Stenciled Springtime

Hi everyone.  For today's card, I had fun using one stencil three different ways. :)  Sorry about the blurry sentiment ... it looks fine in real life.

I started with Fading Florals Stencil (Simon Says Stamp), creating a watercoloured background using the stencil monoprint technique.  Once dry, added the stencil back over top, lining up the image and sponging with distress inks.  Using small brushes and detail sponges to colour the stencil allowed me to do it without masking anything.

I cleaned off the stencil and added it back over top, lining up the image.  A Frayed Burlay distress marker was used to outline the images.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

Just Us Girls #816 - Stencil Week - AG Stenciling

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 5 - Stencils

  

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Happy Snippets (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Scattered Straw, Worn Lipstick, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry; Frayed Burlap Distress Marker (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Fading Florals stencil (Simon Says Stamp), water mister, sponges, detail sponges

Challenges:

Just Us Girls #816 - Stencil Week - AG Stenciling

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 5 - Stencils

Inlaid Die-cutting - Group of Cardmakers

Hi everyone.  This month, Group of Cardmakers has been playing with Inlaid Die-cutting.  This technique is where you die-cut two of your images from different colours or textured card stock, and then basically paper piece some of the different papers into the design.  It's a great die-cutting technique which stretches the use of your dies.

Please check out the details for this month's technique and link to video on the blog, along with more card samples from Christine, Pat, & Susan.

Group of  Cardmakers

The first three cards follow the basic inlaid die-cutting technique, following this video.

The card above is a CAS(clean and simple) design, using a retired die (Evergreen Window - Memory Box).  It cuts out the background, leaving the trees intact as part of the card front.  I cut it a second time from a background, Cling Wrap Technique using Brushos.  I inlaid the background  I love the icy look of this winter sky. :)  A simple sentiment (Shine Upon You - Penny Black), stamped first in Mowed Lawn, then Salty Ocean ... finishes the card

Below is another example of basic inlaid die-cutting, using another wonderful background (Stencil Monoprint).  I'm happy how it turned out.  I know ... poppies aren't green. :)

To me, this design said sympathy card.  The background is a stencil monoprint I did ages ago with a flourish stencil and some shades of green powdered inks.  I die-cut the poppies from the stencil monoprint, and from white cards stock.  I sponged the second die-cut with Rustic Wilderness distress ink and then inlaid it into the aperture of poppies on the stenciled monoprint.  Added my sentiment at the bottom and popped up the panel onto my card front.

Third card using the basic inlaid die-cutting technique ...

This uses an older poinsettia ornament, which I cut three times from foil card (gold, red, green).  The foil adds a lovely shine to the ornament.  I added a piece of double-sided adhesive sheet to a white card panel before die-cutting the background ornament.  Then I simply removed the cover and had a sticky back to adhere the design pieces were inlaid on top.  I finished the card with gold cording to hang the ornament inside the rectangle aperture, embossed the background with snowflakes, and added a simple sentiment banner.

Sending this card to Rudolph Days September Challenge.

* * * * *

I followed this video to make the above card.  This is a different take on inlaid die-cutting as you end up with dimension.  To me, I think it would be easier to just add the die-cut on top of the background for the added dimension ...

I used the Fresh Foliage die (Memory Box - retired) that I have had for over ten years.  I LOVE this beautiful leaf die and have used it over and over again.  :)  I die-cut the leaf from a piece of Alcohol Ink / Yupo that was in my stash.  It's done in green, turquoise, and blue alcohol inks.  So pretty.  Also die-cut from white card stock and used the white die-cut to inlay the design, tacking the stem only and having the leaves free-flowing for adding dimension.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Shine Upon You - Sentiment (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Coated Card stock
Ink:   Brushos:  (shades of green and blue); Mowed Lawn Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Cling Wrap, Evergreen Window die - retired (Memory Box), Packing tape

Card #2:

Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Brushos (shades of green); Rustic Wilderness Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Flourish stencil, Row of Poppies die (Memory Box - retired), sponges

