I'm back ........ for the CAS Mix Up Challenge!

Happy Sunday ......

Welcome to August!  I hope you're all enjoying the weekend. 

After taking July off from the CAS Mix Up Challenge ......... we should have been away in the motorhome but, we ended up moving house instead! ........  it's so nice to be back for this month's Stencil Challenge.

Jenny is our host for August, and she's chosen a fun technique for you.  Maybe it's something you’re already familiar with or, it could be that you haven’t tried this before ...... Stamping through stencils.  A great way of extending the use of your stencil stash, and your stamps too!

I’ve kept things relatively simple for my inspiration piece, using circle stencils to create the look of apertures, and then used my stamps over the top .........

With the stencil securely in place, I applied Distress inks through the circles using a blending brush.

Then, without removing the stencil, I stamped the little characters in place .......... so cute!

I then used coloured pencils (Faber Castel Polychromos) to colour them in.

I added a bit more interest by inking a few more circles here and there to create a bokeh effect, and then finished off with a stamped sentiment and a few sparkly gemstones.

This is such a fun technique to try. Experiment with your stencils, the more open the stencil design is, the more stamping you will see. It’s a great way to add design and texture, and give your stenciling a different look. I can’t wait to see your cards in the gallery.

You’ll find lots more fabulous inspiration from the rest of the Design Team over on the CAS Mix Up Blog, and this month we have not one, but two amazing Guest Designers.  Bobby (Bits & Pieces) is joining in the fun, along with Michele (I Card Everyone), so be sure to pop by and say Hello.

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks around here, as I said we should have been going away in the motorhome on our first adventure off the island, but plans changed and we ended up moving house instead.

We’ve spent the last two weeks packing and moving boxes (we have so much stuff!!!!!) but we’ve finally moved in to the new place!  It still looks a bit like a bomb site, I can’t find anything, and it’s ‘fun’ trying to find out how all the new kitchen appliances work but, we’re getting there slowly.  I've only changed my kitchen cupboard contents around twice since we moved in, and my desks in the craft room have be changed around a few times but, I think I'm happy now!

There is just one major problem ..... we have no internet yet (argghhhh)!!! There’s a problem, apparently, with the supply to the house and they need to do maintenance on the ‘pole’ outside. We found this out on the day they came to install it ........ last Thursday!!  The little man is not happy.

We’re having to hot spot our mobile phones and use the limited signal as and when we can, which is not good!  This blog post has been a challenge I can tell you!

They are on it ...... apparently.  Things will get interesting tomorrow (Monday) when hubby is back at work ...... he might just have to go into the office for the first time in months!!!

Because of all this things may still be a little quiet for the next few days here on the blog but I promise normal service will resume eventually!

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

We're off out for Sunday dinner with the family, the rest of the unpacking can wait!  

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

Products used:

Stencils: Bokeh Stencil Set (multi layer design) (Newton's Nook)

Stamps: Jungle Friends (Creative Expressions); Critter Crowd (Simon Says); Happy Birthday from my stash 

Inks: Distress Ink - Broken China, Mowed Lawn; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Delicata - Golden Glitz

Other: Faber Castel Polychromos Pencils; Small gem stones