Evergreen Christmas

Hi everyone.  I was hoping to have this card done before the end of April, but life got in the way.  I'm playing along with SCS April Christmas Challenge - E is for Evergreen.  Thankfully there is no time limit on SCS challenges. :)

I'm hoping that the "Evergreen" element doesn't actually have to be green. :)  I created a mixed media background with watercoloured tissue paper, sponged colour, dry embossing, and brayering.  I love this combination that I used on a card last year.  I made good use of my time by creating three similar card fronts.  I split two of the card fronts to make four equal panels, and used the third card front to create strips for the inside of my cards. :)  

For the four focal panels, I added mostly the same elements ... evergreen dies cut from matte gold foil card stock and gold embossed white sentiment strips.  These all tie in with the gold metallic paint I brayered to highlight the dry embossed design (Pepperberry Embossing Folder - Simon Says Stamp), overtop of a watercoloured tissue paper mounted background.

Sending this card to the following challenges:

SCS April Christmas Challenge - Evergreen (CCC26APR)

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 1 - Inks - I used inks to W/C tissue paper, and sponge over top

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #68 - AG Christmas

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The other three cards ...

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sayings (MFT - closed)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Matte Gold cardstock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Lumberjack Plaid, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Tissue paper, water mister, Pepperberry Embossing Folder (Simon Says Stamp), Brayer,

Gold Metallic Paint (Lumiere), Holly Branches dies (Penny Black), Inspired die (Reindeer) - Penny Black,  Holly & Berries die (Birch Press Designs); Mistletoe die (unknown)

Challenges:

SCS April Christmas Challenge - Evergreen (CCC26APR)

Darnell's IDEAS Calendar - Week 1 - Inks

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #68

Happy New Year!

Hi everyone - Happy New Year!!

I'm starting the year by sharing a few cards I made and sent out for Christmas, but didn't have time to post late last year.  These were all made with backgrounds I had in my stash.  Most times I will make multiple backgrounds when trying out a new technique.  I keep them handy to create cards later on.

For details about other supplies I've used on these cards, check out the Card Recipe at the bottom of this post.

Above is made with a brushos background ... the two cards below are made from a recent technique from Group of Cardmakers - Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing.  Long name :) ... but a grouping of fairly simple techniques that together, create lovely backgrounds.

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Sending the above card to Stencil Fun December challenge - Winter related.  Closes Jan. 3, 2026.

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Card above is stenciled using Sticky powder and gold mica powders.  Again, made from my stash of technique samples. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Shine Upon You (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:   Brushos:  shades of green and blue; Mowed Lawn distress ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Evergreen Window die - retired (Memory Box)

Card #2:

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sayings (MTF out of business); Merry Up (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Blue Metallic paper (Tonic)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Broken China, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Tissue paper (watercolour with light light blue, dark blue, purple), sponges, Vine Canopy embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), Brayer,Citrine metallic acrylic paint (Lumiere), Stitched Rectangle and Square Frames (AliExpress)

Card #3:

Stamps:  Jolly Snippets (Penny Blck)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Versamark; Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Layered Poinsettia Stencil (Tim Holtz), Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger), heat tool, gold mica powder (Arteza), brush, Rectangle Frame (AliExpress)

Challenges:

Stencil Fun December challenge - Winter related

More Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing two more cards for Group of Cardmakers.  I am loving this combination of techniques!

This time I used the Rose embossing folder from Tim Holtz.  It is 3D, but not detailed with lots of open space around the roses.  Turns out the brayer is very attracted to the open spaces and I ended up with gold paint on the highlights of the embossing, plus a lot in the background.  The images still are beautiful, so I cut around the best parts and made two CAS cards. :)

I finished both cards the same ... simple white frame, and stamped sentiment (happy snippets - Penny Black) using Peeled Paint ink.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Happy Snippets (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Peeled Paint, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:  tissue paper, Rose embossing folder (Tim Holtz), sponges, gold metallic paint (Lumiere), brayer, Rectangle Nestability die (Spellbinders - retired)

Challenges:

Group of Cardmakers - Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing

Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing - Group of Cardmakers

Hi everyone.  This month at Group of Cardmakers, we are making mixed media cards that include four techniques.  By combining these simple elements, you end up with a beautiful, mixed media card. :)

Please check out the details for this month's technique and link to video on the blog, along with more card samples from Christine, Pat, & Susan.

Group of Cardmakers

It all starts with tissue paper.  It needs to be a thick tissue paper (not the one for gift bags - although that might work ... I haven't tried it).  There is a Wet Tissue Paper that can be used to paint, glue, etc., which is a bit thicker, but I have not tried that either.  I will definitely get both of those and give them a try and then update my blog.  I used tissue paper that came from a package of acetate sheets I bought from Amazon.  This is a 12" x 12" package of acetate sheets with a piece of tissue paper between each layer.  This tissue paper is a bit thick and worked great for this technique.  Tissue paper is a wonderful way to add texture to you cards.  

I watercoloured the background first following this video - only the first 3 1/2 minutes, which tells you the how-tos, the rest is other options).

Once the tissue paper is watercoloured with base of colour and dry, I followed the steps on the Group of Cardmakers blog HERE to add sponging, dry embossing, and brayering.  We have added lots of tips and tricks if you want to give this combination of techniques a try ...

For details on what I used to make the cards in this post, check out the Card Recipes at the bottom of this post.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the following challenges:

NBUS Challenge #79 - first time using this embossing folder

Seize the Birthday #316 - Anything Birthday Goes

 

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A Christmas card with lots of texture.  I scrunched tissue before smoothing out and gluing to card front ...

Sending this card to the Rudolph Days October Challenge.

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Here's another Christmas card ... this time I used a regular embossing folder.  The design is not as deep as 3D folders, and you'll see the brayer roller touched the background several times.  I'm still happy with how this card turned out. :)

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... and finally, one more Christmas card.  This time I used only half of my card front to create this card with foil cardstock die-cut. :)  You'll see the remaining half made into cards in the next few weeks. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Birthday Blowout (Poppy Stamps - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Wilted Violet, Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Tissue paper (watercolour with light yellow, purple and pink), Fall Leaves embossing folder (Honey Bee), Brayer, Gold metallic acrylic paint, Princess Gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, Leafy Branch die (AliExpress), sponges

Card #2:

Stamps:  n/a

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Gold Metallic paper (Tonic)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Lumberjack Plaid, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Tissue paper (watercolour with light red, dark red, green), sponges, Poinsettia embossing folder (Spellbinders), Brayer, Gold metallic acrylic paint (Lumiere), Line it up: Christmas dies (Papertrey Ink), Mistletoe die, gold half pearls

Card #3:

Stamps:  n/a

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Silver Metallic paper (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Broken China, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Tissue paper (watercolour with light light blue, dark blue, purple), sponges, Filigree Snowflakes embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), Brayer, Silver metallic acrylic paint (Liquitex), Line it up: Christmas dies (Papertrey Ink)

Cards 4:

Stamps:  Snowglobe Sayings (MTF out of business)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Blue Metallic paper (Tonic)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Broken China, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Tissue paper, sponges, Vine Canopy embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), Brayer, Citrine metallic acrylic paint (Lumiere), Holly and Berries die (Birch Press Designs)

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #79

Seize the Birthday #316 - Anything Birthday Goes

Rudolph Days October Challenge

Guest Designing at AAA Colourful

Hi everyone.  I'm happy and excited to be posting my card as Guest Designer for AAA Colourful Challenge #20.  Thanks to the wonderful team at AAA Colourful for having me this month!

These colours were so fun to play with.  I love the vibrancy of purple, lime green and orange together, complimented by black and gold. :)

I started by gluing a piece of white tissue paper over white card stock, which adds a lovely texture to the panel.  Once the glue was dry, I die-cut Falling Leaves (Penny Black) twice, giving me lots of leaves.  I randomly sponged purple, green, and orange, using my Distress Inks which were closest to the colours above (Seedless Preserves, Mowed Lawn, Crackling Campfire).

To add the gold element, I used a fine gold marker to hand-draw veins on the leaves.  The leaves were placed overtop of a black card base and then glued in place.  Gold embossing powder was used to heat emboss the sentiment and a thick gold marker to draw an edge around the sentiment banner so it stands out a bit from the busy background.  I popped up the banner to add some dimension.

Close-up ... this shows a bit of the texture from the tissue paper ...

There are some amazing and fun cards from the Designers at AAA Colourful.  I hope you'll check it out and play along!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Simply Sentiment (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 65 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Seedless Preserves, Mowed Lawn, Crackling Campfire (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories:   Tissue Paper, detail sponges, Falling Leaves Cut Out (Penny Black), gold metallic markers (Pilot); gold embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:

AAA Colourful Challenge #20

Twofer Challenge #31

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the Twofer Challenge #31.  I used some backgrounds that had been in my stash for a while.  Always great to have them handy to make some quick cards.

This first card is coloured with leftover inks from another project.  I don't want them to go to waste so always smoosh the leftovers with a piece of mixed media paper.

I have had this stamp for a very long time.  It's Pine Tree (Stampscapes) and it's so beautiful.  I stamped a few of the trees in black (1st and second generation stamping) and used a light gray ink for the background trees.  I have already sent this off to a dear friend who lost his mother recently.

The second card started with another piece from my stash - watercoloured tissue paper.  I love the colours and bit of texture from the wrinkled tissue paper.  Stamped Pine Tree (Stampscapes) again twice and then mounted my image on a black card base with circle aperture.  A simple "HELLO" finishes the card.

Edited to add:  Several of you have mentioned that these cards remind you of the fires burning in Oregon and California.  I made these cards a few months back, long before the fires started and did not intend on making cards to reflect the terrible devastation that is happening now.  Sorry if my post has upset anyone.

Card #1: Your in my Thoughts
Stamps:  Pine Tree (Stampscapes); Best Thoughts - retired (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:

Card #2: Hello
Stamps:  Pine Tree (Stampscapes); Happy Messages (Stampendous)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Tissue Paper; Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Circle Nestability die - retired (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #31

Twofer Challenge #5

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the start of Twofer Card Challenge #5.

Just a reminder that the challenge is to make TWO CARDS following the guidelines below and using the prompt word in the above badge.

I'm using my favourite butterfly die for my cards this month.  I'm sure you've seen this die used on my blog several times. :)  I have other butterfly dies, but this one is just the perfect size.

First up is a very CAS design using mostly white.  I have my white card base.  On top I have popped up on foam for dimension, four one inch squares of white card stock that have been dry embossed with a leaf design.

A piece of alcohol inks on yupo paper from my stash was used to die-cut the butterfly and body.  They were glued together and then glued just off-center of the middle of the four squares.  A birthday sentiment is stamped below in bright orange ink to match the colours of the butterfly.

Here's a close-up ...

Second card is a CAS mixed media design.  I started by watercolouring white tissue paper with dye inks.  It's from my stash so I don't know what colours I've used, but believe this is done with distress inks.  I glued the piece onto white card stock and cut my panel to size.  Then I mixed some heavy gloss gel with gold acrylic paint and spread randomly over a honeycomb stencil.  I love how the gloss shines.  The sentiment was stamped in matching gold ink onto a white banner and adhered at the bottom of the panel.  The butterfly is cut from the same white and glued to the front panel, which is popped up with foam for added dimension.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you like my two butterfly cards.  Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing butterfly cards from our two wonderful Guest Designers Linda and Mac, and the rest of our talented team.  I know you'll be inspired to play along.

Just a reminder that this challenge is open for two weeks ... May 10-24.  Don't miss out.  Come join in the fun!


Card #1:  Happiest Birthday
Stamps:  Watching Bloom (Memory Box)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Yupo
Ink: Alcohol inks (Ranger / Pinata); Ripe Persimmon Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Leaf embossing folder (Stampin' Up!), Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box), blending solution

Card #2:  Thankful for you
Stamps:  Lots of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); white tissue paper
Ink:  Distress Inks (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, honeycomb stencil (cut with my silhouette cameo), heavy gloss gel (Golden), Lumiere Gold acrylic paint, palette knife, Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
Twofer Card Challenge #5 - Butterflies

It's coffee o'clock.

Hi everyone.  Having lots of time in my studio playing this week. :)  Today I'm playing along with the challenge Inspired by all the Little Things #84, hosted by Darnell.  Doesn't that birthday cake look delicious??!! :)

I went a totally different way with this inspiration photo.  I used the colours of the cake (pink, blue, purple) in my background with a piece of watercolouring tissue paper. The chocolate icing has turned into a delicious cup of coffee. :)  I added a shimmer spritz to the coffee cup and frame to make it more festive and it also darkens the brown card stock.  Stamped the sentiment in the same ink colour as the card stock, heat embossing in clear.

