Spring Green

Hi everyone.  I had some fun in my studio yesterday.  I made a card that works for several challenges. :)

The background is partially stamped script in soft green ink, and then texture paste added through a stencil.  I used a new-to-me layered flower die, sponging with two shades of soft green.  I added some pearl paint to the center and sprinkled with glitter.

The texture paste is hard to see in the photo above, but better in the photo below.  The card is finished with a sentiment (Super Day - Penny Black), stamped in more green.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 2 - Dies

Cookie Challenge #214 March - Clovers are Green

Cut It Up Challenge #351 - Happy Birthday

Seize the Birthday # 322 - Use Green as the Main Color

           

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Super Day (Penny Black); Script (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Layered Flower die, Slimline Gentle Leaves stencil (TCW), sponge, Embossing paste (Dreamweaver), palette knife, Quadrafoil stencil (Silhouette), Ice White Pearl Pen (Viva), glitter

Challenges:

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 2 - Dies

Cookie Challenge #214 March - Clovers are Green

Cut It Up Challenge #351 - Happy Birthday

Seize the Birthday # 322 - Use Green as the Main Color

Maple Leaf Forever

Hi everyone.  Today's card is another celebrating this wonderful season. :)

I started by using embossed paste to create a rectangle in the center of my card front.  I used Wander & Find stencil (Carta-Bella - closed).  This is a lovely design of stylized leaves.  At least that's what I think they look like. :) 

I used Fall Foliage dies (Penny Black) to cut out a maple leaf with separate veins from a smooshed background in my stash (Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Seedless Preserves DOX inks).  I wanted to "bump" up the colour, so I sponged over top of the smooshing with more Spiced Marmalade, Seedless Preserves, Rusty Hinge, and Walnut Stain Distress Inks.  I sponged Walnut Stain DI onto the veins.  I attached the finished leaf overtop of the stenciled background and added a simple sentiment to finish (Super Day - Penny Black).

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

AAA Cards (CAS) Challenge #300 - Sketch Challenge.  I flipped the sketch to portrait.

NBUS Challenge #79 - first time using the maple leaf die

Edit:  Adding to the Just Us Girls #795 - Die Week - Leaves - perfect timing!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Super Day (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   DOX inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Seedless Preserves and DI inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Seedless Preserves, Rusty Hinge, and Walnut Stain (all Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Fall Foliage dies (Penny Black); sponges, Wander & Find stencil (Carta Bella - closed); Embossing Paste (Dreamweaver), palette knife

Challenges:

AAA Cards (CAS) Challenge #300 - Sketch

NBUS Challenge #79

Just Us Girls #795 - Die Week - Leaves 

Embossing Paste - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  This month at Group of Seven we are focussing on a product - Embossing Pastes.  We are exploring the different kinds of pastes, ways to use them, and ways to alter them in order to stretch the use of this amazing product (adding colour and/or texture).

Please check out the details for the technique and link to video on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers

My card uses Dreamweaver Embossing Paste coloured with Brushos Powder (Lime Green).  I added a bit of the powder to my paste on my work surface and used a palette knife to work in the colour until there were no longer streaks.  The powder is very concentrated, so I only used a small amount.  I placed a stencil (Wander & Find - retired) over top of my mixed media card front, secured with tape and used my palette knife to add over top of the stencil, covering just the middle as I had planned to add a card front over top with a circle aperture.  Once I was happy with the coverage, I removed the stencil and immediately washed it along with my palette knife.  I let the paste dry and then added my card front with circle aperture, showing off the stenciling underneath.  And I add a small image of watercoloured and fussy-cut flower over top, tucking the stem into the opening.  A simple sentiment was added to finish the card.

The embossing paste creates a lovely design as well as adding texture and colour.  It really gives the card something special to build on.

Sending this card to the IDEAS Challenge - A for Anything Goes.  I used embossing paste as my Anything Goes. :)

... and sending to Penny Black Saturday Challenge - March.  The flower image is Penny Black.

* * * * *

Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...

• You can use a lot of different colouring mediums to colour your pastes.  That way you can save money by buying white paste and colouring yourself.  Make sure to use a colouring medium that is water soluable (re-inkers, watercolours, acrylic paints, watercolour powders, etc.
• Make sure to mix up enough paste (or even extra) so that it easily covers the area you want.  It's hard to make more afterwards and match the same colour tone.

