Stencils, Clouds, and Sunshine!

 It always takes me some trial and error and rummaging through my stash to come up with an idea to make new supplies my own. That's what happened today when I went to try out the stencils included in Kristina Werner's Weather Together Bundle. It has been on my desk for a couple of weeks now. 

Wanting a card for general encouragement, I searched for the sentiment first. Among my Penny Black stamps, I came upon just what I wanted in the Love Big stamps. I wanted my sky to suggest a sunrise. 

I used Distress Oxide inks to color the scene, using only 2 of the cloud stencils, and inking lightly. Another sentiment carries the sunshine theme to the card inside. 

I have to be honest and say that I had doubts about the usefulness of the Weathered Together stamp set at first. I'm happy that I now have a few ideas and a few more sentiments lined up to be able to create with it. I got help also from The Paper Players Challenge this week! 

I may have to get going on anther entry! Also entering the Stencil Fun Challenge.  and the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by to visit. FInishing this card and getting it posted has given me a nice sense of being productive this morning. Have a great day! 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Other challenges include:
Word Art Wednesday
Sweet Stampin Challenge Blog 
Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge Blog - Summer
The Four Seasons - Summer 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (Penny Black stamps)

 

Grateful for you always

Happy Monday friends,  I hope things are going well for you. I've continued to have some creative time daily and a few cards are ready in the line up. Here I'm using the Flowers for the Soul stamps, stencils and dies designed for Pinkfresh Studio by Dawn, previous owner of W+9.  Her stamps are what I bought in my very first excursion from being a Stampin' Up! only stamper. Her work is beautiful, and these images are based on her hand painted flowers. She is so special.

I kept the card simple so that the florals and sentiment can shine. I'm entering these challenges: 

The Paper Players - I used the middle row across 

Addicted to stamps & more  - use die cuts or stencils
Just Us Girls - stencil week 

Be yourself

         Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Color Hues #93 Super Bright Birthday!

 Hi friends, and welcome. Here we are again with a new challenge at Color Hues! Tracey gives us Orange and Yellow for our combo, a happy bright and super fun choice! 

I thought these colors were just right for making my own background. First, I 'll show you my card, and then I'll let you know how I did it. See what I mean? So bright, it could be neon! 

The technique is one I stumbled upon as I went. I really like how the colors came out without cancelling each other out. 

I began with Mixed Media paper from Vicky Boutin, and a stencil of the 3-pack of hers called Arts Layered Stencils. Sponging lightly with Altenew Citrus Burst Ink, I got this. 

My next step involved using the 3D EF from Sizzix adding medallions and texture. I added more sponging to the raised area of the large medallions with Distress Ink in Carved Pumpkin. 

Hmmm, how to get a blend of these colors while still retaining some white space? I inked the debossed side of the folder with the yellow ink and ran it through the machine again. 

Once I added the large sentiment, it took on a different look! It's my first time using the sentiment dies from from Heffy Doodle.  

Nuvo Gel (on the heart) and enamel gems added a bit of sparkle. Now it's your turn! What will you make using Orange and Yellow? Please join us for this fun challenge. The team's inspiration is amazing!

Thanks for your visit, it means so much that you come by! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Combining Stencils

 I am popping in with a card for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge, even though it's near the deadline, I just had to play along. You may have noticed my obsession with stencils lately. It continues! I learned so many ideas from the Stenciled 2 Online Card Class, that I pulled all my stencils out, and ordered a few more as well. 

I just couldn't wait to use this new stencil from Gina K designs, called Bold Bouquet. 

Beginning with pale blue card stock, I blended Oxide inks in layers using Salvaged Patina, Peacock Feathers, and just a bit of Shabby Shutters. 

For the next step, I inked the Stitched Quilt Stencil  (Frantic Stamper) over the entire card front. This simple layer brought cohesiveness to the design. Wanting to add texture, I used the Dot Fade stencil (Tim Holtz) and randomly daubed white craft ink in a few areas. 

I had a blast making this card and I was really pleased with how it turned out. I am eyeing all my stencils differently now that I realize how many ways they can be used. 

The Tic Tac Toe challenge had great options! I went with the top row suggesting Flowers, Word Die and Matching Envelope. 

It was easy to add a stenciled flower diagonally across the envelope with some design on the back and upper left front.  

ETA:  I didn't make it in time to enter at Tic Tac Toe. Next time!

I will also add this to NBUS, SSS Wednesday Challenge, and a new to me challenge at 

 I hope this encourages you today. Get those stencils out to play! I am grateful for your kind visit, thanks so much! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

A Color Challenge for The Paper Players #582

 Hello stamping friends, I hope your weekend is going well. Sunday means a new challenge at The Paper Players and I am jumping right in with a slim line card made using the challenge colors. 

