Stenciling 'back-to-back' with Marcia!

Marcia and I had a wonderful time in her craft room last Wednesday - giving one of the wonderful items she won from Pinkfresh Studios recently a first-inking while stenciling back-to-back!  [Oh, I was very strict about the no-fair-peeking rule! Ha!]

Marcia stamped two of these Pretty Blossom images for each of us and made us lunch while the ink set - I'm sure she'd agree that eating is half the fun of gathering together - a yummy taco salad was on the menu and man oh man was it good!

Okay - you came for the cards and I'm here to oblige...  card 1:

Borrowed from Marcia's Catherine Pooler stash: 

Sauna, and Tiara for the yellows, 

Mandarin Spice, and Coral Cabana for the pinks, 

Eucalyptus, and Green Tea for the leaves.  

When all the stenciling was done, the panel was die-cut with the coordinating die.

When I arrived back at home, I blended a panel with Sea Glass ink, added

thin foam squares on the back of the stenciled panel and popped it up.

A few PF Sky blue jewels and my card was ready for the sentiment - this one

from HoneyBee Stamps called Big Time Kindness with its die.

Card 2:

Same stencil, same inks but applied differently, and an embossed background...

After blending some ink, I embossed it with an old folder that creates 

these raised stripes - perfect for spotting the glue and gives a little dimension without all those foam squares!  I splattered my panel with perfect pearls mixed with water and the leftover ink in the lid - not much impact, but it's there.

There you go!  Two cards and a wonderful day with my sweet friend!

Can't think of a thing that makes me happier!  OH, I know - seeing how Marcia finished her stenciled panels!!   Let's go!  Thanks, Marcia!

=] Michele

Second Helpings - Color Hues #40

 

I received a few new goodies from Doodlebugs today - since my Friday post was pre-scheduled, I decided I just couldn't wait to share!

Color Hues #40 to the rescue - they never turn down second helpings!

A little foiling with Pinkfresh Songbirds on Branches, followed by stencil-coloring using the coordinating stencils... [in blue and tan of course =] After stenciling,

I cut it with Wplus9's postage die set and mounted it on my card base.  I sure wish I could describe the foil - it's from an un-named variety pack and reminds me of mercury glass!

A sweet little hello from The Stamp Market's Sardine Greetings,

and my card is done!

Thanks for stopping in - I'd sure love it if Blogger would send all those sweet comments left here right to my email inbox.  But, if you leave a little kindness here, you can be sure I'll do my best to deliver some right back to you - thanks tons!

=] Michele

Thank you, Color Hues!

A Colorful Life - Guest Designer

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