Cards With Color Panels

I know, not a very flashy name, but it does say what these cards I made today are.  I received a free stamp set called Wonderfully Made from Verve Stamps for winning the Mojo Monday challenge last week, so, of course, I had to break it open and ink it up.  These verses are beautifully scripted, and a nice mix of scripture and useful phrases!  Thank you, Verve Stamps!  You can check them out at www.vervestamps.com.  The branch stamp is from Magenta, C48011-L.  Here are the cards, followed by the technique...

I love the striking color and simple design of these cards.  

I took a 4" by 5.25" white card stock panel and used repositionable tape to tape it to my table so it would not move.  Next, tear an 8.5 by 11" piece of paper in half.  Place one half over the card panel, with the torn edge inward, about an inch or so in from the left side; the other of the torn paper over the right side of the panel, with the torn side facing in, leaving a two inch or so space between the torn edges.  Secure the paper with painters tape.  Use Tim Holtz distress inks and with the dauber, apply ink into the open area, blending from light to dark. The distress inks blend beautifully from one color to the other.  With the hombre look so popular now these cards are fun to make, work up quickly, and will have everyone wondering how you did them!  Try different color combinations...you won't want to stop!  Here is the link to the Ranger site where this technique is demonstrated with color pictures and step-by-step directions http://rangerink.com/?ranger_project=simple-summer-thank-you-cards .

Thanks for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I have a couple of cards with an entirely different technique to share.  I just want to be sure the friends I sent them to received them before they see them on my blog.  Hope to see you back here tomorrow.

Blessings,

lynda

Mojo Monday Card Challenge

Just getting in with an hour to spare for the deadline for the Mojo Monday card challenge.  Here is the sketch for the challenge

Here are the two cards I am entering....

I used Darcie's stamps,  and Copic markers.  I'll be back soon, but have to run over to the Mojo Monday blog to enter these.  Hope you're all enjoying your Sunday.

Blessings,

lynda

Christmas Card 2014

As promised, this is my 2014 Christmas card.  I kept it simple this year.  Stamps are Impression Obsession. The die cut ornament is Sizzix.  I used Tim Holtz distress inks.

I also said I would post the shaded version of yesterday's Zentangle page from my art journal. After making a couple of batches of caramel corn and some toffee, I finally sat down to finish it.

May you have a warm and very Merry Christmas!

Blessings,

lynda

Some Doodles in my Art Journal, and a Christmas candy rescue mission

I didn't feel like getting into any of my myriads of projects,  as I was feeling really tired. But there was my art journal, beckoning. So I grabbed a couple of my Zendoodle pens and sat down at the dining room table.  This is what emerged....

That was Friday night and I finished it up Saturday morning before shuffling off to Buffalo to see Granddaugter #1's Christmas dance recital.  It is now Sunday night, and I'm even more exhausted.  We had a great time at recital and with the kids and grands today.  Played games, read stories, watched a movie, and this afternoon Faith, the girls, and I rescued a batch of Christmas toffee that had gone terribly awry.  I'm awaiting the verdict as to the success of this rescue mission.  It's amazing what you can do with some melted chocolate and crushed candy canes.  I gotta say, I was not just a little intrigued with this challenge.  I love a good fixer-upper!  I'm wishing for a piece of it right now!

  

I will add some shading to this as soon as I can string two words together coherently and keep my eyes open longer than ten minutes.  I will post the shaded version on the blog tomorrow, along with this year's Christmas card.  I think everyone has theirs by now.

Blessings, 

lynda

   

Embrace Change Sketchbook Page

So, I'm new at the sketchbook thing.  Trying the whole challenging myself to try new things, to stretch my horizons and step out into new territory.  So, it's fitting that this page is about change.  I'm stepping outside of my comfort zone here.

This is for the Sketchbook Challenge on Flickr.  I stop by quite often to admire the talent of the artists.  I'm intimidated, but decided to jump in anyways.  Joyce Meyer says, "Do it afraid!"  That's my new motto.  I am working on not letting fear hold me back.

I love all things fall, so leaves and fall colors are right at the top of the list.  I was naturally drawn to this challenge.  This is my second attempt at the scetchbook thing.  Not spectacular. I have a long way to go, but it's a start.  I will become better at letting my inner artist out, but one step at a time.

