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

Happy Monday .......

It's the start of a new week, at the beginning of a new month, so that means there's a new CAS Mix Up Challenge.   

This month our Challenge Host is Viv,  and it's a Stencil Challenge with the added prompt  

Stencilling over Patterned Paper.

We've all got piles of patterned papers.  Some we love and can't bring ourselves to use (I've got lots of those)  Some that are nice but we're not quite sure what to do with them (got quite a few of those too).  And then, there's those that are not really our favourites (yep! got some of those too!) 

Well, here's a great way of using all those patterned papers ....... why not stencil over the top of them.

Add a little more detail and interest to those plain-ish sort of papers.  

Cover over a design or colour that you're not quite happy with.  Or, simply stencil a pretty focal point on a nice background paper.  The hardest decision will be which paper to use.

I've got a couple of ideas for you here.

First up, one of my favourite leaf stencils ...... Natures Treasures II from Uniko.  

I've used it here over a lovely paper from 49 and Market.  Beautiful mix of shades and colours with a pretty leaf detail here and there.  I simply added a bit more interest to the edges.

I used the stencil with Distress and Distress Oxide inks first (Peacock Feathers), and then I added another leaf over the top which I heat embossed in gold.

A bit of ink around the edge, a simple sentiment, and a touch of gold splatter finishes it all off.

For the second card I've used another pretty background paper, which I think is from the Spellbinders Beautifully Imperfect Collection.  Quite delicate colours with a little bit of detail, it just needed a bold focal point .........

The Tim Holtz Roses stencil did the job perfectly I think.  Simply stenciled onto the paper using black Versafine Clair ink

I heat embossed my sentiment using WOW's Platinum Embossing Powder,

and finished of with some tiny gemstones for a touch of sparkle.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how you stencil over patterned papers.

Check out the CAS Mix Up Challenge Blog for more inspiration from the Design Team, and you'll also find some great videos on there with more tips and techniques.

You have until the end of the month to get your entries in ...... happy stencilling!

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

Cheerio until next time ....

Products used

Card 1

Inks ...... Distress and Distress Oxide ink (Peacock Feathers); Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versamark Embossing ink

Stencils ....... Natures Treasures II - Uniko

Others ...... Patterned paper; WOW Gold Superfine Embossing Powder, Gold ink for splatter

Card 2

Inks ...... Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Versamark Embossing ink

Stencils ....... Tim Holtz Roses

Others ...... Patterned paper; WOW Platinum Superfine Embossing Powder; Small clear gemstones

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

Hello again ......

I hope you're having a good day.  The weekend is just around the corner ..... although I think everyday is the weekend at the moment!

It's time for a new challenge over at CAS Mix Up.
I'm hosting the challenge this month, and we've got a fun technique theme for you  ....... Gesso Resist

You've probably got a jar or two of Gesso in your stash ..... white gesso, black or even clear.  There's various textures too ..... some brands are thick, some are thinner and more like paint and then there's heavy Gesso.  To be honest I'm not too sure of the differences, they all seem to do the same thing, just try this technique with whatever you have in your stash.

Gesso is normally used as a base, to prime surfaces before adding paint, but it can also be used to give a resist effect to your projects.  Use it to stamp with or apply gesso through stencils.

I used white Gesso thorough my stencil onto a piece of plain white cardstock.  You only need a thin layer, it's not like texture paste .... I applied mine using a sponge.  If you're going to stamp over the top of it, you need the gesso layer to be as smooth as possible.

 
Once the gesso was dry I used Distress Inks over the top.
Simply brush over the colours and watch the gesso 'resist' the ink.   
This isn't the same as doing an emboss resist ...... your finished image may not be perfectly crisp and clear, it depends on how careful you were with the stenciling, but I quite like grungy look.

I cut my panel down to size and then stamped directly on the top using a black ink

You'll find more inspiration over on the CAS Mix Up Blog, along with some links to videos on using this fun technique ..... have fun!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.
I'm off to finish my journal pages from an online workshop I did this afternoon ....... enjoy your weekend.

Cheerio until next time ......

Stay Safe, Stay Well, Stay at home

Products used:
Stamps: Happy Wishes (T for Transparent stamp set - Penny Black)
Inks: Distress Inks -  Picked Raspberry, Abandoned Coral, Scattered Straw; Versafine Clair - Nocturne
Others: White Gesso (IndigoBlu's Gee-Sso Good); Bouquet Stencil (Tim Holtz)

More CAS inspiration ......

Happy weekend folks ......

Well, we're back to flights cancelled and no ferries sailing.  Storm Dennis has arrived!!  Looks like hubby maybe be grounded tomorrow too ..... his afternoon flight to the UK has been cancelled just waiting to see if he can get on the evening one ...... unless that's cancelled too!

