My friend Amy Schrock, of Amy's Wares, invited me to have a play with a few gorgeous stencils gifted to me from A Colorful Life Designs - thank you, Mary Kay! I don't have, or often use 'stand-alone' stencils as the star of my cards. There are so many mixed media artists I am in awe of! Amy is one of them!
During the month of April, I will be popping in with cards using these incredible ACLD stencils - my way! I hope you enjoy them!
First up - Flower Overlay stencil! From my time spent with the fantastic gals at the CAS Mix Up challenge, I remembered a technique in which we used a micro pen to outline the open spaces of a stencil - it worked a charm on these oh so groovy flowers!
So simple: after using primary colors of distress inks through the stencil on a 6x9" piece of watercolor card stock, splashing them with water, I kept the stencil in place I used micro pens to outline the flowers and added a few dots of interest. Then I found a stamp set to add the floral centers...
Then it was just a matter of finding a fun way of finishing off the cards!
These Mama Elephant word dies, a little tag, and a bit of quilting thread
did the trick.
Wow, kinda bright for me, right?? Even though I love them - and the fact that I got two cards from each stenciled panel - I thought of another way to add ink... sponged water-coloring!! This time on regular old Neenah Solor White 110# cardstock!
- It's as simple as smooshing inks,
- having a little dish of water on hand - not too much water!
- grab a few blending sponges,
- and dab away until your heart's content!
After allowing it to dry, I used the outline trick again... here's how they turned out...
I know - the sentiment is pretty special, right? SO true!
From The Stamp Market Kindness Matters
Oh yeah - those are more my colors! A pen and damp brush and a bit of grey ink were used to
add a bit more interest to the centers of the flowers.
Oldie but goodie Paper Smooches word die!
Thank you ACLD for your generosity - and Amy for the invitation to play! You can find this 6x9" Flower Overlay stencil HERE at A Colorful Life Designs!
=] Michele
