Friends ...

This has been one of those exciting card fronts. I’ve done this stamp a few times finding it so receptive to various mediums. I’ve used Prismacolor colored pencils several times and built-up several layers of different shades for the desired look - those I did on watercolor papers. (See sq. card on green below). But today, let’s just lightly discuss OLO Alcohol Ink Pens applied to the smooth X-Press-It Blending Cardstock. 

Stamp "Wonderful in Every Way" stamp with London Fog and let dry or, if you prefer, emboss the design. Gather the colors you will be using. (See the OLO color list).

HINT: If you are new to blending, do a few practice pieces to get the feel and look you desire. It does take a little practice.

Let’s work with the flowers first. For this project, select Red Ochre, Pudding and Peony. Then, using the darkest color (Red) apply a scribbling of color onto your mixing surface. You will need to do this several times during your painting. Then load Pudding by swiping the tip through the Red Ochre … applying the blended mixture from the flower’s center. The mixture will start to look more like the Pudding color so you will have to repeat the color blending many times. Let the Pudding  become the main color of each pedal. Then, blend the Peony on top of each pedal to add a little highlighting.  

The stems are just a light touch of the Red Gray. 

The leaves are blended the same way as the flower. The base color is Fern with Avocado swiped through and accented with Sea Foam. For some excitement, just lightly touch the leaves with Pudding to lighten a little.

For more leaf definition, add detail veins with either a black or sepia.

Dot the stamen tips with Acrylic Painter White and let dry.

To clean your blending surface, use Alcohol Blending Solution and a dry paper towel.

The rest of the card is up to you. I love working lighter shades of green PanPastels over a decorative stencil, avoiding the painted area. The background for this and so many different flowered stamps look great with a brick wall behind or geometric designs. Let me know what you try. 

Materials:

• Cardstock: X-Press It - Blending Card – 8.5x11 White                 

• Stamp Ink: Memento – London Fog

• Stamps: Pinkfresh Studio: Wonderful in Every Way and the word Friends from the Always Uplifting set

• OLO Alcohol Ink Pens: OR2.6 Red Ochre, R5.1 Peony, YO2.2 Pudding, RG6 Red Gray 6, YG8.7 Fern, YG2.5 Avocado, and YG8.2 Sea Foam

• Accent items: Micron 01 Black, Prismacolor Chisel Tip Marker -Sepia, and Miaosun Acrylic Painter – White

• Mixing/Blending surface:  A glass/glazed tile or old Enamel Baking Pan 

• Ranger’s Alcohol Blending Solution

• Backgrounds: PanPastel – light green shades

• Stencil of your choice

OOPS!

This was completed (after a little disaster) with

Prismacolor colored pencils 

and die-cut into a square! 

Thank you for stopping by. Hope you will leave a comment. 

Till next time - May God Bless You And Yours

 Hummingbird & Columbine – Retired but Not Forgotten!

You never know what treasures you will find hidden away within your own “safe place stash!” I fell in love with this one several years ago and placed it in that “safe place.” Have thought about it, looked for it and finally, this past week, found it! Oh, so happy! And so many other exciting older, retired stamps! I feel like an old kid getting a new toy!

Having used colored pencils for over 25 years, I have developed a passion for multi-color blending. My first challenge was considering the color combinations for that delicate little hummingbird. Their color range is beyond my normal blended color palette ideas. Also, I want to try to capture that iridescent appearance. 

Basic Materials: 

• Stamp from Whimsy Stamp by Dove Art designs - retired.

• Strathmore Watercolor ready cut – 140lb – 5x7 in.

• VersaFine Clair – Morning Mist

• Colored pencils by PrismaColor

• Shimmers by Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss

• Micron 01 Black

Hummingbird: Selecting the colors was easy – just put my hand into my pencil box and select! Green/blue/yellows! More?

First, apply a light coat of Lime Peel (greenish yellow) over portions of the head and back. To that lightly apply Peacock Blue to the same areas. Now, lightly apply the Lime Peel over the remainder of the body. Highlight with the Cream and Canary Yellow. For a little more life, highlight the body near the wing with a touch of Scarlet Lake (red) and Mineral Orange. The wing and tail feathers use a soft touch, randomly stroke yellows, orange and lime. Keep them very light. His beak is Mineral Orange with Canary Yellow highlights. 

