CAS Mix Up Challenge ........

Happy Monday .......

It's the start of a new week, at the beginning of a new month, so that means there's a new CAS Mix Up Challenge.   

This month our Challenge Host is Viv,  and it's a Stencil Challenge with the added prompt  

Stencilling over Patterned Paper.

We've all got piles of patterned papers.  Some we love and can't bring ourselves to use (I've got lots of those)  Some that are nice but we're not quite sure what to do with them (got quite a few of those too).  And then, there's those that are not really our favourites (yep! got some of those too!) 

Well, here's a great way of using all those patterned papers ....... why not stencil over the top of them.

Add a little more detail and interest to those plain-ish sort of papers.  

Cover over a design or colour that you're not quite happy with.  Or, simply stencil a pretty focal point on a nice background paper.  The hardest decision will be which paper to use.

I've got a couple of ideas for you here.

First up, one of my favourite leaf stencils ...... Natures Treasures II from Uniko.  

I've used it here over a lovely paper from 49 and Market.  Beautiful mix of shades and colours with a pretty leaf detail here and there.  I simply added a bit more interest to the edges.

I used the stencil with Distress and Distress Oxide inks first (Peacock Feathers), and then I added another leaf over the top which I heat embossed in gold.

A bit of ink around the edge, a simple sentiment, and a touch of gold splatter finishes it all off.

For the second card I've used another pretty background paper, which I think is from the Spellbinders Beautifully Imperfect Collection.  Quite delicate colours with a little bit of detail, it just needed a bold focal point .........

The Tim Holtz Roses stencil did the job perfectly I think.  Simply stenciled onto the paper using black Versafine Clair ink

I heat embossed my sentiment using WOW's Platinum Embossing Powder,

and finished of with some tiny gemstones for a touch of sparkle.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how you stencil over patterned papers.

Check out the CAS Mix Up Challenge Blog for more inspiration from the Design Team, and you'll also find some great videos on there with more tips and techniques.

You have until the end of the month to get your entries in ...... happy stencilling!

Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time ....

Products used

Card 1

Inks ...... Distress and Distress Oxide ink (Peacock Feathers); Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versamark Embossing ink

Stencils ....... Natures Treasures II - Uniko

Others ...... Patterned paper; WOW Gold Superfine Embossing Powder, Gold ink for splatter

Card 2

Inks ...... Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versamark Embossing ink

Stencils ....... Tim Holtz Roses

Others ...... Patterned paper; WOW Platinum Superfine Embossing Powder; Small clear gemstones

What's this ..... another Christmas card!

Happy Wednesday,

I hope you are all enjoying your week.  

We're almost at the end of July, this year is just flying by!

I'm getting all festive today, and sneaking in at the last minute, with a card for the CAS Christmas Card Challenge. 

The theme this month is all about Snowmen .......

I love this cute little guy from Penny Black.  And this couldn't be more Clean and Simple.

He's been stamped in black ink, coloured using Zig Brush Markers, and a simple sentiment stamped underneath.  

A little touch of sparkle from some clear crystal glitter finishes him off perfectly ...... gotta have glitter on a Christmas card!

I may just do a few more of these, and make an early start on my cards Christmas!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.

It's our wedding anniversary tomorrow so I think we're off out for a nice lunch somewhere.

I'm starting to feel a little more like myself again, thankfully.  Still can't do much though,, and I'm still very nervous on the stairs but, at least things are moving in the right direction.

Cheerio until next time, 

Products used .....

Stamps ........ Snowy - Penny Black; sentiment from Tim Holtz Mr Frosty CMS499                   

Inks ......... Versafine Clair -Nocturne (my go to black ink); Delicata Golden Glitz ink

Other ....... ZIG Clean Color Brush Markers; Quickie Glue Pen; Fine Crystal Glitter

A clever trick for creating Eclipse cards ......

Happy weekend!

I hope you're all well, and enjoying this gorgeous summer weather.  

It's been a lazy couple of weeks for me since my last post.  I'm still not fully mobile after my fall but, things are improving, slowly, day by day ...... just keep taking the meds! 

It's nice to see so many of you are as pleased as I am that the CAS Mix Up Challenge is back.  

There's still plenty of time to play along if you haven't done so already.

It's a Mixed Media Challenge for July, and the prompt is ..... Eclipse

I love this technique, and here's a really clever little trick that I came across on Facebook, from Jenn's Crafty Makes. 

