AAA Colourful Dreamy Moodboard

It's time for another challenge with AAA Colourful and I am so delighted to be joining them as a Guest Designer this month. I love colour and was very excited when this new challenge blog started up and here we are at month four, doesn't time fly! 

This month's moodboard is so dreamy and it really reminded me of Craft Consortium's Ink Drop Papers which are perfect for those of us that would like the look of alcohol ink backgrounds.

I'm sure I not the only person who has watched a Jennifer McGuire video and went and bought what she was working with and I must admit this is how I own some CC Ink Drop papers and also some coverplate dies from Honey Bees (Delicate Daisy A2 Top and Base plates) after watching her create her usual magic. I have blogged about my first plays HERE and HERE. When Jane invited me to be the Guest Designer this month I went this will be easy that moodboard looks just like my DSP so I'll just tweak the card design using this time Vivid Ink Drops DSP (CC) and use a different "leaf" and the coverplate dies Jennifer "made me buy" for the background.

I'm really happy with my card but feel that my 3/4" paper strips maybe too green and the yellow seems to have disappeared in the strips. This is a no stamping card as the sentiment is a ready-made foiled sentiment from Pinkfresh Studio. The lovely leave die is Whirl Leaves (SSS)

Well I hope I have provided some inspiration for the moodboard or to just to use up some DSP in your stash as this truly is a really effective card and quite quick to put together which is always appreciated if you need a card in a hurry, this design would also work so well for Sympathy cards. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Design team came up for the challenge so hope you can join in, you have plenty of time to play along.

I'm also feeling like my colours are quite representative of the colours at The Paper Players at the moment so will join in with their latest challenge. Also Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge is to add a die cut and when you add a SSS die cut to your card it would be foolish not to enter as who doesn't want to win a $25 gift card to their store (it will pay for my postage back to NZ).

Thanks so much for popping in.

✿Karen✿

Celebrations Delivered part 1

After doing three Crop & Create Delivered virtual events with Scrapbook and Cards Today I'd decided for myself last year that 3 was enough. They are awesome fun and you get so much stuff I nicknamed them #SCTbigboxevent but with 15-17 classes in a box with stamps/stencils/dies sometimes embossing folders etc. etc. there truly was no more room in my small crafty space for so much stuff, and if I'm honest a lot of it wasn't something I would choose to buy normally. So when they announced last year they too were getting burnt out and would be doing a one day smaller event with 1 kit being taught by 3 instructors and significantly cheaper I thought I would give it a go. 

SCT's next big box event is in September (Fall event) , personally I preferred the Spring box, it's happy and colourful. I 'm not into making and sending Fall cards, so the stars were aligning for me to be more frugal in my spending for Virtual classes in 2024 without me having to have willpower.

Well yesterday was the day for the new style of event and the first one was aptly named Celebrations Delivered, the instructors were Cathy Zielske, Mindy Eggen, Meghann Andrew and special guest Jennifer McGuire who did a special wrap up at the end; in the past she did her magic with all 17 kit products, this time there was only the one kit. 

Well we mayn't have got a big box but we sure got a big bag of dies, a big stamp set (6" x 8"), wee bag of clear sequins and 3 stencils in a mesh bag plus enough white card (80 lb. and 100 lb. for our card bases and panels, plus some gold card, acetate and vellum). 

In reality there was actually 40 dies, so really great value for the cost ($60 early bird and $22 shipping - all USD). We have been provided instructions and videos for 3 cards with each instructor plus some extra card ideas. There's also the bonus 30-minute video of Jennifer creating with the kit too.

The first class was kicking off at my 4am - 6am I decided sleeping was much better for me and set my alarm for 620am for the 7am class with Mindy but eek that was still too early for me, so went straight back to sleep and made Meghann's class easily at  my10 am-noon and I managed to catch the first card of Jennifer's extras. So even with it just being a one day event I still have lots of catch up to do.....the story of my crafting life.

Back to the cards first card with Meghann Andrew; this was my favourite of  "the official cards she was teaching". The beautiful bouquet of flowers was placed in our stamp positioners and stamped in one corner of an A2 panel using Pebble ink (C9), then the paper moved 180 degrees and stamped in the other corner. 

We then used our largest postage die to cut out, now this is where I think it gets pretty cool (but the Pebble stamped image is amazing too). We then glued down the outer frame of the A2 panel so the stamped image is on the edge, the die-cut is popped up and placed perfectly in the middle, I'm out a tiny tad but it still looks amazing. As someone in our group watching the video commented this would make a fab sympathy card, but the whole design concept would work for lots of stamped images and lots of different colour inks.

Next card and the coolest thing re this card is we have added tiny pieces of Vellum behind each window, someone in the group also said she filled hers with Glossy Accents which would also be very cool. But what a fun die. As I now have a bit of Concord & 9th inks, some as part of my kits from the "big box" and some because I bought it, I have worked with the same colours as Meghann: Pebble, Honeycomb, Sea Glass, Juniper and Grapefruit.

