Stencil Masking

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing another way to mask, which is CAS Mix Up's November challenge.

This time I'm masking a stencil.  This can stretch the use of your stencils and you will get a lot more mileage from them.  To see what the full stencil looks like, click HERE to see a card I made a few months back.

I used a yellow watercolour spray to add a bit of texture for the background.  I wanted to use this flower stencil, but it is large and has five flowers on it.  So I masked off three of the flowers and just used two.  I sponged the flowers with three shades of distress inks and the stems with one.  Then I used my scissors to distress the edges of my main panel.  My CAS Mix Up card has stamping, masking, stenciling, sponging, and distressing. :)

There are lots of ways to mask, and I hope you'll make a CAS Masked mixed media card and join our challenge!

Stamps:  Chit Chat (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks: Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Peeled Paint, Walnut Stain (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Yellow watercolour spray made from Liquid Watercolor Concentrate (Dick Blick), Bloom Group Stencil (cut with my Silhouette Cameo), sponges

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up November Challenge - Masking

In the Studio with friends

Hi everyone.  Yesterday my friends Susan (Cardmaker's Garret) and Christine came over and we played with a few different techniques.

First of all, here's the card I made with a snippet of my woodgrain background. Entering into the Snippets Playground! :)

Such a wonderful technique, especially if you are wanting to make masculine or rustic cards.

I made a woodgrain background, cut out the section that I liked best, and then distressed the edges using a tool from Making Memories.  I knotted two strands of twine and wrapped them around the bottom.  I found a heated copper leaf sprig in my stash and simply glued down a couple of the leaves, leaving the rest loose so it created some dimension.  Also did that with my distress background, adhering the middle back only to my front.  This leaves the sides loose creating dimension without using pop dots. A simple stamped sentiment finishes the card. :)

Here's a pic of my background from yesterday (yes, we each made LOTS). :)  The only one I didn't include was my first attempt at alcohol inks on yuppo paper.  I added WAY too much ink and it turned out to be a dark mess.  Hopefully I'll do better next time. :)

Just a few tips of things we learned yesterday.

We tried all different kinds of inks with the embossing folder stamping technique, and they all worked, but the brushos were by far the best results (see the two brick and two woodgrain designs in the front row.

And instead of inking and spritzing the inside of the embossing folder and then turning it over to "stamp" onto our papers, we found it worked better if we inked and spritzed the inside of the embossing folder and then placed the card stock on top and pressed down.  It seemed to transfer more of the design and ink that way.  Always good to try it both ways, though, and see which works best for you.

There are more things we tried yesterday, but I will talk about them once I post the finished cards.

Stamps: Bitty Birthday (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Antique Linen, Rusty Hinge, Weathered Wood, Vintage Photo, Tea Stain (Tim Holtz); Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Scor-pal, twine, copper metal sheet .005 thickness (K&S Precision Metals), butane torch, Little Leaves die (Sizzix)

Challenges:
Snippets Playground Week 213

Distressed Sunflower

Hi everyone.  Time for the next challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This time, the code word has been chosen by Kylie (Kylie's Addicted to Stamps).  And she chose this fun word ...

This challenge is sponsored by

There are several ways in which to interpret this word.  I used sponging and tearing to distress my text background ... and more brown sponging on the sunflower and leaves to tone down the colours and make them seem more aged.  Looking forward to seeing how you interpret the word.

We have the very talented Ellen Parker (In a World of Craft) joining us as Guest Designer this month.  Check out the link to the challenge HERE to see her beautiful Distress card, and the cards from the rest of our very talented group of designers.

I hope you'll play along and join in the fun ... see you in the gallery! :)

And, I'm adding this to the current Birthday Challenge at Uniko Studios! :)

Stamps:  Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Daffodil Delight, Kiwi Kiss, Early Espresso; Modern Medley DSP (SU!)
Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Burlap Ribbon, Distressing Tool (Making Memories), sponges, Sunflower die (C.C. Designs); Tender Leaves die (Memory Box), stylus and mat for shaping

Challenges:

ATCAS #58 - Distress
Uniko Studios Challenge #18 - Birthday

Tattered Leaf

Hi everyone.  Today is the latest challenge from Addicted to CAS.  The code word this time is chosen by our wonderful and talented leader, Kylie of Kylie is Addicted to CAS (and now butterflies).

