Playing with Stencils

Hi everyone.  I had a lot of fun playing in my studio the other day.  I used a stencil for the first time, even though I've had it for quite a while. :)

This is the Crackle Stencil from Lavinia.  It makes a beautiful background.  I ink blended three colours of Distress ink using my sponging brushes (Saltwater Taffy, Candied Apple, Vintage Photo).  So happy how these colour look together. :)  I added a black die-cut framed flower (retired), cutting a second layer of the flower and shaping with my stylus before popping up on top.  To finish, I stamped the sentiment (retired) in black ink and added a silver pearl to the center of the flower.

Close-up ...

Sending this card over to NBUS #51 ... I've played alot there this month!! :)

I'm also adding the card to Stencil Fun Challenge - June.  Stenciling is one of my favourite things to do :) ... I believe this is my second card this month for this challenge. :)

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Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Saltwater Taffy, Candied Apple, Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Crackle stencil (Lavinia Stamps), sponge brushes, Floral Sten Collage die - retired (Poppy Stamps), silver pearl (Studio Katia)

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #51

Stencil Fun Challenge - June

Flora Thistle

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a quick card I made just for fun. :)  I wanted to use my Lavinia Flora Stencil that I've had for ages, but not used yet.  I LOVE the design from this stencil!  

I thought it would pair well with the Thistle stamp (Serendipity Stamps) and so used the colours of the thistle for my background.  I masked the right and bottom edges of my card front and then lightly sponged distress inks (Mowed Lawn, Wilted Violet).  I removed my masks and stamped the thistle in black ink and clear heat embossed before watercolouring with more of the same distress ink colours.  To finish, I stamped the sentiment from Bouquet of Thanks (retired) from Simon Says Stamp in black ink, again heat embossing in clear so it really stands out next to the stenciling.

Close-up ...

I'm sending this over to the NBUS Challenge #37 (never-before-used-schtuff).

And I'm sending this over to Color Hues #39 Challenge - Purple and Green!

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

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To unsubscribe, please use the same form making sure to add

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Thank you.

Stamps:  Thistle (Serendipity Stamps); Bouquet of Thanks - retired (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Flora stencil (Lavinia), sponge brushes, Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, waterbrushes

Challenges:
NBUS Challenge #37

Color Hues #39 - Purple and Green

The Flower Challenge #61 Reminder

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder for The Flower Challenge #61 - Use a Shape.  It's also our 5th Birthday Celebration for our Challenge ... lots of prizes to win!

I rarely get freebies in the mail, but with my last on-line order I received this background.  Actually it was advertising the pad of paper for sale.  All the designs were on the back, but just one on the front, so I used it today. :)  I love the vintage look of this paper.  I stayed with the pink and brown to add my elements to the card.. 

I stamped a bouquet of peonies (Perfect Peonies - Clearly Besotted).  I love this stamp and have used it A LOT. :)  Looks awesome in pink and brown.  I used Ground Espresso, Kitsch Flamingo, and Picked Raspberry distress inks, mixing the pink and brown to get the colours for my blooms.  Stamped the peonies in dark brown ink and clear heat embossed.  Then watercoloured the image.  I die-cut the bouquet with matching die, but thought the white edging left from the die looked too stark so just added a light coating of pink.  The background is die-cut with a postage stamp die (Postage Stamp - Spellbinders retired).  I did a little stenciling in the top left and bottom right corners with Ground Espresso ink and Pebbles Stencil (Lavinia).  I stamped the sentiment (Happy Messages - Stampendous) in brown and then placed everything on a white 4 1/4" square card base.  Popped up the flower with pop dots for some dimension. :)

Close-up ...

Happy with how this card turned out ... I need to use patterned paper more often.  I have lots, but make so many of my own backgrounds, I rarely use them. :)

I hope you'll check out the reminder post for The Flower Challenge #61 to see the amazing cards from our Designers.  Then come play along.  Challenge is open until end of day Oct. 25th.  Hope to see you in the gallery.

This will be my last post for The Flower Challenge.  After a year of enjoying being on the team, it is time for me to step down and concentrate on running my own two challenges.  Thank you to Aileen and the team for making my time at The Flower Challenge so enjoyable.  A special shout-out to Viv, who works tirelessly to keep the team happy and well-informed as well as keeping the challenge running smoothly.  Thank you Viv for all the help you gave me over the past year!!

If you would like to subscribe by email,

please fill out the subscription form in the upper right sidebar.

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Stamps:  Perfect Peonies (Clearly Besotted), Happy Messages (Stampendous)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Patterned paper 
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Ground Espresso, Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder, heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, matching die for Peonies image, Postage Stamp die - retired (Spellbinders), Pebbles stencil (Lavinia), sponges

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #61 - Use a shape