I needed a special birthday card for a very special friend. I know she likes planting and grooming flowers in her yard. The past couple of years, however, deer have been eating all of the fruits of her labor, so she doesn't do as much planting any more. I thought I would send her a flower plant that the deer won't eat......
Stamps: Mondo Hydrangea from Essentials by Ellen and the verse is from the set Lovely from Essentials by Ellen.
The background is patterned paper I had in my stash. It is a lovely creamy color with light brown flower names all over it. I attached the background paper to a coral A2 top folding card, leaving a small margin of the coral paper showing on the left. I used my Clarity brush to add some blending with the color Abandoned Coral from Tim Holtz distress inks.
I stamped the hydrangea and leaves onto canvas paper with India Ink permanent ink. I used Tombow markers to watercolor them, then fussy-cut it and added it to the card using foam tape to raise it up and give the card dimension and interest.
I stamped the verse onto cream card stock, cut it with an Our Daily Bread doubles stitched rectangles die, brushed on some of the same abandoned coral ink, and added it to the card.
Some Studio Katia clear sparkling crystals finished off my card. I addressed it and popped it in the mail. Hope she likes it!
Challenges:
Ellen Hutson Pin Sights Challenge - Inspiration picture (I used the coral-like colors/
Casology - Big
Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Challenge - Anything goes
The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Blessings,
lynda
My card today was inspired by The Paper Players Challenge
I think I may have strayed just a wee bit from the clean and simple aspect, so if it does not qualify, I understand. I would have been ok if I hadn't created the background, but I couldn't resist. I do have a problem keeping to CAS! But, I wanted to share anyways, and I'll take the chance.
I love fall, and all things autumn and fall. I have been seeing those white pumpkins everywhere in the stores, and think they are so adorable, and something different. So, I decided to use this inspiration for my card.
Stamps: Penny Black 'pumpkins' cling stamp 40-145, Penny Black Letter Background 1999L, and Penny Black Curly Foliage 1993J.
I white embossed the pumpkins, then watercolored them using Derwent Inktense water pencils. For the background, I stamped the swirl background stamp in Memories dye white ink pad, and the script background with Tim Holtz distress ink. I used a Copic marker around the outside of the pumpkins to make them stand out and give them some shadow. I used my Clarity stamp brush with some distress ink to distress along the edges of the card.
I did not have a stamp I really wanted for the verse, and I liked the word 'harvest' on the inspiration picture. I decided to go for it and hand letter. Unfortunately, that is when my white Uniball Signo pen decided to not play nice, and would simply not work. So, after playing around with it trying to make it write, I decided to go to plan B. I hand lettered the word with my Prismacolor white pencil. I sharpened it as sharp as I could get it, and went for it. I outlined it with a light tan Copic marker on the left side to help it stand out.
Some spatters of white and brown, and some Spectrum Noir clear sparkle pen finish off the card.
Challenges:
The Paper Players Challenge - Inspiration picture above
Allsorts Challenge - Feels like autumn
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - One layer card
The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge - Color something every day for 30 days.
I hope you are having a great day. Thanks so much for visiting.
Blessings,
lynda
I have a clean and simple card for today for a couple of challenges.
Stamp - Cas-ual Fridays verse from the set 'Big treble'
Dies - Cas-ual Fridays coordinating treble clef die to above set, and Our Daily Bread double stitched rectangle
Inks - Tim Holtz distress oxide, India Ink Black
Other - Studio Katia clear drops
I created the background with distress oxide inks in abandoned coral and worn lipstick, with an ink blending tool, blending out the colors into each other. Then I dropped some water droplets on it from my hand, and used a paper towel to pick up the water and create those white areas.
I stamped the verse with black and let it dry. I cut the treble clef in black and coral, and layered them onto the card, offsetting the coral a bit so the black shows under it. Some clear drops finish off the card.
Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Clean and simple
Happy Little Stampers Die Challenge - Anything goes with dies
Cas-ual Fridays Challenge - Case a Girl Friday - I 'cased' Channin Pelletier's card
Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
lynda
Today's project started out to be a card, but somewhere between the leaf and the background, I started thinking I wanted it to be the cover for my Positivity Journal. And so it is....
Stamps:
Penny Black 'Poetic' cling stamp 40-544
Penny Black verse from the 'faith' clear set 30-409
Other supplies:
Paper:
Canson Canva-Paper
Inks:
Tim Holtz distress inks rusty hinge, vintage photo, fossilized
amber, fired brick
India ink for verse
Other:
Watercolor brush, water, Tombow markers black and brown, 5 1/2 x 7 1/2" Strathmore Mixed Media pad for journal, Faber Castell white Pitt artist pen, black card stock, Clarity stencil brushes, Misti stamping tool, foam finger daubers.
I put my canvas paper into the Misti with the leaf, inked the leaf in fossilized amber and stamped it. As the ink really didn't take easily to the canvas paper (lots of texture and a bit of a finish on it), I used a watercolor brush and a bit of water to fill in the color to the textured areas. I heat it to dry it, then added the other colors. I used the foam daubers to add the colors to the stamp, adding different colors in different areas, then stamping. I kept repeating this process, drying in between, and adding/moving color around with a damp paint brush, until I was happy. It is a challenge working on the canvas paper, but so worth the effort!
I used the Tombow brown and black markers to create the age spots and details, and also the shadow under the leaf. I added some bits of white Pitt pen in the areas where there are holes in the leaf.
For the background, I very carefully added water and some of the distress inks to create a watercolor background. When dry, I stamped the verse, using the Misti so I could stamp it multiple times because of the texture. I layered it onto a black piece and tore a jagged border along the left side.
I cut a piece of the canvas paper the size of my journal, and used my square punch to punch the holes for the spiral binding. I use Clarity brushes to apply rusty hinge and vintage photo distress inks, lightly. I added the cover to the journal and reassembled it.
I hope you enjoyed your weekend, and made some time for yourself and your loved ones.
Adding my project to these challenges:
Penny Black Saturday Challenge- One layer card (I know it's not a card, so I hope it's ok...it is one layer, which I attached to the cover page for my journal cover.
AAA Cards - Autumn colors
Addicted To Stamps Challenge - Clean and simple
Word Art Wednesday - Verse
Thanks so much for visiting. Enjoy your week!
Blessings,
lynda
Today I decided to work on my 'positivity journal.' In a previous post I wrote about starting this journal of positive thoughts and quotes. I decided to combine my love for words with my love for all things 'art.' So, my positivity journal was born.
So...I was really liking this page....then...you know when that little voice in your head says 'stop,' but you ignore it and keep going? Yep...I did that. And I don't like the results. But, I decided to put it out there anyway. This art journaling thing is a work in progress. We learn from our mistakes...and hopefully use them to help us grow. The next time I hear that voice, I will heed! I think. I hope.
Anyways...here's the scoop on the page....
Stamps:
Impression-Obsession Chinese Lanterns (E13185)
Impression-Obsession Solid Florals ( CL124)
Inks:
Tim Holtz distress inks in antique linen, dusty concord, and seedless preserves
Lettering:
My own - a bit wobbly, but I'm just learning, and, hey, you have to start somewhere. I decided to just go ahead and use it in my journal, even though I am not anywhere near good at it...yet.
I removed the pages from a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 Strathmore Mixed Media pad (my journal) so that I could easily do my stamping and drawing/lettering without the binding coil getting in the way. I will put them back in, as I saved the coil. I plan to do all the stamping/drawing/lettering, then put them in. I can then work on the fun part...the coloring and artsy stuff.