Our challenge is sponsored by

Prize:  7 digital images

(please follow the rules to be eligible to win)

Grunge is not a style that I use, but I did have a lot of fun making this card.  I randomly sponged three colors over the background stencil.  I poured water into the palm of my hand, and then dipped my fingers from my other hand into the water and flicked it over my front panel.  Because the sponging is such light colors, the splattering doesn't really show in the photo, but it's there.  Once dry, I used my scissors to rough up the edges for a distressed look.

I die-cut the tattered leaf from white cardstock and roughed up the edges same as the front panel.  I dropped some re-inker from each of the three colors onto my craft sheet, misted with water and then dropped the leaf into the diluted inks.  Once dry, I added more sponging around the edges to give the leaf more color.  A simple sentiment finishes the card.

I hope you'll join us for the fun challenge.  There are lots of ways to "grunge" up your cards and the team is looking forward to seeing how you interpret this word.  As always, the challenge runs for two weeks so there's lots of time to play along.  Check out the rules and see the amazing cards from the rest of Design Team and from our Guest Designer Anita (in France) ... lots of inspiration there! :)

Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah)
Ink:  River Rock, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Tattered Leaves die (Tim Holtz for Sizzix), Silhouette Cameo for cutting stencil, clear plastic sheets for stencil (Grafix), sponges, water mister, scissors

Birthday Bulrushes

Today is the "Ways To Use It" challenge at SCS (WT373 - Don't stress, Distress!).  I haven't made a distressed card for ages - it was fun!  I used a stamp that I've had for a while, but not inked yet ... there are several of those in my art studio :)  This is a beautiful stamp from Innovative Samp Creations which features bulrushes growing up out of the water.  I decided to watercolor the image using the watercolor spritz technique.  I'm really happy with how it turned out and have decided this will make a perfect birthday card for Jeremy ... I know he'll appreciate the watercolor which is one of his favorite mediums to work with.  Hope you like.

"Birthday Bulrushes"

Stamps:  Be Thankful (ISC); Wonderfully Worn, Happy Moments (SU!)
Paper:  Early Espresso, Confetti Cream, Well Worn DP, watercolor paper (SU!)
Ink:  Early Espresso, River Rock; Stampin' Write markers Old Olive, Early Espresso, Certainly Celery; Re-inkers Baja Breeze, So Saffron (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Large brush, mini mister, sponges, Making Memories distressing tool, small oval punch, medium oval punch, adhesives, sticky strips, and dimensionals

I started by making the main panel.  I added water to Baja Breeze re-inker and did a wash (using the large brush) on the bottom and very top of my watercolor paper.  I added water to So Saffron re-inker and did a wash in the middle.

Once the wash was dry, I inked the stamp with Stampin' Write markers, Early Espresso, Old Olive, and used Certainly Celery for the "reflection" as I wanted it to be lighter.  I lightly misted my stamp with water and then stamped onto the watercolor paper, lining up the horizon line of the stamp and wash.  Once my image was dry, I want back with a little watered down Baja Breeze re-inker and added more color just over top of the reflection.  Once everything was dry, I sponged Early Espresso ink around the edges to give the image an "aged" look.  I mounted the panel onto a frame of Early Espresso cardstock.

I used Confetti Cream cardstock for the background and stamped the Wonderfully Worn stamp in River Rock ink.  I used a sponge and River Rock ink to add more "aging" to the edges.  I mounted the background to a card base of Early Espresso.

I took two strips of the Well Worn DP and distressed the edges using the Making Memories distressing tool.  The roughed edges where white and I thought too stark, so I sponged all the distressed edges of the two pieces with Early Espresso ink.  I mounted the two strips on top of the background paper, one horizontally, one vertically.

I stamped the sentiment from Happy Moments Stamp Set onto a small scrap of Confetti Cream paper and punched out a small oval.  I then sponged River Rock ink around the edges and mounted the oval onto a medium oval of Early Espresso cardstock.

I placed the main panel in the center of my card, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.  I mounted the framed sentiment at the bottom corner of the main panel.

