*Stencils*

 I honestly didn't think I'd ever "get in to" stencils... when I first started seeing them it was a lot more mixed media stuff and it wasn't my style.  I don't know what changed (probably me) but I have found myself gravitating towards stencils when I'm shopping.  To the point of wandering around a trendy shopping area in Calgary on the weekend and stopping in front of the art store because of all the stencils they had hanging in the window display.  

Today, the Scrap 'n Stamp Canada Random Acts of Cardness prompt is Stencils... and since I put an "s" on the end of my prompt word, I decided I should use more than one stencil.  I used two LOL!

I wish I had taken photos of the process, but honestly, I was in the creative zone and didn't even think of it.

I started out with the smaller white panel for the front of my card.  I used a Taylored Expressions Masking Stencil and some inks and blending brushes to create the centre panel.  I set it aside to dry for about a half hour before carrying on with the card because I didn't want to work on top of the colours if they were still wet.  I then adhered a patterned stencil on top and using Purple, masked off everything except that colour rectangle.  I put a layer of Glimmer Paste over top and once again, set it aside for about an hour so that it would fully dry. 

The rest of the card came together easily using my Layers Guide to create that great 1/16" mat behind the front panel.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White; Lawn Fawn Sugarplum

*Images:  Avery Elle Loads of Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Distress Inks Picked Raspberry and Wilted Violet

*Stencils:  Taylored Expressions Rectangle Masking Stencil; Paper Rose Big Drops

*Tools:  Taylored Expressions Blending Brushes; Layers Guide

*Etc:  Moonstone Nuvo Glimmer Paste; Purple Tape

*Gold Joy*

I have quite the stash of Christmas patterned papers... and I decided it was time to start using them instead of just collecting them and waiting for the "right time" to use them.  Am I the only one that buys pretty things and then doesn't want to use them?  It's like I worry I'll never find anything else like it, or any else that I'll like.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Tranquil Tide, Merry Merlot, gold glitter

*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Joy

*Tools;  Gemini Jr; Perfect Layers

*Merry and Bright*

I think this is such a wonderful colour combination.  I can't take credit for it as I saw a similar card on Pinterest in the last weeks and sketched out the idea.  If I end up needing to make multiples of some cards, this will be one I replicate as I just love it.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler

*Images:  Stampin' Up! Peace & Joy; MFT Merry & Bright

*Ink:  Gina K Ocean Mist; Catherine Pooler Rockin' Red

*Dies:  MFT Phrase Builders, Holly Berries

*Tools:  Gemini Jr; Perfect Layers

*Etc:  white Gelly Roll pen

*Eighty*

Good afternoon friends....  sorry to have been absent for so long.  Life has gotten in the way of creating and posting.

Last month I was asked to recreate a card a friend had seen online for her to give to her grandmother on her 80th birthday.  I had to get a little creative with it, but I think she was happy with the results...

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Crumb Cake
• Dies:  MFT Impact Alphabet; Waffle Flower A2 Layer Dies
• Tools:  Perfect Layers; Big Shot
• Etc:  Recollections alphabet stickers; Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen

*The Same, But Different*

Are you seeing things?  Nope... this is a very similar card to the one I posted yesterday.  The circle element, when put together, creates two circles so I might as well use them both.  I got this idea from a card I saw by Laura Bassen... it's really fun!