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

It's never too early for a Christmas card ........

Happy Thursday .......

The weekend is almost here!  It's going to be a busy one too I think.

I can't believe I'm saying this but, I have a Christmas card to share today ........ I know, I know, it's only June but, the CAS Christmas Card Challenge is up and running again this month ..... Yeah! it's nice to see it back.

I do love a good Blog Challenge, and CAS is one of my favourite styles of card, although not always the easiest to create ........ no room for error.  

Not only did this card take a couple of attempts (out of practice I think!) I struggled getting a decent photo. But hey ho!  here we go ........

I started by stamping the tree using a grey ink.  Grey gives a softer look than black which I thought would work well with this image from the Penny Black stamp set.

Once the ink was dry I brushed a little Distress Ink (Weathered Wood) over the top to create a bit of interest behind, and also to ground the tree

I then stamped the bird from the same Penny Black set, onto the tree and coloured him using Brush Markers, and added my sentiment in a matching red ........ love the pop of colour!

A little bit of water splattered here and there, which I left for a few seconds on the ink and then lifted with a paper towel.  A real easy technique for creating the look of falling snow.

 

I finished off with a touch of glitter here and there for a bit of festive sparkle!

First Christmas card of the year ....... done!

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

I'm off to catch up with todays results at Royal Ascot.  It's Gold Cup day today and I might just have a penny or two on the race!

And, for any England fans out there ...... didn't we do well last night!  4-2 ....... a fantastic opening game, and a great score against our long standing nemesis - Croatia.  

Could this be it, is football finally coming home?  A bit early to start singing that I think.  Anyway ..... well done England!

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used ......

Stamps ...... Woodsy - Penny Black Slapstick/Cling, Sentiment from Christmas Time 3 - Tim Holtz

Inks ....... Versafine Clair - Morning Mist, Distress Ink - Weathered Wood, Versafine Ink - Crimson Red

Other .......  Zig Clean color Brush Markers, Clear Crystal Fine Glitter

Embossing Washi Tape .......

Happy Tuesday to you,

I hope you had a great weekend and that your week has got off to a good start.  

We actually had a little bit of sunshine over the weekend, so out came the BBQ which was nice.  I got a day off cooking as hubby's the one who cooks outside!

I've got a card to share with you today ...... it's been a while!

I saw this technique on Facebook, from Stamptastic Designs ........ I think I've got that right, I hope I have!

You may have already seen this done but I must confess, I hadn't and I just had to give it a go.

It's simply, using washi tape (we've all got rolls of that!) and an embossing folder ....... how easy is that!  But WOW ....... love the results!!

I've had this roll of Washi Tape forever, so I doubt that this particular design is still available .... sorry! 

It was from Altenew, and it was called Painted Fantasy. 

Now you're thinking ........  how could she possibly remember that!?  Well, I didn't.  What I do remember is, using it once before on a Blog Challenge so, I did a search here on my Blog.  And guess what ...... I found it!  I said I'd had it a while but, really ......... 2019!!!!!!!  Oh my goodness.  Oh well, at least I'm using it now.  I saved it for this very card.

So,  the technique ............. I simply put the washi tape onto a piece of white cardstock.  The tape is nearly 4 and a half inches wide so it's great for making card fronts.

I then took the panel and using the pretty Piped Floral Lace 3D Embossing Folder from Altenew, which has recently found its way into my craft room, I ran it through my Big Shot.

Voila!  How easy is that ....... and the results are gorgeous!

I trimmed it down a little and mat it onto a piece of white cardstock before attaching it to my cardblank.

There's so much detail from the 3D embossing folder,  adding to the already pretty floral design of the washi tape, I don't think anything else is needed.

Except a sentiment of course ......... stamped and die cut. 

I am going to have to get some more washi tape ........ this technique is soooo cool!  I love how this has turned out and I know exactly who the card is going to! 

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

Are you following the World Cup?  We're huge football fans here so we're looking forward to tomorrow evening, when England play their first game.  There's been quite a few surprises in the games played so far, so who knows what's going to happen tomorrow. 

It's also Royal Ascot this week (I'm a horse racing fan too).  This could be an expensive few days!!

Cheerio until next time .........

As this is the first time I've used the EF I'm going to link this up to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge (Challenge #87)

Products used ......

Embossing Folder ....... Piped Floral Lace 3D Embossing Folder (Altenew)

Stamps ...... Opposites Attract Sentiment Stamps (The Greetery)

Dies .......  Opposites Attract Matching Dies, Opposites Attract Script Dies (The Greetery)

Inks ....... Versafine Clair - Nocturne, Distress Oxide - Picked Raspberry

Other .......  Painted Fantasy Washi Tape (Altenew) no longer available (sorry!)