Flower Clusters

Good Morning.

Meet today's card.  

I'm playing with a new to me stamp from Magenta called Large Floral Bkg.  As soon as I saw it months ago, I knew I had to pick it up.  I love the free flowing look the flowers in clusters has.  

I wanted to try using it with my Ranger Alcohol Lifting ink and a piece of previously inked Yupo I had done and so today was the day.

So like I said, I began with a piece of Yupo that I had inked with Ranger Alcohol inks.  I placed the that piece inside my Misti, inked the stamp with the Lifting ink then stamped it onto the AI Yupo inked sheet.  It lifted the colour so I was able to swap out the Yupo for a piece of plain white cardstock and transferred the ink onto it. 

I cleaned the stamp then repeated that process to get a nice dark image.  The beauty of using the Misti for this process is that you can be sure the image will be in the right position for re-stamping every time.

I let the piece dry for a minute, then placed it back inside my Misti and stamped this lovely sentiment from Serendipity Stamps.

I added the finished piece over some pink cardstock then glued it all onto a plain white card base.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says Wed.- ANYTHING GOES

Addicted to Stamps and More- CAS

My Time to Craft- FEMALE or MOTHER's DAY

Supplies

Stamps- Large Floral Bkg. (Magenta); Sentiment (Serendipity Stamps)

Inks- Ranger,TH Alcohol Lifting Ink; Tuxedo Black Memento

Paper- heavy white (Scribes Nook); pink cs

Accessories and Tools- Misti (My Sweet Petunia); previously Alcohol inked Yupo piece

Springtime Green

Meet today's card.

I am craving Spring as I know most of you are too.  I need some sunshine on my face, green grass under my feet.  

That's how I was feeling when I created this card.  A very clean, simple fast card.  Surprised that I got it made since I am feeling unmotivated and uninspired these days.  Hope that changes soon.

So onto my card.

Like I have mention in past posts, a friend of mine gave me some photo papers and I am still playing around with it trying to see how they react using my Distress Oxide inks.

I also must mention that when I was at the Dollarama store the other day, I picked up a couple of the makeup blending brushes I am seeing everyone using these days.  They were only $3. each so I figured it wasn't a big investment to try them out.  I have to say that I have been pleasantly surprised using them for blending.  They aren't the top of the line, but work great for what I have to do.

I took this Simple Pods stencil from A Colorful Life Designs and laid it onto some photo paper.

I rubbed some Pistachio DOX ink over the top then added a hint of Tumbled Glass to the edges using one of the makeup applicator brushes, then set it aside to let it dry for a minute.

Next, I wiped the whole piece with a baby wipe to reveal this beautiful colour.

The baby wipe takes away the chalkiness of the inks and leave the colour pigment behind.

When dry, I stamped these simple flower from an old SU set that I just picked up at a garage sale.  

The sentiment from Penny Black was stamped using my Misti.

I mounted it on a plain white card base.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Discount Code for A Colorful Life Designs

*Just use the code KarenFan10 to get a discount on stencils and masks.*

Adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says Wed.- WHATEVER THE WEATHER

Shopping Our Stash- CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP

Crafty Cardmakers- MAKE IT GREEN

Supplies

Stamps- Good Wishes (PB); Both Ways Blossoms (SU)

Ink- Tuxedo Black Memento; DOX- Pistachio, Tumbled Glass (TH)

Paper- HP photo paper; heavy white (Scribes Nook)

Accessories and Tools- Misti (My Sweet Petunia); stencil- Simple Pods (A Colorful Life Designs); 

makeup tool; baby wipes

Hollyhocks on Vellum- CAS Watercolour Challenge

Hello and Welcome.

Time for another card for the 

CAS Watercolour Challenge.

This month our theme is to watercolour onto Vellum.

We have 2 great guest designers this month- 

Birgit (Rapport fran ett skrivoord)

Ros (Mikey's Mom)

My card was a simple one to create.

