Happy new year

Weird? please, I'm a limited edition...

That sentiment made me laugh so hard I fell off my chair, almost, lol.
It's from the Riley Company, and I got it from Simon Says Stamp store.

The Wednesday Challenge is anything goes showcasing Lindy's stamp gang.

I used some of  their embossing powders: Hyacinth blue jade, Imperial crown purple gold and Silver moon turquoise. Then also some Wow! embossing powders: chartreuse, blue topaz and Parma violet.

To Make the card I die cut a Simon Says Stamp die called feathers out of a card panel. 
I've left these two dies together as I always seem to use it like this, attached.
I then stamped the sentiment with Versafine black onyx ink and the WRMK precision press.
Heat set the sentiment, to be safe ;-)

I traced the opening of the feathers onto the card base and then smooshed my Versamark ink pad to cover the area, bit more is better than too small a space.

I then sprinkled on the embossing powders in different areas, I call it camouflage embossing, not sure that's the right term though.


I included a video where I also used that technique.
I mounted the panel with foam tape.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this

twinkle twinkle little star

This little girl holding a string of sparkly stars was just the inspiration for both the Monday challenge (party time) and Wednesday challenge (make it sparkle) over at Simon Says Stamp. Showcasing Hero arts products...
The Less is More Challenge : children

Apart from their ultra stamp cleaner I'm afraid I didn't use any Hero Arts stuff....sorry.

The little girl is from C.C. Design and called Star.
I used My Favorite Things Hybrid black ink to stamp her and the sentiment with the WRMK precision press tool.
I got it for my birthday this week and was keen to try it. So far so good.
I also got the portrait box with 6 Illustrator markers from Spectrum Noir. Also used the black Spectrum Noir markers  for the rest of the colors.
I used Crafter's Companion ultra smooth Neenah solar white card stock as my base.
After coloring I adhered the panel onto my card base with tape runner.

I used Wink of Stella on the stars and then covered the stars with glossy accents for shine and sparkly stars.

I thought the sentiment could go for loads of occasions, even Christmas because of the stars, but you could reinforce this on the inside with Happy birthday etc. I didn't yet as I'm not sure when I will send this out...too late for Christmas, but good for a birthday. graduation of some sorts etc.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this.
For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this
For more information on the Less is More Challenge, see this

Gift it!

Gift it is the theme over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, showcasing Mama Elephant products.


I have no Mama Elephant products though :-(

I made a little gift box for a stack of three scented tea lights.
you need a piece of paper 7" long and 5 3/8 high. Take note that the design has to be horizontal is it has a direction. I used a poinsettia paper and as they're round they can go up in each direction, but a tree or a Santa or alike image might end up sideways, so just a tip for you there ;-).

Cut your paper to 7 by 5 3/8
Then score on the long side at: 1 5/8, 3 1/4, 4 7/8 and 6 1/2 inches.
Score on the short side at: 1 5/8, 3 1/4 and 4 7/8 inches.
Burnish your scorelines.
Then cut as shown in the pattern (thicker lines) and remove the \\\\\\ bits.

I chose a purple and gold ribbon to show what color candles are inside. You might not want to give a girlie color to a bloke ;-). Of course you could use colored paper instead.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this.

Watercoloring Art Impressions Christmas cheer penguin, with video

The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is: let it snow.


I started my card by die cutting the word "snow" from Schut watercolor paper. I used Lawn Fawn Finley's ABC, used my grid mat to line them up and taped them in place, sadly the N still moved, but hey, it's handmade so I left it.

I then partial stamped a sentiment from Avery Elle let is snow set and only used the "let it" to complete my own sentiment.

To stamp this I used My Favorite Things Hybrid black ink and I also used this to stamp the penguin from Art Impression Christmas cheer set.

I used Distress inks to watercolor my critter : mowed lawn, barn door, salty ocean, mustard seed spiced marmalade, hickory smoke and black soot.

What I should have done now instead of when I did it was to splatter white Ecoline from Talens on the card as if it's really snowing.


