HLS Watercolor Challenge – Mixed Media Butterflies

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Have you ever watercolored with stencils before? Today I’m guest designing for a new watercolor challenge over at Happy Little Stampers. I don’t know of many watercolor challenges out there, so if watercolor is one of your loves, I encourage you to check it out! The design team is pretty talented over there, and I’m loving what they are creating every month.

I thought you would love a video in addition to a written tutorial, so here you have it. The watercolor challenge is always anything goes, and if you need a little structure – there’s always a little twist. You can play along or not, up to you – this month it’s dies.

Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Challenge

Happy Little Stampers challenges are always a lot of fun, and I encourage you to enter. This month there’s a prize too, you have nothing to lose!

HLS Challenge

I have been undergoing a massive move from Germany back to the US (plus all our things out of storage up from Florida), hunting for a new home, and living in a hotel for three months – yes, it’s been interesting to say the least! So, I haven’t been able to film much the past few months…boy did it feel good to FINALLY get to film in my new stamping studio in my new home. I’m still buried under boxes and the contractor is still doing work in our home (though we’re in the home stretch….finally).

Here’s a video for you of how I created this month’s project – step by step. You’ll learn to watercolor with stencils, and create some fun vibrant die cut embellishments with Brusho Crystals – which I’m totally addicted to!

Click Here to watch the video in HD on YouTube & Subscribe to my Channel

How to Watercolor with Stencils & Brusho

So, my original thought was to create cool watercolored die cuts – enter a little embossing and Brusho for the pop in color. It’s SO easy to watercolor with Brusho and you always look like a watercolor master.

To compliment it, I thought you’d enjoy seeing how I sometimes watercolor with stencils – a not so perfect technique, but it really adds a lot to the background. My thought was to create a cool lattice for the butterflies from the Butterfly Birthday stamp set.

watercolor with stencils

And I’ve been just dying to use my new Mixed Media Fun stamp set – I just love all the components and words – it’s the perfect card for my niece.

  • First – secure your 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor paper to your work surface, and your stencil over that.
  • Apply your color, I used several shades of Distress inks and created a varied Blue background
  • I didn’t do this in the video, but next remove your tape securing your stencil down so you can lift it after the next step a bit easier.

watercolor with stencils - ingrid blackburn

  • To truly get a watercolor with stencils look, spritz with a mini mister and get the water going. Be careful of adding TOO much water. If you overdo it – water will run everywhere – especially under your stencil design.
  • Carefully lift up your stencil – straight up.
  • You can blot off any excess water with a paper towel – but be careful to lift it from your pattern – you’ll pull all the color. I use this mostly for the sides where the water is pooling. Dry immediately with a heat tool or naturally.

Watercoloring with Brusho

  • Next, on another piece of scrap watercolor paper, stamp two butterflies from Butterfly Birthday in Versafine Onyx Black ink. I love this ink to emboss with – it’s a pigment ink and is super crisp and deep in color.
  • Emboss in black and heat set.
  • Sprinkle some brusho powders over your butterflies and spritz as in the video to activate the pigments.
  • Dry with a heat tool or naturally
  • Cut out using the co-ordinating Butterfy Dies & a Die Cut Machine
  • Emboss some of the greetings from Mixed Media Fun in white on Black card stock
  • Cut them out using long handled scissors – this helps to give you a straighter edge.

Watercolor with Stencils & Brusho

  • Adhere your pieces like the card. TIP – use Mono Liquid Glue to adhere the watercolor to the black, bend straight or place something heavy on to help straighten your card stock. You may also want to pop up the main watercolor panel onto fun foam for a little drama.
  • Bend up the sides of your butterflies and pop the sides up with some dimensional foam. I have the tops of the wings higher than the bottom (doubled the foam) and adhered with some glue in the center. This gives the illusion of flight.
  • Add some sparkling clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh with Rangers Multi Matte Medium (dries clear).

Watercoloring with Stencils

Ultimately, my watercolor got a little into the pattern, but I don’t let stuff like that get me down anymore. You can cover a lot of it up with the die cuts and words, and it gives it a more organic feel anyway. It’s art, don’t stress over it, have fun!

Let me know what you think in the comment section below. I hope now, you’ll try to watercolor with stencils yourself, and that you enjoyed this tutorial!