I rubbed some Distress Oxide inks onto a piece of acetate, sprayed with water and used that to ink my piece of vellum.  I set it aside to dry, then glued it onto a piece of white cardstock for stability.  

(My vellum was pretty light weight so when it dried, it was a bit curled.  To help flatten it, I ran it through my Cuttlebug and that really seemed to help.)

Next, I die-cut a frame using a die from MFT and then die-cut the hollyhocks and put it all together to fit inside the frame.  

I pop dotted the piece for interest over a heavy white card base.

I decided to leave it with no sentiment so I can use if for a number of different occasions.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Adding my card to these challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More- MAKE YOUR MARK
Allsorts Challenge- FAV STAMP IMAGE/DIE
(love this die and all the detail it has)
The Flower Challenge- ANYTHING GOES

Supplies

Stamps- none

Inks- Distress Oxides- Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean, Seedless Preserves (TH)

Paper- Vellum; heavy white (Scribes Nook)

Accessories and Tools- Wildflowers die (TH); In and Out Diagonal Stitch die (MFT)

Pink for Spring- The Flower Challenge

Good Morning

Meet today's card.  Another one for our fun theme at 

The Flower Challenge

I'm playing with this fun Together flower stamp from Penny Black again and doing some more Alcohol Ink lifting.  The lifting is such a fun and easy technique to play with.

(To see the other card I made using this technique, go HERE)

I began with a discarded piece of Yupo paper that I had inked using Rangers Alcohol inks and blending solution.  A lot of times, I will do some inking then set it aside until I figure out what I will use it for.  The piece I had done used shades of reds and pinks so I thought it would be great to use with this stamp.

So, I placed the AI inked piece inside my Misti, positioned my flowers over it, then inked with Rangers Alcohol Lifting Ink and stamped.  This ink lifts the AI so you are able to transfer it to a piece of plain cardstock.  I took out the piece of Yupo then stamped the flowers onto a piece of plain white cardstock.  I cleaned off the stamp, put the pieces back into my Misti and repeated that process to get a good solid image transfer.  I was left with these pretty pink blossoms.  Having a stamp positioning tool makes this process the easiest but you don't have to stamp twice, I just like a darker finished image.

Next, I took my Simple Grid stencil from A Colorful Life Designs and added some pattern to the background using Spun Sugar Distress ink and a small sponge dabber.  I like that it added some interest and complimented the look of the flowers. 

 I placed the piece back into my Misti and stamped the PB Grateful sentiments then glued it onto a plain white card base.  I also added 2 pink pearls to the flower centers.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Adding my card to these challenges:

As You Like It- DIES or STENCILS and WHY?

(stencils because it's so easy to add interest and texture)

A Bit More Time to Craft- ANYTHING GOES

Shopping Our Stash- CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP

Supplies

Stamps- Together (Penny Black); Grateful Sentiment (Penny Black)

Inks- Ranger Alcohol Lifting; Distress- Spun Sugar (TH); Tuxedo Black Memento

Paper- heavy white (Scribes Nook)

Accessories and Tool- previously Alcohol inked piece; Misti (My Sweet Petunia); sponge dabber; 

Simple Grid stencil (A Colorful Life Designs)

Discount Code for A Colorful Life Designs

*Just use the code KarenFan10 to get a discount on stencils and masks.*

#1

Meet today's card.

A masculine card with a simple CAS design.

I needed a card for my husband's birthday.  He is a huge music fan and loves attending concerts.  This image from IO works so perfectly for a masculine card and for anyone who loves concert going.

So onto my card.

I began by pulling out my Rectangle Mask from A Colorful Life Designs.  These masks have pretty much found a permanent spot on my desk and are so great for creating cards with a border. It sure saves time and I don't have to fuss around with my Post it Tape.

I placed the mask over my white card front and started sponging on some DOX inks being sure to keep the colour just to the left side.  I used a small sponge dabber to apply the ink and chose colours that complimented each other.  When I was happy with the coverage, I added some details using the Grunge Dots stencil and more DOX inks.

