Twofer Card Challenge #3

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the start of another Twofer Challenge #3.

Today I'm sharing two cards that both use the same beautiful die from Penny Black.  It's just the right size to fit on something small by cutting off a few leaves, or leaving it full-size so it fills a page. :)

I started by heat embossing script in white across a piece of  mixed media paper.  I love the randomness as the script didn't stamp perfectly, which makes it even better to me.  Then I sprinkled on just a little of the Lindy's Magicals (autumn maple crimson, red hot poker orange, with just a smidge of cattail copper brown).  I spritzed lots of water and let the magicals do their own thing.  LOVE the result.  Die-cut a tag and a simple white die-cut of a sprig (blossoms) that had been cut to size for the tag.  The Happy Birthday sentiment is stamped in gold pigment ink. :)

For my second card, I created a CAS (clean and simple) Sympathy card.  Here's the close-up ...

I added soft and subtle mesh stenciling to the background by sponging with light gray ink.  The same die was used as the card above, this time cut from a second piece of mixed media paper, with white heat embossed script and coloured with Magicals (as above, but blotted with a paper towel to have softer colours).  The card was finished by adding a black sentiment banner with white heat embossed sentiment.

Even though I used the same colours on both cards, you can see that I used only part of the sprig in white on the first card, and the second card has the full size flower sprig, cut from the same background as the tag in the first card.  The tag is solid and carries weight where the second card with just the flower sprig is light and airy over top of the stenciled background.

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see all the amazing Blossom Twofer cards by our wonderful Guest Designer, Verna, and the rest of the DT.  Then come play along!  The challenge is open for two weeks, closing on Mar. 24th.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Card 1:
Stamps:  script (Penny Black); Sentiment - Bloom of Hope (SU!)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark; Gold Delicata (Tsukineko); Lindy's Magicals (autumn maple crimson, hot poker orange, cattail copper brown)
Accessories & Tools:  white embossing powder, heat tool, water mister, Pinpoint Main Street Tag die (Poppy Stamps), Flower Frolic die (Penny Black), 1/8" white satin ribbon

Card 2:
Stamps:  Sentiment - Bouquet of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Basic Gray card stock (SU!)
Ink:  White Pigment Ink (Hero Arts)
Accessories & Tools: Flower Frolic die (Penny Black), sponge

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #3 - Blossoms

Mum Tag

Hi everyone.  I've made a second tag for the Tag You're It! challenge.  I'm not sure that this qualifies, but hope so.

I have used Marcia's (Featured Designer) tag for inspiration.  I don't have any sweet images like Marcia used on her tag, but used her autumn theme.  I do love the colours of autumn, and the flowers, like the mum above.  Mums are so beautiful and last a VERY long time. :)

I stamped the mum bouquet off the edge of the tag, in medium brown ink and heat embossed in clear.  Then I used my zigs to watercolour the flower and leaves.  I used the same ink and clear embossing on the sentiment.  I added a bright green, tone-on-tone, polka dot ribbon at the top.

Here's the close-up.

There's only a few more days left for this month's challenge ... I hope you'll check it out and play along!

Stamps:  Beautiful Bouquet: Mums (WPlus9); Sentiment - Gratitude (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Brushed Corduroy (Tim Holtz); Zigs
Accessories & Tools:  clear embossing powder, heat tool, water brush, bright green ribbon

Challenges:
Tag You're It! #75

Hello Autumn Tag

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with "Tag You're It!" where my sweet friend Marcia (Marcia's Stampin' Pad), is the Featured Designer.

Marcia's tag

Isn't her tag adorable??!!  I don't have any cute images like that, so I decided to go with an autumn tree that is loosing it's leaves.  Maybe the little girl in Marcia's tag might like to play on the tree swing? :)

Here's a close-up.

I stamped my tree and sentiment in Brushed Corduroy and heat embossed in clear.  Then I used distress inks and a waterbrush to watercolour the tag.  Added ribbon and a twine bow to finish.

Thank you for the wonderful inspiration Marcia.  I had fun making this quick, CAS tag.

Stamps:  Tree Swing (Stampendous); Sentiment - Bouquet of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Fired Brick, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
Accessories & Tools:  Clearn embossing powder, heat tool, water brush, ribbon, twine

Challenges:
Tag You're It! #75

Sparkle Snowflake

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing another snowflake card using red, purple and gold for the background.  I love how the sparkly snowflake flourish pops on the saturated colours of the tag.  And I love my new set of tag dies that I HAD TO HAVE after seeing Bonnie's gorgeous Christmas tags last year.  Bonnie and I enable each other to shop! :)

I started by using liquid watercolour concentrate.  I get mine from Dick Blick (house brand), but there are other brands as well.   They are super concentrated with colour, so if I only add a little misting of water, I do get deep colours.  Adding more water produces lighter shades.

