Sassy & Sweet Notes

Mix-Ability Challenge: Birds of a Feather

I am hosting this week's Mix-Ability Challenge in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Birds of a Feather! (Mix185). Choose images of birds or feathers (stamps, papers, die cuts!) and any mixed media technique of your choice for this week's project.

I created a simple beach scene with several images from my Beach Bum cling mount stamp set from Whipper Snapper Designs and colored the images with alcohol markers, colored pencil, and gel pens. I colored a background of sky and beach with a combination of colored pencils and markers. Finally, I added Stickles glitter glue to the waves and beach for sparkle and shine!

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

Mix-Ability Challenge: Layered Floral Tags

I am hosting this week's Mix-Ability Challenge in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Layered Floral Tags! (Mix177). Choose some floral imagery (stamps, papers, die cuts!) and pile up the layers to create a beautiful, artsy floral themed tag.

I layered several pieces of die cut flowers and leaves, tags, banners and frames to create my tag. I inked edges of the tag with white VersaMagic ink, stamped the sentiment in black StazOn ink, colored some of the die cut shapes with alcohol markers, and added Stickles glitter glue for sparkle and shine!

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

Mix-Ability Challenge: Wildlife Adventure!

I am hosting this week's Mix-Ability Challenge in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Wildlife Adventure! (Mix161) Projects that feature images of wildlife, or animal prints (like cheetah, zebra, etc), and work some texture into your project!

To create my card, I stamped an old favorite Stampin' Up Yukon image (the bear) in black StazOn ink onto cream colored cardstock. I stamped a feather image (unknown) in Vintage Photo Distress Ink, and added lots of splotches of ink to the panel after inking all of the layers with various shades of brown Distress Ink. The bottom layer of cardstock is embossed with a wood grain embossing folder. I added faux stitching lines around each layer, and tied a cotton string into a bow.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

Mix-Ability Challenge: White Wash!

I am hosting this week's Mix-Ability Challenge in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called White Wash! (Mix136)Showcase your focal point with lots of white space. You can leave white areas of your paper untouched, or create white space over other colors w/ white paint, white ink, or gesso.

To create my card, I stamped Impression Obsession's Pumpkin Fence image in black Memento ink. I colored the image with a combination of ShinHan Touch Twin markers and Prismacolor colored pencils. I added a thin wash of white craft ink around the image and on the fence panels to give a bit of a glow to the scene. I used the stamp called Barcode inked with various shades of brown Distress Inks to stamp visual texture around the image panel and card base.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

Supplies
Stamps: Pumpkin Fence and Barcode from Impression Obsession
Paper: Neenah; Stampin Up!

Mix-Ability Challenge: Doodley-dooo!

I am hosting this week's Mix-Ability Challenge in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Doodley-dooo! (Mix128) The challenge calls for you to add your own doodles to your project.

I stamped the bee, flower, and sentiment using the You Make Me Happy cling mount set from Whipper Snapper Designs, and drew in the chicken using a Sakura Micron pen. I also drew the lines at the top and bottom of the image panel. Quick and easy!

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

Supplies
Stamps: You Make Me Happy from Whipper Snapper Designs
Dies: Scalloped edge from Impression Obsession
Paper: Neenah; Pink Paislee Hello Sunshine; Stampin Up! Basic Grey

Mix-Ability Challenge: Just Beachy!

I am hosting this week's Mix-Ability Challenge in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Just Beachy! (Mix120) The challenge calls for you to add sparkle or texture to your beach themed project.

I used lots of dies from Impression Obsession to create this fun scene: Mini Shell Set, Rectangles 6-in-1, Sailboats, Mini Nautical Set,  Sm Grass,  Clouds, and Grass Border.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

Supplies
Dies: Impression Obsession
Paper: Neenah, October Afternoon

Mix-Ability Challenge: First Day of Spring!

I am hosting this week's Mix-Ability Challenge in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called First Day of Spring! (Mix112) The challenge calls for you to create a project using spring-like colors or images.

