Amazing Monoprint Happy Flowers

Recently Denny and I were trailer camping for a couple of weeks and I took a few stamping supplies. I precut card fronts and ATC cards to practice and play with my Zig watercolor markers and Brushos. I used my Zigs to Monoprint Stencil my ARTplorations "Happy Flowers" stencil onto Arches 140# Cold Press paper.  I used my 3M Post-It-Note Tape to tape down my W/C paper onto my craft mat.   I then scribbled Zig markers (a yellow, orange and red) over the front side of my stencil...spritzed with water..then carefully turned over my inked stencil and laid onto my W/C paper using a paper towel on top to rub the stencil to distribute the Zig watercolors.  I removed the stencil carefully and let my piece dry.  I replaced my stencil and used my Micron 05 pen to trace my flowers.

That was my piece I started with today.  I did use my aqua painter to spread the ink around more and went over the flowers again with my pen.  Used my MISTI to repeat stamp my sentiments for good ink coverage.  I used my Archival Black Ink.  Works best on textured Cold Press paper.

I added a layer of SU Basic Black CS behind my main image so it would pop even more.  Monoprint Stenciling is one of my very favorite techniques.  You can get the coolest results.  I love how my card turned out...hope you do too!

Here is my favorite  SCS "Stencil Monoprint" Tutorial by Lee-Anne 

I made my card because my good friend Karen D is hosting this weeks SCS TLC588 Challenge: Stencil Monoprint

Also this weeks SCS CAS379 May Flowers hosted by Tammie E works for my card.

More Challenges :-)

STAMPlorations Never Ending Anything Goes Challenge

STAMPlorations Blog May Challenge: Stamping and Anything Goes

Card Recipe

Stamps: STAMPlorations "Bold Sentiments": Hashtag Authentic

Paper:  SU Basic Black and Whisper White Thick.  Arches 140# Cold Press

Inks:  Archival Black, Zig Clean Color Real Brush watercolor markers, Micron 05 pen

Accessories: Craft mat, Artplorations "Happy Flowers" stencil, 3M post-it-note tape, paper towel, spritzer, dimensionals, aqua painter, MISTI

Techniques: CAS, Stencil Monoprinting, pen tracing, repeat stamping with MISTI

Thank you for Looking and especially for Commenting.  Thank you Karen, Lee-Anne and Tammie for all your Inspiration this week :-) A big thanks to you Shery for your awesome STAMPlorations stamp and stencil designs !

Smooshed and Heat Embossed Flowers

I was so inspired by Cornelia of Stempel Spas's Gorgeous STAMPlorations DT #77 Inspiration Project

I used the same steps and color combo as Cornelia.  I heat embossed my "Blooming Buds" flowers with Versamark and SU White EB Powder using my SU heat tool.  Then used the Smooshing and Splashing watercoloring techniques for my background to get an EB Resist main image.  I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade and Festive Berries on Strathmore 140# Mixed Media paper.  I also used my aqua painter to move the DI around on each of the heat embossed flower petals. The sentiment is also from the "Bloomin Buds" designed by Dee for STAMPlorations.

The color combo is from this weeks SCS  CC584 (Color Challenge).  I even got brave enough to add Memento Tuxedo Black splatters like Cornelia did on her card.  Loved the results.  I trimmed my main image with SU Basic Black CS and added my heat embossed sentiment.

Such a bright and cheerful card for someone who needs cheering up!  Thank you so much Cornelia for your Inspiration.  

Challenges I am entering...

STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge

 Time Out #57 Challenge: "May all your weeds by wildflowers"

STAMPlorations May Challenge: Stamps and Anything Goes 

Creative With Stamps #2 CAS

Card Recipe
Stamps: STAMPlorations "Blossoms and Buds" by Dee
Paper: SU Whisper White Thick and Basic Black CS.  Strathmore Mixed Media 140#
Inks:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks; Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade and Festive Berries.  Memento Tuxedo Black and Versamark
Accessories: SU White EB Powder, Heat tool, aqua painter and dimensionals.  Paint brush and craft mat.
Techniques: Heat Embossing, Smooshing, Splashing and Splattering....The 3 S's :-)

I am sharing two of my favorite video's for the Smooshing and Splashing Techniques.