I die-cut the snowflake sash from sparkly paper and inlaid it into the tag.  I splattered gold over the tag and on the card front.  Then I stamped some script in the same gold in in the center of the card front, and also as the "joy" sentiment under the tag.  The tag is popped up with foam for added dimension.

This card is a reminder for two challenges.  CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Snowflake.

And CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Liquid Colours

Both challenges are open until the 24th of the month, so there's still a few days to play along.  I hope you'll join us!

ETA:  My dear friend Bonnie just mentioned that this is perfect for the Poppystamps challenge #28 - Silent Snowflakes, to I'm entering there. :)

Stamps:  Script (Penny Black); Christmas Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb); Watercolour paper for tag (Arches 140 lb. cold press); Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Delicata Gold
Accessories & Tools:  Liquid Watercolour concentrate in Red, Violet, Gold (Dick Blick), water mister, Pinpoint Main Street Tags (Poppy Stamps); Simple Snowflake Sash (Poppy Stamps), gold sheer ribbon

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour January Challenge - Snowflake
CAS Mix Up January Challenge - Liquid Colours
PoppyStamps Challenge #28 - Silent Snowflakes

Twelve Tags of Christmas Wrap-Up

Hi everyone.  Today I'm announcing the winners of the Twelve Tags of Christmas event as picked by our independent judge.  I am thrilled to say that there were 100 entries this year --- AWESOME!

I was so impressed by all the beautiful and unique designs.  I enjoyed visiting each and every entry to find out how you made your tags.  Thanks for sharing your creativity with all of us!

Meet the Judge

Jeremy with Violeta

If you've been involved in either of the other two year's of my tag events, you'll know that I ask my youngest son, Jeremy to judge the tags and come up with the top picks.  Jeremy has a degree in Visual Arts and a Master of Arts Education.  Here's a few words from Jeremy about this year's tag event.

"The third annual "Twelve Tags of Christmas" event, hosted by my Mom, was a resounding success!  Viewing the tags one by one, I was delighted and inspired by the skill and artistry of all the entries.  As well, I enjoyed seeing contribution from the younger generation, as Emily and Ryan showcased their budding creativity in two unique designs.

It is my privilege to announce the top five designs for 2016 "Twelve Tags of Christmas" event." --Jeremy

Winning Tag

#46 Nancy S

CONGRATULATIONS to Nancy S. for the winning design.  Nancy's tag is, in a word, stunning.  The elegant gold accents blend seamlessly with the rich, warm tones of the sophisticated background.  Furthermore, the opalescent ornament is the ultimate jewel of glamour.  This design embraces the magic of light of the holiday season -- even without a holiday sentiment.   -- Jeremy

Congrats Nancy!
Please make sure to grab your badge.

Top Four Tags

(in order of entry)

#18 Bobby

#41 Sarah

#62 Linda

#97 Nancy L.

"Congratulations to Bobby, Sarah, Linda and Nancy who receive top tag mentions for their exceptional designs.  Each tag has a notable point of view and a unique aesthetic."  -- Jeremy

Congrats Bobby, Sarah, Linda and Nancy.
Please make sure to grab your badge.

Honourable Mentions

An InLinkz Link-up

There's so much inspiration in this year's gallery (and past years as well).  Check out the Pinterest Boards by clicking the links below.

2016 Twelve Tags of Christmas

2015 Twelve Tags of Christmas

2014 Twelve Tags of Christmas

Thanks to everyone that played along or left comments of support.  I hope you've enjoyed the third edition of the Twelve Tags of Christmas.

CAS Mix Up September Challenge

Hi everyone.  This is a scheduled post as I'm off on a break right now.

It's the start of the CAS Mix Up September Challenge.

I love the artsy design of marbling.  Today's card features "Floating Alcohol Inks Technique" which creates a marbled look.  I have used that for the front tag on the card above.  This is a simple technique were you partially fill a plastic container with water and then squirt alcohol inks into the water.  They rise to the surface.  You dunk in your piece of card stock (card stock, manilla tags, glossy card stock all work).  The alcohol inks are immediately attracted to the paper once it hits the water.  You just dip and pull out your card stock and you'll have some gorgeous designs to use for backgrounds, tags or die-cut embellishments.  I used teakwood and mermaid alcohol inks to make my main tag.

