52 CCT August Technique Challenge

It's my last week hosting the challenges at 52CCT.  I had so much fun this month.  This time I chose something I have not done in years.  A challenge that involves color and a WOW affect.   It's called Joseph's coat technique

This is how you begin....start sponging ink onto a glossy or matt cardstock.....place as much color as you want and where-ever you want them.  I made sure to dust it after the color was down because the next step is to heat emboss. I did not want any stray embossing powder to stick where I did not want it.

Next, stamp a background image or a bunch of little images with Versamark and emboss using a clear embossing powder.

Now use a brayer or sponge or direct ink pad to paper to cover the whole paper with a dark ink.  I used Staz-On black here with a brayer. Here is where the WOW affect comes in.  Wipe the ink off the embossed areas and it will now allow the color you put down first to show through. 

Here are two more that I did.  I have not made them into Christmas  cards yet.  I used black but remember....any dark color over the top will work. 

I hope you give this technique a try!  If you do, head on over to 52CCT to share with us.  We would love to see what you came up with.  

Netta

All Geared Up for a Birthday

Have you ever failed at sending out birthday cards to family members?  No?  Just me?  Hmmmmm

I have a big family and so far this year I have failed miserably at sending out all the cards.  Sad to say but it has been a hit and miss.  (If any of you read this...I still love you! *S*).  There are only 2 this month so I made sure to get the cards in the mail this time.  Here is one of the cards I mailed out!

I die cut a piece of shiny silver cardstock with the Steampunk die that I bought from Amazon.  It was much bigger than the A2 card so I had to trim it off along 3 sides.  The die also comes with the two clock hands.  I used Alcohol Ink to color the big piece and glued it down.  The mat is just black cardstock.  The words were printed out with Microsoft Word. 

Hope my brother receives it in time!

Netta

Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink

 Copper Mixative, Sailboat Blue, Mermaid, Cranberry

Amazon Steampunk Die

52 CCT August Theme Challenge

Today was a lazy day for me so I pulled out some stamps from My Favorite Things to play with for this challenge.  I had no idea what I was going to do so I don't want to tell you how long it took me to make this card!  LOL but...it was fun and relaxing while I figured it all out. 

What I chose for this weeks challenge at 52CCT was Elf or Elves.  I had visited MFT store a few months ago and couldn't wait to use them for this challenge.

There are 3 pages in all.  You can see part of page two until you open the stairs page. 

The tree stamp is very old so I don't know what Company made it. It was perfect for this card because the expression on the Elf with the Christmas Ball has a surprised look.  The tree looks like it is about to fall over.  I used my Misty as I needed it stamped 4 times so I could cut the layers.  I fussy cut each one and then used a transparent silicone glue so I could layer the pieces.  I often use this kind of glue for layering instead of pop ups, as I can control the height better.  You just have to have patience to let it dry or you will accidently flatten it down.  There are several brands but here is the link to the one I use....Transparent Silicone Glue.

To make the base of this card...I made two A2 cards and put them together so I could have 3 layers.  Start with one card facing like a normal card.  The 2nd card is actually like you are going to open it backwards.  Two back pieces are glued together.  The Front left is where I cut the stairs from.  I first experimented with a 12" cardstock but realized if I fold it 3 ways, the card would only be 4" instead of the A2 card size.

The sentiment, front and back, both came from the MFT Santa's Elves set.  I love these Elves.  They are so adorable.

I am please with the way the card came out but one thing I wished I had done.  Since each section is more than one thickness, I could have easily hid a small thin magnet behind the stairs and on the 2nd page to keep the front closed.  Next time!

If you came straight to my page, then head over to 52CCT and check out what the Designs Team came up with for my challenge!

Thank you for visiting....

Netta

Copic #'s: E00, E13, E27,  RV02, YG05, YG17, R29, R39, B21, B23, BV13, FB2, Y18.
For the Glitter and Christmas Balls:  Stickles Lemon Ice, Green, Sapphire,  Gold,  Shiny Christmas Red and Shiny Winter White
Stampin Up Die was used for the stairs.  

52 CCT August Color Challenge

Second week for me to be the hostess over at 52CC and color challenge is up for this week.  For this challenge, I chose the colors dark blue, teal and either bronze or copper.  

