TGIF211

The challenge this week at TGIF Challenge is a tough one... the dreaded no layer card.

It did however, force me to my desk to try to put into practice an idea that had been percolating for a while. I wanted to use the gorgeous large image from Good Morning Magnolia in a one layer setting, as if it was being viewed through a window. Here's how that turned out...

Good Morning Magnolia will be available for purchase when the new catalogue goes live on 4 June. 

Because it was a no layer card, I couldn't use blends to colour because they would bleed through and look unsightly so I got out my SU Watercolour pencils and blender pen instead. 

The faux frame is sponged in Flirty Flamingo with a touch of Berry Burst. The centre of the flower has a Wink of Stella touch of bling.

If you live in New Zealand and don't have a demonstrator, I'd love to be yours. I can help you with ideas and provide you with Stampin' Up products. Message me by visiting my Facebook page  - there's a link in the sidebar of this blog. Or you can leave a comment below. You can shop with me from anywhere in New Zealand by clicking on the SHOP NOW button in the sidebar or clicking on any of products below will take you to my on-line store.

Product List
Good Morning Magnolia will be available in the new catalogue, 4 June.

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

[140490]

$16.25

Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad

[147052]

$15.75

Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad

[147143]

$15.75

Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad

[147117]

$15.75

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$12.00

Blender Pens

[102845]

$25.50

Watercolor Pencils

[141709]

$33.50

Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2

[149014]

$26.25

Stamping Sponges

[141337]

$7.25

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

$14.00

The Paper Players 398 - Design Team Card

It's CAS week - Clean and Simple week - at The Paper Players and Jaydee has given us this theme...

I've been wanting to try out using coloured pencils on Kraft for a while now, so this challenge seemed a good chance to get out my favourite bird set, Best Birds, since it's great for colouring. Because it's CAS week, I stamped the bird and branch straight on to the Crumb Cake base and got to colouring with my watercolour pencils.

To balance up the bird, I made a banner using the texture stamp that's part of the set to give more weight to the 'Happy Birthday' greeting. I possibly veered a little away from complete CAS-ness when I added in the bird's nest of linen twine and copper thread but I think it's ok, especially since I was giving this to my husband!

So, pop over to The Paper Players and see what the rest of the team have done with Jaydee's CAS Bird challenge, then break out your favourite bird stamps and join in with us.

Here's a quick reminder of the rules at The Paper Players.

1. Create a NEW paper-craft project specifically for this challenge.
2. Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to us.
3. Please provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge entry.
4. Please link your card to no more than four challenges, total. Entries linked to more than 4 challenges, including ours, will be deleted without notification.
5. Have fun!

And remember to keep this one CAS: lots of open space, minimal layers and embellishments.

If you live anywhere in New Zealand and don't have a Stampin' Up demonstrator, I'd love to help you with ideas and Stampin' Up products. Please message me through my Facebook page, linked in the sidebar of this blog or leave a comment below. 

And, of course, you can shop with me from anywhere in New Zealand by clicking the SHOP NOW button in the sidebar of this blog or by clicking on any of the products listed below.

Product List

Best Birds Photopolymer Stamp Set

[141525]

$44.00

Birds & Blooms Thinlits Dies

[141477]

$54.00

Early Espresso A4 Card Stock

[121686]

$17.75

Crumb Cake A4 Card Stock

[121685]

$17.75

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

[147114]

$15.75

Watercolor Pencils

[141709]

$33.50

Layering Ovals Framelits Dies

[141706]

$69.00

Linen Thread

[104199]

$9.75

Copper Metallic Thread

[141696]

$6.50

Freshly Made Sketches 321

A quick swim and a trip to the movies is a pretty perfect way to finish off the weekend but first, I did manage to get this card done for the challenge at Freshly Made Sketches.

Perennial Birthday is another new set that I bought from the Occasions Catalogue but I'm only just starting to play with it. This challenge seemed a good chance to give it an outing.

I've been using Stampin' Blends a lot lately so decided to use my watercolour pencils and blender pen this time. I like the soft look they give. Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry blended nicely in the large bloom too.

Ingredients

Card: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Shimmery cardstock, Whisper White

Stamps: Perennial Birthday

Inks: Stazon, Tuxedo Black, Smoky Slate

Other: Watercolour pencils, dimensionals, rhinestones, blender pen

All products Stampin' Up

Playing with Pencils

This is a first for my blog life: a post that is not about entering a challenge. No friends, this post is just because I've been having some fun experimenting. The long summer school holidays give me lots of time in my craft room and in my latest box of Stampin' Up goodies were the new watercolour pencils and some blender pens.

I'd long overlooked blender pens in the catalogue. I didn't really understand what they did. When I wanted to colour, I used ink and water. My days experimenting have given me a new tool in the toolbox. Blender pens are the business when it comes to making watercolour pencils sing! Yep, complete and utter convert.

Blender pens smooth out the pencil lines and make the pencil act like paint but the colour is more intense than with water. I like that you can use the blender pen, like water, to pull colour into an area to easily give variation in colour. I also like that you can pick up colour with the blender pen directly from the pencil lead if you want a strong burst of colour. You can see all this in these pictures.

I like that there seems to be a bigger degree of control with the blender pen and it's generally kinder to the paper. With watercolour paper, or even shimmery cardstock, that's not an issue but it is with the Inside the Lines DSP, available as a Sale-a-bration item.

I'd never really understood the attraction of adult colouring in, although as a stamper I probably should have. But this paper ticks that box. I have just had so much FUN colouring it and then using it to make cards. I've still got a lot of exploring to do.

Today, I'm sharing a couple of my experiments. There's nothing too original about them. Pinterest is full of similar types of things but everyone has their own little spin on them. Here's mine.

If you live in New Zealand and are interested in these pencils ($33.50 for 12) or blender pens (3 for $20) or any other Stampin' Up product, message me or click on the SHOP NOW button in the sidebar.