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

October's CAS Stencil Challenge .......

Hello again .......
 
How's your Friday been? 
It's been busy here ....... the craft room's tidy (sort of!) and the door is now closed.   The 'to do' list has been done ..... yeah! go me!!!  And everything is all ready waiting to be packed in the suitcases tomorrow.

Before I put my feet up with a large, much needed, glass of wine I've got one more Blog Challenge for you ...... October's CAS Stencil Challenge.

Loll is our host this month, and she wants us to use Patterned Papers with our stencils.

We all have stacks of patterned papers ....... some beautiful designs that we just can't bring ourselves to use.  Two, three or even four sheets of our favourites, making sure we never use the last piece.  And there's those that are always at the bottom of the pile ..... for one reason or another.

Well, how about using stencils with your patterned papers.  Add highlights or texture to your favourite designs. Or stencil over the top of those you're not that keen on and create a completely different look.  It's a great way of using up your stash!

I've chosen a paper from an Altenew paper pack, called Summer Garden.  The pack is full of pretty floral papers along with some great designs for backgrounds.
I love this drippy, inky desing ..... the colour is fab and it has a nice textured look too.  But, it neded something else ......

I added a pretty stencil design over the top, using just a black ink. 
I used a sponge to apply the ink, building up the depth of colour slowly so that the ink didn't bleed underneath the stencil.

The sentiment has been die cut twice from plain white cardstock, and then layered together to give a bit of dimension.  I then added a touch of glue to the top layer, left it until it was just tacky and then placed a sheet of gold foil over the top.  I gently rubbed over the foil to make sure it was stuck and then peeled away the excess.  The result was this pretty golden die cut ........

A few dots of glitter glue here and there add a touch of sparkle.

The Design Team have been busy with their patterned papers, and we also have a lovely Guest Designer for this challenge ....... Gundi (papierelle) is joining in the fun, so be sure to pop by and say Hello.

OK .... time for that glass of wine I think and a nice relaxing evening in front of the TV. 
Tomorrow I'll be rushing around making last minute checks ....... have I packed everything?  Have I locked all the windows and doors?  Have I got the tickets and boarding passes? ...... and where are the passports!!!!!?

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely weekend.
I'll try and share some photos while we're away.

See you all when I get back.

Cheerio until next time .....

Products used:
Stencils: Cornflowers stecnil (Sweet Poppy)
Ink: Versafine Clair - Nocturne
Others: 6x6 inch paper pack - Summer Garden (Altenew); Fancy Hello Die (Altenew); Gold Foil; Nuvo Glitter Drops