Thursday, September 03, 2026

September CAS Mix Up Challenge

Hi everyone.  This month at CAS Mix Up September Challenge is a Watercolour Challenge and we are asking for Sunflowers. :)  I used the no line watercolouring technique with diluted distress reinkers.


I started by stamping my image (Radiant from Penny Black) onto cold press w/c paper using Brushed Corduroy Distress ink (light touch).  I used my diluted distress inks to paint the image, using the faintly stamped outline as a guide. It worked great.  

When the image was dry, I added some splatters in dark brown.  I finished the card by stamping a sentimnt (Spring Sentiments - Stampendous) in Ground Espresso DOX ink.

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Sending this card to the following challenges:

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Radiant (Penny Black); Spring Sentiments (Stampendous - closed)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press w/c paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Reinkers:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Aged Mahogany, Rusty Hinge, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Blick Masterstroke w/c paint brushes

Challenges:

Tuesday, September 01, 2026

September CAS Christmas Challenge

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the CAS Christmas September Challenge - Woodland Critters, hosted by our lovely Lisa!!  The challenge runs Sept. 1 - 30.
First time using an older Penny Black image that I recently bought.  Stamped the image in black and heat embossed in clear before watercolouring with distress reinkers.

To finish, I fussy-cut the image and used my clear Wink of Stella to add some shimmer to the Santa cuff and pompom.  I die-cut two small holly leaves and berries, watercoloured and added them to the hat.  I splattered diluted white acrylic paint for falling snow.  

The image is popped onto my panel with two torn snowhills at the bottom and a background of Falling Snow (SSS) dry embossing.  Simple sentiment (Banner Sentiments - Penny Black) is stamped in Candied Apple Distress Oxide ink.  The panel is popped up on top of my white card base. :)

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Sending this card to the following challenges:
NBUS Challenge #90 - first time using this adorable Penny Black stamp
 

Please check out the challenge blog to see the wonderful cards from our Designers and Guest Designers, Lynne and Pat!  We'd love for you to join us at CAS Christmas September Challenge - Woodland Critters!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Santa's Hat (Penny Black); Banner Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black ink:  Obsidian (Altenew); Distress Re-inkers:  Candied Apple, Hickory Smoke, Peeled Paint, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz); Flesh watercolour pen (Zig)
Accessories:   Watercolour paint brushes, Falling Snow embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), Red Chalk, White Posca pen, Holly & Berries die (unknown)

Challenges:

Guest Designing at Christmas Kickstart Challenge #114

Hi everyone.  I'm excited to be Guest Designing for Christmas Kickstart Challenge #114 - Reindeer Games.  Thanks for the lovely invite Jo!! :)  Get out your reindeer stamps, dies, or stencils and play along. :) 

 

I started with a really fun image from Whipper Snapper (All Tangled Up Reindeer).  I stamped and heat embossed the image in black pigment ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I watercoloured with distress inks and then decided to fussy-cut him.  Not sure why, because in the end, I put a piece of white cardstock behind him. :)

I used some older SU! patterned paper, gingham in old olive, as the background adding a sentiment strip of white at the bottom, stamped with Penny Black Christmas Sentiments stamp.  For the finishing touch, the panel was popped up for added dimension over the gingham card front, and I added crystal glaze (nuvo) over the lights for some shine and a little clear wink of stella on the Santa hat cuff and pompom for a little sparkle. :)

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This guy makes me smile and I hope he will bring a smile to the recipient as well.  Thanks again to Jo for inviting me to Guest Design at Christmas Kickstart #114 - Reindeer Games.  I hope you'll play along!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  All Tangled Up Reindeer (Whipper Snapper); Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Old Olive Gingham patterned paper (SU!)
Ink:   Black pigment (Obsian - Altenew); Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Salty Ocean, Blueprint Sketch, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Black Soot
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder, heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo), Clear Wink of Stella

Challenges:

Saturday, August 29, 2026

Mini Watercolour Landscapes

Hi everyone.  There is a watercolour challenge posted every Wednesday at SCS (Splitcoast Stampers), which usually includes a video to follow.  I've started following along when I have time, watercolouring as best I can.  This usually means several attempts in the garbage, but I'm stubborn, so I just keep trying.  So far I've watercolour and posted two cards; tree following a challenge; birthday cake following a video from YouTube.  It's been a fun challenge for me. :)

This week at SCS, the video is Miniature Landscapes (click HERE to see the video), and the artist demonstrated four different scenes.  I started with the intention of making all four, but in the end, I have three to share.  The first card was the easiest of the bunch for me ... sand, sky, and a few clouds. :)  It turned out OK, so I made it into a card. :)

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* * * * *
The following two have a little more to them, but they are all basic landscapes, each with something different.