For the inside, I stamped the Wonderfully Worn stamp in River Rock ink onto Confetti Cream cardstock and then sponged more River Rock ink around the edges (just like the front background panel).  I added one distressed and sponged strip of the same Well Worn DP to the left side of the inside panel and then mounted it to the inside of the card base.

Vintage Poppies

Today I managed to get out to Coquitlam and visit a wonderful scrapbooking / card-making shop called Cherish The Thought.  I spoke to the owner for a little while today and she is so much fun!!  She makes the most beautiful cards and is currently working on a written and video tutorial for SCS on her fabulous technique - Glitter Painting.  The tutorial will hopefully be up on the SCS website next week - watch for it!! 

While I was at Cherish The Thought, I bought one of the new combined sets from Sizzix / Hero Arts which is a stamp with matching embossing folder.  Can't wait to try it out ... but I had already started two cards before leaving the art studio to do some shopping, so I finished those up and will start experimenting with my new toys tomorrow. :)

For the first card today, I went to one of my favorite styles - vintage.  I'm actually not sure if this would be considered vintage as it doesn't have a lot of embellishments like some of the beautiful vintage cards you see ... it is more of a distressed / aged look.  This card is made with all Stampin' Up! products.  Hope you like.

"Vintage Poppies"

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets, En Francais (SU!)

Paper:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Whisper White (SU!)

Ink:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  sponges, four mini copper brads, sticky strips, adhesives and dimensionals

* * * * *

I stamped En Francais in Soft Suede ink onto Crumb Cake cardstock.  I ripped the edges and then randomly sponged Soft Suede ink over the words and all along each ripped edge.

I ripped the edge of a larger piece of Soft Suede cardstock and also sponged all along the edges with Soft Suede ink.  I mounted the stamped piece onto the larger frame of Soft Suede and then added a mini copper brad in each corner.

I inked the leaf with Always Artichoke and stamped overtop of the words.  I cleaned the stamp and then inked just the top two branches and stamped them above the first leaf sprig to make the sprig longer and able to hold more flowers.

I stamped the main flower and two of the smaller flowers in Early Espresso ink onto Whisper White cardstock.  I sponged the flowers first with Tangerine Tango and then Pumpkin Pie (to lighten).  I took a small eye-makeup applicator sponge and sponged the centers of the flowers with Cajun Craze ink.  I cut the flowers out.  I then sponged along all the edges of the petals of the flowers with Cajun Craze.  I found the Early Espresso centers of the flowers had dulled with the sponging on top, so I went back with my Early Espresso Stampin' Write marker and went over lines to make them darker.

I used my bone folder to curl the edges of the flowers to give them more depth.  I then mounted the flowers onto the main panel, popping them up with dimensionals.

I stamped the sentiment in Soft Suede ink onto Crumb Cake cardstock, sponged the edges and then mounted it on a frame of Soft Suede cardstock.  I attached the sentiment to the card, curving the middle to give it some interest.

I mounted the main panel onto a card base of Soft Suede cardstock.

____________________ 

The second card is for Christmas.  This time I used the Season of Joy stamp set from Stampin' Up!  This card is made with all SU! products, plus a little red glitter glue that I purchased at Michael's.  Hope you like.

"Poinsettia Flourish"

Stamps:  Season of Joy (SU!)

Paper:  Old Olive, Whisper White (SU!)

Ink:  Real Red, Old Olive (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, red glitter glue, small paint brush, adhesives and dimensionals

* * * * *

I stamped two Poinsettias in Real Red ink onto Whisper White cardstock.  I used a small paint brush and "painted" glitter glue onto the centers of all the petals (it's hard to tell in the photo, but the glitter on the petals really adds a lot of bling!).  Once the glitter glue was dry, I cut the flowers out.

I stamped the flourish in Old Olive ink five times, in the lower left corner of a large piece of Whisper White cardstock.  I randomly added a few small flowers in Real Red ink and the Merry Christmas sentiment.  I mounted the large poinsettias over the middle of the flourish, using dimensionals to add depth.  I mounted the panel onto a card base of Old Olive.

