Penciled In

Meet today's card.

I had never tried a technique call Sketched Stamping before, so when I saw the challenge at Splitcoast I really wanted to give it a try.  The idea is to make any stamped image look as though it has been sketched with a pencil instead of stamped with ink.

Basically what you do is to faintly stamp an image.  You can do that by either using a very light stamp colour or by inking and stamping off on a scrap piece of paper.  Next, you take a pencil and sketch over the stamped image adding some shading and definition with the pencil marks. 

This is a new flower stamp I just bought by Local King and thought it would work perfectly for this technique because of the details and shading it has.

I faintly stamped it with grey Memento ink then penciled in over the faint image adding details and shading. I added some Antique Linen sponging to the center and around the edges for interest. I didn't have any graphite pencils to sketch with so just used a regular pencil.
The framing is done in a dark chocolate cs...had trouble getting a good photo of that, it looked black.
The sentiment is from Penny Black.


 Adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says- MAKE IT GIRLIE

Crafty Boots- MONOCHROMATIC

Craft Your Passion- ANYTHING GOES

 Make My Monday- APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS


I hope you get a chance to try out this technique.  I had fun doing it.
Thanks for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:   stamps- Local King, Penny Black/ Memento ink/ pencil/ Distress ink/ Applicator tool

Live in the Moment

I'm calling today's card 'Live in the Moment'.

 I think sometimes I get so busy, I just need to pause for a minute and enjoy the moment.

 I just love this sentiment from Serendipity and wanted to make it the main feature of my card today.  I love sentiments stamps and the script on this one is so pretty.

I began by coloring onto my long acrylic block with Memento Markers, sprayed with water and pressed onto my paper.  I repeated that process a few times....such a great technique to make a quick and easy card.

Next, I inked up the tape measure stamp that you can see faintly in the background, stamped off, then onto my paper to give some more depth to the colored strip.

Lastly, I inked up the sentiment with black Memento ink and stamped it into the bottom right hand corner of my card.   

I am adding my card to these challenges:

Addicted to CAS- RAIN

A Beautiful Mess- ANYTHING GOES

Crafting With Friends- ANYTHING GOES

Just Add Ink- JUST ADD 'M'

(moment, markers)

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamps- Serendipity, Hero Arts/ acrylic block/ Memento bl ink/ Memento markers/ Mini Mister

It's a Smiling Kinda Day!

Happy Saturday!

It's always a 'smiling kinda day' when I get to play along with the IC challenge at Splitcoast, use my favorite go-to clean and simple sketch, stamp with flowers and stamp them in blue!

This is the simple go-to sketch that I use when I'm not feeling very inspired.  I think when you get super busy, your motivation to be inspired gets tired too.  That's how it's been for me the last few weeks.  I find this sketch very easy to create with and my overall card design can stay very crisp and clean.

I began by masking off the panel on my card front.  This Rubbernecker flower is a two-step stamp so I placed the first outline part in my MISTI and stamped with black Memento ink. Then using the second part of the flower stamp, placed it in my MISTI, coloured it with Memento markers, sprayed with water and stamped.  I did that twice; once with the light colour and then with a darker shade.
When that was dry, I sponged the edges with Salty Water Distress ink and then finally scored with my ScorPal then my ScorBug.  For those of you that have never heard of the ScorBug, it is a little tool that you can use with your ScorPal and it makes little embossed dots on your card stock.

This is one of my favourite sentiment stamps from Daisy Bucket.  They are no longer in business but sometimes you can find them on Ebay.  

Adding my card to these challenges:    

Simon Says- MAKE IT GIRLIE

CAS on Sunday- TIC TAC TOE

(girlie, stamp, dry embossed)

Crazy 4 Challenges- APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers- E IS FOR EMBOSSING

(I used dry embossing)

Have a great weekend and thanks so much for coming by to take a look.

Supplies:  stamps- Rubbernecker, Daisy Bucket/ ink- Distress, Memento/ Memento markers/ MISTI/ applicator tool/ Mini mister/ ScorPal/ ScorBug

Nature's Gifts

Earth Day gives us a chance to remind ourselves to care for the Earth and look after it for future generations.

The challenge at Splitcoast today is called Mother Earth....create a card that represents something in nature.  What better way to highlight the beauty of nature then to stamp some poppies.  They have such a presence and give us such beauty in nature.

I began by masking the edges of my card with painter's tape.  I then stamped the flowers from Rubbernecker onto my card front with black Memento ink.  This is a 2-step stamp set, but I just used the flower outline then using diluted Brushos, did a loose watercolouring on the flowers.  

When that was dry, I sponged on some Spun Sugar Distress ink in the corner then splattered the background.  

Adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says- MAKE IT GIRLIE

Double D Challenge- APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

Crafting From the Heart- ANYTHING GOES

Craft Your Passion- ANYTHING GOES

Love to Scrap- ANYTHING GOES

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamps- Rubbernecker/ Brushos/ Memento and Distress ink/ applicator tool/ paint brush/ painter's tape

Celebrate Your Life

No blue today....can you believe it!!??

I am playing with the stencil I cut for the blue card I made the other day using the Penny Black die called

 Half Circle.  

In case you missed it, I cut it from a heavy cardstock so I could reuse it a few times.  Using you dies to create stencils is another good way to get some extra mileage for them.

I began by finding the center of my card front then place the stencil on the top part of my card.  I dabbed on some Goosebumps which is a thick, gel medium that when dry, acts like a resist and gives texture to your project.  I carefully lifted the stencil off and placed it onto the bottom of my card matching the circles in a mirror-image.  I then dabbed on more Goosebumps to the bottom half and removed the stencil and let it all dry.  It reminded me of a clock face.

When it was totally dry, I sprinkled on some Brushos and sprayed with water to activate the crystal paint and watched the magic begin.  

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment from the Penny Black set called Sentiment Collection in the bottom right hand corner using my MISTI and embossed it using clear embossing powder and my heat gun.

I am adding my card to these challenges:

CAS Mix Up- STAMP, STENCIL and GEL MEDIUM

Crafty Sentiments- ANYTHING GOES

Through the Craft Room Door- ANYTHING GOES

Tuesday Throwdown- MONOCHROMATIC

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamps and die- Penny Black/ Goosebumps/ Brushos/ Mini Mister/ Memento bl ink/ MISTI

Happy Wishes

The sun is shining.  Blue skies overhead.

I think everyone feels better when Spring arrives and nature comes alive.

So meet my card for today.  When I saw the new die from Penny Black, I knew it would make a great stencil so out came my Cuttlebug and my Distress inks.

The die is called Half Circle and it is a great size to use as a stencil for a background or for the focal point of a card like I have used it here.

So, I cut a stencil using heavy cardstock then sponged on different shades of Distress inks over that being sure to blend the blues together.  When I removed the stencil, I was left with a wonderful looking image.  

I die cut the piece with a stitched rectangle die, then stamped the sentiment from the Sentiment Collection with black Memento ink in the bottom corner and heat embossed it.  I have really got a lot of use from that sentiment set.

Adding my card to these challenges:

Brown Sugar- ANYTHING GOES

Crafty Boots- USE A SENTIMENT

Love to Scrap- ANYTHING GOES

Stamps and Fun =Creativity- BIRTHDAY

CAS Mix Up- STENCIL, STAMP, HEAT EMBOSSING


Hope you have a great week.  Thanks so much for visiting.

Supplies:  stamps and die- Penny Black/ inks- Memento, Distress/ applicator tool

Birthday Wishes

Morning.

I send more birthday cards then any other type of card, so it's great to have some extras on hand and ready to go.  I love sending them and hopefully they will bring a smile to the person receiving it.

So, let's get to today's card.

I began by creating a piece of marbled paper using alcohol inks.  It is so super easy and fun and you get different results every time.  To see a link to the tutorial go here:

Exciting Marbling

I stamped the large hydrangea flower (one of my favourite stamps) onto the marbled paper using Memento black ink.  I then watercolored it using Brushos mixed with a drop of water.  It is so fun to paint with and you can easily get such great shading using them.  

Last, I stamped the sentiment from Verses in the bottom corner using black Memento ink again.

 Adding my card to these challenge:

Seize the Birthday- FLORALS 

Addicted to Stamps and More- CLEAN AND SIMPLE

Craft Stamper- SPRING FLOWERS

Thanks so very much for coming by and taking a look.

Hope you have a great weekend.  Looking forward to lots of sunshine and warmer temps this weekend!!

Supplies:  stamps- Verses, Stampendous/ alcohol inks/ Memento bl/ Brushos/ paint brush

Be Yourself

Meet today's card.

This card comes with a meaning behind it which I will explain in a minute.

The challenge at Splitcoast Stampers was to create a card 'Inspired by an Ad'.  

I didn't have to think very long about it as I have seen the 'DOVE' soap ads that are running a body image campaign for women to be happy with who they are. With social media being such an influence on the young women of today, to see an ad that talks about being happy with who we are is such an important message so that's what I based my card on.

I inked up my acrylic block with a variety of colours by colouring directly onto my block with Memento markers (represents our differences), sprayed with water and stamped onto my card front. The circles symbol how we all need to come together and support each other. 

Adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says- POLKA DOTS

Shopping Our Stash- YOU STAMPED WITH WHAT?

(acrylic block)

Addicted to Stamps and More- CLEAN and SIMPLE

Just Us Girls- SMOOSHING

Through the Craft Room Door- ANYTHING GOES

 

Thanks so much for coming to visit.

Supplies:  stamps- PTI, Daisy Bucket/ ink- Memento, Distress/ Memento markers/ acrylic block/ mini mister

Simple Pleasures

Morning.
I love it when what you picture in your head comes to life just the way you pictured it!
That's what happened with this background I created using an old wheel stamp from Stampin Up.  I think it is called Grunge but I'm not sure.
So, here's what I did.  I randomly inked up the wheel using Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers and Faded Jeans Distress inks, sprayed with water and rolled onto my paper.  By adding the water, I was able to get a wonderful blend of colours on my background .
To created the flower panel, I coloured my stamp from Hero Arts with Memento and Crayola markers, sprayed with water and stamped.  I added a blue watercolour wash on the background and some splatters as well to add some depth and interest. 
When the panel was dry, I used a stitched die from MFT to cut it out and mounted it onto my card front using pop dots.

Adding my card to these challenges:

CASology- SPROUT

Brown Sugar- ANYTHING GOES

Creative Corner- FLOWER POWER


Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies:  stamps- Hero Arts, SU wheel/ markers-Memento, Crayola/ Distress ink/ Mini Mister/ Die MFT/ paint brush

Nature's Calling

Morning.

Hope you are having a great weekend. 

Meet today's card.  I finally had some time to play and that makes me happy.  Give me some Distress inks, a paint brush and water and I am a smiling girl.

I began making the background piece by inking the paper with Salty Ocean Distress inks, stenciled  with water over that and then while still wet, rubbed Peacock Feathers over the whole piece.

I did a picture tutorial about it back in January.  To see the tutorial here is the link:

Discover- MINI TUTORIAL

For the main panel, I got out a really old stamp that I have had for ages.  I think it may be one from Inkadinkadoo but I'm not sure.  I coloured directly onto the stamp with my Memento and Crayola markers, sprayed with water and stamped.  I went back in with a paint brush and some more ink to fill in some of the open areas.  I also did a watercolour wash on the background.

When that was all dry, I stamped the sentiment from STAMPlorations with black Memento ink.

I mounted that piece onto plain white cardstock and pop-dotted the panel over the bkg.

Adding my card to these challenges:

CASology- SPROUT

Simon Says- HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Craft Stamper- SPRING FLOWERS

STAMPlorations- STENCIL SUNDAY

Thanks again so much for all you most kind and generous comments.  

So glad you could come by and take a look.

Supplies:  stamps- STAMPlorations, Inkadinkadoo?/ stencil- TCW/ inks- Memento, Distress/ Memento and Crayola markers/ paintbrush

Big Thanks

 Good Morning.

Snow here today...enough to shovel and freezing temperatures.  Sure doesn't feel like April!!

I am feeling like I have lost my 'mojo' the past few weeks.  That does happen from time to time and I guess I have just been too busy and haven't got time to get my creative juices flowing.  With today's card, I am trying to get back into the swing of things.  I find this simple, easy layout is a great 'go to' sketch when I don't know where to start.

Another way I like to re-start my creativity is to play along with the challenges at Splitcoast Stampers.

So today, that's what I am doing.  Playing along with 2 of the challenges posted there.

The TLC Challenge is to create a one-layer card and the CAS Challenge is called April Showers.

So onto my card details.  I began by masking a panel on my card front first then placed my card inside my MISTI.  Next, I inked the flowers using Distress inks and stamped.  I repeated this process to get a nice clear and dark image.  I also did this with the leaves and the 'whimsical' raindrops I added to the background.  I sponged the edges of the panel to add definition as well.  

The sentiment is from the same Simon Says Stamp set and is stamped with Memento black.

This month, the challenge at  One-Layer Simplicity is being hosted by the most talented Susan Raihala and is called As You Wish.  Easy, right?  I wish to be out in my garden, enjoying the sunshine and flowers.  

I am adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says- ANYTHING GOES

CAS on Sunday- FLOWERS

Just Us Girls- RAINDROPS

Thanks so very much for coming by and taking a look.  I appreciate it so much.
For those of you that may have missed it, I have added a PINTEREST button to my blog.  Just move your mouse over the photo and you will see the 'P' magically appear.

Supplies:  stamps- SSS/ ink:  Distress and Memento/ MISTI/ applicator tool/ Mini Mister

Happy News!

Happy News!!

Morning mf's.  

I have been so super busy and haven't had much time to stamp and craft but I wanted to pop in to let you know that I have just added a PIN-IT button for PINTEREST to my blog.

So many of you have asked for that and with the help of my wonderful friend, Loll Thompson...thanks Loll, I was able to get it done! 

Just roll over the photo on my blog and the little button with magically appear.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I hope to be back soon with a card.