The next one is the grassy knoll with trees off in the distance, and a beautiful sky on a sunny day. :)  I added a sympathy sentiment as I was in need of a card for a dear friend.
The last one is another water scene.  This time more focus is on the sky and water with a small patch of sand at the bottom of the image.  There's a few different techniques for each of these simple landscapes, but I'm hoping with more practise, I will improve and build on them.
I'm sending these cards to:
SCS Watercolor Wednesday Challenge - WCW326 - Easy Miniature Landscapes

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:
Stamps:  Relax (Stampendous)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press W/C Paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:   Kuretake W/C Paints;  Rusty Hinge distress ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Watercolour Paint brushes

Cards 2 & 3:
Stamps:  Retired Clearly Besotted stamp set; Retired Amy R stamp set
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press W/C Paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:   Liquid Concentrate W/C (Blick Art Materials); Black Pigment (Obsidian - Altenew)
Accessories:   Watercolour Paint brushes

Challenges:
SCS Watercolour Wednesdays - WCW326 - Easy Landscapes

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Birthday card for Alejandro

Hi everyone.  My son-in-law's birthday was just a few days ago and today I'm sharing the card I made for him.  I used the Sip Sip Ole (Spellbinder's) die set.  I pretty much CASED one of the cards on the site ... just changing it up slightly.  It was so fun to create this card. :)

I started by lightly sponging part of my background in distress inks in soft greens (Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn).  I die-cut the Margarita glass from vellum lined with acetate to give a frosted look, with the acetate giving it strength.  I sponged more colour for the inside of the glass  and added the "salt rim" with acetate covered in large glitter.  The rest of the pieces were die-cut from mixed media paper and watercoloured (or sponged) with more distress inks.  

The drink was layered on top of my background.  I typed the sentiments on my computer (Century Gothic and Autography fonts), printed and cut out to finish the card.  It reads ...

                                        Card Front:                                               Inside Card:
Close-up ...
Sending this card to the following challenges:
NBUS Challenge #89 - first time using this die-set



Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  sentiment printed from my computer
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Vellum, Acetate
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Candied Apple (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Sip Sip Ole die set (Spellbinders), watercolour brushes, sponges, chunky glitter

Challenges:


Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Warmth of Friendship

Hi everyone.  Today's card is all about friendship at Christmas time. :)  I love this sweet image Warmth of Friendship by Penny Black.  I stamped in black ink and heat embossed in clear.  Then watercoloured with distress inks and added a light blue wash to the background.  Easy and fun card to make. :)  I added a small sentiment at the bottom and splattered some falling snow to finish.

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Sending this card to the following challenges:
NBUS Challenge #89 - first time using this stamp
SCS Christmas Challenge - CCC26AUG


Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Warmth of Friendship (Penny Black); Snowglobe Sayings (MFT - closed)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Obsidian - Altenew); Distress Inks:  Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot, Candied Apple, Salty Ocean, Wild Honey (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, white acrylic paint

Friday, August 21, 2026

Critter Craze Challenge #113

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card I made with a new-to-me die of a darling bear.  I call him Tired Bear, as he is sprawled out and definitely looks like he is in need of a nap. :)  Sorry for the poor quality photo ... my camera is on its' way out. :(

I made this card for the Critter Crazy Challenge #113 - Anything with Critters Goes.  My friend, Faith, in on the Design Team.  I'm happy to finally had a chance to make a card to join in. :)  

I die-cut the bear from Soft Suede cardstock and used a fine-tip black marker to go over the scored design of the die.  I used a SU! black marker to go along the outside edge as well.  It (sort of) looks like it's a stamp, but it's all a die.  Today I saw a video where Jo Simons inked a background die and then pressed a piece of cardstock over top.  What a great idea.  I will try that next time. :)

I sponged around the outside of the die with Gathered Twigs distress ink and then added some red chalk for the cheeks, and a few details with a white acrylic pen.  I created the background with a piece of red plaid paper with real red strip at the bottom for the bear to rest on.  The sentiment is computer generated.  To finish, the main panel was popped up with foam onto a white card base for a little dimension.

Close-up ...
Sending this card to the following challenges:
NBUS Challenge #89 - first time using this bear die

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  n/a
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Soft Suede cardstock (SU!); Red plaid patterned paper, Real Red cardstock (SU!)
Ink:   Gathered Twigs distress ink (Tim Holtz); Basic Black Stampin' Marker (SU!)
Accessories:   Tired Bear die (Temu Canada), fine-tip black marker, red chalk, white acrylic paint pen (Posca)

Challenges:

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Birthday Cosmos

Hi everyone.  I made this card with three challenges in mind.  First, Inkspirational Challenge #374 - Word Prompt - Garden.  The second challenge is for Darnell's IDEAS calendar.  This week is embossing.  The image on my card is heat embossed. :)

And the third challenge from last week at Splitcoast Stampers, CAS911 - Gems.  I rarely use gems on my cards, and I had to wade through the box of lots of pearls and sequins to find this little tiny package of gems from Pretty Pink Posh that wasn't even opened yet.  I'm never sure of the placement, but hopefully they look OK. :)

I stamped the Cosmos in black ink, heat embossed with clear on mixed media paper and then watercoloured with my Zig markers.  Very fun and relaxing.  I used a new-to-me sentiment from Hero Arts - Togetherness Flower stamp set for the sentiment banner at the bottom.  I covered the card front with a piece of Pear Pizzazz card stock and popped up the panel for some dimension.

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Sending this card to the following challenges:
Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Cosmos (Stampendous); Togetherness Flower (Hero Arts - Sentiment)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Obsidian - Altenew); Zig Markers
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, gems (Pretty Pink Posh)

Challenges:

Friday, August 14, 2026

Christmas cards ...

Hi everyone.   Just a reminder of the CAS Christmas August Challenge - Sleigh.  The challenge is open until Aug. 31.
Smooshed a piece of mixed media paper and once dry, stamped my image in black pigment ink and heat embossed in clear.  Watercoloured using distress inks.

Two strips of torn white paper are added to the bottom for snowhills and a simple sentiment is stamped in black ink.  Splattered diluted white paint for falling snow.

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Sending this card to the follow challenges:
SCS Christmas Challenge - August - CCC26AUG


* * * * *
This is a reminder for the CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Stenciling over Patterned Paper.  The challenge is open until Aug. 31.
I used this beautiful background paper from Honey Bee, stenciling overtop with the Farmhouse Tree Stencil (Honey Bee).  I started with layers of distress Inks (Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness) and let it dry thoroughly before stenciling overtop with Versamark and sprinkling with White embossing powder.  I heat set and also stamped and heat set the sentiment (Christmas Sentiments - Penny Black) as well.  To finish, I trimmed the panel down to size, allowing more white space on my card front.

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Sending this card to the following challenges:
Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 3 - Embossing - I heat embossed the white snow on the tree
SCS Christmas Challenge - August - CCC26AUG



This card only took me about 10 minutes to make and I love how it turned out.  I have more of these papers, so made more of the same design, just swapping out the background paper and changing ink colours.  Great way to build my Christmas card stash! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1: (Sleigh)
Stamps:  Santa and his Reindeer (Stamping Bella); Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore)
Ink:   Black (Obsidian - Altenew); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Candied Apple, Mustard Seed, Salty Ocean, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Black Soot (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   clear embossing powder, heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, white acrylic paint

Card #2: (Tree)
Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Patterned Paper - Team Tie Dye (Honey Bee)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Farmhouse Tree Stencil (Honey Bee), sponges, White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:
Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 3 - Embossing - I heat embossed the white snow on the tree
SCS Christmas Challenge - August - CCC26AUG