PaperCrafts Magazine CASE - Lindsey's choice

I knew you'd come back!  If you missed yesterday's CASE cards, make sure you go to my post yesterday and check it out.

But today is Lindsey's pick and she chose this stunner by Sarah Jay (on page 22).  She particuarly liked the technique.  Now, there are really 2 techniques here ... the shadowed sentiment as well as the masking.  I opted to use both and keep my card very similar to the original.

However, I decided to go with a different colour combination. 

I chose some of my favourite flowers from various Papertrey Ink sets. 

and here is a closer up of the shadow sentiment.  To create it, I stamped the sentiment once and then moved the image slightly to the right and stamped again (2nd generational stamping).  The stamp set is from Lawn Fawn.

Okay, now off to see what Lindsay did with this CASE.  I'm always so excited to see what she has created.  And don't forget to leave a link in a comment if you decide to play along with us.

And we are planning to post again next week on Thurs and Fri more CASE cards!  See you then. 

Donelda 

Play Date Cafe #119 and One Layer Wednesday (OLW) - Hello

I love a black and white + splash of colour challenges!  This one was certainly no exception!  I decided to combine it with this week's One Layer Wednesday challenge - to use 3 or more stamps on your one layer card.

Here is my first card using a new set of stamps (Happy Spring Day - Inkadinkado).   The butterfly and flower centers were coloured in using a blender pen and some Raspberry Fizz ink (Papertrey Ink).  Love masking!

And my second card, however, as you can see I used different colours and added a border of the word 'friend' from Gracious Vases (Papertrey Ink).

Fun, fun, fun!

Hope you are having a wonderful long weekend.  I know I am!

Donelda

One Layer Wednesday (OLW) - Red and Pink Only

So Susan's latest One Layer Challenge #74 (a nice even number) is to create a card with red and pink ONLY.  That means no black for the sentiment or outlines.  I've got to admit I thought and thought and thought about what I was going to do.  Then I decided to do this:

I cut out a heart as a mask, stamped the word LOVE (Paper Trey from Papertrey Ink) in red in the bottome right edge of the heart.  Then I continued to add the same word repeatedly using pink ink.  While the difference is not so obvious in this poor quality picture, it stands out better in real life! Sigh!! To make sure the heart shape stood out, I did a little bit of sponging with the pink around the edges of the heart. 

Off to post and see what everyone else did with pink and red only.

Thanks for dropping by,

Donelda

OLW 52 - Circles

Yup, another One Layer Wednesday .. and I just got this one posted in time.  (I have been away again for work but this should be the last one until next year!!) 

I have realized that I love making Clean and Simple cards but getting them to be One Layer is what I find rather difficult!!  So when I heard "circles" I decided to do some masking -- an easy way to create interesting cards and keep it one layer! 

To create this card, I punched 1" circles from a large post it note, adhered the sticky note onto a kraft card, then stamped the Designer Woodgrain image (Hero Arts) onto the card.  Then, I sponged on a bit of brown ink to complete the circles!  Also, when I added the post it note, I left a little of the cardstock showing along the bottom to get a base. 

A simple sentiment (Around and About - Papertrey Ink) and some red and white baker's twine (Martha Stewart) and this CAS OLW card is complete!!

Thanks for dropping by for a visit!

Donelda

Enjoy the Moment

I picked up a great package of clear stamps from Maya Road.  I am a big MR fan as their products are always top notch!!

Pulled together this quick card using the cute polka dot tree!  The shadow is a "stamp" I created myself out of left over rubber from some other set that you need to cut out. 

The striped paper comes from one of my new Campfire paper by October Afternoon.  The colors are so yummy!! 

Thanks for dropping by!
Donelda

Hero Arts Challenge - Masking

I am fast becomming a Hero Arts lover!  I have picked up, won, or been given a few clear sets, clings, and wood mounted stamps.  They are great stamps!! 

the latest Hero Arts challenge is to use MASKING.  Well, that is one of my all time favorite techniques so I had to give it a go! 

