J-O-Y #3

Hi everyone.  I'm back with my third card using the Immense JOY die from Penny Black.  When I started this self-challenge to use the JOY die, I thought I would be watercolouring images for all of them.  But I had this idea to use a die, to that's what I did this time. :)

I'm using a wreath die (Breezy Wreath from Poppy Stamps), die-cut many times and then cut into pieces) to create a layered wreath that fits around the "O".  I used two shades of green cardstock from SU! (Gumball Green, and Mint Macaron) ... the latter was a gift from a friend LONG ago!  I love these two colours together, plus I added in some shine with silver accents.

The card front is more of the Mint Macaron card stock, stamped with Winterberry Background (PinkFresh Studios) and heat embossed in silver.  I also cut several of the JOY die in white, layered together for added dimension.  For the finishing touch, I added a few metallic silver half pearls for berries.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this card to the Merry Little Christmas Challenge #54 - Anything Christmas Goes.

Edited to add:  Sending this card to Double D Challenge - Heartfelt.  The green background matches the bottom right image. :)  Thanks for the heads up Michele!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Winterberry Background (PinkFresh Studios - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Mint Macaron (SU!); Gumball Green (SU!)

Ink:   Unicorn White Pigment ink (Hero Arts)
Accessories:   Immense JOY die (Penny Black); Silver embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool; Breezy Wreath die (Poppy Stamps - retired); Silver half pearls (Studio Katia)

Challenges:

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #54

Double D Challenge - Heartfelt

Playing with Stencils

Hi everyone.  I had a lot of fun playing in my studio the other day.  I used a stencil for the first time, even though I've had it for quite a while. :)

This is the Crackle Stencil from Lavinia.  It makes a beautiful background.  I ink blended three colours of Distress ink using my sponging brushes (Saltwater Taffy, Candied Apple, Vintage Photo).  So happy how these colour look together. :)  I added a black die-cut framed flower (retired), cutting a second layer of the flower and shaping with my stylus before popping up on top.  To finish, I stamped the sentiment (retired) in black ink and added a silver pearl to the center of the flower.

Close-up ...

Sending this card over to NBUS #51 ... I've played alot there this month!! :)

I'm also adding the card to Stencil Fun Challenge - June.  Stenciling is one of my favourite things to do :) ... I believe this is my second card this month for this challenge. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Saltwater Taffy, Candied Apple, Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Crackle stencil (Lavinia Stamps), sponge brushes, Floral Sten Collage die - retired (Poppy Stamps), silver pearl (Studio Katia)

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #51

Stencil Fun Challenge - June

CAS Mix Up November Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the final challenge for CAS Mix Up for 2021!  This month I'm hosting and I've picked my very favourite stencil technique ...

This is a fairly easy technique.  You pick a stencil (one with some open spaces works best), ink up the stencil (not the paper!).  Spritz your inked stencil with a bit of water and then turn it over onto a piece of card that can handle water (watercolour paper, mixed media, bristol, etc.)  Make sure to have a couple of paper towels handy to mop up any excess ink that squirts out from under the stencil.  The point is to colour the background and keep the image on the stencil clean with no colour.  The challenge is getting the right amount of water.  Not too much, and not too little.  Practice helps! :)

I started the background using a Gear Stencil (AliExpress) and inking it with Bister Powders (brown, blue).  I spritzed, turned over onto a piece of mixed media paper, and blotted with a paper towel.  I ended up with a full A2 card front of my design.  I cut off 1 3/4" to add to my card front (also added a piece to the inside).  I stamped the sentiment (Birthday Blowout - Poppy Stamps) in Gathered Twigs distress ink ... it's a good match for the brown bister on the strip.  I used some gear dies (AliExpress), die-cut from white, heat embossed with Verdigis embossing powder (turquoise), and then added a bit more random embossing with Frantage Aged Copper.  I'm happy how they turned out.

Close-up ...

and inside ...

We are happy to have Steph (My Paper Corner) as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Steph!

Please check out the challenge blog to see the Stencil Monoprint cards from our Designers and wonderful Guest Designer, Steph.  Then come play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

* * * * *

Every year Alex takes a portrait of Jessie and of Violeta in our front yard, under the red maple tree.

