Tuesday, January 1, 2019

CAS Mix Up January 2019 Bokeh Challenge

 Happy New Year my friends.
I invite you to play along with the CAS Mix Up Bokeh Challenge.

Be sure and check out the inspiring cards by our creative DT and very talented
Guest Designer Viv (Viv's Visuals)



I am looking forward to hosting the Bokeh Technique Challenge.

This will be my last month on the CAS Mix Up Design Team,  but I will still be playing on
this fabulous and inspiring challenge.  I have learned so many new Mixed Media
Techniques and love all the very talented DT and GD girls!

I will not be going far...I will be joining Loll's new CAS Stencil Card Challenge
that goes live on the 4th day of each month,  starting on January 4, 2019!



My Card!
 Bokeh Technique + Stamping + I chose die cutting 
and Encrusted Jewel Technique (Layered Embossing Powders).

There are several Bokeh videos on the CAS Mix Up Challenge blog.
I chose the Create a Beautiful Background with the Bokeh Technique by Keenan
Kreations (6:32).

You can make your own circle cut stencil using different sized circles cut out of an acrylic
sheet or in my case,  I used a Kaiser Craft "Bubbly" Stencil.

For my 1st step,  I used Strathmore Mixed Media paper and a SU Craft Sponge
to sponge on all the Distress Inks to get a saturated colored background .

For the background I chose Distress Ink colors: Fossilized Amber, Broken China,
Faded Jeans, and Wilted Violet.

I placed the stencil in different areas and sponged circles with Versa Magic Cloud White
Pigment ink using a sponge dauber.  The videos really do help with your 
Bokeh Technique and background sponging if you have never tried this technique. 

You are working with pigment ink, which smears easily. 
You will learn tips to help prevent smearing on the videos.  I did paper towel blotting,
 a lot of drying with a heat tool and air drying.

I made a couple 3" x 4" backgrounds,  knowing I would be cutting them down.
It gave me more practice too. Once your backgrounds are done you can get 
creative with your finished card designs.  

I used Gemund Woodland 110# Cardstock for my card base,  that my dear friend Leslie 
gave me last Christmas.  I die cut the window on the A2 card front using
Dianamics Square Peek-a-Boo window die.

Next attached a piece of the Bokeh background behind the die cut window
using scotch tape.

I found these beautiful "Encrusted Jewel" dolphins in my stash from our
2018 Retreat in BC.  Sharing My Blog Post with the description of the technique.
My Bokeh Background reminded me of an undersea world, so 
the dolphins looked like the perfect fit!

Stamped my Penny Black sentiment in MISTI and heat embossed.
Then attached card front to card base and Done!

Be sure and check out all the beautiful and creative  Clean and Simple Card samples
from our very talented CAS Mix Up Design Team and Guest Designer.
You have until the 24th to play along!

 Thank you again Loll and Bonnie for the fun and inspiring
Fabulous CAS Mix Up Challenges.

Love and Hugs..



Adding to CAS Stencil Card Challenge: Sponging



Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black Happy Snippets
Paper: Gemund Woodland CS.  Strathmore Mixed Media
Inks: Distress Inks:Fossilized Amber, Broken China, Faded Jeans, and Wilted Violet.  Versafine Black ink for sentiment.  Versa Magic Cloud White pigment ink.
Accessories: Kaiser Craft Bubbly Stencil. Sponge dauber. Dianamics Square Peek-a-Boo Square Die. Memory Box Die Cut Dolphin. Dimensionals for dolphins. 




27 comments:

  1. What a beautiful and creative card Nancy and yes that glorious background looks fabulous as an underwater scene. The colours and the Bokeh effect looks stunning and so are those fabulous dolphins. They look like they are having fun hoping in and out of the die cut square and into their beautiful water scene x.
    Thank you for all the marvellous inspiration on the CAS Mix Up DT Nancy and I will miss you x Happy New Year my friend x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amazing card, my friend! LOVE the colours ... such a great combination and looks amazing with the bokeh technique. And your encrusted dolphins are just perfect. LOVE the depth and sparkle of the layered embossing powders. Great texture from your wood grain card front. Wonderful inspiration as always, Nancy! You will be missed on the CAS Mix Up team!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Perfect combo Nancy with the encrusted Jewel and the bokeh technique. the bokeh looks like water bubbles. I'm sure you'll have fun at CAS stencil sounds like a fun challenge :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Have to agree with other comments Nancy, your card is a wonderful combination of the two techniques, creating a fun card with a great appropriate sentiment