To create my card, I used Lola! She's one of my Whipper Snapper Designs stamps, all dressed up for spring! I stamped Lola in black Memento ink, colored her up with ShinHan Touch Twin markers and further enhanced the image with a white gel pen and colored pencils.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

Supplies
Stamp: Lola, from Whipper Snapper Designs
Ink: Memento Black
ShinHan Touch Twin markers
Paper: Neenah, October Afternoon
Other: Yellow crochet lace, rose buttons, sewing machine

Mix-Ability Challenge: Pick a Color, Any Color!

I am hosting this week's Mix-Ability Challenge in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Pick a Color, Any Color! (Mix104) The challenge calls for you to create a monochromatic project, using the color of your choice.

To create my card, I created a watercolor wash on 140lb watercolor paper, stamped Gertie (unknown manufacturer) in black StazOn ink, and further enhanced the image with alcohol markers and more watercolor wash techniques. I added a fun black frame using the Impression Obsession Rectangles 6-in-1 die set, and finally added a glittery puffy heart in honor of the upcoming Valentine holiday.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

Supplies
Stamp: Unknown Company
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Distress Inks
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper, Paper Accents
Other: Niji Waterbrush

Mix-Ability Challenge: Distressed Pumpkins

There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Distressed Pumpkins (Mix88), and it's hosted by me! The challenge calls for you to use pumpkins (images or 3D) as your primary subject, and distress, ink, or splatter them for extra fun!

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Stamps: Impression Obsession
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Distress Inks
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper, Paper Accents
Other: Niji Waterbrush, Gesso, Prismacolor Colored Pencil Set, Albrecht Durer 120 Watercolor Pencil Set

Mix-Ability Challenge: Sparkling Watercolors

There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Sparkling Watercolors (Mix80), and it's hosted by me! The challenge calls for you to glam up your watercolors using anything that sparkles!

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Stamps: Impression Obsession Snow House and French Handwriting
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Distress Inks
Dies: Impression Obsession
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper
Other: satin ribbon, button, string, ultra fine glitter, tracing wheel

Finger Print Stamping

My friend Jeanne hosted a fun Mix-Ability challenge on SplitCoastStampers earlier this month, and I never shared my project with you! The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge.

The challenge Jeanne posted was MIX76 Finger Painting, and I kind of regressed to my childhood when I created this card. I quite literally inked up my thumb and fingers and stamped them onto my card stock. Then with a fine line drawing pen added character details to the prints and sketched in some bits of grass. Oh yes, yippeee, yahooo, this was certainly fun!

Visit the SplitCoastStampers Mix-Ability Challenge forum to find out more about the weekly challenges -- the challenges are very fun, very do-able, and I hope you decide to join us!

 

Supplies
Stamps: Everyday Sentiments cling mount set from Whipper Snapper Designs
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Distress Inks
Dies: The Stamps of Life
ShinHan Touch Twin markers
Paper: Neenah

Guest Designer for Tombow!

I'm delighted to be this week's featured designer for Tombow, and to celebrate we're having a blog hop! (Hop list below.) You should also know that along with the hop, Tombow has a prize offering. Be sure to leave a note on each designer's blog for your chance to win!

Now, for the details of my card... I stamped Fishin' with Dad on watercolor paper using black StazOn ink. I then used Tombow dual-brush markers and a waterbrush to color the image. To get a soft watercolor look, I scribbled the markers onto the Tombow blending palette and picked up the color with my waterbrush. This allowed me to apply the colors much like traditional watercolors.


Once the image was colored and die cut, I applied a thin bead of Aqua Liquid Glue to the edge of the panel and smeared it a bit with my fingertip. Then I used a spoon to add an ultra fine dry glitter to the wet glue, and tapped off the excess glitter. I also applied Aqua Liquid Glue to the fishing net, and applied glitter the same way.

The background of my card was made using the fishy-fishy line image from the Lure the Best cling mount set. I stamped the fish over the entire panel with VersaMark ink and heat embossed it with Stampendous Kaleidoscope embossing powder. I then randomly colored some of the fish with various light blue Tombow dual-brush markers, to give a little more visual interest to the panel.