* * * * *

Violeta & Jessie settling in for a nap after a long walk. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Flower Collection (Penny Black); Sentiment - Scenic Sampler (Stampendous - Closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Obsidian (Black - Altenew); Brushos (Lime Green); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Wander & Find stencil (retired), White Embossing Paste (Dreamweaver), palette knife, Circle die (Spellbinders), 

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Embossing Pastes

IDEAS Challenge - Anything Goes

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - March

More Stencil Monoprint for Gof7

Hi everyone.  Another card for Group of Seven's Stencil Monoprint technique.

I used a lovely stencil called Layered Poinsettia from Tim Holtz.  I pressed two colours of Distress Ink pads directly only the stencil (Brushed Corduroy, Candied Apple).  Spritzed with water and flipped the wet stencil onto a piece of mixed media paper.  Used a paper towel to blot over the stencil to remove the ink that escapes from the open design.  I ended up with a piece that has the background of the stencil images coloured.  I let it dry thoroughly and then placed the cleaned stencil back over top, lining up the design.  I added embossing paste over top, using a palette knife to smooth it out.  I removed the stencil right away and washed it off.  The piece was left to dry.

I finished be adhering the panel to my white card base and attaching a lovely gold foiled sentiment (gift from a friend).  

Close-up ...

Sending this card to Peace on Earth Challenge #73 - Anything Christmas Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  n/a

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Ink pads:  Brushed Corduroy, Candied Apple (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Layered Poinsettia Stencil (Tim Holtz), water mister, White embossing paste (Dreamweaver), palette knife, Foiled sentiment (unknown)

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Stencil Monoprint

Peace on Earth Challenge #73

Vellum - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  For this month at Group of Seven Cardmakers, we are focussing on a product ... Vellum.  Specifically for this month, we are using Vellum with Embossing:  Dry, Heat, and Wet (embossing pastes or gels).  Vellum gives a wonderful dreamy look, but can also be used in many different ways.

Please check out the details for the product focus and link to videos on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers

Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...

• I found using a thick vellum much easier, especially for Dry embossing.  Thinner vellums have a tendancy to crack and tear.
• The thicker vellum also helps limit the curl of the paper with heat embossing and wet embossing (embossing pastes or gels).
• When dry embossing with vellum, the design usually turns white when the paper is "stretched" by the embossing folder.  You can enhance the white using a stylus and mat if you want it more pronounced.
• Vellum is a bit tricky to adhere to cards because of it's semi-translucent nature.  Cut the vellum piece larger than needed and used the excess to folder over the sides to secure at the back.  Another way is to add a frame over top of the vellum, hiding the adhesives under the frame.  I found if you have a busy pattern (see card #4 below), you will not notice small lines of adhesive (it gets lost in the pattern).

* * * * *

For my first card in today's post, I used a simple technique of dry embossing Vellum with an embossing folder (Gracious Leaves - Memory Box).  It's simple and quick, and the results are always beautiful with the embossed vellum.  I added a white die-cut of deers and torn hills for the snow.  The sentiment is Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn) stamped in Delicata Silver pigment ink.

Close-up ...

Then I made the same card, this time adding sponging of Distress Inks (Cracked Pistacio, Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles), to the back of the vellum before mounting it onto my card front.  Simply adding sponging completely changes the look of the card. :)

Sending the above card to Rudolph Days August Challenge.

* * * * *

For this next card, I followed this video, which shows how to emboss vellum using a stylus and mat. 

I stamped my image in permanent ink onto thick vellum, flipped it over and placed on top of a sponge mat.  I used different sizes of stylus tips to add pressure in a circular motion to shape the two flower heads and one bud.  I went over the areas several times unti they were smooth and they image changed to white.  I fussy-cut my image and then placed it over a background from my stash (peacock blue re-inker with inka gold).  To finish, I popped up my panel and stamped a happy birthday sentiment in black ink.

* * * * *

Next, I'm sharing a card using Heat Embossing on Vellum.  This is an awesome technique, created by the wonderfully talented Chrissie Stokes (Simply One of a Kind).  She has a few videos showing variations of this technique using vellum and heat embossing.  I followed this video.