I found some gorgeous leaves outside and pressed them in a book. I used them as a guideline on drawing the shapes and coloring.   I used my Micron pens, and Tim Holtz distress inks to warercolored the page.  I'm not very good at lettering, but this, too, will develop.   Practice, practice, practice!

It appeals to me, this art sketchbook.  It's a form of journaling, and I love journaling.  I'm finding that by combining my art with my journaling, I go deeper and thoughts and ideas emerge that I was not aware of.  

Change....hmmm.  Good?  Bad?  How to handle it?  Where is God in it?  All things to journal about in my writing journal.  The art has helped me open the door to my thoughts. 

I hope you'll stop by at the Sketchbook Challenge on Flickr and check out the wonderful art there!

Let me know what you have tried lately that you've been putting off out of fear of not feeling good enough.  And if you still haven't done it, I encourage you to take the leap and do it afraid!  It is very freeing!

Blessings,

lynda

My Favorite Magenta Stamp Challenge

I had fun with this challenge.  My daughter gave me a Starbucks mug for Mother's Day, and it has a removeable insert that you can decorate with whatever you want.  As I was thinking about this challenge at Magenta Style http://www.magentastyle.com/search/label/Défi%20%2F%20Challenge I happened to look at the mug still sitting on my craft table, waiting for just the right artwork to go inside. The stylized dragonflies are my very favorite Magenta stamps, so I decided to use them, along with some decorative hand lettering (I'm just beginning to get into that, and have a long way to go), and some hand drawn leaves.  I watercolored the finished design with Tim Holtz distress inks and a water rush.

 

This last photo is the insert before I put it into the cup...just so you could see the whole design.

I love stamping and combing my stamps with my drawing and lettering.  Now I need to start working on a fall insert for my cup!

Happy stamping,

Blessings,

lynda

Card Challenge

"J" is for........ This week's Monday card challenge at http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=1778

       When I saw this challenge, I thought of jade, the precious stone.  I did a little research, and found some interesting information about this lovely greenish gem.  

       Symbolic energy and beauty, the traditional and the modern are combined in jade in a particularly harmonious way. And in gemstone therapy it is said that jade 'stimulates creativity and mental agility on the one hand, while also having a balancing and harmonising effect.' 

I read that it symbolizes balance, harmony love, and inner peace as well.

       So this beautiful gemstone brings us joy, vivacity and happiness all at the same time – and what, in our times, could we possibly need more?

       In my card, I used Tim Holtz distress inks on an acrylic block, spritzed with water, then pressed it onto he card stock to achieve the different green and blue tones.  Some of the more valuable pieces of jade, I read, have variances in the green hues, and slight nuances of blue and white, so I decided to use that for my background.  

I used a Crafters Workshop stencil to sponge the swirl in evergreen bow ink, which really makes me think of a jade ring I have.  Using a  lack fine micron pen, I wrote some of the qualities jade is said to impart along the swirl areas.

A couple of Tim Holtz clear stamps for the butterflies, and some pearls finish it off.

     Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to stop by the Simon Says Monday challenge to check out all the great submissions.  And here's a link to my friend Arlene's blog, where she entered a card using "Java" as her J word.  http://www.sundaystamperpapercrafts.blogspot.com/2014/08/well-you-know-how-i-love-coffee.html

Have a great week!  Blessings,
lynda

Watercolor Friend Card

The Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ has a challenge going on called You Gotta Have Friends, and they are showcasing Art Impressions stamps this week.  I made this card for the challenge over on their blog.  Stamps are from the Art Impressions clear watercolor series.

I am also entering it in the Watercolor challenge at the Less is More clean and simple blog http://www.simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/2014/06/week-177-theme.html  .  I rarely keep things clean and simple on my cards, but I used as much restraint as I could muster for this one.

Stop by these blogs when you get a chance and check out the other creations...maybe even enter a card yourself!

Blessings, 

lynda

Distress Markers and Zentangle

Our card ministry group met yesterday.  I wanted to travel lightly and not have to pack half of my craft room, so I brought my Micron pens and journal to work on some Zendoodles.  