On this card I used the following Hero Arts sets: Antique Engravings (butterfly), Asian Frams (flowers) and Mini Messages (sentiment) all clear stamps. 

I started out by using a home-made oval template to sponge the oval center.  Then, I stamped the butterfly.  Next, I masked the butterfly and and oval and added the flowers, stamping off to give dimension.  Finally, I colored the butterfly with Copics and stamped the sentiment. 

That was fun ... I might do another one!!

Thanks for dropping in.

Donelda

Using Scraps 2 - Glimmer Mist Gratitude

So here is another paper Crafts magazine inspired card.  This time the inspiration was from Betsy Veldman's card seen on page 16.  I LOVE Betsy's work!!!   When I saw her great fall card I realized that I have the same leaf mask, however, not the same mist colors.  No problem - I just decided to change up the colors.  I stuck the masks on, misted the top half with Electric Blue and the bottom wiht Viva Pink Glimmer Mists (Tattered Angels).  The focal image was a piece I cut from hand after tracing a beer lable (weird I know but such a great shape).  Then, I misted it with Black Magic Glimmer Mist.  What a great color!!!  I stamped on the sentiment, a flourish and a few leaves in black ink.  I also sponged around the edge with a bit more black for definition!  A few small bits of organdy ribbon on both sides finished the card off. 

I love how this card turned out.  I am having a lot of fun with my scraps and new produts - like these mists!!        I have another scrap card posting on Monday morning from page 17 of the magazine so be sure to drop back in to see it!!  

Stamps - Spiral Boquet, Turning a New Leaf (Papertrey Ink), Build a Flourish (Gel a Tin)

Thanks for dropping in!  Donelda

Lucy's Challenge #11 - White, Light Blue, and Kraft

Lucy's latest challenge #11 is to use these lovely colors - White, Light Blue, and Kraft. They were so soft and yummy I couldn't resist.

It totally made me feel "nautical" so I went with this lighthouse image from Cornish Heritage Farms (retired).

I stamped the imgage and then punched out a 1/2" circle from a Post It Note. I added the circle and sponged on Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!) ink. Stitched around this panel, added it to a panel of kraft folder paper that was embossed with the Distressed Stripes folder. Then added a sentiment with a great nautical symbol inside.

I guess this is pretty masculine and I didn't even plan on that!! Go figure!!

Supplies: Stamps - Lighthouse (Cornish Heritage Farms), Around and About, Out to Sea (Papertrey Ink); Ink - Jet Black (Ranger), Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!); Paper - Whisper White, (Stampin' Up!), a kraft file folder; Other - 1/2" and 1" circle punch, sponge, sewing machine and thread, dimensionals, Post It Note, Distressed Stripes folder, Cuttlebug.

Well, off to see everyone elses' crations using these yummy colors!!

Donelda

One Layer Wednesday (OLW) - Masking a Background

Okay, so I am totally cheating today. You have all see this beauty when I posted it HERE. But as I was sitting her thinking "I really have to get a OLW masking card created for Susan's challenge this week" this card totally popped in my head! So I'm posting it for the challenge.

Truth is, I have another card half created on my craft desk but I just can't find the time to get it finished!!

Off to create supper!!

Paper Doily #3 and Color Combo Challenge

So these paper doilies (labeled tags by Martha Stewart and found at Michaels) has totally re-inspired me and my mojo is working overtime!!!

This time I combined using one with the new Color Combos Galore Challenge #144. The colors are so yummy!!!

I also realized that I didn't have to always use white doilies but I could change them to any color I wanted by sponging on my desired color! That is exactly what I did here and I can't wait to try some other colors.

This card actually has me perplexed. I like it and yet I don't. I think it is because the base of the card is soft and elegant while the blues and pinks are quite bright so I think the looks contrast too much. Maybe if I had changed up the combination of colors on my doily it would have blended in better with the card base. My attempts to 'connect' the 2 elements was to do some distressing on all items by sponging some Antique Linen and then some Chocolate Chip. Maybe I should have given it dimensional but I didn't because the ribbon and button was doing a good job of that.

