Just Us Girls #803 -- Stencil Week

Hello and welcome!  This marks my fourth and final post as guest designer with Just Us Girls.  It's been fun and the team has been very gracious.  Before I forget, I'd like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends as we all observe the day.  Things aren't always perfect, but there's generally something to be thankful for.

Today the prompt is "anything goes with a stencil".

I don't often remember to use my stencils, but I sure enjoy them when the time comes.  In this case I intended to go very light with the retired (?) SU River Rock ink, matching the River Rock cardstock.  If any of you have this color, you know it's a very soft, gentle green, almost a neutral -- not the near neon it appears in the photo.  My camera goes a little wonky with anything that has a yellow undertone.

In real life it made a nice background for my Penny Black Poinsettia Trio which was stamped in the same River Rock.  The lines were nicely visible long enough for me to color, and then they obligingly disappeared.  Copics did the job on Strathmore Vellum Surface Mixed Media paper, with some of the fine lines and details added courtesy of the skinny tip of a Tombow marker.  The poinsettia pot rests on a sweep of Penny Black's Graceful Holly, with gold accents to finish.

How about you and your stencils joining the JUGS team for a little play this week?  It's been fun for me!

Thank you all for your time.  Have a lovely day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Poinsettia Trio  Paper:  Strathmore Mixed Media Vellum Surface for stamp, Neenah 80 lb for stenciled background, Stampin' Up River Rock (green)  Ink:  SU River Rock  Coloring:  Copic markers, fine tip Tombow for skinny details  Other:  Penny Black Graceful Holly, Impression Obsession Holiday Bottom Word Edgers, Lawn Fawn Outside In Stitched Scalloped Rectangle Stacklets (for scalloped edge), stencil from collection found on Amazon, gold pearls, gold self-adhesive trim, Goldenrod Stickles

Pure Sunshine

Hello there!  I'm glad you could drop in.  As I write this I'm about to put my feet up for a while before dinner, but first wanted to get this post scheduled -- two cards for four challenges.  Honestly, I really wanted to color something and you know how I love my Penny Black stamps.  This Pure Sunshine stamp is large and in charge, but it has a somewhat playful nature and that's what I love about it.

I put it in my MISTI along with two A2 watercolor cardstock panels side by side, then stamped right over top of the joint, half on one panel, half on the other.  I watercolored each with my oldie Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Earth Elements.

I also lightly stenciled the background of each, brushed on just a little bit of ink for barely there shading, and stamped with a retired SU splatter stamp -- Itty Bitty Backgrounds.  I'm sending the first card to The Flower Challenge where they're asking to see the word "thanks".  I wasn't sure how literal I needed to be, but I played it safe and chose a sentiment with the actual word.

The next card is going to the other three challenges which I've listed below.  I had each of them specifically in mind as I made my design choices.

 

The Flower Challenge #108 -- Thanks

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Anything Goes or Optional Music
Triple B -- Birds, Blooms, and/or Butterflies

Stencil Fun Challenge -- Anything Goes or Use Gold

 

  

Can we agree that Triple B always has the most gorgeous inspiration boards?

Well, this was fun!  Supplies are listed below.  I generally list everything, even if it's no longer on the market because I'm sure we all have a mish mash of supplies in our collections.

Off to the couch for a bit!  I'm sure I'll be joined by something soft and lovable, either white or red... you know what I'm talking about.  Take care and have a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Pure Sunshine, retired Power Poppy and Impression Obsession sentiments, retired Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Backgrounds splatter stamp  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Cougar Natural card base  Ink:  Ranger Archival Watering Can for outline, SU Chocolate Chip for sentiment, Close to Cocoa for splatter stamp, Ranger Adirondack Sandal (old stash) for stenciling  Coloring:  SU Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder Crayons (retired)  Other:  5" Stencil from a large set found on Amazon

Guest Designing with Just Us Girls

Hi all!  It's an honor and great fun to be guest designing with the team at Just us Girls this month!  Today marks their 800th challenge and that's something to celebrate, so let's get to it!

Some of the team members are offering prizes along the way, so you'll want to be sure and visit all the  blogs and leave them some love to be eligible.

I couldn't help myself... I set aside all the fall and Christmas supplies so I could color up this little Penny Black guy who knows how to have a good time.  Could I possibly be missing summer already? 

I stamped him right over top of my stenciled circle (sun?) and then colored with Copics.  The grass is an oldie from my stash, as is the flower border and polka dot paper.  In fact the dog is an oldie, too, but newish to me as I continue to collect some favorite older Penny Black sets.

I punched dots for the flower centers and to scatter along the image panel.  Keeping it simple, but fun!

Come and play with us at Just Us Girls!  The team has lots of fabulous celebratory samples to inspire you.

