Less is More Challenge #334 Sketch 20

Here is the Less is More Challenge #334 Sketch 20

I could not resist this wonderful challenge.  The sketch is perfect for a new Poppystamps Die "Snowflake Breeze" that I bought on our stamping store shopping spree when at our Stamping Retreat in Vancouver, BC.  What a great time Loll, Susan, Christine and I had shopping together :-)

A very CAS design with the snowflake die the star of the show.  I die cut the snowflakes from my white CS card front.  Then sponged Distress Oxide Ink, Faded Jeans on an area of the white card base.  Glued the die cut snowflakes onto the white card front.  Before attaching the snowflake card front to the card base I spritzed the sponged background and snowflakes die with Tsukineko Frost White ink that I had added to water in a spritzer.  Very shimmery in real life.

After attaching my card front to my card base I added snowflake embellishments and popped up the sentiment.  For more sparkle I added silver Stickles to the center of all the snowflakes and Wink of Stella to the sentiment.  I wish you could see all the pretty shimmer and sparkle on my card.

Enjoy and thank you "Less is More" for a fun and inspiring challenge.

I am adding also to the June Rudolph Days Challenge: it is always Anything Goes.

Happy Stamping my friends.  Hugs..

Supplies:
Stamps: STAMPlorations Oh, Christmas Tree (sentiment)
Paper: Papertrey Ink Basic White 110# CS
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Oxide: Faded Jeans.  Tsukineko Frost White
Accessories: Poppystamps Snowflake Breeze Die. SU snowflake embellishments (ret).  Stickles Silver.  Foam tape.  Blending Tool for sponged background.

STAMPlorations 4th Birthday Wishlist Linky Party!

Congratulations on your 4th Birthday and fun Birthday Wishlist Linky Party!

Here is my Wishlist!

I had fun making my card using a favorite CUTplorations Die, "Coffee Cup Silhouette".  I die cut my image from a Stenciled Alcohol Ink background from my stash.  Sentiment is from SU.

I hand drew flowers on my cup using my Staedler art pen to make the cup look summery along with summer time alcohol ink colors.  Enjoy your cup a tea this summer...hot or cold :-)

I am looking forward to many more years of inspiration and fabulous friendly customer service from Shery and her very talented DT members.  Congratulations again my friends.  Hugs..

Supplies: 
Stamps: SU Balloon Celebration
Paper: SU Thick Whisper White, Yupo Paper
Inks: Archival Black ink.  Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks: Sunshine Yellow, Sunset Orange, Watermelon, Wild Plum.
Accessories: CUTplorations ATC Tag Builder and Coffee Cup Silhouette Dies.  Prima Stencils Composition Book #584641.  Fun Foam.  Staedler art pen.



I am adding my card also to the Summer Coffee Lovers Bloghop.  STAMPlorations is one of their many sponsers of amazing prizes.

CAS Watercolour June Reminder

CAS Watercolour June "Summer" Reminder!

So many beauties this month by our talented Design Team, 2 Guest Designers, LeAnne and Ksenija this month and the Gallery celebrating Summer!   We would love to see you join our Summer fun too!

All my spare time is spent in our flower and vegetable gardens along with my DH...Denny!

Summer to me means...Flowers & more Flowers :-)

 Close Up of  my Distress Oxide Watercoloured background, die cut flower and doodling.

I received this beautiful Memory Box "Sketch Daisy" Die from Loll at our recent Retreat! Thank you again Loll.  I LOVE it and it was already on my wishlist...you know me well my friend :-)

I used a Retreat smooshed background I had made on coated cardstock from my friend, Christine using Distress Oxide Inks: Worn Lipstick, Faded Jeans and Cracked Pistachio.   I kept quite a bit of white when smooshing one color at a time,  which I had stamped onto my craft mat and spritzed with water.  I dried with my heat tool between colors.  I also misted more water on my piece to move the colors around.

When back home I die cut my flower with SU canvas board (ret), Thick Whisper White CS and Black CS. I attached each layer with SU Fine Tip Glue Pen and then to my smooshed piece that I had Die Cut with CUTplorations "ATC Tag Builder.

Next I stamped my STAMPlorations Bee's Knees "Birds of Paradise" sentiment with Archival Black Ink using my MISTI.  I framed my main image by doodling with my Staedler waterproof black pen.

My last step was to die cut a piece of SU black cs using my Memory Box Stitched Rectangle.  I added fun foam ($ store) to the back of my black cs and attached my main image.  Then attached both layers to my SU Very Vanilla card front,  which I attached to my SU Thick Whisper White Card Base.  A fun card made easy with my ready made DOX background and the help of several Die Cuts :-)  Enjoy...

Do come and visit us at CAS Watercolour and be inspired by all the gorgeous DT, our 2 GD 's this month and Gallery cards :-)  You have until June 24th to play along.  Happy Summer Stamping...Hugs..

Supplies: Listed in Description..

More Challenges....