Instead I mounted the foam tape already as I had forgotten the splatter and when I heat set the splatter to prevent boo boos on the front I created one on the back as the glue melted and messed up the foam tape. Fixed it though ;-)

I cut a piece of glitter paper to go behind and below the watercolor panel, so it would make the word snow pop. If you like you could use a lighter blue or white as if real snow, but I kind of like the bold blue behind the panel.

Mounted the watercolor panel on top and that's the card done.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this

new, improved and updated Wow! embossing powders swatchlist

Hello,

welcome to the new, improved and updated Wow embossing powders swatchlist.

You can download ther pdf here

I'm using another server as I don't know how to upload pfd files to Blogger, not sure it's possible, if so I can't find it ;-).

Happy National Christmas card day

Simon Says Stamp is celebrating this day with a call to showcase your work.
I'm totally in love with the scripty Merry Christmas from Simon Says Stamp.
And with Talens ecoline watercolors and some Distress re-inkers and Wow! embossing powders I made a ton of them in a short period.
I used Schut watercolor paper 140lbs and Versamark ink to stamp everything and coats everything in embossing powders (white, silver and gold) and then heat set erything.

I used a variety of splendid vibrant colors

that I find Christmassy

adhered the watercolor panel with foam tape and filled in the gap with some Washi tape.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp call, see this

Ice inspiration

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is: Ice inspiration showcasing My Favorite Things.

I made a shaker card.
To make the window I used a Spellbinders die and cut it out a cardpanel.
Stamped the sentiment from My Favorite Tings (MFT) Beast friends with MFT hybrid black ink.
Then I stamped the yeti on Copix xpress it card also with the MFT hybrid black ink and colored him with my Spectrum Noir markers. Cut him out, went around the edges with a Memento marker and stuck him to the cardpanel. To ground him I colored some shadows beneath him, very lightly, just a hint.
 I chose a more vibrant red and green than the inspiration photo and as I wanted the yeti to stand out I chose that beige in the photo as my yeti color, Or there would have been too much white I think.

I built up the shaker compartment with two layers of foamtape.
then filled it with white and blue glitter and star confetti.
Adhered another layer of acetate.
For the background I used Bristol smooth paper as an experiment to watercolor with Distress inks and Winsor & Newton Iridescerent medium, I  had some left over from my Monday Challenge card, so you  know waste not, want not ;-)

Let that dry then applied Wendi Vecchi embossingpaste through the SSS falling snow stencil, let it dry again.

Adhered everything to a cardpanel.


For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this

watercolored gift box for Ikea Omtalad candle, with video

The simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Christmas Gifts. Showcasing SSS own brand.

I picked up this candle in a glass at Ikea yesterday for the challenge, it’s called Omtalad.

There’s also a smaller version, but that came in a three pack, and not so pleasing scents ;-).

But that one would be easier to make a box for.

For this one you need a piece of cardstock or in this case watercolour paper  of 13”x9”

So a 12x12”paper is too small,sadly.

You can download the pattern, by clicking on the picture.

I made on yesterday with 160grams of Canon copy paper which I have in A3 size. But I found it flimsy and although I knew the Spectrum Noirs and Copics would seep through, and that was Ok, but then I made a few errors and had a few inky fingers, I hid

under enamel dots...the love affair was over.

So this morning I started again with a 300grams or 140lbs piece of watercolour paper.

I never made a box with this paper, but it works well, I was afraid it might tear and break, it didn’t.

Score on the long side at: 3”, 6”9”and 12”

Score on the short side at 3”, 6” all the way and at 2”and 7”up to the second score line, Make sure the thins strip is at the top, that

will form your lid.

Cut and notch as shown in the video or on the pattern.

Decorate at will, as per the challenge requirements I used a few SSS sets, Secret Garden for the Believe, Birthday Balloons for the stars, Gifts and presents for the stars and snowfall.

I considered used the birds from Springtime critters to color them as red robins, but as my paper is so very bumpy I didn’t want to lose detail. So I chose solid stars, dots and a snowflake, knowing very well they might end up looking a bit distressed.

That Distressed look prompted the use od Distress re inkers and for shine I added Winsor & Newton’s Iridescerent medium, but Perfect Pearl would also work, you just need more and I find my PP very precious.

I heat embossed all the images with Versamark and Papermania superfine silver.

