Beribboned Easter Egg

Hello!  I'm happy to have a moment to be here today, considering all the remodeling disruption at our house these last couple of weeks.  It's noisy, it's messy, and I miss my bathroom!  We're not even close to being done yet as we still have LOTS more remodeling projects lined up.  It's crazy!

I took a day to finish an Easter card I've been coloring in tiny bits a minute or two at a time.  I love this Power Poppy digi called Vintage Easter Egg.  It colors up so prettily!

I used my go-to Tombow markers and blender on hot press watercolor paper.  Delicately patterned paper was used for the frame, with a corner die cut added for flourish.

My apologies for not being around to visit for a while.  I can't even imagine what it will be like when we start on the floors.  Please bear with me!

For those who would wonder:  LuLu was treated for an eye injury and appears to be healing nicely.  We saved her eye and she's as adorable as ever.  Thank you so much for your visit today!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Vintage Easter Egg digi  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 & 110 lb, retired Memory Box Spearmint designer paper  Ink:  Printer  Coloring:  Tombow markers & blender  Dies:  Memory Box Oval Master Frame and Melinda Corner  Other:  Rhinestones

CAS Mix Up Reminder: Print Making with Die Cuts

It's mid-month reminder time at CAS Mix Up!  Our host, Bonnie, gave us the nudge to try our hands at print making with dies.  Turns out it's quite a lot of fun!  Don't forget, this is a 5 yr birthday celebration for the challenge, too, and there are prizes to be won.  I hope you'll hop over and celebrate with us!

 

I made my card about a month ago when I tried the technique for the first time.  Hey, if I can do it. . .

Bonnie gave us a video link for instructions:  Print Making by Kathy Racoosin 9:11

I've used an older Rose Bouquet die and Spectrum Noir sparkle watercolor pens.  I hope you'll take a look at what the rest of the team and our talented guest designer, Ros, are offering up for inspiration.  They've got some beautiful stuff!  Now, let's see yours!

Have a fabulous day!

Stamps:  Lawn Fawn Wavy Sayings  Paper:  Arches 140 lb cold press watercolor, other white card base  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (sentiment)  Coloring:  Spectrum Noir sparkle watercolor pens  Dies:  Die-namites Rose Bouquet, Lil' Inker Side Stitched Rectangles, Lawn Fawn Fancy Wavy Banners

Soft Shamrock

Hi!  I made it back with a single flower for Power Poppy Friday.  Going for a very soft and feminine look, almost a monotone, I used a Power Poppy digi stamp called Shamrock 'n' Roll. 

I did lighten the image quite a bit before printing, yet the lines were much more visible than they appear in the finished product.  Probably no such Shamrocks exist in nature, but I took liberties with the coloring just so I could coordinate with the papers I'd selected.

I cut the image with the fancy lattice die and then placed an oval die from the same set in the center and traced the inside line to give it additional framing with an out of the box appearance.

Coloring was done with Tombow markers and blender on 140 lb hot press watercolor paper.  Sentiment is from a retired Power Poppy set.  Did you notice the four-leaf clover above the sentiment circle?

For all who may be wondering:  LuLu is being treated for an abscess on her eyeball which the vet believes is due to injury.  I'm still waiting for the improvement I wish to see.  Worried mom that I am, I asked that she be checked for glaucoma.  Results were negative.  We return for a second recheck in another week.  One dog at a time.  Both appear happy and vigorous, so fingers crossed.  Thank you for your kind concern.

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Shamrock 'n' Roll digi, retired Power Poppy sentiment  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, SU Sage Shadow and Pink Pirouette, Memory Box Spearmint designer paper (retired)  Ink:  Printer, Sage Shadow  Coloring:  Tombow Markers with homemade blender solution in a blank Copic pen  Dies:  Marianne Designs Anja's Oval, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Spellbinders circle dies  Other:  Pink gems, SU Subtle embossing folder for card base

Birdhouse Row

Hello, friends!  I hope you're well.  We're still waiting for the vaccine and carrying on safely in the meantime with multiple home improvement projects, as well as visits to the vet for some worrying issues with Wally and LuLu.  I'd like to report good news on that, but it remains to be seen.  That's all I can say at the moment.

Taking some quiet time in my stamp room is therapeutic.  My right hand with trigger finger is not all the way better, so I have to be careful with it.  However, I just had to color something.  It's been a while since I reached into my basket of not-yet-used stamps, so I pulled out this Birdhouse Row by Impression Obsession.  It was a gift from a friend who knew I would love it.

I colored with Copics on X-Press It Blending Card and put together a simple design with patterned paper, gingham ribbon, and a resin sentiment circle, all of which have been with me for many years.  Added some sequins, including the stars just for fun.  I made two cards with this stamp.  The other card is similar enough that I didn't photograph it, but I'm feeling good that I gave this cute stamp some love.

Back to business now, but I'll try for crafty time, too.  I'm feeling a little out of the flow.  You know how it is -- if you don't use it you lose it.  Take care!

Stamps:  Impression Obsession Birdhouse Row  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card for colored panel, Neenah classic white for card base, SU Bashful Blue, Chatterbox designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Resin sentiment circle (source forgotten), gingham ribbon, Fiskars scallop scissors, sequins, Spellbinders Scored and Pierced Rectangles die

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge Returns

We're back!  The Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge is up and running again after a three month hiatus.  I appreciate this challenge just for the fun of it, and that's a good enough reason for me.  Let's play!

The mood board is provided for inspiration, but we are not required to follow it.  Our challenges are always anything goes as long as it's Halloween themed.  I like the idea of using the board as a jumping off point, just a self-challenge so to speak.  In this case I went along with the eyeballs.

Eyeballs in the sentiment, wonky eyeballs on the spider... mostly old supplies on this somewhat busy card.  Smooshy watercolor background.  Just fun.

Hop over to the Two Old Bats Challenge blog for colorful samples and then share yours in the gallery!  Have a great day!

Stamps:  DJ Inkers, Whipper Snapper  Paper:  Neenah Super Smooth 110 lb white, Lime green cardstock, DCWV Happy Halloween mat stack  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Cool Caribbean  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  K&Co swirl trim, Doodlebug spider, Memory Box Wrapped Stitched Frames, Cheery Lynn Spider Net

CAS Mix Up Challenge: Print Making with Die Cuts

Hello, and welcome to another CAS Mix Up Challenge!  This month the focus is on watercolor and Bonnie has one of her favorite watercolor techniques for us to try:

But, wait, there's more:

Be sure to visit the CAS Mix Up Challenge Blog to see how we're celebrating!

I've been intrigued by the print making with die cuts technique and have wanted to give it a try, so now is the time.  My results are subtle, but interesting.

Bonnie has provided a link to this video which I watched for basic instructions:  

Print Making by Kathy Racoosin 9:11

I may have veered off into my own thing.  Techniques would be so much easier if I had a computer in my stamp room, sigh...

After spritzing everything with water, I painted the dragonflies on the backside with Spectrum Noir sparkle pens, then pressed onto the panel.  Then I painted the front side of the dragonflies, and when everything was dry I glued them in place.  Added splatters.  That's the simplified version.  I highly recommend watching the video.

I hope you'll take a look at the challenge blog to see the samples by the team and our guest designer, Ros.  They've achieved some beautiful results.  Back to the drawing board for me because I do think this technique is worth trying again.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Lawn Fawn Wavy Sayings  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, SU Tempting Turquoise, other white card base  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black for sentiment  Coloring:  Spectrum Noir Sparkle watercolor pens  Dies:  Elizabeth Craft Dragonfly, Lawn Fawn Wavy Banners