Elegant Christmas

Hi everyone. 

A simple CAS Christmas card. :)

I started by embossing a small scrap of gold metallic paper with the Filigree Snowflakes embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp).  Then I die-cut three of the Lavinia Snowflake die - retired (Poppy Stamps); two from white card stock (glued together to make a thick piece); the other from the gold embossed paper.  I paper pieced the center of the ornament from the embossed gold paper over top of the white die-cuts.  I also added a few gold metallic half pearls to the center of the white snowflakes.  I finished by gold heat embossing the sentiment Season's Gifts (Penny Black).  Simple and easy card to make.

I was inspired by the mood board at Peace on Earth Challenge #55, so adding my card to their gallery.

 

... and also adding this to the Simply Clean & Simple January Challenge where I played along with their optional challenge this month:  Winter.

First time using the Filigree Embossing Folder, so I'm sending this card over to NBUS Challenge #58.  This is my second entry. :)

Close-up.  Sorry for the blurry photo, I need to get a new camera!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Seasons Gifts (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Gold Metallic Paper (Tonic)
Ink:  Versamark 
Accessories:   Filigree Snowflakes embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), Lavinia Snowflake die - retired (Poppy Stamps), gold metallic half pearls (Studio Katia), Princess Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:

Peace on Earth Challenge #55

NBUS Challenge #58

Simply Clean & Simple - Anything CAS Goes with optional theme: Winter

June Rudolph Days

Hi everyone.  I'm playing along with June's Rudolph Days. 

This is another card that I made at the retreat.  I shared one HERE that is done with the same technique, which was led by Trina.  How this was done is shared in my first post (link above).

This time I sponge just one colour of blue ink, fading out towards the center and then diluted white acrylic paint was splattered for falling snow.  The die-cut reindeer was heat embossed in liquid platinum three times so it's thick and smooth looking.  I might have over-heated it a bit as you'll see some black bits on the close-up shot.  A simple white, heat embossed black sentiment banner finishes the card.

Here's a close-up ... you can see the woodgrain a little better in this shot.

Come join the fun at Rudolph Days.  Challenge is open from the 25th until end of month.

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Peacock Feathers Distress Ink; Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Inspired die (reindeer die) - Penny Black), Scalloped circle die, woodgrain embossing folder, masking paper (all from Trina); sponge, diluted white acrylic paint, splatter brush, white embossing powder heat tool, liquid platinum embossing powder

Challenges:
June Rudolph Days - Anything Goes Christmas

Double Embossing with Die and Embossing Folder

Hi everyone.  Sharing a technique led by Trina (Phamtastic Design) at our retreat.  This is so cool ... it actually created a one layer card front that has lots of texture and depth and looks like it's many layers.  I did pop the card front up on some foam before adding it to the card base, so it's no longer one layer.

It's hard to tell in the photo above, but the close-up below shows that the background is dry embossed with a woodgrain design.  The scalloped circle die was taped down to the folder and run through the big shot with a card front and silicone mat.  It dry embossed the scalloped edge and the circle.  We also cut a mask from the scalloped circle, removed the center and placed the background mask over the embossed card front so that the scallops lined up and just the center was open.  I sponged yellow, orange and purple inks on an angle, then splattered with water to add a bit of texture and interest.  The silhouette image and sentiment are stamped in black and heat embossed in clear so they stand out more.

Here's the close-up ...

You need to have a solid die for the main image (scalloped circle), so I need to go through my dies and see what I have that will work.  So fun!  Thanks Trina!!

Stamps:  Meadow (Inkadinkado); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Circle Solid Die (unknown); Woodgrain Embossing Folder (SU!), masking paper, clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Jewels of the Sea

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder that we are over half way through June.  The CAS Watercolour June Challenge is Ocean, and there are new cards by the Designers and Guest Designer, Robyn, up on the challenge blog.  Check them out.

For my card today, I used a paper towel transfer piece for the background.  I save my mop of towels and then spritz them with water and transfer the ink to a background.  This time I got lots of water and colour in the middle  with a bit of the quilted design of the paper towels towards the edges.  This is mostly peacock feathers ink with a little green added.  Thought it is the perfect colour for a tropical ocean.

I used the Encrusted Jewel technique with my ocean die-cuts (two shells and starfish).  I started with the starfish, and decided to add a little bit of purple glitter along with the white and gold embossing powder.  Added a few tiny sequins and some shaved ice as well.  It all melted so beautifully together.  I decided to use the same combination (minus sequins) on the two shells so they all work together.

I die-cut three squares from my background.  I die-cut again in white card stock and inlaid the white pieces to create a flat card front.  Then I popped up the watercoloured squares on top and glued the embellishments.  The sentiment is heat embossed in gold to tie in with the rest of the colours.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out today's inspirational cards on the challenge blog, and then come play along.  The challenge is open until June 24th.  Hope to see you in the gallery.

Stamps:  Beach Sentiments (retired - Amy R)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches Hot Press 140 lb.)
Ink:  Leftover ink from mopping up another project
Accessories & Tools:  Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Shells & Starfish dies (AliExpress), gold embossing powder, gold tinsel embossing powder, Seedless Preserves glitter (gift from a friend), White & Gold Frantage (Stampendous), tiny clear sequins, Shaved Ice (Stampendous), heat tool, hot plate

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour June Challenge - Ocean
CAS Mix Up - Layered Embossing Powders

Holly Christmas

Hi everyone.  We are over half way through the month, so today's post is a reminder about the CAS Christimas March Challenge - Holly.

