Experimental Christmas - Moving Along With the Times

Greetings to all my blogging friends!
Here in Florida we have vacillated from being freezing (well below normal) to the 80s (above normal), so it's been a strange, humid Autumn for us.
Today's card share is full of experiments, some good, some disappointing, but everything worked out in the end.

It's time to share a Project for the new Moving Along With The Times Challenge!

Challenge #86's theme is ANYTHING CHRISTMAS - for the next 2 weeks just make sure your project is Christmas themed, and upload!

Always an experiment to share, blogging friend Connie has inspired me to do the same with this project:

On watercolor paper, the image was partially inked with Tulip Red VersaFine Clair and heat set with Firecracker Red Detail embossing powder. It contains glitter, so there is a lot of sparkle on the card. I deliberately chose the textured side of the watercolor paper. After coloring the poinsettias with distress inks, I painted on Masking Fluid, allowing it to dry completely. (TIP: use an old brush):

Once the masking fluid was dry, I stamped the SNS Crackle Background 5x6 stamp in the open spaces to change the look of the image, again with Tulip Red VersaFine Clair and heat set with Clear Detail EP so the texture is a little different from the main image. 

Fresh Pear Mica Mist was sprayed over most of the panel, allowed to dry, and then more distress colors were added.

After heat setting the Mica Mist, I wet the cardstock again in certain areas, applied a color of distress ink, heat set, and repeated the process using the following colors: Spun Sugar, Pine Needles, Peeled Paint, Lemonade, Worn Lipstick. Then I rubbed off the masking fluid.

Finished card:

The sentiment was also stamped with Tulip Red VersaFine Clair and embossed with Firecracker Red Detail.

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to play in our challenge this fortnight!
Moving Along With The Times Challenge.

Products Used:

• Stamps: Stampendous 6x6 Poinsettia Collage, SNS Crackle Background 5x6, "Joy" SU small script word set, 
• Embossing Powder: Clear Detail, Firecracker Red Detail (with glitter)
• Masking Fluid
• Fresh Pear Mica Mist
• Inks: Tulip Red VersaFine Clair, the following distress inks: Spun Sugar, Pine Needles, Peeled Paint, Lemonade, Worn Lipstick
• Dies: SW Essential Sized Pierced Noble Rectangles, 

Challenges I'd like to support:

1. ABC Christmas Challenge (Y, Z) Z is for ZERO EMBELLISHMENTS 01/02
2. Archi-Scraps Challenge (December) Anything Christmas (right side bar - name country) 01/01
3. A Bit More Time to Craft #81 AG (sep post) 12/15
4. Christmas Crafts All Year Round (Dec 1) Christmas AG 01/01
5. Crafty Addicts #55 AG Christmas 01/02
6. Crafty Friends #98 Christmas 12/16
7. Crafty Gals Corner#180 AG Christmas 12/19
8. Kerst Christmas (Dec 1) Christmas 01/01 FB
9. Merry Little Christmas #5 AG Christmas 01/01 sep post
10. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1848 AG 12/10 sep post
11. Scrapyland Challenge #103 AG with dies SL sells (2 dies from the SW Essential Sized Pierced Noble Rectangles) 12/19 (sep post)
12. The Artistic Stamper (Dec 1) Christmas (sep post) 01/01 FB ALSO, leave comment
13. World Wide Open DT Challenge #11 AG for a DT 12/15 (sep post)

Stamping Hugs,

Poinsettia Easel - Back to Basics and Beyond

I'm so happy you are here, and that you have time to share in my little creation.
It's time for a brand new Back to Basics and Beyond Challenge!

For the next two weeks, join us by uploading an "Anything-Goes" project as long as an easel "fold" technique is used. The team has all kinds of inspiration and a variety of styles to view, so take a look! Hope to see yours there.

