Magical Cork

Hi everyone.  No, this cork isn't magical as the title of my post implies. :)  But the cork does look good with the die-cut which has been coloured with Lindy's Magicals (Cattail Copper Brown).  I love that these little pots of powder are filled with goodness.  They are similar to Brushos in that each colour is actually made up of several different colours.  The great thing about Magicals ... they shimmer.  I have added a close-up photo below and hopefully you can see a bit of shimmer.

This is for the CAS Mix Up February Challenge - Felt, Cork, or Canvas.  I have already posted felt and canvas cards and couldn't miss out on the cork. :)

This cork is a gift from a sweet friend, and I had fun die-cutting it with my new-to-me leaf die that I HAD to have after seeing my Teamie Joanna use it.  Isn't is awesome.  This card is for my hubby's birthday in April.  He will love it!

Sprinkled magicals onto an acetate sheet, spritzed with a little water and smooshed the colour onto a regular piece of card stock.  Die-cut the leaf in frame and glued it on top of a cork background.  Added a stamped and heat embossed (in copper) sentiment.

Here's a close up ...

Since I had the negative pieces from the die-cut leaf sitting on my desk, I decided to make another card, this time inlaying the pieces into a white die-cut leaf frame.  Always great when you can use up those pretty bits and pieces.

... and here's the close-up ...

There's still a few days left before the CAS Mix Up Challenge closes at midnight (PST) Feb. 24th.  Hope you'll join us!

Stamps:  Fun Birthday Sentiments (Happy Little Stampers); Bouquet of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Lindy's Magicals (Autumn) - Cattail Copper Brown; Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Framed Fern die (Penny Black), water mister, acetate, copper embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up February Challenge - Felt, Cork, or Canvas

You Are Loved

Hi everyone.  It's time for the reminder about CAS Watercolour February Challenge - Heart.  The challenge is being hosted by the very talented Bonnie.

I didn't know where I was going with this card ... it just evolved and turned into something completely different than what I had in mind at the start.  The background is cold press watercolour paper.  I had created a background a while ago with orange and pink re-inkers and cling wrap.  I cut the flower heart from white for the front of my card and was going to just place it over top, but I wanted something with more umph! This means the original background wasn't going to show at all. :)  But the colour does add to the depth of the zig watercolouring I did on top.

First I used the card front as a template and outlined the image onto my watercolour panel using a metallic gold pen.  I used my zigs to watercolour the flowers in deeper colours.  Placed the die-cut panel over top and was happy with the results.  Stamped and heat embossed the sentiment in gold to match ... this is a great sentiment set that was gifted to me by a sweet friend.

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from our wonderful Guest Designer, Sue (Sue's Card Craft) and our talented designers.  Then come join us!

Stamps:  Simply Said: You (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb. cold press); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Zigs (Kuretake)
Accessories & Tools:  Flower Heart die (Simon Says Stamp); Gold metallic pen, paint brush, gold embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour February Challenge - Heart

Love and Hearts

Hi everyone.  It's half way through February and time for a reminder about the CAS Mix Up February Challenge - Felt, Cork, or Canvas.  This fun challenge is being hosted by our talented Design Team member, Joanna.

For the reminder, I'm using felt this time.  Felt is easy to die-cut and dry emboss, but it is best to glue it to a thin piece of card stock first so that it holds it shape.  That always helps it cut cleanly.  I used a Love die from AliExpress.

Stamping is a small row of hearts in silver.  I used the same silver (Delicata) and red ink to splatter the background.  The Love die is popped up on foam for lots of dimension.

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog reminder post with new inspiring designs from our Guest Designer, Marianne (Marianne's cards 'n stuff) and our team.  Then come and play along!

I'm adding this card to:  AAA #108 - All you need is LOVE

* * * * *

Bonnie and I are excited to announce the launch of a new challenge!

CAS Christmas Card Challenge

 We are thrilled to have a very talented group of Designers joining our team.

Check out the new challenge HERE.

* * * * *

Stamps:  Small hearts from Thoughtful Messages (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White (Neenah  110 lb. for card base; 65 lb. for adhering to felt)
Ink:  Delicata Silver (Tsukineko); Real Red (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories & Tools:  Red felt ($1 store), Love die (AliExpress), paint brush for splattering, foam

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up February Challenge - Felt, Cork, or Canvas
AAA #108 - All you need is Love

Twofer Card Challenge #2

Welcome to Twofer Card Challenge #2.  Thanks to all that played along with our first challenge last month.  The gallery was filled is beautiful feather cards!

February's challenge is ...

I used the same die for the two cards above.  This is the Stacking Hearts Die from Simon Says Stamp.

Both cards have the same background technique.  This is were I take one of my "mop up" paper towels, place it over top of a piece of watercolour paper or mixed media paper, spritz with water and then press firmly with my fingers to transfer the ink.  The colours are always soft and delicate.  I keep these backgrounds in my stash for when I want a softer looking card (or cards!).  Today is the day.

I die-cut the stacking hearts from white card stock, removed all the center hearts (which are already part of the die-cut) and I'm left with a frame of hearts.  I added a simple sentiment with white embossing on black card for the "sending" and black die-cut hugs (cut from black card stock and black foam as well and layered with the foam underneath for added dimension).  I used my clear wink of stella to add a bit of shimmer to the hugs.  For the finishing touch, I added some translucent blue and clear sequins for more sparkle.

Here's a close-up ...

The card above uses the hearts outline of the die, the card below uses the centers.

I sponged white card stock with worn lipstick and cut out the hearts.  I didn't worry about the sponging being perfect.  I like that the hearts have colour variation on each one.  The background matches with the paper towel transfer of ink in worn lipstick and mustard seed.  I stamped the sentiment in Delicata Gold ink.

Here's a close-up ...

There you have it ... two different card designs for two different occasions using the same die.  It's lots of fun.

Check out the challenge blog to see the amazing "Hearts" cards from the rest of our talented Design Team.  And then come play along.  The challenge is open for two weeks, closing on Feb. 24th.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

I'm sending the first card (Sending Hugs) to the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - It Must be Love and AAA Cards #108 - All You Need is Love.

I'm sending the second card (Heartfelt Thanks) to CAS on Sunday #126 - Dies and to CAS Watercolour February Challenge - Heart.  :)

Card 1:
Stamps:
Paper:  Mixed Media card stock (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Left over distress ink from earlier project - mopped up with paper towel; Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Stacking Hearts die (Simon Says Stamp), water mister, hugs die (?), clear wink of stella, white embossing powder, heat tool, sequins

Card 2:
Stamps:  Heartfelt (Penny Black)
Paper:  Watercolour paper (Arches Hot Press 140 lb.);
Ink:  Leftover ink from earlier project (Worn Lipstick, Mustard Seed) - mopped up with paper towel; Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  Water mister, sponge

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #2 - Hearts
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - It Must be Love
AAA Cards #108 - All You Need is Love
CAS on Sunday #126 - Dies
CAS Watercolour February Challenge - Heart