Penny Black - Resting

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card using a new image (Resting - Penny Black).  I love this image, but it was challenging to watercolour with all those little berries.  I definitely will use markers next time. :)

I stamped in black ink onto mixed media paper and heat embossed with clear.  Then watercoloured the image using Distress Inks (listed below in the supplies).  I added a wash of diluted Faded Jeans at the end.  In hindsight, I should have watercoloured the background first or sponged.  It would have been easier. :)  

To finish, I splattered with diluted white pigment ink.  Once the splatters were dry, I stamped a sentiment (Festive Snippets - Penny Black) in black ink.

Close-up ...

Sending the above card to the following challenges:

1)  Penny Black Saturday Challenge - January - Something New

2)  NBUS Challenge #70 - 4th entry this month! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Resting; Festive Snippets (both Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Momento); Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin, Wild Honey, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Rusty Hinge, Faded Jeans (Tim Holtz); White Pigment ink (SU!)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, paint brushes

Challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - January

NBUS Challenge #70 

Penny Black - Merry Days

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing another image from the new Christmas release from Penny Black.  This stamp set is called Merry Days (31-075).

I stamped the image in black pigment ink onto mixed media paper.  I heat set the image before watercolouring using Distress Inks (see below card recipe for list).  Red chalk was added to the bear's cheeks.  The image was die-cut using the matching die (Merry Days Cut Out 51-836).

I used a second piece of mixed media paper, adding a watercolour wash to the background with Salvaged Patina ink.  Once dry, I splattered with diluted white gouache paint and then added some torn snowhills at the bottom.

Stamped the sentiment (from the same stamp set) in black pigment ink and then adhered the image flush at the bottom, popping up the top for added dimension.  The panel was adhered to a card base.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge - October - Anything PB Goes. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Penny Black Products

Merry Days 31-075

Merry Days Cut Out (51-836)

Stamps:  Merry Days (Penny Black

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black Pigment (Versafine Clair Nocturne); Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Salvaged Patina, Unchartered Mariner (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Merry Days Cut Out (Penny Black), diluted white Gouache Paint for splattering

Challenges:

PBSC - October

CAS Mix Up September Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of a new CAS Mix Up Challenge for September - Autumn Colours.  Even though it is not "officially" Autumn yet, some leaves have already changed colour and are falling from the trees.  This is my favourite time of year.  I love Autumn colours and especially love it when it is cool and crisp outside. :)  This month's challenge is being hosted by the lovely Leslie (Running with Scissors).  She is asking us to include Autumn colours in our cards this month and there must be watercolouring as well.

I started by creating a gradiant background wash.  I tried it with two different types of paper (mixed media and bristol).  I used my Liquid Watercolors from Blick Art (concentrate).  I do love the intensidy of these concentrated colours.  I place some on my palette, sprized with a little water and also spritzed my paper with lots of water before using a large brush to pick up the colours and swipe them across the paper.  I overlapped them slightly so they would blend together.  Easy, peasy backgrounds! :)

After they were dry, I decided the mixed media paper was a slightly better blend of colours. I cut the panel to size and added some foam to the background to pop it up on my white card front.  I die-cut a new-to-me die, Leafy Branch (Simon Says Stamp).  I used gold mirror card stock (Tonic) and love how it looks.  Photographing it is another issue. :)  I glued the leafy branch over my watercolour wash and added a simple black sentiment banner with gold embossed HELLO (Happy Messages - Stampendous).

Close-up ...

I'm sending the above card to NBUS Challenge #30.  The leafy branch die is new-to me. :)

I have a Twofer for this post.  I took the negative left from the leaves die-cut gold foil card stock, and placed it over top of the Bristol paper with watercolour wash.  I added a simple white sentiment banner with gold embossed "Happy Birthday" (Many Everyday Messages - Hero Arts).  Sorry for the bad photo ... it was the best I could get because of all the reflection from the foil card stock ...

