Twofer Challenge #31

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the Twofer Challenge #31.  I used some backgrounds that had been in my stash for a while.  Always great to have them handy to make some quick cards.

This first card is coloured with leftover inks from another project.  I don't want them to go to waste so always smoosh the leftovers with a piece of mixed media paper.

I have had this stamp for a very long time.  It's Pine Tree (Stampscapes) and it's so beautiful.  I stamped a few of the trees in black (1st and second generation stamping) and used a light gray ink for the background trees.  I have already sent this off to a dear friend who lost his mother recently.

The second card started with another piece from my stash - watercoloured tissue paper.  I love the colours and bit of texture from the wrinkled tissue paper.  Stamped Pine Tree (Stampscapes) again twice and then mounted my image on a black card base with circle aperture.  A simple "HELLO" finishes the card.

Edited to add:  Several of you have mentioned that these cards remind you of the fires burning in Oregon and California.  I made these cards a few months back, long before the fires started and did not intend on making cards to reflect the terrible devastation that is happening now.  Sorry if my post has upset anyone.

Card #1: Your in my Thoughts
Stamps:  Pine Tree (Stampscapes); Best Thoughts - retired (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:

Card #2: Hello
Stamps:  Pine Tree (Stampscapes); Happy Messages (Stampendous)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Tissue Paper; Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Circle Nestability die - retired (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #31

Twofer Challenge #5

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the start of Twofer Card Challenge #5.

Just a reminder that the challenge is to make TWO CARDS following the guidelines below and using the prompt word in the above badge.

I'm using my favourite butterfly die for my cards this month.  I'm sure you've seen this die used on my blog several times. :)  I have other butterfly dies, but this one is just the perfect size.

First up is a very CAS design using mostly white.  I have my white card base.  On top I have popped up on foam for dimension, four one inch squares of white card stock that have been dry embossed with a leaf design.

A piece of alcohol inks on yupo paper from my stash was used to die-cut the butterfly and body.  They were glued together and then glued just off-center of the middle of the four squares.  A birthday sentiment is stamped below in bright orange ink to match the colours of the butterfly.

Here's a close-up ...

Second card is a CAS mixed media design.  I started by watercolouring white tissue paper with dye inks.  It's from my stash so I don't know what colours I've used, but believe this is done with distress inks.  I glued the piece onto white card stock and cut my panel to size.  Then I mixed some heavy gloss gel with gold acrylic paint and spread randomly over a honeycomb stencil.  I love how the gloss shines.  The sentiment was stamped in matching gold ink onto a white banner and adhered at the bottom of the panel.  The butterfly is cut from the same white and glued to the front panel, which is popped up with foam for added dimension.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you like my two butterfly cards.  Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing butterfly cards from our two wonderful Guest Designers Linda and Mac, and the rest of our talented team.  I know you'll be inspired to play along.

Just a reminder that this challenge is open for two weeks ... May 10-24.  Don't miss out.  Come join in the fun!


Card #1:  Happiest Birthday
Stamps:  Watching Bloom (Memory Box)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Yupo
Ink: Alcohol inks (Ranger / Pinata); Ripe Persimmon Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Leaf embossing folder (Stampin' Up!), Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box), blending solution

Card #2:  Thankful for you
Stamps:  Lots of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); white tissue paper
Ink:  Distress Inks (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, honeycomb stencil (cut with my silhouette cameo), heavy gloss gel (Golden), Lumiere Gold acrylic paint, palette knife, Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
Twofer Card Challenge #5 - Butterflies

It's coffee o'clock.

Hi everyone.  Having lots of time in my studio playing this week. :)  Today I'm playing along with the challenge Inspired by all the Little Things #84, hosted by Darnell.  Doesn't that birthday cake look delicious??!! :)

I went a totally different way with this inspiration photo.  I used the colours of the cake (pink, blue, purple) in my background with a piece of watercolouring tissue paper. The chocolate icing has turned into a delicious cup of coffee. :)  I added a shimmer spritz to the coffee cup and frame to make it more festive and it also darkens the brown card stock.  Stamped the sentiment in the same ink colour as the card stock, heat embossing in clear.

Here's a close-up ...

Stamps:  All you need is Coffee (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White tissue paper; White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Early Espresso (SU!)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick, Cracked Pistachio, Broken China (Tim Holtz); Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Coffee Cup Silhouette die (STAMPlorations), shimmer mist

Challenges:
Inspired by all the Little Things #84

Acetate and Embossing Paste

Hi everyone.  We are already over half way through the month, so this is a reminder of the CAS Mix Up March Challenge - Acetate, hosted by my talented friend Susan (Cardmaker's Garret).

