February's CAS Mix Up Challenge ...........

Happy Monday .........

Well, January didn't hang about did it ...... welcome to February!

And ....... we did it!!!  As of today, our little island is out of lockdown again ...... whoo hoo!  Schools are back, all shops, restaurants bars etc., are open.  No more social distancing.  Our 'normal' is back.  Our borders are still closed though so we ain't going anywhere anytime soon, but that's OK

It's a new week, a new month and it's time for a new CAS Mix Up Challenge.

It's a stencil challenge this month, and the lovely Nancy is our host.

We all use our stencils with coloured inks and paints but, have you tried Stencil Heat Embossing?  That's the theme of our challenge this month.

  

When you're heat embossing with stamps you would generally use a Versamark or an embossing ink, well these inks work the same way when used through your stencils.  But, how about using your embossing powders on your coloured inks, for example Distress Oxides, Versafine Clair or even regular Distress Inks.

As it's February, I thought I'd make a simple Valentine's card.

I used a pretty heart stencil, shades of pink Distress Ink, and heat embossed using a clear powder.

 

I used a sponge to apply the colour through the whole of the stencil, building up the layers gradually, starting with my lightest shade at the bottom, going darker as I went up the card to create an ombre effect. 

I then removed the stencil, applied the clear embossing powder over the top and heat set it.

There were some gaps where the ink had dried too quickly, and the embossing powder hadn't stuck so, I simply replaced the stencil over the top, added some more ink and repeated the heat embossing until all of the hearts were covered

I used a die to cut out an aperture for my sentiment to sit in ..... cutting it off the edge to add a bit more interest to the card and I added a stitched frame over the top for a more finished look.

I hope you give this technique a go, it's another great way of using your stencils.  

If you're still not sure then pop over to the CAS Mix Up Blog.   There you'll find more inspiration from the Design Team, links to some great videos using this fun technique and, meet our Guest Designer for this month ....... Arlene is joining us, so please stop by and say Hello.

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

I'm off to clean the craft room now ...... it could take a while, you should see the mess in there!   

I had a fabulous week last week taking part in a 5 day online workshop with the lovely Tracy Scott.  We were creating layered backgrounds using paints and inks, stencils and stamps, mark making ...... you name it we used it!  We even made our own stamps and stencils ....... it was so much fun. 

I'll show you the results later in the week.

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

 

Products used:

Stencil: Heart Stencil (Clarity)

Stamps: Kisses & Wishes (Penny Black)

Inks: Distress Ink - Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Worn Lipstick

Others: Clear Embossing Powder (WOW!); Circle die; Stitched Circle Frame die; Self Adhesive gems