The dogs always enjoy playing in the fallen leaves. :)

Jessie

Violeta (Jessie's cousin)

Photographs by Alejandro Garcia

If you would like to subscribe by email,

please fill out the subscription form in the upper right sidebar.

It is also important to add sw1subscribers@gmail.com to your contact list

so Google recognizes the address and delivers the updates.

Stamps:  Birthday Blowout (Poppy Stamps)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Bister Powders:  Brown, Blue; Gathered Twigs Distress Ink (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Gear Stencil (AliExpress), water mister, gear dies (AliExpress), Verdigris embossing Powder (Ranger); Frantage Aged Copper embossing powder (Stampendous), heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up November Challenge - Stencil Monoprint

Stamping Through Stencil

Hi everyone.  Back with another stamping through stencil using the same heart stencil as THIS CARD.  There are still a few days left to play along with our CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Stamping Through Stencil.  

Jenny is our host.

I loved how my first heart stencil worked, so did a second card using it again.  Placed it over my card front panel and secured with tape before lightly sponging with Picked Raspberry distress ink.  After watercolouring the flowers, I wasn't thrilled with the colour combination, so sponged salty ocean over the picked raspberry background and ended up with this pretty background colour. :)

Stamped the image, Peony Stems & Blossoms - retired (Poppy Stamps) in black ink and clear heat embossed.  The blossoms and stems were watercoloured with Zigs (they are so bright and happy colours!).  I placed the stencil back overtop and outlined the heart with a thin black marker.  It made a huge difference to the design.  Finished by stamping a simple sentiment (A Little Sentimental - Clearly Besotted) near the bottom of the heart.  The card front was popped up from the base to some dimension.  

Close-up ...

Stamps:  Peony Stems & Blossoms - retired (Poppy Stamps); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)

Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White Card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Picked Raspberry distress ink; Zigs (Kuretake)
Accessories & Tools:  Heart stencil (cut from die); clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool), Watercolour Paint Brushes (Round #2 & #4), thin black marker


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge Reminder - Stamping through Stencil

Zoom Session - Embossing with Foil Card Stock

Hi everyone.  Yesterday we had our regular monthly Zoom call.  This month Bonnie shared a new-to-us technique following one of Jennifer McGuire's videos.  

Bonnie graciously mailed each of us a package of different coloured foil card stock to use.  Love happy mail! :)  Thanks Bonnie!  Each of us made several cards from the foil card stock ahead of time and then shared our finished cards on our Zoom call.

Technique is simple.  Dry emboss foil card stock and embossing folders (regular or 3D EFs both work well).  As an added element, use a sanding block to highlight the raised design.  It removes the colour to reveal silver underneath.  Then make your card.

I tried several of the colours so there are lots of photos below.  I cut the pieces to make two cards from each of an A2 Foil card front (5 1/2 x 4 1/4).

My favourite is the card at the top of this post.  I LOVE the rose coloured foil with black and white accents.

Sending the first card to NBUS Challenge #29.  Actually every one of these cards uses a new product. :)  Yay!

All products I used are listed at the bottom of this post.

* * * * *

Love the blue foil paired with white die-cuts ...

 

* * * * *

The bright green makes beautiful Christmas cards.  Three more for my stash! :)

  

* * * * *

Last, but not least, gold foil card stock with a beautiful flower embossing folder.  No sanding on the butterfly card (gorgeous butterfly die-cut gifted to me by Bonnie)

  

I hope you like this technique and will give it a try.

Product Links

Card 1:

Blossom Field Embossing Folder (Simon Says Stamp) 

Fresh Foilage die-cut (Memory Box)

Greetings (Cavallini & Co)

Card 2:

Blossom Field Embossing Folder (Simon Says Stamp) 

On the Edge Thank You (Simon Says Stamp)

Card 3:

Gracious Leaves embossing folder (Memory Box)

Frieda Curve die (Poppy Stamps - retired)

Simple Sentiments (Lawn Fawn

Card 4:

Gracious Leaves embossing folder (Memory Box)

Berry Branch die-cuts (Penny Black)

Happy Messages (Stampendous)

Card 5:

Holiday Greenery Embossing Folder (Simon Says Stamp)

holly vine die (retired)

Inspired (Penny Black) - reindeer die

Art Deco Celebrate Christmas - Poppy Stamps - retired

Card 6:

