Gesso through Stencil

Hi everyone.  Hope you are having a great day!  

Sharing another new-to-me technique.  Following Eileen Godwin's methods, I sponged (very lightly) gesso through a stencil (Leaves - Simon Says Stamp - retired) onto my card front.  It dries in seconds and then I could move on to the next part, which was sponging distress inks (Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick) over top of the gesso'd stenciling (I masked a border before starting).  Used blender brushes to get a nice blend of colour and then used a damp paper towel to remove some of the ink from the gesso'd areas (resist).  Removed the mask and then stamped my image (Wildflowers - Inkadinkado) and sentiment (Cosmos - Technique Tuesday - retired).

To finish added some Clear Wink of Stella around the outside of the stenciling leaves and stems, making sure not to touch the black ink stamped wildflower because it was done in non-permanent ink.  Added a few white dots around the stem of the flower to complete the card. 

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This is another technique I did with my friends over Zoom.  We are learning to much and having a lot of fun! :)

Is it just me, or does it seem like stamps and stencils are being retired more quickly now??!!  I guess it's all to keep us buying the latest new releases.  But I do love a lot of my older stamps and stencils and I won't be getting rid of them.  This just means my studio is bursting at the seams right now and I really need to find a larger space. :)

I'm sending this card over to the Seize the Birthday #207.  I'm not using the optional topping this month, but wanted to share my latest birthday card! :)

Stamps:  Meadow (Inkadinkado); Cosmos (Technique Tuesday - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   White Gesso, Leaves Stencil (Simon Says Stamp), sponge, blending brushes, masking tape, Clear Wink of Stella, White Posca pen

Challenges:
Seize the Birthday #207 - Hearts

The Flower Challenge #53

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the new challenge at The Flower Challenge #53.

This is a new-to-me stamp (Statement Flowers - Simon Says Stamp) that I watercoloured with distress inks on mixed media paper.  I first added some stenciled dots (Mini Tiny Circles Stencil - TCW) to the background before stamping and colouring the flowers.  I do love the large size of these flowers --- were fun to watercolour.  To finish, I added a shadow around the flowers using a dark gray Zig brush marker.  Both the flowers and sentiment (Many Everyday Messages - Hero Arts) are stamped in black and heat embossed in clear.

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We are thrilled to have Sathya (Sathya Paper Crafts) are our Guest Designer this month.  Make sure to check out the challenge blog to see the amazing art from our Designers and lovely Guest Designer, Sathya!

I hope to see you in our gallery!

Edited to Add:  Since this is the first time using this beautiful stamp, I'm heading over to add my card to the NBUS #23 gallery!

Stamps:  Statement Flowers (Altenew); Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)

Inks:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey; Zig: Gray

Accessories:  Mini Tiny Circles stencil (TCW), sponge, Clear embossing powder, heat tool, water brush

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #53 - Use your latest Stamps or Dies

NBUS #23 Challenge

CAS Christmas February Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today we're starting February's CAS Christmas Challenge.  This month is hosted by the talented Susan (Cardmaker's Garret).  Susan wants us to add to our CAS Christmas cards ....

So fun!  I bought a lot of Stamping Bella stamps last year when there was a big sale. :)  This is one of them - Christmas Tug of War.  I love how the dog and cat are "sharing" the gift ... I wonder who will win the tug of war??!!

I stamped in black ink and clear heat embossed before watercolouring with Zigs.  The colours are so bright and vibrant.

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I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the fun cards from our Designers as well as our wonderful Guest Designer, Jane (Onions and Paper).

Hope to see you in our gallery!!

Stamps:  Christmas Tug of War (Stamping Bella)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Momentum); Zigs (Kuretake)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder, heat tool, water brush

Challenges:
CAS Christmas February Challenge - Dogs and/or Cats

CAS Mix Up February Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the CAS Mix Up February Challenge.  This month is being hosted by the talented Nancy (scandinancy creates).  She has chosen ...

I bought this stencil YEARS ago but have never used it.  Shame on me! :)  Happy to show it some love this month.  Wanted to make a Valentine's card for my sweet hubby Gord.  Later this month we will also be celebrating our 42 wedding anniversary.  How do the years fly by so fast??!!

I placed the stencil (Mosiac Heart Stencil - Simon Says Stamp - retired) over my card front and randomly sponged three Distress inks (Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Candied Apple).  Once I was finished sponging, I removed my stencil and cleaned off any excess ink and then placed it back over top, lining up the design.  I pounced Versamark ink over the stencil, removed it and sprinkled with UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel), which I've also had for years.  It does give a very glossy, thick coat when melted.  I finished the card by adding a black sentiment banner with "LOVE YOU" (Many Everyday Messages from Hero Arts) embossed in white and repeated across the banner.  It's popped up on top to add a little dimension to the card.

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We are happy to have Arlene (Sunday Stamper Papercrafts) as our Guest Designer this month.  Please check out the challenge blog to see Arlene's card, along with cards from our Designers.

Then come play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Another item from my NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) pile, I'm sending this to the NBUS #23 gallery ...

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:   Distress inks: Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Candied Apple (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Mosiac Heart Stencil (Simon Says Stamp), sponges, UTEE, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up February Challenge - Stencil Heat Embossing

NBUS #23 Challenge