Now head on over to the Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Challenge to see what the Design Team whipped up for you. I can’t wait to see what you create – I’ll visit your blog and definitely check it out! 🙂

HLS Watercolor Challenge

And if you liked this tutorial, subscribe to my YouTube channel and newsletter list for more exclusive tutorials. See you very soon!

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To make finding the supplies I used in this project a bit easier for you, here are a few clickable links. Those that have multiple shopping options are indicated with letters – EH – Ellen Hutson, SSS – Simon Says Stamp. Compensated Affiliate Links are used when possible. Click here for disclosure. Happy Shopping!


Filed Under: Challenges, Distress Ink, Mixed Media, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos, Watercolor Tagged: , , , ,

Kylie’s 12 Days of Christmas Card Challenge – Day Seven

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There are two things I’m grateful for this year – my online friends and a good ole Christmas Card Challenge. Okay there are lots of other things too, but today is about a sweet friend of mine – Kylie Purtell and her 12 Days of Christmas Card Challenge with friends.

12-days-of-christmas-graphic

I’ve had a wonderful last few years participating in many online card challenges – most of them Christmas! Yes, I’m a sucker for Christmas. And I normally have my own 12 Days of Christmas Series myself…but between a move from Europe back to the USA (we’re settling in the Raleigh, North Carolina) area, and purchasing a new home unexpectedly – my November/December got turned upside down – please forgive me!

So I was elated when Kylie asked me to participate in her 12 Days of Christmas with Friends Challenge. And I encourage you to enter too – pick any inspiration from any day….today is Day 7 – and just jump on in. The prizes are from three of my favorite stamp stores – all small businesses owned by amazing women.

To Salute these three creative women – Kylie, Shery & Christine, I thought it would be fun to put together a little Christmas fun using products from all three – from where else…my hotel room…lol!

ingrid-blackburn-candy-cane-holly-001

I went for a little rustic look with some toned down colors here.

  • To create it you’ll want to sponge a little Festive Berries through the ARTplorations by STAMPlorations Merry Go Round Stencil  – keep it light to have it look effortless.
  • Next sponge around the perimeter with a little Tea Dye Distress Ink lightly and add a few lines and dots to the corners with an Early Espresso Distress Marker.
  • Next Stamp the Holly & Berry images from the Christmas Joy stamp set by Happy Little Stampers in Black Archival Ink on Kraft colored card stock.

ingrid-blackburn-candy-cane-holly-002

  • Color in your images using Zig Clean Color Markers and cut out leaving a little edge to allow the images to pop.
  • Once your background is fully dry (I zapped mine with a Heat Tool), test it to see if any embossing powder sticks, and then stamp the gorgeous Christmas greeting in Versamark ink from the Christmas Surprise stamp set by Create a Smile Stamps.
  • Emboss it in Silver powder and stamp the coordinating greeting onto a little strip of Kraft in Black. Adhere to your background and edge with an Early Espresso Distress Marker.
  • Edge the greeting a bit with the same Early Espresso Distress Marker – keeping it uniform – mine is slightly to the right and underside of the letters. This helped to pop the image off the busy background.
  • Add your panel to a folded piece of Olive card stock and there you have it! My card front measures 5 1/2 x 4″.

ingrid-blackburn-candy-cane-holly-001

Don’t you just love how the background looks like little peppermint candies…I love all these elements, and these three companies are some of my favorites – I’ve spent my fare share at each this past year – just don’t tell Michael! 😉

And for another fun little card for some inspiration…I kept it Clean and Simple using Kylies super cute newest Christmas set – Christmas Joy. I’m in love with the little trees in it and the sentiments. Be sure to stop by the Happy Little Stampers video channel this week for lots of Christmas inspiration too…

ingrid-blackburn-cas-tree-002

I used Strathmore Bristol paper for a super smooth finish that works effortlessly with Zig Clean Color Markers. If you have these awesome watercolor markers – you NEED this paper! Lower quality papers just don’t get the same blend.