For this page I started with a template a friend had made from a Spellbinders die and I traced the butterflies, overlapping  the bottom two.  During the crop, I tangled the insides of the butterflies with patterns.  I added the Einstein quote this morning.  I am not thrilled wih my writing, but am working on lettering techniques, so thought I would just dive right in.  This is the first page of my new journal.  I haven't decided if it's going to be a zentangle journal or a lettering journal.  Maybe it will be both!

I decided to add some color, so pulled out my Tim Holtz distress markers and a water brush.  Since the Micron pen is permanent ink, I just started adding color with my markers and used my water brush to blend.  Here is the finished version:

Have you tried Zentangles?  This is an easy way to get started.  Just trace a template shape, or stamp an open image, and tangle (doodling with patterns) inside the image area.  For more information and ideas about Zentangle, go to www.zentangle.com.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

lynda

Let Go And Let God

If you have ever been on a spiritual retreat, you know how refreshing and invigorating the experience can be.  Finding time away for a few days, or even a day or two, is difficult for most of us.  While getting away from the distractions of every day life is the ideal way to experience a retreat, fortunately, there are alternatives for when our time and resources are limited.

I learned of an online retreat from a blog that I follow, Thoughts On Grace .  On her blog, Colleen Spiro offers the experience of online retreats.  Colleen is a published author and deacon's wife.  On her website, Catholic Prayer Life , you can find information about her books, newsletters (I subscribe to a weekly publication called Prayerful Morsels where Colleen shares from her heart), and three retreats she is currently offering.  The retreats are free, and what I love about them is they can be "attended" at your convenience.  If you have a few minutes where you can sneak away to a quiet, peaceful place, you can do an online retreat.  

The retreat I chose was her latest, entitled Let Go And Let God.  I knew I had chosen exactly the experience I needed when what I was reading described me.  Yes, I have trouble letting go of my 
worries, pain, and concerns.  Yes, I often try to hand them over to  

God, only to take them back because I have control issues.  Yes, I acknowledge that I have difficulty waiting on God and trusting.  

This experience helped me identify specific areas in my life that are taking the place of Jesus in my heart.  It showed me attitudes and attachments that have been detrimental to my spiritual and emotional growth.  And it gave me hope that, not on my own, but through Jesus I can do anything.

I am a journaler, and chose to write about my thoughts on this retreat.  Personal preference...I love to write.  You may choose to just read each day's selection and then spend some quiet time 
reflecting.  We must do what works for us.  This is the beauty of this type of retreat.  You can do it your way.  This particular one was three days.  You can do them three days in a row. Or whenever you have some time to devote to them.  You can spend a few stolen 
minutes, or a couple of hours, whatever fits your mood or 
limitations.


I am also an artist and often use my art as a vehicle to express my feelings.  After these three days, I was drawing in my Zentangle journal.   Zentangle is a form of doodling, for lack of a better word.  More about that in another post.  What developed from that is this ZIA (Zentangle inspired art) piece at the beginning of this article, which I will add to my prayer journal.  As I drew my tangles (all those strokes that form a Zentangle), and prayed, I wrote those things which I have a difficult time letting go of and made them part of my artwork.

I hope you will take a moment to check out Colleen's blog, website, and retreats.  The links are above, highlighted.  Let me know what you think.  If you decide to try one of the retreats, let me know about your experience.

Blessings,
lynda

Distress ink background card

A quick post after a very busy day.  I can post this card now that my BFF received it.  I love making these "spot backgrounds" with my distress inks.  I used mowed grass and peeled paint and scattered straw.  I made a mask out of paper the size of the card with a rectangle cut out of it and sponged the inks through the opening.  After removing the template, I stamped with a splatter stamp and with the leaves.  Very quick and easy card to make...

I am entering this card in the Less Is More challenge here http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com

Hope you're having a great day.

Blessings,

lynda

Embossing Folder Stamping

There is a tutorial on SplitCoastStampers on embossing folder stamping.  I'm always looking for multiple ways to use my stamping supplies.  Using out embossing plates as stamps sounded intriguing, so I thought I'd try it.  I made a few of the backgrounds wih the geometric shaped folders, and those were very artsy...love the look.  Here is he tutorial if you would like to try it

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/embossingfolderstamping/

For my card today, I decided to try one of my beautiful Anna Griffin floral background folders.  I used Tim Holtz distress inks in spun sugar, picked raspberry, shabby shutters, and peeled paint.  Here's my card....