This is actually pretty in real life.  You'll have to take my word on that. :)

We are thrilled to have Ros (Mikey's Mom) as our Guest Designer this month at CAS Mix Up.  Welcome Ros!

Please check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful Autumn Colours cards from our amazing Guest Designer and our talented Designers.  Then come play along.  The challenge is open until end of day September 24th.

Hope to see you in the gallery!

Product Links

Liquid Watercolors (Blick Art Materials)

Leafy Branch die (Simon Says Stamp)

Gold Mirror Card Stock (Tonic via SSS)

Happy Messages (Stampendous)

Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Stamps:  Happy Messages (Stampendous)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!); Gold Mirror card (Tonic)
Ink:   Liquid Watercolors from Concentrate (Blick Art Materials):  Yellow, Orange, Red; Versamark
Accessories:   1" watercolour paint brush, water mister, Leafy Branch die (Simon Says Stamp), Gold embossing powder (Ranger); heat tool

Twofer:

Stamp:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

All other supplies the same as above card

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Autumn Colours

NBUS #30 Challenge

Penny Black - Delight

Hi Everyone.  I have another card to share that uses one of the new release cling stamps from Penny Black.  This image is called Delight (40-775) ... and it really is! :)

I started by creating a washed background.  I used the easiest way for me, sponging three layers of colours across the card front (green, mustard seed, broken china).  I kept the colours very light so that it wouldn't interfer with my watercolouring of the flowers.  After sponging, I spritzed with a little water and used a large paint brush, stroking from side to side.  Once the dry, I stamped the image with Archival Shadow Grey ink.

I watercoloured the flowers with distress inks and then added some brightness with zig brush markers.  To finish, I stamped a sentiment from Gratitude (30-105) in black ink so it would show up overtop of the flowers and sky.

Close-up ..

Thanks for stopping by!

Penny Black Product Links

Delight (40-775)

Gratitude (30-105)

Stamps:  Delight; Gratitude (both Penny Black)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Shadow Grey Ink (Archival); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Broken China, Abandoned Coral, Spiced Marmalade, Wilted Violet; Zigs; Black Ink (Memento) 
Accessories:   Paint Brushes:  1", #4 and #2 round

Penny Black - Layered Leaves and more ...

Hi everyone,  Today's cards use a few of the new stand-alone dies from the new release.  First, I'm sharing a CAS (clean and simple) masculine birthday card made with Layered Leaves die 51-633.

I die-cut the leaves from white card stock.  I used a watercoloured piece from my stash ... this has a bit of sparkle, so I'm pretty sure it is a mix of Lindy's magicals on watercolour paper.  I placed the die-cut leaves over the watercolour piece and traced with a pencil, then fussy-cut.  Adhered the white over top of the watercoloured background and then adhered to my card front.  I stamped a happy birthday sentiment (smile today! 30-461) in weathered wood distress ink.  It matched pretty well! :)

Close-up ...

My second card uses the beautiful die, Creative Curves 51-611.  This makes a lovely backdrop for any image.

The bright white card front and black die-cut panel create a lot of contrast in this design.  A pretty stamped butterfly (Wings and Vases 30-704), coloured with zigs and fussy-cut is all that's needed to complete this design, along with a simple black stamped sentiment, Good Wishes 30-541.

My third card uses the new Bench (51-621) die.

Created a very loose watercolour wash for the background from green and blue inks.  Stamped a leafy branch from the Country Charisma stamp set 30-690, watercolouring in two shades of green ink.  Popped up the die-cut bench, which was sponged in two shades of brown ink. Finished with a blue ink stamped sentiment, Good Wishes (30-541).