Anyway ......... it's time to remind you about this month's CAS Challenges ...... CAS Mix Up and CAS Stencil

Lets start with the CAS Mix Up Challenge. 
Joanna is our host this month, and the theme is Stencil using a Die Cut

I've used one of my all time favourite dies from Penny Black ..... I love this flower! 

I simply die cut the flower from a piece of white card stock ..... put the flower to one side for later and used the what was left of the card as my stencil.

Blended Distress Oxide inks through the design to create the background layer of flowers

I cut the flower again from another piece of white card (that's another one I can use as a stencil), layered the two together and then coloured the top one with Oxides inks, before attaching it over the top of the stenciled versions creating a pretty little bouquet

A few inks splatters,  a cute little twine bow and a sentiment to finish off

On to the CAS Stencil challenge.   Hosted by the lovely Barb,  the theme is .......  Foil

Check out the CAS Stencil Blog for links to some fabulous tutorial videos on different ways of adding foil to your projects.

I've used a really simple way of adding just a touch of foil ...... not to easy to photograph though especially with the weather we're having at the moment!!

I masked around the edges of a piece of white card, and then stamped the script in the background. 

Still with the masking tape in place, I added Distress Ink around the edges.  Distress ink stays wet for a little while so, if you're quick you can get embossing powder on there.  I used the tacky stuff, you know the one, looks like embossing powder but it goes sticky when heated.

I sprinkled just a little around the edges, brushed most of it away and then heated what was left and quickly applied my foil over the top.  I let it cool for a couple of seconds and then rubbed over the foil to make sure it had stuck.  And this was the look I got ........ a sort of distresed, grungy look .....

I removed the masking tape and stenciled the flower over my background.  Again the ink I used stayed wet for a little while so I did the same again with the sticky powder - sprinkled some on, brushed off where I didn't want it and heated it.  Placed the foil on top and then peeled it away ..... voila!  just a touch of shimmer and shine.

I really like the effect.

There's still a week left if you fancy joining in with any of the CAS challenges ..... hopefully I'll see you in the gallery.

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

Cheerio until next time  ........

CAS Mix Up
Products used:
Stamps: Share Laughter clear stamps (Hero Arts) for the sentiment 
Inks: Distress Oxide Inks - Mowed Lawn, Picked Raspberry; Scattered Straw; Dried Marigold; Versafine Clair - Nocturne; Delicate - Golden Glitz (for the splatters)
Others: Bashful Die (Penny Black); Natural Twine; Wonky Stitched Rectangle Dies (CUTplorations from STAMPlorations

CAS Stencil
Products used:
Stamps: Labeled Messages (Mama Elephant); Script Background (Uniko)
Stencils: Floral Stencil (Tim Holtz)
Inks: Distress Inks - Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs; Versafine - Smokey Grey; Versafine Clair - Nocturne 
Others: Ranger Tacky Embossing Powder; Foil from my stash

A quick reminder for the CAS Stencil challenge .......

Happy Monday ......

I hope you've all had a nice weekend ...... I'm still getting over mine! (more about that later)

It's time to give you a little reminder of this month's CAS Stencil Challenge ...... the last one of 2019!

I'm your host this month and the theme is .......... Stencil Monoprinting
This is such a great technique to do, the DT are really having fun with it.
Simply apply your inks, or paints etc., directly onto your stencil, spritz with water and then place the inky side of your stencil onto your card and print the design ..... easy!
It's also a great way of using up any ink on your stencils when you've been using them in the traditional way ....... don't just wipe it all off with a cloth, give it a spritz with water and print onto a piece of card.  Great for making backgrounds!

I've used a Tim Holtz stencil here with Distress Oxide Inks ........ these work really well for this technique

I smooshed the ink over the whole of the stencil, spritzed well with water and then placed the stencil onto a piece of watercolour card. 
I laid a paper towel over the top to mop up any excess ink. and gently smoothed over the stencil to make sure that the ink spread over the whole of the design

Carefully remove the stencil, mop up any excess ink and leave to dry.
You're not always going to get a clean, crisp finish ...... it does happen, it depends on the cardstock, how much ink you've used, how much water, even the stencil design. 
I like the grungy, not quite perfect look but, that's just me!

Once the ink had dried I used a glue pen over the petals of the poinsettia flowers, and then sprinkled over the top with some clear crystal glitter

A few dots of gold glitter glue for the centres.

To add a bit more interest to the card I decided to cut the poinsettia panel in two, and instead of cutting straight across, I went with a bit of an angle.