This time I'm using a holly die (Penny Black) and some patterned paper.  Those of you who follow me regularly know that patterned paper rarely makes an appearance on this blog.  I tend to make my own background designs, but I couldn't resist picking up the "festive & frosty" 6"x6" pad of Christmas papers from Penny Black.

I challenged myself to try to use up the patterned paper with no leftovers.  I'm pretty happy that I managed to make four cards from the 6"x6" holly paper. :)  I'm sharing three today, and one more posted later.

Here's a close-up of above ...

I cut several layers, starting with a thick white card for the base layer, then a complete image again in baked brown sugar card stock, the leaves out of the patterned paper, and the berries from real red card stock.  I used the matching inks (and gumball green for the patterned leaves) to sponge over top to add a little shading and dimension.  Then I glued the layers together.

Here's a couple more Holly cards using the same holly paper ...

... and ...

There's still one week left to play along with the CAS Christmas March Challenge - Holly.  Check out the beautiful reminder cards from the Designers by clicking HERE.  Then some join us!

Stamps:  Joyful Greetings (Paper Smooches); Snowglobe Sentiments (My Favorite Things)
Paper:   White base (Neenah 110 lb.); Baked Brown Sugar, Real Red (SU!); festive & frosty (Penny Black)
Ink:   Baked Brown Sugar, Gumball Green, Real Red (SU!)
Accessories:   holly & berry branch die (Penny Black), sponges, white gel pen, Holly Bouquet die and Holly Vine die (both from Memory Box), white half pearls coloured with red copic marker, wink of stella, glossy accents, white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Christmas March Challenge - Holly

Magical Cork

Hi everyone.  No, this cork isn't magical as the title of my post implies. :)  But the cork does look good with the die-cut which has been coloured with Lindy's Magicals (Cattail Copper Brown).  I love that these little pots of powder are filled with goodness.  They are similar to Brushos in that each colour is actually made up of several different colours.  The great thing about Magicals ... they shimmer.  I have added a close-up photo below and hopefully you can see a bit of shimmer.

This is for the CAS Mix Up February Challenge - Felt, Cork, or Canvas.  I have already posted felt and canvas cards and couldn't miss out on the cork. :)

This cork is a gift from a sweet friend, and I had fun die-cutting it with my new-to-me leaf die that I HAD to have after seeing my Teamie Joanna use it.  Isn't is awesome.  This card is for my hubby's birthday in April.  He will love it!

Sprinkled magicals onto an acetate sheet, spritzed with a little water and smooshed the colour onto a regular piece of card stock.  Die-cut the leaf in frame and glued it on top of a cork background.  Added a stamped and heat embossed (in copper) sentiment.

Here's a close up ...

Since I had the negative pieces from the die-cut leaf sitting on my desk, I decided to make another card, this time inlaying the pieces into a white die-cut leaf frame.  Always great when you can use up those pretty bits and pieces.

... and here's the close-up ...

There's still a few days left before the CAS Mix Up Challenge closes at midnight (PST) Feb. 24th.  Hope you'll join us!

Stamps:  Fun Birthday Sentiments (Happy Little Stampers); Bouquet of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Lindy's Magicals (Autumn) - Cattail Copper Brown; Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Framed Fern die (Penny Black), water mister, acetate, copper embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up February Challenge - Felt, Cork, or Canvas

Happy Birthday Jer!

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing the birthday card I made for my youngest son's birthday. :)  Jer loved the artsy design!  :)

For the card I used a piece of alcohol ink drop paper that I created recently ... bright orange, yellow and lime green.  I die-cut it with the sticks frame, along with cutting a second frame from black.

I used snippets of black and alcohol ink panels to create the main focal point of my card, so I'm heading over to the Snippets Playground for some fun!

ETA:  Thanks to Trina and Darnell for giving me a prompt, I'm entering into the Less Is More #329 - Geometric.  :)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White (Neehan 110 lb. card stock); Yupo
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  Tangerine Orange, Sunbright Yellow (Pinata); Citrus (Ranger)
Accessories & Tools:  Blending solution, Stick Frames die (Poppy Stamps)

Challenges:
Snippets Playground - Week 281 & 282
Less Is More #329 - Geometric

Candles and Holly

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the couple of challenges:  Merry Monday #96 - holly and Addicted to Stamps & More #83 - holidays.

I love this beautiful die from Memory Box and when I saw Jennifer McGuire's recent video on Die-cut Inlays, I thought it would work perfectly for this technique.  Your image is die-cut, and then all the pieces are glued back in place to create a flat image.  Click on the link above to take a look at the video - you'll be glad you did!

This technique is fun and easy to do ... although the candle die-cut is very intricate and it took a bit of time.  After all the pieces were inlayed, I used my green marker to highlight the subtle embossed lines on the holly leaves.  I coated all the green card stock with green glitter glue and then did the same for the red card stock, using red glitter glue.  I added just a couple of drops of dazzling diamonds on the "flames".

I will definitely be doing this technique again - easy and fun!

After all the time inlaying the pieces, I was nervous about stamping the sentiment directly onto my card front ... and, of course, I flubbed it! :)  It was too low on the card front and the card wasn't balanced - yikes! :)  Didn't want all that time and effort to go to waste, to I cut around the candles and then popped the panel up on a new card front and added the sentiment below - much better - whew! :)

Stamps:  Christmas Greetings (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Real Red, Garden Green, Silver Foil, Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Glowing Candles die (Memory Box), green glitter glue and red glitter glue (Studio G), stamp-a-ma-jig

Challenges:
Merry Monday #96 - holly
ATS&M #83 - holidays