponged the petals in more Distress Inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Spiced Marmalade).  Removed the mask and then simply stamped a sentiment from Thoughtful Messages stamp set (Simon Says Stamp) to finish this one layer card. :)

Sending this card to the Stencil Fun Challenge - July - optional Birthday (2nd entry).  Thanks Diane and Darlene!

... and another ...

I stamped Red Star (Penny Black) in Antique Linen distress ink and then did no-line watercolouring of the poinsettia and greenery using Distress inks (Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed).  For some reason, my camera saw a pinky red for this poinsettia. :)

Sending the above card over to Penny Black Saturday Challenge - July - optional "The Great Outdoors".  

I hope you'll join us at the link party on the Group of Seven Cardmaker's blog if you'd like to share your creations.

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Card #1:

Stamps:  Thoughtful Messages (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:   White card tock (Neenah 110 lb.)

Ink:   Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Squeezed Lemonade, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Mini Joyful Sunflower stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), sponges, masking tape, 

Card #2:

Stamps:  Red Star (Penny Black

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)

Ink:   Distress Inks:  Antique Linen, Fired Brick (Tim Holtz); Gumball Green, Summer Sun-retired (SU!)
Accessories:  Watercolour brushes

Challenges:

July Stencil Fun Challenge

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - July

Off the Edge - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  This month is a little different at Group of Seven Cardmaker's blog.  Instead of a technique, we are highlighting a design element - Off the Edge.

Please check out the wonderful cards made by the Group of Seven featuring this design element.

Group of Seven Cardmakers

I stamped the above beautiful image Kind Soul (WPlus 9), off the edge in black ink and heat emboss with clear embossing powder.  Then watercoloured the flowers and leaves using distress inks (Shabby Shutters, Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Wilted Violets).  I'm really happy with this colour combination.  These colours are complementary ... opposites on the colour wheel and so there is a wonderful contrast between the purple and orange.

Close-up ...

Edited to add:  I just saw a challenge that's fairly new via my friend Marcia's blog, Triple B (Birds, Butterflies, & Blooms).  I'm sending the above card to play along this month.  Another fabulous challenge from Darlene & Diane! :)  Thank you ladies!

Inspiration Mood Board

... and ...

The card above uses the Hollyhocks stamp (Unity), embossed in white onto hot press watercolour paper.  I sponged on Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Worn Lipstick, and Abandoned coral along the side and the took a large brush, wetting the inks and moving them around until I was happy with the background.  The sentiment, Thoughtful Messages (Simon Says Stamp), is white heat embossed.  I splattered diluted white acrylic paint to finish the card.

This is my first time using this large stamp, so I'm sending this card to NBUS Challenge #51 (my third and final entry this month). :)  Thanks Dolly!

... and one more ... 

The last card uses a die-cut as the "Off the Edge" design element.  I created a galaxy sky using Gansai Tambi watercolours on watercolour paper and then added my die-cut winter scene.

Sending the above card to Rudolph Days June Challenge.

I hope you'll join us by making a card with an "Off the Edge" design.  There's a link party on the Group of Seven Cardmaker's blog if you'd like to share your creations.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Thank you.

Card #1:

Stamps:  Kind Soul (WPlus 9)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black Obsidian (Altenew); Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour brushes

Card #2:

Stamps:  Hollyhocks (Unity Stamp Company); Thoughtful Messages (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Hot Press Watercolour paper (Arches 140. lb.)

Ink:   Versamark; Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Worn Lipstick, Abandoned Coral (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  White embossing powder, heat tool, sponges, large paintbrush, white acrylic paint, splatter brush

Card #3:

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sayings - retired (MFT)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb.)

Ink:   Gansai Tambi Watercolours:  Bright red mixed with white, Black, Royal blue, Light blue (Kuretake); Black (Memento)
Accessories:  Large watercolour brush, splatter brush, diluted white acrylic paint, Deer and Trees die (AliExpress)

Challenges:

Group of Seven - June - Off the Edge

NBUS Challenge #51

Rudolph Days June Challenge

Triple B June Challenge

More Ink Blending on Coloured Card

Hi everyone.  I'm back with a few more cards using May's Group of Seven technique - Ink Blending on Coloured Card.  This time, I've added a twist by adding a little watercolouring before I ink blended the outside edges of the card.