I just had to give this a go.  Not only is it a quick and easy way of doing the Eclipse technique, it's also a great way of using up some of those off cuts of cardstock we all end up with.

You do need a stamping platform though, it really makes this so easy.

I started by stamping the large floral image onto a piece of white card using my MISTI.  

Once you've done this, just set the stamping platform to one side.  DON'T MOVE THE STAMP and DON'T MOVE THE CARD YOU'VE STAMPED ON TO.

Then, you need to cut some strips of white cardstock.  You can decide on how many you need to cover your image.  I went for nine strips in total, about 0.5cm wide and 11cm long, long enough to cover the stamped image.   

I actually layered two strips together, to give a bit of dimension, you could do three if you like.

Next, carefully attach the white strips onto your stamped image, trying not to move your card.  

If you do happen to move it, just make sure you put it back in the right place before the next stage.

You can see I slightly offset the strips just to give a bit more interest.

Make sure your card is in position, ink your stamp and then stamp over the top of the strips of card 

How easy is that ......... I love it!

A simple sentiment underneath and a bit of mat and layering and the card is done.

If you want to add a pop of colour, use a die cut sentiment .......

I used the same stamped image but this time, I trimmed the strips down a little.  I started in the middle with the longest one and then trimmed one each side a little shorter as I covered the image, it just gives a slightly different look

If you're not into stamping but you like the eclipse idea, then why not use some patterned paper and a simple sentiment die.

This is simply a sheet of paper from the Spellbinders 6x6 Beautifully Imperfect collection ...... I love this daisy!

I die cut my sentiment from the paper, and twice from black cardstock.

I then inlaid one of the black die cuts back into the paper, layered the second one on top, and finished with the paper one.

I added the stamped 'birthday' part of my sentiment ...... remember that you must include some stamping on your project for the Mixed Media Challenge.  And I finished off with a few gold splatters.

Thanks for popping by, enjoy the rest of your weekend.

We've got the family coming round tomorrow for a BBQ, and to watch the World Cup Final.  Not the teams we would have liked to be in the final but, it is what it is.  

Come on Spain!!!  is all I'm saying.

Cheerio until next time.

Products used ......

Cards1 and 2
Stamps ........ Floral image from 'My Condolences' Unity Stamps; Happy Birthday from Happy Birthday Sentiments - Pink Fresh Studio                                                                                            

Inks ......... Versafine Clair -Nocturne (my go to black ink); Delicata Golden Glitz ink; Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide ink
Dies ........  Winnie & Walter 'happy' die'

Other ....... MISTI stamping platform

Card 3

Inks ......... Versafine Clair -Nocturne
Dies ........  Winnie & Walter happy die

Designer Paper ...... Beautifully Imperfect 6x6 patterned papers - Spellbinders

Other ....... Winsor & Newton Drawing Ink - Gold (for the splatter)

CAS Mix Up is back!!!

Happy Friday .........

It's the weekend again.  

I mentioned a couple of days ago that something was happening in July.  Guess what, in case you haven't already heard .......... CAS Mix Up Challenge is back ..... yeah!!!

Can you believe it's been nearly 4 years since the last challenge, and I'm so happy that its back.  I do love a good Blog Challenge.  

I'm just a little bit excited too as Loll has asked me to be part of the DT again.  Thank you so much Loll, its a pleasure to be part of such a fabulous team.

Things are pretty much the same as they were with the challenge.

Each month will be a CAS Challenge, with a repeating three types of cardmaking ......

Mixed Media

Stenciling

Watercolouring

The challenge goes live on the 3rd of each month and runs until the end of the month, so plenty of time to play along and get your entries in.

There's a simple set of guidelines ......

and a monthly prompt to follow.

Loll is getting things started with a Mixed Media Challenge.

and the prompt is ........ ECLIPSE

I love this technique, and there's a few different ways to achive this look. 

For my first DT inspiration card I've used die cuts letters to 'eclipse' part of the sentiment.  I've cut the letters directly from my stamped image, once it had been coloured, and also cut them twice from plain white cardstock.  

I then inlayed one of the white die cuts back into my stamped image, remembering to use the bits from the coloured layer to inlay into the letters B, D and A to keep the bottom layer of the image complete.  I followed with another white layer on top, and then finished off with the coloured ones so that everything blends back in with the original image ...... I hope that all makes sense!

 

I love the dimension that this technique gives.

