Monthly Archives: June 2014

Jun 30

Sketchbook Saturday Challenge #125

Morning! It slipped my mind completely that a new sketch is due this past weekend, apologies to everyone who waited for it to happen! Here’s another super-CAS design. Not only I tend to simplify my designs as of the recent months, but I also needed something urgently so CAS came in handy 🙂 I hope you’ll like it.

I utilized the Milk & Cookies stamp set from WPlus9, which I grabbed a good half a year ago, I reckon… along with the corresponding dies. However, it’s the first time those cutie pies saw ink. Why the heck it took me so long to break them out, I have no answer.

I used Simon Says Stamp Fog cardstock for the card base, and stamped the elements using masking, in Versafine (Onyx Black, Vintage Sepia) and WPlus9 (Silver Lining, Sweet Gelato, White) inks. I also altered the sentiment by inking it partially when stamping, a left-hand side alignment looks better in this arrangement than the original centered form.

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If you would like to play along:

- You’re kindly asked to save the sketch image onto your computer first, and if you make a card based on it, please link back to this post.
- Share the link to your creation via the Inlinkz widget below, so that I can come and check it out!
Perks:
- A new sketch is posted every other Saturday night (ideally but I might be late at times), and the link widget is open for two weeks. However, you’re welcome to play any time! Just leave a link in the comments section and I’ll pop in to see it.
- Every now and then, I’ll be inviting one person who uses my sketch, to join me for the next one!


Jun 26

Art journal #1 and a GIVEAWAY!

I mentioned yesterday that I stocked myself with some amazing watercolour products - namely Peerless Water Colors and Derwent Inktense Pencils. I haven’t been quite so happy about a purchase in a long time.
With Peerless I went purely with Jennifer‘s recommendation, after a long personal search for a decent product. Score. They’re THAT good.
As for the Inktense pencils, I tried them before and fell in love with unconditionally. It took me a long time still, to convince myself that I can justify paying so much for them. I knew they’re worth every $$ so it was only a matter of time to break my will 🙂

I’ve been also toying with the idea of using my supplies in the form other than a card (seriously, how much can one possibly fit in the house??) and my choice fell on the art journal. Keep in mind, I’m a devoted self-learner and my knowledge on the matter, including mixed media when applicable, is scarce. I most possibly won’t be wowing anyone with techniques, neither it is my goal. I just want to have some fun because frankly, it all comes down to it 🙂

You would have seen a sneak peek of this page on my Instagram. I’ve been eyeing this stamp (Swallowtail from Stampin’ Up!) for a very long time. I’ve got a thing for butterfly stamps and this one’s I’m smitten with. It’s HUGE and not easy to fit on a card but it’s perfect for a journal page.

I used Peerless Water Colors and an aqua brush to colour it. The saturation of colour is mind-blowing and the paint runs smoothly under the brush, giving a perfect transition from colour to colour. Mind you, I still decided to keep it a bit untidy because that’s how I roll 🙂
For the background around the butterfly, I decided to use Derwent Inktense Pencils, because they give me a better control over the intensity. I added a polka dot texture with a Bo Bunny Distressed Textures stamp and a Distress Ink spritzed with water. I also sprayed the page lightly with Glimmer Mists and smeared them with my fingers before they set.
The hand written quote is from one of my favourite poems from Tomas Tranströmer, who in turn is just about the only poet I’ll ever accept in full (I’m very picky when it comes to poetry) and whose work I’ve been unconditionally in love with for years.


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Right! One thing down, now on to the giveaway! I’m rearranging stuff in my craft room and I recalled that there are a few things I acquired one way or another and I don’t need.

In the lot:
Penny Black Breezy, Love Flourish and Valentine Dance slapstick stamps
Stampendous vintage stroller cling stamp
The Craft’s Meow Tandem clear stamp (company retired)
Simon Says Stamp Thanks for the Support clear stamp
Want2Scrap Stars Five Nestaboard
Want2Scrap Fancy Tags Two Nestabling
Simon Says Stamp Hello Line stencil
Tattered Angels Tatered Tangles (2) assorted paper packs
I’ll most likely add a few bits & pieces to the lot when packing, at my discretion 🙂

They are free to go to one person (all Internationals welcome) who meets these criteria:

- subscribes to my blog (if you don’t yet, please find the appropriate links on the sidebar)
- follows me on social media, be it Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc. One of them is enough but by any means, feel free to subscribe to more if you’d like. Links can be found in the sidebar.
- leaves a comment on this post, letting me know what kind of posts you enjoy seeing most on this blog. Please don’t leave comments limited to “thx for a giveaway”, they won’t be included in the draw. I appreciate my readers who take time to give me valuable feedback, no prize hunters please.

You have until midnight EST on Friday the 4th to enter. The winner will be drawn randomly from the comments and announce here shortly afterwards. Cheers and good luck! xxx

Jun 26

CASE Study Challenge #197

We’re nearing the end of June challenges at CASE Study and it means that this week’s we’re also saying good bye and thank-you to Pamela for being a fantastic Muse. If you didn’t yet have a chance to draw inspiration from one of her cards and share it with us, now is your last chance! Here’s Pamela’s card that we’re CASE’ing this week:

I will be lucky if you manage to see my thinking process there. Oi!
It started with the idea of using my new Hero Arts stamps: Constellation Background for the soft backdrop and You Are a Star for a focal point. Then, following my craze for the also newly acquired Peerless Water Colors, I thought I’d give the background a watercolour wash in the shades of the night sky. I thought to myself, “you’ll have the star pop out nicely against it, if you gold emboss it”.
Well, not really. *rolls eyes*
I mean, the effect is cool none the less but the idea of a strong focal point against the soft background like in the Muse’s card, has vanished in the process. So there 🙂

I’m completely and utterly in love with the Peerless brand of watercolours. I have the Complete Edition Book but I will be getting one, if not both of the remaining sets. They’re all out of stock now at Simon Says Stamp, as they’ve been almost permanently for weeks (undoubtedly because of Jennifer McGuire’s enabling) but boy am I watching them closely! HA!
You can see the whole collection here.

