More Flowers from the Elements of Nature Class

Here are more flowers from the Kit and Clowder class Elements of Nature.  Throughout the class I am doing both Copic and colored pencil.  For this set of flowers, I am used Polychromos colored pencils.  In the pictures below, the Copic version is on the right, and the colored pencil version on the left. (I should probably re-do the Copic version of the Tulips - since I had a Copic "explosion" of green ink!)

GIna K Stellar Snowflake

I had been seeing cards like this on the Gina K Facebook page and Instagram.  I really liked them, so I got the stencil and glitter gel and made these cards:

I used the following for these cards:

• Gina K - Stellar Snowflake Stencil
• Gina K - Glitz Glitter Gel - Brilliant Blue and Red Velvet
• Gina K - Deck the Halls Stamp Set 
• A sentiment stamp from an unknown manufacturer (Seasons Greetings)

To make the card, I placed the stencil on a piece of white card stock, and added the glitter gel.  Once it was dry, the sentiments were added and the panels matted and added to a card base to complete the cards.

Snowman Christmas Card

When I made Christmas cards last year, I had a lot of extra parts.  I decided to use some of them this year.  This is one of the cards made with the leftovers (the snowman and the background).  Making this card was easy, since the hardest parts were done last year!

I used the following to make the card:

• Tim Holtz - Holiday Knits Stamp
• Distress Oxide Ink - Lucky Clover and Cracked Pistachio
• Zing - Clear Embossing Power
• Versmark
• Stampendous - Detail White Embossing Powder
• Copic Markers
• Gina K - Snowone Like You Stamp Set
• Lawn Fawn - Merry Messages Stamp Set

To make the card,  I stamped the background image with Versamark, added the clear embossing powder and heat set it.  The two green Distress Oxide inks were then added with the lighter color at the top of the panel, blending to the darker color.  The snowman was stamped and colored with various Copic markers, and then cut out with a circle die.  The background panel and snowman were both matted with green card stock.  The sentiment was stamped with Versmark, white embossing added and heat set.  The strip was cut to size and added to the panel along with the snowman to complete the card. 

Snowflake Card (Gina K)

Here is a card that I made based on one seen on the Gina K Facebook page.

 

I used the following for the card:

• Gina K - Complements of the Season Stamp Set
• Gina K - Let it Snow Stamp Set
• Gina K - Water Droplets Stencil

To make the card, I placed the stencil on a piece of white card stock.  Then using a light blue ink, I lightly brushed the ink through the stencil fading it near the edges.  I then randomly stamped the snowflakes using a gray ink.  The sentiment was then added using a black ink.  The panel was matted and added to the card base to complete the card.

A foiled Christmas Card (Gina K)

I found some left over pieces of foiled card stock from the cards I made last year.  So I took two of them and made this card:

I used the following for the card:

• Gina K - Foil Mates - Holiday Cheer, Ornament Holiday
• Gina K - Fancy Foil - Radiant Red
• Sizzix - Embossing Folder (Ornaments)

To make the card, I embossed the card base with the Sizzix Embossing Folder.  The foiled pieces were added to complete the card.

Christmas Wreath (Gina K)

The Gina K Wreath Builder makes it so easy to make different and unique wreaths every time it is used!  I played around a bit and made a wreath I really liked.  I then used that as a template to make multiple wreaths for multiple cards.  Here is the card that I made:

For the card, I used:

• Gina K - Wreath Builder templates
• Gina K - Small and Large Oval Dies
• Gina K - Mini Wreath Builder Stamp Set
• Gina K - Holiday Wreath Builder Stamp Set
• Gina K Ink - Christmas Pine, Fresh Asparagus, Cherry Red, Black Amalgam
• Hero Arts Ink - Cocoa
• Penny Black - Yuletide Wishes Stamp set

To make the card, I stamped the wreath (using the 3.75" template) images using a variety of inks.  Once the wreath was complete, it was cut in half.  Each half was then mounted to the top and bottom of a piece of red card stock measuring 4 x 5.25.  The band was created using a strip of white card stock matted on a piece of red card stock, and added between the two sides of the wreath.  The ovals were cut from red and white card stock, and added in the center of the wreath.  The sentiment was added to the white oval.  The entire piece was then added to a card base to complete the card.