Last card we did some dry debossing with the balloon dies we received on our die-cut white panel and then used the stencil to add some pops of colours using the stencils to match the card stock used with the happy die-cuts, same colour palate as above (Honeycomb, Grapefruit, Sea Glass and Juniper - ink only on Birthday sentiment). We received as part of our kit a bag of clear sequins which have been placed in an uneven number down the middle as a squiggle but they are very subtle.

Meghann even had time at the end of her class to fit in showing us how to make one of her extra card suggestions. She kindly provided instructions and pictures of 3 extra cards and we got to vote in a poll which one we would like her to demo, off course we all chose the hardest.

As Jennifer doesn't provide instructions and her cards are always so wow I decided this time I would create her first card straight away so I didn't forget how she did it this time. It is a fab spin on the emboss resist technique.

• This is a really clever idea and uses FOUR circle die cuts (4-1/4") which have been white embossed using the bouquet stamp in our kit, again the circle is placed into one corner of a stamp positioner, so the repeat stamping is "identical".
• I have used some of my new Pinkfresh Studio inks which I love; Sunkissed, Mango Sorbet and Fruit Punch to blend a gradient. 
• We only had to ink blend on one half of the circle as the other half is hidden underneath. The circles are then scored down the middle (2-1/8") and attached and folded to interlock around a square that is the same size as the circle (4-1/4"), then attached to a slightly bigger piece of white card stock (4-1/2" square) to hide the mess underneath.
• Belly band was made of a strip of Vellum (11" x 1-1/2") and a sentiment attached. I also stamped with the lightest ink on the larger white square as I was a bit confused and thought that was the inside but the inner square is the identical size as the circles, but it still looks pretty there ;)

Well I am really rapt I signed up for this event, it is awesome value and I love that ALL the instructors are working with the same kit and all the cards we are being taught are all so different. But you'll have to wait for my next blogging of the event to see that ;)

I can warn you know that the next event like this that SCT is running is called Jolly Holiday and scheduled for the last weekend in July, registrations start next week for the "public", cost is $65 USD and $25 USD shipping to NZ. As I was an attendee of this event I was able to sign up already for a $5 discount but truly such good value either way I would highly recommend doing one if you can afford it. It will be great to do a Christmas in July event too.

 

✿Karen✿

OCC Relax & Rewind Holiday 2023 (part 1)

Gosh it truly feels like the silly season is here and we're out and about, the days are sunnier so less time stuck inside. My partner & I have just returned from a weekend trip to Waiheke Island to catch up with friends and this weekend we're back up to Auckland for 2 lunches and a show on Saturday night. I almost groaned so loud that I'm sure Kristina and Jennifer could have heard me in America when they announced a new Online Card Class; titled Relax & Rewind Holiday 2023. I wouldn't be around when live as away and unlike the USA it's Summer here and lots to do outside but their classes are awesome value and you can do them anytime with lifetime access so it seemed silly not to sign up.

This "CLASS" is a bit different than others I have done, it's shorter and all done in one day and is technique focused.

Session one is Jennifer McGuire and Cathy Zielske teaching 6 techniques over 2 hours. The second session follows the same format with Kristina Werner and Dana Joy teaching 6 techniques in 2 hours.

I managed to achieve the first three techniques yesterday so I'm a quarter done already. It was fun to just play and make a background. I used Strathmore Bristol Smooth card stock for the 3 inky backgrounds below.

The first technique to start it all off was ink smooshing. I've never done it by smooshing to glass before then wetting with a mister bottle. 

This is the inks smooshed down on my wee WRMK glass mat, before misting with my water bottle.

I started off using my Concord and 9 inks as they were similar to Cathy's blend. I'd already made my first panel when they commented C9 inks weren't probably that water reactive as a response to someone asking that question in live chat. The Lilac ink is definitely not dark enough and I tried re-smooshing it 2x more I couldn't seem to lose the "white space" where it was supposed to be.

I had a scrap of Strathmore left over so thought would try again with some Distress inks and instead of using water use my Shimmer "Sparkle" spray, the picture doesn't show the sparkle but it's there IRL.

The second technique was ink lifting using water or your shimmer spray I chose to use my shimmer spray again. In a nutshell make an ink blended background by inking directly to paper with the inkpad. I then used a blending foam to add a slightly darker colour for a more dramatic effect. This technique works better with darker inks.

I'm pretty sure I used Pine Needles and Prize Ribbon distress inks for my ink to paper. I used a red rubber background stamp Winter Foliage (PFS) to ink lift the image. In real life the panel looks real velvety with the shimmer spray.

The last technique I played along with was Colourful Paper Strips as I've never used a metallic in my mix before. I grabbed 2 colours and a matte gold that I had big enough scraps to make my panel out of, I used a die from Pinkfresh Studio that cuts 1/4" strips (x4) to speed up the process and the accuracy of the strip width.

Mix it up with Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner

Now doesn't that sound like a perfect pairing. I've only done two Pinkfresh Create and Connects before and for both of those Jennifer McGuire does the last class mixing everything we get in our swag. That was the plan for this event too but she had some surgery scheduled for the day before her live class so she passed the reins onto her craftie bestie Kristina to teach her designs. 