I sponged around the panel before mounting it to my card to soften the look.

The flower was made with watercolor paper and a flower die with distress ink.  I will post directions for the flower on a future post.

I am entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenge 

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-anything-goes-4/

I have been doing lots of zentangles these past couple of weeks.  Seems I've had a lot of stress and they really help me channel the tension and stress in a creative and very relaxing way.  I decided to take a break from the zentangles tonight and make a couple of cards.  I will post the other one when the person I am sending it to receives it.

Blessings,

lynda

Dragonfly Flurry Thank You Card

      I just love this Magenta stamp...it is my all-time favorite of theirs.  I find myself reaching for it often. It's so happy and carefree in style.  I created the background using the direct to paper technique with Colorbox inks, then stamped the image over the background with India Ink Black ink.  A few strokes with purple, green, and white colored pencils, and the background was finished.  All stamps are Magenta... background embossing is Cuttlebug.  I traced the tag and cut it out.
      This is the challenge I entered from Case This Sketch here  http://casethissketch.blogspot.de/2014/05/case-this-sketch-75.html
      And here is my card

Blessings,

lynda

Mother's Day Watercolor Cards

A quick post to tonight so that I can get my Mother's Day cards to my daughter and mother-in-law up. I used a technique I found on Laura Fadora's blog.  The video of how to do it is here.... http://laurafadora.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/virginias-view-challenge-2/

I found some mini stencils I had from Hampton Arts in the Ditto line.  I used Tim Holtz distress inks frayed burlap, worn lipstick, and spiced marmalade.  The die is Spellbinders Garden Weave.  On the daughter card, I sponged through the die cut for the background.  On the orange and pink card, I used a Hero Arts stamp for the background.  I used the mini blending tool to color the dies.

Without further ado....

Close up

...the die is raised on foam tape.

I am entering this card in the Simon Says Stamp spring flower challenge here http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

Close up

I wish all mothers, grandmothers. god mothers. Foster mothers, and mentors a very Happy Mother's Day!

Blessings,

lynda

Hero Arts Soft and Pretty

This card will wrap up my Throwback Stamping Technique series this weekend.  It has been fun playing around with techniques we learned years ago.  Today, I used one of Hero Arts shadow stamps.  I will never let go of these stamps, as I love the effect of the soft shadow to anchor your image

I made my card base from white linen textured card stock.  I used the Tim Holtz blending tool to create a graduated pink to white background.

 I inked the E2054 with Marvy bubble gum pink and stamped off once, then stamped the shadow on linen texture card stock.  I pressed harder on the edges so that they would be more prominent.  Love that dark edge!

Next, I stamped the poppy stamp (sorry, mine is off the wood, so I do not know the stamp number) onto the shadow block I had just stamped, and also on some scrap linen card stock three times  I used some of the ink and a Dove blender to lightly color the poppies on the scrap piece.  Then cut them out and popped them up on the card with foam tape.  Finally, I stamped the phrase C3029.

 

I am entering this card in The Hero Arts Sketch Challenge here http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2014/04/10/new-sketch-challenge/

I hope you had an opportunity to stamp some this weekend.

Blessings,

lynda

Throwback Stamping Techniques

Lately there has been a lot of "throwback" activity on Facebook.  I haven't gotten into it on FB, but it seems I've gone throwback with stamping techniques this weekend.

In my last two posts, I revisited direct to paper inking.  Scroll down to check those out if you like.  Today's card involves not only direct to paper on the main image, but also distressing a book page, and for the background a technique with grocery paper bags, and finally dying seam binding....see this post for seam binding technique http://www.paperartscafe.blogspot.com/2011/02/technique-tuesday-crinkled-ribbon-for.htmlSome of these techniques only go back a couple of years, while others have been around at least twenty years!

The main background of his card was done on the paper bag.  I just took a paper bag and wadded it up to get it good and wrinkled.  You want lots of creases in it.  Then I flattened it out, and used foam applicators to apply acrylic paints. Just add some colors that go well together to create a pleasing collage of colors.  I like adding some metallic paint as well, like the gold I added to his background.  When it is dry, you have some gorgeous backgrounds to use for cards, journals, boxes, any paper craft project.

