More Ombré for Gof7

Hi everyone.  More cards for December's Group of Seven - Ombré - Design Element.  Today I'm sharing two Winter / Christmas cards that use stenciling with the Ombré technique. 

Group of Seven Cardmakers

I used DOX inks for sponging the Ombré background ... they go on so smoothly and create more of an opaque look.  I used three shades of purple inks (Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Villaneous Potion) over top of the stencil I made from a Tree Frame die (Gina Marie Designs), cut from Yupo paper.  Yupo makes great stencils ... it doesn't tear and you can use it many times; plus any water soluable ink will wipe off with a damp paper towel. :)

I cut my panel down a bit and then added a stamped sentiment in Wilted Violet ink to match the sponging.  Very quick and easy card to make!

Sending the above card to CAS on Friday Challenge #300 - Winter ...

* * * * *

For the next card, I used a lovely tree stencil from STAMPlorations called Christmas Trees.  I created a sponged Ombré background for the branches using only one colour of distress ink - Mowed Lawn.  The star is also Ombré using Wild Honey distress ink.  Once the sponging was dry, I placed the clean stencil back over top and used a palette knife to add a layer of Glass Bead Gel (Golden).  It's so beautiful when it dries, showing off the colour below and creating a sparkly finish on top with lots of texture.   A simple sentiment vellum banner, heat embossing with gold glitter powder, finishes this CAS design.

Sending the above card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #60 - Anything Christmas Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)

Ink:   Distress Oxide Inks: Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Villaneous Potion (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Sponges, Tree frame die (Gina Marie Designs) for creating stencil, Yupo Paper

Card #2:

Stamps:  Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)

Ink:   Distress Inks: Mowed Lawn, Wild Honey (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Sponges, Christmas Tree stencil (STAMPlorations), Glass Bead Gel (Golden); palette knife

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Ombré - Design Element

CAS on Friday Challenge #300 - Winter

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #60 - Anything Christmas Goes

Penny Black - The Star

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card made with an adorable, new image from Penny Black called The Star (31-182).  I watercoloured the image with distress inks and used the matching die (The Star Cut Out - 51-845) to cut out and pop up over top of my background.

The background is done on vellum, stamped multiple times with three different snowflakes from Snow Charm (Penny Black).  I stamped them in Versamark and heat embossed in white.  I flipped the vellum over and sponged Salvaged Patina randomly over the background.  The background was splattered with white ink to create falling snow and heat embossed to dry before mounting it between two frames (Semi-Circle Stackers - 51-706) from Penny Black. The Star image was adhered to the front of the vellum and a simple sentiment (Full of Christmas - 30-734) Penny Black, was stamped in black.

The whole panel was popped up with 1/4" adhesive foam strips on the back of the frame.  This allows the dreaminess of vellum to show.

Close-up ...

Sending card #1 to the following challenges:

1) NBUS Challenge #67

2) Merry Little Christmas Challenge #58 - Anything Christmas Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Penny Black Store

 

                                            The Star (31-082)                       The Star Cut Out (51-845)

                                            Snow Charm (30-772)            Semi-Circle Stackers (51-706)

Full of Christmas (30-734)

Stamps:  The Star (Penny Black); Snow Charm (Penny Black); Posted (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Thick Vellum (Oplymio - Amazon)
Ink:   Black Pigment (Versafine Claire Nocturne); Shadow Grey (Archival - Ranger); Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Salvaged Patina, Black Soot (Tim Holtz); Zigs (Flesh Colour)
Accessories:   White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour brushes, sponges, diluted white ink, Semi-Circle Stackers (Penny Black)

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #67

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #58 - Anything Christmas Goes

More Vellum for Gof7

Hi everyone.  Another card for August's Group of Seven Product Focus - Embossing with Vellum.

I stamped Statement Flowers (Altenew) onto a piece of vellum from my stash which had been smooshed with Alcohol Inks.  The image was heat embossed in white and then framed (Sewing Stackers - Penny Black), popped up over top of my card base.  Popping it up lets the translucent qualities of vellum show in the card.  A simple die-cut sentiment (Heartfelt - Penny Black), cut from black card stock is added at the bottom to finish the card.  Quick and easy card, using a vellum panel from my stash! :)

Close-up ...