I die cut part of my sentiment, once from white cardstock and once from gold mirri. Layered the two together and placed it in between the two panels.  The rest of the sentiment I stamped and added underneath.

Here's another card made using the same technique, and the same ink (DOXs), just a different stencil

I did everything exactly the same, except I used Mixed Media cardstock, and I got a much crisper finish on this one.

You never know what results you're going to get and I think that's all part of the fun of this technique!

Check out the CAS Stencil Blog for more fabulous Monoprinting ideas from the rest of the DT, and our lovely Guest Designer ...... Lucie (LucieG Cards)

Happy stenciling!

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

We had our first frost this morning ....... I looked out the window at 7.30am and everywhere was white over, it all looked so pretty!  Not so nice when Hubby had to de-ice the car before he left for work though ..... Winter is coming!

Cheerio until next time .....

Products used:
Card 1
Stencils: Poinsettia stencil (Tim Holtz)
Stamps: Christmas Cheer (Simon Says Stamp) 
Inks: Distress Oxide Inks - Aged Mahogany  
Other: merry die , gold mirri card, white card, Clear Rock Candy Glitter (Ranger); Gold stickles Glitter Glue

Card 2 
Stencils: Roses Layering stencil (Tim Holtz)
Stamps: Simple Strips (Taylored Expressions) 
Inks: Distress Oxide Inks - Aged Mahogany, Rusty Hinge, Peeled Paint 
Other: Stitched Wonly Rectangles die (STAMPorations), Gold Twine, Clear Crystal Glaze (Nuvo)

Life is better in flip flops! ......

Happy Thursday .......

I hope you've had a nice day.
The rain from yesterday seems to have disappeared which is good, however the forecast for weekend is not so good.  Typical ...... the schools finish tomorrow for the long summer break. Lets hope the weekend is just a blip!
I think I'm still in holiday mood though ..... it's been a tough week trying to get back into the swing of things, but I think I'm almost there.

It's time for a little reminder of this months CAS Stencil Challenge ........

Hosted by the lovely Cathy, our theme this month is all about Alcohol Inks and Alcohol Lift

Alcohol Inks are so much fun to use, and the lift technique works so well with stencils.
Why not give them a go and play along with the challenge.
Check out the links on the challenge blog to some great video tutorials on how to use these inks .... and then have some fun!

Told you I was still in the holiday mood ........ totally agree with this sentiment.  I love my flip flops!!!

I've used my Alcohol Pearls again, on YUPO paper, to create the background.
I applied a few drops of colour onto a felt pad applicator and then swiped the colour across the YUPO

I then used a Tim Holtz stencil and the Alcohol Ink Lift Re-inker to add the sunrays ...... a few drops of the re-inker onto a craft mat, picked up with a sponge applicator tool and then lightly dabbed over the stencil to remove the colour.  Less is more with this technique ..... if you have too much of the Lift ink on your sponge  it will seep underneath your stencil spoiling the design.
Remove the stencil and blot the design with a paper towel ...... DON'T RUB!!  Repeat this a few times to make sure all the excess ink and colour has been removed.  When your paper towel is coming up clean then you can rub over the design to give it a nice finish.

I stamped the sentiment using Archival Ink and framed my sunset efore attaching it on to my card.

I stamped the little flip flops, and heat embossed before colouring them using ZIG Markers.  They were then die cut and attached onto the frame ...... cute or what!

I'm also linking this up to the CAS Mix Up Challenge.  The theme this month is Alcohol Lift Ink so this definitely fits the bill.
Alcohol Ink Lift - check!  Stamping - check! and my choice element ..... die cutting - check!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.
Things are definitley getting back to normal around here ........ I'm off to climb make a start on the mountain of ironing that's appeared.  I'm sure we didn't take that many clothes away on holiday!!

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
Stamps: Flip Flop Life stamps and matching die (Newton's Nook)
Inks: Alcohol Pearls - Alchemy (yellow), Splendor (orange), Deception (pink); Alcohol Ink Lift Re-inker; Black Archival; Versamark (for the flip flops)
Others: YUPO paper; Sunray Stencil (Tim Holtz); Gold Embossing Powder (WOW!); ZIG Markers; Stitched Frame Die; Jewel Drops (Nuvo)

Time for a little alcochol .... inks that is

Happy Thursday .....

And a Happy 4th July to all you followers across the pond.  I hope you have a great day ..... enjoy your holiday celebrations

Before I leave for our little family trip, there's just time to tell you about this month's CAS Stencil Challenge.
Our host for July is Cathy, and what a theme we have for you .......... Alcohol Inks/Alcohol Lift

If you're like me and love Alcohol Inks but you just don't use them enough, well now's your chance.
Get out those little bottles of inky gorgeousness, your favourite stencils ......... and have some fun!