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Penny Black Products

Layered Leaves die 51-633
smile today! sentiment set 30-461

Creative Curves 51-611

Wing and Vases 30-704
Good Wishes 30-541

Bench die 51-621

Country Charisma 30-690

Good Wishes 30-541

Card #1:  Layered Leaves
Stamps:  smile today! (Penny Black)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches cold press 140 lb.); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Lindy's magicals
Accessories & Tools:  Layered Leaves die (Penny Black)

Card #2:  Butterfly Curves
Stamps:  Wings and Vases; Good Wishes (both Penny Black)
Paper:  Black card stock (SU!); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Zigs
Accessories & Tools:  Creative Curves die (Penny Black), waterbrush

Card #3:  Enjoy every moment
Stamps:  Country Charisma; Good Wishes (both Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Bench die (Penny Black), waterbrush

Penny Black New Release - Merry and Joy

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing three cards all made from the same stamp (poinsettia poem 40-700), which is part of the newest release from Penny Black.  I'll be sharing more cards over the next few months using many of the new, beautiful Christmas images.

For my first card I've heat embossed the image in white.  Used distress inks and dye inks to watercolour the image, adding a wash of soft gray in the background.  The sentiment "NOEL" is from a different stamp set in the new release (all the trimmings 30-618).  I framed the panel with a new frame die set (stitched loops 51-573).

Close-up ...

Second card uses a portion of the image ...

For this card I smooshed blue and green distress inks to create a colourful background.  The same poinsettia poem image was stamped over top and heat embossed in silver.  I used a small paint brush and bleach to remove the colour from the image.  Soft gray dye ink was used to add some definition to the petals and leaves.  A sentiment, "MERRY", which is from another stamp set of the new release (merry builder 30-619), was heat embossed in silver to match the image.  The panel was popped up on foam for added dimension.

Close-up ...

Third card uses just a small portion of the image ...

This time I coloured the stamp with distress markers, adding one colour at a time, stamping, and then using a water brush to move the colour from the outline to fill the image.  It gives a very delicate, light look to the watercolouring.  This has been done expertly by my dear friend Bonnie for years, and I finally gave it a try.  LOVE the look!

Only a portion of the image was die-cut with a circle.  The circle was popped up on foam for added dimension and a small red card stock banner was added with white embossing of the sentiment "Greetings of the Season", which is part of another new stamp set (merry up 30-622).

Close-up ...

I hope you've enjoyed the three different techniques I've used with this gorgeous poinsettia image.

Penny Black Products:
poinsettia poem 40-700
all the trimmings 30-618
stitched loops frame die 51-573
merry builder 30-619
merry up 30-622

CAS Christmas October Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the October CAS Christmas Challenge.  This month's challenge is being hosted by Susan.

When I saw this sweet image from Stampendous, I just had to buy it. :)  The image was stamped in black and then heat embossed in clear.  The bird, branch and berries are watercoloured with zigs and a water brush.  I then added a light wash of blue for the background.  Sparkly clear glitter glue was used to highlight the snow on the branches and berries.  It sparkles in real life, just doesn't show in the photo.  I added heat embossed shabby white Frantage for falling snow and stamped my sentiment.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll come check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful cards from our wonderful Designers and Guest Designer Sue (Sue's Card Craft).  I know you'll be inspired to play along.  Time is passing quickly and soon the Christmas cards will need to be in the mail.  Come play along with us to help build your stash!

Stamps:  Snow Bird (Stampendous); believe (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Zigs
Accessories & Tools:  clear embossing powder, heat tool, water brush, dazzling diamonds glitter glue, Shabby White Frantage (Stampendous)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas October Challenge - Bird

CAS Mix Up September Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's September 1st and time for the latest CAS Mix Up challenge.  This month is being hosted by the super talented, Bonnie, and she chose ...

This is such a great idea to stretch the use of our markers.  For today's card I started by sponging a small panel of cold press watercolour paper with distress inks.  Blue near the top, green at the bottom, and soft yellow in the middle.  I took a wide, wet paint brush and went back and forth across the watercolour paper to activate the ink and blend the colours.  This creates a watercolour wash background.  I blotted here and there with a paper towel to lighten the colour a little before drying the panel with my heat tool.

