Winter Sky

Hi everyone.  I can't believe we are into fall and Christmas is not long away.  It's the start of the Happy Little Stampers October Sketch Challenge, and this month I made a Christmas card to add to my stash. :)

Here's the sketch ...

This challenge is sponsored by

Plus

I tried a new-to-me technique called Floating Alcohol Inks to make this background. I actually took an afternoon to experiment a while back and made about 20 different backgrounds in just minutes. :)  The biggest time is waiting for the card stock to dry! :)  This is one of those "you get what you get" types of techniques.  The inks float in the water and then you dip your card and you never know what you're going to get. I love the randomness of it.

To me, the colour combination and pattern above looked like a cold winter sky, perfect for my sketch card. :)  And I had another background which was similar, but had a bit of darker blue added (reminds me of the northern lights), so I made a second card with the same design.  I'm going to keep one for myself, and the other will be donated. :)

We are excited to have our very first Guest Designer for the Sketch challenge.  A warm welcome to Valentyna (Flourishtina).  We're so happy to have you with us this month for the sketch challenge!  Please click HERE to check out Valentyna's amazing sketch card, along with the cards from the rest of our very talented Design Team members.  I'm sure you'll be inspired to join in the fun.

Hope to see you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps:  Mixed Christmas Sentiments (Happy Little Stampers)

Paper:  White (Neenah); Mixed Media (Strathmore)
Ink:  Alcohol inks: Botanical and Mermaid (Ranger)
Accessories & Tools:  Country Landscape die (Memory Box); Dazzling Details glitter glue (SU!)

Challenges:

HLS October Sketch

Smooshing in the Studio

Hi everyone.  Yesterday I spent the day in my studio with two crafty friends, Debbie and Frances.  We used to work together and have know each other for over 30 years ... where does the time go??!!

I showed them the smooshing technique using different papers (watercolour, mixed media) and two mediums (distress ink, inka gold wax paste).  We made a bunch of backgrounds and found time for each of us to make six cards, as well as having many backgrounds left over to make into cards later.  So fun!

Above is one I made die-cutting an inka gold smooshed background.  Love the soft and shimmery colours.

Frances mention that it was a shame to throw away the leftover background with the leaves cut out from it, so I showed her and Debbie how to create an inlaid die-cut card ... a "twofer" as Darnell would say! :)

I hope you have a fun and inky day!!  Thanks for dropping by for a visit!!  I always love hearing from you. :)

Stamps:  Just for You sentiment (Butterfly Birthday set from Happy Little Stampers); Thinking of you sentiment (A Little Sentimental stamp set from Clearly Besotted)

Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Mixed Media (Stratmore)
Ink:  Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Inka Gold in Jade, Steel Blue and Platinum), water mister, Fresh Foliage die-cut (Memory Box)

Life is ART, Paint your DREAMS

Hi everyone.  Time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS.

This challenge is being hosted by the very talented Ksenija (Sweet Kobylkin). She chose this fabulous code word ...

This challenge is sponsored by

I thought an "artsy" design was fitting for this large sentiment which is the main focal point of the card.  I sponged light blue over a mesh stencil for the background, and then used two different splat stamps to add more interest in lime green and bright blue.  Then I stamped the sentiment in the same bright blue to finish the card.  Easy and quick card to make.

This month, we are excited to have Dawn (Designs by Dragonfly) as our Guest Designer.  Please click HERE to see Dawn's amazing Dream card ... and the cards from the rest of the very talented Design Team.  I know you'll be inspired to join in.

Come join in the fun!  Make a CAS (clean and simple) card that shows your interpretation of "Dream" and link to our challenge.  Hope to see you in the gallery.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Life is Art (Stampendous); Gorgeous Grunge (SU!)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Broken China, Twisted Citron, Mermaid Lagoon (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Textured Mesh stencil (Memory Box)

Challenges:

ATCAS #73 - Dream

Happy Birthday Nancy!

Hi everyone.  Today is a special birthday for a very special friend of mine. :)  Happy Birthday Nancy!!  Hope you have a WONDERFUL day!  xx

I know she loves watercoloured cards, so I made this using a stamp set I hadn't inked before.  It was fun to pull out something new (to me) and play.  I masked off the section for my sentiment first.  Then I inked the leaf stamps with two shades of green Zig Clean Colour Real Brush markers.  I misted with water and then stamped onto my card front (mixed media paper).  Then I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to position the flower stamp into place, removed it, inked it with orange and pink Zigs, spritzed with water and stamped.  I removed the mask and stamped my sentiment. I thought it needed something more, so use a black sharpie to add the two lines with a ruler, and a few dots on the flowers. :)

Last week I received my latest Simon Says Stamp order in the mail.  I shared this on Facebook a few days ago, but wanted to add it here too! :)  I've already started using some of my new toys ... cards will be posted soon! :)

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

Stamps:  Painted Petals (SU!); Butterfly Birthday sentiment (Happy Little Stampers)

Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Mixed media paper (Strathmore)
Ink:  Zigs (Kuretake), Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, water brush, fine black sharpie, masking tape