Glittered Poinsettia

Several years ago, I got both the Poinsettia die and matching embossing folder.  I used it once.  I brought it out again this year to make these cards:

I used the following for the cards:

• Tim Holtz - Tattered Poinsettia Die and Embossing Folder
• Sookwang Double Sided tape
• Glitter Ritz Microfine Glitter - Emerald Green, Champagne
• Elizabeth Craft Designs - Bright Cranberry Microfine Glitter
• Elizabeth Craft Designs - Stand-up Helpers dies
• Star Form Peel-off stickers - Gold/Silver Lines (#7010), Circles (#7018) 
• Mark Richards Peel-off stickers - Seasons Greetings sentiments

To make the Poinsettia, I added the Sookwang tape to white card stock, and then using the die cut out the layers of the Poinsettia.  The layers were then embossed, using the matching embossing folder.  I removed the protective sheet from the tape, added the glitter and burnished it.  The center of the Poinsettia needed a bit more definition, so some peel-off gold circles were added.  The Poinsettia was assembled using pop-dots between the layers.

To make the card base, I used a top fold A2 sized card (4.25 x 5.5).  I added an additional score line at 2.75" (top side of the card).  On the other side (bottom side of the card) at 2.75 inches from the fold, the stand up feature was added in the center of the card.

The Poinsettia was added a piece of patterned paper which was then matted with card stock in the same color as the card base.  Peel-off stickers were added to the panel which was then added to the bottom portion of the top side of the card.

Below the stand up helper, a piece of the patterned paper (1.75") was added.  Peel-off stickers were added to the top and bottom, and the sentiment added in the middle.  The excess portion of the bottom side of the card was removed.

Challenges: Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Lets Sparkle

Technique Junkies BIrthday Card

I just realized I had not posted the card I made at the Technique Junkies Make & Take at the September SSAT show in Westminster MD.  I played a bit with this one, and had fun making it. 

It really looks as if the sentiment area is crooked, but I have measured it - its not!  I think its an optical illusion. 

Vanilla Arts - Flutterby

I really like how this one came out!  I can see doing this with other colors, perhaps to match the butterflies in my yard!

The size of this one is 8x11.5 - a full sheet. I'll be printing this at a small size to see how it would work as a card.

Elements of Nature Class - Kit and Clowder

A while back I signed up for the Elements of Nature class through Kit and Clowder.  Now that I am retired, I have time to work on this class.  I had originally planned on doing the class in colored pencil, but now that I have more time, I am doing the class in both Copic and colored pencil.  I'm currently using Prismacolor Pencils, but will be doing some of the future lessons with Polychromos.  In the pictures below, the Copic version is on the right, and the colored pencil version on the left.

Vanilla Arts - Sakura Blossoms

After struggling with the Jelly Beans, I needed to try something that I was more comfortable with, and that was the Sakura Blossoms class from Vanilla Arts.  This one came out great!

I was very pleased with the result, and plan on using the scanned copy of the image on cards.  I think that it will make a great birthday or anniversary card.

You've got mail - Fall Card

When I saw this stamp from Taylored Expressions, I knew I had to have it!  Of course it took me a year or two before I used it to make a card! 

I used the following for the card:

• Ink on 3 Fadeout Ink
• Impression Obsession - Wooden Plank Stamp
• Taylored Expressions - You've Got Mail - Fall Stamp
• Gina K designs Large and Small Rectangle Dies
• Hero Arts - Sandstone Ink
• Prismacolor Pencils

To make the card, I stamped the mailbox image on Kraft card stock with Fadeout Ink.  I then colored the image with Prismacolor Pencils. The image was then cut out with one of the large rectangle dies.  A slightly larger rectangle was cut out from a dark green card stock and the image was attached to the green rectangle.  The front of a dark orange card base was stamped with the Wooden Plank stamp.  The mailbox image was then to the card base to complete the card

A Pumpkin Halloween Card

I had a left over piece of foil, and it inspired this card:

I used the following for the card:

• Elizabeth Craft Designs - Pumpkin Die
• Martha Stewart - Happy Halloween Stamp Set
• Heidi Swapp Gold Minc Foil
• Gina K Designs - Foilmates - Leaves
• Deco Foil Toner Sheets

To make the card, I first cut the pumpkins, layers and assembled them.  The left over foil was added to a toner sheet and run through my Minc Machine.  The pumpkins were added to the foiled panel.  The sentiment was stamped on a strip of orange paper and added to the foiled panel.  The entire panel matted with black card stock and added to an orange card base to complete the card.

