Category: Stitched framelits

Distress oxide ink, Joy, Masks/Stencils, Peace & Joy, Stitched framelits

Two for one type of cards

Catherine

I knew I wanted to use the snowflake stencil but I wasn’t entirely sure where to start but decided to emboss through it and then ink smoosh with my distress oxides. As always when ink smooshing I mopped up the ink with some glossy card stock. Love the effect this has on glossy cardstock and it is always fun to end up with two different pieces to choose from. I ended up using the same stencil to also add some ink through onto the glossy card.

I decided to make both into similar cards so cut the panels down into 4×4 (think the darker one is 4.15×4.15) and then set them aside.

I had black cardstock die cut squares on the desk already so I used them to ground the focal image and chose to add a laser cut snowflake, and then the Joy from Peace and Joy (still an absolute favourite stamp set).

I did die cut the bottom layer of Joy from a scrap of the Soft Succulent vellum I had to hand so that has a slight colour to it but it works with the colours of distress oxides I had used.

I chose to stamp the to the world sentiment in the oxide Blueprint Sketch as I had used that in both of the backgrounds and it seemed the right level of brightness.

I then finished them both off with gems, silver for the dark card and these funky blue ones for the other.

Wanted to share these close ups so you can see both the shine of the glossy cardstock on the top one, and also the texture of the embossing on the bottom. Both so pretty especially the way the oxides work when they have reacted with water.

Lots of pics there… hope you like both projects. I can’t decided which of the cards is my favourite… how about you?

Happy crafting!

Catherine

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Amazing Phrasing, Cottage Rose, Masks/Stencils, Stitched framelits

Playing with a stencil and blending tools

Catherine

Hello! Welcome to my blog and todays bit of creativity is my playtime with a stencil and a blending tool.

I created this gorgeous little card using an old Stampin Up stencil and some ink … I kept it quite simple to be honest in terms of the stencilling … nothing too taxing… just did some simple inking through the stencil to the right hand side of the card blank. After removing the stencil I then inked around the area I wanted to place my focal cluster to give it some depth and then splattered some rose gold shimmer ink to give a bit of shine but you probably can’t see that in the pics unfortunately.

Next I added a white die cut. This hangs off the edge a little but as this is a slimmer design card blank (approx 9cm wide) it still fits in the usual envelope.

I then decided on my focal images and went for a Creative Stamping magazine kit I got a week or so ago with the cute daisy type images. I decided to colour them using my blending brushes rather than colour in with pens or paints…

… this gives a nice soft colouring blend. I then fussy cut them both out.

I added them adhering with Pinflair glue gel to give some dimension without having to add foam and then turned to the sentiment. I chose to ink and emboss the Woo hoo! From the Amazing Phrasing set but manipulated the stamp so it was on a curve rather than straight. Then used the same Calypso Coral to ink the background which gives it a bit of a gradient. I then fussy cut that out, again adding with the pinflair to give some dimension.

The Happy birthday was from the Cottage Rose set as its a nice simple font.

I decided to add gems but wanted some colourful ones so coloured them with my stampin Blends markers so they give a little pop of colour.

Really happy with this. The stencilling in the background really just adds some fun pattern without taking over. Love being part of this design team to remind me to use my stencils more often!

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Christmas to remember, Design Team, Digital stamps, Pierced Blooms, Stampin Blends alcohol pens, Stitched framelits, Tonic

DT: Creative Knockouts… Pattie’s Creations Christmas in July

Catherine

Hello! Thanks for popping by. I have another design team creation for Creative Knockouts using an image supplied by Pattie’s Creations. The theme for this week is Christmas in July and so I chose to use the Jingle Bells Trio. The joy of digital stamps is you can make them as big or as small as you would like for your creation… and I decided to go quite big!

I wanted some soft colouring for my bells so went with masking and ink blending to make it soft and with a bit of a gradient.

I then used my Stampin Blends markers to add the bows and the central ribbon and then fussy cut them out.

I have been watching a lot of Jennifer McGuire videos recently and so I fancied having an aperture in the card.

I used my stitched shapes framelits to create the aperture and then adhered the bells over the top … I wanted however to add more dimension so I grabbed the Tonic sentiment die and cut it a couple of times to stack for dimension and coloured the word part using the same Stampin Blend markers.

But when I put it in place I felt it needed something more… I must have been in a more is more mood! So I went a little mad with the Pierced Blooms die cut leaves both on the front and inside the card!

Inside I added a couple more die cut framelits onto one I added a stamped sentiment from Christmas to remember and the other I coloured using the stampin blends to keep the colour scheme going.

I finished with the Card Candi in pink to pick up the soft colouring of the bells in the background.

So the digital stamp became more of a background rather than the focal image, but I think that shows the versatility of using digital images in your projects. Plus this is totally different in the end from how I had imagined it in the beginning … funny how that happens when you just have fun creating!

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Distress oxide ink, Lawn Fawn, Lawn Fawn stamps, Pierced Blooms, Stitched framelits, Visible Image

Hugs for a new home

Catherine

One of my crafting raggy doll sisters has recently moved home so I made this card for her. I was inspired by another Jennifer McGuire YouTube video technique using distress oxides.