I'm still practicing with my Glimmer Hot Foil machine and liking the results but NOT the photos, if I can be so honest. I loved the inspirational message foiled in gold, but during my edit in order for it to really show up in the photo my white panel looks grayish.  Sorry.

Joanne has gorgeous colors for us to work with today! I added the hues with stencils after foiling the flowers and leaves in gold. The fab thing about the coordinating stencils, foil plate and dies is that all four flower images can be foiled and die cut in one swoop making it so so easy. 

The new-to-me products that I love are listed below. Joining in at NBUS, here I come! 

I hope you have a wonderful day. I'm going to celebrate the Light I've been given, today and keep looking for it. These are dark times but there is hope. 

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Foil plates: Spellbinders Faith Glimmer Sentiments; Pinkfresh Studio - Brighter Days Glimmer Hot Foil Plates, coordinating dies and Layering Stencils.

Glimmering Birthday Wishes

 Hello friends! I used to think I was pretty good at resisting all the newest trends. While some I gave in to readily, and others I jumped into after holding out so long they were no longer trendy, I have to say I have found a new possibility. I told myself I didn't need a Glimmer system, but after I got one for Christmas I'm in love with the new look for my cards. Wish I had done it sooner!

See what you think. 

I created this card for Challenge #576 at The Paper Players. I love a Tic Tac Toe challenge and went with two rows: diagonally - birthday, flower, die cut and the third column down  - die cut, birthday, stencil.

Using the Floral Notes stencil (and Dies) from Pink Fresh studio involved quite a bit of experimenting with techniques, color combos and inks. 

 

I finished the elegant look with several gemstones. Foiling is hard to photograph. Here's a close up.

I will list the extensive list of supplies below.

I sure hope you'll have a go with this fun challenge! Our team has some extraordinary inspiration and I can't wait to see what you make! 

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Supplies used: 

Stamps: NONE 

Inks: Tea Party - Altenew, Soft Stone - PTI

Paper: white, WPlus9 Dove 

Spellbinder: Glimmer System, Yana's Special Sentiments, gold foil

Accessories - Floral Notes, Diamond Motif  Stencils - Pinkfresh Studio, coordinating Dies and the Slimline Dies

My Friends are Flakes!

 Hi! Have things begun to warm up where you are? 

It's been a chilly weekend here and we even got a bit of snow under a bit of ice. Perfect time to pull out these new supplies and make a winter card to say thanks. 

I am someone who thinks you can never have too many snow people stamps, so I was ready for these adorable images of snow families and friends from Honeybee stamps (Snow Family Like Ours)  to come to my house when they had their recent sale. 

I loved the the sentiments that come with this set too! I inked the snow-couple and colored them with Zig markers and  a blender pen, then fussy cut them.

Blending the background in Oxide inks using Dried Marigold and Picked Raspberry was my first step. Next I used the Cute Hearts Stencil (SugarPea Designs) and went over the inking adding a second layer to darken the hearts. 

I added splatters of white gouache and a spritz of Glimmer Mist. I really enjoyed including special touches with Nuvo drops, a shimmer pen and clear drops on the snowman's hat. 

Creating a white snowflake background to match the sentiment with  Honeybee (Falling Snow Background) embossed on black card stock added a bold contrast.  Since all these supplies linked are new to me, I will be entering this in the NBUS Challenge. The snowflakes are from an assortment of dies from my stash. 

All in all, this is the kind of card I love to make! Taking cute images and using a variety of mediums and techniques to highlight them has been totally satisfying for me today.

I hope you're glad you've come by! I know I have really enjoyed sharing with you. Stay warm and stay well. 

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Mixed Media Stamping with W Plus 9

 

It's good to see you today! 
I am beginning to dabble in another technique that has such possibilities I can't wait to try it again. I love mixed media because it gives me a chance to just play around with paper and ink. 
For today's card,  I die cut three images to create my own stencil: a flower, one leaf and a pair of leaves using the Christmas Rose Bouquet stamps and dies from Wplus 9Design. 


Using Bristol smooth card stock, I placed the large flower stencil and sponged inks with a dauber, blending colors for each bloom. Randomly adding images to create my own patterned background, I used WPlus9 inks: Last Leaf, Appletini, Wild Mango, V.I.Pink, Gala Red.  These inks are formatted to be colorfast when used with water so they are perfect for mixed media.

Next I added paint brush spatters with Distress Oxide Inks: Speckled Egg, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn. When I was done I had ink spatters all over my work surface, (and probably on my face!) but I can't tell you how much fun I had making this. I was inspired to try this by Dawn Woleslagle and she has fabulous instruction videos! 
I recently used this stamp for a Christmas card HERE. After all the wintry cards it felt really good to combine some springy colors! Hope you are doing well today. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Happy Thoughts

Hi, glad to find you here! 
I am thanking God for some good times out in the sunshine thinking happy thoughts and some great art therapy time to continue the springtime theme. 

Today's card was made with products from The Greetery and inspired by Lydia's wonderful day 5 lesson (#OCCSCC2) on stencil shading. 

I used sponge daubers to add colors to the lavender blossoms and stems with Distress Oxide inks, keeping the darkest colors at the base of each bloom for an ombre effect. The stencil was placed over the die cut mason jar so that the stems appear to be inside!

There are two stencils to make the layering easy, and all stamped images were layered. This adds such depth of color and wonderful dimension. 

I am hoping this bouquet, fresh picked for you, brightens your day! I added a few gems for sparkle.  Hang in there friends! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: The Greetery - Just Mason Around, Fleur Impressions, and coordination dies.

Paper: Neenah Solar White

INK: Distress Oxides 

Accessories: Stencil - Mason Jar Fillers Stencil, Sentiment Suites Basic Die; Nuvo Crystal Gems Pure Sheen Gemstones

A Two for One Inking

I'm back again with a second card using stencil techniques from day 9 at #OCCSpringCardCamp. Sometimes the card parts that don't turn out end up making the best cards! That's what happened with today's sample. 

Our technique involved inking a panel of card stock heavily over a stencil for card #1. Card #2 involved spritzing the inked stencil, flipping it over onto watercolor paper and smooshing. It turned out that I didn't care for the heavy inking version. But I loved what I got after the smooshing. 

I began with the Hypnotic stencil from Penny Black but it's almost impossible to make out the shapes on my card front.  

For now, I'm very happy with this soft look and simple design. The inks used were Tattered Rose, Abandoned Coral and Seedless Preserves. Hearts in die cut in white and vellum and a few sequins dress it up.
Thanks for taking a peek today!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Inking Stencils

I'm still keeping up with the Spring Card Camp from Online Card Classes. For day 9 we practiced some inking techniques with Channin Pelletier and I loved giving these a try. 

For today's card I used Distress Oxide Inks in  Antique Linen,  Peacock Feathers and Cracked Pistachio with the Square stencil (Simon Says Stamp.)

I cut and stacked four layers of the "Happy" die cut, and used a vellum piece behind the word to mute the colors and help the sentiment to stand out. I know that with every post I share how much I'm liking the class, but do you know what I'm enjoying the most?  Using some of my other sets that are NOT flowers!  The sentiments are from Written in Ribbons by The Greetery. 

I appreciate you spending time visiting me today. I hope that you are staying well and healthy and happy in spite of current difficulties.

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

sending you Sunshine!

Hi there, I do want to send you some sunshine! It's much needed in our state. Can you imagine there were snow flurries in our state today? Snow on April 2 in NC is a bizarre twist since our dogwoods and azaleas have just started blooming. 

Bringing some flowers your way today so that I can play along with Laurie's Favorites challenge on the PTI blog before it ends tomorrow. 

We were to choose any past Make It Monday technique to use for our card. I chose to use  MIM #312  featuring a framed sentiment. I also was highly influenced by THIS card of Laurie's because I just love her color choices. 

I began by using the stencil and inking it lightly with Midnight Muse ink from Stampin' Up! I stamped the images using additionally Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal, Harvest Gold and Honey Nut. I used the Stitching Garden and Sending You stamp sets adding a bit of sparkle with yellow sequins. 

Hope you have a great day! I'm wishing you a burst of goodness and happy hugs. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Sweet Wishes with Merry Mug

Hello on this Saturday night! 
Although it's not when I usually post, it's not too late to join in with the Create Along with Us Challenge at PTI.  We've been inspired with so many fabulous holiday projects for the new release and I just couldn't resist getting out some goodies to play along. 

I just fell in love with this card by Betsy and especially her color combo of Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet and Navy.

I was also itching to use my snowflakes stencil from the Fairytale Christmas Kit on a sponged background. 

I sponged using Distress Oxide inks adding Embossing paste with glitter over the stencil.

How about incorporating that snowflake pattern onto the cute striped cup from the Merry Mug set? I think it worked to pull to whole design together. 

Can you tell I had a blast making my card? And it will be so sweet for that special someone. As for the pink sequins, they are my favorite!
Hope you're having wonderful weekend, Thanks so much for coming by! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!