Masked Stenciling - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  Welcome to a new month at Group of Seven Cardmakers.  The group is having fun playing with new-to-us techniques and products and love sharing our experiences with you.

Please check out the details for the technique on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers

This month, the Group of Seven have been inspired by an amazing card artist, Pat (Colourful Card Creations)!  Welcome Pat!  Thanks for joining us this month!

I first saw this beautiful card below on Pat's blog.  The Group of Seven were excited to try out this uniquely creative technique.

I have admired Pat's cards and followed her blog for many years.  

Pat's Inspirational Card

Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...

• The masked shape is part of the design of the card.
• It's important to add the mask first, then add stencil over top before sponging the design.
• To make your masked area pop, sponge a light colour once your mask is in place BEFORE you add your stencil over top.  Then add more sponging over the stencil.    
• I die-cut the curved masks for my designs but you can also hand-cut (or die-cut) any shape you like.

* * * * *

For the card above, I die-cut a curve and used it as a mask over my card front.  I placed a splash stencil  over top.  I thought it worked perfectly as large raindrops falling on my little girl with her rubber boots and umbrella (Rainy Days die - Simon Says Stamp).  I used Zigs to colour the girl's boots, coat and legs, but it was easier to sponge colour (Carved Pumpkin, Ripe Persimmon DIs) onto the umbrella.  I used my white Posca paint pen to add the dots.   I finished with a fun sentiment (retired), stamped in black and heat embossed with clear.

This is the first time using this sweet die (I've had it for a while!).  Sending this card to NBUS Challenge #59.

 

* * * * *

I made a second masked stencil card using a curved mask cut with a snowdrift die. :)  I used the Fading Florals stencil (Simon Says Stamp), sponging with Distress inks (Shabby Shutters, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed, Crackling Campfire).  I used my white Posca paint pen to add a few details to the stenciling and then stamped the sentiment (Gratitude - Penny Black) in more Crackling Campfire ink.

Sending the above card to Seize the Birthday Challenge #278.  No topping this time. :)

* * * * *

... and one more card ...

I first cut two masks from the same curve die.  Placed one over the bottom of the card (for a snowhill), and the second one on the right side of the card as part of the overall design.

For the stencil, I used a tree die (Tree Frame - Gina Marie Designs) that I cut from Yupo.  Yupo is made of plastic and it makes great stencils from dies because it never rips and after inking you can wipe the ink off with a damn cloth or paper towel ... and then it's ready to use again! :)

I used the colours of the rainbow to sponge over the tree stencil (Distress Inks:  Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet, Fired Brick, Picked Raspberry, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn ... then a little more of the Salty Ocean).  I removed the stencil and splattered with diluted white acrylic paint and gold acrylic paint.  Once dry, I stamped the sentiment (Believe - Penny Black) in gold delicata ink.

Sending this card to Christmas Craft Creations - Stencils or Embossing Folders.

... and sending it also to Rudolph Days Challenge.  Thanks to Helen for taking over for Maureen!!

I had a lot of fun with this technique.  Thanks for the inspiration Pat!!

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Card #1:

Stamps:  Rainy Day Play (Clearly Besotted)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress inks:  Salvaged Patina, Salty Ocean,Carved Pumpkin, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz); Zigs - Bright yellow, Flesh (Kuretake)
Accessories:   Curve die (My Favorite Things), Splash stencil (Silhouette America), sponges, scrap paper for curve mask;  Rainy Days die (Simon Says Stamp), Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Card #2:

Stamps:  Gratitude (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress inks:  Shabby Shutters, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed, Crackling Campfire (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Fading Florals stencil (Simon Says Stamp), detail sponge brushes, Snowdrift die (MFT), scrap paper for curve mask, white Posca pen

Card #3:

Stamps:  Believe (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Yupo
Ink:   Distress inks:  Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet, Fired Brick, Picked Raspberry, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold Ink (Tsukineko)

Accessories:   Tree Frame die (Gina Marie Designs), sponges, scrap paper for curve masks, white acrylic paint, gold acrylic paint, splatter brush

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Masked Stenciling

NBUS Challenge #59

Seize the Birthday #278

Christmas Craft Creations - Stencils or Embossing Folders

Rudolph Days February Challenge

Ink Blending 2 with Water Lifting - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  Today is the Group of Seven Cardmaker's technique post and this month we are playing with Ink Blending of Distress Oxide Inks plus Water Lifting.

