The Fox in the Forest - Hand Stamped Sentiments #355

 For the Inspirational Challenge  at HSS I added the fox from “Nature’s Best” into the forest from “Rooted in Nature” and added a cardinal from “Snow Front”. The slope was created using the “Curvy Die” and the diecut “Snow” is from an unknown retired Stampin Up die set

On a 4 by 5 1/4” piece of Whisper White card stock I sponged the sky with the new blending brushes applying Balmy Blue in a ‘blotchy’ manner creating a sky 

that looked like it was about to dump snow.

On and below the slope created with the Curvy Die was added some trees.  These were stamped with Old Olive and die cut with the Nature's Roots die.  Also added were some stamped trees from Nature's Best.

The fox was stamped on a separate piece of Whisper White and coloured with Water colour pencils and a Blender pen then fuss cut, and added to the card front with dimensionals.

More sprigs and branches were stamped around the fox and on one of the branches I added a cardinal.

Snow was added to the base of the trees and along the slope using Liquid applique and Dazzling Diamonds.  In one area under one of the trees, some glimmer Crystal Effects was added to make it look like an ice patch. (Actually I inadvertently applied to much Balmy Blue to that spot so this was my "fix")

The sentiment was die cut twice- once in Night of Navy and one in Whisper White.  They were adhered together with each letter off set from the other, and then added to the sky in the upper right.

The completed art scene was added to a Night of Navy card base.

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Nature's Best, Rooted in Nature, Snow Front

Inks:  Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Old Olive, Real Red, Early Espresso, Black Memento, Watercolor pencils

Papers:  Night of Navy, Whisper White

Accessories:  Blender Brushes, "Snow" die cut, Curvy die, Nature's Root Dies, Blender pen, Liquid Applique, Dazzling Diamonds, Glimmer Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

My Favourite Holiday Stamp - PCC #405 and 406

This week the challenge at the Paper Craft Crew Challenge are two challenges combined into one - a sketch challenge and a theme challenge.

This two part challenge involves using my favourite Holiday stamp set to complete the sketch challenge.

I have so many Holiday favourite stamp sets that it was hard to narrow it down to just one.  So I decided to use “In the Pines “ with some elements from “Snow Front”.

Using the new blender brushes (available in January in the new Mini catalogue) I used various shades of blue to create the wintery sky.

The trees from the "In the Pines" stamp set were stamped with Mossy Meadow ink, some using  2 step stamping, and some with second generation stamping.  Some Basic Gray ink was sponged under the trees to ground the trees and provide some depth to the landscape. I also lightly brushed the remainder of the image piece with Balmy Blue ink, creating darker areas for snow banks.

The two little deer from "Snow Front" gave some life to the landscrape.  And of course, no winter scene is complete without glitter and snow.  This was added by heat setting Liquid Applique and Dazzling Diamonds.

The wintery scene was matted with Mossy Meadow card stock and adhered to the left to a panel of Blue/Gold plaid DSP which was adhered  to a piece of Whisper White card stock embossed with the Snow Time embossing folder. All were added to a Night of Navy card stock base.

The sentiment, stamped in Mossy Meadow ink, was punched with the 1 1/2" circle punch.  Before adhering it to the image piece with dimensionals, I added 2 Whisper White die cut trees (top half only) to the back, and stamped some  tree images below the sentiment.

A double gold trim bow was added just below the sentiment.

To finish the card front, I added 3 die cut snowflakes to the upper left.

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  In the Pines, Snow Front

Inks:  Sky:  Balmy Blue, Pool Party, Pacific Point, Night of Navy; Trees and Sentiment: Mossy Meadow, Basic Gray; Deer: Early Espresso

Papers:  Night of Navy, Whisper White, Mossy Meadow, Plaid DSP (retired), Dazzling Diamonds card stock

Accessories:  So Many Snowflakes Dies, 1 1/2" circle punch, In the Pines dies, Liquid Applique (non SU), Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals.White gel pen (snow in sky), Snow Wonder Embossing folder

Snow Front Coasters - a home decor item

Sometimes cleaning a drawer has spin off benefits!
When I was cleaning the drawer in the tables beside the couch, I found a coaster with a scene on it - of mountains and trees and water.
My hands froze in mid air. I gasped! The stamp set "Snow Front" immediately came to mind.  I had made a lot of swap cards for On Stage Toronto using this very versatile set - sSo I had an Ah Ha moment. Use this stamp set to make some coasters!

Here is the result:

These are the first successful two.  I had made others but the process of sealing them caused the colours to run.  Mod Podge was the worst offender.
On a piece of water colour paper, I drew two circles approximately 3 5/8" in diameter (one of the layering circle dies), and used the pencil lines as a guide where to stamp the images. Then I used that same die to die cut them.

For the backing, I die cut two slightly smaller circles - one in chipboard and one in cork.  And for this I used one of the original 3 1/2" circle die by Sizzix.  I got the chipboard on Amazon, but you could use some thick card board instead, and the cork at the dollar store.

After the coaster was sealed using 4 coats of a Krylon spray followed by a spray Shellac all three layers were adhered together using a combination of tacky and hot glue.

The sealant used caused the colours to become darker and more intense, so subsequent coaster were made with a lighter colour of ink.

Partial Die Cutting tabs for Try Stampin on Tuesday #433

I started out by making a dresser card for the sketch/ inspiration challenge at Try Stampin' on Tuesday #433, but along the way, the card morphed into an interactive card with tabs that opened up to reveal a scene inside.  I used a combination of the Water Front and the Snow Front stamp sets to create the scene behind the tabs using the inspiration from the picture in the challenge.

The tabs were created using the partial die cutting technique.

The front of the card is Woodwork Texture DSP adhered to a piece of Whisper White.  This piece was divided in half with 3 partially die cut stitched rectangular tabs created on the left and a larger rectangular tab on the right.

A 1/2" round circle punch made the notch in the end of the tabs so they could be opened a bit easier. In addition some 1/2" Early Espresso circles were added on each tab end.

On the front of the right side I stamped the tree image from Snow Front.

This card front was laid on top of an identical sized piece of Whisper White card stock and with a pencil lightly drew the outline of each die cut opening.   The scene was then created.

Tab 1 opens to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of the scene as well as a black embossed sentiment.

Tab 2 opens to reveal some cabins for camping

Tab 3:  now the left side of the scene is revealed. 

Tab on the right:  reveals the rest of the scene as well as the rest of the sentiment.

This art piece was added to an Early Espresso card front.

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Water Front, Snow Front

Inks:  

Mountains:  Smokey Slate

Trees & greenery:  Mossy Meadow

Cabins and Deer:  Early Espresso

Sky:  Light Seabreeze Spray

Versa Mark

Papers:  Early Espresso card base, Whisper White, Wood Texture DSP

Accessories:  Stitched rectangle dies, 1/2" circle punch, copper metallic embellishments, Black embossing powder

Snow Front - Hand Stamped Sentiment #327 - a tutorial

I don't usually take part in Colour Challenges, but when I saw the colour combinations of the challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments I knew immediately how I could combine them to make a card. 

The colours in the challenge:  Coastal Cabana, Shaded Spruce, and Real Red.  I used the stamp set Snow Front and include a free tutorial

Stamps:  Snow Front, Sailing Home

Inks:  Coastal Cabana, Real Red, Shaded Spruce, Black Memento

Papers:

• Thick Whisper White 4 1/4 by 11, scored at 5 1/2 to make a top fold card base
• Real Red 4 by 5 1/4" - mat for card front
• Whisper White 3 3/4 by 5 - image piece
• Coastal Cabana 4 by 5 1/4" for inside
• Whisper White 3 3/4 by 5" for inside - adhere on top of Coastal Cabana for message.

Accessories:

• Brayer
• Puff Paint
• Stampin' Up Glitter
• Shimmer Crystal Effects

Putting the Card together:

1. Fold Thick Whisper White card base at score line and burnish with bone folder to form a top fold card.
2. Add 4 by 5 1/4" Real Red card stock.
3. Build scene on 3 3/4 by 5" piece of Whisper White.  First, brayer the sky with Coastal Cabana.  Tear a piece of copy paper to protect the lower part of the card while the sky is being brayered.  Apply a light coat of Coastal Cabana on the horizon, applying a darker layer towards the top.  At the very top, add a bit to Shaded Spruce to the Coastal Cabana for the darkest part of the sky. Stamp birds in the sky with Black Memento ink (Sailing Home stamp set)
4. Stamp the mountain using Coastal Cabana ink
5. Stamp cabin in Real Red and snowman in Coastal Cabana below cabin.
6. Stamp numerous trees along mountain base, some in second and third generation stamping and at various levels using Shaded Spruce
7. Stamp larger trees near bottom and near cabin.

       8.Add red cardinals on top of two trees and around snowman.

      9.Add puff paint and Stampin' Up glitter, and shimmer crystal effects on sheet of ice.

     10.Complete inside.

Snow Front Christmas Wishes - Try Stampin' on Tuesday #431

One of my favourite stamp sets of the Holiday catalogue is the Snow Front stamp set.  The versatility in creating winter scenes is absolutely amazing and used it exclusively to make swap cards for On Stage November 19, 2019
So, for the sketch challenge with Try Stampin' on Tuesday #431 (with the optional theme of stripes) I used this stamp set again

The focal image is a winter scene created on a 4 by 2" Whisper White tag made using the Angled tag punch.

I started by using a sponge brayer to apply Balmy Blue and Blueberry Bushel ink to create the sky.  The trees were then stamped with Shaded Spruce ink in first and second generation stamping.  After adding the two deer some puff paint and glitter was added to mimic snow.

A tooth pick and white acrylic paint was used to create the stars in the sky and whisper white polka dot ribbon inserted through the tag top.

The tag was matted with Blueberry Bushel card stock and a sentiment, from Itty Bitty Christmas punched with the Classic Label punch was added at the top right.

This tag was added to the right side of the Blueberry striped card front.  This background was made using the Diagonal Stripe Background stamp.  The striped layer was adhered to a Whisper White layer and then to a Blueberry Bushel card base.

On the inside, I stamped the image of the deer standing beside a tree.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Snow Front, Itty Bitty Christmas, Diagonal Stripe Background
Inks:  Blueberry Bushel, Balmy Blue, Early Espresso, Dark Seaside Spray Stampin' Blend, Shaded Spruce
Papers:  Blueberry Bushel, Whisper White
Accessories: 5/8" White Polka Dot Tulle ribbon, Angle topper tag punch, Classic Label Punch, Dimensionals, Puff Paint, SU Glitter

Season of Thanks - The Paper Players # 462

Thanksgiving - the Season of Thanks - a time to reflect on what we are thankful for.  And this week the theme challenge with The Paper Players is "Grateful, Thankful for You" .

In the note card below, I depict a lot of what I am grateful for - the blue sky, the changing colour of the leaves, pumpkins, and that wonderful turkey dinner shared by family and friends.

The turkey, from "Feathered Friends" was stamped on Whisper White and partially die cut using a square die. After rounding the corners of this die cut, and sponging the edges with Early Espresso ink, the sentiments from "Feathered Friends" and "Gather Together" were stamped in the white space.  Using Stampin' Blends, I coloured the turkey and these colours became the inspiration for the rest of the card.

Doesn't the turkey look like he's calling everyone to dinner?

The sky was brayered  with Balmy Blue ink, and the ground with Crumb Cake with a touch of Cajun Craze. The tree from "Snow Front" was stamped with Early Espresso ink and the colourful leaves were stamped in Crushed Curry and Cajun Craze.  I used the 'falling snow' stamp for the leaves on the trees.

The turkey 'tag' was added to the card front using dimensionals.  But before doing so, the sprig of wheat was stamped multiple times in Crushed Curry and Cajun Craze behind where the tag would be.