What do you think??? I'd love your input!! Have you run out to get some of these doilies yet??? I hear from Christine Middlecamp (who has started a project with them that has totally inspired me) that they are hard to find.

Oh yeah, and when I was sponging on the turquoise color, I saw that it was leaving a beautiful mask on the scratch paper on my desk so I quickly slipped a piece of what cardstock underneath it and was able to create this card with it!! I don't have a whole sheet of tempting turquoise cardstock left so I sponged around the edge of a white card to create a card base. The sentiment says "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams". Eleanor Roosevelt

Supplies:

Celebrate Card

Stamps - Giga Guide Lines, Simple Little Things (Papertrey Ink), circle (g studio); Paper - Kraft, Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla (all Stampin' Up!), designer paper (Anna Griffin); Ink - Antique Linen (distress ink by Ranger), Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up!); other - paper doily (called 'tags' on package by Martha Stewart), starburst punch (Martha Stewart), circle and scallop circle nestabilities (Spellbinders), vintage cream satin ribbon {I used the back side} (Papertrey Ink), button (my own collection), hemp cord (Darice), sponge, sewing machine.

Future Card:

Stamps - Meausre of Life (Stampin' Up! retired); Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up!), Jet Black (Ranger); Paper - Whisper White; Other - sponge, paper doily for mask (Martha Stewart), dimensionals.

Thanks for dropping in for a visit!! Leave me some commenting love :-)

Donelda

One Layer Masking Birthday

Susan Raihala is starting a new Clean and Simple challenge on her blog Simplicity. It is called One-Layer Wednesday! Wow, one layer cards are tricky ... but then that is why it's called a challenge, right??!! ETA - coincidently, Kristina Werner has also added a challenge to make a one layer card on her blog. so this card is being submitted for both challenges!! So, while I was thinking about what I could do I was looking through a magazine and came across this advertisement. I really liked how the 3 square bottles of purfume were lines up and decided I could do a similar masking layout for my one layer card!! I took a large Post It Note and using my T!m Holtz ruler, drew rectangles where I wanted them. I cut them out with a hobby knife and then sponged on the colors I wanted. Finally, I added the leaf image and sentiment using black ink. Masking is a great and easy way to add dimension and elements to a one-layer card! Supplies (all products are Papertrey Ink unless indicated): Stamps - Turning a New Leaf, Garden of Life; Ink - Lemon Tart, Spring Rain, Spring Moss, Brilliance Graphite Ink (Tsukineko); Paper - Select White; Other - Post It Note (3M), hobby knife, sponge. Now I'm off to add this post to Susan's and Kristina's blogs and see what their other followers did with this challenge!! Donelda

Christmas Card Reveal Countdown - Day 5

Welcome to day 5 of my Christmas Card reveal countdown!! Today I am sharing my very favorite card that I made. You might remember that I got this stamp set at a garage sale for a very cheap price!! I knew it would make great cards. See the colored one...that is my very favorite card that I made this year. I might even have to keep one of them. I'm not sure why but I just love it...maybe it's the colors or the layout!!?? I had to color a strip of white cardstock with my gold paint pen to get that gold in there!! And the main image is all masked and the buildings are watercolored and the sky and sand are sponged. A great effect!! This second card is a clean and simple version using the same stamp. Much quicker and easier and while I do like it....it doesn't hold a candle to the other more colorful one.

What do you think of my favorite card? Do you like it??

Check back in tomorrow to see what is in store for Day 6 of my countdown (or count up!)

Donelda

One Layer Card - Masking

Making one layer cards can be challenging but also a lot of fun. They are great to make because they can be easily mailed!! One easy way to create interesting one layer cards is by using MASKS!

I bought these masks from Tim Holtz' collection a few weeks ago. I was so excited to see that he has come out with some smaller ones that are easier to use on cards (don't get me wrong, I've seen some great stuff done with the larger ones, smaller is just easier).