Some simple stamping completes the sentiment ......

and a little bit of gold splatter adds the finishing touch.

Here's another idea using the Eclipse technique .......  

This one is very CAS, and I've used my sentiment as the 'Eclipse' again.

I stamped and heat embossed the smiley face.  Coloured it using brush markers, and then die cut the word smile from the stamped image and twice again from white cardstock.

I inlaid one of the white die cuts into the smiley face, layered on the second one, and finished with the coloured one.

I stamped the sentiment underneath, and added a few gold splatters.  

Is it just me or, does it look like the face has ears, and a little tuft of hair on the top of his head .......... it made me smile anyway.

If you need more ideas, inspiration, or if this technique is new to you, then check out the 

CAS Mix Up Blog. 

 

There you'll find more inspiration from the Design Team, and our Guest Designer this month Michele (I Card Everyone).  You'll also find some useful links to videos showcasing the Eclipse technique, with lots of great tips on creating this look.

The challenge is open until the end of the month, so there's lots of time to play along.

I look forward to seeing you in the gallery.

Thanks for popping by, enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time .......

Card 1
Stamps ........ Floral Garden (Simon Says Stamp), Happy Happy Happy (Lawn Fawn)

Inks ......... Versafine Clair -Nocturne (my go to black ink)
Dies ........  Tall Alpha Die (Altenew)

Other ....... ZIG Watercolour Brush Pens, Winsor & Newton Drawing Ink - Gold

Card 2

Stamps ........ Keep Smiling -Visible Image, sentiment from an old Penny Black clear stamp set

Inks ......... Versafine Clair -Nocturne
Dies ........  Smile die 

Other ....... WOW Clear Embossing Powder, ZIG Watercolour Brush Pens, Winsor & Newton Drawing Ink - Gold

What a week it's been ......

Happy Tuesday ......

Hope you're all well.

Now, where do I start? .......... let's just say,  I did a bit of a thing since my last post.

I won't go into too many details but, I will say that I am OK. 

  

A week last Friday (is it really that long since I blogged!) I had a fall.  

I fell down the stairs at home, top to bottom, and hit, full body weight onto an oak table in the hall ..... ouch!! 

Luckily hubby was there (thankfully he works from home).  I spent hours in our local A&E, and was eventually air lifted to the Trauma Unit in Aintree Hospital across in the UK with, 5 broken ribs, a fractured hip, and a damaged spleen with internal bleeding (I don't do things by half!) 

After a week of being monitored hourly, lots of medication, and plenty of TLC, I was allowed home last Thursday.  

I'm battered and I'm brusied, still in a lot of pain but, fortunately no actual surgery was needed. 

Doctors were happy that the bleeding has stopped, and that my injuries were healing nicely ...... phew! 

Now its just a case of resting, and taking things easy ...... I can do that!  

Unfortunately our next motorhome trip is going to have to wait a while ...... sigh!

So ........ before all that lot happened, I had been enjoying spending time in the craft room.  I'm loving getting back into playing with my stash.  Nothing too fancy yet, but I'll get there.  My crafty shopping list is growing daily.

Here's a quick and easy design that can be changed up to suit anyone .... young, old, male or female

As you can see, this was done with a masculine look but, just change the background, use more feminine colours and it's perfect for girls of all ages.  You could even add extra little details on there.

I simply embossed the background using a Tim Holtz Woodgrain 3D Embossing Folder with some white cardstock, and then dragged Weathered Wood Distress Oxide Ink, directly from the ink pad, over the top, to bring out the woodgrain detail

The large sentiment is simply die cut from a piece of leftover cardstock found in my bits box, which looks like it was a mop up piece from various projects.  I also cut it from black cardstock, and layered the two together, slightly off setting them to give a shadow effect

So easy, but looks great!

I think I'll be sticking to quick and easy, and Clean and Simple cards for the moment.  At least the craft room gives me something else to think about whilst I'm recovering.   

I can also catch up with all my favourite blogs, and watch all those amazing craft videos.  I'll be back to normal in no time.

And ...... I'm getting a little bit excited .......... something is happening in July!!  My lips are sealed for now, but all will be revealed very soon!

Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used .....

Inks ........ Distress Oxide Ink - Weathered Wood, Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Embossing Folder .......  Tim Holtz Woodgrain 3D Texture Embossing folder

Dies ....... Giant Happy Birthday Die - Lawn Fawn