Holiday Greenery Embossing Folder (Simon Says Stamp)

JOY die (AliExpress)

Card 7:

Holiday Greenery Embossing Folder (Simon Says Stamp)

Blooming Poinsettia die (Poppy Stamps)

Snowglobe Sentiments (My Favorite Things - retired)

Card 8:

Tim Holtz Botanical 3D Embossing Folder

Dreamy die (Memory Box) - butterfly die-cut gifted to me by Bonnie

Brushed Wishes (Stampendous - retired)

Card 9:

Tim Holtz Botanical 3D Embossing Folder,

Two flowers die (AliExpress)

A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #29

CAS Challenges August Reminders

Hi everyone.  Back to reminder you that we are half way through August.  There's nine days left to play along with our CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Stamping Through Stencil.  Jenny is hosting this challenge and I've had a lot of fun looking through my stencils to see what would work with stamping.  Another great way to stretch the use of some of our stencils!!

Jenny is our host.

I used a stencil that I made with one of my heart dies.  Placed it over my card front panel and secured with tape before lightly sponging with Antique Linen distress ink.  I sponged darker around the edges.

Stamped the image, Rose Teacup (Stampendous) in versamark ink and heat embossed with Liquid Platinum embossing powder (Ranger).  The roses and berries are watercoloured with distress markers, Candied Apple and Mahogany; the leaves are watercoloured with distress marker Peeled Paint.  The card is finished with a sentiment from an AliExpress stamp set, stamped in Candied Apple ink.  

Close-up ...

We have been so lucky to have two very talented Guest Designers with us this month.  Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from our Guest Designers, Bobby (bits and pieces) and Michele (I Card Everyone).  Also check out the beautiful reminder cards from our talented Design Team.

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And here is the reminder card for CAS Christmas August Challenge - Decorations.  This is a cute image from Gerda Steiner (Little Reindeer).  I love how the reindeer has decorated his antlers! :)

Cathy is our host.

Used a new-to-me embossing folder to add a frame of embossed snowflakes to the background.  Stamped the reindeer in black and heat embossed in clear, then watercoloured with zigs.  Added cheeks using red chalk and white Posca pen, shine on the his nose and the stars is Crystal Glaze.  Tore a piece of white card stock for the snow hill and added clear wink of stella to the torn part to add some shimmer.  The sentiment (Merry Messages - Lawn Fawn) is stamped in Candied Apple Distress Ink.

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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 - sending you love
Stamps:  Pop Rose Teacup (Stampendous)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White Card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Antique Linen distress ink, Distress Markers:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Heart stencil (cut from die); Liquid Platinum embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool), sponge, Watercolour Paint Brushes (Round #2 & #4); Snowflake Oval Frame embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp)


CAS Christmas Reminder - Merry & Bright
Stamps:  Little Reindeer (Gerda Steiner); Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Real Red card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Zigs; Candied Apple Distress ink
Accessories & Tools:  Snowflake Embossing Folder, paint brushes, Clear Wink of Stella, red chalk, white Posca Pen, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo)


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge Reminder - Stamping through Stencil
CAS Christmas August Challenge Reminder - Decorations

CAS Challenges July Reminder

Hi everyone.  Here's my CAS Mix Up Reminder card.

Last year I bought some Pearl Alcohol Inks and had a play day with Susan and Christine (prior to Covid).  One of the things we tried was using these gorgeous inks on vellum.  The shimmer of the pearl inks is so pretty but impossible to photograph. :(   This made for a very quick card --- gotta love that!

Coni is our host.

Dropped pearl alcohol inks onto a piece of vellum, letting the circles spread into one another.  Die-cut  the fern (Framed Fern - Penny Black - retired) from white card stock and also cut a backing from more white card stock.  Glued the AI vellum to the backing and trimmed to size.  Glued the pieces together and popped them up over a white card front.  Stamped the sentiment (Birthday Blowout - Poppy Stamps) in black ink to finish.

Product Links

Birthday Blowout (Poppy Stamps)

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Here's my CAS Christmas reminder card for July - Poinsettia.

Linda is our host.

