Faux Brusho Holiday Card

Since I had the Misti all fired-up with the Mama Elephant sentiment, I embossed another card.  I used by Jacquard Acid Dyes misted with water to create the background.  You can't see it at all in the main pic but I stenciled over the panel with pearlescent ink.  Love the effect up close!

The Details:  Mama Elephant Peace on Earth, Stampendous detail fine white embossing powder, Versamark, Recollections 110lb white cardstock, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Memory Box Star stencil, Fantast/x all-purpose frost white ink

I'm entering this in Penny Black Anything Christmas, Simon Says Anything Goes, Daring Cardmakers Something Stencilled   

Folk Christmas

I recently saw Kristina Werner's gouache on black card and worked up my own.  I compared two different gouache manufacturers--what a difference.

The first card (red border) uses a student grade gouache by Reeves.  I hate these paints.  They are very thick and gloppy which made getting fine details a struggle. They also weren't as opaque as I thought they would be.  Everything was freehand except for the Mama Elephant sentiment.

The second card uses Holbein Acryla Gouache.  Wow.  What a difference.  Much thinner yet very opaque.  Same sentiment but with penciled in elements.

I love this style of Christmas deco--folksy, crafty, DIY.  I wish you could feel the card--even the gouache has a bit of texture to it.  For the Card Concept I would place this in the mixed media category with a touch of elegant.

The Details:  Mama Elephant Peace on Earth, Reeves Gouache paints, Holbein Acryla Gouache paints (green card), Stampendous detail fine white embossing powder, Versamark, Waltzing Mouse scalloped stitched rectangle die, Recollections 110lb white and black cardstock

I'm entering this in Addicted to Stamps and More #172 Make Your Mark, Holly Jolly Embossing, The Card Concept #44 Festive Glory (mixed media elegant)

Black and Purple Holiday Wishes

Another Gelli plate creation.  This one uses the second pull.  I love the shades of purple, don't you?  Can't believe I almost tossed this away.  I went with black for the other elements to really make them pop.  Love!

The Details:  Gelli plate, Liquitex Basics acrylic paint, Memory Box Deer Trio die, Stampin' Up Wonderland sentiment, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Crafters Workshop Aspen Trees, Lawn Fawn Deck the Halls snowflake

Only Flamingos at My Thanksgiving

Hello!  Happy Thanksgiving to my US readers!  I don't have a Great Impressions turkey stamp but I do have this fab G446 Holiday Flamingos one that I thought would be fun to work up for today's inspiration post.  A bit of coloring, diecutting and punching (my fav Martha Stewart greenery punch) is what we've got here.  It's really hard to tell in the photo but the designer paper has glittery stripes and the "merry" is foil cardstock.  It's so blingy!

I've actually used the G446 Holiday Flamingos stamp a few times before.  The first I never got around to posting; just some DP and a digital sentiment.  I love the sunglasses.  The second is about as shabby chic as you're likely to see me get.  In all honesty this is one of my fav Christmas cards.

See you next week with another GI design!  Toni 

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Decorate with Joy

Playing with a new stencil.  Masked off just the part I wanted on the stencil to create the shape.  And masked the first ornament after sponging so the second ornament would appear to be behind.  Trimming the bow of the second helps with the illusion.

The Details:  FolkArt Star Stencil, Simon Says Big Scripty Greetings Holiday and stitched rectangle die, Impression Obsession Vintage Ornament die, VersaFine Onyx Black, Hammermill 80lb color copy cardstock, Recollections 110lb white cardstock base, Distress Ink Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Mermaid Lagoon, Wilted Violet

I'm entering this in Addicted to Stamps and More #172 Make Your Mark, Simon Says Anything Goes, Addicted to CAS #77 Dimension

White on White . . . Mostly

I spotted (ha!) this cute deer in my someday color stash and thought it would make a fab holiday card with a dove.  Well, my dove turned into a cardinal because the dove I have is pterodactyl sized compared to that deer. 