I stamped the Chinese lanterns (yes, I know they are orange, but I love purple, and thought they went well with the quote I chose), and watercolored them with the distress inks. I used a fairly dry brush (I like the Silver Black Velvet round brushes...they taper to a point). They look as though I added white, but I did not. It's just the way I used the brush, going in very lightly at the first coat, then adding darker layers by adding less water to the ink, and using a fairly dry brush.
When they were dry, I made masks for the lanterns, then brushed antique linen around them with my Clarity stencil brush. I spattered some water to create those soft white areas. I did the lettering, then added the swirly stamps. That's where I got a little carried away!
So, I am adding my page to these challenges:
Impression-Obsession - Harvest hellos - fall or halloween
Work Art Wednesday - verse
Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media - Collage
Happy Little Stampers Watercolor - Anything goes - optional spritz
The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge
Thanks for visiting. Hope you had a good week, and have some fun plans for the weekend!
Blessings,
lynda
We have had some lovely fall weather lately, then today it turned warm and muggy again, and will be through the weekend. I did enjoy the cooler days, and am looking forward to fall. But although it has been humid and warm, it still cools right down at night. Fall is definitely very close.
So, another fall card......
I am just having so much fun with my distress oxide inks. I created this background with them on watercolor paper, then stamped some Impression-Obsession stamps onto the background - Leigh Hannan medallion stamp (F2258), and a border from their Ornate Borders clear set WP130. The verse is IO, but it is an old one that I had removed from the wood and neglected to record the name and number. Finally, Impression-Obsession Silhouette 18 (E5568) is the main silhouette focus. I spattered some black ink, but had to dry it quickly, as it started to fizz out, and I didn't want that.
I layered the panel onto a black card, cutting it a little narrower than the card so I had a black narrow border along the left.
Challenges:
Impression-Obsession Challenge - Fall or halloween
Happy Little Stampers - Watercolor challenge - Anything goes - optional spritz
Little Red Wagon - Distress it
The Daily Marker 30 Day color challenge
I hope you are enjoying the last few days of summer. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Blessings,
lynda
It's official....I saw two flocks of geese leaving today. Fall is definitely on the horizon. And my fall stamps are making their way to my desk, waiting to be inked. I couldn't resist, so here is my first of the season.....
I do love the rich, jewel tones of autumn, especially in the leaves.
Stamps used: Impression-Obsession Fancy Leaves CC224 Cover A Card cling background leaf stamp. The verse is also Impression-Obsession. I do not know the name or number, as it is one of their older stamps, and I had detached it from the wood and neglected to write the info. Sorry.
Technique: I inked the leaf stamp with Tim Holtz distress oxide inks, then spritzed the stamp so that it was wet, but not extremely runny. I placed a piece of linen card stock onto the stamp, and held it there a few seconds before lifting it. I lifted it off, then spritzed the card with water to get the inks blurring a bit more. I dried the piece, then when it was dry, I very lightly rubbed a damp baby wipe over the surface. This brightened the color somewhat, and also spread some of it into the background, creating a creamy, soft background for the leaves.
I stamped the verse using my Misti, so that I could stamp it a few times to get it dark enough. I spritzed Tattered Angels pearl glimmer mist over the entire panel. In real life, this gave the piece a beautiful shimmery finish. Here is a close up, but still doesn't do it justice in the photo...
I adhered the panel to an A2 card base, added some spatters with a Krylon gold leafing pen, cut a thin strip for along the left edge (I ran the gold leafing pen along the strip before adhering, to carry over the gold from the spatters).
Challenges:
Impression-Obsession Challenge - Harvest hellos (fall or halloween)
Little Red Wagon Challenge - Distress it (I used distress inks)
Word Art Wednesday Challenge - Verse
The Daily Marker 30 Day Challenge
I hope you are having a great week. Thanks so much for visiting.
Blessings,
lynda
Today's card is for a special young lady who has achieved a very important goal she had set for herself. I pulled out one of my old, very old, Hero Arts sets CL303. I love the high heels and fun verses in this set.
