A simply marvellous stamp

When the Hero Arts Large Flower background stamp came out quite a while back, I didn't think I wanted it as it was too much colouring for me. But how times have changed! I think it is an incredibly versatile stamp and you can get so many different looks to the end result. 

Firstly, one doesn't have to colour in everything ... and by embossing white on white, the dotted background becomes a subtle texture. I painted this with Distress inks.



Secondly, one doesn't have to use the whole stamp ... and you can add emphasis by partially detail cutting. Embossed white on kraft and coloured with Prismacolor pencils. 




I can see many more cards on the horizon. 

Since I have used 2 colouring techniques I will enter Virginia's View Challenge : All about Colours.

Distress Resist Layers

It's been a while since I did some distress resist, but Anita gave us wonderful inspiration at Muse Challenge this week.

I have gone with her technique, but changed the colours. 
Stamping and embossing clear each time, I went in order ... on the white, then Squeezed Lemonade, then Tumbled Glass (which gave the light green when added to the yellow), followed by Salty Ocean and ending with Blueprint Sketch.
I kept a rectangle panel, but made it smaller to give a lighter feel, and used the outline stamps for the background.

Here is Anita's card

I had a tiny frame left over, plus another rectangle, so made another one

I'll enter this to Virginia's View Challenge #22 : All about colours as it fits the colour layering criteria.

My Sunshine

I have always called my eldest, my "Sunshine". And she certainly has brought the sunshine into our lives. So the CASology Challenge : Sunshine is close to my heart.

She is living on an island over 6000kms away from ours, so I love to send her cards, and this theme is perfect for her.

Mixing up some of my many sunshine stamps from Hero Arts, Simon Says Stamp and WPlus9.

Little Bird

I had to buy the whole set, just to get this delightful little bird. 

I was inspired by Kimberly Wiener at Muse : Christmas Challenge, 

and will also enter to Just us Girls Challenge : Bird.

CASology 200th

Congrats to CASology for the 200th Challenge : CAS! The design team have given me so much inspiration and teaching over the years. Thank you ladies.

You can even use stencils for a CAS card ... as long as you keep some white space.

Also entering this to Addicted to CAS : Anything Goes.

Masked Petals

Sorry that I have been away for so long ... I think I left my mojo in South Africa. But I had to get my act together to give a course on Thursday. I couldn't resist using my new Hero Arts Antique Rose stamp.

Some masking to create depth, and colouring with Distress Inks. I painted the edge of the die cut rectangle with Gesso before sponging.

My entry for ...

... Addicted to CAS : Petals Challenge

... Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge : Mask It