Please check out the details for the techniques and link to videos on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers

There are several videos by Kristina Werner on colour combos listed on the Group of Seven blog.  The card above uses Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Seedless Preserves.  I LOVE these colours together!

Once my ink blending was done and completely dry (also added anti-static powder), I used my heat tool to emboss my line image Blooming (Penny Black) with white embossing powder. 

I used a paint brush and plain water to paint over the image.  The water reactivates the ink and by simply dabbing with a paper towel, some of the colour is removed (this is called Water Lifting or Faux Bleaching).  I let my panel dry a little before adding the water a second time to lift even more ink.  This made more of a contrast with the ink blended background.

Once I finished the image, the flowers were masked and then diluted white acrylic paint was splattered overtop.   The sentiment (Smiles - Penny Black) was white heat embossed to finish the card panel before mounting it on a card base.

Close-up ...

I really enjoyed these two fun and easy techniques. 

I'm sending the above card to the PBSC August Challenge - One Layer Cards.  This is my second entry this month! :)

... and here's another card using the same techniques ...

The colours used for the above card are Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide Inks.  I received a few of these hello die-cuts from a sweet friend a LONG time ago.  It's perfect over the Winterberry Background (retired).

... and finally, a Christmas card using the blending technique (no water lifting this time) ...

I blending DOX ink Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, and Mermaid Lagoon for the winter sky.  Tore two pieces of white card stock for snowhills and splattered the sky with white acrylic paint for snow.  The row of houses (Simply Celebrate Winter - Lawn Fawn) is stamped in black ink and heat embossed in clear before watercolouring.  The houses were die-cut with the matching die before being popped up for added dimension.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Sending this card to Rudolph Days - Anything Christmas Goes.  Thanks Maureen!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Thank you.

Card #1:

Stamps:  Blooming; Smiles (both Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Seedless Preserves (Tim Holtz);  Unicorn (white) pigment ink (Hero Arts)

Accessories:   Jumbo Sponge Daubers (Tsukineko), finger dauber, White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, Watercolour paint brush, white acrylic paint (diluted), splatter brush

Card #2:

Stamps:  Winterberry Background - retired (PinkFresh Studio)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Salvaged Patina(Tim Holtz);  Unicorn (white) pigment ink (Hero Arts)

Accessories:   Jumbo Sponge Daubers (Tsukineko), finger dauber, White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, Watercolour paint brush, hello die-cuts (gift from a friend)

Card #3:

Stamps:  Simply Celebrate Winter (Lawn Fawn

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks:  Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon (Tim Holtz);  Black Ink (Memento); Distress Inks:  Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)

Accessories:   Jumbo Sponge Daubers (Tsukineko), Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, Watercolour paint brushes, white acrylic paint, splatter brush

Challenges:

Group of Seven - August - Ink Blending with Water Lifting

PBSC August Challenge - One Layer Cards

Rudolph Days August Challenge

CAS Challenges May Reminder

Hi everyone.  It's already the middle of May and time for reminder cards for both CAS Mix Up and CAS Christmas.  

First up, CAS Mix Up's challenge is host by Susan and I've had a lot of fun ink blending with rainbow colors this month.  The gallery is so pretty!!  Thanks for a great challenge Susan!

Susan is our host.

