Some Catching Up!

I have been doing some creating, but just never seem to find the time to post them!  I have quite a few one-layer technique cards to share, so I am going to put them all in one post so that I can get them out there to share with you!

The first four cards were created with the same basic stamp layout but using different color palettes and sentiments.  I really loved doing this water-colored image overlaid with the crisp images.  I think it is really elegant.  The flowers are from a Stampendous, and all sentiments are from Wordsworth (I think).

 

 

 

These next cards were done using the one-layer technique on ATC's, but then matted and mounted on an embossed white card background.  For these I let the stamped images do the talking.  I used a combination of stamps for each one and can't remember all of them!  Some of these pictures were taken at night with my phone, so I apologize for the wonky background coloring of some of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next set of cards need some explaining... 

 

Several years ago a friend of mine had created some background papers using a palette knife/spatula and acrylic paint.  She called the technique "smooshing" and I can't think of a better term, so "smooshing" it is! 

 

Since I was digging the mini ATC cards using the one-layer technique...I thought I would use the "smooshing" technique on some water color paper and see what happened.  I took the paint and literally splotched it on with a piece of plastic (I took the foam off one of the cheap foam brushes and used the plastic spatula part underneath).  I layered many colors and used regular and metallic paints to achieve the sheets of artwork. 

 

I then cut them into ATC sized cards and mounted them on embossed cards with some fibers and thread to give them some dimension.  They were miniature acrylic paintings and I love them!  I guess I was channeling my inner Jackson Pollack.  I only wish I could sell them for the insane amount of money his paintings go for!  I hope you like them too...

 

A Changito Christmas

I had the urge to get out my Changito Winter set and this is what I came up with.  I just love this crazy monkey!  I think I may have to do a variation for some of my Christmas cards this year....

SCUBA Birthday

I made this card for a former co-worker that recently celebrated his birthday.  I just love this Changito fella from Stampendous.  The sentiment that goes with it (on the inside) reads "Super Creative Unexpected Birthday Acknowledgement."  S.C.U.B.A....get it? 

Weekend Card Extravaganza

Friday night was craft night with my friends and we did even more of the one layer cards!  I promise I haven't given up my markers...just having fun getting inky and actually stamping!  Below are the cards I created Friday night...

The first one features a stamp from Penny Black.  The sentiment is by Wordsworth.

While I had the blue ink out, I tried another version featuring two birds on a branch by Penny Black.  Sentiment by Hero Arts.

 

 

Next up I created two strips of color and then masked both and stamped over them.  I love this!  I will definitely have to try again.  I also want to try using some shapes (circle, etc.) as the sponged backgrounds.  Main image by Panny Black, sentiment from Stampendous.

Next card used a similar color palette, but I liked the background so much, I left it alone and just added a sentiment from Wordsworth.

The last one I tried something a bit different.  I did the usual inked acrylic block, but rather than stamping the main image in black, I colored the image with markers and then added it to the right.  I love the way it turned out. Main image by Penny Black, sentiment from Wordsworth.

One Layer Cards

I have been on a one layer card kick lately!  Apparently, I am still caught up in it!  Below are some of the latest creations using that technique.  Some of these were made on a stamping retreat last weekend, others were made one night this past week.  I imagine there will be more to come as I find time to get my hands all inky!!!

First up is one celebrating the sun and a great image/sentiment stamp from Wordsworth.

 

The next one is outside my comfort zone, but sometimes you just gotta try it and see what happens!  This one is definitely colorful and I kinda like the way it turned out! I borrowed the balloon stamp from a friend.  I think it may be by Just for Fun, but I can't remember.

 

 

Next, I explored my favorite color palette...PURPLE!  Nuff 'said. This one could be used for a variety of ocassions.  The sentiment is by Stampendous.

 

 

I love how the next one turned out!  I think it is one of my recent favorites!  I decided to NOT do a monochromoatic color palette with this one and it turned out AWESOME!  The sentiment is from Wordsworth.

 

 

I started trying to paint the sections using markers instead of dabbing inkpads on the acrylic block for the background.  Using that method makes it so much easier to create the kind of effect I like. The tree, sentiment and birds are all from Wordsworth.

 

 

The next two use the same color combination, but I used different shaped blocks for the backgrounds. Thinking of You Sentiment by Hero Arts.  The second sentiment from Wordsworth.

 

 

 

The last one I have to share features an old sentiment stamp from Wordsworth.  I love how dramatic this one is.  I love the green monochromatic background.  Definitely another one of my favorites!

 



Coffee Monkey

This card was made for a co-worker's birthday.  He is a coffee afficionado, so I thought the Changito Monkey with the coffee cups was just perfect!  Instead of the sentiment that came with the Stampendous set, I decided to use another one for fun. I think the sentiment is from Hambo Stamps...forgot to look that one up!

