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!