Then I applied the Distress inks liberally, mixing them with the iridescerent medium.

The medium will make your water coloring look a bit streaky, also more distressed I guess, but keep that in mind if you use it.

 

To assemble the box I use a hot glue gun as it’s kind of liquid and sticks almost immediately in a very strong bond. Just be careful when you press the papers together, it gets hot, but it holds so much better that taper runner or double sided adhesive and you don’t have to hold it for ages as with liquid glue.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this.

A deer in the woods

The AAA Challenge is : Christmas.

I used the Memory Box tree branch circle die to diecut the window from 140lbs cardstock.
I then chose a piece of patterned paper from a 12x12"block I have and cut out the bit I wanted.

Previously I used a deer diecut and inkblended backgrounds, but  I wanted to change this up, This version would also be much easier to mass produce if you have enough patterned paper.

I stamped the sentiment from Hero arts (classic Christmas borders) with Memento toffee crunch and the MISTI, good thing too as I need to stamp it a couple of times, the magnets are good to keep your paper in place but they also interfere with the "bendability"of the acryllic sheet.

I mounted the panel with foamtape, adhered the deer paper and then applied taperunner to the back so I could attach it to a cardbase.

For more information on the AAA cards challenge, see this

I almost went for my circle and diecut cards, but as one od the DT members (Coralynn) had the same idea, i'll just show you some of mine

Die cuts only

Hello and welcome, I've combined a few challenges as times are busy.
I'm having to emtpy my mums flat after her passing last week and although I'm completely knackered every evening, I still like to wind down with a glass of wine...erhm I  mean coloring a card, I do not drink wine...

Anyway here's the challenges:

Work it Wednesday from Simon Says Stamp, use dies as it's Diecember
Less is More challenge: use primary colors
CAS Colours Sketches: choose a color challenge and make it festive.

I've used the colors from the 200th challenge for my background. I mixed them to get an ombre effect.


To start I diecut a round sticthed cirle from Schut 300grams or 140lbs watercolor paper, then I diecut the stag from the bottom, leaving the silhouette of the stag/deer/buck...I don't know...Bambi ;-)

I then applied water and then the blues. I used Talens ecoline as I'm so happy to have spotted them over at Simon Says Stamp.
I used Memento ink to stamp the Hero arts sentiment from Classic Christmas borders.
To make it snow I splattered white ecoline after the panel was dry-ish, it kinda mingled with the background, but I like the depth that creates.
I've used a fixative spray to safe guard the panel.
 I mounted the panel with foam tape and adhered it to the cardbase.

Updated Dec. 18th:

Ornamental Newton with video

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is: anything goes, showcasing Concord and 9th.
I don't have anything from that brand, sorry.

So instead I chose this cute kitty I got in my last SSS haul. And as SSS has started selling Talens ecoline I used those too.

I started my card by stamping the image with My Favorite Things hybrid black ink and the MISTI allowed me to stamp it trice, I used the smoother side of my watercolor paper (Schut aquarel)
And then I used Versafine black onyx ink to stamp the sentiment, from the same set, directly on the cardbase.

I used a range of colors from Tales Ecoline, a fluid watercoloring medium. I pour it into icecube trays and color from there, so not to  contaminate the little glass pots, and it's easier to carry around than 48 glass jars ;-). Once dry you can rehydrate them with no problems.

I had a few splotches appear out of nowhere and washed them out with clean water, but with the last one I thought "why bother?" and used a stitched round circle die to cut out the image. Popped it up with foam tape.
I added some metallic copper like looking washi tape with tiny stars to the cardbase and popped the panel on top.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wedneday Challenge, see this

Dreaming of a white Christmas, with video

Are you really? I like it when I can stay inside but a blanket of snow or iced over snow is no fun on  bicycle, trust me.

Anyway the card is for the Monday Challenge for Simon says Stamp: ‘O’ Christmas tree.

I started with some intricate double die cutting. See the video on how to do that, it’s hard to explain.

I used the biggest tree die from Yvonne Creations (YCD10053) and an oval die , you can use any brand. I did all this on a panel that’s almost an inch smaller than the card base, or the partial die cutting becomes even more tricky.