And it's also our 2nd birthday.  Come celebrate with us.  Prizes for Winner and one random draw of all eligible entries.

I'm having fun with this challenge.  Today's card uses acetate as a "window" for my card.  I have used a wildflower stencil and white embossing paste over top of the clear acetate, and then sprinkled with iridescent glitter embossing powder.  Once the paste was dry, I set the glitter embossing powder with my heat tool.

I've attached the window to the inside of my card front and popped it up over a watercolour tissue paper background.  This background was made by watercolouring tissue paper (see my video tutorial HERE) using Inka Gold.  I've used slate blue and gold.  It's pretty and shimmery.  I stamped the sentiment (NBUS stamp set that I just bought) using a matching yellow gold ink.

We are thrilled to have Cathy (Cathy's Card Spot) as our Guest Designer this month.  Please check out the challenge blog to see Cathy's reminder acetate card, along with the reminder cards from the rest of our Designers.  Then come play along!

I'm also heading over to the CAS Watercolour gallery with this card as the challenge this month is Garden.  I love my garden of beautiful wildflowers with my watercoloured background. :)

Stamps:  Watch Bloom (Memory Box)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); white tissue paper
Ink:  Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Inka Gold in slate blue and gold, acetate sheet, Wildflower stencil (Tim Holtz), White embossing paste (Dreamweaver), Iridescent embossing powder (SU!), heat tool, Rectangle Nestabilities die (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up March Challenge - Acetate
CAS Watercolour March Challenge - Garden

Dry Emboss Acetate

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing with acetate again.  That is the CAS Mix Up March Challenge, hosted by Susan.

After seeing Julia's fun card at the launch of the challenge with the dry embossed acetate, I had to give it a try.  I used just a piece of acetate that came off the back of a stamp set, dry embossing it with a script embossing folder.  I keep any acetate pieces I get for acetate smooshing ... and now dry embossing. :)  This turned out so cool.  I love the clear texture.

I used a small piece of watercoloured tissue that was in my stash.  I ripped it and glued it to the back of my embossed acetate using Tombow Multi-Mono liquid glue, which dries clear.  There is a bit of gold on the tissue (hard to see in photo), so I wanted to add a gold die-cut leaf and sentiment to match.  I don't have this colour of gold card stock, so I used some matching acrylic paint and painted a piece of card stock.  Once dry, die-cut my leaf.  I have left over of this card stock to use on other projects.  Stamped the sentiment with Delicata Gold ink which doesn't need heat embossing. 

Popped the acetate panel on top of my card base, adhering clear pop dots under the tissue area only

Happy with my CAS design using acetate, embossing folder, watercolour tissue, die-cut and stamping. :)

Here's a close-up ...

Always great to up-cycle those acetate sheets that you probably all have from stamp sets you've bought.

Come check out the challenge blog where you'll see the wonderful inspiration cards from our Designers and special Guest Designer, Cathy.  And if you have time, check out the videos that Susan has provided.  Lots of different ways to use acetate! :) 

Also a reminder that we are celebrating our 2nd birthday at CAS Mix Up this month.  We hope you'll help us celebrate by playing along!!

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); white tissue paper
Ink:  Real Red, Tangergine Tango, Daffodil Delight (SU!); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister for watercoloured tissue paper, acetate sheet, Script embossing folder (Sizzix), Little Leaves die-cut (Sizzix); Metallic Gold Acrylic Paint (Lumiere), paint brush, kook tak clear adhesive foam pads

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up March Challenge - Acetate

Tissue Paper Watercolouring Video on SCS

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Click here to link up your tags.

Hi everyone.  I'm so excited that my Tissue Paper Watercolouring Video is being added to the video tutorials at Splitcoast Stampers!  It's such an honour!  Thanks so much Dina!

I wanted to make a tissue paper watercolouring card to launch at the same time.  I used one of the tissues left from when I made the video several months ago.  Makes a fast and easy card having a stash on hand. :)

I actually made two cards and they are from the same piece of tissue.  One I paired with white die-cuts, the other with gold.  They look SO different!!

The white diecut flower with frame lets the watercoloured background be the star.  Love this combination of purple, yellow, orange, green, and a bit of gold.  I added a simple gold stamped sentiment banner at the bottom to finish.  If you want to know how I made the watercolour background using tissue paper, please watch the video ... everything is explained.