I've used the Alcohol Ink Pearls from Tim Holtz, onto YUPO paper.
These pretty inks came out a little while ago ......... they're just like the regular Alcohol Inks but, these give a soft pearlescent finish. Not sure it comes across in the photos that well though .....

I simply dropped a few colours onto the YUPO paper, added a little bit of Blending Solution into the mix, and then let the inks do the work.

Once it was all dry I took my floral stencil and laid it onto the YUPO, securing it with a little stencil tape.
I then put some of the Alcohol Lift Re-inker onto a foam applicator and gently dabbed it through the stencil design.  Less is definitley more with this, and be gentle.  Too much ink and it will seep underneath your stencil.  Also it's a good idea to keep cleaning the foam by dabbing it onto a paper towel, especially when you move on to a different colour.

You will see the design slowly getting lighter as you remove the alcohol ink.  Once your happy with it, remove the stencil.
Using a clean paper towel gently dab over the design to remove more of the alcohol ink.  At this stage DON'T RUB ...... just gently dab over the design, making sure to use a clean part of the paper towel as you move around the design.
Once all the ink has been removed and your paper towel comes away clean, then you can gently buff over the top to polish the ink.

I added a frame using a stitched border die cut ......

and a simple sentiment with a few sparkly gems to finish off .......

I hope I've inspired you to play along with this month's challenge ...... if you're still not sure check out the CAS Stencil challenge blog where you'll find links to some great videos on how to use Alcohol Inks and the Lift technique.
You'll also find more great designs on there from the rest of the Design Team.  And, you can meet our newest member.  The lovely Viv from Viv's Visuals has joined the CAS Stencil Team ..... welcome to the family Viv!

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

It's been a busy one here already.  Nails done, trip into town for a little last minute shopping, the bank done, post office, a quick coffee with Lauren and that was all before lunchtime!  Time to finish the packing now.

We're away first thing tomorrow ..... we're on the morning ferry across to the UK.  Let's hope the water's calm!
After a quick stop off to see the in-laws, we're driving down to Norfolk, where on Saturday, we pick up our boat.

Yes, we're messing about on the river ......... the Walmsley family are cruising the Broads again!
Aye Aye Captain!!!

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used:
Stamps: Simple Strips BBackground (Taylored Expressions) and matching die
Inks: Alcohol Ink Pearls - Deception (pink), Alchemy (yellow), Splendor (orange) & Sublime (green); Blending Solution; Delicata Golden Glitz for the sentiment; Alcohol Lift Re-inker
Others: Tim Holtz Floral stencil; YUPO paper; Crazy Double Stitched Rectangle Nesting Dies (STAMPlorations)

There's still time to play along with the CAS Stencil Challenge

Happy Thursday evening .......

It's the Easter weekend.  Four days to spend with family and friends, and guess what ...... the weather is looking good!

It's also time for a quick reminder that the CAS Stencil Challenge is still open if you fancy playing along

This month the theme is Embossing Pastes/Gels ...... great products for using with your stencils, to add dimension and texture.  There's lots on the market, from clear and white pastes, to coloured and metallics, and even pretty coloured glitter gels. 
Use the clear ones on top of colour to add dimension, use the coloured pastes for quick and easy designs or, mix the white pastes with inks or paints and create your own colours.  The main thing is have fun!
Oooh ...... and don't forget to clean off your stencils once you've used the paste!

I've used a Nuvo Glimmer Paste on my card, over the top of Distress Oxide inks ...... 

I simply inked through one of Tim Holtz's pretty floral stencils directly onto a white card blank using Spun Sugar and Shabby Shutters Distress Oxide inks

I then applied the Glimmer Paste over the top ...... I used the Moonstone which is a pretty clear paste filled with a beautiful, really sparkly, crystal glitter

I added a few splatters of the pink Oxide Ink  onto the background .....

A few sparkly sequins and a simple sentiment ......

I love how the colour of the Oxides has intensified a little through the glimmer paste, giving a real pretty feminine look

Our Guest Designer this month is the lovely Bobby (bits & pieces)  Why not pop by and say Hello and also check out what the rest of the Design Team have been creating.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely Easter weekend.
We've nothing planned, just the family for Sunday lunch.  You never now, if this nice weather continues we might just get to BBQ!

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
Stamps: Extra Special (Altenew) for the sentiment
Inks: Distress Oxides - Spun Sugar, Shabby Shutters, Distress Archival - Peeled Paint (to stamp the sentiment)
Other: Floral Stencil (Tim Holtz); Glimmer Paste - Moonstone (Nuvo by Tonic); Sequins