Getting Messy with Watercolors, part 2

 

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is #74, so we are into year #8. The idea of Hot Mess ~ Success is to Get Messy and you will have Success!  Messiness can be almost anything that we come up with--glitter, alcohol inks, glimmer glitz, sponged backgrounds, etc., anything that is a bit messy.  We are a very fun group and will post a card each month on the 12th.  The links to the other members are on my left side bar and I will also link them at the bottom at this post.

For my messiness this month, I cheated a bit and used some leftovers from last month when I used Taylored Expressions Liquid Watercolors on Yupo paper.  I had made two panels and used the second full panel as the background.  I had some leftover leaves and a part of the first panel where I was able to die cut the sentiment.  From last month, I smooched the Yupo paper on the liquid watercolor that I placed on my glassboard.  I then die cut the leaves from the colorful paper with a Simon Hurley-Spellbinders die set called Foliage Hello. I also die cut a set of foliage from solid Blue Corn cardstock. The Thanks sentiment is from a Pinkfresh Studio die set called Scripted Greetings.  I picked a Gina Marie Designs Cottage Lattice Cover Die and layered it in white three times over the colorful panel. I then die cut a Pinkfresh Studio Double Stitched Oval from vellum to place under the leaves and the sentiment.  I add some Studio Katia Teal Ocean Pearls around the foliage.

I really like the look of this card and hope you do too.  I also sure hope my fellow messy ladies like them too!  Here are the links to the other somewhat messy crafters: Darlene, Jeanette and Terry. I am sure you will enjoy seeing how everyone got messy this month and was successful in making some great cards!   Be sure to check back to see what we are up in October!

Image/Sentiment:  Simon Hurley-Spellbinders Foliage Hello Die Set; Pinkfresh Studio Scripted Greetings Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Taylored Expression Blue Corn; Yupo; Vellum

Ink:  Taylored Expressions Liquid Watercolors--Blue Corn, Brussel Sprouts

Accessories:  Gina Marie Cottage Lattice Cover; Pinkfresh Studio Double Stitched Oval Die; Studio Katia Teal Ocean Pearls

Sunshine of Hope

 

Today is the day I post a card for our challenge called Unused No More!  This is a monthly challenge to be posted on the 6th with a group of friends from my No Foolin' Retreat.  Some may post on their blog and I will note those with blogs at the end of this post.  And, some might post on other social media.  Those that participate each month will send a picture in the text thread we have between us, showing our creation.  The premise is to use a stamp set, stencil die, hot foil plate or press plate that is new and has never been used.  So--Unused No More!  

My plan is to pick a different company each month to highlight and maybe even a different product than the month before.  For September, I picked a Studio Katia  Stamp Set that I have not used called Sunshine of Hope.  I think this set might have been from 2022 as an honor to Ukraine--maybe.........................

For my card, I colored the stamped image with my Copic Sketch Markers. It is a very large image and fills the entire panel, so I decided to add a white frame around it.  The die is an MFT Stitched Rectangle Frame and I layered 3 times in white.   The sentiment is from the same set and I die cut with a Pink & Main Extra Large Sentiment Strip.  I added some yellow bling from The Ton around the image.

 

I am not sure who will post each month on their blog, but this is a list of the other ladies who do have blogs.  Links to the blogs of Jeanette, Terry, and Darlene.  Be sure to come back on October 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More.  

Image/Sentiment:  Studio Katia Sunshine of Hope Stamp Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Basic Black

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; 

Accessories:  My Favorite Things-MFT Stitched Rectangle Frame Die; Copic Sketch Markers; Pink & Main Extra Large Sentiment Strips; The Ton Yellow Bling 

Getting Messy with Liquid Watercolors

 

Today is the the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card. This card is #73, so we are starting year #8. The idea of Hot Mess ~ Success is to Get Messy and you will have Success!  Messiness can be almost anything that we come up with--glitter, alcohol inks, glimmer glitz, sponged backgrounds, etc., anything that is a bit messy.  We are a very fun group and will post a card each month on the 12th.  The links to the other members are on my left side bar and I will also link them at the bottom at this post.