Now, get ready for a wonderful dose of inspiration and check out what the other designers created for the hop. Have fun!!

Here is this week’s line-up:
Tombow Blog
Debbie Fisher
Melissa Cash
Jennie Garcia
Marie Browning
Anna Wight  {that's me!}

I hope you enjoy the hop! Don't forget to leave comments as you go to be sure you're entered for the prize package! Tombow will announce the winner on their blog, on Monday June 16^th at 3:30 P.M. EST.

Xtreme Adhesive
MONO Adhesive Removable
MONO Aqua Liquid Glue

 

In other news!
There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Some Like It Hot (Mix72), and it's hosted by me! The challenge calls for you to pull out your heat tool and use heat reactive mediums on your project.

I heat embossed Stampendous Kaleidoscope powder on my fishy-fishy background. I love how the blues, greens, and purples in the embossing powder really sparkle and shine! 

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Stamps: Fishin' with Dad and Lure the Best from Whipper Snapper Designs
Tombow: Dual-Brush Markers; MONO Aqua Liquid Glue; MONO Multi Liquid Glue; Xtreme Adhesive; Blending Palette
Ink: Jet Black StazOn; VersaMark
Dies: Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities Oval; Back To Basics Tags
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper;
Other: Stampendous Kaleidoscope Embossing Powder; SEI Pearl Brad; Ultra Fine Glitter; Niji Waterbrush

Mix-Ability Challenge: April Showers

There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called April Showers (Mix64), and it's hosted by me! The challenge calls for you to Mist, Splash, Spray, or Squirt your project ... create puddles if you dare!

For my card, I started by pressing various colors of Distress Ink to an acrylic block. I then misted the ink on the block with water and pressed the block to my watercolor paper. The ink moved and blended on the paper under the block. When I lifted the block from the paper, nice puddles of color formed. This created a colorful background for me to embellish.

Next, I stamped the bird and postage mark images on the colored panel using black StazOn ink. I then sprayed water into my hand and dripped and flicked the water onto the colored panel. Using a paper towel, I blotted up the water. This lifted some of the color, and created some lighter color spots. I used a white PITT artist pen to doodle on the panel, creating areas of dots and stripes.

The feathers and the leaf behind the paper flower were die cut from watercolor paper that had been inked with various Distress Ink colors. I added white doodles to the feathers as well, using the same white PITT artist pen. I adhered the feathers and leaf die cut to my colored panel, tucked in a wood veneer feather, some pearl stamen and eyelash trim, created some faux stitching lines around the edges with a tracing wheel, and finally adhered a pretty paper flower to the colored panel. I adhered the embellished panel with foam adhesive to a card I created using watercolor paper.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Stamps: Stampington & Company, Inkadinkado
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Distress Inks; White PITT Artist Pen
Dies: Feathers (Impression Obsession), Zinnia leaf (Sizzix)
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper
Other: Paper flower, wood veneer feather, pearl stamens, white eyelash trim, tracing wheel

Mix-Ability Challenge: Faith, Easter or Spring

There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is being hosted by Tiffany Johnson, and it's about Faith, Easter, or Spring (Mix63). In addition to the theme, we are to use our favorite go-to mixed media technique.

For my card I went with what I call the "squishy watercolor technique". I press various colors of Distress Ink on my craft sheet, mist the ink with water, place a piece of watercolor paper (or die cut) face down into the ink and squish it around a little. The squishing is what causes the nice blend of colors. Once the ink is dry, I add another layer of color by again placing the paper or die cut face down into the color. The second time, I don't do as much squishing around.

Using two dies from the Sizzix Egg framelits set, I die cut two eggs from watercolor paper and proceeded with the squishy watercolor technique. Once all the colors were dry, I stamped the die cuts using the Script Cover-a-Card stamp from Impression Obsession. Because the eggs were rather "busy", I decided to keep the rest of the card clean and simple. I added a couple of faux stitching lines to ground the eggs, and stamped that cute *old* A Muse sentiment in black ink. Some string and a cute heart button embellish the eggs.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Stamps: Script Cover-a-Card (Impression Obsession); Sentiment (A Muse)
Dies: Sizzix Egg Framelits
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Distress Inks
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper
Other: Niji Waterbrush, string, button

Mix-Ability Challenge: Tulips

There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is being hosted by Birgit in Sweden, and it's called Tulips (Mix62). In addition to tulips, we are to use at least three types of medium (such as acrylic, gesso, ink, etc...). Join us, won't you!?