I started with Pear Pizzazz card stock from SU! and heat embossed Scarlet (Penny Black) image in silver.  I used my Gandi-Tambi watercolour to add some colour to the poinsettia and berries using very little water (on regular card stock).  Then I ink blended around the outside of the image; first with Shabby Shutter distress ink, and then on the outside edges of that is Peeled Paint Distress ink.  The card was finished with splattering diluted white acrylic paint and adding a black sentiment banner with silver embossed sentiment (Believe - Penny Black).

I'm sending the card above to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #50 - Anything Christmas Goes.

I made a second card using the same design and products. The only change was I cut the panel down to create a more CAS (clean and simple) design.  The black sentiment banner uses the stamp set Bright & Light (Penny Black). 

I'm sending this second card to Christmas Craft Creations June Challenge - Heat Embossing.

Two more cards for my Christmas card stash!  YAY!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Thank you.

Both Cards:

Stamps:  Scarlet, Believe, Bright & Light (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Pear Pizzazz card stock (SU!); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Gandi tambi watercolours (Kuretake), Silver Delicata Pigment ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories:   Silver embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, paintbrushes, sponges, dilued white acrylic paint, splatter brush

Challenges:

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #50 - Anything Christmas Goes

Christmas Craft Creations Challnege - June - Heat Embossing

Love, Kisses & Birthday Wishes

Hi everyone.  I had fun making the above card ...

I used the Painted Flowers Wreath stencil (Simon Says Stamp), masking and sponging two colours of Distress Inks (Shabby Shutters, Picked Raspberry).  To finish, I stamped a sentiment (Good Wishes - Penny Black) in Lost Shadow distress ink

A fun and quick card to make. :)

Close-up ...

I was inspired by the Beautiful Blossoms May Challenge with Optional Mood Board #5.

I LOVE the vibrancy of the beautiful flowers in the top left photo and pink is my favourite colour. :)

I'm also sending this card to Stencil Fun June Challenge - Optional:  Layered Stencils.  Happy to be playing along.  Didn't use the Optional this time. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

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Thank you.

Stamps:  Good Wishes (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Lost Shadow (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Painted Flowers Wreath (Simon Says Stamp), sponge brushes

Challenges:

Beautiful Blossoms May Challenge - Optional Mood Board #5

Stencil Fun June Challenge 

CAS Challenges September Reminder

Hi everyone.  We are half way through the month of September.  Today I'm sharing reminder cards for both CAS challenges.  First up, CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Embossing with Dies.

Joanna is our host.

I die-cut this lovely poppy Bodacious die (Penny Black) from watercolour paper and coloured with distress inks.  I then used the same die to emboss the poppy on my card front.  This give some dimension to the card.  I used Wink of Stella to add lots of sparkle to the poppies.  I didn't realize that I used the same sentiment (also done on black banner with white embossing) as I did for my CMU launch card on the 1st. :)

This is a fun way to stretch the use of your dies.  Thanks to Jo for a great challenge!

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Colleen is our host.

Here's the reminder card for CAS Christmas challenge - Christmas trees.  I used a large Christmas Glow (Penny Black) stamp off the edge of the page to keep some white space on my card.  I inked with distress inks,spritzed with water and stamped.  Repeated until I was happy with the results.  Once dry, I added a little shading with a medium green coloured pencil.  The sentiment in red finishes this CAS design.

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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 - Handmade with Love
Stamps:  Happy Snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb. cold press); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Picked Raspberry, Pine Needles (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools: Bodacious die (Penny Black), water brush, white embossing powder, heat tool, Clear Wink of Stella


CAS Christmas Reminder - Oh, Christmas Tree
Stamps:  Christmas Glow (Penny Black); Sentiment - Love Bug Christmas (Unity Stamps)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz); Real Red (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Green coloured pencil (Prismacolor)


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up - Embossing with Dies
CAS Christmas - Christmas Tree