Take care and have a joy filled day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Good Times dog and To You sentiment, Posh Impressions Wild Grass  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, Bazzill kraft, Echo Park designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up Barely Banana  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Lil' Inker Silly Stitched Die Set, Poppystamps Floral Dotted Border, 1/8" & 1/4" hole punches, JudiKins Diamond Glaze

Penny Black Christmas

Hello and welcome, friends!  Five more Christmas cards are in the box now that I've finished a batch with a set from my Penny Black collection.  Wintertime Cheer goes back to 2016, but it's new to me this year.  I colored and cut out all the images -- Tombow markers & blender on watercolor paper -- and then assembled into cards.

To begin, I'm playing along with Jo and Elf Loll at the Christmas Kickstart Challenge where this month's theme is "Snow Alert".  My furry friend is determined to deliver his presents so he loaded up his trailer and is trundling through the white stuff with more flakes falling as he goes.

Taylored Expression Jingle all the Way, Memory Box Bauble Snowflake,
Impression Obsession Small Snowflake Set, white acrylic paint,
Simple Stories Fresh Snow designer paper

There is Diamond Stickles for sparkle, glaze on the jingle bells, a background from my stash behind the sentiment panel.

The next card is the simplest and my favorite of the bunch.  You'd think I'd learn.  I'm trying.

Penny Black Joy Edger and Graceful Holly
stash sentiment

From dogs to cat and mouse... I used some ages old designer paper on the sentiment and scattered die cut poinsettias and snowflakes below.  Pine branches lightly texture the white space overhead.

Penny Black Jolly Edger, Memory Box Seraphine Laurel (poinsettias)
Impression Obsession Small Snowflake Set
Tim Holtz Sizzix Pine Branches embossing folder

Finally, two cards, one photo.  

Penny Black Joy & Warmth sentiments, Penny Black Wood Floor
Impression Obsession Birch Tree Rectangle and Small Snowflake Set
Memory Box Seraphine Laurel, Poppystamps Prim and Proper Bow
MFT Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Frames

That wraps it up!  How about some challenges?

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #103 - Snow Alert -- Sending my first card along for that.
Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge #98 -- The team has amazing samples following an inspiring mood board.  I'm sending my humble tractor & dog to join the convoy.
NBUS Challenge #79 -- Never before used schtuff.  Today my PB Wintertime Cheer, Jolly Edger, Joy Edger, and Graceful Holly are all being used for the first time

 

 

All my remaining Christmas cards will be made with never before used supplies as I have managed to gather quite a collection this year through sales, gifts, and just plain love of the craft.  Not sorry.

Thank you for coming to say "hi"!  I appreciate you and wish you a happy day!

Polar Friends x 2

Hello everyone!  One last card for the week and, yes, I've used the Simon Says Stamp Ocean Horizons die again.  This time it's a moonlit sky for a Christmas card.  Ink blended and splattered with water, it made the ideal background for this sweet stamp from the Penny Black Christmas Cubs set.  I loved every stamp in the PB Christmas release, but with unprecedented reserve I chose just one for now.

I colored with Copics and hand cut the images.

Dreaming up a quicker process...  I cut the die from 80 lb Neenah card stock and the pieces stayed in the die as I'd hoped.  I next applied strips of 1 1/2" wide Scor-tape (or sookwang tape) to the back of the die, pressing it firmly onto all the cardstock pieces.  I was then able to pull the overlapping tape tabs to carefully lift the cut pieces out as a whole.  I brushed on the inks, removed the backing and applied the panel to my card front.  Very quick!

I added sparkle to the snow.  Maybe you can see it a little bit in the picture below.

While I was at it I naturally had to color the second image in the set.  This time I stamped and colored directly onto the paper.  Brushed inks onto the background and cut some snowflakes from Penny Black's Crystal Frames.  The sentiment is a much older Penny Black birthday sentiment, Wrap a Hug, which I thought it was pretty cute with the image.  💛  There's a Christmas sentiment inside.

Challenges today:

Peace on Earth #96 -- They have a fabulous inspiration board, but anything goes as long as it's Christmas.
Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Anything goes Penny Black, optional spots and/or stripes
NBUS Challenge #78 -- Never before used schtuff.  My PB Christmas Cubs stamp set was NBUS.

  

Thank you so much for visiting.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Christmas Cubs and Wrap a Hug  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb, Stampin' Up Bashful Blue, something shimmery navy on Card #2  Ink:  Memento London Fog for stamped images, Memento Tuxedo Black for sentiment on Card #1, various Stampin' Up blues for backgrounds  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Penny Black Crystal Frames for snowflakes on Card #2, Diamond Stickles glitter glue, 1 1/2" Scor-tape as explained in post

The Flower Challenge Sketch

Hello friends!  How about some spring flowers in fall?  The Flower Challenge is a welcoming place for flowers year 'round, and this month they've given us a sketch for starters.  I'd set aside Penny Black's Good Wish Bouquet for NBUS coloring and I figured I could make it work with the sketch.

Here's the basic idea:

I added the band on the left to cover an unstamped edge.  The background is Hero Arts Leafy Vines.  I used blending brushes to apply inks to the stamp in my MISTI, and was pleasantly surprised at what a nice job it did.  Colors are listed in the recipe.