I used pink distress ink to create the background with a stencil. I then embossed the vellum strip and the she using Judi Kins Black Opal embossing powder. It has lots of fiery glitter in a black base, and really is striking in person.
I also embossed the border of the layering piece, before applying it to a pink A2 card, then adhering the panel on it.
I am adding my card to:
The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge
Cards In Envy - Cheers to you!
Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
lynda
Today I played some more with my distress oxide inks.
To create the panel, I used bristol smooth paper and Tim Holtz distress oxide inks. I rubbed the inks onto my craft mat, spritzed water to them, and smooshed my card into the inks. I repeated, heating between each addition of color, and added some water droplets to get the oxidation process going. I used a scrap piece that I had left over from cutting larger pieces.
I black embossed a stamp from Simon Says Stamp Handwritten Floral Greetings set and a verse from their Blessed set. I added the panel to an A2 lavender card, and added black lines above and below the panel with a black micron pen. Some Studio Katia sparkling crystals finish off my card.
Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge - Just stamp it
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Stamp it
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday - What you're working on
CAS Watercolor Challenge - Silhouette
The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge
Hope you had a lovely weekend. Thanks for visiting.
Blessings,
lynda
Today's card is for a very special friend. Since she is a fellow gardening enthusiast, I decided to use this Delicate Pretty Poppies LJD-53 set from My Favorite Things.
I had some of this flower names card stock in my stash, and stamped the flowers and leaves on it, colored them by sponging on distress inks, and fussy-cut them. On another piece of the word card stock, I used a My Favorite Things Die-namics die to cut the circle, then layered it onto an A2 card. (I dyed the edges and center of the card to match the ink I used on the flowers). I stamped the stems onto the panel, created a verse piece from some scrap, and added that.
I added the flowers to the card front, using foam tape for dimension, and also placed the leaves. Of course, I had to add some spatters. I know, I am obsessed with spatters!
I added some tiny black micro-beads with matte adhesive to the flower centers.
Challenges:
My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge
The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge
Thank you for visiting. Hope to see you back soon.
Blessings,
lynda
Greetings! Welcome.
And here is yet another card made with an Art Gone Wild Catherine Scanlon designed stamp. Did I mention how much I love these stamps? I couldn't help myself, and had to have this one, also, Chrysanthemum Trio #AGC3-2744.
I stamped the flowers onto watercolor paper, and water colored them with Caron D'Ache watercolor crayons, then added lots of Derwent Inktense pencils to deepen and make the colors more bold. As it nears fall, I'm looking forward to those rich, jewel colors in nature. Just thought I'd give us a little preview here.
The verse is from Penny Black's Hope Shines clear stamp set. Some clear droplets from Studio Katia finish off my card.
I am adding my card to:
The Daily Marker 30 Day Challenge
Happy Little Stampers watercolor challenge - Anything goes optional spritz
I hope you are having a good week. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Blessings,
lynda
Hello, and welcome! Just a quickie post tonight.
I used a Simon Says Stamp die (Circle of Leaves SSSD111664) with black card stock. I mounted some clear acrylic to the back of it, and foam mounted it over a panel that I had sponged with distress ink, and also stenciled with the same ink.
The stamped verse is from Simon Says Stamp Blessed set SSS181378. I embossed it with white, then colored it with Copic marker.
I am adding my card to:
The Daily Marker 30 Day Challenge.
Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - silhouette
Thanks for visiting. Please join me in praying for the people stranded in Florida and lower east coast, for their safety during the hurricane.
Blessings,
lynda
This sketch ranunculus clear stamp set from Simon Says Stamp is sure getting a lot of use in my art room. I really like and use it a lot. It's great for cards, and tags, and even journal pages. I thought I would use it to make another card for a couple of the Simon Says Stamp challenges today.
To start, I stamped the pieces-parts of the set with India Ink black onto a watercolor panel, and watercolored them using Derwent Inktense water pencils. I love, love, love how vibrant and intense these pencils are when you add water, and they are easy to use.