  • Use several shades of green to blend the perfect tree after stamping it in Archival Ink (Ranger), and a few browns for the trunk.
  • Add a light shadow underneath the tree in a warm grey for a simple shadow which grounds your tree for a realistic look.
  • Use a MISTI stamp tool to position your greeting, then ink up the Christmas in Red, stamp…clean and repeat using black on the bottom. It was so easy to do. I used Catherine Pooler’s new ink pads – Polka Dot Red and Midnight Black.

ingrid-blackburn-cas-tree-003

  • Originally I thought a one layer card would be perfect…but the little Olive borders added so much – I just HAD to trim it and layer.

It’s cute though, right? I just love these little trees – seriously…I can’t stamp enough with them!

So now it’s up to you! Enter the challenge to win gift certificates from Happy Little Stampers, STAMPlorations and Create a Smile! If not just to enter to finish off those cards – and if you’re done…start on next year!

Click Here to visit Kylie’s blog and enter in the Linky contest – run, don’t walk!!! You have until 12 pm – December 17th (AEST) Winners will be chosen at random. for a $20 gift certificate to one of the following sponsors:

createasmile stamplorations1-webhls-shop-badge

Thanks for stopping by and saying hi! It’s been a little bit, I’m happy to have had the opportunity to actually stamp again! Be sure to stop by the Happy Little Stampers Video Channel to see our Christmas Series – we’re live right now! Notice some of those cute little trees?

 

Happy Little Stampers YouTube Channel

Hope to see you very soon – and if we don’t cross paths until 2017 – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Filed Under: Challenges, Christmas, Clean and Simple, Distress Ink Tagged: , , , ,

CAS – Embossing on Vellum

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cas-embossing-on-vellum-ingrid-blackburn-hls

Chances are if you love to emboss, you’ve tried embossing on vellum before. Embossing really gets a pop when laid on top of the slick vellum surface. Today I’m playing along with the Clean and Simple challenge over at Happy Little Stampers. And the technique is yup, you guessed it –  embossing on vellum.

oct-2016-cas-badge

Embossing on Vellum Tutorial

Clean and simple cards need a focal point. This project uses embossing on vellum not just to highlight the focal point, but to soften a busy background as well. To bring more attention to that focal point, emboss a golden twig wreath around.

Embossing on Vellum - DIY Christmas Cards

The focal point. One of the brilliant properties of vellum is that it is translucent. So I took a busy stamped off Peppermint Stick background in green and placed it behind my vellum window. With the golden twigs – it really worked.

But the card needed a tiny bit more. The clean and simple look was what I was after, so I didn’t want to clutter it up too much. I ended up choosing to add some golden holly leaves & berries in the corner.

Embossing on Vellum Technique

All the little touches seem to pull it together. The vellum cuts down the strong stamped background just the right amount….now it adds something rather than dominating. The golden accents added to the card, without pulling your eye from the dominant focal point – just what you’re looking for in clean and simple design.

When working on your clean and simple cards – don’t be afraid to stray from a white card. White space – which is what CAS design needs doesn’t literally mean white!

Now it’s your turn – head on over to Happy Little Stampers and join in the Embossing on Vellum Challenge fun!

Till next time –

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Simple Distress Background

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Today we’re going to focus on a simple Distress Background that really pack a punch. It’s all part of the Distress Mixed Media challenge going on over at Happy Little Stampers this month.

HLS Mixed Media challenge September 2016 - Distress

Be sure to stop by all the designer blogs for some cool looks with this challenge. And welcome Autumn from Sew Paper Paint for a very cool look. I love her blog – can seriously get lost in her work!

It’s no secret that I love anything distressed – from inks to paper to texture. This project really takes the word distress and not only uses the ink, but gives it a great Mixed Media look with the Winkle Free Distress Technique. The end result is a very cool distress background.

Distress-Mixed-Media---001

Distress Background Tutorial

To get a cool look, emboss a background stamp or series of images in clear on 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper. Don’t worry if you don’t get the whole image – I missed a spot and rubbed off some powder in several spots to get a distressed/grunge look. This will resist the Distress watercolor we’re about to add next.

First lay down your lightest color onto your craft mat – Mustard Seed (Yellow) and spritz. You’ll keep it to the center and a little outward. Click here for a video on just how to do this technique. Be sure to mostly dry it inbetween layers to build up the texture and distress look. Then move onto the next color. You’ll do it in this sequence after each color. TIP – keep the color wheel in mind when overlapping colors. You don’t want to overlap complimentary colors – colors that are opposite on the color wheel such as Purple & Yellow. Complimentary colors look awesome together, but when blended turn to mud.

