Friday 15 May 2020

A Happy Hello and Birthday Balloons .......

Happy Friday .......

The weekend is here again!  Although I thought it was Friday yesterday, and then today has felt like Saturday so, my weekend is almost over!
  
It's time to give you a little reminder about this month's CAS challenges.
First up ....... the CAS Mix Up Challenge.

I'm Hosting this month and the theme is Gesso Resist


This is just another fun way using gesso.

If you're still not sure about the technique, check out the CAS Mix Up Blog for links to some really useful videos.

Gesso is great for stamping with, especially when doing the resist technique.  You just have to remember to clean your stamps straight after use .... don't let the gesso dry on there.

I've used an old Penny Black, wooden stamp here. 


I simply put the gesso onto a craft mat, brushed it out to a thin layer and then used it like I would an ink pad to ink up the stamp. 
I then stamped the image randomly over a piece of watercolour cardstock ......


Once the gesso was dry, I spritzed over the top with Distress Ink sprays and let the colours sit for a while.  I then mopped up the excess and the stamped images started to show through.
I repeated the sprays until I got the depth of colour I wanted.

Once that was dry, I used a circle die to make my topper.  I stamped a sentiment, added a touch of pen work using a white gel pen and a few sparkly gems


To add a bit more interest to the card, I used the same floral stamp to add the design to the actual card.



CAS Stencil challenge next ......


This month is all about Layering your stencils ........

Again, if you need to know more, check out the CAS Stencil Blog for links to some great videos

I've gone for a really quick and easy design here, using just one stencil but, layering the balloons over the top of each other .......


I used various colours of Distress Inks, applied through the stencil with blending brushes, across the bottom of my cardblank


I added a simple sentiment above ......


And finished off with a few ink splatters


The CAS Challenges are open until the 24th of the month so there's still lots of time to join in the fun.

Just to let you know that from next month (June) there's going to be a few changes to the CAS Challenges. 
Three of the challenges are coming together to make up a new CAS Mix Up Challenge which will include Mixed Media, Stenciling and Watercolour.  More details will be in June's CAS Mix Up post.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your Friday and have a great weekend.

Cheerio until next time .......


Products used:
CAS Mix Up
Stamps: clique (Penny Black); Happy Mail (Gina K)
Inks: Distress Ink Sprays - Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Catherine Pooler inks - Party Dress, Tiara, Tiki Torch
Others: White Gel Pen; Nesting Circle Die; Clear Gemstones

CAS Stencil
Stencil: Balloon stencil (Uniko)
Stamps: Tiny Words - Birthday (Mama Elephant)
Inks: Distress Inks - various colours: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Gold and Silver Delicata inks for the splatters
Others: Black gel pen

13 comments:

HilaryJane said...

I haven't tried the gesso resist yet but I think I am going to have to give it a go as I just love your card. I also love the simplicity of your stencil card with the lovely overlapping distress colours, it gives your balloons a lovely translucent feel. Oh and those wonderful splatters xx

Jo said...

Great challenge Linda, I have discovery a whole new way to make some mixed media with this technique. Thank you, thank you! Love both these merry cards, vibrant and beautiful. Flowers are my thing, really exquisite. xx

Robyn Oliver said...

Your Mix Up card is simply gorgeous Linda and love the layer stencil balloon card too, hugs Robyn

Loll said...

Your Gesso Resist card is BEAUTIFUL!! These are my favourite colours and they look amazing with those sweet little flowers. The white pen outline adds sharpness to the images and I love that you continued the flowers in colour on the white card front. So creative and pretty! Thanks for this wonderful challenge Linda. I was leary when I saw it, but I have a new fondness for gesso and will use more often! xx

Loll said...

Oh my gosh, just checking out the stencil challenge and realized I didn't comment on your pretty and fun overlapping balloons. The soft colours of the sponged colours make the balloons look transparent! Great work! xx

Susan Joyce said...

Two wonderful cards Linda! I love the CAS Mix Up design with the sprays, the outlined flowers and the balloons are delightful.

Mrs.B said...

That's such a pretty card with the circle of resist flowers and I love the effect you achieved with the overlapping balloons, they look transparent.
Enjoy your weekend - it's only Saturday!
Avril xx

Bonnie said...

You got awesome results with your gesso, Linda! I love the white flowers on the brilliant background and the colored flowers trailing from behind the circle! Great design! Your balloon bouquet is gorgeous! I love the translucence of balloons! Perfect application of the ink, my friend! Very festive and fun!

Christine Alexander said...

Linda two beautiful cards, I love that gesso resit and your balloons are beautiful :)

Papercraft Boutique said...

Love the happy colors and the flowing design of the gesso resist card, Linda! The flowers are falling from the top, turning white in the middle circle, and coming out in colors again. Thank you so much for hosting this fun challenge. I've learned a lot and had so much fun!
Your balloon cards are so pretty! The different shapes & sizes, and the translucent rainbow colors are awesome! Hideko xx

Mac Mable said...

Both cards are wonderful Linda and the layering effect looks fabulous with those fun balloons. The gesso technique looks great and what a vibrant and pretty card x.

Julia Aston said...

wow - two beautiful designs to see here today Linda! Your flowers are so pretty in the colors behind and flowing over the circle in Gesso - what a great affect! Your layered stenciled balloons make me so happy just looking at them! so bright and colorful! xx

Barb Ghig said...

Two fabulous cards, Linda! I love how you used the gesso resist technique and how you added the mini flowers to the first card...so pretty! Great idea to layer your balloons on the 2nd card, too! xx