Still wanting to get that iridescent appearance, I used Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss over the entire hummingbird.

Columbine: I was amazed as to the vast variety of color within the Columbine family. I had been thinking of the traditional red and white combo but sort of changed my mind. Softly, using overlapping circular side strokes blend the Scarlet Lake (red) with Mineral Orange, then highlight with Cream and White. Add Lime Peel for the stamen with a touch of Canary Yellow.

Detailing: This is optional – Use Micron 01 Black. Refer to photo.

Background and trim: background colors are Peacock Blue and Lime Peel. I used my finger to blend and soften the background. 

Thank you so much for stopping by.

If you have any comments, I would love to hear from you.

Remember:

All of us do not have equal talents,

but all of us should have

an equal opportunity

to develop our talents.

(John F. Kennedy)

No Surface Border Taping… Part 2

Thank you for returning for the instructional part of the last project. 

For this phase kept the Aperture in place. 

FLOWERS AND STEMS: If you glance at the material list, the colors are listed as they were used. Usually, I prefer to apply the lightest first. When applying and blending in the darker shades, go lightly over the lighter and build up the color blends. After applying several layers, try using a blending stick. That drags the colors together. 

BACKGROUND: The Eye-Shadow brush may seem like a strange item. They work beautifully, especially with PanPastels (powdered pigment color). A little goes a long way! Just lightly touch the brush onto the surface (do not dig into the color), tap off excess from the brush and “paint.” The results on blending these colors is really thrilling. Let this set a few minutes. You may want to lightly blow the excess color off and let the color settle. Now carefully remove the tape and lift the aperture. (Clean both sides of the aperture with a damp cloth.)

To set the color, use a spray finish sealer to apply one or two light coats. Let dry between coats.

OPTIONS: This was another area I wanted to explore: how older colored pencils would react with a VersaMark application. In the past, I found that moisture with most colored pencils does pull the color but far from what occurs with watercolor pencils. Use the brush end of the VersaMark brush. Then apply the embossing powder and tap off the excess. Heat set per normal.

The white boarder was a little more than I preferred so I trimmed it back to approximately ¼”.

Assemble the card to your liking!

Material List:

• Artistico Extra White 100% Cotton Hot Press 140 lbs., 5” x 7” pre-cut watercolor paper

• Sweet Poppy Stencil, Rectangular Aperture SP6-125R 

• Penny Black, Awaken, 40-507

• VersaFine Claire, Morning Mist

• PrismaColor (colored pencils): Lavendar PC934, Lilac PC956, Parma Violet PC1008, Mineral Orange PC1033, Lime Peel PC1005, Marine Green PC988, White PC939

• Blending stick

• PanPasels, shades of yellows (lights to darks)

• Eye Shadow Brush applicator 

• Spray sealer

• VersaMarker pen

• Super Fine Clear Embossing Powder

• Embossing Gun

• Sentiment stamp of your choice

• StarDreams – Amethyst (I think)

• Double-sided tape 

• A7 (5.25” x 7.25”) Envelope

Thank you again for stopping by. I am looking forward to sharing a few more ideas for making cards. Hope you will join us again.

  

No surface border taping…

Before I start, I have to apologize - It's been a long time since I posted last. Time got away from me as we had important family matters that took my attention away from here. Hope you will again add my site to your "what are they doing now" list. Thank you.

And now:

Recently, I have been trying to find a way to create a nice clean border for my card fronts without using tape on the front side. If you know me, you will remember that I only have one arm. That has created a few challenges. Especially when using any kind of removeable tape. 

While working on my Christmas cards this past year, there were several incidents with “paper-hungry-sticky-tape” problems! A few were fixable but a few were delivered to the trash-can!

