September CAS Mix Up Challenge

Hi everyone.  This month at CAS Mix Up September Challenge is a Watercolour Challenge and we are asking for Sunflowers. :)  I used the no line watercolouring technique with diluted distress reinkers.

I started by stamping my image (Radiant from Penny Black) onto cold press w/c paper using Brushed Corduroy Distress ink (light touch).  I used my diluted distress inks to paint the image, using the faintly stamped outline as a guide. It worked great.  

When the image was dry, I added some splatters in dark brown.  I finished the card by stamping a sentimnt (Spring Sentiments - Stampendous) in Ground Espresso DOX ink.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

PBSC August Challenge - Anything PB Goes

Seize the Birthday #333 - Anything Goes option

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Radiant (Penny Black); Spring Sentiments (Stampendous - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press w/c paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Reinkers:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Aged Mahogany, Rusty Hinge, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Blick Masterstroke w/c paint brushes

Challenges:

CAS Mix Up September Challenge

PBSC August Challenge - Anything PB Goes

Seize the Birthday #333 - Anything Goes option

July CAS Mix Up Challenge

Hi everyone.  I'm so excited to be back with the CAS Mix Up Challenge.  This month the Designers are working with the Eclipse technique (sometimes called Hidden Word or Camouflage).  There are a few different ways to do this technique.  I went with the original of using a word die.  Check out the challenge for some helpful videos.

The image (Technique Tuesday) is stamped in Shadow Grey Archival ink and then watercoloured with a mix of Distress Inks and Dye Inks.  Once I finished, I used a hello die to cut out from my image, as well as cutting two extra layers from white card stock.  I layered the word dies together with the watercoloured version on top and popped them back onto my card front.  It turned out really well, although it's not easy to see in the photo.  Next time I'll offset the top layer slightly so it's more visible.

Close-up ... hopefully you can see the "hello" in the middle of the flower. :)

Please check out the CAS Mix Up Challenge blog to see a wonderful card made by our Guest Designer, Michele (I Card Everyone) and cards made by our talented Designers using different variations of this technique.

I hope you'll join us by making a CAS card using the Eclipse technique and includes stamping.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Fresh Peonies (Technique Tuesday - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Shadow Grey (Archival Ink - Ranger); Distress Inks:  Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral (Tim Holtz); Dye Inks:  Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Always Artichoke (SU!)
Accessories:  Waercolour Paint brushes, Bold Hello die (SSS)

June CAS Christmas Challenge - Bird

Hi everyone.  Today is the re-launch of CAS Christmas Challenge and we are very excited! :)  We have a fun challenge for you ...

I'm hosting this month.  I went through my Christmas stamps looking for bird images ... there is  A LOT! :)  The image above is my favourite Christmas bird stamp that I've had for several years.  It's called Snow Bird (Stampendous).  It was so sad when Stampendous closed.  I will always keep this image and use it every year. :)

The image was stamped in black pigment ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Distress inks were used to watercolour and add a faint outline around the image.  A simple sentiment (Shine Upon You - Penny Black) was added to finish the card.

Close-up ...

Sending this to the following challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 1 - Inks - used distress inks to watercolour image

The CAS Christmas June Challenge runs for the whole month.  Our hope is you'll join us and build your stash of Christmas cards throughout the remainder of this year ... and beyond.  Please check out the lovely cards made by our Guest Designer, Bobby, as well as the CAS Christmas Designers!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Snow Bird (Stampendous - retired); Shine Upon You (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black:  Obsidian (Altenew); Distress Inks:  Black Soot, Gathered Twigs, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Ripe Persimmon, Salvaged Patina (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder, heat tool, watercolour brushes, white acrylic Posca pen, white acrylic paint (diluted) for splattered snow 

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Challenge - Week 1 - Inks

June CAS Christmas Challenge

Watercoloured Tree for Jer

Hi everyone.  I experimented with watercolouring following a video link on the Wednesday Watercolor Challenge from a few weeks ago on Splitcoast Stampers.

I do not know how to draw, but I thought with all the cards I've made over the past 25 years+ using stamps and ink, that I could watercolour.  It's a lot different watercolouring your own image. :)  The video relied on a fan brush, which I couldn't get to work for me.  But the video did help me create my own way of watercolouring this tree. :)  In the end, I used distress re-inkers, along with a round brush and flat brush on cold press watercolour paper.

I'm hoping with lots of practice, I will improve.  I was happy with my first tree, so made it into a card for Jeremy's birthday. :)

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

SCS Watercolor Wednesday WCW308 - 60 second tree (video link - short)

SCS CAS Card Challenge CAS898 - Anything that Grows

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Happy Birthday stamp (Cavallini & Co.)

Paper:   Cold Press Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Re-inkers:  Gathered Twigs, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Watercolour Brushes

Challenges:

SCS Watercolor Wednesday WCW308 - 60 second tree (video link - short)

SCS CAS Card Challenge CAS898 - Anything that Grows

Remembering Mom ...

Hi everyone.  Today's post is dedicated to my caring, compassionate, sweet Mom who passed away six days ago, just a few days shy of her 97th birthday.  She was an amazing person, loved by all who knew her.  She lived a very long life, dedicating it to her family (husband, three children, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren).  She was always willing to lend a hand to those in need.  After retirement, Mom volunteered for over 15 years at Meals on Wheels and Grocery Shopping for Seniors, at a time when she herself, was a senior.  

Mom spent a lot of time in her garden.  It was her passion to grow flowers and she passed along her love of gardening to me.  Nowadays, most of the flowers I tend are on my cards.  Today is a tribute to her, with a pretty floral card, that I know she would have loved.

Below I'm sharing a few photos of my Mom; a portait taken when she was twenty, a photo of the two of us at a family dinner, and a birthday photo taken 10 years ago.

She was beautiful inside and out.  I will miss her dearly.

Mom ...

1949

Mom & Me - 2009

Mom's 87th Birthday - 2016

You brought light to so many.  Rest now, my sweet Mom ...

Love you always,

Orange Roses

Hi everyone.  Today's card is the second image from the stamp set, Enchantingly (Penny Black).  Here's a link to the first image I used.  

I stamped the flowers in Toffee Crunch ink and then watercoloured with Distress Inks.  I used a circle stencil to add dots to the background using a light green.  The sentiment (Super Day - Penny Black) is stamped in more Toffee Crunch to finish the card.  

Close-up ...

Imspired to make this card by the following challenges:

1) The Flower Challenge #102 - Add Spots or Stripes

2) Penny Black Saturday Challenge - May - Anythng PB Goes

3) Just Us Girls #776 - Stencil week - Edited to add, thanks to Lisa! :)

 

* * * * *

My friends Fran & Deb were over for a visit recently.

Fran snapped this photo of Jessie chill-axing. :)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Enchantingly; Super Day (both Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Toffee Crunch (Memento); Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Ripe Persimmon (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Watercolour paint brushes, Circle Stencil (Silhouette America cut file); sponges

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #102

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - May

Just Us Girls #776 - Stencil week