Crackled Maple Leaf

Today I hung out for a few hours with my mom ... always a great way to spend some time.  We went to the grocery store, the paint store, and then stopped at a veggie market before heading back to her place for lunch.  Had a nice relaxing lunch and then I headed home.  I've been revamping my website this weekend --- lots and lots of hours on the computer :( ... but I was almost finished, so came home and finished up before making a card.  Gord and Jer are out dirt-biking today, so I have the house to myself this afternoon.  It's so quiet :)

I bought supplies the other day to try out a new technique (new to me!) --- Paste Embossed images.  You apply a paste over a brass stencil, remove and let the paste dry and then sponge with ink once dry.  You end up with a raised image on your card - so pretty!  I've tried a few times now, but even though I'm just learning, I'm getting a little frustrated.  But, I will try again until I figure it out ...

I also bought a crackle finish that goes over top of the paste - it's such a fantastic finish.  So since I was having trouble with the stencils, I decided to use my new Nestabilities Maple Leaf to die-cut an image.  I spread it with the embossing paste, let it dry, added the crackle finish on top, let it dry and then sponged some color.  The leaf turned out really cool!  Definitely looks like a late fall leaf that has been off the tree for a while.  Today's CAS challenge was to use a partial image ... so I inked my Fabulous Florets leaf stamp and added it on top of the maple leaf.  I'm not sure what I think of it yet ... it's growing on me.  And I had some trouble figuring out how to use the image on a card.  All I know is that after having to wait and wait and wait for this thing to dry ... it WAS being used.

So, let's say this is an "artistic adventure" and leave it at that.

"Crackled Maple Leaf"

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets (SU!)

Paper:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Basic Black (SU!)

Ink:  More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Soft Suede (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Nestabilities Maple Leaf, Matte Black embossing paste, Crackle embossing paste, palette knife, sponges, hemp twine, temporary adhesive and dimensionals

 

* * * * *

I used Basic Black cardstock to cut out the maple leaf die-cut with my Big Shot.  I used temporary adhesive to stick it down on some scrap paper and then, using the palette knife, covered the image with Matte Black embossing paste (Dreamweaver).  I let it dry for several hours.  I then used the palette knife again to apply a thin coat of Crackle embossing paste.  I let it dry overnight.  The image curled up on me, but I flattened it out and placed it under a heavy book for a couple of hours and it was good to go!

I sponged the entire leaf with More Mustard ink.  I then sponged Pumpkin Pie ink over top, making sure to leave the center of the leaf just the More Mustard color.  I sponged Cajun Craze ink over top, just around the outside edges.  Finally I sponged Early Espresso on the edges only.  I inked the Fabulous Florets leaf sprig with Early Espresso ink and stamped it twice on the left hand side of the maple leaf

I ripped a piece of Early Espresso cardstock and then randomly sponged the same color ink over the cardstock.  I added more sponging along the edges.  I took three pieces of hemp twine and wrapped it around the panel and tied it at the bottom in a knot. 

I sponged the card base of Soft Suede with the same color ink to give it a distressed look as well.

I mounted all the pieces as shown in the picture above, popping up the main panel and the maple leaf (so double-popped) with dimensionals to add depth.

Framed Poppies

Another beautiful day ... but the weatherman is predicting a 40% chance of showers tomorrow so I did my duty and painted my front stairs today - done!!  Hopefully this is the last time.  Hubby and I decided it was time to replace them and we've been looking into different materials.  Looks like we'll replace them next spring with treads that are a man-made material that looks like wood but doesn't require painting - SOLD!!!  The less painting to do, the better!!

Looks like I'm off the hook (no pun intended!) for cooking dinner tonight too as my SIL just dropped off a fresh sockeye salmon.  Gord will be heating up the grill and Cedar Plank Teriyaki Salmon is on the menu - yum, yum!!  Now I get a delicious dinner made for me AND more time to spend in the studio this afternoon --- win, win!

I mentioned a few days ago how I had found a great website that offers free digital images.  The artist, Beccy Muir, has generously offered her images and I downloaded her beautiful poppies a few days ago.  Today I've had time to use them ... and I ended up putting them in a frame (well, actually on top of the frame), so I'm going to post this at SCS for yesterday's challenge "Frame It Up".  I really love the distressed look, so here's another card that has a vintage feel to it.  I added scoring on both the background paper and the card base although it might be hard to see in the photo below.  Hope you like.