My card features a Stampendous 6x6 stamp which has been cut down:

I started with this gorgeous Stampendous Poinsettia Collage stamp on textured watercolor paper and VersaFine Clair Tulip Red. What dreamy details this fabulous ink picks up! I have all the colors and am delighted my favorite store now carries them - (get an extra 10% off using my discount code)

Because of the heavily textured paper, I stamped the image 3 times to capture all the details:

Apple Red Detail EP276 was used on the top half of the image, and Clear Detail EP was used on the bottom half:

I stamped two more partial images for layering purposes and heat set with Firecracker Detail EP291 because it contains glitter:



Here is the main image embossed and watercolored:



A 6x6 red panel was cut, and 1/2" Double-sided Tear-ific Tape was applied to each side. Tomato Red Glitter Tinsel was burnished into each side:



Gypsy Red Microfine Glitter was burnished into the tinsel to cover up all the tiny crevices:



The sentiment from Happy Holidays 897 was stamped with VersaMark Ink and heat set with White Detail EP298,



A close up of the image:

An old Martha Stewart Trim punch was used for the easel stop. There are 8 layers adhered together.


Dynamites Holly Branch die was decked out with Gecko Green Microfine Glitter and Fire Engine Red Ultrafine Glitter:



I promise the dimensional flower is glittery and not so dark around the edges in real life.

Hoping to see your pretty easel cards in our challenge this time!

On a sad note, this is my final official SNS design team card, but I'm grateful to still be using their products!

Products Used:

• Stamps: Stampendous Poinsettia Collage, SNS Happy Holidays 897 (also available digitally)
• Embossing Powders: Firecracker Detail EP291, Apple Red Detail EP276, Clear Detail EP, White Detail EP298,
• Inks: VersaFine Clair Tulip Red, Fired Brick Distress, VersaMark Ink
• Adhesives: Nuvo Deluxe Glue, Brushable Glue, 1/2" Double-sided Tear-ific Tape,
• Glitters: Tomato Red Glitter Tinsel, Gypsy Red Microfine Glitter, Gecko Green Microfine Glitter, Fire Engine Red Ultrafine Glitter, 
• Other: MS Double Arch Deep Edge Punch, MS Double Arch Corner Punch, MS Double Edge Trim Punch, Zig Watercolor Markers, Dynamites Holly Branch die
• Paper: Watercolor, Poppy Red

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. Allsorts Challenges #493 Poppies or RED 11/16 sep post
2. Christmas at Sweet Stampin' (Nov 14) 12/3 (sep post)
3. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #40 Anything Christmas Goes 11/17 (sep post) C15
4. Try Stampin' Or Not on Tuesday Nov Technique Challenge - Glitter - (I have 2 types microfine glitter, glitter tinsel, and 1 ultrafine glitter) 11/25 (sep post - they have multiple challenges each month)
5. Dream Valley #190 Use Dies AND punches (3 Martha Stewart punches and one Dynamites die) 2nd entry, C10, 11/16 sep post
6. Make My Monday Challenge #84 Winter Foliage 11/25
7. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1845 AG 11/19

Stamping Hugs,

Fairy Hugs and Sprinkles of Watercolor

Hello, Blogging Friends! Hoping this finds you doing well. Please know that if you are experiencing hardship of any kind, I am thinking fondly of you, sending love and prayers toward your dear home.

and now...

It's time for a brand new Back to Basics and Beyond Challenge!

For the next two weeks, join us by uploading an "Anything-Goes" project as long as a watercolor technique is used. The team has all kinds of inspiration and a variety of styles to view, so take a look! Hope to see yours there.

I am so enjoying this team - the themes help me play with lots of products in my stash and motivate me out of the usual styles I gravitate toward.

To see close ups, just click on any of the photos please.

I have used three types of watercolor techniques in this project.