I die-cut a leaf sprig from dark brown card stock, pressed it with my versamark ink pad, and heat embossed in clear.  I like the shine on the leaves, which I shaped with my stylus and mat for dimension.  I also heat embossed my brown stamped sentiment with clear to tie it all together.  I cut out a second tag from a piece of smooshed Inka Gold (turquoise and gold), to place behind the the main tag to add some dimension.  I added a knotted dark brown ribbon with silver edges to the top to finish.

My CAS Mix Up card has Stamping, Marbling, die-cuts, Smooshing with Inka Gold, and Heat Embossing ... and it is still Clean and Simple,

I hope you'll come play along with our challenge this month.  Remember to keep your card CAS (Clean and Simple).  There are a few different video tutorials on marbling techniques on the challenge blog if you want to check those out and give them a try.

We are thrilled to have Kimberley Wiener (WienerHoneyMooners) as our Guest Designer for September. Kimberley won the CAS Mix Up July Challenge - Markers with this BEAUTIFUL CARD.

Come play along.  The challenge is open until the 24th so there's lots of time to try out some marbling on your cards. :)

Stamps:  Mix Mash (Happy Little Stampers)
Paper:  White card base (Neennah 110 lb.); glossy card stock for marbling; Early Espresso (SU!)
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  Mermaid, Teakwood (Ranger); Early Espresso (SU!); Peacock Feather Distress re-inker (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools: Gold Inka Gold (Viva Decor),  Little Leaves Die, Stitched Tag die (??), clear embossing powder, heat tool, water mister, silver edged early espresso ribbon (SU!)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Marbling

Twelve Tags of Christmas ... Wrap-Up

Hi everyone.  Back today with the winners of the Twelve Tags of Christmas event.  I am thrilled to say that there were over 150 entries this year --- WOW! :)

Each and every tag is creative and unique.  I really enjoyed visiting each entry to find out how you made your tags.  Thank you for sharing your creative gift with all of us!! :)

Here are a few words from Judge Jeremy ...

"The second annual 12 Tags of Christmas event was an overwhelming success!  I am inspired by how all participants mixed, layered, stamped, inked, and embellished their way to thoughtful and beautiful results.  Similar to last year, the winning decision was not an easy one.  Congratulations go to ... "

Winning Tag

#28 - Tanja

Tanja, your design is modern and sophisticated, with a touch of romance.  You remind us how a neutral colour palette can achieve a strong impact.  Well done!  -Jeremy

Top Three Tags

(in order of entry)


#11 - Nancy S.




#40 - Toni




#91 - Mac Mable

Honourable Mentions

Random Draw Prizes

Winner of the HLS $20 Gift Certificate ----- #86 Nancy

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:86

Winner of the Christmas Bell Medley stamp set from Dee's Arsty Impressions - #116 Marcia

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:116

Congratulations to everyone!
Please email me at stampingwithloll@gmail.com to claim your prize.

____________________

Prizes

  $40 STAMPlorations gift certificate for Winning Tag

$20 STAMPlorations gift certificate for each of the Top Three Tags

$20 Happy Little Stampers gift certificate - random prize draw

Dee's Arsty Impressions Christmas Bell Medley stamp set - random prize draw

Random prizes donated by:

          

    Happy Little Stampers                       Dee's Arsty Impressions

____________________

Thanks to everyone that entered.  I hope you had fun making your mixed media Christmas tags.  There's so much amazing inspiration in the gallery from my guest designers and challenge participants, and hope that you'll find yourself wanting to make more tags for this upcoming holiday season.  Check out the Twelve Tags of Christmas 2015 Pinterest Board for inspiration ... and there's lots of amazing tags on the Twelve Tags of Christmas 2014 Pinterest Board as well.  :)

I hope to be back next year with the "Twelve Tags of Christmas" 2016 edition! :)

Merry Stocking Tag

Hi everyone.  Last night my son popped by with a surprise.  I had ordered some items from Joann's and he had gone down to the US mailbox and picked them up for me.  Isn't he sweet??!! :)

So I HAD to make a card today using one of my new "toys".  I saw that the challenge this week at Merry Monday was to make a card with a tag.

And I thought this stocking would fit perfectly on a tag ... and it did. :)  I stamped it, coloured it with Copics and fussy-cut.  It's popped up on a "falling snow" embossed, stitched tag.  I stamped the sentiment onto a small scrap of card stock and added it at the bottom.  Since I used a scrap, I'm going to head over to the Snippets Playground and join the fun! :)

I kept this CAS by just having the tag and image.  I did add a little wink of stella to the ribbon and holly, which doesn't show in the photo above.  I'll include a close up below so you can see a bit of the sparkle.