                  

"Framed Poppies"

 

 

Stamps:  Poppies (digital - Beccy Muir from Beccy's Place); En Francais (SU!)
Paper:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Soft Suede, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze; Stampin' Write Markers: Old Olive, Cajun Craze
Accessories & Tools:  Scor-Pal, sponges, Nestabilities Classic Ovals, sticky strips and dimensionals
 

* * * * *

I printed off the poppies image onto Whisper White Cardstock.  I used sponges to sponge the poppies first with Tangerine Tango ink and then again in the center and outer edges with Cajun Craze ink.  I used the Cajun Craze Stampin' Write marker to add more color to the poppy center.

I sponged Old Olive ink on to the leaves and pod, adding it darker near the edges.  I used the Old Olive Stampin' Write marker to ink the stems.  I cut the image out.

I stamped Crumb Cake cardstock in Soft Suede ink with the En Francais stamp and then put it through my Big Shot with the largest oval from the Nestabilities set.  I ran a piece of Soft Suede cardstock through the Big Shot with the largest and third largest ovals to create the frame.  I inked the edges of the frame with Soft Suede ink to give it a aged look.  I lightly sponged Soft Suede ink randomly over the Crumb Cake oval to also age the piece.

I took the background piece of Crumb Cake and used the Scor-Pal to add vertical lines every 1/4".  I sponged the lines with Soft Suede ink to give them more definition and also sponged around the outside edges of the piece to give it an aged look.

I used the Scor-Pal to add horizontal line to the top of the front card base and also vertical lines to the bottom of the front card base.  I sponged Soft Suede ink overtop to highlight the scoring and around the outside edge to give it a distressed look.

I mounted all the pieces as shown in the picture above, popping up the oval frame with dimensionals and also adding dimensionals to the poppies so that they are "double" popped.

Fabulous Flowers

I watercolour the flowers and leaves using diluted re-inkers.  I used Pretty in Pink and Real Red inks for my flowers and I love this color combination.  They are quite bright and it's a nice contrast to the finished card I made with them, which has an aged and distressed look and feel to it.  Hope you like.

"Fabulous Flowers"

 

 

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets, En Francais (SU!) Paper:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Watercolor paper
Ink:  Soft Suede, Old Olive, Versamark; Re-inkers:  Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Old Olive Accessories & Tools:  Black embossing powder, heat tool, sponges, water mister, Aqua Painter, 1/4" Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon, sticky strips, glue dots and dimensionals

* * * * *

I stamped the florets and leaves with Versamark ink onto watercolor paper (I made a few extra for spares).  I embossed the images with black embossing powder.  As per the tutorial in the Techniques section - I misted the images with water and added re-inker until I was happy with the look of the flowers and leaves.  I let them dry and then cut them out.

I stamped the En Francais in Soft Suede ink onto Crumb Cake cardstock.  I ripped the edges to give it an aged look.  I sponged the edges with Soft Suede ink and also lightly sponged the same ink, randomly over the paper.  I stamped the background leaf stem and leaves in Old Olive ink, adding a second stamping of just a few leaves to the left of the main stem - this gives me more room to add flowers.  I used my bone folder to slightly curl the petals of the flowers upwards and then secured the flowers and leaves on top of the stamped stem using glue dots.

I tied the ribbon around the panel and added a knot on top of the stem.  I mounted the complete panel onto a card base of Soft Suede.

Silhouette Grass

Yesterday hubby and I went to Emma Lea Farms on Westham Island and picked up 20 lbs. of raspberries.  I make homemade preserves to give to friends and family at Christmas time.  Besides making Sweet Relish and Red Pepper Jelly, I also make Raspberry Jelly.  It took me several, several hours to process the berries but I ended up with over 20 cups of juice!  Whew!!  I froze the juice and will make the jelly another day.  It was a lot of standing yesterday, so today I'm sitting in the art studio, taking it easy.  Lots of time to play so I am actually posting two new cards for today ... I'm on a roll :)

The first one is another card using the same beautifully textured Bazzill White cardstock as yesterday's card.  I love how the texture of the paper is enhanced even further when it is sponged.