Because the pigments in these pencils dries permanently, it does not run when water touches it when it is dry. So, it was easy to create a watercolor background by dropping some distress inks colors onto the paper, and manipulating them with my brush.
I added some spatters, and some flat sequins from Pretty Pink Posh. The verse is from SSS It's Your Birthday set.
I am adding my card to the The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge. I am also adding it to these challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stamp it!
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge - Just stamp it!
Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Challenge - Anything goes with spritz
I just got a phone call from my granddaughters, who are very excited about starting school tomorrow morning. They had to tell me what they were wearing, what they packed for lunch, and how excited they were. I wish I was able to be there in the morning, but they live in Buffalo, and I would have to leave here at 5 AM to get there on time to see the 7th grader off. We will Face-Time them in the morning. I'm so happy for FT!
Now, it's off to do some knitting for while before retiring for the evening. Extra prayers tonight for the victims of hurricane Harvey, and for the folks in Florida as hurricane Iris heads their way.
Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
lynda
Today I had a play with my Polychromos colored pencils, and some Tim Holtz distress inks. I used stamps from Simon Says Stamp! Birthday Celebration set.
This little elephant is just so adorable, and I needed a birthday card for a little one whose birthday is coming up soon.
I stamped the images with a very light gray distress ink, then colored it in the no-line coloring fashion with colored pencils. I used distress inks for the phrase, and also for the brushed color along the edges. Top-fold A2 size card, with some ink spatters, and a few Nuvo Jewel Drops.
I am adding my card to the The Daily Marker 30 Day Challenge .
Other challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stamp it!
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge - Just stamp it!
Less Is More - Lime & royal blue
AAA Cards Challenge - Creatures great and small
So glad you stopped by today. See you tomorrow for the 30 day color challenge!
Blessings,
lynda
Hello! And welcome.
So this happened in my art room today.....
For the background, I used the smoosh technique with Tim Holtz distress ink in a couple of yellow colors to apply watercolor to the journal page. I stamped the image (Art Gone Wild Daisies by Catherine Scanlon) with my India Ink Black ink pad. I used Caron 'dAche watercolor crayons, and Tim Holtz distress inks to paint the image. For the lettering, I used a fine Sharpie pen. I drew the letters with pencil, then penned over the pencil and erased the lines. Along the right side of the design and letters, I used my N0 Copic marker for shading. For the spatters, I used distress inks, and some white acrylic paint mixed with water.
A couple of posts ago, I posted a card on which I used a stamp from Art Gone Wild by artist Catherine Scanlon. I had purchased some of her stamps at the Buffalo stamp convention a couple of weeks ago, and am just wild about them. They are gorgeous, and BIG. They stamp beautifully, and have such potential.
Although they are large, I like these stamps for cards. They can fill the entire front of the card easily. Or, you can use portions of the stamp on the card. I especially like them with watercolor, but will be trying lots of different mediums with them. Can't wait to try my Copics!
I have been getting lots of ideas and inspiration on Catherine Scanlon's blog . Catherine is an amazing, talented artist. Her creations are larger than life, full of color and interest, and so lively. I love her concept of having a Positivity Journal! So much so that I have decided to start my own. Seeing Catherine's journal pages inspired me to try making one. I love the idea of having positive quotes, mixed with inspiring art, in a journal form. Being able to flip through now and then, when I need inspiration, or just uplifting, positive thoughts is what I would like this journal to be.
This first feeble attempt is my starting point. I look forward to seeing my growth by the finishing of this journal. I will be practicing my lettering, and trying different techniques. I will be posting here, along with my usual card posts. I hope you will be inspired to try something new as well.
Note: For the journal, I am using a Strathmore mixed media 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch spiral bound pad.