Now I shouldn't be happy that Jen couldn't make it but being Kristina's no. 1 fan I was happy to take a class under her tutelage, she seems very quiet teaching since her marriage. All products used are Pinkfresh Studios apart from the card stock which came from my stash as I couldn't get any card stock from The Stamp Market but my colour matches are just about bang on. I used Pink Lemonade from Concord and 9 and Teal Topaz from Spellbinders. Also this is a sneak peek of Glacier glitter paper which will be eventually released from Pinkfresh Studios.

Now I am really struggling with taking photos for this class as its been a really grey and wet week here so I'll start off with the official photo of what we were aiming to create and in all honesty I think I nailed it pretty good as here's my cards, side by side:

Both cards used the new interactive slider die we received as part of our kits. 

TEAL CARD: The envelope die was part of the Holiday Gifts die set (Carissa Wiley's class), plus we also used the Ornaments and Foliage stamp set and die (Channin Pellitier's class) and the sentiments came from various stamp sets we received. Obviously I wouldn't use Winter Greetings as its summertime here at Christmas.

With the ink blending for these Jennifer wanted to show the power of grey to change the colours. The top sentiment stamps like that on purpose (I don't like it), it's weird it has thicker and thinner letters and I would use another sentiment from my stash in future. All colouring has been done through the matching stencil for the ornaments and foliage and arranged and yah this was a quick card.

PINK CARD: The Folk Snowflake was part of Heather Hoffman's class kit. It also had a matching stencil and OMG I love stenciling on the light glitter paper, why didn't I think of that it was so effective and sparkly. We also received another essential die Ornate Rectangle Frames which is framing it all.

Now this time Jennifer has the mechanism having a mat for a gift card to be attached to when you pull which is a great idea but I just love my snowflake even though I don't do snow I do, do glitter. Again a pretty quick card to create (we had die cut everything for the slider card beforehand).

I love this card and think I'll just make some A2 cards with the ink-blended snowflakes. So Jennifer being the GOAT she is showed us how to do magic with the slider die, she also used the other essential die we received and used THREE class supplies in her "Mix It Up" which was taught fabulously by Kristina. As Kristina was thrown in the deep end at the last moment she had just learnt to teach the cards so she was really good at explaining what stumped her a bit so that helped heaps.

Well my plan originally was to finish this event before the Big Box Event starts with Scrapbook and Cards Today tomorrow but in all honesty I did my holiday event with Pinkfresh the first weekend of October in 2022 the weekend after the Big Box one so I'm just happy I am a third done so I have lots more fab and fun Christmas cards to recreate at both events.

#pfcreateandconnect

✿ Karen ✿

Take 2 with the ink drops paper

I had a left over card base and my first embossed word (which hadn't stamped that fab as "new") and thought I would make another card using the Craft Consortium Ink Drops paper; this time using "Ocean".

These papers are a dreamy paint pour with gold. I like the green with a hint of blue as it is much more dramatic. My first card I made for a colour throwdown to use dusky pinks so had to use my "Rose" paper and you can see the blog post HERE which has a lot more information.

But really happy with both cards and even this one made with the left over scraps/rejects is much better than horrible!!

And the 2 cards together:

This is a really cool card design of Jennifer McGuire's and could be modified for all sorts of DSP and ephemera to whip up cards easily. I'm not sure which Ink Drops DSP Jennifer used but she has a lot more colours in her papers so I'm wondering if it is "Vivid" but they are sensational papers in real life, so keep your eyes peeled at your local craft stores for any of the range.

✿ Karen ✿

She did it again....

I was Jen-enabled by Jennifer McGuire to buy some of the new Honey Bee spring release after seeing one of her fabulous videos, if you want to see the cards she created you can check out her blog post HERE.

The Color Throwdown have the most dreamy colours as their challenge this week but I don't really own any dull or dusky pink inks which is why I had a lightbulb moment going I have some Rose Ink Drops DSP in my stash and then I can use those goodies that Jen "made me buy".

I have used a different DSP and embossing folder from her card but I do love the clean lines of this card and it should brighten up a friend's letterbox as winter is approaching real fast in NZ.

Supply List:

Stamps: Big Time Kindness (HB)

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Rose Ink Drops (Craft Consortium), Neenah White #110, Gold Opulent (Sizzix)

Dies: Big Time Kindness (HB), Lovely Layers : Springtime Greenery (HB)
Other: Orange Peel Quilt EF (SP), 1mm stamping foam squares (SP), WOW metallic rich pale gold EP

Challenges: CTD #740

For Kiwis and maybe Aussies this is a new paper to me and the mirror gold is a shiny bright gold and only recently discovered by moi. It's normal price in NZ is approx. $40 at Spotlight but I picked it up  for $28 when it was on special; along with the Ivory and you get 50 sheets/10 of each. This is phenomenal value and it die cuts really easily.

Talking about opulent there are some real dreamy and opulent cards the DT team have created as inspiration and there is still a few days to join in with this challenge.

✿ Karen ✿