Distress Background

Next add the Carved Pumpkin – overlapping a little with the yellow. Next the Candied Apple overlapping with the Yellow a little and the Orange. The key is to overlap a little, but also preserve some of the original color and keep some pure too.

Going counter clockwise, add some Blueprint Sketch in the same manner, skip over the the right and add some Twisted Citron. Fill the remaining spot with Wilted Violet. Add a little Candied Apple to the Wilted Violet to create that cool Blackberry color…and add some spots here and there where you feel you need some texture or an added spot of color.

Distress Inks - Wrinkle Free Technique

Once completely dry, place your dried watercolor paper in-between some old pages of a phone book and iron it on the hottest setting. This will transfer the embossing powder to the phone book page and give you the added bonus of straightening out your watercolor piece! Iron just a few minutes (30 sec to 2 min). The key is that you don’t want to see any shiny – switch to a clean page in the phone book if needed. To see me do this, check out this HLS video (at 15:30). This technique is called Faux Bleaching.

Wrinkle free technique - Distress Background

Isn’t it a cool project!!! What’s so awesome about it is that the Mixture of medias used really blend together to create an amazing Distress look. I didn’t want to take away from the cool background, so I kept the greeting simple and didn’t add any sequins (though I was tempted). I embossed the Hello (new die from Stamplorations – isn’t it cute?!!) in clear embossing powder. The shine against the flat distressed background just rocks. I hope you think so too!

Distress-Mixed-Media---005

SO I’m challenging YOU now. It’s my favorite technique/medium….Distress. Jump on into this challenge – leave me a comment that you did and I can’t WAIT to see what you create!

Until next time –

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Supplies

I get asked a lot where I get some of my supplies. To make it easier for you, I’ve listed all the supplies below. I myself shop at various places and know you probably have your favorite online stores too! So I included choices where I could or if there is just one – it’s the best price I’ve found. 🙂

The letters below each image are links to stores where you can buy each of the products listed. EH – Ellen Hutson, SSS = Simon Says Stamp, AZ = Amazon, etc. I buy almost all my own supplies. To help support my blog, videos & allow me to keep creating for you, I use compensated affiliate links when possible.


Filed Under: Challenges, Distress Ink, Mixed Media, Uncategorized Tagged: , ,

Christmas Song Inspired Cards

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I have a Jazzy Christmas Song playing in my stamp studio today. Yup….it’s that time of year – the Christmas card production begins for most paper crafters. Dare I say some of you are already done! And it’s just the beginning of September – I’d love to know if you’ve started or are finished – tell me in the comments below!

HLS Christmas Challenge September 2016

But first….let’s get back to the Christmas songs playing…they serve as inspiration for my new creations one of which I have for you today – two actually and a video from my YouTube Channel! Over at Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge – this month we’re challenging you to pick a Christmas song as inspiration and create a card! How fun is that!

Christmas Song #1 – Joy to the World Tutorial

For my first card and my inspiration for the challenge today, I chose Joy to the World – a big booming song that Iin a watercolor of the forest on a glorious day. Are you on my train of thought?

DIY Christmas Cards inspired by Christmas Song

First paint a light blue sky over the top 2/3 of your card – darker toward the top. I first started with some yellow to give me a heavenly glow. Fade it out toward the edges and do the same with your blue – or you’ll get green where they overlap.

Next, Mask off the bottom for a snowy base and watercolor stamp your tree line using Peeled Paint Distress Stain and a fir tree. I used the Lovely as a Tree by Stampin Up, but you can also use the trees from the Prancers Penny Black set or a Stampscapes tree. Stamp a few tiems to get depth at various heights – some reinking, some not.

Joy-to-the-World---ingrid-blackburn---002

Paint a shadow with some Distress Weathered Wood ink that has been sprintzed along the tree line. Fully dry and emboss your greeting. For a little snowy effect – use a toothbrush and some Daler Rowney Pro White to add some snowy flecks to your scene.