I have removed the spine to make it easier to work on stamping the images and do the hand lettering without a spine getting in the way. (A tip I picked up watching Catherine's YouTube videos). Now that I have made my first page, and am hooked, I will be stamping and lettering pages and inserting them in the journal, and putting it all together. That way, whenever I want to color or paint, or play with my inks, I will have my own personal coloring-book in my Positivity journal. Now I have to come up with a cover design!
Just click on the links to visit Art Gone Wild or Catherine Scanlon's blog. Thank you for stopping in today.
I am adding my card to The Daily Marker 30 Day Challenge.
Also:
Allsorts Challenge - New beginnings. (My new Positivity Journal project)
Word Art Wednesday
Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Challenge - Anything goes/optional spritz
Thanks so much for visiting.
Blessings,
lynda
Greetings. Welcome back! I hope your are enjoying your Sunday, and finding time to relax and create!
I made a couple of cards for our grand daughters for back to school. I wanted to color something for The Daily Marker 30 Day Challenge, and thought I would do double duty here.
For six year old Kennedy Grace, the superhero fanatic and major tomboy....
Inside says Have a super school year. Colored the super hero girl (from Darcie's Heart & Home cling set JCS281) with colored pencils and layered. Stenciled the dotted and striped panels on white card stock with red distress ink. Studio 490 Dots & stripes border.
And for twelve year old, now seventh grader, Keeley Ryan...
Inside: Hope you have an amazing year! Colored the owl (from Darcie's Heart & Home cling set JCS208) with Copics. Added Spectrum Noir sparkle glitter pen to bow and on inside flower.
I had fun making this pair of cards for my girls. I am entering the set (as one entry) in these challenges:
The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge
Allsorts Challenge - New beginnings
Addicted To Stamps Challenge - Make your mark
The Paper Players Challenge - Back to school
And now, it's time for a little wine, and maybe a couple of games of Farkel with the hubs!
Thanks for popping in. Enjoy your evening!
Blessings,
lynda
I thought I would try out one of the new stamps I purchased at the Buffalo, NY stamp convention a couple of weeks ago. This stamp, designed by Catherine Scanlon for Art Gone Wild, is one of my favorites. It is called Cup & Vine AGC2-2762. I love all of her designs. I know I will be buying more!
I stamped the image onto a watercolor panel, and watercolored it with Tombow markers and a watercolor brush. I stamped a bit of the stamp again onto a watercolor scrap, and cut out one of the flowers, painted two of the petals, and added them to the front as though they had fallen from the flowers onto the table. I hand-lettered the tag onto a piece of scrap watercolor paper, and just added a few spatters and spritz.
I added it to a larger square card to finish it off.
I am adding my card to these challenges:
Allsorts Challenge - New beginnings
Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Challenge - Anything goes - optional spritz
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes
The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge
Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
lynda
Greetings! Welcome to September, the gateway to fall! I'm sure I will get some 'boo's' here, but I have to say, I am looking forward to the fall season.
Today I decided to do some stamping on kraft card stock. Cas-ual Fridays has a challenge to stamp on kraft, and use white ink. So, here I go.
I used Cas-ual Fridays stamps from the Casual Comfort clear set for the image and verse, on kraft card stock.
I stamped the branch with white Color-Box pigment ink onto some kraft card stock, dried it with a heat tool. I stamped the image slightly off over the same white image, using Tim Holtz distress oxide ink in vintage photo. Then used a Lawn Fawn die (stitched scalloped borders) to cut out the border, then also cut it from white card stock, and layered it underneath the kraft panel.
I cut another panel from kraft card stock, and stamped the verse in white and vintage photo. I added the image panel over the verse panel using foam tape for dimension. Some spatters, layering, and a dragonfly charm that I dyed with a Copic marker finish off the card.
I am adding my card to these challenges:
Cas-ual Fridays Challenge - Use kraft and white
Casology Challenge - Square
Less Is More Challenge - Use something real (charm)
I am also putting it in the The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy your day.
Blessings,
lynda