For my project, I used Jet Black StazOn ink, Distress Inks, Watercolor pencils, Prismacolor pencils, water-based markers, and gesso. Phwew! The stamps I used are all my own Whipper Snapper Designs images, including Annika, Spring Tulips, and a sentiment block from the All Things With Love cling mount set.

To begin, I stamped the images on watercolor paper using black StazOn ink. I wanted the lines of the images to remain defined, and permanent. I then spritzed the paper with water and using a damp brush added various colors of blue Distress Ink to the sky area around Annika. I also added green Distress Ink to the ground beneath and around the flowers.

Once those areas were dry, I continued to color the images using a combination of Distress Inks, watercolor pencils, and Prismacolor pencils. I added even darker areas for contrast with water-based markers and then blended out the colors a bit with a water brush (specifically, the darker areas on the leaves of the flowers).

Once the image was colored, I stamped the sentiment block in Distress Ink using a water-misted impression so that the impressions weren't perfect. I even added spritzes of water to blend colors together a bit more. Once it was all dry, I add droplets of watered down gesso and adhered the colored image to a black cardstock base. There is so much going on in the image, I wanted to keep the rest of the card rather simple.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Stamps: Annika, Spring Tulips, and All Things With Love (Whipper Snapper Designs)
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Distress Inks
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper, Paper Accents
Other: Niji Waterbrush, Gesso, Prismacolor Colored Pencil Set, Albrecht Durer 120 Watercolor Pencil Set

Mix-Ability Challenge: The Printed Word

There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called The Printed Word (Mix60), and it's hosted by me!

The challenge is to incorporate old book or newsprint into your project. I have an old snoozy government book that I use for my crafting when I want printed pages in my projects. While the text isn't all that interesting, the paper itself is divine!

To give it a bit more structure for today's project, I adhered the old book paper to a small piece of watercolor paper and tore it around the edges. Applying watercolor paper to the backside not only gives the old book paper more stability, but also allows me to do a bit more creative altering to the paper -- the watercolor paper helps to absorb moisture in the coloring mediums I use.

Once I had the watercolor paper adhered to the backside of the old book paper, I added a wash of turquoise and blue ink to the page. I stamped my California Poppy stamp twice on the book paper, and twice again on watercolor paper. I colored the stamped poppies with a combination of red, orange and yellow distress ink, and cut the poppies from the watercolor paper. I used a liquid adhesive to adhere the colored poppies to the book paper, overtop of the stamped images. I added a bit of water to some white gesso and using a paint brush, added splotches of white to the panel.

Finally, I added a sentiment banner using a lovely sentiment from my Blooming Expressions cling mount set. The banner is made from smooth watercolor paper, with a bit of watercolor wash and dots added for interest. The entire panel is then added to the front of a card I made from smooth watercolor paper stock.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Stamps: California Poppy and Blooming Expressions (Whipper Snapper Designs)
Ink: Black StazOn, Distress Inks
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper, Antique Book Paper
Other: Gesso

Mix-Ability Challenge: Washy Washy

Happy Friday!! There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted today in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Washy Washy (Mix58), hosted by Jeanne!

The challenge is to create a watercolor wash for your background, using inks, watercolors, or gelatos. Since this happens to be one of my favorite techniques, I thought I'd share some inspiration!

For my card, I stamped the flowers and butterfly onto watercolor paper with VersaMark ink, embossed the images, and using re-inkers created a wash of color in the background. I did the same for the layer of text. I love how the colors blend together. So easy, and yet so lovely!

