My Gnomie

It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Mary is hosting this week and has chosen Blueberry Bushel, Lipstick Red and Balmy Blue with a dessert option to add enamel dots.  I intended to include dessert but totally forgot!  Either way, with or without dessert, I hope you'll use the link above and join the Color Challenge this week!

I'm also joining the current Tic-Tac-Toe challenge, using the right vertical row (stencil, outdoor, emboss) and, unintentionally, also the right horizontal (wood, gray, emboss).

tttc #065

I started with a white card base and added a layer of wood grain patterned paper in gray.  Next the horizontal cross piece from white corrugated paper.  Next I set about making the main image by lightly stenciling clouds on a piece of white card, using Broken China Distress Ink which is very similar to Balmy Blue (I know it's really hard to see, I'm having photo issues and trying to use my phone instead of an old point and shoot camera).  Next a grassy hill die cut in Mossy Meadow card was added to the bottom of the clouds and then die cut with a circle die and mounted on a slightly larger die cut circle of Blueberry Bushel.

Next the cute little gnomie, along with mushrooms, flower and lady bugs were colored with Copic markers similar to the challenge colors plus SU neutrals (moss, browns, gray).  After die cutting they were all added to the circle scene, some with foam tape, then the entire thing was added to the base, also with foam tape.

The sentiment was stamped with blue pigment ink similar to Blueberry Bushel in color, then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  It was die cut with a banner die, then added to the bottom of the circle to complete the card.  I just love this cute gnomie!

Thanks so much for visiting, I always appreciate it so much!  I hope you're continuing to stay safe and healthy!  Have a great week!

Stef


Stamps: Hanging With My Gnomies (MFT)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Blueberry Bushel, Mossy Meadow, Corrugated, Woodgrain Whimsey 6x6 paper pad (MFT)
Ink:  Gina K Obsidian Amalgam, Versafine Clair Bluebell, Broken China Distress
Other:  Nested Circle dies (Hero Arts), Banner die (ret. SU), Stitched Wonky Rectangle die (Simon Says Stamp), Gnomies matching dies (MFT), Mini Cloud Stencil (MFT), Grassy Hills die (Lawn Fawn), SSS Ultra Fine clear ep
Copics:  B34, 32, 28, 26, 24, 23, 21, R39, 37, 35, 43, YR23, Y15, 11, G99, 94, 82, E47, 44, 43, 42, 33, 31, 13, 11, 01, W5, 3, 1, 0

Birthday Fishes for The Paper Players!

Hello friends and welcome back!  It's time for a new challenge at The Paper Players.  This week, the fabulous LeAnne is hosting our monthly sketch challenge.

The Paper Players

I took the opportunity to create my first true "slimline" card, although I have made tall and skinny cards in the past.  But never quite as tall and skinny as this, measuring 3.5" x 8.5"!  I thought it would be a great opportunity to create an underwater scene and use the new-to-me Gill Friends.

These little fish just make me smile!  I stamped and colored them with Copic markers, and probably only the clown fish is colored anywhere close to real life, but that was part of the fun of it!  When I created this card I did not as yet have the matching die set so they were fussy cut after the coloring was complete.

Next came the background.  There are tons of ways to make a watercolor background but I wanted to try a new technique.  A piece of glossy white paper was cut in half lengthwise, then painted with various colors of Distress Oxide inks.  Because of the nature of that ink, when it dries it has a chalky finish to it and the colors seem muted.  To bring out the colors and add back the shine, Distress Micro Glaze was lightly applied over the entire surface then rubbed with a dry cloth to reveal more vibrant colors and get rid of the chalky finish.  A more dramatic background can be achieved if you do layers of DOX ink using the "smoosh" technique. Here's a link to a YT video by Amy Rysavy of Prairie Paper and Ink that has fantastic instructions, if you're interested.

The last thing to add to the background panel was a splatter of white gouache.  When that dried the panel was trimmed down, adhered to slightly larger layer of Blue Violet card then added to the card base.  The fish were added, some with foam tape and then the embossed sentiment adhered at the top.  I used a new die from Trinity Stamps to create the Slimline Envelope in a light blue card stock.

That's it!  Thanks for sticking around if you've made it this far!  Be sure to use the link above to check out the amazing creations by the rest of the DT and hopefully play along with us this week!

Stef


Stamps:  Gill Friends (MFT)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Blue Violet and Sea Glass (Simon Says Stamp), White Glossy
Ink:  Gina K Obsidian Amalgam, Versamark, Tumbled Glass, Mermaid Lagoon, Salty Ocean, Chipped Sapphire, Wilted Violet DOX
Other:  Tim Holt Distress Micro Glaze, Wow Bright White Super Fine embossing powder, White Gouache, Slimline Series Envelope Builder die (Trinity Stamps), Copic markers

Big Hugs

Hello there and thanks for visiting!  I have a card to share that I made for two challenges - Retro Rubber and CAS(E) this Sketch.

Retro Rubber #135

 (Circles, embossing, pattern paper)

CTS 373

Donna's sketch really lends itself to quick and easy cards, which is exactly what I did.