I must admit for a while I’ve mainly been using my Stampin Up inks and so neglected my Oxides and distress inks … this might well have got me to fall in love with them again… they do have some fabulous properties that make them fun to play with!

So I started with some mixed media cardstock and blended a heavy amount of the oxides on in the Picked Raspberry and Frayed Burlap. Then I chose my stamps (Visible Image) and inked them in Twisyed Citron and gave a spritz of water before then stamping them. This creates a kind of bloom to the image but still sits some of the pigment on the top.

I then did more stamping with the word stamps and added some drops and splatters of water to give the nice finish to the oxides.

Then I decided on the focal image. I wanted to use the Lawn Fawn sending hugs sentiment but wanted a nice bold flower … but needed something to give it contrast. So I chose to die cut a ring using the stitched framelits out of white. Then used my Pierced Blooms flowers and leaves (I have a big pile of these I die cut from scraps ages ago) and created my flower focal image.

In the centre of the flower I added this little resin flower with a gem (I’ve recently rediscovered a lot of old stash like these flowers and am trying to remember to use them!).

I then raised the panel on foam to give it some dimension.

The envelope I added and image where i added the ink using blending tool so it is multi coloured.

So happy with this cute card. Happy New home Jackie.

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Christmas Greetings, Christmas Season, Fern, Funky Fossil, Splendid Thoughts, Stitched framelits

Inspired by Jennifer McGuire ink lift technique

Catherine

I was watching YouTube videos and stumbled across this one from Jennifer McGuire. It inspired me to have a play with my Stampin Write markers and use the foliage stamps from Christmas Season set to create some fun rainbow coloured cards. 🌈

This first one is the first piece where the colour is laid down, the images stamped on with Versamark and embossed and then the water applied with a clean sheet of paper over the top before running it through the Big shot.

This is the more intense colourful piece and the images are dark where the colour is trapped beneath the embossing.

To this card I added the images stamped and die cut in all the different rainbow colours down one end and added the black contrast (including a Funky Fossil embossed sentiment). I also added a strip of the cardstock I had added the markers to for a rainbow strip! Finished it off with the sequins for some sparkle.

Entering this into the SOMETHING TO SAY challenge at CREATIVE KNOCKOUTS

The second one is the print I created when the water was applied to the first and this white paper added to the top and then run through the big shot. This meant the images are left blank (except the natural bleed of colour) and the colour is soft around them.

This one I added the strip of cardstock I had coloured, plus some Polished Pink cardstock. Then decided I wanted the background panel to be embossed so used the new Fern 3D embossing folder to create some nice texture.

I also wanted a cluster of for the focal element so use a die cut circle of scrap Tranquil Tide and three stamped and die cut leaves behind a circle of white and a fussy cut sentiment. I then added some of the cute little flower elements from my stash as embellishments. I then used a Fresh Freesia card blank as the base.

Love how both these cards looked and how the technique worked. I think I need to experiment more with more ink types and a slightly different papers to see how they all react but definitely a fun technique. I must admit I love the way Jennifer explains techniques and her cards are always so pretty … certainly jealous of her craft supplies collection and in awe of her talent!

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Distress oxide ink, Embossing Folders, Indigo Blu, Lacy Brocade, Merriest moments, Old Paper, Pierced Blooms, Ribbons, Sheena Douglass Embossing Folders, Stampin Blends alcohol pens, Stitched framelits, Tim Holtz

Kendra’s card challenge #3

Catherine

Yet another batch of Christmas cards made using the templates and guides from Cards by Kendra. This time I used the one for challenge number 3. You can find all the details at Kendra’s blog.

This particular template makes 16 cards from base of 6 pieces of 6×6. I used papers from the Indigo Blu magazine kit I got last year, admittedly they are double sided so for some of the card layouts I chose to turn over the paper and use the reverse. It definitely gave me more options when I was designing how to finish the cards.

I learnt from last time to not add too many other pieces of cardstock too so I could reduce the weight of the cards.

Here is the full lot…

I used a few different shades of cardstock in the pale blue and greens along with the shimmer vellum in Evening Evergreen. I mainly used images from the magazine kit of stamps or those printed on the paper kit. Occasionally I added die cuts either as part of the sentiment or leaves for the flowers.

I chose to use the die cut snowflake embellishments on quite a few too … sometimes the iridescent side, sometimes the matt side. They worked well with the papers and the feel of the cards I think.

I did a lot of embossing too… this added texture and worked well with the grungy nature of the papers. Especially when I chose to add ink too.

Thoroughly enjoyed putting these together, the whole set took a good few separate sessions over the course of a few weeks. I particularly enjoyed colouring those Holly leaves and berries, although the fussy cutting less so!

Creating these also made me want to do more with the Merriest Moments embossing folder and get the dies and stamps out for that bundle too… so maybe that will be the next set of Christmas cards …. unless another set of papers and one of Kendra’s challenges tempts me first.

