Sunday, April 16, 2017

CAS Watercolour April Green and Pink Challenge Reminder

It is already time for our CAS Watercolour April Green and Pink Challenge Reminder. You still have until April 24th to play along :-)



I played with my new STAMPlorations "Framed Solitary Rose" stamp.  After stamping my image I used watercolour layering with my Gansai Tambi pan watercolors.



I placed a piece of Arches Hot Press 140# watercolor paper in my MISTI securing with my Creative Corners and then stamped my Framed Solitary Rose using Versafine pigment ink.  I heat set before starting my watercolouring using layers of Gansai Tambi pan watercolours making sure each layer was dry before adding more paint with my #4 paint brush.  I left my image in my MISTI until I was finished with my colouring.  I used Dark Pink and Ocean Green colours.  I added a watercolour wash using diluted SU Smoky Slate on my rose background. The last step was misting with shimmery spray made with Tsukineko Frost white paint and water.

Letting my image dry in my MISTI keeps the layer nice and flat.  I removed my main image and trimmed along the stamped black border.   I then die cut a SU Shimmery White paper border layer using my new CUTplorations ATC Tag Builder Die,  which has a cool beveled edge.  Used SU Whisper White paper for my CUTplorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Die Cut border.

Next I stamped my Birds of Paradise sentiment in my MISTI using Versafine black ink and then attached each layer.  My Card base is SU Whisper White Thick CS.  My main image was popped up using 3M foam tape.  I love the Clean and Simple design and hope you do too.

Do come and play along with us at CAS Watercolour Green and Pink and be sure and check out all the beauties from our Design Team and Guest Designer, Marcia (marciakdesigns).  Happy Springtime Stamping..Hugs..


More challenges.....







Saturday, April 15, 2017

CAS Mix Up April Inlaid Die-Cutting Reminder

We are already in the middle of the month and having so much creative fun with our CAS Mix Up April Inlaid Die-Cutting Reminder Challenge.  Be sure and check out all the amazingly creative DT and our Guest Designer, Maria's samples of different Inlaid Die-Cutting techniques :-)


I used Stamping + Alcohol Ink Inlaid Die-Cutting + Die Cutting and Monoprint Stenciling

I was so pleased to find this beautiful piece of Alcohol Ink smooshed background in my scraps.  I used Tim Holtz alcohol inks: Lettuce, Juniper and Pesto for my piece.  I die cut it using my Simon Says Stamp "Winter Trees" Die.  I had already cut the SU Gold Foil border and it was tucked into my Die folder so I exchanged the alcohol ink border for the Gold Foil to make the trees pop more.  That was my Inlaid technique..cool, huh?

Next I found a scrap that I had made using the Monoprint Stenciled technique using Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Broken China and Peacock Feathers.  The light blue with a touch of green reminded me of a sky background.  The technique is so easy.  I stenciled my Tim Holtz "Dot Fade" using the DI's above and then with all the excess inks on the stencil,  turned it over onto a piece of Strathmore Mixed Media paper and pressed it down with my hands to remove the ink and create the monoprint dotted image.  I LOVE the effect.

I then Die Cut the piece using the smallest CUTplorations "Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Die.  One more step..spritzed the piece with my home made water and drops of Tsikineko shimmer white paint.  The layer is so shimmery and pretty to go with the shiny alcohol ink trees.

Now...how to attach the die cut trees.  I added tiny drops of glue using my SU Fine Tip Glue Pen to the Gold Foil border and placed onto my background weighing down with my large acrylic block. When dry I added glue to each empty tree and placed each die cut tree.  When all the trees were in position I weighted down again with my acrylic block. It worked great and the pieces were all very secure.

Next I stamped my SU "Hello" from the retired "A Dozen Thoughts" stamp set using Archival jet black ink and popped up the main image with 3M Foam Tape.  A really quick and fun card to make using precious scraps :-)  Enjoy and do come and play along with our CAS Mix Up Inlaid Die-Cutting Challenge.  You still have until April 24th to join the fun.  Hugs...

Supplies: Listed in Description.

More Challenges

SSS Wednesday Challenge: Spring Color Inspiration (green and turquoise in my card)


STAMPlorations CAS April Challenge: Anything CAS Goes with Optional Twist:Pastels..my background is a pastel.


CUTplorations April Challenge: Photo Inspiration.  I used green and turquoise on my card.




Saturday, April 8, 2017

CAS Mix Up Inlaid Coffee Cup

I had so much fun playing with my new CUTplorations "Coffee Cup Silhouette Die".   It was perfect for an inlaid die technique.  I am entering in the CAS Mix Up April Inlaid Die-Cutting Challenge.


I used Stamping + Inlaid Die-cutting + Smooshing and Die cut framing


I loved the small piece of smooshing on Strathmore Cold Press that I found in my stash.  I used neutral and green Tim Holtz DI's. This was one small leftover piece.  I die cut with my new CUTplorations Coffee Cup Silhouette Die and then die cut a 2nd piece using a piece of SU Certainly Celery CS.

The fun part was removing the smooshed pieces and replacing with the green pieces.  I always have loved puzzles.  I then turned it over and scotch taped the entire back,  which holds the inlaid pieces in place.  I then inlaid the main image into the CUTploration ATC tag die cut green frame.

Next I die cut the card front using my CUTplorations Curvy Crazy Double Running Stitch Die.  I popped up my main image with 3M foam tape and stamped my STAMPlorations "Literary Caffiene-ations" sentiment designed by Becca.

Enjoy and hope you get to play along with our CAS Mix Up challenge.  There are gorgeous samples by our talented DT and GD.  You have until April 25th to play along.  Hugs...


Adding to STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge


STAMPlorations April CAS Challenge..no optional twist


NBUS #11 Challenge (no boo, boo) used my new CUTplorations Coffee Cup Silhouette Die and Sentiment.



Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop

Today is the start of STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop!


I recently ordered Shirley's (Bees Knees) STAMPlorations "Birds of Paradise" Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies.  Here is a card I posted to my blog using the stamps and dies.

I am adding this card to the Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop.  It is a birthday card for our soon to be 8 year old grandson.


This was a fun and easy card to make using this fun birds.   I did not die cut the birds this time.  I did Die Cut my sentiment with my SU Word Bubble Die and used my CUTplorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Die to die cut the card front.

First I smooshed my card front with T. H. Distress Inks: Scattered Straw and Mermaid Lagoon.  I then stamped my birds using Archival Black Ink and my MISTI.  Next added Washi tapes and attached my layer to SU Whisper White thick CS and popped up my sentiment.  Easy, Peasy.

Enjoy and hope you get to play along with Stamplorations Blog Hop.   Hugs...





Sunday, April 2, 2017

CAS Watercolour April Green and Pink

The CAS Watercolour April Green and Pink challenge is perfect for Spring Stamping :-)


I had so much fun using the color combo with my new STAMPlorations Shirley's Bee's Knees "Birds of Paradise" stamp set and Coordinating "Birds of Paradise" Die set.


I chose a Zig Markers Smooshed background from my stash.  I arranged my Birds of Paradise bird stamps on my background using my MISTI and Creative Corners. I then stamped with Versafine Black Ink.  Next I die cut my Birds of Paradise stamped images and SU Word Bubbles Die from the background.  I placed my Word Bubble in my MISTI and stamped the sentiment from the same set.

I LOVE the colorful pink and green splatters on all my images.  I popped up the word bubble and bird on the right with foam tape onto my CUTplorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Die Cut card front and adhered my running (trying to fly) bird.  Then added my retired Washi Tape using the green and pink colors to ground my birds.  Added a few sequins for a bit of bling.

I used SU Whisper White Thick (100#) CS for my card base and SU Whisper White CS (80#) for my stitched card front.    I used Loll Thompson's Smooshing with Ink's YouTube tutorial to make my smooshed background. The only difference was I scribbled my Zig markers onto my craft mat and misted with water. Then smooshed my Strathmore mixed media paper.

A really fun card to make using Shirley's really cute stamp set and dies.  I hope you can join our CAS Watercolour Green and Pink Challenge.   You have until April 24th to play along.  There are so many beautiful samples by our very talented Design Team and our very talented CAS Guest Designer, Marcia (marciakdesigns).  Happy Springtime...Hugs

Supplies: Listed in description above.

More Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #8 by Darnell...NBUS Birds of Paradise stamp set and die set.

STAMPlorations Anything Goes.  

Simon Says Monday Challenge: Winged Things

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes


Saturday, April 1, 2017

CAS Mix Up April Inlaid Die-Cutting

Are you ready for our April CAS Mix Up Stamping + Inlaid Die-Cutting + Your Choice Challenge?


Inlaid Die-Cutting is one of my favorite techniques.  Be sure and visit the CAS Mix Up April challenge to get fabulous samples by the DT and our Guest Designer Maria (White Mood).  There are several wonderfully creative video links if you need tutorials for inspiration.

Here is my card using Stamping + Inlaid Die-cutting + Stenciling with Clarity Brushes


I just received my Clarity Brushes using a generous SSS gift certificate from Bonnie and Loll.  Thank you again girl friends.  You are so generous, creative and the BFF :-)

The 1st thing I did after receiving my brushes was to view a YouTube Video Clarity Brushes Quick Stencil Cards by Understand Blue (Lydia) (4:32). Lydia's video was so very helpful.

I used Arches Hot Press Watercolor paper.  I then taped my ARTplorations "Bubbles" stencil over my paper using my favorite 3M masking tape.  I am using the 3 smallest brushes for the 3 color families, then all you do is wipe your brush across scratch paper before you change to the next color family.

Using Lydia's technique I loaded my brush with Tim Holtz Distress Inks; Scattered Straw and Fossilized Amber using a swiping across technique until I was happy with the look. Then did the same with Mowed Lawn using the same brush and overlapping the yellow and greens to blend. Next I used the 2nd brush using Broken China again over lapping the green and blue to blend.  The brush gives a much softer look than blending tools, sponges and sponge daubers with no lines or marks. Very soft and pretty I think.  For darker coloring blending tools are best I think to use over stencils.

I then took my stenciled layer and die cut my Memory Box "Vignette Floral Branch" Die. It is a pretty intricate die, so I used the inlaid technique of just placing the die cut image back into the stenciled layer (just like placing a puzzle piece),  turned the layer over and scotch taped the entire back to hold the die in place.

Next I used 3M foam tape to pop the piece over a layer of SU Marina Mist CS creating a very thin colored frame.  My only embellishments were tiny SU pearls in the center of each flower and a stamped and popped up sentiment from the retired SU "Kind and Caring Thoughts". I was so happy with my 1st Clarity Brushes project.  Hope you like it too.

We would love to have you join our new CAS (Clean and Simple) Mix Up Inlaid Die-Cutting Challenge.   You have until April 24th to play along.  Happy Stamping..Hugs.


Supplies: Listed in Description

NBUS Challenge #11 by Darnell..NBUS Clarity Stencil Brushes and Memory Box Vignette Floral Branch Die. No boo boo's..


STAMPlorations Anything Goes 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes