Masking Unleashed...Altenew Educator Certification Program

As some of you may know quite a while ago I started the Altenew Educator Certification Program.... well I got a bit waylaid... I finished Level 1 and had all but one Level 2 assignment done and sort of lost the plot.

So today I got home early...work was slow so I allowed to go home a bit earlier than my rostered time... so decided to do a card... and I'd been re-watching the "Masking Unleashed" class.   This was a class with Svitlana Shayevich as tutor.   This was an awesome class, taking us from simply masking to more complex ways of masking... using both positive and negative masking.  I learnt a few good tips and tricks from this class...like if you cut your own masks it's a good idea to trim just inside the stamp lines, so that you don't get a halo around the stamping.

My  little card today used a variety different masking techniques.  It's a smaller then usual card being 3.5" x 4.75"

My first masking was some simple masking using some yellow post-it notes torn roughly to mask a space across the middle.  I then used some Vanilla Cream and blended it over the rest of the card. 

My next few steps involved stamping over the centre masked bit.  The stamp is from Nature Blossom.  Altenew has started making masks and stencils to go with their stamp sets so it makes masking easy.    I used the mask to cover the flower and stamped the leaves..  I then used the stencil/negative mask to add some blended inks over the leaves and then I stamped the layers from the stamps set. 

I then used the flower negative mask and used Coral Berry  and Vanilla Cream ink to blend over the flower before adding the stamped layers.   I stamped the sentiment and then used the masks to cover the flower and leaves.  I lost the leaves from the set, so cut some from post-it notes.  I used some Milk Chocolate ink to add splatters to the rest of the card.

The sentiment is from the Nature Blossom as well.   I was really pleased how all my masking turned out. 

So that's the last level 2 class done and dusted.  - Now to see how I got on.  I will have a final assignment to do. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Have an awesome weekend.

Christmas at Die Cut Divas

The last day of the month and I have a card to share for Die Cut Divas.  Our theme this month is Christmas in July and our sponsor is:

Cheapo Dies has increased their inventory with the addition of well known die brands like Elizabeth Craft Designs, Memory Box, Sizzix, Hero Arts, PoppyStamps, Lawn Fawn and a whole lot more. Be sure to check Cheapo Dies out here.

Cheapo Dies offers a $15 gift certificate as the prize for our winner of the July challenge.

Today I have a little Nativity scene to share.  My dies were a freebie with a magazine, but be sure to check out Cheapo Dies for Christmas dies.

I CASE'd one of the samples on the back of the cardboard that the dies were attached to.  I changed up the colours, the sentiment and the stars.  I took a variety of cream, yellow and green cards to cut each of the borders and then trimmed off some of the palm trees and camels.  The sentiment is from Altenew and I added some white stars with a gel pen.  

You have just one day left to enter our challenge at Die Cut Divas.  

WWC 282 - Fifth week Anything Goes.

Hi there.  New challenge at Watercooler Wednesday.  And it's the 5th Wednesday in July, it's an Anything Goes challenge.

Today I have a sweet little card to share.  I got a commission to make a card for a little girl turning one.

For this card I used a sweet little digital image from Rachelle Ann Miller Creative Studio.  It was a freebie for a while at Kit and Clowder but is now available from Rachelle's site 

I used some Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol to blend the pencils.  I used a little sentiment from NZ company Hastings Rubber Stamps.  I used a Nellie's die to cut out my focal panel and added it with some fun foam to a card that I had covered with some Patterned Paper.  

Come and join in the fun at  Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and check out the project from the other designers.  Then take our challenge and link up your project to the challenge post.    We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday at 5 pm Mountain Standard Time (Tuesday at 11.00 am NZ time ) to link up your project.

Exploring Watercolour Mediums...Day 1 homework

I have been taking an Altenew Academy class called "Exploring Watercolour Mediums"  - so far I've watch Day 1 and Day 2 videos  and I've done my Day 1 homework.

Day 1 technique was to use inks as a watercolour medium by stamping and then spritzing with water.

I used Leaf Canopy for the leaves and Fabulous Florets for the flowers.  I used the same technique to stamp the flowers.  Once they were dry I used the outline layer to gold emboss the flowers before die cutting.  I used the same technique to colour some white card.  I used a MFT reverse stamp to add ink and water.  I used the Bold Thanks die to cut out the pink piece.  Finished with part of a sentiment from Sentiment Stripes 2 and a few green sequins and added some gems to the flower centres.

Now to catch up on Days 3-6 videos and the homework.

Christmas in July at Die Cut Divas

Hi there.  It's time for me to share my card for Die Cut Divas - our theme for month is Christmas in July.   We have an awesome sponsor this month -

Cheapo Dies has increased their inventory with the addition of well known die brands like Elizabeth Craft Designs, Memory Box, Sizzix, Hero Arts, PoppyStamps, Lawn Fawn and a whole lot more. Be sure to check Cheapo Dies out here.

