NBUS Challenge #7

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with Darnell's NBUS  (never-before-used-schtuff) Challenge.  Can't believe this is already the 7th one!

I have a HUGE stash of NBUS ... and the pile seems to grow bigger each passing day.  I think maybe I need to stop buying for a while, but what is the fun in that??!! :)

This stencil is new-to-me ... just got it a couple of weeks ago and this is it's first time out of the package.  I do love stencils! :)

I sponged over top of this stencil in three colours.  The colour in the center (Abandoned Coral) has not been used before, even though I've had it for a while. :)

And I think this is the first time I've used black foam behind a die-cut (sentiment), even though I bought the foam a few months ago. :)

Thanks to Darnell, I was inspired to pull out some new (and old) items that have never been used.  Come play along and join in the fun!  We ALL have NBUS items just waiting for some love.  Click HERE to get to the NBUS Challenge #7.

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Just letting you know that I will be MIA for a little while.  I'm taking a medical break to deal with some issues.  Have been super busy the past few months getting everything organized and cards made ahead for the CAS Mix Up design team.  Also managed to get several meals in the freezer, which will make life a little easier for hubby as he'll be on nurse duty for the next little while. :)  I expect with his wonderful care, I will be back on-line soon! :)

In the meantime, I have a few scheduled posts that will be going up so you'll be seeing those starting on Sept. 1st with the launch of the next CAS Mix Up challenge.

Hope to be back soon!

Stamps:  Sentiment - Bloom Sketches (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Large Flower Stencil - Hero Arts, sponges, shimmer mist, Small hello die (Simon Says), Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
NBUS Challenge #7

Stamp Connection Guest Designer

Hi everyone.  Today I'm honoured to be a Guest Designer for Stamp Connection #16 - Brushos.

Tanja (Little Art Cottage) and Cornelia (Fun Stamping) started Stamp Connection just over a year ago.  They meet up on-line monthly, alternating who picks the challenge.  This time it's Tanja's turn and she picked Brushos.  She asked if I'd like to join them as Guest Designer for this challenge and I jumped at the chance.  I do love to get inky with Brushos! :)

The card above has been heat embossed in white with a grid stamp on mixed media paper.  I then sprinkled turquoise, leaf green and lime green Brushos over top and spritzed with lots of water.  I tilted my card front so the colours flowed into each other.

Once dry, I simply added a white die-cut leafy sprig, white embossed black sentiment banner, and a few sequins for sparkle.

Thanks to Tanja and Cornelia for inviting me to join them for this fun challenge.

Now onto their cards.

Please click HERE to see Tanja's Brushos card.

And click HERE to see Cornelia's Brushos card.

Both of these card makers are so talented and innovative with their creations.  Make sure to drop by to check out their designs and leave them some love.

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Also, this is reminder about the CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Sprays.  I used water spray, along with my Brushos to colour the background.  The challenge is still open for a few more days, closing Aug. 24th at midnight (PDT).  Hope you'll come play along.

Stamps:  Grid (Simon Says); Sentiment - Painted Butterflies (Altenew)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Versamark:  Brushos:  Turquoise, Leaf Green, Lime Green
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder, heat tool, Fresh Foliage die (Memory Box), stylus and mat for shaping leaves, sequins

Challenges:
Stamp Connection #16 - Brushos - Tanja / Cornelia
CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Sprays

Watercolour Sprays

Hi everyone.  This is a reminder that the CAS Mix Up Challenge for August is Sprays.

I used watercolour sprays for my background of my card.  My favourite colours (yellow, orange and magenta) were sprayed, blotted with a paper towel, and sprayed again until I got the depth of colour I wanted.

I make my own watercolour sprays using Liquid Watercolor Concentrate from Dick Blick.  Check out this video by the Frugal Crafter.

I love the liquid concentrate ... works for making sprays, also for watercolouring (just dilute with a little water).  And if you want really vibrant, saturated colours, you can use them straight out of the bottle.

On top of my sprayed background, I sponged over a beautiful stencil I got as a gift from my dear friend, Bonnie.  Isn't it pretty??!!  I added just a little detailing with my white gel pen, and matched that with a white, heat embossed sentiment.

Click HERE to see the rest of the Design Team's reminder cards, along with a wonderful card made by our Guest Designer, Joanna.  You'll be glad you did.

And then come play along.  We'd love to see you in the gallery!  The challenge closes on August 24th at midnight (PDT).

Stamps:  Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Picked Raspberry, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Watercolour sprays made from Liquid Concentrate in yellow, orange and magenta (Dick Blick); Lovely Large Flower stencil (Studio 490 - Wendy Vecchi), sponges, white gel pen, white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Sprays

Playing with Watercolours

Today I have the whole day free to just play in my studio.  I follow both Bobby and Vicki's blogs and they are Design Team Members for Just Us Girls.  I saw that this week's challenge is watercolouring, so thought I'd play along. :)

I placed the stamp in my Misti and used my distress markers to ink up the leaves (using two shades of green).  Spritzed with water and stamped onto Hot Press watercolour paper.  Then I inked the stamp again, this time with two shades of purple on the flowers only, spritzed and stamped.  I removed the card front from the Misti and used a small brush and clean water to add to the inked images.  I love the softness of using this technique.

To finish, I splattered with more of the two shades of green, and then stamped the sentiment (pressing and re-inking three times to get good coverage). What did I ever do before the Misti??!!

Come join the fun.  Make sure to check out the Design Team cards and the amazing Guest Designer card from my friend Colleen.  Lots of wonderful inspiration!

This also fits the Penny Black Saturday Challenge for August - Your Favourite Technique.  Watercolouring is one of my favourites. :)  So I'm heading over to join in the fun.

Have a great day!

Stamps:  Full Bloom (Penny Black); Sentiment - Painted Petals (SU!)
Paper:  Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb. hot press)
Ink:  Distress ink markers:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Paint brushes

Challenges:
Just Us Girls #356 - Watercoloring
Penny Black Saturday for August - Your Favourite Technique