I cut a piece of cold pressed watercolour paper to the same size and used Distress inks to color it. For this I used the left over re-inkers that were still on my palette from the galaxy video, they still work.

Wilted violet, black soot, blue print sketch, chipped sapphire and faded jeans, the all look the same in the well, so I swatched them out on the cut offs from the watercolour panel.

I made kind of a gradient night sky. Dried it with my heatgun, but you can leave it to airdry if you prefer. I then applied Wendy Vecchi white embossing paste through a Simon Says Stamp stencil (falling snow).

I chose the bit in the middle for average snowfall. Set it aside to dry.

In the meantime I positioned my sentiment from CAS-ual Fridays’ set  must love snowflakes and stamped it with Versafine black onyx ink on the cardbase. I used the MISTI for this.

For my MISTI I laminated a sheet of the paperblock Simon Says Stamp made for the MISTI so I can try test my stamping and wipe it with a babywipe instead of mucking up a sheet, less waste  and always a nice clean sheet too.

Mounted the panel with foam tape and adhered the watercolour panel, trimmed off excess and then mounted the panel with foamtape again and adhered it to the cardbase.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this

Christmas to die for

That's the challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges. Showcasing their own brand this week.

For my card I heat embossed the SSS Merry Christmas Stamp with Papermania superfine silver embossing powder.

And boy did it want to stick today ;-) this is my third cardpanel lol.

And then I diecut a snowflake border with a die from a Dutch compan(Precious MArieke winterfun border).
Mounted the panel with foamtape.
On the cardpanel I added a strips of  blue glitter paper to the cardbase.
Stuck the panel on top, I first tried a lighter blue, but I  lopve the contrast this one gives, sadly it was my last  bit, infact there's a tiny hole from a butterflu i unched out ;-) but you can't see it, so sssst, don't tell anyone!

Thought about adding some sequins, but I really like this and I feel it's intricate enough.

I'm really loving this Merry Christmas stamp and have used it plenty since I got it, it's so pretty.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this

Building a scene with your stamps, with Lawn Fawn Pa rum pa pumpum and a video

The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is : trio-tastic, use a trio of something.
I used three images from the Pa rum pa pum pum set from Lawn fawn.

I first stamped them on Inkadinkado maskingpaper and cut them out.
I then started by stamping the train and masked it, as I want the train in the front, I need to start with it. The stamped the rocking horse and bear over top, the masking paper protects the train. I used Memento Tuxedo black for all my stamping.

The positioned the sentiment to the right.

I hand drew the Christmas tree and lights, kept the lights all yellow, just to push it to the background as I want the toys to be the focal point.


Colored the whole scene with my Spectrum Noir markers. I work on the Crafter's Companion paper, wich is Neenah solar white ultra smooth cardstock.
I kept the coloring fairly simple, two, max three colors as the images are small and the feel is cartoony I liketo color them simply, if the stamps were more realistic I would adapt my coloring to suit those images, lucky for me I only have cartoony like stamps as I love those haha.

I used my Signo white gel pen to add dots to the eyes, makes them more lively
Adhered the panel onto the cardbase with tape runner.

Off camera I added a glittery enamel fot from Papermania, to the tree top, for some extra sparkle. I also added some Wink of Stella to the lights and the stars on the train.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this

Village with church

The AAA cards challenge, this week is about circles it's game #78.

I loved the card the guestdesigner made (Jessie handmade) and I'm not sure if that unconsciously inspired this card, I saw it this morning, and then just now after I finished the card. I actually based mine on one I did yesterday, but that was all square, and I though to myself it might also work in a round shape...

So I die cut a piece of 140lbs watercolor paper from Schut with a Marianne Design stitched die.
Then I used the village with church die from Craft Emotions to cut it out of the bottom.

I used different tones of blue Ecoline watercolor from Talens and then Sprayed it with a Perfect Pearls mist. Dried it with the heat gun and then stippled in some stars or snowflakes if you prefer with a white Sharpie.

Mounted the panel with foamtape.

I used the Classic Borders set from Hero Arts again for my sentiment and Memento Nautical blue ink.

Mounted the circle to my cardbase.





Yesterday's card.

For more information on the AAA cards challenge, see this