The Details:  Avery Elle Storybook deer, Impression Obsession Birch Trees dies, Copic E30, E33, E35, E39, 0, We R Memory Keepers Next Level Wave embossing folder, Waltzing Mouse scalloped stitched rectangle die, Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border die

I'm entering this in Addicted to CAS #77 Dimension,  Addicted to Stamps and More #172 Make Your Mark, CAS on Sunday #72 Christmas  

Embiggened Tag

I loved the mixed media tree tag I had made so much I decided to make another into a card.  I had just enough of the fabric dye watercolor paper left to eek out a second tree.  I masked off some watercolor paper and did a Distress ink blue wash, moving the brush in waves to suggest movement, mountains or whatever you imagine.  A die cut hill adds another layer of dimension behind the tree.  Further details on how I created the tree and ingredients can be found on my previous post about the tag version.

I'm entering this in Simon Says Christmas, Christmas Cards All Year Long Tree, Jingle Bells Holiday Leftovers, Addicted to Stamps and More #171 Anything Goes, Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #18 Texture

 

CAS Mixed Media Poppies

Lately I've been contemplating mixed media and CAS styles of card-making.  When I think of MM I think lots of texture and layers and paint and schtuff.  CAS is opposite land.  But what to do when you're a CAS girl at heart who happens to like getting messy--often unintentionally but that's beside the point.  With this card I managed to combine both styles.

For the flowers I painted my Gelli plate with purple acrylic paint then lightly misted it with water before pulling a print.  While that dried I used the faux mother of pearl technique for the greenery (Memento inks and Fantast/x frost white all-purpose ink--thanks for the Fantast/x, Loll!).  The card front is impressed with a PTI impression plate and the PTI sentiment stamped in Versafine Onyx Black--see the picture below for an eyeful of that texture--swoon.  The poppy is cut twice--once in the green panel and then again in the purple for the blossoms.  I used Copics on the stamens.

I'm entering this in CASology #173 Pretty, Seize the Birthday without Vellum/Acetate Topping   

Merry Wreath

Hello!   Time for another Great Impressions card for you!

I had great fun with this card.  I stamped the G496 Evergreen Wreath twice, once in a dark green and once in a lighter green.  This makes for a  really fully looking wreath without a lot of fuss.  I then colored in the berries.  A simple diecut straight across the center finishes the card.  I also used texture on this card in the form of falling snow and woodgrain.  Still my beloved white on white but added interest.

See you next week with another GI design!  Toni 

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty

I've had this card in my head for quite a while.  Love the pop of the blues against the kraft so much!  And I've missed working up flowers.  Very simple--stamped the background stamp using a pale ink then used watercolor pencils to color the flower.  Watercolor pencils without water.  The barely there background speaks to me.

The Details:  Derwent watercolor pencils, PTI Choose Joy sentiment, 140lb cardstock base and 80lb kraft cardstock, VersaFine Vintage Sepia, Hero Arts soft vanilla and large flower background, Simon Says Stitched Rectangle die

I'm entering this in Mod Squad Make Your Own Patterned Paper, CASology #173 Pretty, Addicted to Stamps and More #171 Anything Goes

Leaves Fall

Gray and rainy here but a few leaves still stubbornly cling to the trees.  I wanted to capture the feeling of transition and slowing down and being thankful. 

The Details:  Lawn Fawn Stitched Leaves dies, PTI Mighty Oak sentiment and 140lb white cardstock base, Hero Arts Shadow Ink Dark Quartz, Distress Ink Mustard Seed, Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, mystery gray blue paper, Crafters Workshop stencil

I'm entering this in Shopping Our Stash #228 Thanks/Thanksgiving, Simply Create Too #98 Give Thanks

Hello, Pumpkin (Pie)

Thanksgiving is next week.  NEXT WEEK, people!  And Christmas is like the day after that.  Oh, no, I'm not panicking--LOL. 

When my kid sis visited in October, she brought along some crafty goodies, including this mystery stamp set.  Does it look familiar to anyone?  I decided to try my hand by no-line coloring.  Why did I choose yellow?  Lord.  Adding gray over the top of the yellow seemed to add some nice depth; I'm particularly pleased with the shadow behind his arm.  I used Copics on the image and watercolors on the leaves.  The sentiment is done with VersaFine Onyx Black. 

I'm entering this in Fab n' Funky #281 CAS and AAA #52 Thanks/Thanksgiving

Hey, Foxy Lady . . .

 I'm so excited to be guest designing over at Curtain Call this round!  I love that mug!  I drew from the warm color and, of course, the fox.  For shine and emphasis I embossed the sentiment, hoping it would pop well enough against the Hugs.  Love how it turned out.  The ombre too.  I used Copics this time to create that effect so I could mush on without having to wait for watercolor paper to dry or having to use my heat gun (my kitty was sleeping).  The leaves I cut from a scrap of water colored card from ages ago.  I hate having scraps around but then moments like this come up--LOL!  I just realized this entire card is almost all new products--the HA fox and foxy sentiment, SS hugs die and the SU embossing folder.  No NBUS here today!

The Details:  Stampin' Up Sizzix embossing folder, Simon Says stitched rectangled and word die, Memory Box Botanical Stem die, Hero Arts Animal Messages, VersaFine Onyx Black, Ranger clear embossing powder, Distress Ink Rusty Hinge, Copic YR14, YR16, YR18, E08, Distress ink watercolors for leaves, PTI kraft and white cardstock

World Peace

Distress inks, Peerless liquid gold, and white acrylic paint smooshed using the acetate technique onto TH watercolor paper.  The Mama Elephant sentiment stamped with VersaFine onyx black.  Very glad it just fit within the MFT pierced circle die.  Another circle in gold mirror board mounted behind.

Entering this in Loll's 12 mixed media tags of Xmas.  More inspiration for the Happy Little Stampers tag challenges too!

Shake Your Tail Feathers

We're about halfway through the Happy Little Stampers CAS November challenge where we ask that you include some sort of gilding on your card.  There's still time to join us so please stop by and show us your crafty genius!

For my one-layer card, I had an idea with the Deco Foil that I had difficulty executing at first.  I tried a sticky embossing powder which didn't work out very well at all.  I then decided to use the glue as a stencil paste.  This worked great but you've got to be quick in order to remove the stencil and clean off the glue before it starts to dry--ask me how I know.  :)  The glue only took a few minutes to dry--maybe 10, 15?  After that I placed a piece of the Deco Foil on it and burnished the heck out of it with my finger.  I periodically lifted a bit of the foil to see where I needed to burnish more.   There were a couple of spots where the glue had seeped under the stencil but I was able to rub off the excess foil with an eraser, very carefully.

The Details:  PTI white 140lb cardstock, TCW Mini Peacock Feathers stencil, iCraft rainbow deco foil and transfer adhesive, Memento Tuxedo Black, Clearly Besotted Fancy Feathers

Winter Birds

Hello!  It's time for more inspiration for you from Great Impressions!   The holidays are just around the corner so you'll start seeing more holiday cards up in these here parts.  Gotta get a jump on them sooner rather than later!

Here I wanted to spotlight the G443 Winter Birds stamp on the card.  I masked off a stencil to create the backdrop then stamped on top of that.  I stamped the image a second time, colored and fussy cut the birds out.  The cardinals are popped up on foam but the bluebirds stick out a bit too since it's thick cardstock.

See you next week!

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

See it Jiggle, Watch it Wiggle

My gelli plate arrived! It is weird and jiggly.  Like me!

For this I put a blob of alzarin crimson, medium magenta and naphthol crimson acrylics on the plate. Then I used my brayer (finally a use for that darn thing!) to spread it out.  Nearly all of the color came up with the first press so I only did a monoprint onto 2 tags.  The second print was hardly noticeable at all--I will practice with amount of paint laid down vs amount picked up.  My blobs here were each about the size of a chickpea.

Next I took Peerless transparent gold liquid and sponged that over a Memory Box stencil. For the Spellbinders poinsettia, I used Deco Foil adhesive which I allowed to dry tacky before laying down gold leaf.  Gold leaf can be a pain when you have a cat who likes shiny floating things.  I used Stickles as berries.  The Penny Black sentiment was heat embossed with Versamark and Ranger gold embossing powder.

That said, all this gold goodness reminds me that Gilding is this month's challenge over at Happy Little Stampers CAS, Tags at both Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media and Christmas.  And don't forget about Loll's 12 tags of Christmas event!

Silent Night Tag

My fifth tag which is currently my favorite.  Sponged Distress Ink background flicked with water and white pigment ink.  Glass bead gel bank of snow.  Stampin' Up branch and sentiment--I smeared the sentiment while heat embossing it (yes, just that talented) and decided it was "artsy" rather than "fartsy" so kept going.  Memory Box deer trio die.

Have you joined in Loll's 12 Tags of Christmas?  It's a great chance to try your hand at Mixed Media!

Tag 4 or Maybe 5

Another holiday tag.  This time in less traditional colors.  I dipped Yupo in a mixture of Adirondack alcohol inks and water--super fantastic!  I next stamped the Inkadinkado snowflakes and and Penny Black sentiment in black Stazon.  I once tried to heat emboss on Yupo--did you know heat melts plastic?  What a mess!

I'm entering this in Loll's 12 tags of Christmas, of course!

Blinged Out Tree

 

More mixed media tag fun.  For this one I already had a watercolor panel I used for the base on hand--just a coincidence that it had shadow trees (squee!).  I don't have any Brushos but I do have fabric dyes for scarf and yarn dyeing so I decided to see how those would react with paper.  I sprinkled shades of blue, green and yellow then misted with water.  Holy crap!  Love it so much!

I die cut the tree from that then added white acrylic paint along the raised portions of the tree that represent snow.  I then spread on glitter paste with a cotton swab.  I hadn't expected the white acrylic beneath to disappear so much when dry so I added more, this time above the glitter line.  While that was drying (way faster than the glass bead gel), I flicked water onto the tag panel for snow and cut out a hill of snow by hand.  I stamped the sentiment in VersaFine.

The Details:  Americana snow white acrylic paint, BoBunny sugar glitter paste, Q-tips, Tim Holtz watercolor paper and Distress Ink(s) for the tag base, Recollections 110lb white cardstock snow bank, Amy Tangerine ribbon, Jacquard Acid dyes, Memory Box Frosted Christmas Tree die, Impress sentiment (partial)

I'm adding this to Loll's 12 Tags of Christmas

Tag! You're It!

Have you heard Loll is hosting a 12 Tags of Christmas challenge right now?  Perfect timing since I've been using tags to practice my mixed media techniques.

For this tag I coated mixed media card stock with Inka Gold then smeared on some glass bead gel.  I love that stuff--so glittery and bumpy.  (Strangely, Frankie like the gel too so I had to hide the tag while it dried.    He's such a weird cat!)   I die cut the gold snowflakes and used the inner waste portion of the large one to create the snowflake in the upper right corner.  Waste not, want not.  I wanted the sentiment to really pop so I embossed it in white on black.  A spray of gold thread at the top and done!

The Details:  Lawn Fawn Stitched Snowflake dies, Glossy Accents, Faber Castell glass bead gel, Inka Gold Metallic Rub, Mama Elephant Jolly Merry sentiment

Peace Out!

I'm very excited to announce that Happy Little Stampers has started a Mixed Media challenge starting with "Tag." Our definition of mixed media is really quite broad which opens up the possibilities for you to get your hands dirty.

• The term “mixed media art” is a broad definition that covers many arts and crafts, including collage, assemblage (both 2D and 3D), altered objects, including books and boxes, handmade greeting cards, artist trading cards (ATCs) and tags, art journalling and book making.
  
  The “mixed media” used includes paints, papers and board of all descriptions, glues, buttons, fabrics, found objects, photos, metal bits, fibres, things from nature, inks, pencils, crayons, markers, pastels and polymer clays, to name a few. 

• The main thing you need to remember is to COMBINE the medias listed above. 

Coincidentally (wink, wink), one of our design team members, Loll, is hosting a 12 Tags of Christmas challenge.  Why not link up your creations to both?!

For my tag I finger-painted a piece of glossy card using alcohol inks.  I then used stencil paste to add snow which I brushed with Perfect Pearls.  I die cut my tree and bird next then added a few random dots of Glossy Accents which I covered with cut glass glitter.  I added the Stampin' Up sentiment and a ribbon to tie it all together.  So lots of elements which can be categorized into texture, color and shine.  Fun!
 

Gratitude

Hello!  Time for another Great Impressions card for you!  This round we're sponsoring The Shabby Tea Room's grateful inspiration picture challenge.

I wanted to include the texture (PTI's linen texture plate), candles (Memory Box Glowing Candles) and centerpiece idea.  The greenery is a Martha Stewart punch.  I cut away much of the holly from the candle die and covered up the remaining with the greenery.  That done, I stamped the D451 Gratitude sentiment in VersaFine Vintage Sepia and impressed around it with an oval pierced die (see the oval in the chair back--totally inspired by that).  I don't normally build a little scene like this but I enjoyed it so much!  Reminds me of dioramas in grade school. 


See you next week with another GI design!  Toni 

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Fusion Flowers

It's been a good long while since I've played at Fusion.  I was so taken by the inspiration pic--lovely, isn't it?  I still need to send off a card to Becca for last month's Hop to Stop domestic violence so I thought I'd add another by making the one flower purple and including an uplifting message here. 

The Details:  Penny Black Efflorescence, PTI Choose Joy sentiment and 140lb cardstock base, Hammermill 80lb color copy cardstock, Simon Says Stitched Rectangle die, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic R05, R08, R39, YR04 (red orange flowers), C3, C5, C8 (flower centers), Y15, Y38 (purple flower center), BV01, BV02, BV04, V09 (purple flower), G21, G24, G28 (stems)

Shiny Happy Sentiment

Today is the start of a new challenge over at the Happy Little Stampers CAS challenge.  This month it's all about gilding.  We also have a guest designer that you should totally check out--thanks for joining us, Karen (Made by Meadie)!

With my card I used iCraft Deco Foil to gild the sentiment.  I experimented, a lot, and found the best method for me and a die with thin lines was to apply the foil to the foam adhesive first then die cut the sentiment and leave it in the die.  Yes, leave it there.  I already knew where I wanted it to go so I peeled off the remaining protective liner and placed the die right on the card.  A little press and I removed the die with no problem and had a shiny happy sentiment.  Voila! 

The Details:  Papertrey Ink Sparkle & Shine die and 140lb white card base, Lil' Inker Shiny Happy Sentiments, Inkadinkado Circles & Dots, Recollections Silver detail embossing powder, iCraft Deco Foil and foam adhesive, Recollections gold glitter washi tape, Versamark, Stampendous detail black embossing powder, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Recollections 110lb white cardstock

Bling on the Holidays!

Hello!  It's time for a new challenge from Great Impressions:  Bling on the holidays!  Are you ready to get your bling on?

I certainly am!  Here I used G441 Snowflake Tree and B218 Magic in the Air.  I used the paper as the basis for my card.  The melon paper is an elegant wallpaper motif meant to coordinate with the subtle gray snowflake paper; both are from Echo Park 'tis the Season.  I embossed the tree in platinum and the sentiment in clear over Memento Luxe Rhubarb.  The vellum was just a touch too transparent so I added another layer.  Since that meant I had to glue them together, I covered up the messies with strings of sticky pearls.  And you know you can never have too much bling so I added rhinestone gems to the tree.  Can you believe this card started out as a masculine one in my head?  LOL.

Now go create and link up your blingy creation.  See you next week!

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!
You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!
Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Stamped Window

Today marks the start of the November House of Cards challenge where we ask you to use the stamped window technique. Super easy with lots of possibilities.

For my card I stamped the image then removed a portion with the rectangular die.  I did wet on dry watercoloring with some pigment ink work on the flowers.  For the interior I decided to add a black border to set off the sentiment more.  You can hardly tell but I used a stitched rectangle for that part.

The Details:  Peerless watercolors, Hot Off the Press Simply Susan stamps, Papertrey Ink Harvest Berries stamps, Memento Tuxedo Black, Scotch foam tape, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Recollections 110lb white and black cardstock, Doodlebug Black Sprinkles, Sakura white pigment ink pen, Simon Says Stitched Rectangle die