Here's the second card I made ... using a piece of the same watercoloured background, but this time adding a gold flower and frame.  This pretty Wildflower die is a gift from a dear friend.

I used Delicata Gold reinker to add a bit of gold to the tissue paper, so wanted to match that with the rest of the elements of my card.  A frame was cut from white card stock and swiped with the same gold (using an ink pad this time), as well as stamping the sentiment.

I hope you'll give this fun technique a try.  Makes great backgrounds without having to use watercolour paper.  I have also stenciled over tissue paper backgrounds using two different techniques --- sponging with ink and embossing paste.  Both work great with these backgrounds.

I'm adding both of these cards to The Flower Challenge #14 - CAS.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Happiest Birthday Wish (SU! - retired)
Paper:  White Tissue Paper, White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Oxide Inks:  Wilted Violet, Spiced Marmalade, Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint; Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Floral Stem Collage die (Poppy Stamps), Wildflowers die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
The Flower Challenge #14 - CAS

Thinking of You

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all having a great start to your week.

I'm back from my holiday on Galiano Island.  We had a wonderful and relaxing time. Saw lots of wildlife, including deer that had a path right through the property we were at, so they were just at the edge of the deck when passing by.  We also saw whales in Active Pass, which is always exciting.

I'll share a couple of pictures that Alex took of the place we stayed at ... a beautiful log home right on the water, overlooking Active Pass (between Vancouver mainland and Vancouver Island).

On to the card for today.  I'm honoured at Sabrina (Cook22 at SCS) is hosting the latest "Try a New Technique" challenge over at Splitcoaststampers and has used my Tissue Paper Watercolouring video as inspiration.  Thanks Sabrina!

I wanted to make sure I played along.  Luckily I had a few pieces of watercoloured, scrunched and heat embossed tissue paper in my stash, so this was a quick and easy card.

I added a die-cut peek-a-boo window and bird on a branch to the card front.  The sentiment is heat embossed in gold to match the embossing on the tissue paper.

This also works for the current CAS Watercolour challenge - Silhouette. :)  Bonus!

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White tissue paper; White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Tangerine Tango and Melon Mambo Reinkers (SU!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  gold embossing powder, heat tool, Window die and bird on a branch die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
SCS TLC656 - Watercoloured Tissue plus Embossing
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette

Golden Thanks

Hi everyone.  Today's card is another using watercolouring with salt.  I have watercoloured a piece of white tissue paper using watercolour sprays (magenta and orange).  I quickly added some kosher salt on top and let the piece air dry.  The salt reacted with the watercolour, absorbing some of the colour and creating little star bursts.  So pretty!

I glued the tissue to a piece of white card stock and cut two squares.  I splattered the pieces with diluted gold pigment ink (Delicata) and then layered them onto my card front.  A piece of white card stock was coloured with more of the Delicata ink and then cut into the flower branch and placed on top.  A simple thanks stamp finishes the card.

This month's challenge at CAS Watercolour is to use Salt.  I hope you'll check out the reminder post to see more inspiring cards using salt from our Design Team, and talented Guest Designer, Ros.

Also playing along with Just Us Girls this week.  There's lots of shine from the gold splatters, flower sprig and sentiment.

Stamps:  Lots of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); white tissue paper
Ink:  Watercolour Sprays from Concentrate:  Magenta, Orange (Dick Blick); Delicata Gold ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  paint brush, water mister, kosher salt, Lavish Branch die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour August Challenge - Salt
Just Us Girls #406 - Bring on the Shine

Daisy Birthday

Hi everyone.  First I want to apologize to my blogging friends that I haven't been able to visit lately.  I have been ill with a virus for several days.  I am slowly getting better, but this is one nasty virus and it will take a while to be back 100%.  In the meantime, I had a few posts scheduled so it looked as though I was around, but I missed visiting others and seeing all the wonderful, new creations by my friends. Look forward to visiting you soon!

Today I'm sharing a card I made last month while playing with tissue paper and ink.  I used Distress inks to create this tissue paper background.  Glued it onto a piece of white card stock and mounted to my card base.

I took another piece of white card stock and did a direct to paper with my Delicata Gold ink pad and then die-cut the leaves.  Delicata ink takes a while to dry because it is a pigment ink, so I used my heat tool to speed up the process.  What happened was the paint started to bubble when it got hot.  I actually really like the look of it ... it adds some lovely texture to the leaves.  A happy accident! :)

I die-cut the white flower three times, shaped with with my stylus and glued the layers together to create this pretty flower.  This is another AliExpress die that comes as part of a set of six (four flowers and two leaves).  I also bought these pretty stained glass gems from AliExpress and used one for the flower center.  Isn't it pretty??!! :)

The sentiment is stamped in Delicata Gold onto a white frame and adhered over my card base.