Using the cling stamp Bejeweled (Penny Black), I stamped the image on the front of my vellum and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I added more random bits of the image (always heat embossing in white), leaving lots of open space in the background.  I flipped the vellum over and stamped the same image several times (one of the whole image and more of bits and pieces).  This time the stamp was inked with Distress Inks:  Carved Pumpkin, Candied Apple, Lucky Clover.  After each stamping, I sprinkled the image with clear embossing powder and heat set.

The panel was mounted onto a card base, with a sentiment banner at the bottom.  Happy Birthday (Special Sentiments - Penny Black) was stamped in more of the Carved Pumpkin, with dashes of Candied Apple over top.  This card makes me happy.  It's so bright and cheerful. :)

Sending the above card to Seize the Birthday #290.

* * * * *

And my last card uses Embossing Paste on Vellum.   I used the thick vellum again, and it warped slightly even though I taped it down well.  I think the texture adds to the overall design of the card, so I'm happy with it and will definitely use paste on vellum again.

I used an older stamp set from Simon Says Stamp (Bouquet of Thanks - retired), stamped in black ink and clear heat embossed.  I watercoloured with Distress Re-inkers (Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters) and die-cut with the matching die.  I placed it over the vellum, which is secured to my card base with sticky strips along the edge of the four sides of my base.  It doesn't show very must in real life because of the pattern of the stenciling and the texture of the vellum.  I added a simple white embossed sentiment (Endless Birthdays - SU! - retired) on black banner; then dots of black ink for the flower centers using micro pens.

Sending the above card to Die-cut Diva's August Challenge.  I've used Wet Embossing on this card. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1 & 2:

Stamps:  Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Vellum - Thick (Oplymio)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Cracked Pistacio, Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Gracious Leaves Embossing Folder, sponges, 

Card #3:

Stamps:  Retired (Clearly Besotted); Everyday Messages (unknown)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Vellum - Thick (Oplymio)
Ink:   Peacock Feathers Distress Re-inkers; Black Archival (Ranger)
Accessories:   Stylus, Sponge Mat, Inka Gold Wax

Card #4:

Stamps:  Bouquet of Thanks (SSS); Endless Birthdays (SU! - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Nocturne (VersaFine Clair); Distress Re-inkers:  Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Wander & Find stencil - retired (Carta Bella); Embossing Paste (Golden), palette knife, Clear embossing powder (Ranger), watercolour paint brushes, White embossing powder (Ranger), micro black markers

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Vellum

Rudolph Days August Challenge

Seize the Birthday #290

Die-cut Divas August Challenge

Guest Designing for Seize the Birthday!

Hi everyone.  I'm so happy to be back as the Surprise Party Guest for Seize the Birthday again this month.  

 

Today starts the first challenge of 2024 with a choice of options (Embossing Wet or Dry) - Challenge #275.  I made two cards (the one above with dry embossing, and a second card with wet embossing).

The card above uses the Perfect Peonies from Clearly Besotted.  I stamped the image in black ink and heat embossed with clear before watercolouring using Distress Inks (Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed).  I placed the peonies on a layer of pink card stock, covered with a dry embossed vellum piece I received in the Christmas card from my friend Leslie.  It was so pretty, I had to use it right away! :)  Thank you Leslie!  I finished the card by adding a simple Happy Birthday sentiment stamped in black.

I'm sending the above card to the Triple B (Birds, Butterflies, & Blooms January Challenge.  They have provided a mood board for inspiration.  My flowers are pink and the layer of embossed vellum (sort of) looks like snow. :)

... and then ....

This card is done using "Wet Embossing" and my very favourite embossing gel, Glass Bead (Golden).  I used the Leaves stencil from Simon Says Stamp, sponged with Distress Inks (Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness).  I removed the stencil and cleaned off the ink before placing it back over top to add a layer of glass bead gel.  I love the sparkle from this amazing product.  I kept the card design CAS (clean and simple) so that the beautiful leaves were the star, simply adding a sentiment to finish.