Smooshing with Inks Video by Loll Thompson
Splashing with Ink Video by Loll Thompson

Have fun getting inky my friends.  Thanks for Looking and especially commenting :-)

Gilded Scribbly Bird

I needed a sympathy card for a Nature Loving friend.  On a recent camping trip my DH and I were trailer camped one night at Sheldon Wildlife Refuge in western Nevada.  We were right next to a marshy area that was filled with all kinds of migrating birds.  We had so much fun watching  yellow headed black birds with glittery gold breasts and crown.  I thought immediately that I wanted to try making a bird card when I got home using my NUVO "Gold" Gilded Flakes. This was my 1st time to try this product. I managed to keep most of the flakes in the jar..they do like to float!

I Heat Embossed my Ranger "Scribbly Birds" by Dina Wakely with Versamark and SU black EB Powder and Heat Tool.  Then spread with a paint brush my Golden's Heavy Gel Medium on the crown and breast for a sticky surface.  Then rubbed with my finger the flakes to attach and burnish the flakes. It gave an amazing shiny gold effect.  I then colored my bird with my black Zig marker leaving 2 areas on the wing and tail feathers white like the natural bird.  I then fussy cut my bird.

I had planned to watercolor wash the background and then remembered my retired SU heat embossed Designer Paper and thought...perfect for a meadow bird.  I brayered a panel of the DSP with SU Mint Macaron and attached to a layer of the white uninked DSP.  Inked the legs of my bird with Stazon and attached my fussy cut bird with dimensionals.  I stamped my sentiment with Stazon and die cut with a banner die,  added a gold brad and attached with dimensionals. I added the sentiment "Keep a green bough in your heart, and perhaps a singing bird will come." to the inside.  This beautiful sentiment is part of the "Scribbly Bird" stamp set.

I had fun playing with my gilded flakes for the 1st time and being inspired by Nature.

CAS Mix Up May Challenge: Heat Embossing

The CAS Mix Up May Challenge ends on May 24th..PDT end of day!  So many gorgeous and creative samples in the Gallery :-)

Card Recipe
Stamps: Dina Wakely "Scribbly Birds"
Paper: SU W. White Thick and Heat Embossed DSP retired, Strathmore Mixed Media 140# for Bird
Inks:Versamark, Zig markers, SU Mint Macaron
Accessories: SU Black EB Powder and Heat Tool, Brayer, papersnips, dimensionals, Golden's Heavy Gel Medium Matte finish, NUVO Gilding Flakes (gold)
Techniques: Stamping, Heat Embossing, Brayering, Burnishing, Fussy Cutting

Thank you for Looking and especially for Commenting.  Always Appreciated my friends!

CAS Alcohol Ink Congratulations

Recently I went to my local "Caligraphy Guild's" workshop on "Alcohol Ink Techniques".  One of the members showed many samples of different techniques and provided us (12 excited crafters) with different papers and alcohol inks.  Did we ever have fun.  We all went home with several samples to make into finished projects.  Here is just a small section of one of my pieces.  I used glossy paper and Adirondack Alcohol Ink on my sample..  I dropped the ink onto my paper and blew with a straw straight down onto my drops for very interesting "Pops" of colorful splats :-)  I just added Die Cutting, Dimensionals and Heat Embossed Congratulations for my finished card.

My card will be the 8th grade graduation card for my great niece Makoa :-)

Here are the Challenges I am entering...

Less is More #277 Theme Challenge: Pop and/or Bang

Addicted to Stamps and More #194 CAS

STAMPlorations May CAS Card Challenge..no twist

CAS Mix Up May Challenge Stamping + Heat Embossing + Alcohol Inks and Die Cutting

Card Recipe

Stamps: SU Balloon Celebration sentiment

Paper: SU Whisper White and W. W. Thick.  Glossy paper

Inks: Versamark,  Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Inks

Accessories: SU Black EB Powder, Dimensionals, Memory Box Stitched Rectangles, straw

Techniques: CAS, Heat Embossing, Straw blowing on Alcohol Inks

Tim Holtz Demo's Alcohol Inks on Yupo CHA 2016

This is my favorite alcohol ink video on You Tube,  but there are many more.  Well worth your time.

Happy Stamping and Thank you for Looking and especially Commenting!

Watercolored Emboss Resist Hello

I tried a new technique "Watercolor Burst",  but used Zig Markers instead of the "Peerless" Watercolors shown on this awesome You Tube Video "Watercolor Burst".  I Heat Embossed my SU Hello using Versamark and SU Black EB powder and heat gun.  Then I used the wet on wet watercoloring technique for my Zig colors.  I used a wet paint brush #4 to lay down water onto my Strathmore 140# Mixed Media paper.  Then laid down seven Zig marker colors for a rainbow of colors letting the watercolors follow my water tracks.  Always fun to watch that process.  I finished my card by die cutting my layers with my MB Stitched Rectangles and added a pretty ombre watercolored punched butterfly with rhinestones.  I watercolored a scrap of  Arches Cold Press WC paper with my Zigs and then punched my butterfly.  I used my Zig marker to color my purple frame spreading the watercolor with a wet paint brush. When all dry I inlaid the main image and purple frame turning over and attaching both with scotch tape.  Then attached main image to Certainly Celery layer.  My card is 3 3/4" by 4 3/4".

Enjoy and hope you get to watch the really cool video. Watercolor Burst Video

My card is for these challenges...

CAS Mix Up May Challenge Stamping + Heat Embossing + Watercoloring + Inlaid Die Cutting

Time Out Challenge Celebrate Sandie's 50th..CAS with Purple Twist

AAA Cards #64 Inlaid Die Cutting

Happy Little Stamping CAS May Challenge Inlaid Die Cutting

Splitcoaststampers CAS377 Groovy Challenge

Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge #545 Color Combinations
I was inspired by This Pinterest Color Palette

Card Recipe

Stamps: SU Four You (ret)

Paper: SU Certainly Celery (ret), Strathmore Mixed Media, Arches Cold Press

Ink: Versamark, Zig Clean Clear Real Brush watercolor markers

Accessories: SU Black EB Powder, heat tool,embossing buddy, rhinestones and Bitty Butterfly Punch. Memory Box Stitched Rectangles, dimensionals

Techniques: CAS, Heat Embossing, Inlaid Die Cutting, Wet on Wet Watercoloring

Thank you for Looking and a special thank you for Commenting.  Happy Birthday Sandie :-)

Snow Dust Peace

This is my CAS Mix Up May 15th Reminder Card..Heat Embossing.  I used Stamping + Heat Embossing (Emboss Resist) + Brushos watercolored background and Masking.  You have until May 24th to play along.

I had so much fun using my Penny Black "Snow Dust" stamp that I bought just before Christmas last year.  I inked with Versamark and dusted with SU white EB Powder and heated with my SU heat tool on Strathmore 140# Mixed Media Paper.  I then masked the edges, sprinkled with Leaf Green and Blue Brushos and spritzed with water.  Then I used my aqua painter and spread the Brushos around keeping the ink loose on the edges of the mask to give an un even edge.  Removed the mask and let air dry.  LOVED the effect. The background even has an allusion of a river and lush flora. I then stamped the Happy Little Stampers "Merry Christmas Sentiments" sentiment on black CS using Versamark.  Covered with White EB powder and Heated.  I really liked how the sentiment popped. I then attached the 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card front to a SU Whisper White thick A2 card.


I really wanted to see the effect I would get using the same exact steps as above,  but on Fluid 100 Hot Press 140# paper.  There is a definite difference.  The graininess of the Brushos powder  did not disolve easily like on the Mixed Media paper. Also the edges turned out differently.  I stamped my photopolymer "Peace" 3 x's with my MISTI for good coverage.  I liked this card too,  but my 1st card is my favorite.  I popped up the main image.  Both cards are very mailer friendly :-)

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Penny Black Snow Dust,  Happy Little Stampers Merry Christmas Sentiments
Paper: Strathmore 140# Mixed Media, Fluid 100 Hot Press 140# and SU Whisper White Thick CS
Inks: Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black, Brushos
Accessories: SU White EB Powder and Heat Tool, MISTI, Aqua Painter, dimensionals, Made a mask by die cutting a frame with my SU rectangle dies and then attached with painters tape.  That way I did not pull off any of the paper.  I need to get real "masking tape".  On my wishlist!
Techiniques: Heat Embossing and EB resist, CAS, Masking

Thank you for Looking and Commenting my friends.  I hope you get to play in this months CAS Mix UP..Heat Embossing Challenge.  You still have until May 24th to join the fun!

CAS Magenta "Bejeweled" Birthday

I had fun watercoloring my Penny Black "Bejeweled" stamp with my Zig Markers then misting with water and stamping directly onto my watercolor paper.  I found the best method was to use one color at a time then stamp.  Because I was  using my MISTI I could repeat each layer and get exact positioning.  I started with the magenta's using the lighter colors first.  After dry I  went onto the next layer.  I did the same with the greens.  I Loved the Watercolor results.

I finished my card with the Memory Box Stitched Rectangle Die Cut and STAMPlorations "Live Love Laugh" sentiment,  which I stamped several times using my MISTI.

What did we ever do without our MISTI's?

My card is for these challenges....

STAMPlorations May CAS Card Challenge with the Twist...Magenta

Seize the Birthday Anything Goes Topping Coloring

  

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Flowers

Penny Black and More May Challenge: Anything Goes

Now I need to go outside and play with real flowers :-)  Enjoy and Happy Stamping.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Penny Black "Bejeweled",  STAMP lorations "Live Love Laugh"

Paper:  SU Very Vanilla, Arches 140# Cold Press

Inks: Zig Clean Color Real Brush Watercolor Markers, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: MISTI, MB Stitched Rectangle Dies, aqua painter to help spread watercolors, mini mister

Techniques:  CAS, Watercolor Marker Layering, Die Cut

Thank you for Looking.  I Love when you comment too :-) 

CAS Mix Up May Challenge

Close-Up: Showing the raised and shiny Heat Embossed framing, flowers, butterfly and sentiment.

  CAS Mix Up May 2016 Heat Embossing Challenge

Used Stamping, Heat Embossing/Emboss Resist, Sponging and Fussy Cutting

I am Thrilled and Honored to have been invited by Loll and Bonnie to join their CAS Mix UP Challenge Design Team along with Susan.  We all have been SCS friends for several years.  Our styles are mostly Clean and Simple, but we also Love to play with Mixed Media Techniques.   Thank you Bonnie and Loll for creating a new unique challenge that fits our style and many other CAS stampers as well.

Heat Embossing was one of the very first techniques I learned over 16 years ago as a new stamper.  It was magical then and still is now!  I needed a CAS "guy" card so I challenged myself  to make my card CAS without using white for the "White space".   I Heat Embossed my flowers and sponged my Crumb Cake CS with Crumb Cake ink for a faux suede look.

I sponged the edges with Night of Navy, covered with Versamark then clear EB powder and Heated.  It made the framing stand out much more.

I popped up the Heat Embossed sentiment and stamped and Heat Embossed the tiny butterfly with EB powder and colored in with my Night of Navy marker.  Still one more step...I fussy cut my butterfly, covered with versamark and clear EB powder and heat embossed.  I love doing that after I have colored small images to make the colors pop.

A Lot of Heat Embossing and Emboss Resist Going On! Hope you can join the Fun!

   

Card Recipe: 

Stamps: Tim Holtz "Stampers Anonymous,  SU Sale-A-Bration Hello (sentiment) and Flowering Fields (butterfly)

Paper: SU Crumb Cake

Ink: Versamark, SU Night of Navy and Crumb Cake

Accessories & Tools: Su Early Espresso and Clear EB Powder, SU Heat Tool, sponge daubers, MISTI, papersnips, dimensionals, glue dot, embossing buddy

Techniques: Masculine CAS, Heat Embossing, Emboss Resist, fussy cutting, sponging

Thank you for Looking and Commenting my friends!