Christmas Song #2 – Partridge in a Christmas Tree Tutorial

For a bonus project today, I have a video tutorial that I did for the Happy Little Stampers Channel a few months ago – I waited to show you till today, so unless you were subscribed to the HLS channel, you probably missed it! It’s my take on the Christmas classic 12 Days of Christmas – it’s my Partridge in a Christmas Tree.

I love these little bird creatures that Kylie designed for the Whimsical Friends stamp set – I know they’re probably chickens, but they serve my purpose as partridges today!

To see how I created this great card, here’s a step by step video for you:

Click Here to Watch Video in HD on YouTube

First you’ll want to add a lightly drawn tree using a pencil and ruler. Then stamp and & emboss your Partridges in gold. I used Gilded Gold by Brutus Monroe – love that stuff!

Christmas Song inspired DIY Cards

Mask off your tree with some painters tape keeping the line on the inside and erase with a white eraser. Sponge in your tree using greens, and add the gold embossed baubles from the HLS Mix Mash stamp set. Color in your partridges and add the song greeting to the sides of the tree.

Mine was a bit to high on the right…but that’s okay – I’m not perfect!! 🙂

For a little extra flair – add a slight border to your card front with some more gold embossing powder.

Partridge-in-a-Pear-Tree-Christmas Song

So what do you think, cute, huh?! Now it’s your turn. I can’t wait to see how you’re inspired for this month’s Christmas Challenge!

Be sure to subscribe to both my YouTube Channel & the Happy Little Stampers Channel to get weekly inspiration! And if you want to get more Christmas inspiration – don’t forget about my 12 Days of Christmas series, only available to those on the Creative Tips e-letter.

See you again in a few days for more creative fun!

Keep those fingers inky –

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Filed Under: Challenges, Christmas, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged: ,

Creative uses for Twine

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How do you use twine on a card? I’ll admit, I mostly criss-cross it on my pieces – it’s one of my signatures. So when I saw the challenge over at Happy Little Stampers this month uses twine – I thought no problem…wrong! I didn’t just want to do a criss-cross – I always do that….so I really racked my brain to come up with a creative use of twine for you.

I looked at my stash, and I’ll be honest – I don’t get crazy with purchases like these – I mostly like neutrals like browns, white and black. But I remembered that I had some red/white bakers twine from back in my Stampin Up days. My first idea didn’t pan out, but it was perfect for a candy cane…so the card came together from there – with a little inspiration from a card online. Mind you, my card looks nothing at all like the muse, It was a giant strip of white with red flanking the sides that cemented the idea in my head.

How to use Twine on Cards

Candy Cane Twine Tutorial:

  • Sponge the Merry Go Round Stencil by ARTplorations in Barn Door and Festive Berries Distress Ink onto White Card Stock – 3 7/8 x 5 1/8″
  • Round the corners of a Real Red rectangle – 2 1/3 x 3 1/2″
  • Wrap some red/white twine around the top being sure to criss-cross it at the edges and tie a bow with some long tails. Tip – to get my loops to stay to the top and tails downward, I tie like a kindergartner would with bunny ears and upside down, so the top is toward me. I over-exaggerate the loops and make them smaller after by pulling on the tails.

Candy Cane Christmas Cards with Twine

  • Emboss a greeting at the opposite end in white. I used White EP by Brutus Monroe and the stamp set Mixed Christmas Sentiments by Happy Little Stampers
  • In the middle, stamp some lines in Barn Door using my favorite stamp from the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set by Stampin Up. It’s that little something that really helps to make this piece – I stamped it twice and left lots of space top and bottom.
  • Die cut or hand cut a candy cane image. Mine came from a retired SU die cut set. If you don’t have a die like this, stamp a candy cane on scrap paper, cut out and use that as a guide on the back of your card stock.

Peppermint Christmas Cards - Bakers Twine

  • Wrap the red/white twine spaced out to reflect the red parts of the candy cane. TIP – I never cut my twine. On the back, it connects to the upper pieces. I secured them down with glue and double sided tabs before popping it up on mini foam squares.
  • Attach the tag to your card front with fun foam or foam strips. The height helps to add drama to your card.

Creative Bakers Twine Uses Bakers Twine Tutorial - Ingrid Blackburn

  • Adhere your peppermint background to a real red matte that is 1/16″ larger – 4 x 5 1/4″
  • Attach to a white A2 card base – 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 for a 1/8″ matte and you’re done!