I stared out with a white card base. I placed the masks where I wanted them and then using my brayer, covered the card with purple ink. Then, I sponged on some darker purple ink in the corner with the masks. I made sure to show lighter and darker spots of the sponging giving more dimension. After the masks were removed, I added a sentiment in black and some doodling around the card. I love this way of finishing off a card (as you can see in a few samples HERE and HERE).

Supplies: Stamps - Spiral Bouquet (Papertrey Ink); Ink - Lavendar Lace, Elegant Eggplant (Stampin' Up!); Paper - Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Other - masks (Ranger), black marker (Zig), sponge.

Have you ever made a one layer card?? Link it up, I'd love to see it!!

Donelda

Loonie Stamper's Challenge - Happy Birthday Regan!

I was contacted by one of the Loonie girls earlier this week. In confidence, she asked if Iwanted to participate in the Loonie Stamper's Challenge this week because they were going to create surprise birthday cards for Regan - since it is her birthday!! Of course I wanted to participate and created this card.

I started out with a piece of white cardstock and used my new Tim Holtz mini mask on the corner (I love that he brought out smaller sizes for us card makers!!). Then I sponged some Sweet Blush ink over the mask. I cut and embossed it using my Labels 1 die. Then, I used Demask Designs and white craft ink to create a background on Sweet Blush card stock. Finished it off with a little black mat, some black satin ribbon and a few rhinstones for some bling!!

Happy Birthday Regs!!!

For all of the Loonie girl birthday cards go to here (can't wait to see what Regan created, heehehe):

Char, Dee, Maria, Wendy, Jewels, and Regan, of course!!

Supplies: all supplies are Papertrey Ink except mask (Ranger), rhinstones (various), die (Spellbinders), and dimensionals.

Have a great day everyone!!

Donelda

Bookmark of my Boy

I have been thinking of making a bookmark like this for a while. It all started with the colors. I saw this awesome combo of orange and turquoise on a Nickelodeon commercial. Then, the background began by using some circles as masks and adding some stamping over that. The compass is embossed with copper, the colors are sponged on top of it, and finally it is cut out and adhered on top of the bookmark and picture. Supplies: Stamps-Father Knows Best (Papertrey Ink), Finest Flourishes (Stampin' Up!); Ink - Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up!), Walnut Stain Distress Ink (Ranger); Other - bookmark, tassel, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, copper embossing powder, sponges. I love using my new bookmark - it just makes me smile. Thanks for dropping in for a visit. Donelda

February 26 - Design Basics Lesson #8

Hello and welcome. This is my 8th lesson in my own exploration of design basics. I am using a book called Design Basics Index by Jim Krause. You can explore the earlier lessons by clicking on the links on the right side of my blog if you are interested!! Enjoy.

Today's lesson is on Hierarchy. Defined as "a system of graded ranks".

Jim expalins that when looking at something, we will naturally be drawn to the item at the top of this "visual hierarchy". Sometimes it is the largest item, a well placed item, or because of the color of the item, or even because it is the most conceptually intriguing element. Then, our eye should follow a "visual pathway" of supporting elements.

I like this concept!! I'm thinking back to some of my favorite cards from people like Nichole Heady, Lisa Johnson, Sharon Johnson, and Debbie Olson and I can clearly find the eye-catching element or "the element that is the highest on the visual hierarchy". Cool!!

Now my turn!! Here are some cards that I made in the past where you can (or at least I can) clearly see my eye doing that...finding the element that is at the "top of the visual hierarchy" and then moving down the elements:

See this page from the valentine I sent my parents ---->

When I look at this, I totally look at the photo first (a good sign since it is a mini scrapbook) and then I find I move to the cluster of the flowers and heart in the bottom right, then up to the word angel and finally to the vertical red ribbon.... wow!! When I made this bage back in January, I didn't realize this but I keep opening and closing this image and every time I open it, my eyes do the same thing!! Did that happen to you when you looked at it???

<--------------

And here is another card where I can really see the visual heirarchy when I look at it. I totally look at the wire swirly charm. Then I look at the tiny sentiment and then the bold black bow. I keep thinking that I would move to the bow second becasue it is so much more intense...but I don't seem to. What does your eye do with this card???