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Joy, Merriest moments, Paper Pumpkin - Joy to the world, Peace & Joy, Ribbons, Sheena Douglass Embossing Folders, Stitched framelits, Tidings and Trimmings, Tidings and Trimmings, Tidings and Trimmings

Kendras card challenge #2

Catherine

I enjoyed making the cards for challenge #6 so decided to make another set using an older template… template #2.

I chose the Tidings and Trimmings papers and stamps and dies for the main focus… but ended up adding other bits and pieces in too like the shimmery vellum and the sparkly speciality paper… I can never resist going a little mad with those fab Peace and Joy stamps and dies either and felt a big word was perfect as the focus of a few of the cards.

Here they all are…

I make the cards in stages…. cutting, then putting the pieces into labelled envelopes, next the layers of cardstock are cut and added to the envelopes. Then I stamp and cut lots of embellishment pieces so I have a little pile to use. Then I start to assemble but not always finish the card topper (I make these as card toppers first before I add to card blanks/make card blanks). Sometimes I just add layers to the paper pieces and add a few bits into the envelope and come back as I know I want an additional element like a ribbon, or sometimes it comes together immediately with everything to hand. But at least this way I get to just do them a bit at a time and 14 cards isn’t too overwhelming to deal with!

As the template is for US sized cards I did have to fiddle a little with the sizing of the final layers to make it fit the UK size cards but it worked fine. I made the card blanks out of Cherry Cobbler cardstock as I had loads of it and then inside added a white panel and some more dsp strips or panels and a little stamping. They were all different but only took one pic of the inside…

Envelopes again I kept simple with some little banners of dsp leftover from the inside panels and that was all!

So another 14 Christmas cards made. Must admit these were a little heavy because of all the extra cardstock so maybe need to remember this and try to gut the layers a little next time.

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Banner Pick a Punch, Challenges/projects, Christmas Greetings, Christmas Pinecone, Christmas Season, Christmas to remember, Embossing Folders, Joy, Merry Moose, Old Paper, Painted Christmas, Pinewood planks, Seasonal Labels Dies, Sheena Douglass Embossing Folders, Stitched framelits, Tidings and Trimmings

Kendra’s card challenge 6 … Christmas in April

Catherine

I haven’t made any Christmas cards in ages … so when I stumbled across Kendras card challenge using 6 pieces of 6×6 to make 15 cards I thought it might help spur me on and help me get started on this years cards.

Of course I forgot using an American template would lead to card sizes that aren’t standard UK sizes so I made mine as card toppers and added them to 5×7 card blanks.

Kendra provides both the cutting guides and the layout/sketches with measurements so this made stage 1 (cutting, layering and grouping together) easy. Next step was to decide how to finish each of the cards off.

I used the Painted Christmas dsp for mine …

And teamed the papers with Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Pear Pizazz and Mossy Meadow cardstock … mainly as that was what I had to hand! I also added in some of the glittery speciality paper too for some fun.

I used different embossing folders, stamp sets, die sets and punches to finish off the cards… some I added inking too, some I kept plainer.

So there you go … 15 cards made ready for December. I always make lots of cards but I then gift them to my parents and my aunties for them to use too … so it helps to get lots done in one go … they then function as a set, although each is very different!

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Arrange a Wreath, Biggest Wish, Birds and Branches, Birds and More, Gorgeous Grunge, Peace & Joy, Ribbons, Stitched framelits

Happy Easter – upgrading and repurposing

Catherine

Happy Easter… whether you are a Christian or just enjoy the chocolate eggs I wish you all the best this Easter!

Back in July 2020 I made a One sheet wonder using some yellow dsp and used the Birds and Branches stamps for decorating a card…

… well I’ve never got round to using this card and I’m trying to work my way through existing cards so I grabbed this one and upgraded it and repurposed it into an Easter card for my parents.

I added some additional stamping in the background adding Calypso Coral and Pear Pizazz. Then I stamped and embossed in white on some Pear Pizazz cardstock the Happy from Biggest Wish and the Easter from Arrange a Wreath in Calypso Coral onto white.

I added these sentiments on foam with the scrap of green and white twine behind. Then added the gems to add some bling.

I think this is a nice upgrade and also good to repurpose the card and get it used!

We are off to see my parents for Easter lunch today so hopefully they will like the bright and cheery card.

Happy crafting!

Catherine

Design Team, Stitched framelits

DT: Happy Little Stampers CAS challenge… water

Catherine

Hello! A new challenge is starting over at Happy Little Stampers today for Clean and Simple with the theme of water.

So I decided to interpret that in two ways… with water splashes and with a boat on the water image!

Now let’s start with a reminder of the rules…

Clean and Simple design with one focal point, lots of white (or open) space and minimal layers and embellishments

So I went a little more complicated than I perhaps needed to but went for a die cut oval aperture with a frame and the image laid on the top, with the inking through the aperture.

Then the card looked too plain so I added texture by sanding some areas and the splashing water and ink.

I think even with the grungy finish it goes with the CAS feel though as I left enough white space.

The envelope I again did a bit of ink blending for the background and then stamped the image off the side.

Hope you like what I made. Something a little different anyway! The image and the sentiment were from a very old Creative Stamping magazine and I often use that image for masculine cards.

Happy crafting!

Catherine