I used Stampin Up bronze foil cardstock.  Have you ever had that one sheet of paper that you hung on to for that "special" card?  The bronze foil sheet was mine.  I cut out Penny Black Holly Flourish, Simon Says Stamp Frame, as well as both IO small & large Poinsettia's dies.

My teal was the feathery ribbon and the teal Perfect Pearls background.  I inked up Ellison Holy Background with Perfect Medium and dusted it with teal powder.  I inked up Close To My Heart "Merry Christmas" with Perfect Medium and used the Stamp Lift Technique.  It left a watermark Merry Christmas 4 times across the front.  It is hard to see it so I took photo with flash to show you.

The first photo is just the holly background stamp inked, stamped and dusted.

This second photo, Merry Christmas was stamped from top to bottom with just Perfect Medium.  When you stamp with just Versamark or Perfect Medium, it will lift off the Perfect Pearls that was already stamped down. 

The rest I die cut and glued them all together.  

I do want to show you a trick that I have been doing for years.  Every word die set I get, right away I die cut out all the words out.  I line them up on a laminate sheet and laminate them.  I save the sheets with the dies.  Now every time I am not sure where or what size word I want on my project, I pull out my laminated sheets and I can now see!   It's helped me out a lot in the past. 

Now head on over to 52CCT and check out the other examples by click on the picture below!

I would love to see what you did as well!

Netta

52 CCT August Sketch Challenge

I am so excited!  It's my turn over at 52CCT to be a hostess for the whole month of August.  I have some great challenges so stayed tuned each week!

The first challenge and the first Saturday of the month is always a sketch challenge.  The sketch I chose is called a Triptych Sketch.  What is a Triptych Sketch?  

Triptych is a work of art divided into three panels.  It leaves all kinds of room to use your imagination to create a beautiful card and I can't wait to see what you came up with.  Remember, a sketch is only a tool to help you get your ideas flowing. You can flip it around to see what works for you. 

Here is the Triptych Sketch.  When you click on the sketch, it will take you to the challenge site 52CCT.

52CCT

I flipped the image to the left so the 3 spots in the corner ended up in the left top corner.

My 3 boxed areas became windows to see outside trees and snow.  The stamp I used is actually called "Natural Tree Triptych".  Unfortunately, I cannot find the company who made the stamp as I have had it awhile now.  It is 3 snow covered trees placed just like the boxes in the sketch.  Each was colored with Copic #B28 for night sky and stamped with tiny SU snowflakes. 

I have a Halloween punch that punches out to make blood dripping.  I punched out a long piece and turned them into icicles by making the rounded bottom of the drip a little more pointed like an icicle. I used Stickles Diamond to sparkle them up like ice and I also did the 3 trees as well.  Once dried, I glued them to the back of the window... to hang like ice dripping off the eves on the outside.   Each window was glued over a tree with the two outside windows popped up.     

To finish off the card, I die cut Sizzix Christmas phrase "Noel" twice (1 red and 1 green) and glued them together... the green slightly off set from the red.  Here is the finished card.

Don't forget to check out what the other Design Team members did with the sketch at 52cctblogspot.com.  
Hope you get to play with this Triptych sketch as well!  

Netta

52 CCT July Stash Challenge

I got the best compliment from my husband tonight.  He said even the most simplest card I make, is better than any other he has seen.  

For those who know my husband...he is my biggest critic...so for me to get a compliment like that?  I will take it!!!

Penny Black "Scarlet Majesty" is the main focus on this card.  Stamped with Memento Angel Pink and a little coloring with Copics #RV55, RV00 and YG11.  Since Ribbon was the challenge...I dug out some left over pink ribbon for the bow and around the card.  Shiny Black from Scribbles finished off the card for the flower center.

Check out 52 CCT for more ideas from the other Design Team members by clicking on the picture below and then dig out your ribbon stash!

52 CCT July Theme Challenge

1/5/2020 update:  This card was chosen as one of the Best of 2019 at Splitcoaststampers.com #10

Challenge at 52 CCT is to use a Non-Traditional Image.  I asked a friend what would she do for a Non-traditional challenge.  She offered a few choices and I guess using a Halloween image with Christmas is pretty non-traditional!  Thanks Pam for your ideas!
First I found the Witch rubber stamp and then I drew out so many plans on paper on how to use it before I made a decision.  Once I decided where to place everything, I stamped the witch and the tree branches.  Next I colored them in with copics.