Card #3:

Stamps:  Everyday Script Sentiments (AliExpress)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Yupo Card
Ink:   Alcohol Inks:  shades of blue, green, turquoise (Ranger); Pine Needles Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Fresh Foliage die - retired (Memory Box), 

Card #4:

Stamps:  Bright and Light (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Foil card stock:  Gold, Red, Green (Tonic)
Ink:   Versamark
Accessories:   Ornament die (Elizabeth Craft Dies); Gold Cording, Filigree Snowflake embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), Princess Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:

Group of Cardmakers - Inlaid Die-cutting

Rudolph Days September Challenge

More Stencil Monoprint for Gof7

Hi everyone.  Another card for Group of Seven's Stencil Monoprint technique.

I used a lovely stencil called Layered Poinsettia from Tim Holtz.  I pressed two colours of Distress Ink pads directly only the stencil (Brushed Corduroy, Candied Apple).  Spritzed with water and flipped the wet stencil onto a piece of mixed media paper.  Used a paper towel to blot over the stencil to remove the ink that escapes from the open design.  I ended up with a piece that has the background of the stencil images coloured.  I let it dry thoroughly and then placed the cleaned stencil back over top, lining up the design.  I added embossing paste over top, using a palette knife to smooth it out.  I removed the stencil right away and washed it off.  The piece was left to dry.

I finished be adhering the panel to my white card base and attaching a lovely gold foiled sentiment (gift from a friend).  

Close-up ...

Sending this card to Peace on Earth Challenge #73 - Anything Christmas Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  n/a

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Ink pads:  Brushed Corduroy, Candied Apple (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Layered Poinsettia Stencil (Tim Holtz), water mister, White embossing paste (Dreamweaver), palette knife, Foiled sentiment (unknown)

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Stencil Monoprint

Peace on Earth Challenge #73

Stencil Monoprint - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  This month we are looking back at an older technique, Stencil Monoprint.  It's an easy and fun technique that creates lovely backgrounds or main panels for cards.

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

Group of Seven Cardmakers

* * * * *

My first card above uses powdered inks (Brushos - Terra Cotta, Orange, Leaf Green, Light Brown).  Using powdered inks or sprays allows me to make a positive (print) and negative (monoprint) from just one application of colour (see pictorial below).  I used one of my favourite stencils (Joyful Sunflower - The Crafter's Workshop), which was a gift from a sweet friend several years ago.  I'll share my print card at another time. 

Sending the above card to Just Us Girls #746 - Stencil Week.

* * * * *

For my second card, I used powdered inks again (Brushos - Lime Green, Leaf Green), along with the Wander & Find stencil (Carta Bella - retired).

I stamped the Pop Sunflower image onto mixed media paper, watercoloured using Distress Inks, fussy-cut, and popped it up over my Stencil Monoprint background.  That little bird is so sweet! :)

Sending this card to Seize the Birthday #292 - Anything Birthday Goes.

* * * * *

Here is a pictorial of my process of making the Stencil monoprints with powdered inks.

 

   1) Stencil on mixed media paper        2) Brushos sprinkled over stencil

 

                            3) Right card - Water misted over      4) Left card - Inky stencil flipped onto

                                 Brushos (positive print)                       second card / blotted with

                                                                                                     paper towel  (stencil monoprint)                    

 

                                  5)  Stencil removed                               6) Left to Right - 

                                       / paper left to air dry                            Stencil monoprint/ Print

                                       (finished Stencil Monoprint)             