I love this paper with succulents in soft greens and blues, with a touch of light pink.  It was die cut with a stitched rectangle die then adhered directly to the card base.

Next I stamped the sentiment in black pigment ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder, thus allowing me to avoid messy black ep.  It was die cut with a circle die and adhered to a slightly larger green circle.  The sentiment comes from a Simon Says Stamp stamp set that I've had for over 3 years and have used a lot because of it's pretty font and nice messages.  An embossed strip of pool paper was added to the card front then the sentiment adhered on top.  The final touch was to add a few clear sequins.

Thanks so much for visiting, I really appreciate it!

Stef


Stamps:  Big Scripty Greetings (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Green Apple (SSS), Pool Party (SU), Painted Seasons dsp (ret. SU)
Ink:  Versamark Clair Nocturne
Other:  A2 Stitched Rectangle Stax Set 1 (MFT), Nested Circle dies (Hero Arts), ret. SU embossing folder, SSS Ultra Fine Clear ep, Sparkling Clear sequins (PPP)

A Pair for the SCS Color Challenge

Hello friends and welcome back!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Chris is hosting and has chosen the lovely combo of Shaded Spruce, Granny Apple Green and Coastal Cabana with a dessert option to use a circle.  I hope you'll be able to join the Color Challenge this week!

I loved this color combination so much I ended up making two cards!  My second card is also for the SCS CAS challenge to use splatters and joining the current challenge at Fab Friday (see below).

Just a warning, this post is content and photo heavy!

For my first card, I used a fun design idea that Jennifer McGuire used recently on this post.  (Actually she's used this technique several times on her blog).  I took scrap pieces of card stock in the challenge colors, plus white, and cut what seemed like a jillion strips of paper in varying sizes.  Next, I added adhesive to an entire panel of inexpensive white card stock (or you could use copy paper) and started layering on the strips, varying sizes and colors in a random order.

When the entire panel was covered, I trimmed off the overhanging bits of paper strips, then used my paper trimmer to cut it down to 3.75" x 5".  I used that same sheet adhesive on a panel of vellum and then die cut it with a circle die.  When adding to my card, I left a bit overhanging the side and trimmed that off as well.

The white eucalyptus leaves were die cut, adhered to the vellum circle, the sentiment added, then the panel was mounted on the card base with foam tape.  I really think this design would work well for a recipient of either gender.

On to card number two!  For this card I used the current sketch challenge at Fab Friday for my design inspiration.

FF 189

For the second card, I decided to do some stenciling with Distress Oxide inks on a panel of Shaded Spruce card stock.  DOX ink colors similar to Coastal Cabana and Granny Apple Green were used.  Stamping or stenciling with DOX inks on dark card leaves a lovely subtle effect.  I used leaf stencils down one side of the panel then splattered with some white gouache and a little bit of shimmer spray.

While the panel dried I stamped the sentiment, die cutting it and the Coastal Cabana layer from oval dies.  The leaf dies were also die cut in white card, then adhered to the dried panel.  The sentiment was then layered on top with foam tape.

Next a scallop rectangle die was adhered to the card base, then the main panel was added with foam tape.  And that finished off card #2!  Actually neither card took long to make and were both put together in one afternoon.

Thanks so much for visiting, I really appreciate it!  I hope you and yours continue to stay safe and healthy!  Have a great week!

Stef


Card #1
Stamps:  Tiny Words (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana, Shaded Spruce, Vellum, Black
Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
Other:  Nested Infinity Circle die (Hero Arts), Happy die and Eucalyptus dies (both SSS)

Card#2
Stamps:  Painted Greetings (Altenew)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Shaded Spruce, Coastal Cabana
Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers, Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn DOX 
Other:  A2 Scallop Rectangle die (Honey Bee), Fab Foliage dies (MFT), Layering Oval dies (ret. SU), Leaves Stencil (SSS), Tsukineko Sparkle Shimmer Spray, White Gouache

Hey There for The Paper Players!

Hello friends, I hope you're staying healthy and safe!  It's time for a new challenge at The Paper Players!  This week the lovely Ann is hosting the CAS challenge for masculine cards.

The Paper Players

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where this week's theme in Animal Fun.

SSS Wednesday Challenge

My card was made for a friend of ours that lives back in Oregon.  He loves dogs (and fortunately his wife does too!), so I thought this would be a fun one to send to him.

I love all the images in the MFT Picture Perfect stamp set, they are so darn cute!  I used Copic markers to color these doggie pals then trimmed down the panel to fit behind the Polariod die cut frame.  The sentiment is from a Paper Smooches stamp set which I seem to reach for often as I love all the different fonts.

The background was created using various images from the Crazy Dogs stamp set that were inked up in brown pigment ink and stamped on a panel of Neenah Dessert Storm.  When the ink was dry the panel was added to the white card base and our cute pups in their Polaroid selfie added at an angle.  While the card does have a couple of layers I think it's still relatively CAS (for me anyway LOL!).

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always appreciated!  Use the link above and head over to the challenge and check out the rest of the DT samples!  I hope you'll join us this week and share your CAS masculine card!