Cheapo Dies offers a $15 gift certificate as the prize for our winner of the July challenge,

so get started on the Christmas cards!

Today I have a CAS card.  

I embossed the background with a Couture Creations folder.  My poinsettia is by Spellbinders.  I die cut the three inside petals in red card and used the rubber mat to emboss.  I cut the largest layer in green card to simulate the leaves.  I added a little pearl embellishment to the centre.  

Do come and join the challenge this month.  And don't forget to check out all the goodies at  Cheapo Dies here. 

Farewell to Southern Girls Challenge

It's a sad day - after nearly 10 years the creators of Southern Girls Challenge, Lou and Tracy, have decided it's time to say goodbye.... today is the final post for the challenge.  Some of the past and present designers are sharing projects.  I have done two stints with the group... the last one for the past year or so.

Today I am sharing a little gift box I made.  I follow a UK Stampin' Up demonstrator called Sam (Pottles.co.uk)  She makes lots of different boxes.  This one uses an 8"x 8" piece of card for the base and a 6" x 6" piece for the top.  I used kraft for the base and some PP for the top.

I recently got Heartfelt Creations Wild Rose small stamp, die and mold set plus the Classic Rose stamp and dies.   I stamped, die cut, inked and shaped the individual flowers before putting them together.

So it's Adieu from Southern Girls. Come and check out the wonder projects from past and present DT members HERE

WWC 281 Heidi's Challenge: All About Occasions

Hi there..  Time for the latest challenge at Watercooler Wednesday.  Our hostess is Heidi and she has an All About Occasions Challenge.

Today I'm sharing a card I made using a technique called Scrappy Strip.  I saw it on a video .

Instead of using scraps,  I decided to use some new papers I picked up from The Warehouse a couple of weeks ago.  I took 3 different sheets and some white card and cut out some stripes of various sizes.  I added them to a purple background.  I die cut a sentiment using a technique I saw at Splitcoaststampers.  It's called Faux embossing.  You added clear packing tape over your coloured card and die cut it out.  Gives it an enamel look.  A super cool quick way to get the look of an embossed die cut without the hassle.  I finished the sub-sentiment in silver embossing powder.  Both the die and the sentiment are from Hero Arts "Hello - Stamp'n'Cut"

Come and join in the fun at  Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and check out the project from the other designers.  Then take our challenge and link up your project to the challenge post.    We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday at 5 pm Mountain Standard Time (Tuesday at 12.00 noon NZ time ) to link up your project.

Hero Arts FB Group scramble.... Colouring....

Hi there.  Over on Facebook, the Hero Arts Scramble group had a 90 mins challenge (run over two weeks - just chose the 90 mins time slot that suited you!  Well I found some time yesterday to play...

I found my Pearlescent paints a few days ago and have been trying them out again.  For this one I used Hero Arts Delicate Blossoms set (these are my favourite Poppy stamps) and the Find Joy sentiment set.  Both of these are older sets - 2010 and 2011.  I used some Antique Silver EP from Altenew to emboss them.  I used a couple of tones of red/pinks to colour up the flowers.   Added the pearl gems (mainly as I blobbed some of the red paint on my card!) to finish off.  I manage to get the card done, photographed, edited and onto the FB page in just over one hour. 

I had a couple of days leave this week as Hubby was on school break - so no driving the kids to and from school.  We went to the movies - first time this year!!!!  Splurged out of Gold Class - reclining chairs - plus I order a hot chocolate that was delivered half way through the movie... Has now put me off normal movie watching...   Then on Friday, we drove about 40 mins north of home and did a lovely walk around the Orewa Estuary.  7.58kms (4.7 miles )  It took us 1 hour 32 minutes.  We made it before the weather closed in so were happy. 

Hope you all have a great weekend and stay safe!

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Clean and Simple.

Hi there people.  Welcome to my post for the latest Sweet Stampin' Challenge.   Our theme this week is CAS (Clean and Simple)

My card is a Christmas one

This is  digital image from Whimsy Stamps called Penguin Elf  I stamped it onto some white card and coloured with Copics and Prismacolour pencils.    I added a sentiment that I have in my stash (not sure who it is made by) I added some embossed edging to add texture. 

I am entering this into the Christmas Kickstart challenge - theme: "Hatty Christmas" 

Do come and join us at Sweet Stampin' Challenge with your CAS project. 

WWC 280- Kath's Challenge : Anything Goes with a Masculine Twist.

Time for this week's challenge at Watercooler Wednesday... It's  Kath's turn to host us and she has an Anything Goes with a Masculine Twist

Our friend, Michael has his birthday in July so this is the card he will be getting. 