You might think the card below looks familiar :)  Definitely I am crazy about yesterday's card enough to use the same layout (albeit a little different dimensions) and mostly a neutral palette as well.  I did sponge the background lightly with Baja Breeze and Garden Green inks (which combined created a beautiful pale turquoise!!).  This combination of colors along with Chocolate Chip is also the color challenge from earlier this week at SCS.  I wanted to add some twine but the natural color of the hemp twine was lost on the image ... so I used my re-inker to dye the twine Chocolate Chip.  I definitely will be doing this again and experimenting with other colors of ink.  Hope you like.

"Silhouette Grass"

 

 

 

Stamps:  Silhouette Grass (Hero Arts)

Paper:  Chocolate Chip (SU!); Bazzill White

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Garden Green (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  sponges, hemp twine, Chocolate Chip re-inker, adhesives and dimensionals

 

* * * * *

 

I lightly sponged the main panel with Baja Breeze and Garden Green inks.  I stamped the grass on top in Chocolate Chip ink and then sponged the same ink around the outside edges, making the sponging wider at the bottom.

I framed the main panel with Chocolate Chip cardstock and then wrapped hemp twine around the panel three times.

I mounted all the pieces as shown in the picture above, popping up the main panel with dimensionals to add depth.

____________________ 

The second card for today is for the "Ways to Use It" challenge on SCS - (Heavy Metal).  I really love the copper sheets that I heat with a small butane torch - the colors are amazing.  Today, after heating the metal, I ran it through one of my new embossing folders "Tiny Mosiacs".  It is just awesome!!  I didn't want to add too much else to the card as I wanted the beautiful copper to be the focal point.  But I found there was too much contrast on my first attempt of mounting it on plain white cardstock.  So I sponged a background panel for my card using inks that matched the colors in the copper.  It turned out pretty well except it was dull and the metal is really shiny, so I lightly sponged gold ink on top of the background sponging and it really made it some alive.  Unfortunately, the photo didn't pick up on the gold highlights.   Hope you like.

"Inspired Copper Mosiac"

 

 

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature (SU!)

Paper:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake (SU!)

Ink:  Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Versamark (SU!); Metallic Gold

Accessories & Tools:  Copper metal sheet .005 thickness (K&S Precision Metals), butane torch, Cuttlebug "Tiny Mosiac" embossing folder, three Early Espresso brads, paper-piercing tool, sticky strips, glue dots and dimensionals

 

* * * * *

 

I heated the copper until it turned color.  Once cooled, I ran it through the Big Shot with the embossing folder and then framed the panel in Early Espresso cardstock.

I stamped the cone flower image on Early Espresso cardstock using Versamark ink.  I cut it out and attached it to the main panel using two clear glue dots.

Using Crumb Cake cardstock for the background, I randomly sponged with Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie and Early Espresso.  I lightly sponged metallic gold ink on top to add shimmer to the paper.  I  pierced three holes and threaded through the Early Espresso brads.

I mounted all the pieces as per the picture above, popping up the main panel with dimensionals to add depth

Cone Flowers

Today I'm covering off two challenges ... WT328 from last Thursday (Ways to use it - No White Cardstock) and CC329 (today's color challenge - Soft Suede, Melon Mambo, Crumb Cake).  I don't have Melon Mambo so I substituted my closest color, Regal Rose.
 
I had looked at Jackie Topa's website last year and she made "snow" for her winter cards by rolling up a piece of cardstock into a tight tube and then grating it with her kitchen grater.  What an awesome idea! ... and I thought the texture would be perfect for the centers for these Cone Flowers.  Hope you like.
 

"Cone Flowers"

 

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, En Francais (SU!)

Paper:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake (SU!)

Ink:  Soft Suede, Regal Rose (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  sponges, Scor-Pal, grater, Nestabilities Classic Rectangles Large, Tombow glue, adhesives and dimensionals

 

* * * * *

 
I stamped both flower images onto Crumb Cake cardstock using Soft Suede and Regal Rose inks and cut them out.  I did a second stamping (petals only), cut them out and then sponged the edges with Soft Suede ink.  I layered the extra petals on top of the base flowers, popping up the end of the petals with dimensionals, but adhering the tops of the petals (near the center of the flowers) with adhesives so it was flush.  I rolled up a piece of Soft Suede cardstock into a tight tube, grated it and glued the "fluff" onto the center of the flowers.  Once dry, I rubbed off any loose, excess fluff.