The next step was coloring in the background but I needed to protect the witch first. 

 I normally use post it notes for masking but I recently found something even better.  I just bought a roll of Judikins Eclipse Art Masking Tape.  I love masking and this tape was amazing...not too thick...more like a printer paper.  The tape is sticky enough to hold but not too sticky.   It comes in a fairly good size roll so you can use it for the tiniest masking to anything long.  The tape is easy to stamp on to cut out your mask.  It peels off your card easily and no residue is left behind.  I was able to save my witch mask and store it with the stamp for future use.  I bought mine at Amazon so here is the link to where I got it in case your interested... ECLIPSE. 

The background was done with just sponges and ink.  While I had the mask still on the witch, I stamped the two evergreen trees to the right.  The witch image had black lines to represent her peeking over something so I continued those lines with a thin black marker to the right and left.  Now it looks like she is peeking over a snow hill.
 I used a mix of Stickles and Scribbles for the snow on the witch, sky and trees. I printed the words on acetate so the snow would show through....
Oh Crap 
I Overslept 
Inside the card I also printed....
Oh Well
Merry Christmas

I know who this card is going to go to at Christmas.  It's someone who has a very good sense of humor.  
I can't wait to see what the others did on the design team and what all of you did too!  See you over at 52CCT.
Netta

Copic Colors:  YG11, YG25, YG95, T0, T8, FV2
Ink Colors:  Versafine Onyx Black, SU Dapper Denim, SU Night of Navy
Scribbles Shiny Winter White 3D Paint
Stickles Diamond
SU Holiday Home Rubber Stamp Set
Penny Black Winter Branches Stamp Set
Third Coast Witch stamp

52 CCT July Color Challenge

Green, Red and Brown. 

 The 3 colors on this challenge at 52 CCT.  This card is a z-fold with popped up elements.  The snowballs in front of the Santa's workshop sign are popped up...along with the lantern above the sign.  The packages and the 2 of the evergreen leaves are also popped up.  Add some white, red and green glitter and the card is done!

On the back is a space to write your message to the recipient.  I did not take a picture but it looks like a window with Merry Christmas above it.

Your turn now to show us your red, green and brown card!

Netta

Color Burst Cards

Just a quick post.......I just wanted to share some Color Burst cards I made from one of the backgrounds I created in Ken Oliver's class.  A whole lotta fun! 

The rest of the backgrounds were also cut and ready to use on some A2 cards in the future. 

Netta

Colorful Birthday

A few months ago I went to 2 different classes to learn how to use Color Burst at My Favorite Things craft store.  I had so much fun and I got to meet Ken Oliver...the creator of Color Burst! 

 Ken is a very interesting person and such a comedian.  If you ever get the chance, go to one of his classes.  You won't regret it!  We created all day and we laughed a lot.  The day went by too fast.
 I picked up some Color Burst and used my knowledge at home.  I was able to make a CAS card (clean and simple).  CAS cards are difficult for me but with the color burst backgrounds, it feels much more I guess.  
With one of my background experiments, I used a die from My Favorite Things called "Happy Birthday Block Die" and cut out the letters.  I used the same die to cut out the letters on white cardstock and on a teal sparkle cardstock.  I replaced the letters that were cut out on the white cardstock with my Color Burst letters and teal letters.  Clean and Simple.

Here is a picture of some backgrounds we did when I went to Ken's classes.  

 Layering colors, wet-on-wet, stenciling, spritz and sprinkle, wax resist....just so addicting to watch the colors come to life.

Thank you for stopping by....

Netta

52 CCT July Sketch Challenge

Can you believe 1/2 of the year is over with it?  We are already into July and today is my first Christmas card in July share.  If you enjoy creating handmade cards, it's not too early to get that holiday paper out and get crafting!  Below is the card sketch at 52 CCT to get those creative ideas flowing. 

For the card above, I used all scraps except the actual card base.  Since I have revamped how I store my scraps, it is much easier to see and use.