I hope you'll join us with your Happy Birthday card(s).  As always, Anything Birthday goes with optional theme.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

I'm sending the above card to Stencil Fun January Challenge - where it's always Anything Stenciling Goes with optional theme.  I went with the Anything stenciling this time. :)

... and I'm also sending this card to Simply Clean & Simple January Challenge - Anything CAS Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Perfect Peonies (Clearly Besotted); Greetings (Cavallini & Co)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Pink Pirouette card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Obsidian Black Pigment Ink (Altenew); Distress Inks:  Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Dry embossed vellum (gift from a friend), clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Card #2:

Stamps:  Brushed Wishes (Stampendous)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Leaves Stencil (Simon Says Stamp), sponge brushes, Glass Bead Gel (Golden), palette knife

Challenges:

STB #275 - Embossing Wet or Dry

Triple B (Birds, Butterflies, & Blooms January Challenge

Stencil Fun January Challenge - anything Stenciling goes

Simply Clean & Simple January Challenge - Anything CAS Goes

August CAS Christmas Reminder

Hi everyone.  We are over half way through the month and it's time for the CAS Christmas August Reminder.  This month Trina is our very talented host, and she'd like to see Pine included on your CAS Christmas card entries.

I started by using the Festive stencil (Tim Holtz), adding a layer of white texture paste.  Once I removed the stencil, I sprinkled over top of the wet paste with Kaleidoscope embossing powder.  I let the paste dry before heat embossing.  It adds a lovely sparkle to the background which is hard to see in the photo above, but you can see it more in the close-up photo below.

I die-cut pine branches and berries (AliExpress) from metallic card stock, gathering them into a swag and topping with a black sentiment banner which is stamped and heat embossed in gold.  I always happy when I have a chance to add a bit of sparkle to a Christmas card. :)

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the reminder post on the challenge blog to see the beautiful pine cards from our wonderful Designers.

Come join us ... the challenge is open for another week.

I've used snippets for the pine branches, berries and sentiment ... so I'm sending this card over to Snippets Playground Challenge #434.

Thanks for coming by!

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Stamps:  Snowglobe Sayings - retired (MFT)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Green and Red Foil card stock (Nuvo); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Versamark
Accessories:   Festive stencil (Tim Holtz), white texture paste (Dreamweaver), palette knife, Kaleidoscope embossing powder (Stampendous), heat tool, Pine Branches and Berries dies (AliExpress), gold embossing powder

Challenges:
CAS Christmas August Reminder - Pine

Snippets Playground Challenge #434

July CAS Christmas Reminder - Santa

Hi everyone.  We are over half way through July already!!  Time for a reminder of the CAS Christmas  challenge this month ... Santa.  Hosted by the wonderful Barb, she wants us to include Santa (or Santa-inspired elements) on our CAS creations.

I pulled out a NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) stamp from Stamping Bella (Santa and his Reindeer - retired)  that I've had for a long time.  This cute Santa and a couple of his reindeer are stamped in black ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then used the Falling Snow stencil from Simon Says Stamp to add white textured paste to the top of my card panel, making sure to avoid being too close to my image.

Once the paste was dry, the image was watercoloured using distress inks.  I used my soft gray zig marker to add details to his mustache and beard ... and to create the snowhill.

To finish the card, I stamped the sentiment (Christmas Sentiments - Gina Marie Designs) under the sleigh in black ink, heat embossing in clear.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the wonderful reminder cards from our Designers.

And I hope to see you soon in the challenge gallery!

Since this was the first time using this stamp, I'm sending my card over to the NBUS #40 Challenge.  I took so long to finally ink this up, that it is now retired. :)

And, I'm sending this card to the Merry Little Christmas Challenge #45.

Thanks for stopping by!

If you would like to subscribe by email,

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

Make sure to add "subscribe" to the message.

It is also important to add sw1subscribers@gmail.com to your contact list

so Google recognizes the address and delivers the updates.

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

"unsubscribe" to the message.

Thank you.

Stamps:  Santa and his Reindeer (Stamping Bella); Christmas Sentiments (Gina Marie Designs)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Fired Brick, Wilted Violet, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Salty Ocean, Mowed Lawn, Brushed Corduroy, Rusty Hinge, Walnut Stain, Black Soot (Tim Holtz); Zig Light Gray marker
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), Falling Snow stencil (Simon Says Stamp), White Texture Paste (Dreamweaver), palette knife, paint brushes

Challenges:
CAS Christmas July Challenge - Santa

NBUS #40 Challenge

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #45