Brusho Snowflakes

Hi everyone.  Today I made my first Christmas card of the year ... never too early to start, right??!!  :)

The snowflakes were done with Brushos Colour Crystals ... my plan was to play with them today and I did!!  Love the vibrant and intense colours of these watercolours. The snowflakes above are done on watercolour paper, but I experimented with regular card stock and with glossy, and they each have a different look.  I'll use them on future cards.  So fun to play! :)

I used a vellum strip to keep the card looking very clean, heat embossing the sentiment in white.

I made the card for a few challenges ...

First up, the challenge at Merry Monday (#140) to use a snowflake(s) on your card. This was my jumping off point.  Here's the inspiration picture for Merry Monday ... doesn't it look yummy!!

I also used the sketch from STAMPlorations (#25), and used Stamps and Ink so I can enter their January challenge as well - bonus!!

This is also a good example of a clean slate card for Virginia's View #11 challenge.  I have the feeling most of my cards will fit this category! :)   Lots of white space on this one.

It is a winter card, so perfect for the challenge at Just Us Girls (#274) where the word is "Winter".

And this is for the SCS (Splitcoast Stampers) CAS Challenge (#306 - white + one colour).

Another multi-challenge card ... I'm on a roll:)

Stamps:  Sentiment - Holiday Sketches: Christmas Flower (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press); Vellum (Bazzill)
Ink:  Versamark; Brusho Colour Crystals
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder, heat tool, water mister, Stitched Snowflake dies (Lil' Inkers); Small Snowflake dies (Impression Obsession)

Challenges:
Merry Monday #140
STAMPlorations Sketch Challenge #25
STAMPlorations January Challenge
Virginia's View #11
JUGS #274
SCS - CAS #306

PS ... I Love U

OK, so I posted this card a few hours ago ... and somehow it disappeared.  I went back in to see what happened, and most of my blog post is missing.  How the heck did that happen??!! :)  Darn technology ... couldn't possibly be me??!! :)  Here is is ... again.

Hi everyone.  Today is a snow day for me :)  My plan was to play with my brushos ... but, I had an idea for a card that would fit a few challenges that are currently running, so thought I'd play along.  Honestly, I saw this fun free digital image from Hannelie, a long time ago, and have wanted to make this card since she posted it ... it's about time! :)

I LOVE this sentiment and knew exactly what I wanted to make with it.  Hannelie has many, many free sentiments on her blog that she freely shares with everyone --- so generous!  If you haven't been by to see her at Desert Diva ... then you're really missing out.  She is one talented card making ... and her blog is filled with gorgeous cards to inspire.  Thanks Hannelie!

My card today is for three challenges.  The idea as sparked by the current challenge at Inkspirational.  Like I said, I've had this card in my head for a long time and so happy to finally get it made.  LOVE the new graphics for their challenge --- looking good, girls!

This is also for the latest NBUS Challenge run by our good friend, Darnell (Dolly to me!).  Because of Dolly's wonderful encouragement, I have pulled out never-before-used-schtuff, given it a dusting off and been glad I did.  For today, I used the note edge punch that I've owned for over three years and never used --- crazy!!  Plus I used the NBUS of the sentiment from Hannelie ... so two for the price of one :) Thanks Dolly for encouraging us to use our NBUS!

And, this card is also for the latest challenge at Virginia' View (#11 - Clean Slate).  I didn't find time to play much last year, but hope to join in more of her wonderful challenges this year.  Virginia has the most wonderful and fun challenges, with lots of amazing sample cards, and fabulous guest designers.  I think my card is in the "Card with lots of white space" category. :)

Stamps:  PS I Love U (Desert Diva); Pencil (free digital image from internet)
Paper:  White; Just Add Cake DSP (SU!)
Ink:  Copics
Accessories & Tools:  note edge punch, pewter brad, cork, wink of stella

Challenges:
Inkspiration #73
NBUS #3
Virginia's View #11

New CAS Challenge at Happy Little Stampers

Hi everyone.  At Happy Little Stampers we have started a new Challenge for 2015 ... CAS Cards --- yay!!  Here's our first challenge ...

I used a version of the Acrylic Block Watercolouring technique for my card above (see Kylie's tutorial HERE).  This card is CAS Mixed Media with a watercoloured background, stenciled leaves, and stamped script.  An alcohol ink sponged copper leaf is my focal point and a simple banner finishes the card.  There's still lots of white space.

There are so many wonderful watercolouring techniques that can be used for making cards.  Use any type of products for your watercolouring ... paints, inks, watercolour pencils, markers.  And use any technique that works for you.  It's all about having fun!

Make sure to keep your card CAS and then enter it into the challenge at Happy Little Stampers blog.

You can also add it to your gallery at Happy Little Stampers Forum with a link to the challenge there ... all entries are automatically entered  for a chance to win a monthly random prize draw.  Not a member??  Join up today!  Membership is free ... so join in, set up a gallery and start adding your cards.  Then link up to the challenge on HLS Blog and Forum.  We'd love to see you there!

New to watercolouring??  Check out the challenge, where you'll find links to some watercolouring tutorials to try.  And you'll find cards to inspire you ... thanks to Karen (Snippets) for being our first guest designer for the CAS challenges!

I'll be back in a week with a reminder card using a different watercolouring technique. :)

Stamps:  En Francais (SU!); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White (card base); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick, Ripe Persimmon, Brushed Corduroy (Distress Inks by Tim Holtz); Poppyfield and Honeycomb Alchohol Inks (Ranger)
Accessories & Tools:  Acrylic block, water mister, leaf stencil made with my Silhouette Cameo, copper sheet, Little Leaves die (Sizzix for SU!), blending solution, cotton balls

Welcome Baby

Hi everyone.  It's the start of a new year, and with that comes a new challenge from Mixed Media Card Challenges.  This month the challenge is ...

Seems fitting, right??!!  What better "new" to celebrate that the birth of a child??!! :)  I incorporated the optional element of tissue paper in the oval background.  I saw this done on my friend Mary's blog.  LOVED the look and thought it would be perfect for this. I followed Mary's instructions, adding a layer of gesso over my card stock, followed by a piece of tissue paper (which has been crumpled into a ball, and then open up and added on top, leaving some of the creases and texture).  Followed this by another layer of gesso.  For adding colour, I sponged on a bit of soft yellow and soft pink ink, but it looked too boring, so sprayed on top with a spray I made from the same soft pink ink, mixed with frost paint (to add shimmer) and lots of rubbing alcohol.  I know that rubbing alcohol is a bit stinky, so I made sure to have the window open a little.  It goes away fairly quickly.  I could use water, but find the rubbing alcohol dries quickly and works better for me.

I made the pram from a circle die-cut with a small wedge cut out, added some lace and satin ribbon trim, and thick wire for the legs and handle (using needle nose pliers to shape).  I added two little flower buttons for the wheels and a small banner sentiment. The background is a star stencil, coated with embossing paste and then covered with iridescent embossing powder, which was heat set once the paste was dry.

Had a lot of fun making this card! :)

I hope you'll join in our challenge.  There's lots of time to play ... the challenge is open until January 25th.  Click HERE to check out the challenge and to see the amazing creations from the rest of the talented Design Team.

Stamps:  Short and Sweet (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Blushing Bride (SU!)
Ink:  Smoky Slate, Blushing Bride, So Saffron (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Star stencil cut with my Silhouette Cameo, embossing paste, "Ice" embossing powder (SU!), gesso, paint brush, spray mist, oval nestie and circle nestie (Spellbinders), lace, satin ribbon, thick wire, flower buttons