The flower stamp and butterflies are watercolored with Twinkling H2Os on 140 lb hot pressed WC paper.  I hand cut the flower and vase.  This set is part of a group I've stamped with intentions of coloring, cutting out, and setting aside to be made into cards as time allows.  I need this outlet, and it's nice to have something creative/crafty in the works for whenever I have a few or a lot of minutes.

I've also simplified the photo process -- same set up every time, no props.  I'm feeling optimistic as opposed to overwhelmed.

I'm sending my card and a big thanks to the following challenges.  The administrators and DTs put a lot of work into these challenges and I do appreciate it.

The Flower Challenge:  Use the Sketch
NBUS #78 -- Never before used schtuff -- That would be my Penny Black Good Wish Bouquet
Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Optional spots and/or stripes

And one more per Lisa's friendly reminder:

Just Us Girls #792 -- Word Week -- Container

    

A big thanks to all of you, too, for stopping by.  What would I do without my crafty friends?  Group hug!

Stamps:  Penny Black Good Wish Bouquet, Hero Arts Leafy Vines  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 & 110 lb, SU Old Olive  Ink:  Ranger Archival Watering Can for flowers, Memento Tuxedo Black for sentiment, SU Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun for background  Coloring:  Watercolor with Twinkling H2Os  Other:  Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers, Impression Obsession Butterfly Set, SU Subtle 3D embossing folder, Honey Bee gems

Bird with Pansies

Hi, and welcome to a new month!  One more card for this week.  This is the Penny Black Perch set again and definitely the stamp that sold me the set.  I just love the sweet bird.  It looks like it's smiling.

It's colored with Tombow markers and blender on hot press watercolor paper.  Sometimes I just stamp a set's images, then color and cut out and think about the cards later.  That's the case here.  It seems there are more options (and more fun) with the card design when I'm working with a collection of homemade ephemera.  The same goes for dies.  Gee, I think I'll get started on a bagful today!

I used some of that JarThenaAMCS paper again, an Amazon find.  I especially love this piece.  You'd think they could make the name more appealing.  It's actually quite nice paper.

I'm moving over to the other side of the room now, where I have a few things on my table waiting for playtime.  I hope we can visit again real soon!

Stamps:  Penny Black Perch and Enchantingly (sentiment)  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb, designer paper from Amazon  Ink:  Ranger Archival Shadow Grey, Stampin' Up Mellow Moss  Coloring:  Tombow markers and homemade blender  Other:  Spellbinders Scallop Labels and Tag, Memory Box Fairy Jewels

Spring Flowers in July (almost August!)

Hi friends!  I thought I'd do some stamping and coloring this week.  I haven't had so much crafty time , but I can generally find a few minutes to color a flower or two.  With that in mind I stamped some Penny Black and got to work.

This stamp is from the Perch set, which I think was released this year.  I'm so far behind in my not-yet-used goodies that I lose track of time.  The sentiment is also Penny Black, very old (2011) and I still use it lots.

Coloring was done on hot press watercolor paper with Tombow markers and homemade blender solution (recipe found online).  Fill a blank Copic marker and use it very much like a watercolor brush.  It sure seemed like the green was a better match with the paper, but the camera will do what it wants.  You know how that goes.  I hand cut the image and sentiment, tucked the flowers into a wonky-curved pocket made with oval dies, then stuck all that onto a background embossed with a favorite old Cuttlebug folder.  Only the sentiment is popped up.

About that leafy paper... I found it through an Amazon ad on Pinterest and the only name on it is JarThenaAMCS.  Apparently it's a whole store.  You just never know what you're going to come across next.

No challenges today.  Just me having a play with my toys.

Wishing you a lovely day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Perch, Penny Black To You  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb for background, 110 lb for sentiment, Prism Dark Herbal Garden (old), JarThenaAMCS designer paper (from Amazon)  Ink:  Ranger Archival Shadow Grey, Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Tombows and blender  Other:  Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Cuttlebug Birds and Swirls embossing folder, Memory Box Fairy Jewels gems, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Camping on the Water's Edge

Hello!  I'm back with a reminder card for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  It's been a treat to play along as guest designer this month!

  

The theme is always "anything goes", and the optional theme this month is "in or on the water".

*******

The scene-making bug took hold of me for this card.  It just happened.  I combined the Penny Black Camping stamp (💗) with the Immense Enjoyment die and gave her a campsite by the water.  I had help with other dies from my stash, plus managed to work some designer paper into it as well.

The site resembles a few places we've camped in eastern Oregon or Utah.  Fun times!

Maybe you've got a Penny Black stamp or two and you'd like to play along in the challenge.  We'd love to see you there!

Enjoy your day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Camping, retired SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds splatter stamp  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, green scraps, KaiserCraft Hunt & Gather designer paper  Ink:  Various Stampin' Up  Coloring:  Copics  Dies:  Penny Black Immense Enjoyment, Memory Box Pine Trees, Poppystamps Stitched Landscapes, Impression Obsession Mountains