Fall Leaves Card

A while back I purchased the Gina K Leaves Foil-Mates from Gina K.  I had plans at the time to use it, but somehow didn't get around to it until now.  Its hard to photograph foil, but you can see a bit of it in the card below. 

I used the following for the card:

• Gina K - Foil-Mates (Leaves)
• Tim Holtz - Skeleton Leaves
• Distress Oxide Ink - Carved Pumpkin, Mowed Lawn, Dried Marigold, Barn Door, Fossilized Amber
• Heidi Swapp Minc Foil - Gold
• Versamark
• Stampendous Detailed Gold Embossing Powder

To make the card, I cut the Foil-Mate to 3.75 x 5.  To this I added the gold foil .  Using Life Saving Brushes I added and blended the Distress Oxide Inks.  The panel was matted with green card stock and added to the card base.  I then cut the leaves from brown card stock and added them to the card.  The sentiment was stamped in Versmark, gold embossing powder added ad heat set.  This was then added to the card.  

A Ghost filled Halloween Card

I collect foil.  I admit it, I am a foil hoarder.  I think I have more foil than I will ever use!  One of the foils I found in my collection is not all that opaque.  It was perfect for the ghosts on this card:

I used the following for the card:

• A Colorful Life - Ghosties Stencil
• Creative Vision Stamps - Foilables Mini Series - Hocus Pocus
• Gina K - Sweet Mango Foil
• Deco Foil - Opal
• Deco Foil - Transfer Gel

To make the card, the stencil was placed on a piece of black card stock.  The transfer gel was added.  Once dry, the opal foil was added, and run through my Minc machine.  The Hocus Pocus foilables were foiled with the Sweet Mango foil, and added on top of the ghosts.  The panel was then added to an orange card base to complete the card.

Entered in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Halloween

Trick or Treat Halloween Card

For this card, I again used a variety of products from a variety of manufacturers, but they all went together so well to make this card!

For the card I used:

• Distress Oxide Ink - Dusty Concord, Abandoned Coral, Scattered Straw
• Martha Stewart - Happy Halloween Stamp Set
• Recollections - Halloween Phrases Stamp Set
• Just for Fun - Halloween Parade
• Unknown - Tree
• Versafine - Black Onyx Ink
• Versamark 
• Zing Clear Embossing Power
• Stampednous Detail White Embossing Powder

To make the card, I used Life Saving Brushes to add and blend the Distress Oxide ink.  Water was spritzed onto the panel.  Once dry, the tree was stamped with the Black Onyx ink, clear embossing powder added and heat set.  The process was repeated with both the fence, and the Trick or Treaters.  The sentiment was stamped with Versmark, white embossing powder added and heat set.  The entire panel was then added to a black mat.  This was then added to the card base to complete the card.

A Creepy Halloween Card

Here is a cute Halloween card that is made with a variety of products. These are all older stamps, some I don't even know the manufacturer!  But, they all went together so well to make this card:

I used the following for the card:

• Distress Oxide Ink - Dusty Concord, Abandoned Coral, Scattered Straw
• Recollections - Halloween Phrases
• I don't know the manufacturer of the tree and fence stamps
• Versafine Black Onyx Ink
• VersaMark
• Zing Clear Embossing Powder
• Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder

To make the card, I used the Life Saving Brushes from Picket Fence Studio to add and  blend the Distress Oxide Ink.  This was then spritzed with a little water.  Once the panel was dry, I stamped the tree with the Black Onyx Ink, added clear embossing power over the top and heat set it.  I repeated the process for the fence.  I added the sentiment by stamping with VersaMark, adding white embossing powder and heat setting it.  The entire panel was then matted with black card stock and added to the card base to complete the card. 

Vanilla Arts - Scarlet Geranium and a card!

My grandparents grew geraniums in window boxes.  When I saw this class, it immediately reminded me of the geraniums they grew.  I knew I had to tackle at least one more Vanilla Arts class.

This was an interesting one to photograph/scan.  The flowers actually changed color depending on the lighting and the photos were different than the scan!  I am still trying to get an accurate picture! The third picture is the most accurate. The first,  taken with additional indoor lighting.  The second picture has no additional lighting (very orange), the third is a photo taken outside, the fourth picture is a scan of the original (which I used to make a card).

I had planned on spending time with my dad on his 80th birthday, the plane tickets were bought, the suitcases packed, and then my husband ended up in the hospital, so I had to re-schedule my trip, and have been calling it his "unbirthday".   So a card was in order!  I used a scanned copy to make an his  "unbirthday" card.  (and yes it was his parents the grew the geraniums)

Halloween Wreath

Using the Gina K Wreath Builder makes cards fast!  Here is one that I made for Halloween.

I used the following for the card:

• Gina K Wreath Builder Template
• Gina K Autumn Wreath Builder Stamps
• Gina K Ink - Fresh Asparagus, Honey Mustard, Faded Brick
• Memento Ink - Tangelo
• Martha Stewart - Happy Halloween

To make the card I stamped the elements of the wreath using the Autumn Wreath Builder stamps.  I stamped the sentiment, which is from a very old Martha Stewart Halloween Stamp set with the Memento Ink to make the color of the pumpkin.  These two images were then added to a mat and the entire piece added to the card base to complete the card.

Vanilla Arts - Jelly Beans

When I first saw this class from Vanilla Arts, I had to take it, since I love Jelly Belly jelly beans, and it reminded me of a great big pile of Jelly Belly's!  I didn't realize how hard this one would be, since they are jelly beans.  This one was a real stretch for me, and one which I will need to do again, once I have some more experience.  Here is how it came out for me:

Hudson the Bear (Vanilla Arts class)

Another Vanilla Arts class is complete.  I learned a lot from this one, and was amazed at how he came out in the end! 

The fur on the bear didn't photograph well, so I scanned the image and its a little better:

Color Pencil Jumpstart Class

You would think that colored pencil should be easy - right?  Not for me, so I took the on-line class Color Pencil Jumpstart from Sandy Allnock.  This class help me find were I was having a problem (it's the pressure I use).   There were several techniques taught as well.  I now know how to color on dark colored card stock, vellum, use colored pencils like watercolor, and use pencil powder. Here are the samples from each of the lessons.

Butterfly Drift Birthday Card

For my birthday I got a Gemini Jr.  I had to try it as soon as I got it.  So I chose a die that I had trouble with in my Cuttlebug, which was Butterfly Drift.  I cut it several times with different color card stock and made this card:

I had no problem with the die and love the machine. It will be my go-to die cutting machine from now on.

To make the card I used:
Simon Says Stamp - Butterfly Drift die
Honey Bee Stamps - Sending You Sentiments stamp set
Stampendous - Detail White Embossing Powder
Versamark

To make the card, I cut various colors of card stock with the die.  These were then added to a piece of dark blue card stock.  The sentiments were added, and the entire image added to a card base to complete the card.

Art Impressions Watercolor Cards

I was fortunate that I was able to take the Art Impressions Class at CKC in Lancaster.  We did 4 different images in the class.  When I take a class most of the time I don't make cards with the class images, but with the Art Impressions class images, I did make cards!  Here they are:

For the cards, I used:

Art Impressions Watercolor stamps

Various Tombow markers

Old Truck:

Gina K - Birthday stamp

Simon Says Stamp - Stitched Rectangles Dies

Wreath:

Technique Tuesday -  Be Jolly stamp set

Flowers:

Hero Arts Infinity Circle Dies

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Picket Fence Studios - Words to Say Happy Anniversary stamp set

Little Girl:

Hero Arts Infinity Oval Dies

Inkadinkado -  Greetings stamp set

Cuttlebug Divine Swirl Embossing Folder