Wednesday, October 26, 2016

WWC91 - Marsha's Masculine Challenge

http://watercoolerchallenges.blogspot.ca/
Time for another Masculine Challenge, hosted by Marsha. And the theme is Anything Goes. That leaves it wide open for colours, occasions, project type (card, 3-D, home decor, packaging, etc.)

I think most of us struggle with masculine projects, for one reason or another. So this challenge is perfect for getting the ideas flowing.

The first thing that popped into my mind was to take a look at the Serene Scenery DSP Paper Stack. I picked the one that looks like strips of wood in a herringbone pattern.

Next, a quick look through all my non-flower, non-feminine stamp sets, and the one that caught my eye was The Wilderness Awaits.

And here is the result:
I stamped the elk image using Archival Basic Black onto Whisper White. Using markers, I coloured the rock with Smoky Slate and the elk with Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Tip Top Taupe.

Next, I sponged the background with Soft Sky, and then used the speckled stamp from Touches of Texture to add some interest. My plan was to stamp it in Soft Sky, which is what I inked it up with, but when I put it onto the cardstock, it looked a bit like Sweet Sugarplum! Hmmmm, guess I didn't clean my stamp off after using it last. But, I kind of liked the effect, so I'm calling it a happy accident!

A little sponging around the edges with Dapper Denim and a sentiment from the same set finishes it off.

Visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge Blog to check out what the other members of the Design Team have come up with, then show us your Masculine Anything Goes project.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Celebrating Fall

http://wackywatercoolerstamping.blogspot.com

This month we are celebrating all things Fall - or Autumn, if one prefers. Since we have blog hop participants from all over Canada and the US, you may notice how each area of the two countries sees different things in the same season.

If you're following the Hop in order, I am first in the line-up. If you joined somewhere along the way, then you may be coming from Heidi's blog. She always has the most amazing projects! Although we are in the same country, we live in different provinces. Just occured to me - we each now live in the other's current province! Did I just confuse you?

Here in Canada, we have already celebrated Thanksgiving. However, there is nothing seasonal about needing thank you cards. An array of lovely leaves in their autumn splendor makes a great thank you card.
This was so fun and easy to do. I picked three inks - Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie and Tangerine Tango - to stamp the leaf image from Vintage Leaves onto a strip of Watercolour Paper. I did one at time and after stamping each one, immediately went over the whole thing with my Aquapainter to spread the ink. Along the edges, I used the same technique with another image from the same set, in Garden Green ink.

A light wash of Sahara Sand on the background and some shadows under the leaves gives everything some dimension. Mount the image on a panel of Cajun Craze cardstock, wrap some Linen Thread around it and then mount that onto a Thick Whisper White card base. The sentiment is from Thoughtful Banners, stamped in Cajun Craze.

Next up is a fall-themed birthday card, using the Woodland Embossing Folder. This folder was such a hit when it was introduced in last year's Holiday Catalogue, that Stampin' Up! gave into all the clamouring from us demonstrators and brought it back in the 2016-2017 Annual Catalogue.

It is a keeper, for sure, so I just had to use it for this Hop!
This cool technique is one I first saw done by an incredibly creative Australian demonstrator, Ann Craig. First step is to put ink right onto the embossing folder. I used a brayer and put Tip Top Taupe on the bottom and Dapper Denim at the top. Next, I stamped the dog image from The Wilderness Awaits using Archival Black Ink - again, right onto the embossing folder.

Next, place a piece of Whisper White cardstock carefully into the EF, trying not to smear the ink, then run it through the Big Shot.

After embossing, I took my Aquapainter and went over the raised trees with Soft Suede. The dog is coloured with a Smoky Slate marker, and I added the green at the bottom with Always Artichoke.

I sponged the edges with Dapper Denim and mounted it onto a Dapper Denim card base. The sentiment and frame are from the Rose Wonder stamp set.

For my final project, I went back to Vintage Leaves. In going through my many boxes of crafting stuff after a move earlier this year, I came across some little grapevine wreaths I had picked up somewhere. It was time to finally use one!
I stamped three of the leaf images with Delightful Dijon ink onto Crushed Curry cardstock, then cut them out with the coordinating Leaflets Framelits. To give them some texture, I just scrunched them up and sponged the edges with Delightful Dijon. Glue dots hold them together at the top.

For embellishments, I strung three of the cute little Pinecone Embellishments from the 2016 Holiday Catalogue onto some Linen Thread and attached to the leaves with a glue dot. The bow on top is a few strands separated from the extra thick Crumb Cake cord that is also found in the 2016 Holiday Catalogue, as is the Copper Thread that is loosely looped over the Pinecones. A length of burlap ribbon makes the hanger.

Here's a close-up of all the details:
Now you're off to visit Marsha, one of our US hoppers. She is so inspiring and I know you will love her projects! Just click on the 'Next' button below to continue your journey.

http://coffeepotstampingcafe.com
 http://wackywatercoolerstamping.blogspot.com 
http://heidistampinalong.blogspot.com

WWC211 - Kath's Feminine Anything Goes Challenge

https://watercoolerchallenges.blogspot.com/ It's a feminine theme this week from Kath. A perfect opportunity to play with my new butte...