STAMPlorations Never-Ending Anything Goes

Flower Challenge #9 Anything Goes

SSS Monday Challenge: Touchy Feely

CAS Mix Up June Reminder

It is time for the CAS Mix Up June Reminder Cards !  Such inspiring CAS Mixed Media cards this month by our DT, GD and in the growing gallery.  Embossing pastes and Gels are such fun medium to use :-)

I used Stamping + Glass Bead Glitter Gel + Distress Oxide Inks Smooshed Background and Die Cuts

Close up of Glass Bead Glitter Gel !

I borrowed this beautiful Memory Box "Honey Blossom" die from my girl friend, Susan at our recent Retreat in Vancouver, BC.  I die cut it using Strathmore 140# WC paper and watercolored with my Zig markers.   I then used Faber Castell Glass Bead Glitter Gel over all the flowers using a palette knife.  It added a wonderful shiny glittery thickness to the flowers.

Next I used a piece of smooshed Distress Oxide Inks on Arches Hot Press paper from our Retreat and Die Cut with my CUTplorations ATC Tag Builder Die.   I used Archival Black ink to stamp my SU You're a Gem (ret) sentiment using my MISTI.   I have discovered how easily it is to stamp over DOX's,  even when using watercolor paper.  I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick, Fossilized Amber, Broken China and Wilted Violet.  Also love how you can see ALL the DOX's used on a piece,  so do not have to try and remember your color combo :-)

After die cut flower stem dried I attached to my die cut background using SU Fine Tip Glue Pen and weighted down with an acrylic block.  I added fun foam ($ store) to back of main image and mounted on SU Thick Whisper White CS.  The Glass Bead Glitter Gel was a really fun product to use and plan to use again soon.

Hope you get to play along with our CAS Mix Up June Embossing Paste/Gels Challenge. You have until June 24th to join in the fun!  Happy Stamping my friends...Hugs..

Supplies:  Listed in Description..

Adding to:

CAS Watercolour June "Summer" Challenge

The Flower Challenge #9: Anything Goes

SSS Monday Challenge: Touchy Feely

STAMPlorations June CAS Challenge Anything Goes..no optional twist

STAMPlorations Never Ending Anything Goes

Tim Holtz Inspiration-IC600

This weeks Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge (IC600) hosted by Audrie (girlgeek101) was impossible to miss....Tim Holtz Inspiration Board by Maria!!

I was inspired by this beautiful Tag by Tracey from 2013,  but still Trendy!

Here is my Tag Inspired by Tracey's tag on Pinterest!

Stencil layering on tags is so much fun.  I started with a Ranger #8 Manila Tag.  Covered with Goldens Gesso white paint.  When dry I used my T.H. Cargo (letters) stencil and painted with white acrylic paint,  which acted as a resist. Let dry.

I then sponged my Distress Inks using my blending tool : Scattered Straw, Worn Lipstick, Ripe persimmon, Spiced Marmalade and Festive Berries.

Then more stencil layering.  I used Ranger Dylusions (diamonds) and 2 borrowed TCW stencils..heart and sunburst.  

Next I stamped STAMPlorations "Scribbly Splattery Grunge" stamp set (numbers and letters) and a ret. SU text using Archival black ink.  Sponged more Distress ink on the edge of tag.

Then I die cut Tim Holtz Wildflower Dies using SU Thick Whisper White CS and attached with SU fine tip glue pen and weighted down with a large acrylic block to dry.  

I just got my new STAMPlorations "Trendy Feathers 2" stamp set and stamped 3 of the sentiments using my MISTI.  Added SU linen thread and W. White Seam Binding Ribbon...and Done!

I love how the color combo turned out and how the white wildflowers pop.  Enjoy and I hope you can go to Audrie's  Inspiration Challenge post to see the full gallery.  Also a beautiful personal video of Tim.

Supplies: Listed in Description.

Adding to more challenges...

STAMPlorations June Mixed Media/Stenciling

STAMPlorations Anything Goes/Stenciling

If Friends were Flowers!

The Time Out Challenge #84 is "Inspired by Words"

'Flowers and Friends make life a garden"

My card was inspired by STAMPlorations Dee's Blooming Buds stamp set :-)

I spent quiet, relaxing time watercoloring my pretty flowers with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers using #4, 6 and 8 brushes.  I stamped my flowers onto Arches Hot Press WC paper with Archival Black ink using my MISTI.  I masked each flower and the bud to get the flower layout. This is such a versatile stamp set and my go to flower set.  

After watercoloring my image I cut my piece down to fit a CAS design using my MB Stitched Rectangle Die.   I had saved the black CS frame from a previous project and used it to frame my flowers.

Now..where to put my Blooming Buds sentiment?  I finally decided to use like a placard on a painting, which I think worked well.  I added the sequins for balance.  Mounted my main image using fun foam ($ store).

I am very pleased with the results and very happy to join the Time Out Challenge #84 :-) Hugs..

I am adding my card to more challenges..

STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge 

STAMPlorations June CAS Challenge: Anything Goes without optional twist.