I used a Fishscale stencil that I made with my Silhouette Cameo.  The image is from Silhouette America.  I placed the stencil over my regular white card stock and secured with tape.  I used my blending brushes (LOVE THEM! - thanks Trina!), to sponge in the colours of the rainbow using Distress Inks (Candied Appled, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet).  I removed the stencil, washed and dried it and placed it back over the design.  I coated the stenciling with Glass Bead gel using a palette knife.  Removed the stencil again and immediately had it in water.  The glass bead gel takes a little while to dry, but it is so worth the time.  It's so sparkly!

To finish, I added a silhouette die-cut made from a die I received from a dear friend and stamped the sentiment (Bloom Sketches - STAMPlorations - retired) on a black sentiment banner.

The close-up shows the sparkle from the glass bead gel ...

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Here's my reminder card for CAS Christmas.  Christine is our host this month.

I love foliage and berry cards for Christmas.  I make a lot of them.  Today I used just a few die-cuts to make a very CAS design.  Adding foil gives the card an elegant look.

I've used double-sided sheets (Sookwang) to cover an A2 card front.  I left the cover on and will keep it handy to die-cut images when I make future cards.  For the one today, I die-cut Holly Branch (Penny Black), removed the cover and then used scraps to first cover the whole holly branch with bright green Deco Foil.  I used red foil card stock to punch out the berries and NOEL and then adhered everything to my card front.

Simple, easy design!

Product Links

Holly Branches - Penny Black

Christmas Phrases - Little B

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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 the 24th at midnight PST.  Come join us!

CAS Mix Up Reminder - Oh Happy Day!
Stamps:  Bloom Sketches - retired (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Fishscale Stencil (Silhoutte America), Silhouette Cameo, blending brushes, Glass Bead gel (Golden), palette knife, Silhouette Flower die (gift from friend), White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool


CAS Christmas Reminder - Foiled Christmas
Stamps:  ---

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)

Ink:  ---
Accessories:  Green Foil (DecoFoil); Sookwang sheet; Holly Branches die (Penny Black), Red foil card stock (Tonic), 1/8" hole punch, Christmas Phrases dies (Little B)


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Rainbow Ink Blending
CAS Christmas May Challenge - Foliage and Berries

CAS Christmas April Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the April CAS Christmas challenge.  This month is hosted by the wonderful Trina (Phamtastic Design)!

I used a sweet snow scene die-cut from white and then die-cut a full circle to place behind, which was watercoloured with a rainbow sky.  Added white splatters of diluted acrylic paint for the snow, and heat embossed Frantage Chunky White for the snow along the hills and on the trees.  Stamped the sentiment in soft gray (Christmas Sentiments - Penny Black).  Popped up the circle to add some dimension to the card.  Used an falling snow embossed background, which was a gift from a friend.

We are so excited to have Izzy (Izzy Scrap) as our Guest Designer this month.  Check out the challenge blog to see Izzy's amazing Rainbow Christmas card, along with the fabulous cards from our Designers.  Hope you'll join us!

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Circle Snow Scene die (AliExpress), Circle Nestability die (Spellbinders), water brush, Frantage Chunky White Embossing powder (Stampendous), heat tool, Falling Snow embossed background (gift from a friend), White acrylic paint for splattering

Challenges:
CAS Christmas April Challenge - Rainbow

Merry and BRIGHT!

Hi everyone.  I wasn't kidding with the title. :)  This is the brightest Christmas card I've ever made. :)  It may be a little over the top, but the snowman looks happy with his rainbow scarf and hat.  This is for Merry Monday Challenge # 262 - Gift(s).

Stamped the image in archival black ink and used zigs to colour.  Add some soft blue sponging for the sky and splattered with white acrylic paint for snow ... that's a little hard to see in the photo.  Finished by stamping the sentiment and adding a little bit of clear Wink of Stella along the lines of the snow drifts.  Easy, peasy card to make.  :)

Stamps:  Sweet Snowman (Penny Black); Big Christmas Wishes (Amy R - retired)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Archival Black (Ranger); Zigs (Kuretake)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, sponges, paint brush for splattering, white acrylic paint, clear Wink of Stella

Challenges:
Merry Monday #262 - Gifts