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

700 ..... have I really rambled on that many times!!

Happy Wednesday to you,

Yes, there's been 700 of these ..... blog posts from little old me!! It's surprising what I find to blog about!
How's your week going?
The good news is I don't feel quite as bad as yesterday ..... looks like whatever it is isn't planning on sticking around .... thank goodness!!!  Unlike hubby who's coughing and sneezing all over the place ..... I'm staying well out of his way!!!

Anyhow  .... on to the crafty stuff.
I'm having a bit of a Clarity fest at the moment ..... and why not I say!!!  I've shared some stamped designs with you ..... but what about all those fab stencils!

This is the gorgeous  Wild Grasses 1 A5 stencil, used on top of a piece of inky background card I found in my stash.

I used some Dusty Concord Distress ink first ....... brushed through the stencil to create the background flowers, then I used some black texture paste through the same design over the top.

Once the paste was dry I added a touch of gold gilding wax over the flower heads to give a little shimmer

and then finished off using one of those Word Chains again (told you they're handy stamps to have!)

Here's a quick canvas using the same stencil .....

I simply brayered some Fresco Finish Acrylic Paints onto an 8x8 canvas ........ adding a little at a time until I was happy with the look .... love the texture that comes through

I then used white texture paste through the stencil to add my design

Once the paste was dry, I placed the stencil back on and this time added some colour using my Distress inks ......

A touch of glitter glue here and there adds a bit of sparkle, and to finish off I added some paint splats
over the canvas ......

and a little bit more interest by using the edge of a credit card to add some painted lines

A nice black canvas to mount is on really makes the design pop ..... I think so anyway.

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

Lauren's had her first driving lesson today ..... one of the birthday presents from her boyfriend!  I need to find out when the next one is ....... and remember to stay off the roads!!!

Cheerio until next time

Linda

xx

Clarity catch up

Happy Wednesday,

Can you believe it's December in less than a week ......... only 30 days off Christmas Day ..... and not a present bought! ..... oh no!!!
(Well ..... that's not strictly true ...... I have got a couple of stocking fillers but none of the big stuff yet!)

But ..... I'm not thinking about all that now .... I've just realised that I haven't blogged any of my samples from Paul's Clarity shows last weekend ...... oops!! I didn't even give you any teasers (bad DT member!)  Let's put all that right now shall we .....

Did you see the shows?..... didn't he do well!  Great new products, fab demos from Paul and lots of great inspiration from the rest of Design Team.

Here's just a couple from me using the new stencils ..... the elephant and that gorgeous, very regal looking stag.

I love the elephant, he's such a great size..... and he goes so well with the new Trellis stencil.

I simply inked through the stencil using a grey ink (Hickory Smoke Distress), onto a piece of white cardstock.  Then I used a Clear Glass Bead Gel over the top to give him some texture
(Barbara did the same technique on her blog at the beginning of this month, using a translucent embossing paste and then sprinkling Micro Glass Beads over the top whilst the paste was still wet - works exactly the same)

Once everything was dry (I left him overnight) I fussy cut around the elephant before attaching him to my card

For the background I used the Trellis stencil ..... onto a piece of white card, and then sprinkled through some pigment powders.  I used Brushos but you'll get a similar effect using the Color Bursts from Ken Oliver (must get my hands on a set of these .... I really need to try them!!) 
I then spritzed over the top with some water, let the pigments do their work for a few seconds then carefully removed the stencil.
It's a good idea to have another piece of card handy when doing this technique because as you lift the stencil off you'll find that there's still quite a bit of colour on the stencil itself.  Don't waste it, turn the stencil over ...... lay it down onto the white card and voila!  you have another background!

I also used one of the corner stamps from the Elegant Corners set just to add a bit more interest and embellishment

These are really useful little stamps to have in your collection ..... not just for corners either.  Create fab designs by just repeat stamping the same corner, turning it each time you stamp.  Just have a play with them and see what you come up with .... it's fun!

 
I finished off my elephant card with one of the Word Chain stamps.

Next up is that gorgeous Stag stencil .....

You don't always have to use the whole of a stencil ..... just use part of it like I've done here.

Like I did with the elephant, I inked through the stencil using a couple of shades of brown Distress inks (I think it was Vintage Photo and Gathered Twigs) then I applied some translucent texture paste over the top.  Once I'd removed the stencil and whilst the paste was still wet,  I sprinkled fine crystal glitter just over the antlers and then set it aside to dry.

Once everything was dry I cut around the stag using an oval die.  With the die still in place I used a touch of distress ink to add a bit of colour around the edge

I sprinkled on a little chunky white embossing powder and finished him off with a festive bow and a bell around his neck

Using the Trellis stencil again for the background, I inked through with red and green Distress inks

and then finished off with a festive greeting from one of the Christmas Word Chains.

I think this weekend I'll make a start on writing all my Christmas cards, especially the ones that need to go overseas ....... and across to the UK.  I need to make sure everyone has our new address .... again!!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.
I think we're off out this evening ....... there's a Christmas shopping event on over at Tynwald Mills so it might be a good time to make a start on those festive purchases.  And you never know ..... I may just get treated to dinner out if I'm lucky (or if there's any money left!!)

Cheerio until next time

Linda

xx