 

More Catching Up...

Here are some more creations that I wanted to share!  This was one I made for my Brother for Father's Day (yes...I am that far behind!).  This features on of the crazy Changito Monkey stamps from Stampendous.  He is the "grill master" at his house, so I thought this was fitting!

Next up is the one I made for my grandfather for Father's Day. It features a fun digi stamp from Prairie Fairy.  I just adore this bunny.  Meant to use it for a Valentine's card, but it never happened.  I know he loved this one...even if it was a bit "mushy"!

 

Next up is a card I made for a sick co-worker.  I have no idea who made this stamp and sentiment.  I stamped up some several years ago and recently found them in a large pile of "to do" images.

 

 

This card was made for my Aunt Sue's Birthday.  I was pressed for time, and had colored up this Stampin' Up image some time ago using my Twinkling H2O's.  I was able to put this one together pretty quickly since I already had an image done.

 

 

More Tomorrow!!!

Christmas Cards

Now that my Christmas cards have made their way to their destinations (hopefully!), I can share them! It was a Stampendous Stamps Extravaganza this year. I decided to use some Fluffles the Cat and Changito the Monkey stamps for some fun-filled greeting cards. Instead of doing a ga-zillion cards exactly the same, I made four versions. Most of the papers were from the Basic Grey Collection. For some of them, I used the Stampedous Fake Flocking for the white on hats and mittens!

As ususal, I used Copic Markers to color the images...


Coal Again?
Copic Colors Used:
Fluffles: C0, C1, C3
Stocking: R32, R35, R37
Pine Bow: YG63, YG67
Ornaments: R32, R35, R37; B0000, B000, Boo; R81, R83
Nose: RV04


Christmas Spirit
Copic Colors Used:
Fluffles: C0, C1, C3
Lights: R32, R35, R37; B000, Boo, Bo2; YG13, YG17
Plug: W5



Skating Changito
Copic Colors Used:
Monkey: E31, E33, E35, E37
Hat/Boots/Mittens: R32, R35, R37
Scarf: B0000, Boo0, B00
Present: R81, R83; YG11, YG13, YG91



Bless Your Little Hearth
Copic Colors Used:
Monkey: E31, E33, E35, E37
Cookies: E31, E35, E37
Bag/Hat/Mittens: R32, R35, R37
Bricks: YG91, YG93
Fireplace Tools: C3, C5, C7
Plate: B000, B00, B02
Milk: W00
Fireplace (inside): airbrushed with W1, W3

Wild About You

I needed a card for a very special guy that volunteers where I work. He gave me a really nice gift and I just had to make him a card to say Thank You. I had this image stamped up for some time, but had not had time to color him. The patterned paper was some I found at a scrapbook store when I was at the Outer Banks on vacation and it inspired me to use this image! Such a fun, whimsical card!

Copic Colors Used:
Changito (monkey): E53, E55, E57
Coconuts: E70, E71, E74
Palm Leaves: YG11, YG13, YG17
Palm Trunk: E31, E33, E35, E37

Code Monkey Birthday

This card reminds me of my brother...He is a computer guru and we used to laugh at the scene from A Christmas Story when Ralphie comes down the stairs in his bunny suit! Since my brother works from home on a computer all day, I thought this would be the perfect card for his recent birthday! The stamp is from Stampendous and is one of the Changito line.

Copic Colors Used:
Monkey: E30, E31, E33, E35
Laptop: Y32, Y35, Y38
Bunny Slippers: RV21, RV23
Pajamas: YG11, YG13, YG17
Couch/Ottoman: B000, B00, B01

Scuba Monkey

This Changito stamp by Stampendous is a HOOT! I had fun with this card. I used paper by Creative Imaginations, the dots Cuttlebug embossing folder, the Nestabilities ovals (scalloped and regular), dew drops, and a few stamps from one of my Cornish Heritage Farms set. The image is colored with my Copic markers...of course!

Colors Used:
Tank/Flippers: YG00, YG01, YG03
Tank/Goggles: B000, B00, B01
Changito the Monkey: E31, E33, E35, E37
Fishie: Y38; YR20
Coral: YR000, YR00, YR01; YR41
Sea Grass: YG00, YG01, YG03

Cards for the Troops

I volunteered to make some cards for the troops, so I made two each of the three cards below. I tried to keep them somewhat simple and give them some sentiments that might be generic enough that they can be used for a bunch of different occasions. I think they will enjoy having them!

Variations on a Snow Board Kitty

I had colored up 4 of the Fluffles on a Snowboard images and decided to make the card similar in layout, but change up the color palette. The results are fun! Image by Stampendous, Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder, various patterned papers. Colored with Copics.