Here's a close-up ...

Stamps:  All you need is Coffee (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White tissue paper; White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Early Espresso (SU!)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick, Cracked Pistachio, Broken China (Tim Holtz); Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Coffee Cup Silhouette die (STAMPlorations), shimmer mist

Challenges:
Inspired by all the Little Things #84

Acetate and Embossing Paste

Hi everyone.  We are already over half way through the month, so this is a reminder of the CAS Mix Up March Challenge - Acetate, hosted by my talented friend Susan (Cardmaker's Garret).

And it's also our 2nd birthday.  Come celebrate with us.  Prizes for Winner and one random draw of all eligible entries.

I'm having fun with this challenge.  Today's card uses acetate as a "window" for my card.  I have used a wildflower stencil and white embossing paste over top of the clear acetate, and then sprinkled with iridescent glitter embossing powder.  Once the paste was dry, I set the glitter embossing powder with my heat tool.

I've attached the window to the inside of my card front and popped it up over a watercolour tissue paper background.  This background was made by watercolouring tissue paper (see my video tutorial HERE) using Inka Gold.  I've used slate blue and gold.  It's pretty and shimmery.  I stamped the sentiment (NBUS stamp set that I just bought) using a matching yellow gold ink.

We are thrilled to have Cathy (Cathy's Card Spot) as our Guest Designer this month.  Please check out the challenge blog to see Cathy's reminder acetate card, along with the reminder cards from the rest of our Designers.  Then come play along!

I'm also heading over to the CAS Watercolour gallery with this card as the challenge this month is Garden.  I love my garden of beautiful wildflowers with my watercoloured background. :)

Stamps:  Watch Bloom (Memory Box)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); white tissue paper
Ink:  Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Inka Gold in slate blue and gold, acetate sheet, Wildflower stencil (Tim Holtz), White embossing paste (Dreamweaver), Iridescent embossing powder (SU!), heat tool, Rectangle Nestabilities die (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up March Challenge - Acetate
CAS Watercolour March Challenge - Garden

Dry Emboss Acetate

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing with acetate again.  That is the CAS Mix Up March Challenge, hosted by Susan.

After seeing Julia's fun card at the launch of the challenge with the dry embossed acetate, I had to give it a try.  I used just a piece of acetate that came off the back of a stamp set, dry embossing it with a script embossing folder.  I keep any acetate pieces I get for acetate smooshing ... and now dry embossing. :)  This turned out so cool.  I love the clear texture.

I used a small piece of watercoloured tissue that was in my stash.  I ripped it and glued it to the back of my embossed acetate using Tombow Multi-Mono liquid glue, which dries clear.  There is a bit of gold on the tissue (hard to see in photo), so I wanted to add a gold die-cut leaf and sentiment to match.  I don't have this colour of gold card stock, so I used some matching acrylic paint and painted a piece of card stock.  Once dry, die-cut my leaf.  I have left over of this card stock to use on other projects.  Stamped the sentiment with Delicata Gold ink which doesn't need heat embossing. 

Popped the acetate panel on top of my card base, adhering clear pop dots under the tissue area only

Happy with my CAS design using acetate, embossing folder, watercolour tissue, die-cut and stamping. :)

Here's a close-up ...

Always great to up-cycle those acetate sheets that you probably all have from stamp sets you've bought.

Come check out the challenge blog where you'll see the wonderful inspiration cards from our Designers and special Guest Designer, Cathy.  And if you have time, check out the videos that Susan has provided.  Lots of different ways to use acetate! :) 

Also a reminder that we are celebrating our 2nd birthday at CAS Mix Up this month.  We hope you'll help us celebrate by playing along!!

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); white tissue paper
Ink:  Real Red, Tangergine Tango, Daffodil Delight (SU!); Delicata Gold (Tsukineko)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister for watercoloured tissue paper, acetate sheet, Script embossing folder (Sizzix), Little Leaves die-cut (Sizzix); Metallic Gold Acrylic Paint (Lumiere), paint brush, kook tak clear adhesive foam pads

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up March Challenge - Acetate