Sending the above card to Triple B (Birds, Butterflies & Blooms) September Challenge - Anything Triple B Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Statement Flowers (Altenew)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Vellum (Oplymio Thick); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Alcohol Inks (Ranger); Versamark
Accessories:   Blending Solution, White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, Sewing Stackers frame dies (Penny Black); Heartfelt sentiment die (smile) - Penny Black

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Vellum - Product Focus

Triple B Sept. Challenge

Vellum - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  For this month at Group of Seven Cardmakers, we are focussing on a product ... Vellum.  Specifically for this month, we are using Vellum with Embossing:  Dry, Heat, and Wet (embossing pastes or gels).  Vellum gives a wonderful dreamy look, but can also be used in many different ways.

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

Group of Seven Cardmakers

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

• I found using a thick vellum much easier, especially for Dry embossing.  Thinner vellums have a tendancy to crack and tear.
• The thicker vellum also helps limit the curl of the paper with heat embossing and wet embossing (embossing pastes or gels).
• When dry embossing with vellum, the design usually turns white when the paper is "stretched" by the embossing folder.  You can enhance the white using a stylus and mat if you want it more pronounced.
• Vellum is a bit tricky to adhere to cards because of it's semi-translucent nature.  Cut the vellum piece larger than needed and used the excess to folder over the sides to secure at the back.  Another way is to add a frame over top of the vellum, hiding the adhesives under the frame.  I found if you have a busy pattern (see card #4 below), you will not notice small lines of adhesive (it gets lost in the pattern).

* * * * *

For my first card in today's post, I used a simple technique of dry embossing Vellum with an embossing folder (Gracious Leaves - Memory Box).  It's simple and quick, and the results are always beautiful with the embossed vellum.  I added a white die-cut of deers and torn hills for the snow.  The sentiment is Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn) stamped in Delicata Silver pigment ink.

Close-up ...

Then I made the same card, this time adding sponging of Distress Inks (Cracked Pistacio, Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles), to the back of the vellum before mounting it onto my card front.  Simply adding sponging completely changes the look of the card. :)

Sending the above card to Rudolph Days August Challenge.

* * * * *

For this next card, I followed this video, which shows how to emboss vellum using a stylus and mat. 

I stamped my image in permanent ink onto thick vellum, flipped it over and placed on top of a sponge mat.  I used different sizes of stylus tips to add pressure in a circular motion to shape the two flower heads and one bud.  I went over the areas several times unti they were smooth and they image changed to white.  I fussy-cut my image and then placed it over a background from my stash (peacock blue re-inker with inka gold).  To finish, I popped up my panel and stamped a happy birthday sentiment in black ink.

* * * * *

Next, I'm sharing a card using Heat Embossing on Vellum.  This is an awesome technique, created by the wonderfully talented Chrissie Stokes (Simply One of a Kind).  She has a few videos showing variations of this technique using vellum and heat embossing.  I followed this video.

Using the cling stamp Bejeweled (Penny Black), I stamped the image on the front of my vellum and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I added more random bits of the image (always heat embossing in white), leaving lots of open space in the background.  I flipped the vellum over and stamped the same image several times (one of the whole image and more of bits and pieces).  This time the stamp was inked with Distress Inks:  Carved Pumpkin, Candied Apple, Lucky Clover.  After each stamping, I sprinkled the image with clear embossing powder and heat set.

The panel was mounted onto a card base, with a sentiment banner at the bottom.  Happy Birthday (Special Sentiments - Penny Black) was stamped in more of the Carved Pumpkin, with dashes of Candied Apple over top.  This card makes me happy.  It's so bright and cheerful. :)

Sending the above card to Seize the Birthday #290.

* * * * *

And my last card uses Embossing Paste on Vellum.   I used the thick vellum again, and it warped slightly even though I taped it down well.  I think the texture adds to the overall design of the card, so I'm happy with it and will definitely use paste on vellum again.

I used an older stamp set from Simon Says Stamp (Bouquet of Thanks - retired), stamped in black ink and clear heat embossed.  I watercoloured with Distress Re-inkers (Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters) and die-cut with the matching die.  I placed it over the vellum, which is secured to my card base with sticky strips along the edge of the four sides of my base.  It doesn't show very must in real life because of the pattern of the stenciling and the texture of the vellum.  I added a simple white embossed sentiment (Endless Birthdays - SU! - retired) on black banner; then dots of black ink for the flower centers using micro pens.

Sending the above card to Die-cut Diva's August Challenge.  I've used Wet Embossing on this card. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1 & 2:

Stamps:  Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Vellum - Thick (Oplymio)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Cracked Pistacio, Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Gracious Leaves Embossing Folder, sponges, 

Card #3:

Stamps:  Retired (Clearly Besotted); Everyday Messages (unknown)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Vellum - Thick (Oplymio)
Ink:   Peacock Feathers Distress Re-inkers; Black Archival (Ranger)
Accessories:   Stylus, Sponge Mat, Inka Gold Wax

Card #4:

Stamps:  Bouquet of Thanks (SSS); Endless Birthdays (SU! - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Nocturne (VersaFine Clair); Distress Re-inkers:  Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Wander & Find stencil - retired (Carta Bella); Embossing Paste (Golden), palette knife, Clear embossing powder (Ranger), watercolour paint brushes, White embossing powder (Ranger), micro black markers

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Vellum

Rudolph Days August Challenge

Seize the Birthday #290

Die-cut Divas August Challenge

In the Studio with Frances

Hi everyone.  Last month, my dear friend Frances, came over for a day of playing with alcohol inks.  We made some lovely backgrounds on different types of substraits, using different techniques.  I finally got around to using one of the backgrounds I made that day ... pearl alcohol inks smooshed on vellum.  I folded the excess over the edge of a white card stock panel and taped it down.  I added a simple white die-cut flower (Ascending - Penny Black), and a white heat embossed sentiment (Happy Messages - retired - Stampendous).   A pretty card that was simple to make.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to:

- Simply Clean & Simple July Challenge

- Paper Players Challenge #699 - Clean & Simple from Joanne

Thanks for stopping by!

* * * * *

On a personal note ... I'm scheduled for more surgery tomorrow.  I thought last year would be my last surgery for a long time, but I was wrong.  I have scheduled a couple of posts that will go live while I'm away.  Hopefully I'll be back making cards soon!

Stamps:  Happy Messages - retired (Stampendous)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Vellum
Ink:   Alcohol Inks:  Yellow, green, and blue Pearl AIs (Ranger); Versamark
Accessories:   Blending solution, Ascending die (Penny Black), White embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:

Simply Clean & Simple July Challenge 

More Torn Edges for Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  A few more cards for Group of Seven Design Element - Torn Edges.

For the card above, I smooshed the background with Lindy's Magicals, which have mica powder mixed in.  You'll see the shimmer more on the close-up photo.  I embossed a piece of vellum using the Kitchen Weave embossing folder (Cuttlebug).  I then tore a diagonal strip off the top, leaving the rest to cover the card front.  I added Delicate Leafy Branch die (Simon Says Stamp), cut from Cobalt Velour Tonic Mirror Card Stock.  I stamped the happy birthday onto a white sentiment banner using a mix of Salty Ocean and Blueprint Sketch distress oxide inks.  It worked to match the leafy die colour. :)

Close-up ...

First time using this awesome embossing folder (gift from a friend long ago --- what was I waiting for??!! :)  I'm sending the above card to NBUS Challenge #58.

 ... and one more.  I use torn snowhills for many of my Christmas cards.  I love the randomness of the tear. :)

This card was made using leftover ink from this card.  I sopped up the ink onto hot press watercolour paper, stamped my image in black and then splattered with diluted white and black acrylic inks.  A torn piece of hot press w/c paper was added for the snowhill.

Sending this over to the Merry Little Christmas Challenge #54 - anything Christmas goes!

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Everyday Script Sentiments (AliExpress)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Vellum; Cobalt Velour Mirror card stock (Tonic)
Ink:   Magicals (Lindy's); Distress Oxides:  Salty Ocean, Blueprint Sketch (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   water mister, Kitchen Weave embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Delicate Leafy Branch die (SSS)

Card #2:

Stamps:  Stamp #391 (Studio Light Essentials)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Bister Powders:  Bister Blue, Bister Green, Bister Dark Brown; Versamark; Black (Memento) 
Accessories:   Water mister, diluted white and black acrylic paint, splatter brush

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Torn Edges

NBUS Challenge #58

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #54

Guest Designing for Seize the Birthday!

Hi everyone.  I'm so happy to be back as the Surprise Party Guest for Seize the Birthday again this month.  

 

Today starts the first challenge of 2024 with a choice of options (Embossing Wet or Dry) - Challenge #275.  I made two cards (the one above with dry embossing, and a second card with wet embossing).