I placed my tree image and background in my Misti and inked up the trunk and branches with a medium brown zig.  I spritzed a few times with water and stamped onto cold press watercolour paper.  Held it for a few second and then opened up my misti.  I spritzed more water as I thought the ink was a bit dry looking and then stamped again.  I cleaned off the stamp and next inked the leaves with two shades of green (bright and dark) zigs.  Spritzed with water, stamped again, and then took the piece out to dry.

I adhered the watercoloured panel to my card base and then popped up a white frame with a stamped sentiment on top.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from the rest of our Designers, along with our Guest Designer this month, Chrissie (Simply One of a Kind).  I know you'll be inspired.

Then come join us.  We'd love to see you in our gallery!

Stamps:  Winter Trees (Deep Red); Happy Snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, Squeezed Lemonade:  Zig Markers
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, water brush, water mister, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Ink with Markers

Twofer Card Challenge #1

Welcome to the start of the Twofer Challenge. The goal is to make two different cards with two different designs for two different occasions with the same stamps and/or dies.  This fun challenge is aimed at stretching our stamps and dies by using them in different ways, and at the same time building our stash of cards.  Come join us!!

As you can see by the badge above, the challenge is open for two weeks.  This gives you lots of time to come up with your designs, make your cards and then photograph (one photo showing both cards) and enter the challenge via the linky provided on the challenge blog.

There's lots of samples by the Design Team to show you what the challenge is all about.

Here's my cards using the Feather prompt with Penny Black stamp "the sweetest song".

I had a lot of fun designing these two cards using the bird (feathers) image.  For my first card, I masked a second Penny Black stamp (bells & berries), leaving just the one branch of leaves and berries (no bell).  I stamped in Sahara Sand ink (very light) and then watercoloured over top of the image with distress inks and a water brush (no line watercolouring).

I used distress markers to add some finishing details to the leaves and berries.  I then masked "the sweetest sound" stamp, leaving just one bird, inked with Pumice stone distress ink, and stamped the bird over top of the branch, in the middle.  I used more pumice stone ink to add a darker head and wing (very subtle).  I used more of the same ink to watercolour around my finished image.  I then splattered with diluted white ink.  The image was framed and a sentiment was stamped in the corner.

Here's a close-up ...

For the second card, I sponged distress oxide inks (fossilzed amber, spiced marmalade, abandoned coral) to create a sunset background.  I stamped "the sweetest sound" image over top with versamark and heat embossed in black.  I cut the panel down and added the "sending love" sentiment in black.

Here's a close-up ...

As I mentioned above, the challenge runs for two weeks.  Come check out the amazing cards by the Design Team and then join us!

Card 1:
Stamps:  the sweetest sound, bells & berries, season's gifts (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Early Espresso (SU!); Distress Inks:  Walnut, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Candy Apple, Fired Brick, Pumice Stone (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, white acrylic paint, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Card 2:
Stamps:  the sweetest sound (Penny Black); Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Oxides:  Fossilzed Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Abandoned Coral (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools: sponges, black embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #1 - Feathers

In the Studio with Susan, Christine, and Trina

Hi everyone.  Last month I had three friends over to make some cards.  We had a great time watercolouring.  I borrowed this beautiful Penny Black stamp from Susan.  Watercoloured with distress inks and then added a soft watercolour wash to the background.  To finish, I added a bit of clear Wink of Stella for a little shimmer on the berries, leaves and bits of the pine cone (doesn't show in photo).

Here's a close-up.

Here's another card I made that same day ... again with no-line watercolouring.

Another Penny Black stamp.  This one I've had for quite a few years.  Watercoloured with distress inks.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1
Stamps:  Cones & Berries (Penny Black); Greetings Sentiment (believe stamp set - Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  water brush, Clear Wink of Stella

Card #2:
Stamps:  Red Star (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media card stock (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  waterbrush

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up December Challenge - Anything Goes
CAS Watercolour December Challenge - Anything Goes