Stef

Stamps:  Picture Perfect (MFT), Crazy Dogs (Tim Holtz), Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Dessert Storm

Ink:  Gina K Obsidian Amalgam, Versafine Clair Pinecone

Other:  Polaroid Shaker Frame Die-namics (MFT)

Copics:  YR24, 23, 12, C7, 5, 3, 1, B05, 01, 000, E29, 37, 35, 33, R59, 29, 02

Better World

Hello friends and welcome back!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Barbara is hosting and has chosen Melon Mambo, Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight with a dessert option of "thinking of you".  I hope you'll use the SCS link above and join us for the Color Challenge this week!

I'm also joining the current challenge at Just Us Girls where we are to use something "mini".  Hopefully my mini gnome with her house and yard fits that description! ; - )

Just Us Girls #535

I just had to use my new Gnomies stamp set because it is just tooooo cute!  I started by ink blending the background with Squeezed Lemonade and Abandoned Coral Distress Inks, splattered with water and set aside.  Once dry, it was die cut with a rounded rectangle die.  Next I found some already die cut grassy hills which I ink blended to resemble Mossy Meadow (SU neutral).  The grass was attached and then I went to work on the sweet little gnome girl, house and other images.

I used Copic markers similar to the challenge colors plus similar to SU neutrals Night of Navy, Basic Gray, Gray Granite and Mossy Meadow.  I'm afraid my marker combo to create the navy roof wasn't as dark as I originally thought, so it's a quite a bit brighter than planned (oops!), but I was cutting time very close and wasn't able to redo it.

I used a warm gray to color the main part of the house but it all seemed to blend into the stone around the door and rocks in front, so first I tried to create texture with colorless blending solution and a piece of gauze.  That worked but wasn't sufficient, so I used two brown and a black Prismacolor pencils to create more shading and a softer brown look.  I have to admit I was tickled pink with the result!

With the coloring complete and the images die cut, it was all adhered to the ink blended panel then added to a white card base.  I used a white gel pen to put dots on the mushrooms and light lines on the house windows.

Thanks so much for visiting, I truly appreciate it!  Have a great week!

Stef


Stamps:  Hanging with My Gnomies (MFT)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Strathmore Bristol
Ink:  Gina K Obsidian Amalgam, Versafine Claire Nocturne, Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn, Squeezed Lemonade and Abandoned Coral Distress Inks
Other:  Nested Rounded Rectangle dies (Hero Arts), Hanging with My Gnomies Die-namics (MFT), Grassy Hillside dies (Lawn Fawn), Prismacolor Premiere colored pencils, Sakura White Gelly pen
Copics:  RV17, 09, 06, 04, 02, R08, 05, 22, 12, 11, G99, 94, 82, W5, 3 , 1, 0, C 5, 3 1, E53, 37, 35, 33, 11, 01, 00, B28, 26, 24, Y08, 06, 04, V01

You're Amazing for The Paper Players!

Hi friends!  I hope this finds you well and safe!  It's Sunday and time for a new challenge at The Paper Players.  The lovely Claire is hosting this week's Color Challenge with these oh-so-perfect-for-Spring colors!

The Paper Players

I'm also joining the current challenge at Sunday Stamps using this great sketch.

SSC 230

Well, these colors meant only one thing for me - flowers!  I used an as yet uninked stamp set that I won as part of a prize package from the generous Kathy Racoosin during the 30 Day Coloring challenge last November.  The set has a number of large blooms and I chose this one.

 

The flower and leaves were colored with Copic markers in colors similar to those of the challenge, with a neutral light brown for the stamen.  Once the coloring was complete I fussy cut both the flower and leaves.  For the circle, some Soft Pool ink from Hero Arts was gently blended on white card, then die cut and layered on a larger white scallop circle.  The flower and leaves were added to the circle with thin foam adhesive squares, then set aside while I worked on the card base.

I now have several scraps of white card since going through a number iterations trying to create the background.  I ended up doing the simple thing of gently ink blending more of the Soft Pool on the left side of the panel, then layered on this cool cover die.  I really like the contrast between the organic flower and the geometric pattern.  I wrapped the panel with some really old Pool Party satin ribbon, adhered it to the base and added the circle with the main image with foam tape.  The sentiment is from an MFT stamp set and was heat embossed on black and popped up on foam tape as well.  An aqua shimmer pen was used on the flower petals and as usual I finished off with a few jewels.

Thanks so much for visiting, I really appreciate it!  Be sure to use the link above to check out the rest of the DT's creations and hopefully join the challenge this week!

Stef

Stamps:  Peony Bouquet (Picket Fence Studios), You Wow Me (MFT)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black

Ink:  Gina K Obsidian Amalgam, Versamark, Soft Pool (Hero Arts)

Other:  Polygon Cover Plate die (Neat & Tangled), Nested Circle die (Hero Arts), Layering Scallop Circle framlit (ret. SU), Alabaster embossing powder (Brutus Monroe), Bridal Mix jewels (Lucy's Cards Little Things), Sycamore Street Ribbon Collection (ret. SU), Tonic Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen

Copics:  YG67, 17, 03, RV 17, 09, 06, 04, 02, E51