I stamped the En Frances stamp onto Crumb Cake cardstock using Soft Suede ink and then cut out the middle with the Nestabilities.  I trimmed the edges to create a frame and then sponged with Soft Suede ink.  I cut out another piece of Crumb Cake (slightly smaller than the outside dimensions of the frame and used the Scor-Pal to add vertical lines every 1/4".  I sponged the scored cardstock with Soft Suede ink to highlight the scoring and attached it behind the frame using dimensionals.

I adhered the flowers to the frame and attached the whole main panel to the card base, again using dimensionals to add depth.  I stamped the sentiment in Regal Rose ink and cut a frame out of Soft Suede cardstock.  I sponged the edges of the sentiment and the frame with Soft Suede and adhered it to the frame.

Simply Soft

What a great day!!  The sun was shining this morning so hubby and I enjoyed our first cup of coffee out on the deck (as we do most mornings ... but it's definitely better when the sun is shining!!).  Then I just hung out until noon when I met my SIL for lunch at our local Japanese restaurant (Minori's).  On our way into the restaurant, we noticed that a new "Cakes and Pastries" shop opened just a couple of doors down, so checked that out after lunch.  Picked up some Almond Croissants for tomorrow's breakfast - yum!!  After lunch, went grocery shopping for a family dinner party we're having tomorrow night to celebrate Father's Day.  Menu (hubby's pick):  Honey Garlic Ribs, Potato Salad, Veggie Tray, Fruit Platter and Ice Cream Cake (DQ) for dessert.  Sounds good, huh??!!
 
And, my SU! order came this afternoon.  I had been wanting to pick up the "En Francais" stamp for some time and finally ordered it.  I was so excited to make something with it today and also the new "Simply Soft" Hostess stamp set.  I just love the purple and brown color combo, so used it today.  Hope you like.
 

"Simply Soft"

 

 

Stamps:  En Francais, Simply Soft, Vintage Labels (SU!)

Paper:  Elegant Eggplant, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand (SU!)

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Soft Suede, Certainly Celery (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponges, Word Window punch, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, sticky strips, and dimensionals

 

* * * * *

 
I stamped the En Francais background in Soft Suede ink onto Sahara Sand paper.  I then randomly sponged the surface with Soft Suede to give the paper an aged look (darker sponging around the edges).

I randomly sponged Soft Suede onto another piece of Sahara Sand and then stamped the first part of the flower (outline - flower head only) with Soft Suede (three times).   I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the petals which were stamped in Elegant Eggplant.  I used my Stampin Write marker to draw in the stem outline and then filled it in with Certainly Celery.  I sponged the edges with Elegant Eggplant and then mounted it onto a frame of the same color (again, edges sponged with Elegant Eggplant).  Originally the image was much larger, but I cut it too close to the flower heads at the top and it just seemed like it was all stem, so I had to cut it down and then add a sentiment to balance it out.  At least I felt I was able to save all the work I had already done rather than starting over :)

I didn't have any purple ribbon, so I cut a piece of white and used my Elegant Eggplant re-inker to die the ribbon.  It was really, really messy and I'm sure my fingertips will be purple for days!!  I will definitely be buying some colored ribbon with my next order!

I mounted all the pieces as per the picture above, popping up the main image panel and sentiment with dimensionals.

Watercolour Oak Tree

Today I'm prepping for a class I'll be holding this coming Sunday.  My friends want to make a Father's Day card ... I know it's early, but these crafty girls have busy, busy schedules so it's best to get it organized early.  I made an easel card last month with a watercolor of the Oak Tree stamp from Lovely as a Tree stamp set.  It turned out so great and they want to make the same card on Sunday.  Now, we did a class a few weeks ago and they made their first easel card  (for Mother's Day) ... so I'm going to leave it up to them whether they want to make another easel card, or a standard card.  I've also purchased two embossing folders since I made my Oak Tree watercolor last month, and both of them would make awesome backgrounds, adding a lot of extra texture to the card, so I've made two standard cards examples, each with a different embossed background, and they will choose on Sunday which background they prefer for their card.  It should be fun!