We've been having the BEST weather the past few days.  Sunny, warm, breezy ... just perfect.  I actually went out and watered the front yard today. :)  I need to get moving more.  As some of you know, I had knee surgery back in January, after taking a spill and tearing my quadracept tendon.  Rehab is going well, but I'm still a little a bit scared about walking around outside where there is uneven ground.  I need to get over that. :)

Stamps:  Stocking (Kaiser Craft); Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Gumball Green (SU!); Copics
Accessories & Tools:  Stitched tag die (Lil' Inkers), green ribbon (SU!), clear wink of stella, embossing folder was borrowed from a friend (unknown)

Challenges:

Merry Monday #162 - Tag, You're it!
Snippets Playground Week #180

Bloom with Hope

Hi everyone.  I made a card today inspired by three challenges.  First the beautiful card done by Chrissie Stokes for Muse # 115.  I just love her watercoloured images and the bold and vibrant colours on the black background.  The other inspiration was the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch #121, and I'm just squeaking in under the wire for the Less Is More Challenge #221 - Add a Tag.

Chrissie's card for Muse

I experimented a few days ago with a new-to-me technique (faux glass technique) after seeing this beautiful card done by Cathy (Cathys Card Spot).  I followed her link to the video tutorial by Sandy Allnock.  I had fun creating the background with three shades of red watercolours and some Brilliant Gold Pearl Ex dissolved in water.  I definitely need some practice with this technique as my colours didn't turned out very bright, but it was fun to play. :)

I cut out the piece described above with a tag die and then stamped over top with three blooms and heat embossed it in gold, along with embossing the sentiment in gold too.  And I took some more pearl ex and water and splattered that background of the tag.  I stamped the background of the card base with one of the stamps from Gorgeous Grunge and heat embossed it in gold as well.

Stamps:  Bloom with Hope (SU!); Gorgeous Grunge (SU!); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)

Paper:  Black (SU!); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Stitched Tag Die (Paper Smooches), Watercolour paints, paint brushes, Brilliant Gold Mica Powder (Pearl Ex), gold embossing powder (hero arts), heat tool, gold cording

Challenges:

Muse #115 - Chrissie Stokes
CAS(E) this Sketch! #121
Less Is More #221 - Tag

Stencil with Sprays

Hi everyone.  Today's card is all about the spring flowers and bright, fun colours.  Don't you just love this time of year??!! :)

I also tried a new stenciling technique for this card.  I used three colours of frost sprays (yellow, lime green, green) over top of a textured mesh stencil on watercolour paper.  I spritzed until I was happy with the colours, then I took a tip from Debby Hughes and placed a heavy jar on top to weigh it down.  After it has mostly dried, I removed the jar and pulled off the stencil.   That piece is used as my base tag for the card.  Love this technique.  Pretty easy and a fun way to incorporate some of my new homemade sprays made with liquid watercolour concentrate, pearl paint and water.  :)

I die-cut flowers, sponged around the edges, and then shaped them with my stylus and mat.  Because the background was sparkly, I decided to spray my flowers with a bit of sparkle as well.  For the leaves, I sprayed another small piece of watercolour paper with the two shades of green I used for the background (left out the yellow) and then die-cut two leaf sprigs.  For the sentiment, I used left over paper from my leaf sprigs, stamping the two words in Versamark and heat embossing in white.  I cut them down to mount them separately.  For the ribbon, I bleached some crumb cake seam binding, and then dyed it with the two shades of green sprays to match the tag. :)

I made this card as a reminder for a couple of challenges.  First, Happy Little Stampers April CAS challenge is stenciling.  Don't have any stencils??  You can make your own with dies, punches or hot glue.  Check out the challenge where you'll find a few videos on how to make your own stencils, and several videos on stenciling techniques.  :)

And also Mixed Media Card Challenge for April is Flowers.

I hope you'll check out the challenges and play along! :)

Stamps:  Bloom Sketches (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press); Regal Rose (SU!)
Ink:  Regal Rose, Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Stitched Tag Die (Paper Smooches), Five Point Flower dies (Memory Box), Little Leaves die (Sizzix), Textured Mesh Stencil (Memory Box); Sprays (yellow, lime green, green) made with Liquid Watercolour Concentrate (Dick Blick), Champagne Mist spray (Tsukineko), stylus and mat, seam binding, dazzling details (SU!)

Challenges:

HLS April CAS Stenciling Challenge
Mixed Media April Flowers Challenge