It’s a fun, cute card, right?!!! Now it’s your turn – grab some Twine and jump on into the Twine Challenge over at Happy Little Stampers. And while you’re there – check out all the other great challenges going on!

DIY Christmas Cards - Ingrid Blackburn

Of course, I do like to play along with multiple challenges, and two other’s in mind when I made this card. First up, my inspiration for the red/white – this week’s Muse Christmas Visions. The crazy talented muse this week is Kimberly Weiner – I love everything she creates. Kimberly created a beautiful red/white cardinal creation and that helped me to zero in on my candy cane idea for today’s twine card.

And of course, you know I just LOVE to play along with the CAS Mix it Up challenge as well. This month they’re featuring Die Cuts, so jump on into that fun one too!

Hope to see you in all the challenges! See you in a few days for yet another great project!

Now go get those fingers inky –

Signature

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Filed Under: Christmas, Clean and Simple, Distress Ink, Inspiration, Uncategorized Tagged: , , , ,

How to Get Inks to Shine

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Mixed-Media-Stained-Glass-Window-001

All you really wanted from your card was a little shine, right? Have you ever created a stunning background, but hours later your ink colors are flat and faded? Well, this technique is for you then! I’m playing along with the new Mixed Media Challenge over at Happy Little Stampers – Shine.

HLS Mixed Media challenge May 2016

I LOVE to create backgrounds – have you noticed? All to often in card making, we create these amazing colorful backgrounds on cards and then the colors settle as the project fully dries and we’re left with something that is a bit flat and has no vibrant nature left. At least I do! I’m always thinking where did the shine go? Okay, not all of it is shiny, but you know what I mean.

I have a video and step by step tutorial for you, so grab a drink, learn how to create amazing depth first, then a stain glass window that captures the true nature of those amazing colors by trapping the shine element of your card. Here’s the video:

Watch in HD on YouTube

So what did you think? Not that difficut really. What did you think about stretching your stencil for better coverage? Have you ever done that? Here’s the step by step tutorial, and if you really loved this, be sure to sign up for the Creative Tips E Letter for an exclusive video series and more…

[optin_box style=”12″ alignment=”center” email_field=”email” email_default=”Enter your email address” email_order=”2″ integration_type=”aweber” double_optin=”Y” list=”3846012″ name_field=”name” name_default=”Enter your first name” name_order=”1″ name_required=”Y” opm_packages=””][optin_box_field name=”headline”]Learn more with our exclusive FREE video series:[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”paragraph”]PHA+UGx1cyB5b3XigJlsbCBiZSBhZGRlZCB0byBteSBGUkVFIENyZWF0aXZlIFRpcHMgRS1sZXR0ZXIgd2hlcmUgSSBzaGFyZSBleGNsdXNpdmUgcHJvamVjdHMsIHZpZGVvcyAmYW1wOyB0aGUgMTIgRGF5cyBvZiBDaHJpc3RtYXMgUHJvamVjdCBTZXJpZXM8L3A+Cg==[/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”privacy”][/optin_box_field][optin_box_field name=”top_color”]undefined[/optin_box_field][optin_box_button type=”0″ button_below=”Y”]Get Instant Access![/optin_box_button] [/optin_box]

Creative Tips on Shine, Texture and Stretching your Stencils

  • Create an in depth textured piece by using the wrinkle free distress technique on a piece of 140# cold pressed watercolor paper and dye based inks. (shown in detail in the video) Tip – For the most vibrant results, try Ranger’s Distress Inks.

Mixed-Media-Stained-Glass-Window-003

 

  • This project uses Distress Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Twisted Citron and Peacock Feathers
  • Once your project is totally dry, lightly buff over it with a de-static tool to remove any oils.
  • Smoosh Versamark through the Latticeworks stencil by Tim Holtz or your favorite one for a detailed design as in the video. Since this stencil didn’t cover my watercolor paper, I had to do this in two parts and overlap my design for a seamless flow.