Last card ------->

When I look at this card, I instantly go to the middle of the leaves, where there is more white inside the rectangle. Then I move out to that dark brown strip and finally on to the sentiment. Maybe not the best route (shouldn't the sentiment be more important than the strip???) But that is what my eye tends to do. Does that happen to you too??

Supplies:

Angel Valentine: Paper-Blush (Basic Grey), Ribbon (Making Memories- red, Michaels dollar bin - ivory), Flowers (Primas), Buttons (sm. heart - Teresa's Hand Dyed Buttons, brown - grandma Mary's stash), letters (Blush by Basic Grey), photo corners (dollar store), dauber (Stampin' Up!), Close to Cocoa Ink (SU!) sponged around edge. Note-the red outlined heart is cut from cardboard and covered with basic grey paper.

Wire Pendent Charm Card: Paper-Tempting Turquoise, Orchid Opulence, Basic Black (all Stampin' UP), Ink-Basic Black (SU!), Versamark (Tsukineko), Stamps-Deligt in Life, Fancy Flexible Phrases (SU!), Accessories-oval chipboard(Fancy Pants), Black organdy ribbon (Michaels), Hobby knife, wire (Michaels). Note - this pendent was made based on a website that made wire pendents and the wire pendent I made by hand. I can't find the link but if I do find it, I'll edit it in here.

Masking Card: Cardstock-Whisper White (SU!), Ink-Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip (SU!), Stamps-Beautiful Blooms, Paper Tray (Papertrey Ink), Dauber (SU!), Post It notes (3M). Note - this card is all masked -- it is a one layer card !!

Thanks for visiting. Let me know what you think about the lesson!

Donelda

Grateful for Butterflies

I have so much to share, I decided to post twice today!!!!!! I had bought a few Heidi Swapp masks a few months ago but I've not gotten around to trying them out. So I pulled out these butterflies and gave it a whirl!! I put the masks onto Soft Sky cardstock and then sponged Soft Sky ink over the entire card front. When the masks peeled off a beautiful image was there!! I also like using a make-up sponge (vs. a brayer, not that I have one that works) since it creates such a soft molted kinda look, know what I mean??!! Then, I wanted to use Kraft and Black to go with my butterflies. I added the sentiment in black and one of my Maya Road velvet flowers. I find it soooo hard to actually use these since I think they are so amazingly beautiful....I just like to hoard them!! But I forced myself to add one to this card. I also have a leaf mask that I'll have to try soon!! Supplies: Cardstock-Kraft, Soft Sky, Basic Black (SU); Ink-Soft Sky, Basic Black (SU); Stamps-Small Script (SU); Accessories-Mini Mask (Heidi Swapp), makeup sponge, velvet flower (Maya Road), antique brass brad (SU) Thanks for visiting!!

An Exercise in Masking

Well, this morning I was laying in bed, thinking about a card!! Don't laugh, I know you've done it before too!! What colors, where will I put the main image....you know the drill!!

A few things were going around my brain when I came up with this layout/design. First of all, I wanted to make a card for this weeks Card Positioning System (CPS #38). As well, I've been dying to use this leaf stamp from Papertray's Beautiful Blooms!! As anyone who's been visiting regularly, I am on a mission to use up things I already own (I'm on a "no buy" mission) and I realized that I haven't even opened my new Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up) ink pad yet. So, I decided to go with using my brown family! Finally, I decided that I really want to try making a card that consists of only stamping -- no layers. I felt certain I could achieve the results I was looking for byusin the MASKING and REVERSE MASKING techniques only!!

Well, here is the end result! It looks pretty close to what was in my head this morning.

Have you made a card using the masking techniques?? If so, please feel free to leave a comment and link to your creation - I'd love to see it!!

Supplies: Cardstock - Very Vanilla (SU), Ink - Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip (SU), Stamps - Beautiful Blooms, Faux Ribbon (Papertray), Accessories - daubers (SU), Post-It notes (3M).

Thanks for visiting.