1. I started with watercolor paper and sprayed it with water, lightly saturating the paper. Then I softly "seasoned" the moist paper with Atlantis Burst Watercolor Shimmer Powder. Wish you could see this in person. If you enjoy playing with mediums, this is a must have for your stash! It's truly shimmery! After applying the powder, I spritzed a bit more, moving some of the color with my heat tool, and allowing the rest to dry on its own. 
2. Then I inked up Stampendous 6x6 Blossom Scroll rubber stamp with Versafine Clair Pinecone ink and dredged with Gold Tinsel opaque embossing powder. I love the glittery sparkle! While you cannot see the defined outline of the stamp itself, I knew it would make a lovely mosaic of "uneven", sparkly color in the background:

Watercoloring the image:

1. The darling fairies were stamped with VersaMark and heat set NOT with white embossing powder, but with Sparkle Semi Transparent embossing powder. Instead of being a plain white medium, the outline now has sparkle to it! 
2. The watercolor resist technique was employed using Peacock Feathers and Mermaid Lagoon Distress inks applied as watercolor. 
3. With Tombow Markers I scribbled a little pink and flesh colors onto an acrylic block and applied to the fairies with a water brush.  
4. They were then die cut. I also used the silhouette as a halo on the left side (but isn't the silhouette adorable all on its own?):

This close-up shows the difference the Sparkle Semi Transparent embossing powder makes (check out the Starfire semi transparent ultrafine glitter on their little wings and skirt ruffle). 

And that Gold Tinsel opaque EP is amazing! 


Wish you could see it in real life. 


The Turquoise vellum was torn down one side and distressed with VersaMark ink before being heat set with the Gold Tinsel EP.

The brads were heat set with Melon Twist Semi Transparent. While still hot, I dipped the brads into more Starfire glitter. The glitter melted into the hot EP.

Even the sentiment is sparkly. It was stamped with Warm Breeze VersaFine Clair, dredged with Mediterranean Star opaque EP, and heat set. The Tuscany Star line's formulation is great for fine detail images, distressing, or bold image coverage. They are my favorite EPs in my stash:

I had fun using the vellum and punchinella in overlapping layers (is that a redundant statement?) giggle.

Finished card is 6x6 at flat for mailing:

thanks for stopping by today!

Some SNS Products used on this project:

Products Used:

• Sentiment: Happy Flowers 840 rubber stamp set (also available digitally with matching digital papers)
• Background Stamp: Stampendous 6x6 Blossom Scroll 
• Tonic Fairy Reflections May & Fay single stamp and the cutest 2-part silhouette die set
• See all the Tonic Fairy Reflection characters here
• Glitter: Starfire semi transparent ultrafine glitter
• Embossing Powders: Melon Twist Semi Transparent (brads), Gold Tinsel opaque, Sparkle Semi Transparent (fairies watercolor resist), Mediterranean Star opaque (sentiment)
• Watercolors: Atlantis Burst Watercolor Shimmer Powder, Color Burst Watercolor Powder, Peacock Feathers and Mermaid Lagoon Distress inks applied as watercolor on the fairy image
• Cardstock: Punchinella strip, Turquoise vellum, Aqua Coordinations, Watercolor, Neenah Solar White
• Other Dies: Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish

Challenges I'd like to play in pretty please:

1. Scrapy Land Challenge #98 "AG Dies SL Sells" (Tonic, Cheery Lynn)
2. Always Fun Challenges #78 "Dies and Punches" 10/8
3. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1839 AG 10/8
4. International Art and Soul #43 NOT CAS, layer it up! 10/15 (sep post)
5. Do-A1(1) Kreatives #22 Design Your Own Background (used paints, inks, shimmer paints, embossing tinsel) 11/1

stamping hugs,

Graph it! Butterflies and Flowers

Hi, Blogging Friends!
Today I'm sharing something a bit different - creating a "graph" as a background for cards or scrapbook pages. It's fun and produces an interesting depth, and can be used with most images AND gets even BETTER with a little doodling.

Below are simple samples, and some more time-consuming illustrations as well, so this technique is suitable for any style of crafting.



For the Simiple Cards (one 5x7 and one business size), I stamped the images in Staz-On Jet Black Ink and colored with a water brush from my dye base ink pads and reinkers. The second butterfly was "colored" with a VersaMarker and coated with Clear Detail EP:

Steps for creating the graph:

for opaque mediums, use a stamp positioner or platform:
Stamp, color, and stamp again for a clear, crisp outline.


Masking is not absolutely necessary with this technique, but it helps for dimension:

Once the images are all stamped, line up the grids on opposite edges, and draw neat lines. Doodle if desired.

A few products used on some of these cards:

The 5x7 card was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copic Markers. The overlapping areas were masked:

The butterfly is embellished with Galaxy Night Ultrafine Glitter:



The sentiment was heat set with Black Detail EP:



Making a Scallop Border:

To make the glittery scallop border, I die cut the scallop and then placed the die on top of the scallops, and cut again through my die cut machine again. Painting on Brushable Glue, glitters were applied. Even in humid Florida, the glue dries within 15-20 minutes:




The Watercolor Card was created using Zig Real Brush markers and Nuvo Shimmer Powder in Solar Flare. The Shimmer Powders are intensely pigmented, pearlescent colors that create a marvelous shimmer without muting the ink from the stamped image. I found applying a watered-down amount of color on top of other colors (such as brown, orange, red), that the original color remained strong, with a pearlescent covering. It's really pretty, and I want all the colors.

My Watercolor Graph-it sample with Shimmer Powder:

Lastly, the card using Embellishment Mousse in Peony Pink and Pink Flambé. Water was spritzed directly into the Mousse containers, and a water brush was used to apply the color to the images:



The leaves and butterfly were colored with Zig Brush Markers.
Lemonade Ultrafine  and Galaxy Night Ultrafine Glitters were added to the butterfly and flower for extra drama.

Sentiment is heat embossed:

Products Used:

• SNS stamp sets for sentiments: Swallowtail Butterflies 856 (also available in bonus digital set), SNS Aster Garden 893 (also available digitally), SNS Ornate Greetings 880 (also available digitally), 
• Stampendous Laurel Burch Cling LB Flora Stamp
• Stampendous Fresh Bloom Flower Stamp
• Adhesives: Zig 2-way Glue Pen, Nuvo Deluxe Glue, Brushable Glue, Dimensionals
• Crystal Drops: Raspberry Pink
• Dies: Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Scallop Edge Die Set E8-001, Sue Wilson Double Edged Pierced Rectangles, 2 unknown names for sentiments
• Embellishment Mousse in Peony Pink and Pink Flambé
• Embossing Powders: Clear Detail EP 280 (covering purple butterfly), Black Detail EP171
• Glitters: (#1 Mixture of Carnation Ultrafine G1028 and Mystical Mauve Ultrafine G1072) for the border, Ocean G1126 Ultrafine Glitter for border, Lemonade Ultrafine G1091, Galaxy Night Ultrafine Glitter G1131
• Inks: VersaMark Watermark, VersaMarker Pen, Distress Oxide Worn Lipstick, Distress Black Soot, Distress Mowed Lawn, Stream-Turquoise dye base ink, Staz-On Jet Black Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Shimmer Powder in Solar Flare
• Tim Holtz Tonic Stamp Platform - this not only helped with all the stamps, but enabled me to use the Mousse and other opaque mediums as paints. I stamped, painted, let it dry, and then stamped again, using masks for overlapping after each flower was completed.
• For the watercolor cards: Watercolor Paper with Staz-On Jet Black Ink and/or Black EP171
• For the alcohol marker cards: Express-it Paper (for Alcohol Markers) with Memento Tuxedo Black

Challenges:

1. Color Crazy Challenge #32 AG with coloring (all my images are hand colored with assorted mediums) 8/26
2. Creative Fingers Challenge Blog #151 (hand stamped and colored images with graphs drawn) 9/5 (check #153 for win)
3. Craft Rocket Challenges #51 AG 8/27 (sep post 9/1)
4. Crafting With An Attitude #42 AG 9/1(sep post)
5. A Perfect Time to Craft #8  SNS DT 9/1 (sep post)
6. Morgan's Artworld Open Challenge #8 AG (all images are hand colored) 9/1 (sep post)
7. Love to Craft Challenges #25 AG 9/1 (sep post 9/5)
8. Crafty Gals Corner Challenges #171 Tropical Colors 8/16
9. Creative Moments Challenge #150 AG 8/20
10. Not Just Cards (Aug) AG 9/11
11. Pile It On! #145 - New Technique (graph it style) 9/1 sep post

Thanks for visiting today. Hope you enjoyed the Graph-It technique!
hugs,