I came up with an odd solution: I tried using an older metal 5”x7” aperture/stencil (center opening 3 ¾”x6”) by placing the aperture on a lightbox glass surface. Then I laid a piece of precut 5”x7” watercolor payer on top. With the light on, I could see to center opening shining through the paper. That made it easier to center the workable area and created a lovely border surrounding the workplace. I secured the paper on what would be the back side of the card front with small pieces of tape.  

That made it so easy to work on this project: 

I still need some time to figure how I'd like to present this card front. I have an idea, it will be my next project posting along with the material list.

Thank you for looking me up. I pray you have a great week and will stop in again in a few days. Our coffee pot is always ready and the cinnamon tea only takes a moment - let's create!

That 3D "Book Cover" Embossed Card, Again...

 

As my husband pointed out, I "must really love that folder!" And I have to admit, I do as well as all the other beautiful and interesting 3D designs. 

This time I did a photo study. First, use a White Dye Ink to highlight the raised design. I prefer to let that dry before adding the color. However, you can work while the white is still wet and get great results. As you may notice, I used the Altenew Crisp Dye Inks. I think the following photos will make this easier to follow.

Again, instead of using a brush applicator, I decided upon the eyeshadow applicator. I  prefer to use the flat side, tapped onto the color several times before lightly blending using slight circular strokes. It may take 2-4 applications to achieve the look you desire.

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I'd like to wish all of you a fantastic upcoming September. Ours will be busy so I may not be on again until October. So, please, have a great few weeks creating and remember - Christmas is coming!

Always, Barb 

May God Bless all of you.

3-Dimensional Peony Cards – Different Finishes

 

My thoughts: Dimensional folders have been around for a long time in our card crafting world. Originally, we called them embossing folders. The embossed pieces had a nice, slightly raised image and became a favorite “background” for our embellishments and sentiments. That design added a more professional look to our card creations and we received the admiration of the recipients. As technology advanced, the embossed designs became more intricate and with a more highly raised impression. Today, there are hundreds (or more) wonderful 3-D folders to select from...

Today’s projects are using the Altenew’s “Book Cover Engraving 3-D” folder. The technique for both cards start out the same but are completed a little different (at least, different for me).

Rough instructions: I really enjoy doing my 3-Ds with the darker pearlescent papers – black is my preference but I used a deep purple for the other card front.

Highlight design: For both projects, I used Hero Arts’ Hero Hues White. Two – four light applications to just the raised designs. The white might fade somewhat but do not let the worry you.

For the one on black: I decided to use an eyeshadow applicator to apply the colorations. Using the flat side of the applicator to LIGHTLY apply the colors. I found by using a circular type of blending worked for me. Let the color dry a few minutes before doing the next layer – some areas took 3 applications. … Colors used: Versa Color: 61 Olive, 161 Green Tea, 69 Bamboo, 60 Celadon, 182 Bisque, 52 Topaz, and 56 Cinnamon. Let the color dry than, if you wish, apply a spry sealer.

For the one on purple: This was started just as the other by highlighting the raised design with white. Using the same type of eyeshadow applicator, I applied several applications of Brilliance’s Galaxy Gold. When the gold dries – lightly buff with a tissue.

Thank you for dropping by today – hope your creative creations are exactly as you dreamed, and you are having fun.

Till next time – God Bless!

OOOPS TO WOW = CARDFRONT

Wanted to relax the other day and 

decided to do a few 3D card-fronts - JUST FOR FUN. 

WIP - I have a nice collection of 3 dimensional embossing folders and am always astonished by their impressed results. At first, I thought I'd do this one with just the white ink on a dark metallic paper.  Happily, that was going beautifully until.. I dropped the ink pad and created a real mess. 

I'm not always thrilled when I try to save a messed up project, but I gave it a go. Took just a Kleenex tissue and started buffing the entire piece. The black paper, of course, starting getting a gentle greyish tint. Feeling a little impressed with the look, I then reinked the embossed design. The white stood out so sharply with the greyed tone on black. 

To add some interest but not to overpower the white, I used soft-tipped eye shadow foam brushes to very lightly apply color to the flowers and leaves. 

I'm thinking of adding a leaf-gold edging and maybe use an off-white, cut to the same size, card-stock for the base card. 

Materials used: Stardream Lapis Metallic cardstock; Altenew's Decorative Florals 3D embossing folder; Hero Arts AF249 Unicorn pigment ink; Versa Color Topez, Bamboo and Old Rose inks; and rubber tipped eye shadow applicators. 

Thank you for stopping in. Wishing you a remarkable week.

May God Bless You and Yours

Winter Cardinal - An Acetate Lesson

Today, I'd like to talk about how to do an easy card layout using two unrelated stamps. A few years ago, I started imprinting my stamps on clear acetate. When dry, I stored that stamp and its image together. (I use StazOn Jet Black and let it dry.)

For this project I have selected two, Penny Black stamps, Winter Gem (40-857) and the Cardinal from Trilling Birds (40-809)

Both of these are large, so I placed my acetate print on the cutting mate. This looks like it will need to be a 6"x6" card.

That is when I usually select my envelope - a 6.5" square - and set the Cardinal to get an idea that everything will fit. 

For this card I selected a 9"x12", 140lb watercolor cardstock then cut down to a 6"x12" and folded to a 6"sq.

What you see above is what the layout will appear. The branch and pinecone were stamped with VersaFine Clair - Pinecone and the cardinal with VersaFine Clair - Morning Mist.

This project is a blend of products - VersaFine Clair stamping ink, OLO alcohol pens, Tombow water color pens and a Sparkling watercolor paint. 

At this writing, I'm waiting for my "Snow" to arrive. 

Hope this little lesson with acetate impressions helps when building those layered images card fronts.

Till next time -

May God Bless You and Yours.

PS - this layout was inspired by stamp artist Micheline Jourdain -

Wispy Enamels

(Left card has a deep purple base cardstock, not pink.)

In an effort to straighten up my "paint-room," I came across one of my very old painting practice journals. Searching through was a series of wispy style freehand designs using a "rake" brush and enamel paints. Such a relaxing way to spend the day. These two cards were really just for practice but our daughter was encouraging me to develop them into cards.  

When playing with this style, I usually just let the brush guide me - no patterns. 

Enamels are a type of glossy acrylic, thicker in texture, creating a textured or slightly sculptured finish depending upon your brush strokes. 

Enamel Paints are from Plaid Enterprises

Rake Brush by Royal Brushes

  

    

Thank you for stopping - please check back again and see what mischief I've gotten into!

Mask that Horse

 

I recently decided to experiment using the July OLO Challenge colors (RG7, OR4.2 and R0.2). It was an exciting experience and created a few ideas for a special birthday card.

We have a friend celebrating his 87th birthday in a few days. For as long as we have known him, he has loved his horses. So, what better than this proud beauty for the focal point of his card.

Wanting to do a "country" theme, Stampscape stamps were the obvious choice for the background. Their versatility and proportional sizes make for a more realistic scenes.

We cut out a mask for the horse. Masking papers with low tack glue are easy to work with.

For this scenic project, first stamp the focal point item (horse) in your cardstock. When dry, position the cutout mask on top. The mask prevents any other stamped design from appearing on the surface you are protecting.

Usually, I suggest you do the detail of the farthest away area first - the mountains. Then the hill (waterslide) next. When doing the cabin, you may want to block off or mask part of the hill so the cabin looks farther away.

When happy with your layout, remove the mask. 

The finish is totally up to you. Use the medium you are most comfortable with. Below is the list of most of the colors used for my finish. 

MATERIALS: 

Deep Red - Wild Horse stamp

Stampscape - 324G - Rocky Waterside left, 188F - Rocky Peaks, 140E - Cabin and 254B - Tall Grass

VersaFine Clair - Morning Mist for all stamped images.

Very smooth off-white cardstock

Horse - OLO - RG7-Red Gray 7, OR4.2 - Pink Granite, R0.2 Pink Lemonade plus many green shades, brownish shades and grays. (I forgot to write the colors down - sorry.)

Well, that is it for today. If you have never used Masking sheets before, they are life savors.

Thank you for stopping in today. Hope you return often and leave a comment, please. 

May the rest of this month be filled with new and wonderful memories. Try something new but don't ever stop creating - 

May God Bless you Always!