Since I used snippets to create my flower and leaves, I'm heading over to play at the Snippets Playground.

Also playing along with four challenges at the Dare to Get Dirty Fan Club Challenges at Splitcoaststampers.  You must be a Fan Club Member to play along.

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

Stamps:  Heartfeld (Penny Black)
Paper:  White (Neenah); White Tissue Paper
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Little Leaves die (Sizzix), Chrsanthemum Flowers & Leaves die (AliExpress), stylus and mat, stained glass gems (AliExpress)

Challenges:
Snippets Playground - Week 291 and 292
SCS Dare To Get Dirty 2017 Challenges

CAS Mix Up August Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the CAS Mix Up August Challenge.  This month's challenge is hosted by Nancy (scandinancy creates) and she has us playing with alcohol inks. :)

I created four cards using alcohol inks on acetate with scrunched tissue paper attached to the back.  The tissue paper allows you to see the beautiful colours of ink while providing some texture and a semi-translucent look.

I (sort of) followed the technique shown in this video.

I used a 6"x6" piece of acetate and smooshed three colours of alcohol inks (Wild Plum, Sunbright Yellow, Tangerine Orange).  Once dry, I sprayed the alcohol ink side of the acetate sheet with spray adhesive and pressed on a piece of scrunched and creased white tissue paper.  The finished piece was then cut into four equal pieces and then trimmed to 2 1/4" x 3" each. Four different sprig stamps were heat embossed in gold on the front of the pieces.  I had to be careful not to overheat as the acetate will warp if it gets too hot.

All four pieces are popped up with clear pop dots onto white card bases. Sentiments are gold heat embossed to match the images.  The other three cards are below ...

We are thrilled to have Trina (My Crafting Closet) as our Guest Designer this month. Trina was the winner of the June Embossing Pastes/Gels challenge.  Check out the Design Team's and Trina's wonderful alcohol ink creations by clicking HERE.

I hope you'll come play along with us.  The challenge is open until August 24th.

Stamps:  Sprigs (Penny Black); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White card bases (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  Wild Plum, Sunbright Yellow (Ranger); Tangerine Orange (Pinata)
Accessories & Tools:  Piece of Acetate, tissue paper, spray adhesive, gold embossing powder, heat tool, gloves (always wear gloves when working with alcohol inks)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Alcohol Inks

Dare To Get Dirty Event at SCS

Hi everyone.  I'm sharing two cards I made for my friend, Nancy's challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.  This is a yearly event where there is a full week of challenges (around 40 in all), hosted by current and former members of the Dirty Dozen to thank the club members for contributing money to keep this amazing stamping community site running.  You have to be a club member at SCS to play along.  If you are a member, click HERE to see Nancy's challenge.

I've been having so much fun playing with tissue paper, and the fun continues with these two cards.  :)

For the card above, I did the Metallic Tissue Paper technique but I didn't glue the tissue to card stock.  Instead, I scrunched, flattened, swiped with versamark, and heat embossed in gold to create this fun, airy and semi-translucent, torn background for my butterfly.  So happy with how this turned out.

Here's my second card ...

I love the ethereal look of the tissue paper leaves.  It gives a dreamy look to the card. I watercoloured my tissue with two shades of green, glued to acetate when dry, and die-cut my leafy sprigs.

The sprigs are adhered over top of a soft blue mesh stenciling done with my Clarity Brushes.  I used the same colour of ink as the stenciling to colour my sentiment banner, heat embossing in white.  It needed something else and when I looked at my sequins, I couldn't believe I had the exact same colour as the ink. :)  I added two along with a few clear sequins to give the card some sparkle.

Thanks to Nancy for having me as a sample maker for her challenge --- it's been fun!

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Card 1:  Summer Butterfly
Stamps:  Heartfelt (Penny Black)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah); White tissue paper; Gold foil (SU!)
Ink:  Brushos (Yellow, Orange, Vermillon); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Water mister, Gold tinsel embossing powder, heat tool, Moonlight butterfly die (Memory Box), Script embossing folder (Sizzix for SU!)

Card 2:  Summer Leaves
Stamps:  Sentiment - Painted Butterflies (Altenew)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah);  White tissue Paper
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, acetate sheet, glue, Little Leaves die (SU!), Textured Mesh Stencil (Memory Box), Clarity Brushes), sequins