I used a background from my stash so I'm not sure what colours I used to smoosh this background.  Looks like it might be DOX inks to me. :)  I do love the warm caramel-y colour.  Die-cut the Joyful die (Penny Black) from mixed media paper and watercoloured using my Distress markers (Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Wild Honey).  Shaped the flower with a stylus and mat and then popped it up in the white card stock frame (Rectangle Nestabilities - Spellbinder - retired).  To finish stamped the sentiment from the Merry Up! stamp set (Penny Black) in Candied Apple (stamped several times to get the intense red).

Product Links

Joyful die (Penny Black)

Merry Up! (Penny Black)

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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 - Framed Fern

Stamps:  Birthday Blowout (Poppy Stamps)

Paper:   Vellum (SU!); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Pearl Alcohol Inks (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Framed Fern die (Penny Black - retired)


CAS Christmas Reminder - Joyful Wishes
Stamps:  Merry Up! (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  DOX inks for background; Distress markers:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn Rustic Wilderness, Wild Honey)
Accessories & Tools:  Joyful die (Penny Black), paint brushes, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinder - retired)


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up July Challenge - Alcohol Inks on Vellum
CAS Christmas July Challenge - Poinsettia

CAS Mix Up July Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of July, which means it's time for a new CAS Mix Up Challenge.  This month's challenge is being hosted by Coni (Which Craft?).  She wants us to get inky with ...

One of the easiest way for me to use alchol inks is to smoosh.  I used a large piece of aluminum foil to protect my work surface and then addes drops and squiggles of three colours of Alcohol Inks:  Mermaid, Clover, Meadow.  I smooshed a piece of vellum and then sprayed the vellum with rubbing alcohol to adds lots of drops.  I repeated until I was happy with the look.  Alcohol inks dry really quickly to I was able to assemble my card right away.  I die-cut two of the Underwater Scene (Memory Box), sandwiching the vellum in-between.  The scene was inlaid into my card front which was popped up for added dimension on the card base.  Popping it up lets you see the dreamy look of the vellum.  A simple sentiment (Scenic Sampler - Stampendous) was stamped with Pine Needles Distress Ink to finish.

Close-up ...

We are thrilled to have Hannelie (Desert Diva) as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Hannelie!

Please check out the challenge blog to see Hannelie's beautiful Alcohol Ink on Vellum card, along the the amazing cards by our Designers.  Then come join us!  Challenge is open until July 24th at midnight (PST).

Product Links

Underwater Scene die (Memory Box)

Scenic Sampler - sentiment (Stampendous)

Stamps:  Scenic Sampler - Sentiment (Stampendous)

Paper:   Vellum (SU!); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Alcohol Inks:  Mermaid, Clover, Meadow (Ranger); Pine Needles Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Rubbing Alcohol in spray bottle, Underwater Scene (Memory Box)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up July Challenge - Alcohol Inks on Vellum

The Flower Challenge #49 Reminder

Hi everyone.  Back with a reminder that we are over half way through our challenge this month  - The Flower Challenge #49 - Circle / Circles.  We are thrilled to have Colleen Balija (Irish Rose Creations) as our Guest Designer this month.

And don't forget that we are celebrating our 4th birthday!

Lots of Prizes up for grabs - check out the challenge blog for details.

I'm having fun working with circles this month.  For by above card, I used a circle die-cut that I've had for ages, but never used.  I added a smooshed purple and blue inked background behind the circle die-cut and then added a sweet Cherry Blossom sprig from Penny Black over top, popped up for dimension.  I wanted to watercolour with blue, so I'm not sure what type of flower this is now, but it's not Cherry Blossoms. :)  Thank goodness we have artistic license! :)  Added some green for the stems and leaves and stamped the sentiment (Happy Messages - Stampendous) in the same blue ink used for the flowers.

Close-up ...

Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing circle floral designs from our Designers and wonderful Guest Designer, Colleen.

Come play along!  It's a birthday celebration!!

Since I used my never-before-used circle die, I'm adding this card to the NBUS #19 gallery.

Stamps: Happy Messages (Stampendous)
Paper: White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink: Distress Inks:  Broken China, Mowed Lawn, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Cherry Blossom die (Penny Black), Woven Circle Ring (Poppy Stamps), Circle Nesabilities - retired (Spellbinders), water brush, Posca Pen

Challenges:
The Flower Challenge #49 - Circle / Circles

NBUS #19 Challenge