CAS Watercolour June "Summer" Challenge

Flower Challenge:Anything Goes

CAS Watercolour June Summer Challenge

Summer has finally arrived on the beautiful Southern Oregon Coast.  My favorite part of Summer has always been the gardening..beautiful flowers, fresh vegetables and fruits !

The perfect time for our CAS Watercolour Challenge...Summer!

Here is my Distress Stains Watercoloured Card.

Last month when I went to my craft retreat in BC we learned a new technique from Susan (Cardmaker's Garrett).  We used Tim Holtz Distress Stains to watercolour open lined stamp images using our MISTI's.  It is a fun and easy technique.  The sponge at the open end of the stains bottle is an easy way to apply your watercolours to the stamps, which I secured in my MISTI.    I stamped my Penny Black "Full of Glee" flowers (a gift from Loll) onto Arches Hot Press 140#  Watercolour paper.

I used #4 and #6 wet paint brushes to move the stains on my flower image.  I also added more stain to an acrylic block to add the darker shades.  I used Seedless Preserves and Peeled Paint for my Stains. It is all about layering.  I let each layer dry before adding the next layer.   I then stamped Loll's PB "Gratitude" sentiment.  I was very pleased with my watercolouring.  Loll reminded us that her artist son,  Jer says to leave white tips on your flowers :-)

I finished my main image at home.   I stamped and cut a mask for my flowers and then added black acrylic splatters with a #8 paint brush.  Also added Washi tape to cover up a splatter smear...hate that! But like the Washi tape :-)    Also added a partial framing using SU Basic Black CS.  My card is 5" x 5 1/2" so I could have more white space.

Enjoy and hope you can join us at CAS Watercolour.  You have until  June 24th to play along.  Be sure and go to our challenge to see all the gorgeous DT cards.  This month we have 2 Guest Designers with beautiful cards to share.  Leanne (weeinklings) and Ksenija (Sweet Kobylkin).

Thank you again Susan for your fun technique,  Loll for your wonderful stamp gift and Christine for sharing your beautiful home for 6 days.  We had such a wonderful time learning new techniques, sharing and gift giving and especially becoming close friends in real life!!!

Congratulations Christine (It's a card day's night) for being chosen as our newest Design Team Member!  Seeing many of your past and present projects in real life made me even more excited to have you as part of our team. Besides your fun and enthusiastic personality being such a perfect fit! Welcome my friend. Hugs!

Joining...

SSS Blog:  Wednesday Challenge...Anything Goes

CAS Mix Up June Embossing Paste/Gels

CAS Mix Up June Embossing Pastes/Gels + Stamping + Your Choice Challenge has begun!

Stamping + Embossing Paste with Glitter on Stencils + Die Cuts and Distress Oxide Inks sponging.

Close Up of Glitter!

Embossing Pastes and Gels are such fun Mixed Media products.  I used This "How to use Embossing Paste with Glitter on Stencils Technique" YouTube Video for my technique.  It was my 1st time to try this technique.  I will definitely use it again.  Love the ease and beautiful sparkle.

1st step.  I sponged a card front using Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks: Faded Jeans, Cracked Pistachio and Wilted Violet onto Arches 140# Watercolour paper.  I then spritzed my piece with water to blend the colors.

Next step...Taped my new Kaiser Craft Mini Designer Template "Bubbly" (gifted to me by my sweet friend Loll) over my sponged card front and used my palette knife to spread a layer of the Gel over the stenciled circles.  I used Goldens Heavy Gel (Matte) Medium.

Next..sprinkled on SU Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and removed the excess DD by tapping the back of my piece with my finger.  Then removed my stencil.   I let my piece dry completely.

Now what?  I kept with my circle theme and die cut part of my card front using my Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers Die.  I set it aside.  Then stamped my SU "You're a Gem" (ret) sentiment and die cut with the smallest circle die.  I still  had plenty of my DOX piece left so used my new Poppy Stamps "Butterfly Sprinkles" Die that cuts out 5 tiny butterflies...perfect for embellishing.

Next I used my MB "Stitched Rectangle Layers" Die (the largest size in set) for my SU Whisper White card front and attached to my SU Thick Whisper White card base.

I used the same circle die to die cut a piece of fun foam (Dollar Store) to add dimension to my main image and attached the small sentiment circle adding 2 SU rhinestones.

Last Step...arranging and attaching cute tiny butterflies with my SU Fine Tip Glue Pen.  This was such a fun glittery CAS Mix Up June challenge card.   Do check out all the beautiful cards from our talented Design Team and our Guest Designer,  Marianne (cards 'n stuff).  I guarantee you will be inspired.  We would love to have you join us this month.  You have until June 24th to play.   Hugs..

More Challenges: 

SSS Monday Challenge Going around in circles

SSS Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes

STAMPlorations CAS Challenge: Anything Goes + Twist: Masculine Colors

Less is More: Challenge #330-Shimmer

Supplies: Listed in Description