I added a few Pretty Pink Posh Metallic Gold Stars sequins (SSS don’t seem to have stock at the moment but they do have silver ones) and bunched up some thread behind the gold embossed sentiment. As opposed to the photo styling with paint brushes, I used my trusty Aquash water brush to apply the colour to the background, for convenience of use.

Check out the blogs below for the Design Team’s takes on the challenge, or visit CASE Study for the full reveal!

Pamela Ho- June Muse
Jacquie Southas - June Guest Designer
Amy Wanford (Aimes)
Anika Lerche
Anja Curvers
Anna Kossakovskaya (Umichka)
Gayatri Murali
Jill Foster
Jeanne Jachna
Julia Stainton
Michelle Williams
Silke Ledlow (on a Summer break)
Tasnim Ahmed


Jun 23

Iron Craft Guestie

Me again! As promised, sharing a Guest Designer post tonight. The lovely Chaitali posted an Iron Craft episode on her blog, where I get to be interviewed and engage in a fun collab featuring Penny Black products. Penny Black kindly provided a giveaway for the Iron Craft viewers so head on to Chaitali’s blog to see how you could win some!

Here’s my part of the collab… a card with PB yumminess all over it. I combined the stencil with coordinating stamp for a great, textured look. I should really do a video for you guys to see how easy it is to achieve this effect! Fingers crossed, soon - otherwise, feel free to kick my butt or give me a nudge or whatever’s necessary. LOL

So here’s what happened here.
1. After I trimmed the panel of white cardstock, I stamped the Bed Of Roses background in Old Paper Distress Ink.
2. I applied a thin layer of white gesso over it to mute the colours, and set aside to dry.
3. I positioned the Sun Catcher stencil and applied white embossing paste, waited for the paste to semi-dry and then stamped the corresponding Poppy Time stamp directly over it with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. The designs fit perfectly so in result you’re getting a great outline for your stenciled image.
4. After the paste dried completely, I used Memento Luxe inks (Angel Pink, Love Letter, Rhubarb Stalk for the petals and Pistachio, Dandelion & Northern Pine for the stalks) to sponge the colour on the stenciled poppy. The inks have a rich, creamy formula and blend well even on the rough surface.
5. I added a light watercolour wash to the background and sprinkled a few shades of ink mists.
6. Stamped the sentiment from the Kind Words clear stamp set.

Chaitali has a card up as well, featuring the same Penny Black products I used (Sun Catcher & Poppy Time) - see it HERE! And while you’re there, don’t forget to comment for a chance to grab this fantastic duo for yourself 🙂

I hope you’ll enjoy the interview (I was super nervous and it took much convincing to make me do it in the first place!) and that you like the card. Catch y’all later!


Jun 22

More colouring

I made it with an extra post this week after all! This is a fresh stuff from tonight, I’m on a colouring kick apparently and I reached for the sweet Mo Manning image for some creative therapy 🙂 The stamp is called Bubble Heart and is sold by Penny Black, of course. My god, doesn’t it make you smile big time??
The sentiment is from a Penny Black Friendship clear stamp set. I added a strip of a leftover MME paper to the bottom of the card, and a few lengths of washi tape to the top of the panel. I also dug out some buttons. Neither sequins nor enamel dots. I know, shocking!

In relation with the recent announcement of the Gallery Idol winner, which shook the paper crafting community, I want to say that this card, as pretty much any card I ever made, was to some extent inspired by someone else’s artwork / style / mannerism. This time it was my awesome friend Alice Wertz (thanks, chica!) But, I have many muses. Without them, I would create nothing. I kid you not.
Us crafters, we’re all about inspiration, sharing, passing on ideas. And that’s ok, isn’t it? Granted, giving credit where credit is due. That, plus we should all cultivate the kindness and support that our community is known for. Just my two cents.

Here are the Copics I used:
girl jumper & bow: YG11/13/17
boy jumper: B32/34/37
boy trousers: E43/44/47
girl dress: V25/22/20, RV09
girl leggins: V25/22, RV02
girl boots: RV09/06/04/02
girl hair: Y21/23/26, E35/37
boy hair: E41/43/44
skin: E00/02/93
balloons: R00/01/02
ground: E81/84/89
and W0/W2/W5 for shadows on whites

Peace out and see you tomorrow!


Jun 20

For the birthday girl

I have a semi-worthy post tonight, for the lack of a better description… A sort of a blogging stocking-stuffer. LOL
Chuplet is going to her friend’s 5th birthday party tomorrow and I needed a card. The style, stamps and whatnot is something I haven’t done for ages. The artificial light from the ceiling lamp is atrocious. The card turned kinda cute, though - so I thought I’d share anyway, perhaps someone will like it too 🙂

I need to make this post a quickie as well, early morning for work tomorrow (or should I call it a night!). Most of the supplies are linked underneath. I coloured La La Land‘s Birthday Marci with Copics, glittered her dress & bows. The papers come from the ancient Lime Twist line from My Mind’s Eye.
If I can’t make it earlier, I will be back on Monday with a fun Guest post. Cheers!


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