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fantastic Bokeh card, Nancy! I absolutely love this card! The ink blending of the background looks like a rainbow under the sea and the Bokeh effect is soft and beautiful. And the encrusted dolphins are amazing! The shiny and mottled skin looks so realistic. What a happy ocean scene with the perfect sentiment!
    You'll be dearly missed, but we're excited about seeing your creations at CAS Stencil!
    Hugs.. Hideko

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful card Nancy, love those encrusted dolphins, they look so realistic and the bokeh background suits them perfectly, I must check out the videos as this is a new to me technique! Cathy x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the Bokeh background your created for your dolphins to be jumping through Nancy! beautiful colors chosen - I've never done Bokeh so I think I'll give it a try! See you on the 4th at the Stencil challenge! xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful final card for your last CAS Mix Up post! Beautiful colours in the bokeh background - perfect watery bubbles for the dolphins!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love it!! What a beautiful result with the bokeh and those dolphins are gorgeous!! Fabulous design Nancy! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nancy, this is fabulous! No one does a better job on encrusted jewel than you! Love those whales and that gorgeous background - so perfect for them. I love this!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Amazing dolphins on a gorgeous background Nancy - encrusted Jewels... got to have a go at that too!
    (Thanks for having me this month. x)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, those dolphins are simply "believable"! Your Bokeh is fabulous too, I had so much fun with this new to me technique. It was a great a great adventure Nancy, I totally appreciated your support throughout. I know you'll add so much to the Stencil Challenge team, thanks for being there. Happy New Year and many more cards xxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, Nancy, this is beautiful and I LOVE the bokeh technique! The Bubbly stencil is perfect for it and makes it perfectly easy. I might have to make that my first stencil. What a fantastic card with the encrusted jewel dolphins. You'll be great with your new team!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Now are you sure those are bokeh, and not bubbles from your sweet dolphins? LOL they are surely beautiful, and what a fun design! Makes me wish I'd learned to swim, Nancy!
    So glad to read you're not going far... stencils, huh? hmmm I think I have a few buried around here somewhere! xx and Happy New Year, friend!
    =]

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fun final challenge to host here, Nancy. Your background is beautiful and only accentuated with those gorgeous encrusted dolphins. Fabulous colours... need to make a note of them for future. 😉 Thanks for the inspiration.
    Happy new year! xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your bokeh water is beautiful but those dolphins are stunning. I love that encrusted technique and it looks fantastic. The framing is so pretty for this card. Congratulations on the design team for stencils.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I remember these dolphins from the retreat, Nancy. I loved them then and love them still! The Bokeh background is perfect for their play! A fun challenge, my friend. We will miss you here at CAS Mix Up! Hope you keep playing with us!

    ReplyDelete
  18. just an awesome card mf.
    well done!
    xx Karen

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a pretty design altogether Nancy, and love the colours you have used for the bokeh background and the peek-a-boo frame looks great. The dolphins are just perfect over the top, and I love the woodgrain cardstock for the base card too. x

    ReplyDelete
  20. WOW! Your card is absolutely, positively STUNNING, Nancy! Your Bokeh background is so pretty and your color palette is just beautiful! I love all the texture you created with the dolphins, and that you chose woodgrain for your card base...I'm so impressed, and really glad you played along with us at CAS Stencil :)
    Thanks for recommending the video tutorials...I'm off to check them out now ~ Barb xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Barb for your glowing comment:-) I have to admit, this is going into my all time favorites list! We do have fun! Hugs..Nancy

      Delete
  21. I just love everything about this card, Nancy- the woodgrain texture, the bokeh background and the jewel encrusted dolphins, so creative. TFS at CAS Stencil x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Awesome design Nancy love every detail of you beautiful card. Hope you enjoy you new DT challenges and thanks for being on CAS Mix Up.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love everything about this card, Nancy. The woodgrain c/s adds subtle visual interest, your bokeh is just gorgeous and your dolphins look like they have just jumped out of the water as they played.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Simply lovely!
    The colors in your Bokeh panel
    inspired my color selection for
    my entry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved the color combo too, Lucy. So pleased to inspire your entry. Hugs..Nancy

      Delete
  25. This is gorgeous my friend. Love the look of those dolphins xx

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for visiting and leaving your much appreciated comments! Hugs....Nancy