Vibrant Mixed Media Cards

  • Emboss in Clear Embossing Powder – I used Brutus Monroe – and if you’ve never tried it – do so…it rocks!
  • Once your embossed stencil has fully dried, sponge over with Soot Black distress ink.
  • Wipe off your stenciled design with light pressure and a slightly damp cloth or paper towel to pick up the resisted ink.
  • Emboss your die cut greeting in clear for a shiny look. I used Handlettered Holiday by WPlus9. Adhere with Ranger Multi Medium Matte.

using distress inks in mixed media

  • Stamp and emboss the Christmas greeting from HLS Everyday Sentiments in white on black card stock – trim and adhere.
  • Adhere your watercolor paper with glue to a black matte with a 1/16″ border.
  • Pop up Mixed Media Panel with Fun Foam and adhere to a White card base with a 1/4″ border all around.

That’s it! Simple and striking Mixed Media card. I’m also going to play along with this months challenge over at CAS Mix it Up….it’s heat embossing – we definitely fit there!

may

So hop on over to the HLS Mixed Media Challenge and check out all the amazing projects my teammates have created for this challenge.  Plus you’ll want to stop by our Guest Designer Kalina’s blog – she’s SUPER talented when it comes to Mixed Media and her projects are out of this world!

Then get those fingers inky….I can’t wait to see what you do to let your creations shine!

Signature

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Filed Under: Challenges, Clean and Simple, Distress Ink, Mixed Media, Techniques, Uncategorized, Videos, Watercolor Tagged: , , , , ,

Showcasing the Negative

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Negative die cuts

When you think Die Cuts, usually you would think about something laying on top of your project, or a paper piecing. But do you ever think in reverse? Today is all about showcasing what’s left over, once you use your die cuts to cut out your images – the negative die cut images. Over at Happy Little Stampers this month, the theme is Die Cuts. Now, normally I’d whip up something way cool piecing together some cool images that pop off your card. I thought it would be fun instead to pop UP my card and show a shadowed negative of the image. Best part – I still have the positive images cut out by my steel dies! That’s for another project….oh wait – I already created it HERE.

Happy Little Stampers Die Cut Challenge

Before I get into the nitty gritty of how easy it is to create this very cool card – be sure to welcome our Guest Designer for this month – Christine.

For this month’s project, I paired up with a rocking HLS sentiment from Everyday Sentiments and a few sparkling clear sequins – I have a great card that’s not only quick – serves double duty – not bad! Here’s how you can create your own:

using negative die cuts

How to Use Negative Die Cuts

  • Emboss your greeting in black first in the lower right corner of your card front – 3 13/16 x 5 1/16″. I wanted something big and bold to balance our my snowflake sky, so I chose Everyday Sentiments by HLS.
  • Arrange your snowflake dies – I used Bring on the Snowflakes by CAS-ual Fridays – , and cut out with your Die Cutting Machine. I got mine in the Holiday Collection from Stamp of Approval, but they’ll be released individually later this year.
  • Remove the dies cuts, leaving only the negative images in your card front

backgrounds for negative die cuts

  • On a second slightly smaller piece – 3 11/16 x 4 15/16″ , sponge your desired colors or use a fun colored piece of card stock. You can do anything here, washi tape, watercolors, solids, patterned papers – it’s literally endless possibilities. I sponged an Ombre look starting with Broken China-Salty Ocean-Faded Jeans-Seedless Preserves and ending in Dusty Concord.
  • Adhere your colored background piece to a black piece of card stock cut slightly larger than your card front – mine is 1/16th larger  – 4 x 5 1/4″

easy christmas cards

  • Now for the fun part – pop up your card front using fun foam, foam tape and dimensionals – I used all three with two sizes of smaller dots. Every nook and cranny was popped up – so nothing droops after shipping. You really want your card to have that full shadow effect.
  • Attach your black card stock to a folded A2 sized card (4 1/4 x 5 1/2″)
  • Add some sparkling clear sequins  by pretty pink posh – and you’re all set!

happy little stampers christmas challenge

And if you used colored card stock or sparkly paper, think of how easy and mass producible this card is!! Now it’s your turn – whip out those die cuts and get in on the action. It’s Happy Little Stampers birthday, so don’t miss out on some great prizes! Can’t wait to see what you create!

Now go get those fingers inky –

Signature

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Filed Under: Big Shot, Cards, Challenges, Christmas, Clean and Simple, Uncategorized Tagged: , , , , ,
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