Sunday 15 March 2020

A quick reminder for this month's CAS Challenges ........

Happy Sunday .......

It's been a busy weekend for blog posts.

Time to remind you about this month's CAS Challenges ...... first up CAS Mix Up .
March is a special month for us ..... we're celebrating our 4th Birthday ..... whoo hoo!


To mark the occasion there's prizes to give away ........

a $25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Certifiate for the Challenge Winner
and ....  a $25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Certificate for one random draw from all the entries
(you must follow the challenge rules to be eligible for the prizes)

Our host this month is the lovely Jenny and the theme she's chosen is ........ Acrylic Paint


We all have them ..... we don't always use them though, especially for card making.  But, all those bottles and tubes or tubs of pretty coloured paints can give amazing results and effects.
Still not convinced ...... then check out the CAS Mix Up Blog for links to some really useful videos full of tips and techniques.

I've used my acrylic paints to add colour to the flowers on this design .......


The piece was originally done for one of my workshops where we were using a faux bleaching effect.

The background was coloured using Distress Ink applied directly from the ink pad onto the card and then swiped across using a wet wipe


Once the ink was dry, I stamped and heart embossed the flower bouquet using a white embossing powder.  Then with a water brush and a paper towel I 'bleached' out the colour from the stamped image.  Simply paint with water over the flowers and leaves and then dab away the colour with a paper towel.  This removes the colour from the image allowing you to paint over the top with pencils, or markers, or in this case acrylic paints


I used opaque Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics from PaperArtsy and mixed them with a little water to make them easier to paint with.


I added a simple stamped sentiment to finish.


Are stencils your thing?  Then how about playing along with the CAS Stencil Challenge .....


This month's theme is all about using your stencils with Heat Embossing


I've simply used Versamark ink through my stencil design ....... applied using a sponge ....... and then sprinkled gold and silver embossing powders over the top and heated in the usual way.


If you wanted a little more dimension to your stencil design, use stencil paste instead of the Versamark, sprinkle with embossing powder whilst the paste is wet, and leave to dry.  Heat the embossing powder once the paste is dry.  This also creates a little more texture too.

I die cut the word star from three snippets of card, layered two of them together and covered the third with Versamark ink and used the embossing powders again.  I did this a couple of times, to create a thicker embossed layer


I attached the embossed word on top of the others and then inlaid it into the stenciled panel.
Finished of the sentiment with a little stamping.


Another fun way of using your stencils.

See you in the gallery!

Thanks for popping by ........ enjoy the rest of your weekend.
We've got the family coming round later ..... don't think they're here to see us, they want to check out the new motorhome I think!

Cheerio until next time .......


Products used:

CAS Mix Up
Stamps: Hello Lovely (Concord & 9th); Simply Said Blocks (Uniko); Tiny Words (Simon Says Stamp)
Inks: Distress Ink - Picked Raspberry (background colour); Versamark;
Acrylic Paint: Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic - Wisteria, Lavender, Magic Moss, Granny Smith, Lemon Meringue (PaperArtsy)
Other: White Embossing Powder (WOW!);

CAS Stencil
Stamps: Written in the Stars (MFT)
Stencils: Shooting Stars - Funky Fossil
Inks: Versamark, 
Other: Gold & Silver Embossing Powders (WOW!); Shining Stars Die (MFT)

17 comments:

nancy littrell said...

TFS both cards, Linda. Gorgeous background and acrylic painted flowers for your 1st card. A stunning beauty.

Loved your heat embossed stenciled stars and stacked die cut sentiment which you double heat embossed...Gorgeous! TFS my friend. Hugs...Nancy

Viv said...

Great cards Linda. Love them both!

HilaryJane said...

Both these cards are just amazing. I love the bold colour of you mix up card and the wonderful stars on your stencil card. Thanks too for the tip relating to both cards. I shall try and remember them xx

Barb Ghig said...

Your birthday card is absolutely beautiful and I love all the stenciled stars on your 2nd card, Linda! I'll bet it's really shiny in person, too! As always, you've done an amazing job on both challenges ~ Barb xx

Papercraft Boutique said...

Wow, I love the combination of the vivid distress ink colors of the background and the chalky colors of the flowers and leaves, Linda! It's so pretty and cheerful - perfect for the occasion.
The stenciled and heat-embossed star card looks awesome! The gold and silver heat-embossing looks amazing against the dark background. The die-cut, layered, and heat-embossed sentiment is the "star" of the show. :-)
Hideko xx

Christine Alexander said...

Two great cards, your flowers are stunning, I love the bright colours and will have to remember to use my acrylics over watercolours.
your stars are so classy, gold, silver and black stunning :)

Julia Aston said...

Two wonderful card designs Linda! Your florals are beautiful on the first - and your milky way of embossed stenciled stars in the gold and silver is beautiful on the navy background!

Ros Crawford said...

Oh my goodness.. What a terrific acrylic painted card... Love the BG and the flowers look amazing! The stars on your 2nd card on the dark background look so beautiful as does the sentiment..

Kia's Place said...

Beautiful cards ... the colours on your floral are beautiful and I love the look of the stencilling on the second card. Beautiful.

Bonnie said...

Wonderful technique with the acrylic paint, Linda! I'll have to give that a try. Love the shiny stars!

Loll said...

Your acrylic paint floweres are goregous. Love the soft colours which look so pretty against your bright background. Your heat embossed stenciled card is AMAZING! Love the two-toned heat embossing of the stars and the fabulous die-cut sentiment. Awesome design, my friend! xx

My Paper Epiphany said...

Fabulous cards! The pink background looks amazing and I love the flowers coloured with acrylics! The mix of gold and silver on your stencilled card looks really cool too:)

Mac Mable said...

Two fabulous cards with tons of inspiration, thank you Linda x. The first card looks beautiful and love the technique. Such a pretty second one with a wonderful effect with the heat embossing. Stay safe and enjoy the Motorhome x.

Brenda in IN said...

The pink background looks terrific with your soft flowers. Oh my, what a gorgeous night sky your created. I love that.

Cathy said...

Wonderful cards Linda, have used the bleaching technique before but never coloured with acrylic paints, the background is fab too! Love the gold and silver stars, gorgeous design, Cathy x

Jo said...

Two very special cards Linda. Loving the beautiful blooms over that very special background. Great colour combo.
The second with metallic heat embossing over the dark card stock really packs a punch. Two beauties! xx

Susan Joyce said...

Two awesome cards Linda love the Mixed Media one the colours are amazing!