Delicate Sky

Hi everyone.  Time for the next challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This challenge is being run by the very talented Shana (Stress-free Stamping with Shana).  Shana chose this fabulous code word:

The challenge is being sponsored by

Prize:  5 digital images

I sponged three distress inks onto my main panel (Broken China, Peacock Feathers and Evergreen Bough), then stamped the branch in Versamark and heat embossed in white.  The sentiment is stamped in soft gray to match the soft colors of the sponged sky.  Super CAS and super simple card.

It's a new month and that means a new Guest Designer.  We are so excited to have Cathy (Cathy's Card Spot) join us for the month of July.  Check out the challenge - ATCAS#42 - code word SKY and see the fabulous  Design Team's cards! :)

As always, the challenge is open for two weeks, so there's lots of time to play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery! :)

Stamps:  Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah)
Ink:  Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Evergreen Bough (Distress Inks); Smoky Slate (SU!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, embossing buddy (powder); white embossing powder, heat tool

Full of Blooms

For my Mixed Media Card Challenge post, click HERE.

Hi everyone.  Exciting news!! :)  Today is my first card as one of the new Design Team members for Addicted to Stamps & More! Yay!  As some of you may remember, I was on this team a while back, but took a break as life got a bit crazy.  I'm happy to say that life is calmer and Kylie welcomed me back to the team - thank you Kylie! :)

Our challenge today is ATS&M#102 - Make Your Mark.  Use any kind of marker, pencils, watercolor crayons, gellatos, etc. that you have to create something special for this challenge.  I used the marker layering technique for this beautiful image from StampArt Designs (our sponsor for this challenge).

I love the pot full of pretty blooms and had fun coloring it.  Reminded me of coloring as a child - very fun! :)   I printed off the digital image onto watercolor paper, and then used my blender pen to pick up color from my marker tips and add them to the image.  Once I had a light base coat, I went back and added more color directly with my marker and then smoothed it out with the blender pen.  Just remember to only do a small area at a time so the watercolor paper is damp when blending, then move on to the next area.

Here's more info about the challenge ...

Our sponsor is

Prize:  5 digital images

The challenge is open for one week and any style of card is welcome.  Remember to follow the theme of the challenge (use markers)  ... and have fun! :)

Please click here to check out the challenge and see the amazing design team cards from the rest of the team.

Stamps:  Full Bloom (StampArt Designs); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  Watercolor (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Cameo Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Summer Sun, Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen

Touch of Nature

Hi everyone.  Today is the first challenge for the Mixed Media Challenge Blog (#1 - Touch of Nature:  optional element - tag).  I'm so excited to be a part of this wonderful challenge blog and work with a group of extremely talented and creative card-makers. :)

Before we get to my card info, I'd like to again let you all know that Mixed Media for this challenge is defined as using stamps, ink and two other items (techniques, mediums, embellishments, special tools, etc.) that add texture and dimension.

On my card today, I used a few different techniques and also added texture and dimension.  The background is a mesh stencil, which I spread with white embossing paste.  The white of the paste on the white card front gives lots of texture, while maintaining a CAS look.  I cut the fern from watercolor paper.  I pounced my craft sheet with distress inks, misted with water and then dragged my fern through the diluted inks (smooshing technique).  I let it dry and then dragged it through again to intensify the colors.  It picked up some of the three shades of green and made for a very interesting and textured look, even though it's just ink and paper.  I die-cut a square frame, sponged the edges for more color and popped it up on the background (more dimension).  The fern is adhered to the frame with little dabs of glue and then a tag with sentiment is added with some white twine.

Click here to check out the rest of the Design Team cards for this fun challenge ... you'll be glad you did! :)

The challenge is open until the 25th of July ... so there's lots of time to play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery! :)

Stamps:  Sentiment Builders Thank You (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah); watercolor (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  TH Distress Inks:  Old Paper, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Peacock Feathers; Bermuda Bay (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Silhouette Cameo for cutting fern, water mister, Big Shot, Square Nesties, Textured Mesh stencil (Memory Box), Embossing Paste (Wendy Vecchi), palette knife, white twine

Hello Dolly! :)

Hi everyone.  Here is the birthday card I made for Darnell (djkardkreations).  Her birthday isn't until next week, but for some reason, all the planets aligned with Canada Post and USPS and it arrived early.  So now that Darnell (aka Dolly to me!) has received her card, I thought I'd share it with you.

I inked up my "new-to-me" stamp from SU! called Vivid Vases.  I was inspired to buy this after seeing several beautiful cards made by my friend Nancy.  I just love the sweet little vases filled with flowers, and I colored it up brightly with Copics to send off with birthday wishes to Dolly.

Super simple card ... stamped, colored with Copics with some Crystal Effects added to the vases for dimension and shine.

Happy Birthday Dolly!! :)  Have a fun, fun birthday next week, my friend! :)

I'm entering this into two challenges:  CAS on Sunday #36 - Birthday ... and ATS&M #101 - Anything Goes.

____________________

I have some exciting news to share.  I have been selected to be on the Design Team for a new challenge blog - The Mixed Media Card Challenge.  Whoo ... hoo!! :)

I am so excited.  I already know a few of the other Design Team members, and am looking forward to getting to know the rest of this creative group of crafters.

Our first challenge goes live on July 1st ... I hope you'll play along with us - it's going to be a lot of fun!!

For those of you who are not familiar with mixed media, Shery (owner) has written up a description as it pertains to The Mixed Media Card Challenge blog.  I'm sure there are many descriptions, but Shery's is very straightforward ... include stamps, ink and at least two other items on your card.  Here's her write-up ...


WHAT'S A MIXED MEDIA CARD?

Straight up, a mixed media card is a card that is created using a variety of mediums.

For this card challenge blog, it means using any of the following in addition to the usual stamps and inks:

• Mediums that add texture.  Some examples: fabric, stitching, embossing paste, texture gel, gel medium, modeling paste, gesso, textured paper, glitter, found objects
• Mediums that give dimension.  Some examples: die-cuts, chipboard, embossing powders, epoxy/thick stickers, embellishments, found objects
• Mediums that allow you to use (and even combine) different techniques.  Some examples: watercolor, pastels, alcohol inks, markers, chalks, acrylic paint, oils, crayons

Even using various tools and supplies is okay.  Some examples: die-cutting machine (manual or electronic), monoprinting tools (Gelli plate), embossing folders, punches, dies, stencils, templates.

Basically, a card that has stamps and inks PLUS at least any two from the list above is a mixed media card in our book :o)

Stamps:  Vivid Vases (SU!)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah)
Ink:  Copics
Accessories & Tools:  Crystal Effects

Challenges:

CAS on Sunday #36

ATS&M #101