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Ink: VersaMark, re-inkers
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper, Neenah, Paper Accents
Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs "Lifetime of Happiness" and "All Things With Love" Cling Mount Sets
Other: Embossing Powder, seam binding, button, string

Mix-Ability Challenge: Color It Twice

Happy Friday!! There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted today in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Color It Twice (Mix50), hosted by yours truly! The challenge asks you to color your image with alcohol markers, and then add even MORE color to the already colored image using colored pencils. It's a great way to add more detail to your images, especially for things like tiny thin whiskers on bunnies! *grin*

For my project, I chose to use this super cute bunny stamp image from Stampin' Up. It's an oldie, but personal favorite. I started by coloring the image with Touch Twin markers. Then I added extra details to the already colored image with Prismacolor colored pencils. I was able to give the bunny more of a "furry" look, add tiny cute whiskers, rosy cheeks, and shading on her dress. I was also able to add individual blades of grass, giving her a place to stand.

I hope you try this technique. Any brand of alcohol marker can be used, and any brand of colored pencil. Explore with what you have, and see how it works! Using colored pencils to enhance markers is an inexpensive way to add variety and color range to a limited marker collection.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Neenah, Paper Accents, Stampin' Up, K&Company Designer Paper
Stamps: Stampin' Up (bunny), A Muse (sentiment)
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: BR107, GY175, R136, CG1, WG2, PB144, Y36, R6
Dies: Polaroid (Lawn Fawn), Egg (Sizzix), Banner (MFT)
Other: Vintage Button, Twine, Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Mix-Ability Challenge: Happy Little Clouds

Happy Friday!! There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted today in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Happy Little Clouds (Mix49), hosted by Lydia. For my project, I chose to create a snowy woodland scene inspired by one evening of beautiful pink light we had while I was visiting Mom and Dad over Christmas.

I started by painting a background layer of heavy watercolor paper with a wash of pink and lavender inks. Then, using the topic for the challenge, with my finger I dabbed a few white "clouds" to the scene using white acrylic paint.

I used various Impression Obsession die cuts I made out of heavy watercolor paper to create the scene, as if looking out the window of Mom and Dad's log home. They live in a beautiful small valley, abundant with wildlife all year long. It is always great fun to watch the deer, turkeys, and wild birds in the front yard, in every season.

I lightly painted the die cuts to give them a little dimension, and then added a bit of ultra fine glitter for lots of sparkle and shine.

And, while this isn't the "pink" evening light we had one night, it is the view from Mom and Dad's front porch as seen this past Christmas. I love this view... See the turkeys?!

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Ink: Stampin' Up Re-Inkers, white acrylic paint
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper, Stampin' Up (charcoal grey card stock for card base)
Dies: Deer Trio, Birch Trees, Fir Trees (Impression Obsession)
Other: Ultra Fine Glitter, 2-Way Glue Pen

Mix-Ability Challenge: Chalk It To Me

Happy Friday!! There's a new Mix-Ability Challenge posted today in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers! The challenge is called Chalk It To Me (MIX45), and you are to use VersaMark ink and chalks or pan pastels. VersaMark ink is a clear, sticky ink usually used for watermarking or for heat embossing. But as you can see, it also works great with chalks!

For my project, I chose to use my recently released Snowflake Background stamp for the background image on this card. I stamped the image in VersaMark ink on black cardstock. Then, using a pouncing motion, I applied silver and pale blue shimmery chalks to the stamped image. The powder of the chalks sticks to the VersaMark ink, revealing the design left by the stamp and clear ink. It's difficult to see the full shimmer in the photos -- trust me, this card has some serious sparkle and shine! Even the silver mat layer is CRAZY sparkly!!