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

• This is an easy technique that works with lots of different mediums, substrates, and stencils. 
• It can be a main panel or background - so lots of flexibility
• Use a generous amount of water so the colour spreads, especially when using powdered inks.
• Important to remove the stencil quickly after spraying with water.  This prevents the water from spreading under the stencil and loosing definition of the design.
• You can create several panels with one application of ink.  Repeat adding inked (wet) stencil onto card and blotting with paper towel until there isn't any colour left.  First stencil monoprint will be the strongest colours, each monoprint will be lighter in colour than the previous.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Pop Sunflowers (Stampendous); Simply Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Early Espresso (SU!)
Ink:   Brushos: Terra Cotta, Orange, Leaf Green, Light Brown; Versamark
Accessories:   Clear acrylic block to elevate panel when adding stencil and ink (optional - but worth it), Mini Joyful Sunflower stencil (The Crafter's Workshop); Water Mister, White embossing powder (Ranger); heat tool

Card #2:

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black Pigment: Versafine Clair Nocturne; Brushos: Lime Green, Leaf Green; Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Gathered Twigs, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)

Accessories:   Clear acrylic block to elevate panel when adding stencil and ink (optional - but worth it),

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Stencil Monoprint

Just Us Girls #746 - Stencil Week

Seize the Birthday #292 - Anything Birthday Goes

Guesting at Seize the Birthday!

Hi everyone.  I'm back with my second card this month as Surprise Party Guest at Seize the Birthday Challenge #274 - Fall Items (Food, Flowers, Leaves).

 

Fall is my favourite time of year.  I just LOVE the colours of the fall flowers and the changing leaves.  Today I've used Beautiful Bouquet Dahlia from WPlus9 (retired).  My great uncle used to have a field of dahlias on his property.  They were so beautiful and I have loved that flower since I was a little girl. :)

I stamped the image in black and heat embossed in clear over a stencil monoprint background using the Mini Tiny Circles stencil from The Crafter's Workshop.  The background is done with Peeled Paint distress ink and I've used more distress inks to watercolour the bouquet (Seedless Preserves, Forest Moss, Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon).

The card front is cut with a circle aperture for the bouquet to peek through.  This creates a CAS mixed media design, which is finished with a simple sentiment (Endless Birthday Wishes by Stampin' Up! - retired).  

I'm sending the above card to Stencil Fun November Challenge (3rd entry!).

Close-up ...

Come join the challenge at Seize the Birthday with your fall season birthday cards.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Thank you.

Stamps:  Beautiful Bouquet Dahlia (WPlus9 - retired); Endless Birthday Wishes (SU! - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Seedless Preserves, Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Mini Tiny Circles Stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour brushes, Circle Nestability (retired - Spellbinders)

Challenges:

Seize the Birthday Challenge #274 - Fall Items

Stencil Fun November Challenge

Watercolour Foliage

Hi everyone.   I made this card a while ago, but just getting around to posting.  This is done with the stencil monoprint technique and watercolouring.

I started with the Leaves stencil (Simon Says Stamp), sprinkling orange and terracotta Brushos over top of the stencil, spritzing with a fine mist of water before turning it over and pressing it down over top of a piece of hot press watercolour paper.  I kept pressing with a paper towel to mop up any moisture that popped out from under the stencil.  I ended up with a lovely background with the leaf design fairly clear of colour (stencil monoprint).

Once dry, I used Mowed Lawn distress ink to watercolour my leaves and stems.  I went over them a few times on the w/c paper and it didn't pill - yay!  Once the leaves were dry, I used my white Posca pen to outline the image and add some veins to the leaves.  I cropped the image, added a thin white frame and popped it up over my card front with a sentiment (Happy Snippets - Penny Black) stamped underneath.  I used Carved Pumpkin distress ink and stamped the sentiment over and over (3 times) and then added a final stamping with Ripe Persimmon distress ink.  I thnk the colour ended up looking like it was done with the same colours as the background. :)

Close-up ...

Edited to add:  I've included a link to a wonderful video by Lee-Anne Cross on how to do stencil monoprints.  Thanks for the prompt from Diane to include a link! :)

I'm sending this card over to February Stencil Fun Challenge - didn't use the optional theme this month.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Thank you.

Stamps:  Happy Snippets (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Hot Press Watercolour Paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Brushos:  Orange, Terracotta; Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Carved Pumpkin, Ripe Persimmon (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Leaves Stencil (Simon Says Stamp); water mister, paint brushes, white Posca pen

Challenges:

February Stencil Fun Challenge

Happy Birthday Susan!