Next, I place the piece inside my Misti and add more details by stamping some Graffiti along the left edge.  I stamped the image by inking with black Memento then clear heat embossed to help make it pop against the colourful background.

I added the sentiment, removed the mask and mounted it onto some orange cardstock then onto a plain white card.  

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Discount Code for A Colorful Life Designs

*Just use the code KarenFan10 to get a discount on stencils and masks.*

Adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says Wed.- CREATE A SCENE

CAS on Fridays- EMBOSSED (Heat)

Time Out- UNIQUE

Supplies

Stamps- Rock Silhouette (Impression Obsession); Graffiti (Kaisercraft); 

Happy Birthday (Studio G)

Inks- Tuxedo Black Memento; Distress Oxides- Spice Marmalade, Carved Pumpkin, Fossilized Amber (TH)

Paper- heavy white (Scribes Nook); orange cs

Accessories and Tools- Misti (My Sweet Petunia); Rectangle Mask (A Colorful Life);

Grunge Dots (A Colorful Life); sponge dabber

Anything Goes- The Flower Challenge

Good Morning and Welcome.

A new month means a new theme at 

The Flower Challenge

Great theme.  Please check out what our talented team has created and come play along.

So onto my card.

I am longing for Spring's arrival so I wanted to use colours that would reflect a sunny, warmer feel.

I placed my white cardstock into my Misti, then positioned a mask from A Colorful Life Designs over my paper as I wanted to be left with a nice crisp, white border.  I love using these simple masks on my cards.  Next, I took this great flower stamp from PB called Together and placed it inside my Misti.  Using my Tombow markers, I coloured the flower heads first, sprayed with water and pressed onto my paper.  I repeated that same process for the leaves then let it dry.

By colouring directly onto your stamps with markers, it lets you apply a variety of different colours without them getting all muddy.

When dry, I stamped this fun PB sentiment from the Good Wishes set using some Memento black ink.  Leaving the mask in place, I rubbed some Squeezed Lemonade along the edges to define the stamped area.

I removed the mask and then scored a border along the sponged edge.  I like the way it frames up the stamped area.

I mounted it over a piece of sunny yellow cardstock then onto a plain white card base.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Adding my card to these challenges:

Simon Says Wed.- ANYTHING GOES

A Bit More Time to Craft- ANYTHING GOES

2 Sisters on the Blog- CAS

Supplies

Stamps- Together (PB); Good Wishes (PB)

Inks- Squeezed Lemonade DI (TH); Tuxedo Black Memento

Paper- heavy white (Scribes Nook); yellow

Accessories and Tools- Tombow Markers; Mister (TH); 

Rectangle Mask-A Colorful Life Designs; ScorPal

Just use the code KarenFan10 to get a discount on stencils and masks.

Craving Some Green

Hello

I have to say that the title of this card reflects how I'm feeling these days!

Can't wait to see the ground covered with fresh green again.

This card was just me having some time to play around....something I haven't had much time to do these days.  I also wanted a chance to play with this SU set I picked up for $2.00 at the Thrift Shop.

Thanks to my friends over at SCS, I now know that it is called All the Best.

So, I began by placing a mask from A Colorful Life Designs over my piece of white cardstock.

I created the background first by inking up my sheet of acetate with some green Oxide inks, sprayed with water and pressed onto my paper.  When I was happy with the ink coverage, I stamped the leaves with a darker shade of green using my Misti.

I added some stenciling down one side using the Curly Q stencil from A Colorful Life Designs. I really like the extra texture it gave to my collage design.  The lines around the edges is also a stamp from that same set.  I stamped the sentiment then cut the piece down a bit.

Next, I cut a frame using a Spellbinder die and scored a border along the edges using my ScorPal.  I pop dotted the piece inside the frame; I like the look.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Supplies

Stamps- All the Best (SU)

Inks- Peeled Paint, Lucky Clover, Evergreen Bough DI (TH); Tuxedo Black Memento

Paper- heavy white (Scribes Nook)

Accessories and Tools- Misti (My Sweet Petunia); Mask (A Colorful Life Designs);

 Rectangle Mask (A Colorful Life Design); acetate sheet; Mister (TH); sponge dabber

Curly Q Stencil- A Colorful Life Designs

Just use the code KarenFan10 to get a discount on stencils and masks.

Special Friend- CAS Watercolour Challenge

Welcome.

I can't believe it's March already but you know what that means!  

Time for another fun theme at the 

CAS Watercolour Challenge.

This month our theme is to watercolour onto Vellum.

We have 2 great guest designers this month- 

Birgit (Rapport fran ett skrivoord)

Ros (Mikey's Mom)

I have to begin by saying that vellum is not one of my go-to mediums but it was fun to try something different for a change and I was glad to have some on hand to use.

So, I began with a piece of vellum, placed it inside my Misti to help hold it securely and positioned my leaves ready to stamp with.  I coloured my leaves with my Tombow markers, sprayed with water and pressed onto my vellum.  I will caution you, adding too much water will warp your piece of vellum and it is good if you can firmly secure it down to your surface in some way to help prevent that.  

I used a variety of blues and greens to colour my leaves then set aside to dry.
While that dried, I stamped the banner with the sentiment using my Misti, then fussy cut it out.  It needed something more, so using some black acrylic paint, I splattered using a wet paintbrush.
I also die-cut a frame that fit around my piece of vellum and glued it all together.
The framed vellum was pop dotted for interest as was the banner.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

Adding my card to these challenges:
CAS on Friday- USE VELLUM
Craft Stamper Magazine- ANYTHING STAMPED GOES
Simon Says Wed.- ANYTHING GOES


Supplies 
Stamps- Special Friends (Penny Black); Autumn Leaves (WPlus 9)
Inks- Tuxedo Black Memento; Tombow Markers
Paper- vellum; heavy white (Scribes Nook)
Accessories and Tools- Misti (My Sweet Petunia); bl acrylic paint; Mister (TH); 
Stitched frame (MFT); pop dots

Alcohol Lifting

Good Morning.

Happy March 1st and where the heck did February go??

So....what do you do when you have a piece of alcohol inked Yupo that just doesn't work for you?  You take some TH Alcohol Lifting ink and a stamp and create a card.

Here's what I did.

I had a piece of Yupo that was inked with Ranger AI inks.  I just didn't like the colour blends so had stuck it into my stash.  When I got this beautiful new At Grace stamp from Penny Black, I couldn't wait to play with it.

So I pulled that AI inked piece out and was determined to give it new life.  

I placed the stamp into my Misti and positioned it over the piece of Alcohol inked Yupo paper.  Using my Alcohol Lifting Ink, I stamped then removed the Yupo and stamped the flowers onto a piece of regular white cardstock.  So quick and easy and I loved the results.  It reminded me of a piece of fabric with the look of texture.

I stamped the sentiment from the Penny Black set called Smile Today with blue Archival ink and mounted the finished piece first onto coloured cardstock then onto a plain white card base.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.

EDITED:  If you don't get a good print the first time, stamp onto the AI piece, wipe your stamp off and ink again with the lifting ink and stamp over again.  Using a stamp positioner like the Misti is a very useful way to achieve this technique.

Adding my card to these challenges:

Little Red Wagon- LOVE IT (this new stamp)

Craft Stamper Magazine- ANYTHING STAMPED GOES

Simon Says Wed.- ANYTHING GOES

Supplies

Stamps- Smile Today (PB); At Grace (PB)

Inks- TH Alcohol Lifting; Archival (Ranger)

Paper- heavy white (Scribes Nook); coloured 

Accessories and Tools- Misti (My Sweet Petunia); a previously inked piece of Yupo