The die cut I used is called Vintage Noel, from Sizzix. I adhered some vintage sheet music to some thin chipboard (for added strength and dimension) and die cut the word. I then inked the entire surface of the die cut with VersaMark ink and used various colors of chalk to add blended color to the letters. To dress up the word even more, I added a few pine sprigs that were die cut from super-sparkly silver paper. I added a little red button to the cluster for a pop of color.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

 

Supplies
Stamps: Snowflake Background (Whipper Snapper Designs)
Ink: VersaMark
Paper: Neenah, American Crafts, Vintage Sheet Music, Chipboard
Dies: Vintage Noel (Sizzix), Pine Sprig Cluster (Impression Obsession)
Other: Stamps of Life Button, Pebbles Shimmer Chalks, tracing wheel

Mix-Ability Challenge: Flock of Feathers

Happy Friday!! There's a new Mix-Ability challenge posted today in the challenge forum at SplitCoastStampers, and I couldn't resist playing along! The challenge is called Flock of Feathers (MIX43), and you are to use at least two feathers of different mediums (eg stamped, die cut, real...) on your project, or use the photo that was also shared on the challenge for color inspiration. I chose to use a die cut feather (2 actually), a real feather from one of my Cuckoo Marans hens, and even various colors found in the inspiration photo.

I have been itchin' to get out the watercoloring supplies again. It's been a while since I've used them, and I actually had to dust off the top of my palette! Boy, did it feel good to use them again!

To make my card, I first die cut the larger feather out of watercolor paper. Then I die cut the smaller feather out of another piece of watercolor paper that was the actual sheet I wanted to use on the front of my card. I had to place the small feather die in the exact spot I wanted it to be placed on my final project, because I would later pop the die cut feather back into it's original spot.

Once die cut, I popped out the feather from the background and applied various shades of red and purple to the feather. I painted the background paper as well, with vibrant shades of orange and yellow. I also painted the larger feather with beautiful shades of blue and green. Once the pieces were dry, I added a few detail lines to the feathers with my tracing wheel, just to give them a bit of visual texture. I placed the red/purple feather back into the background paper, making it perfectly flush with the background. Because of the precision cut of the metal die, the feather fit back into place perfectly.

I then adhered the real feather into place, and adhered the blue/green feather over top. The little turquoise button is dressed up with a hemp twine bow, and the sentiment is stamped in black StazOn ink. The painted panel is adhered to a heavy-weight white card base with foam adhesive.

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge. Join us, won't you!?

Supplies
Stamps: A Muse
Ink: Black StazOn, SU Dye Based Re-Inkers
Paper: Fabriano 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor paper, Neenah
Dies: MFT
Other: SU Button, hemp twine, foam adhesive, hot glue, tracing wheel

Mix-Ability Challenge Hostess

Having been a long-time member and Dirty Dozen alumni for SplitCoastStampers (a popular online stamping community group), I was thrilled to join the Mix-Ability Challenge hostess team. My first hosted challenge was posted last Friday - somehow my blog post about it failed to upload. So here I am today, sharing the news! And even though the challenge was posted last week, you can still participate!

The idea behind the Mix-Ability Challenge is to make mixed media simple and approachable, and to let you experiment using things you already have. Each Friday a new challenge is hosted, but there is no time limit, so you can participate whenever you'd like on each challenge.

My challenge (MIX40) is called Stick it to me, darling! You are to use a sticky medium to adhere glitter to your project. Use a liquid, spray, or tape adhesive, and of course GLITTER!! For my project, I chose to use a chipboard frame from Crafty Secrets. I used Ranger Crackle Accents as the liquid adhesive to hold my dry stickles glitter in place. The result was a perfectly glittered frame I could use on my card.

I hope you check out the Mix-Ability Challenge forum on SplitCoastStampers! There's still time to participate in my challenge. If you're new to the idea of mixed media, and want to see about giving it a try, learning more, and have fun in the process, I encourage you to keep an eye on each Friday challenge. I am excited to be part of the group, and sharing some "mixy" projects with you!

Supplies
Stamp: Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Black Memento, Ranger Distress Inks in brown tones
Paper: Neenah, October Afternoon Misc Strip, The Stamps of Life, American Crafts
ShinHan Touch Twin markers: R2, PB144, Y36, YR21, R136
Other: Sizzix Holly and bow dies, hemp twine, Crafty Secrets chipboard frame, Ranger Crackle Accents, Ranger Dry Stickles glitter, The Stamps of Life button and brad, tracing wheel