Sunday 15 November 2020

Mid month reminder for the CAS Mix Up challenge .......

Happy Sunday evening ........

I hope you're enjoying your weekend.
Can you believe it's the middle of November already ...... only five more weekends to go before Christmas!!!  I've still got all my Christmas cards to make ..... guess what I'll be doing next week!

As we're mid way through the month it's time to remind you about November's CAS Mix Up Challenge ...... it's the last one of the year!


It's a Watercolour challenge, that means watercolouring must be the main element on your design. 

Bonnie is our host and the theme she's chosen is ...... Off the Edge, one of my favourite looks.
This is a great technique for using larger stamps on smaller cards.


This is one festive design that I'll be making more of, I love how this has turned out. 

I used the gorgeous wreath from the Memory Box stamp set ..... Tidings Wreath.  It's quite a large stamp but I think it fits beautifully, just off the edge of a 7x5 inch card, and there's still room to get a sentiment on there too.

I stamped the wreath in Versamark ink and then heat embossed in gold.  
I know I say this every time but, heat embossing really does make it easier when watercoloring stamped images, especially when using metallic or pearlescent paints like I've done here.  


The raised edges from the heat embossing help to stop the colour from bleeding outside the lines, and it acts as a resist to the paint so that you still get those nice crisp lines and keep the detail of your stamped image.


I used LuminArte's Twinkling H2O's to colour the wreath.  Remember those beauties ....... little pots of  solid, high pigment paints, with added mica, and when you spritz with water and mix they become these gorgeous, rich in colour and very sparkly watercolour paints, and they work so well on black cardstock!


I added a simple heat embossed greeting on the bottom and the card was done.
As I said, I'll be making more of these!

The challenge is open until the 24th of November so there's still time to play along ...... it's your last chance for this year! 

It's been great seeing all your CAS Mix Up designs during 2020 and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2021!
Happy stamping! 

Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy the rest of your day
It's been all go here this weekend, getting Lauren and the little man settled in.  We're getting there .....  slowly!  
To make room for everything I've had to empty a few wardrobes and cupboards and oh dear, guess what's had to come out .... the Christmas decorations!
I'm afraid this happened over the weekend ....... oooops!  Our festive season has started a little early ...... Ho! Ho! Ho! (we haven't even had the lights switch on in town yet!)


Well, I didn't see any point in putting all the boxes away again.  To be honest, I haven't figured out where they're all going to go, so .......... this is as far as I've got, the conservatory tree is up, the lights are on and I have a hot date with Mr Buble and the baubles to look forward to next week ....... as well as making Christmas cards!!  

We're off out for a well deserved dinner this evening, and it's Chris's girlfriends birthday too so another reason to celebrate.

Cheerio until next time .......


Products used:
Stamps: Tidings Wreath (Memory Box); Mixed Christmas Sentiments (retired set from Happy Little Stampers) 
Inks & Paints: Versamark ink; LuminArte Twinkling H2Os - Mallard Green, Douglas Fir; Cosmic Shimmer  Iridescent Watercolour Paint - Red
Others: Gold Detail Embossing Powder (WOW!)

11 comments:

Viv said...

Love the pearly effect on this card Linda.
Still in lockdown here so am envious!

HilaryJane said...

This is a truly amazing card, that wreathe looks stunning in gold on a black background. The colour of those paints hasn't been subdues by the black base, I love it xx

Bonnie said...

This is a gorgeous wreath, Linda, and you've colored it perfectly! I love the gold and shimmery colors on the black background!

Christine Alexander said...

your wreath really pops on Black, love those pearlised paints :)

Jo said...

Such a rich elegant card. The dimensioned attained in this beautiful wreath is impressive. Beautiful work. I will visit often xx

Mac Mable said...

What a stunning card Linda. The black card stock shows off the beautiful wreath to perfection x. Now wonder you are liking this Linda....I love it x. Yay to the Christmas tree coming out....x.

Julia Aston said...

I wondered what you had colored your wreath with that would show up on the black Twinkling H2O's work wonderfully for sure - how beautiful is this and with the gold embossed outline! I think lots of people are decorating early just to try and lift their spirits. xx

Kris said...

Beautiful card, Linda! I love the gold on black - just elegant! Sending hugs and prayers as you begin this new season of your lives.

Loll said...

LOVE the metallic paints on this gorgeous wreath, Linda. Look so amazing on black. What a gorgeous off-the-edge card. Love the tree in your conservatory with all the lights reflecting in the windows. Makes it look like there are a dozen lite trees! :) Beautiful. Hope you had a wonderful dinner out! I'm off to add that stamp to my wish list! :) xx

nancy littrell said...

I still have all kinds of those little pots of goodness, but never think to get them out. LOVE how you heat embossed and watercolored your gorgeous wreath on black cardstock. The wreath really pops! Gorgeous tree and does not even have your amazing collection of baubles yet...can't wait to see the finished tree. TFS and look forward to seeing more of your Christmas cards. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Susan Joyce said...

Stunning design Linda, love the pearls on the black cardstock teamed with the gold embossing.