Now I'm off to church, then a Cinco de Mayo party!

Blessings friends,

lynda

More Magenta and Direct-to-Paper

I'm having so much fun with my Magenta stamps, and Colorbox cat's eye pigment pads.  Thought I'd try to coax spring into being here in upstate New York.  It's still quite cool, and damp!  I embossed these Magenta images, and applied ink directly from the pads over the images, then softened and blended the inks and removed from the embossing with a tissue.

     I'm using a sketch from the Mojo Monday blog challenge and entered this card here http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2014/04/mojo-monday-343.html      I am also entering this in the Magenta Anything Goes challenge here  http://lestylemagenta.blogspot.ca/2014/05/defi-magenta-mai-2014-may-2014-magenta.html    .

And here is my card

That's it for today.  Hope to be back at it tomorrow!  Stop in and say howdy!

Blessings,

lynda

Direct to Paper Inking

I have had a renewed interest in my Colorbox pigment inks lately.  I love the blending of colors using the direct to paper technique that we learned years ago.  I still use it quite often.  Today I played with some blues and greens.  I tried it on linen texture card stock.  Here is my card...

As the name of the technique says, I just applied the ink directly to the card stock from my cat's eye shaped pigment ink pads, starting with the lightest to darkest.  I used a spong to soften and blend the colors.  The stamp is a Hero Arts stamp, which I inked with my India Ink black pad.  Since I used pigment inks on the panel, it was still wet enough to take embossing, so I covered the entire panel with clear embossing ink and heated.  Wow...the image jusy popped.  I love this stamp.  

I'm working on some more cards with this technique.  The pieces are finished, just have to assemble.  Stop back to check them out.

Blessings,

lynda

Faux Glass Flowers

I told you I would be back with another post about what I have been up to this weekend.  These glass-like flowers are actually made from recycled plastic.  I used the plastic packaging from my Spellbinders dies.  Feeling really good about my contribution to earth day!

I used the tutorial from Mary Dimercurio Prasad which I found on Splitcoaststampers.  Here is the link to the tutorial and utube tutorial 

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/fauxglassflowers/

I had lots of fun with these.  I wanted to make another project using them for today's post,  but hung out with my hubby for a while today, and the rest of the day I spent trying to if d the top of my stamping table and organizing.  But if you scroll down to the previous post that I did yesterday, you will see a cars I used one on.  I didn't stamp the words or music on the one on the card...I forgot.  But it's still cute!  That post has a link to another great technique by Jennifer McGuire called faux texture inking...much fun.

Well, I'm going to call it a night.  See you tomorrow... Be sure to stop back this week for more stamping fun!

Blessings,

lynda

Textured Effects With Inks

It has been a long week as I have been trying to recoup from bronchitis. I still have a killer cough and aches, but getting better slowly.  Since they didn't want me spreading germs at work, I've been home much of the week.  As a church secretary, there were a few times I had to go in for a few hours to make sure the bulletin was finished and published, and the right things were finished and in the right place for weekend liturgical ministers and priests.  But other than that and the fact that all my body wanted to do was sleep, I actually found some energy to play a little in my craft room.  Surfing the internet during the 'too sick and too tired to do much' time, I found some interesting stamping techniques and more to try.
In this post, I wanted to try a technique I found on Jennifer McGuire's post. It uses.nylon mesh with a stencil to create a faux texture.  Jennifer's post with a link to her utube tutorial is here:  http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2014/04/video-faux-texture-inking-mini-distress-ink-pad-giveaway.html
Here is the card I made using this technique:

I really enjoyed this technique.  The stencil is one that I won from a MagentaStyle challenge from some of their fabulous new line.  That little glass-like flower I made from plastic I recycled from a piece of plastic from a die packaging!  Come back tomorrow for a post on how I did that...I had so much fun making those.

I checked Home Depot for the nylon screening, but didn't want to purchase the whole huge roll just for this technique.  As luck would have it, a handy-man friend of ours had some in his garage he was going to get rid of....very good timing on my part!
That's it for tonight.  I'm getting sleepy, and this cough is getting to me.  Come back tomorrow!

Blessings,

lynda