CAS Mix Up Challenge ........

Happy Monday ..........

How was your weekend?  Not long enough ..... I know how you feel!

But we're at the start of another week and, as we're half way through February already it's time to remind you about this month's CAS Mix Up Challenge  .......

The lovely Nancy is our host for February and the theme for this month is ..... Stencil Heat Embossing

If you haven't tried this before give it a go, it's so much fun.  Check out the CAS Mix Up Blog for some fabulous links to videos showing you ways of using this technique.

We've all done heat embossing with stamps but, it's also a great way of achieving a different look using with your stencils. 

This was so simply to do ..... I've stenciled the vase and then heat embossed to give a nice textured look, completely different than using just ink through the stencil.

I stamped the flowers first and added a touch of colour using ZIG markers and a waterbrush to blend the colour

I then took my vase stencil, placed it over the bottom of the flowers and used Versamark ink through the design.

I removed the stencil and sprinkled embossing powder over the top and heat set in the usual way ......

I love the result, the powder is made up of different sized grains, and different colours and gives a fabulous textured look ..... I love it!!

I grounded the vase with a little ZIG marker, and added a simple sentiment to finish off.

The challenge is open until Feb 24th so there's still time to play along if you fancy giving this technique a try. 

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

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used:

Stencil: Vase stencil (Clarity)

Stamps: Flower Medley, Special Sentiments (Penny Black)

Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versamark ink; Delicata Metallic Pigment ink - Golden Glitz

Other: Black Magic Embossing Powder (WOW!);  ZIG Clean Color Brush Markers

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