I started with some light grey card and using Newton's Nook 2 layered Argyle stencil I made my background.  My white lines were made with a white gel pen through the 2nd layering stencil.   The sentiment is from a Catherine Pooler set called "Fill in the blank Birthday"   

Come and join in the fun at  Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and check out the project from the other designers.  Then take our challenge and link up your project to the challenge post.    We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday at 5 pm Mountain Standard Time (Tuesday at 12.00 noon NZ time ) to link up your project.

Border Dies from Altenew.

I bought some new dies by Altenew from my local online store (Krafters Cart) and had some fun playing with a few of them

First up:

This die is called Floral In'N'Out border die.   It is very intricate die.  I die cut some white card and then layered it onto some black card.  The Bold Thanks die was cut from black card with a little surgery to chop of the S.  The shadow layer was cut with some vellum/  The little you is from Simon Says Stamp.  A few pearls and I called it finished.

Second Card

For this card I used the Leafy Border Die.  It cuts the die and leaves the top and bottom connected.  I used a piece of background I had created with some yellow and grey inks and a swiping technique.  I use some of the same background to create the Thanks letters and used some black card for the shadow and the mat around my card.  I added a little sub sentiment from Sentiment Stripes.  I added some 3D liquid drops to finish.

Third card

I used the Floral In'N'Out die again this time with some Altenew striped paper.  I back it with some blue card.  I stamped a happy birthday sentiment and some pearls.  Again a nice and simple card but looking very elegant with this die.

I really had fun making these cards.  I also got the large Circle Hello Die which I still have to use. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Hope your weekend is going well.  I had a great weekend with a trip north to our friends and a visit to see Grace on our way home.  She is growing so quickly now and I am starting to be able to understand some of her words.  Not bad for 14 months old. 

WWC 279- Helen's Challenge: All About Occasions.

Hi there - time for another challenge at Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Helen is our hostess with an All About Occasions.  

 I'm back today with another Fern card using the Freebie stamp and die set from Issue 202 of Simply Cards & Papercraft.   I used the small leaves to stamp the background with some green Distress ink and sponged on the same ink.  I die cut the dark green fern and one from the same paper I made.  I used the outer die to partially cut the fern on the white card.  Added the other two ferns.  The sentiment was stamped onto white card and cut with a flag end.  Did the same with the bronze card.  Added a a green button and some white twine.

Come and join in the fun at  Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and check out the project from the other designers.  Then take our challenge and link up your project to the challenge post.    We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday at 5 pm Mountain Standard Time (Tuesday at 12.00 noon NZ time ) to link up your project.

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Holidays/Travel/Vaccations

Our new challenge is up at Sweet Stampin' Challenge.   The theme is :Holidays - interpret how you wish - at home, where you'd like to go, what you might do.

With COVID-19 New Zealand's borders are closed and travel overseas looks like being a long time off..  Our plans were for travel to Perth, Australia for Christmas but that seems like a dream now.   Hoping that by June next year the family in Perth will be able to make it here to help celebrate my son's wedding.  Praying it will happen!

Anyhoo... today I am sharing a project I did a long time ago.... to journal a trip we made to England, France and Italy.  Way back in 2010

Most of the stamps used here are from Hero Arts stamped onto some patterned paper.   I dug this out again and had such fun reminiscing about our fantastic holiday in Europe. 

 Do come and join us at Sweet Stampin' challenge.  We would love to see your creations

June CCC Reveal.

Hi there.... Over at The Card Chain Challenge it's reveal day.

I have taken part in a large number of the swaps.... For June my card went to Linda in Michigan, USA

I used the beautiful stamp that I was gifted by Altenew. It is called "A Gift for You" and also has an personalised greatting.   I stamped the flowers and used some teal and green Copics to colour before fussy cutting the image.    I used the sentiments from Hello Gorgeous set also from Altenew.  I used the Copic marker to colour up the little piece I added at the side with some gold washi tape.  A fairly CAS card.  

WWC 278- Michelle's Challenge: Anything Goes with a Feminine Twist

Hi there - time for another challenge at Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Michelle  is our hostess with an Anything Goes with a Feminine Twist.  

Today my card does not involve any stamping - just utilises some pretty patterned papers and some washi tape.

 The main panel is some paper from a pack by Uniti called Urban Retreat.  This paper was bought from The Warehouse for about $5.  It has beautiful gold foiled papers including several sheets with sentiments on them.  So I cut out one of the sentiments to mount on the beautiful wood grained foiled paper.  I had folded my white base in the incorrect place - 10cms instead of 10.5cms - so added the extra red checked piece at the side (it has a bit of gold foiling as well) and then trimmed it all to American A2 size.  A thin stripe of gold washi finished it up.  It's so hard to photograph gold foiling well... but I think you can get the picture!

 Come and join in the fun at  Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and check out the project from the other designers.  Then take our challenge and link up your project to the challenge post.    We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday at 5 pm Mountain Standard Time (Tuesday at 12.00 noon NZ time ) to link up your project.