Thank you for stoppinbg by!

Netta

Alligator Wishes

Two birthdays down and from Craftsuprint.com!  Love the ease of making the cards from there.  Sometimes you just need simple but cute!

Made one that was 6 x 5 and another just A2 card.  This time I layered each layer flat.  The A2 I wanted to make it easy to mail so I just made them both that way.  I also added some sand hills and grass in the sand on both cards.  It does come with some small sentiments which I used one on the A2 card.  On the bigger card, I stamped 21, as the recipient turned 21 today!

Here is the big card.

Here is the A2 card.  This one has sparkle on it.  What is a birthday without sparkle!  

I will be posting another card from Craftsuprint in the next few days!  

Netta

52 CCT June Technique Challenge

  I was so excited to see this challenge come up at 52 CCT.  I had a perfect card in mind for the pop up challenge today!  

Have you heard of Craftsuprint.com?  If you do not mind cutting....check them out.  They have so many types of cards, shapes, folds and sizes.  

The one I chose to cut and print is called "Christmouse Sliding Easel Pop Up Card Kit".  

It took me a few minutes to figure out as the directions were a bit confusing.  Photos were a big help though.  

When you pull the red part out, the sentiment shows up & the pop up part stands up.   When you push it back in, the sentiment disappears and the pop up part lays down flat to mail.  I expected it to snag and not work but I was pleasantly surprised how easy it worked!

The print includes extra parts so you can add layers to the mouse.  I choose to add it.  

I also added glossy accents and a little Stickles " Diamond" on the hat and scarf.

If you get a chance...check them out.  Meanwhile come on over to https://52cct.blogspot.com/ and see what the rest of the team did for the challenge.  Be brave.  Join in and show us your work!  We would love to see what you come up with.

Netta

Happy Fathers Day

I got this digital Father's Day set sent free from Craftsuprint.com.  All the pieces are printed on the computer onto white cardstock. There are even extra pieces to make it layered, like I did on both of my cards.  I was able to insert the pictures into Microsoft Word so that I could adjust the sizes to the 2 different card sizes.  A lot of hand cutting and a little bit of glossy accents was all that was needed for the cards.  On the big card, I opt to stamp my own Happy Father's Day.  On the regular A2 card, I used the sentiment that came with the set. There are other sentiments that come with the card.  

Happy Birthday

Happy 18th and 21st Birthday

With Love

Best Wishes

Blank (to stamp your own)

Since both Fathers got their cards, I was safe to share!

Hope you got to spend time yesterday with the father in your life!

Netta

52 CCT June Theme Challenge

Another Saturday 52 CCT Challenge at for you to help you get those Christmas Cards started.  

Did you realize there are only 29 Saturdays left before Christmas?  That means you have about 26 weeks to get your cards done, labeled and in the mail!  When I counted it up...I said "UT OH".  Here I am so proud of 30 cards done and if I continue at this pace...1 a week....that would be 56 total cards done. That is a far cry from the 100 I need!

Ok..so on to the challenge.  Today it is about Vintage or Shabby. What does Shabby or Vintage mean?  
Shabby means your card may have any of the following: lots of layers, ribbon, looks worn out and old, distressed, sponged edges and lots of embellishments.

I started my card by making my background to look like wood.  I used a Faux Wood Technique to make my background.  I embossed a line on the cardstock every 3/4" and used a very light blue marker over the lines.  It's hard to see on my card because it was covered up a lot but if you enlarge the photo by clicking on it, you will be able to see it better.

I love the church stamp from Serendipity Stamps.  I stamped it with Memento London fog color and used a brush to add an additional color to it. Memento Summer Sky color was sponged lightly around the church.  Noel came from Sizzix Christmas Phrases die which was cut from grey cardstock and a gelly roll glitter pen colored over it.  I also used the glitter pen to give a hint of sparkle to indicate snow areas on and around the church.  The distressed grey cardstock was used as a mat for the background and church.  The church area was popped up.  Silver stars, holly flourish from Penny Black, tinsel yarn was stuck in and around the church mat.  The bow from a Penny Black die set finished off the card.

A few layers, some distressing and embellishments...perfect card for the Shabby or vintage challenge.

Netta