Thursday, March 28, 2024

Cover Die Eclipse - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of a new technique at Group of Seven.   Julia introduced us to this fabulous technique that is a twist on the Eclipse (or Camoflague) technique.

I had it in my head that I wanted to use a stencil, even though the technique calls for stamping a large image. :)  I made two stenciled card fronts using the lovely Sunflower stencil from Magenta, sponging with Distress Inks (Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Rusty Hinge, Mowed Lawn).  One was used at the base of the card front, the other was die-cut with a Hello Frame die (AliExpress).  I cut two more of the Hello Frame dies from white card stock and layered them with the stenciled one on top.  The final step was to glue the die-cut stack on top of my card front, lining up the images.  I'm so happy with how this turned out!! :)

Please check out the details for the technique and link to video on the blog ...
Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...
  • Even though this is called Cover Die Eclipse, you don't have to use a Cover die.  You can use regular dies, or a mix of a few different dies to create your pattern.
  • You can use a stamp or stencil to create your design.  This makes the technique more versatile.
  • Patterned paper is also a great alternative to stamping an image.

Sending the sunflower card to Stencil Fun March Challenge.

* * * * *
For the card above, I used a large stamp (Pinecone Background - Simon Says Stamp), inking the image with shades of green and brown Distress Inks and spritzing with water before stamping.  I die-cut my top layer using a frame die (Sizzix - Rachel Bright) that was gifted to me many years ago.  The card is finished with a black stamped sentiment (Big Scripty Greetings Holiday - Simon Says Stamp - retired).

* * * * *
... and one more ...
This time I used patterned paper for this technique.  It worked great!  I used images from a set of papers from AliExpress.  There were two of each design ... one solid and one on vellum.  I used the vellum image for the background, layering a couple of die-cut white layers (I used a honeycomb corner die in the bottom right corner).  Then added the solid image for the top layer, also cut with the honeycomb corner die in the bottom right corner.  The image comes outlined with gold, so I simply added a gold metallic die-cut sentiment (Happy Birthday Friendship Script- Memory Box) to complete the card. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:
Stamps:  n/a
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Rusty Hinge, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Sunflower stencil (Magenta), sponge brushes, Hello Frame die (AliExpress), white Posca pen 

Card #2:
Stamps:  Pinecone Background (Simon Says Stamp); Big Scripty Greetings Holiday (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media Paper (Fabriano 108 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Gathered Twigs (Tim Holtz); Black pigment ink (Obsidian - Altenew)
Accessories:  Water mister, Sizzix frame die (Rachel Bright), 

Card #3:
Stamps:  n/a
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Patterned Paper from AliExpress; Gold metallic paper (SU!)
Ink:   n/a
Accessories:  Honeycomb corner die (unknown); Happy Birthday Friendship Script die (Memory Box)

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

IDEAS - Anything Goes

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the IDEAS Challenge with Darnell.  This week is "A - Anything Goes".
For my Anything Goes, I'm using a NBUS stencil (Fir Branch - The Crafter's Workshop).  I've had this stencil for a long time, so I'm happy to finally be showing it some love. :)  I sponged over top of the whole stencil with Shabby Shutters Distress ink and then more colours over top (Peeled Paint for the Needles, Gathered Twigs for the pinecones).  To finish, I used the Ground Espresso marker to outline the pinecones sections, and Mossy Meadows (SU!) marker to add a line at the top of each needle.  I removed the stencil and then to give the pinecones more umph, I lightly sponged Gathered Twigs over top to fill in any white space.  A simple sentiment (SU! retired) stamped in more Ground Espresso finishes the card.  

Close-up ...
I'm sending the above card to NBUS Challenge #60.
Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Christmas Greetings (SU! - retired)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Fabriano 108 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Fir Branch Stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), sponges

Monday, March 25, 2024

Rudolph Days Challenge Guest Designer

Hi everyone.  I'm thrilled to be Guest Designing at Rudolph Days Challenge ... thanks Helen!!
 

This is one of my favourite Christmas bird images (Snow Bird - Stampendous).  I stamped in Black Pigment ink and heat embossed in clear before watercolouring using Distress Re-inkers:  Black Soot, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Salvaged Patina ... and Mowed Lawn mixed with Ripe Persimmon).  I coudn't find my brown re-inkers so I mixed together the green and orange to get a unique colour for the bird.  I used my Posca white acrylic paint pen to go over the snow on the berries and branches and then also used it to splatter falling snow.  Added a sentiment (Christmas Messages - Hero Arts) in black.

I die-cut the bird using the Snowflake Frame (Amy Design) that I won a while ago from Rudolph Days.  It's so pretty!!  I cut a few extra frames and adhered them together to create depth, adding some shimmer spray onto the top layer (very subtle and doesn't show in photo).

Close-up ...
Rudolph Days Challenge - Anything Christmas goes, runs from the 25th of each month until the last day.  I hope you'll join in!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Snow Bird (Stampendous); Christmas Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Obsidian Pigment - Altenew); Distress Re-inkers:  Black Soot, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Salvaged Patina, Mowed Lawn + Ripe Persimmon (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour brushes, Snowflake Frame (Amy Design), White Posca acrylic pen

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Penny Black - Daisy Darlings

Hi everyone.  Today my card uses one of the images from the new release, Daisy Darlings (Penny Black).  Such a cute image!! :)

I went with an oldy (but goody) technique of paper piecing.  I used a piece of Pear Pizzazz (SU!) soft green paper, dry embossed it with a cross-stitch embossing folder (gift from a dear friend) and then highlighted the embossing with distress inks.  

I used distress inks to watercolour the bear, adding some red chalk to his cheeks with white dots (Posca pen).  Used a distress marker to colour the ribbon and handle (all of these are cut out and added on top of a stamped image on my main panel.  To finish, I die-cut and embossed a frame (Semi-Circle Stackers - Penny Black) and added a sentiment (Happy Snippets - Penny Black).

Close-up ...

Penny Black Products


Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Daisy Darlings; Happy Snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Pear Pizzazz card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Black Pigment (Obsidian - Altenew); Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Shabby Shutters (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour paint brushes, Cross-Stitch embossing folder (Taylor Expressions), Semi-Circle Stacker Frame die (Penny Black)