 

I absolutely love the look of the watcolor oak tree and plan on doing a quick (and easy) tutorial on it soon.

 

 

"Watercolor Oak Tree"

 

 

Stamps:  Oak Tree from Lovely as a Tree; Just Believe (sentiment) (SU!)

Paper:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede (SU!); Arches 140lb. cold press watercolor paper

Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive; Stampin' Write markers:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Old Olive, Always Artichoke (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Forest Branches ... or Sizzix Embossing Folder - Square Lattice, Big Shot (or similar machine), sponges, Aqua Painter, sticky strips and dimensionals

 

* * * * *

 

I inked the oak tree stamp with Stampin' write markers and stamped onto the watercolor paper.  I used the Aqua Painter to blend the inks (or you could use a paintbrush or small-tipped sponge and water).

I ran the 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" piece of Soft Suede through the Big Shot with the embossing folder and then cropped it to size (5 1/8" x 3 7/8").  (Tip:  If there is a lot of texture to the embossing, then I find if I cut the paper to size first and then emboss it, sometimes it ends up smaller than I wanted - so it's best to cut your paper a little larger, emboss it and then crop to size.)
I sponged the raised embossing with Early Espresso ink.

I adhered all the pieces as per the pictures above, popping up the main image and sentiment with dimensionals.  Again, I will be doing a step-by-step tutorial on this card soon!

Lovely as a Tree Watercolour

What a fun day!!  I spent a few hours in the art studio this morning making a masculine card (see below) ... and then went shopping with Jer.  I picked up a pair of yoga pants (soooo comfy!!) and then we headed for the $1 Store.  You have to sift through some junkie stuff, but I always manage to find some really nice things there.  Today I picked up some hand-made paper in both green and rust - just beautiful!  Can't wait to try making something with them.  Of course, it's the best place to pick up adhesives for card making.  I go through A LOT of adhesives and it's nice to save some $$!  I also found some crepe paper that I thought might work well for making roses.  I'm going to try that out later today ...

On to the card for today.  I'm loving working with the watercolor paper.  Jer is an artist and he had a stack of watercolor paper just sitting there and so he told me to help myself.  Awesome!  I used the Watercolor Spritz technique to add the tree stamp to my paper and then took my AquaPainter and added more water and it really looks like I'm a watercolor artist!  I sponged the bottom of the card and added water (again with the AquaPainter) until it blended.  I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Hope you like.  If you need instructions on how to construct an easel card, click on this link to the Splitcoaststampers tutorial.

"Lovely as a Tree Watercolor"

 

 

 

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Just Believe (sentiment) (SU!)

Paper:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede Designer Series paper (SU!), watercolor paper

Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive; Stampin' Write Markers:  Early Espresso, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, So Saffron

Accessories & Tools:  Sponges (I used Colorbox Stylus), AquaPainter, mister, hemp twine, wooden button, sticky strips, glue dots, adhesives and dimensionals

* * * * *

Before I inked the oak tree stamp from Lovely as a Tree set, I had to decide where my light source was coming from (upper left).  I inked the stamp using Stampin' Write markers (early espresso, always artichoke, old olive, so saffron), using the darker green on the right hand side of the tree (with a little lighter green in random spots), and using the lighter green with more yellow on the left hand side of the tree.  I used my AquaPainter to add more water on the paper in order to blend the inks.  I sponged the "hill" starting at the top with Kiwi Kiss and added Old Olive to the bottom.  Again, with the AquaPainter, I added more water to the paper to blend the inks on the hill.  I then added a small about of Early Espresso at the bottom of the tree trunk and blended with more water.  I used my So Saffron Stampin' Write marker and random added lines of ink around the background of the tree (did the same on the sentiment paper) and then added lots of water to create a "wash".  I sponged the edges of the watercolor paper with Early Espresso to give it an "aged" look.

I also sponged on the Soft Suede Designer Series paper, random areas in Sahara Sand, Soft Suede and Early Espresso and then sponged the edges of both pieces in Early Espresso.  I used my Early Espresso Stampin' Writer to add stitching around both pieces as well.

I mounted all the pieces as per the picture above, adding two strands of hemp twine knotted on the corner of the main image and also two strands through the wooden button and across the corner of the sentiment (which is popped up with dimensionals)