Hi everyone.  Today is Susan's birthday (Cardmaker's Garret) ... my dear friend that I've known for over 10 years.  We met on-line through a stamping forum and found out that we only lived about 1/2 hour drive away from each other.  We've been meeting up in person (and online with Zoom calls during COVID) ever since. :)

Susan's favourite colour is blue, so I watercoloured some blue flowers using Distress Inks Salty Ocean and Unchartered Mariner.  LOVE the Mariner colour!.  The background is a stencil monoprint of one of my favourite stencils, Mini Tiny Dots.  It's especially good used in a monoprint.  I stamped the image in black ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder before watercolouring.

Card inside ...

Susan, I hope you have the most lovely day, my friend!  xx

I'm sending this card to the Seize the Birthday Challenge #252.  Didn't do the Topping this time ...

And, I'm also sending this card to the Stencil Fun November Challenge.  This is my third entry this month! :)

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Thank you.

Stamps:  Bouquet of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp); Good Wishes (Penny Black); Gratitude (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Unchartered Mariner (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Mini Tiny Circles stencil (Crafter's Workshop), Clear embossing powder, heat tool, 

Challenges:

Stencil Fun November Challenge

Seize the Birthday Challenge #252

Snowflake

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the Rudolph Days August Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes. 

I'm sharing a card made from my stash of card fronts.  Over the years I have made several card fronts when crafting with friends (in-person or on-line).  I have been inspired by my sweet friend, Bonnie (Stamping with Klass) to finally make these card fronts into cards. :)  She has been working for months going through her box of unused items and has made so many amazing cards.  Thanks for inspiring me, Bonnie! :)

The card above was made using the stenciling monprint technique (ink'ing the stencil background (acetate cut with my Silhouette Cameo), spritzing with water, turning it over onto a piece of mixed media paper).  It's a great way to stretch the use of your stencils by getting a negative image.  You need to blot with paper towel to absorb any stray ink so that the stencil image is clean and shows the colour of your card front.  I used magicals to make this background ... you can see all the variations of colours.  Once dry, I used a permanent silver pen (Pilot) to outline the snowflake.  The panel is popped up on foam for added dimension and the sentiment Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black) is silver heat embossed on my card base.

Close-up ...

You can see the shimmer from the magicals in this photo, along with the shine from the silver pen.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Thank you.

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Magicals (Lindy's); Versamark
Accessories:   Snowflake stencil (cut file from Silhouette America), acetate sheet, Silhouette Cameo, water mister, silver pen (Pilot), silver embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:
Rudolph Days August Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Penny Black - Courier

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card using the new die from Penny Black - Courier (51-734).  I've also used one of the new stamps from the So Thankful set (30-914), masking off a bit to have a simple "Thanks".

Before I created the bird on the branch, I worked on the background.  This is a stencil monoprint of the Penny Black Promenade stencil (25-001), which I've had for ages. :)  For the stencil monoprint, I randomly pressed two colours of distress inks (Peeled Paint, Chipped Sapphire) onto the stencil; spritzed with water and then flipped the wet side of the inky stencil onto a piece of mixed media paper.  I blotted with paper towel (which keeps the cutout of the stencil design clean white), leaving the background with lots of colour.  This is my favourite stencil technique. :)  

Blotting all the excess ink and water created a soft, dreamy looking leavy background for my lovely bird on a branch die, which I sponged with more Chipped Sapphire distress ink on the bird's body, along with two shades of brown ink for the branch.  I die-cut a second bird, using just the wing to glue on top of my bird to add dimension.

Close-up ...

Thanks for stopping by!

Penny Black Products

Courier (51-734)

So Thankful (30-914)

Promenade Stencil (25-001)

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Thank you.

Stamps:  So Thankful (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Peeled Paint, Chipped Sapphire (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Promenade stencil (Penny Black); Courier die (Penny Black)