The card above uses the Perfect Peonies from Clearly Besotted.  I stamped the image in black ink and heat embossed with clear before watercolouring using Distress Inks (Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed).  I placed the peonies on a layer of pink card stock, covered with a dry embossed vellum piece I received in the Christmas card from my friend Leslie.  It was so pretty, I had to use it right away! :)  Thank you Leslie!  I finished the card by adding a simple Happy Birthday sentiment stamped in black.

I'm sending the above card to the Triple B (Birds, Butterflies, & Blooms January Challenge.  They have provided a mood board for inspiration.  My flowers are pink and the layer of embossed vellum (sort of) looks like snow. :)

... and then ....

This card is done using "Wet Embossing" and my very favourite embossing gel, Glass Bead (Golden).  I used the Leaves stencil from Simon Says Stamp, sponged with Distress Inks (Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness).  I removed the stencil and cleaned off the ink before placing it back over top to add a layer of glass bead gel.  I love the sparkle from this amazing product.  I kept the card design CAS (clean and simple) so that the beautiful leaves were the star, simply adding a sentiment to finish.

I hope you'll join us with your Happy Birthday card(s).  As always, Anything Birthday goes with optional theme.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

I'm sending the above card to Stencil Fun January Challenge - where it's always Anything Stenciling Goes with optional theme.  I went with the Anything stenciling this time. :)

... and I'm also sending this card to Simply Clean & Simple January Challenge - Anything CAS Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Perfect Peonies (Clearly Besotted); Greetings (Cavallini & Co)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Pink Pirouette card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Obsidian Black Pigment Ink (Altenew); Distress Inks:  Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Dry embossed vellum (gift from a friend), clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Card #2:

Stamps:  Brushed Wishes (Stampendous)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Leaves Stencil (Simon Says Stamp), sponge brushes, Glass Bead Gel (Golden), palette knife

Challenges:

STB #275 - Embossing Wet or Dry

Triple B (Birds, Butterflies, & Blooms January Challenge

Stencil Fun January Challenge - anything Stenciling goes

Simply Clean & Simple January Challenge - Anything CAS Goes

Penny Black - Radiant Red

Hi everyone.  Today's cards feature a stamp from the Penny Black Christmas release (Radiant Red - 40-903).  This is a gorgeous poinsettia image that is fun and easy to watercolour.

This is my first time using this stamp, so I'm sending the above card to NBUS Challenge #55.

... and I'm also sending it to Penny Black Saturday Challenge - September, where Anything Penny Black Goes.

For the card above, the outline image is stamped off-the-edge onto mixed media paper.  I heat embossed the image in white and watercoloured using Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Fired Brick, and Aged Mahogany.

The sentiment (Full of Christmas 30-734)  is stamped with black ink.  To finish the card, I splattered with diluted white acrylic paint ... there's a bit of a snow storm going on with this card. :)

Close-up ...

And I've created a second card using the same inks and white embossing, but this time I used vellum.  The embossed image is on the front with the watercolouring done on the back of the image.  I have sandwiched the vellum between two pieces of white card stock, both with a circle die-cut in the center.  

I added a foiled sentiment using the Xmas Classics (15-004)  and some silver foil.  You simply rub the design onto your card, burnishing the sticky design, lay your foil over top and burnish again.  So simple and quick to do! :)  The sentiment looks black in the photo above.  I wasn't able to get a photo, but trust me, it's lovely and shiny silver foil. :)

I'm sending this card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #52.

Penny Black Products

Radiant Red (40-903)

Full of Christmas (30-734)

Xmas Classics (15-004)

* * * * *

Just a quick note that I added a new tab (Sketches) at the top of my blog of some of my favourite sketches I use when making my cards.  These sketches are Clean & Simple designs and I use them a lot (with slight variations to keep things more interesting).  I've also included small photos of several cards that I've made using each sketch with links to the original blog posts.  I hope you find this useful. :)  

Thanks for stopping by!

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Card #1:

Stamps:  Radiant Red (Penny Black); Full of Christmas (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Versamark; Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Fired Brick, and Aged Mahogany (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   White Embossing Powder, heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, diluted white acrylic paint, splatter brush

Card #2:

Stamps:  Radiant Red (Penny Black); Xmas Classics (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Vellum
Ink:     Versamark; Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Fired Brick, and Aged Mahogany (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   White Embossing Powder, heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, diluted white acrylic paint, splatter brush, Circle die (Spellbinders - retired), silver foil (decofoil)

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #55

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - September

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #52