Monday, January 30, 2012

Follow your Heart with Outline Stamps

Hello !

I'm happily participating in another Outlines Challenge !   This week's theme is "Follow your Heart".   You can find all the great Design Team samples and details here at Outline's Blog.

I'm also entering this card into this weeks Crazy 4 Challenges, "Lots and Lots of Layers & Embellies" C4C121, the DT samples and details are here at Crazy 4 Challenges Blog

I used Outline's I-696 Layered Heart stamp along with a sentiment from the F-1049 Posy Greeting Centers to create this card.


I stamped the heart and embossed with Silver on 3 different pages from the 6x6 Designer Paper pad from My Mind's Eye, Lots & Found - Blush.  It's the same pad that I used for Outline's "Love is in the Air Challenge"  2 weeks ago.     I cut & layered the heart as shown, popped up a couple of the layers and used the newsprint sheet from the same pad as a mat.     A narrow piece of the paper that was cut off the end of the mat was turned over and used across the card at the top.   The sentiment was also layered.    

I  added Snickerdoodle & Taffy Smooch inks on some of the little flower patterns.   The tiny applicator makes it easy !    I always enjoy lots of cutting (maybe because it's a bit meditative?), but then came the most fun ..... adding lots rhinestone bling and cream Viva Pearls on the little circles in the images.   I find a lot of Outline stamps are wonderful for layering if you enjoy creating dimension on images and then the little patterns just beg for extra colour or bling !    So much fun ! :)   


Thanks for stopping by for a look,  I appreciate your visit !
Have a great day ! 
Shirley

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Stamp Kissing

Good Afternoon  !

I'm still working on card designs for Designs by Ryn and still trying out the "Stamp Kissing" technique that I saw on Miranda's blog.       There are so many things to try and not enough time !

So here is a card that the background was created by having stamps "Kiss".   Such a cute name for a stamping technique !   But actually that's what it is !    Two stamps "kiss" either with ink on both or just one.    I've always been in love with "Smooch" Inks and now it's "Stamp kissing"....... my husband doesn't mind :) x



For this card I used the Solid Cover a Card by Impression Obsession (CC084).   I inked it up using a brayer and Colour Box Pigment Ink - Harbour.   Then I used Ryn's African Daisy stamp (CM-F1) which seemed to work for this technique as it has bold lines.   The flower stamp made contact with the cover a card stamp with the ink, which takes ink off and then I stamped it on white card stock !  I use IO's Mega Mount for all their Cover a Card stamps... love them !

The background turned out looking Batik as I recall Miranda saying on her Blog.     After I stamp-kissed the background I used clear embossing power to add texture.  I stamped the flower a few more times and embossed with Silver and painted a little with TomBow markers, hard to see the shading in the photo.     The embossing folder used for the embossing is Daisy & Swirl  CTFD3043 by Crafts-Too.     A little bling was added for the final touch. 



Ok that's all for this afternoon ! 
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend !
Shirley

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Earth Laughs in Flowers

Hello everyone !

I've been working on card designs for Designs by Ryn.  I enjoy using her high quality & deeply etched stamps.   Also love the images !

The background for this first card is different than planned.   I was experimenting with 'stamp kissing' that did not turn out the way I visualised.    I will go back and play again with that technique.        


I used the following stamps for this card:   CMF15 Leafy Branch, CMF1 African Daisy & CM-F5 Leaves set all by Designs by Ryn.   The beautiful sentiment 'Earth Laughs' C3671 is by Impression Obsession. 

I ended up using a solid Cover a Card by Impression Obsession (CC084) and inked it up with Memories Pigment Ink - Foxglove and then stamped onto white card stock.   I blended Old Paper Distress Ink around the outside.  Probably blending Milled Lavender Distress Ink (vs the Mauve Pigment Ink) would have worked as well. 

I stamped the leavy branch on the background with Colour Box Moss Green Pigment Ink.    I stamped and embossed the flower twice and the leaves with gold.    I painted the flower and leaves with Mica Colour Stargazer paints.     I cut the flowers & leaves then layered as shown.  I cut less of the petals for the top layer of the flower. 

The sentiment was stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa Dye Ink.   Everything was layered onto co-ordinating card stock and I added a few cool purple & green glass beads.  I used Lime Stickles in the centre of the flower.   I thought about adding ribbon but wanted to let the flower & leaves stand out.



This second card was created with just the Leafy branch and another sentiment by Impression Obsession - 'Just a Note' B3552.  
   

I kept the card above clean & simple.   I love this branch image and wanted it to be the feature.   The image was stamped with black Versafine ink and coloured with Prismacolour Pencils.   A little black ribbon & peach pearls are the finishing touches.

That's all for this evening !
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Owl Always be Thankful

Hello !     It's another Challenge Thursday at Impression Obsession !   This week's challenge theme is "Oldies but Goodies", which means that unless the stamp(s) are the brand new soon-to-be released images, they qualify !        You can find all the wonderful Design Team creations and information here at Impression Obsession's Blog.  

So here's my entry into this week's challenge -  "Owl always be thankful for our friendship".   This card is one of the designs that will be included in a class I'm teaching at Crop Circles in April.


The background for this card was created again by using Tom Bow Markers, water & salt.   Actually I dipped the water colour paper into paint that ran off another creation onto my craft mat.   I didn't want to waste the ink and therefore the background is subtle. 

I used the following stamps from Impression Obsession:   Ornate Owl F2137, Owl Leaves H2370, Feathers 3065-SM and "Owl always be thankful" C5546.     I really love these stamps, the Owl is quite funky.  Because he has intense eyes, Helen (owner at Crop Circles) thinks he would make a cool Halloween card.

All images except the sentiment were stamped and embossed with silver on watercolour paper.   The Owl Leaves image, which is quite cool,  is actually much larger - I cut a small section for the owl to sit on.   I used the small feather from the Feather Cling Set for accents beside the Owl.

I used Tombow 373, 133 & 443 for most of the images and 969, 977 on the branch.    I used the Tom bows directly on the paper and added water with a brush to blend out.

I stamped the sentiment with Colourbox Harbour Pigment Ink and embossed with clear to make it stand out.      All images are layered as shown onto co-ordinating card stock.   Ribbon, Diamond Stickles and small pearls are the final touches !      The close-up below shows the colours better. 


My inspiration for ordering the Ornate Owl and Owl Leaves stamps came from looking at beautiful cards at the Posthumas Stamp store in Amsterdam.    I'm pretty sure those cards were designed by the talented Miranda (her blog is 'Mir'acle art Inspirations).   She designs cards for their store which has awesome samples & stamps to make you very inspired !  

One more note - I'm having trouble getting into page views on some Blogs (mainly overseas), and cannot leave comments.  Very frustrating !   One of my kind followers let me know that she is having a problem commenting on my blog, she reached me through Paper Planet.  I have no idea what is wrong, but hopefully the issue is resolved soon.
 
"Owl" always be Thankful for your visits to my Blog and kind comments that cheer my day !    Have a great one !

Shirley

Monday, January 16, 2012

"Love is in the Air" with Outline Stamps

Good afternoon !   It's Challenge Monday at Outline Stamps and this week's theme is "Love is in the Air - Valentine Creations".  You can find all the great Design Team samples and details here at Outline's Blog.

I have a couple of Heart/Valentine stamps by Outlines both of which are great for layering as a lot of Outline stamps are.


I used Outlines E342 Heart Sq.Lg stamp for this card.   I stamped the image twice & embossed in silver on black card stock and pink designer paper by My Mind's Eye - Lost & Found.  I cut and layered the images as shown above & below.     The heart & square are popped up into 4 layers but it's hard to see on the photo.    I used Taffy Smooch Ink on the tiny hearts & dots on the border of the square.    The centre heart is actually the back of the pink designer paper.   The square is layered onto designer paper and then co-ordinating card stock.   I used very narrow black border stickers by Starform and a silver heart charm with ribbon for the final touches.


I thought the above card had too much pink to give to my husband and had an extra square stamped & embossed so I made another card in red & black. 

For the card above I just cut out sections of the one image and layered as shown.   The striped designer paper is also from the same mini-pad (by My Mind's Eye).     I used Siren Smooch Ink to add colour to the square border.    I also added the 'Love You'  sentiment from Outlines which was stamped once on black and embossed with silver and then with black Versafine Ink on Red card stock.  I cut out the centre of the red and added to the black circle.   A red bow is the final touch !

Cutting Die :  Spellbinders - Nestabilities - S4-348 Postage Stamps.
Stamps:  Outlines E342 Heart Sq.Lg & F1049 Posy Greeting Centre
Designer Paper:  My Mind's Eye, Lost & Found, Blush 6x6 pad


Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Playing with Watercolours

I hope everyone is doing well.   I was lucky to have a 'snow day' today !    It was quite messy out with snow/rain/ice here this morning and I cancelled my plans so Hubby could take the car with snow tires.    I was home alone all day 'playing' in my craft room.... actually I was 'working' to design cards for classes this Winter.  Fun :)

I'm posting a card that I created while playing with watercolours.   I've been 'smitten' with creating backgrounds with Tom Bow watercolour markers, water & salt !     I've posted cards using this Butterfly Stamp by Designs by Ryn previously but it is making another appearance in different colours.  Ryn is a talented artist and a very nice lady !   She described this technique during a busy craft show when we first met.  


After creating the background and letting it dry, I stamped Tsuki CMB5 and 2 of the leaves from the set CMF5, both from Designs by Ryn and the sentiment (by Inkadinkado 96614 set) with Colourbox Midnight Pigment Ink and embossed in clear.      The butterfly or moth and leaves were also coloured with Tom bow markers.    I cut out the butterfly and popped him up and then added ribbon, the leaves and layered onto co-ordinating card stock. 


And below is the view from my craft room this morning.... no sun & snowing......


That's all for this evening ! 
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley

Monday, January 09, 2012

Asian Theme & No Stamps

Good evening everyone !     Our Winter has been kind to us so far this year, as it's been milder than normal most days, but I've been fighting a head cold which is zapping my energy.     We've been experiencing changes in temperatures that range from minus 24C (with wind chill) to  plus 10C in 2 days.    

When I first started making cards I got hooked on Starform stickers (pre rubber stamps) so of coarse I have quite a stash of them, at least a 20-year supply !    I went through them this evening and pulled a sheet of this lady and decided to make a card with her.
          
I adhered the sticker lady to Velum paper and then turned her over on a foam pad.  Using a stylus I embossed some of the areas which turns it white.   I added some colour with Gelly Pens and then cut her out.     I popped her onto handmade paper and then layered with Asian theme designer paper and co-ordinating card stock.  Flowers along with co-ordinating corner and border stickers are the finishing touches.    Very easy card !


Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Hearts and Flowers

Good Evening !   I'm entering this card into this week's "Hearts & Flowers" Challenge at Impression Obsession.   You will find beautiful creations by the Design Team and the information at Impression Obsession's Blog.    This was a little challenging as currently I don't own any Heart or Love themed stamps from IO or any heart shaped dies.   

I decided to try using a Cover-a-Card stamp to create patterned paper, then turn it over to draw a heart on the back and then cut it out.   The end result is a little Victorian and a change for me !


I used Impression Obsession's Round Floral Cover-a-Card stamp on white card stock and embossed in Gold.  I used a powder that has a bit of glitter in it.    I drew a heart onto the back and then cut it out.    I blended a little Milled Lavender and Bundled Sage Distress Ink over the embossing (the colour doesn't show well in the photo) and then edged it with Versa Mark Ink and added more gold embossing to finish the edge.     I used the same stamp on wine card stock and embossed with clear which made it look like velvet for one of the mats.    I used my Cuttlebug to cut out the Picot Edge Circle and then embossed with a flower patterned folder.   I layered with co-ordinating card stock as shown along with some gold ribbon, Resin Flowers from Maya Road and Starform border & corner stickers.  

Stamp:  Impression Obsession CC078 Round Floral
Nestabilities: S4-345
Embossing Folder:  Crafts-Too CTFD3043

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley

Sunday, January 01, 2012

A Tropical New Year

Happy New Year everyone !     We had a wonderful time celebrating last night with good friends until the wee hours of the morning.   I can never sleep in, so here I am enjoying the morning in my craft room with a cup of tea.

I have a good view of the snow & trees in our backyard from my craft room.   It's very pretty but I'm dreaming about tropical places & flowers !

I created this card using the Cathie Allan "Stamp Smoosh" technique, which is easy.   I enjoyed taking a class with Cathie at the Scrapfest show last Fall.    This stamp is a Poinsettia but I used tropical colours which is a vibrant change from all the Christmas cards and snow themes etc.


This stamp, F5434 Poinsettia Bloom by Hero Art, is a solid image which works well with the 'stamp smoosh' technique.  (start with your lightest colour, stamp down hard and give your wrist a little twist to 'smoosh' the ink)    Fluid Chalk Inks work well as they dry quickly to allow you to 'lay down' your next colour.  I used  heavy white card stock and ColourBox Fluid Chalk Ink set Ocean Breeze - starting with Lime Pastel, then Ice Jade and finally Aquamarine.     I stamped the flower out again with ColourBox Pigment Harbour, in a 'normal' manner.  I embossed these with clear powder.   I stamped out one extra flower to cut and pop up on the card.   I have a hard time making a card without some kind of dimension added.   

Because the background has a lot going on, I really didn't want to cover it up with much else.   I added some ribbon, a charm and a few lime green stickles on the darkest flowers and matted onto co-ordinating card stock.  I used a nestability label - S4347 with a sentiment from Inkadinkado (96614 set) which was also stamped with Colourbox Harbour Pigment Ink, embossed with clear and then inked with Peeled Paint Distress Ink using the die for a mask. 


Thanks for stopping by and I wish you all the best for a Happy, Healthy & Creative 2012 !
Cheers
Shirley