Pumpkins, from the stamp set "Gather Together" were stamped on Pumpkin Pie card stock, die cut and added to the card front using dimensionals.

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Feathered Friends, Snow Front, Gather Togethetr
Inks;  Black Memento, Balmy Blue, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Stampin' Blends
Papers:  Whisper White note card, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories:  Gather Together Dies, Layering square dies, Dimensionals, Brayer, Corner Rounder Punch

A Wintery Scene

Oh fickle me!  I'm in love again.  This time its the Snow Front stamp set with its endless opportunities to be creative.

I loved using a lot of the new products to create this  winter scene.  I did not use a sentiment because this may not be used as a Christmas card.  It may be a birthday card for someone celebrating a birthday in December.

The card base is Blueberry Bliss card stock, layered with a frame of Sparkle shimmer paper, the center of which had been die cut with a stitched rectangle die.

The art piece was also die cut with the Stitched Rectangle die, and the scene on the card above was created on this die cut piece.

After tearing a piece of copy paper to protect the white area below, the brayer was used to colour in the sky.  Starting at the horizon, Seaside Spray was applied lightly, followed by Balmy Blue and then Blueberry Bliss.  White acrylic paint on the end of a paint brush created the stars in the sky.

The pine trees in the distance were stamped with second generation stamping using Shaded Spruce ink.  The larger tree in the foreground was stamped with Early Espresso ink, and three little red cardinals added on the branches.  Two deer are grazing near a pond.

To 'ground' the tree and the deer, a dark Smokey Slate Stampin' Blend was used to create shaded areas around the tree base and underneath the grazing deer.

Puff Paint, & Stampin  Glitter are new products that help create some realistic looking snow drifts and snowy patches, and the new Glitter Crystal Effects makes the pond surface look really icy.

The art piece was adhered slightly over the edges of the Shimmer glimmer frame, and this was adhered to the Blueberry card base.

Supplies Used:
Stamp:  Snow Front
Inks:Seaside Spray, Balmy Blue, Blueberry Bliss, Shaded Spruce, Early Espresso, Real Red, Stampin Blends (Smokey Slate)
Papers: Blueberry Bliss, Whisper White, Sparkly Glimmer Paper
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Dies, Puff Paint, Stampin' Glimmer, Shimmer Crystal Effects.

Northern Light Technique

When I worked in the North I looked forward most evenings to seeing the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis.

The bright dancing lights of this Aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere.  They are usually seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemisphere. although I have seen them in southern Ontario.  Alaska is apparently the  best place to see them.

The display is seen in many colours although pale green and pink are the most common.  Shades of red, yellow, green, blue and violet have also been reported.

They appear in many forms, from patches or scattered clouds of light to streamers, arcs, rippling curtains, or shooting rays that light up the sky with an eerie glow. - source - Space center.

Pinterest is displaying a number of cards made using the Northern Light Technique, so today I thought I would give a hand at it.

It was not as difficult as I thought it would be. Anyone at any level can do it as long as you don't mind getting your hands covered with ink.

This is the first card I made using this technique.

I used mainly swaping motions at an angle, using Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Rich Razzelberry and Night of Navy around the periphery of the colours.

Images from "Snow Front" were stamped in silhouette using Black Memento ink, and stars were placed in the sky using the end of a paint brush and white acrylic paint. Then I sprayed the entire scene with a spray comprising of Shimmer paint and alcohol.  This left a lovely shimmer.

Using a stitched rectangle die, I die cut the Whisper White card front with the largest of the die, and the art piece 2 pieces smaller, leaving this nice frame, which was mounted on a Night of Navy card front.  The sentiment, from "Itty Bitty Christmas" was stamped in the lower frame.

Supplies Used:

Stamps:  Snow Front, Itty Bitty Christmas

Inks: Black Memento, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Rich Razzelberry, and Night of Navy

Papers:  Night of Navy, Whisper white

Accessories: Stitched Rectangle Dies, White acrylic paint, Shimmer spray