For my messiness this month, I decided to use Taylored Expressions Liquid Watercolors on Yupo paper for die cut leaves.  I had recently did the same on watercolor cardstock in a TE class and loved the look.  I smooched the Yupo paper on the liquid watercolor that I placed on my glassboard.  I then die cut the leaves and the sentiment from the colorful paper with a Simon Hurley-Spellbinders die set called Foliage Hello. I also die cut a set of foliage from solid Blue Corn cardstock. I used two Pinkfresh Studio dies for the background.  The top is Diagonal Stripes layered three times over a Stitched Basket Weave Cover plate.  I add some Studio Katia Teal Ocean Pearls around the foliage.

I really like the look of this card and hope you do too.  I also sure hope my fellow messy ladies like them too!  Here are the links to the other somewhat messy crafters: Darlene, Jeanette and Terry. I am sure you will enjoy seeing how everyone got messy this month and was successful in making some great cards!   Be sure to check back to see what we are up in September!

Image/Sentiment:  Simon Hurley-Spellbinders Foliage Hello Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Taylored Expression Blue Corn; Yupo

Ink:  Taylored Expressions Liquid Watercolors--Blue Corn, Brussel Sprouts

Accessories:  Pinkfresh Studio Stitched Basket Weave and Diagonal Stripes Cover Plates; Studio Katia Teal Ocean Pearls

Wrapped Bouquet

 

Today is the day I post a card for our challenge called Unused No More!  This is a monthly challenge to be posted on the 6th with a group of friends from my No Foolin' Retreat.  Some may post on their blog and I will note those with blogs at the end of this post.  And, some might post on other social media.  Those that participate each month will send a picture in the text thread we have between us, showing our creation.  The premise is to use a stamp set, stencil die, hot foil plate or press plate that is new and has never been used.  So--Unused No More!  

My plan is to pick a different company each month to highlight and maybe even a different product than the month before.  For July, I picked a Technique Tuesday Floral Stamp and Die Set that I have not used called Wrapped Bouquet.  I have a number of their small floral sets and picked this sweet one for July.  

For this card, I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and then die cut the bouquet with the matching die.  I was watching a Gina K Designs video while I was creating this card and decided to use a "grounding" technique she was demonstrating.  I die cut a panel and the backer with Gina's Master Layouts 2 die.  I then used a Hero Arts stencil called Circular Grid and ink blended with Taylored Expressions Oyster ink lightly in the middle of the panel.  I added a vellum circle die cut from a Gina Marie Stitched Circle die and added the bouquet over the top. I also went with an Oyster card base instead of a traditional white, also suggested by Gina in the video.  I picked a sentiment from my stash and added some Studio Katia Stormcloud Pearls around the image.

 

I am not sure who will post each month on their blog, but this is a list of the other ladies who do have blogs.  Links to the blogs of Jeanette, Carol, Terry, and Darlene.  Be sure to come back on August 6th to see another fun card from a set Unused No More.  

Image/Sentiment:  Technique Tuesday Wrapped Bouquet Stamp Set and Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Vellum; Taylored Expressions Oreo, Oyster

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Taylored Expressions Oyster

Accessories: Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Hero Arts Circular Grid Stencil; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Circle Die; Copic Sketch Markers; Studio Katia Stormcloud Pearls; 

Sketchbook Bouquet

 

Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, I am the hostess and sent out this pretty floral image from Taylored Expressions called Sketchbook Bouquet. I did not include a sentiment, so we can pick out own theme.  For February, this is card #126 and we are now in year #12!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 11 strong years!  

I colored the bouquet image with my Copic Sketch Markers. I decided to go with a purple theme. I then die cut the image with the matching die. I layered the image on a velum oval with a Cottage Cutz Double Stitched Oval die.  The background is Concord & 9th background plate called Stitched Vines and then I die cut that with my MFT-My Favorite Things-Blueprints 20. The sentiment strip is from my sentiment box, so I am not sure what company it is from.  I added some Studio Katia Color Burst Pearls for some bling on this card.   I  I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card!  

Please check out the other Musketeer's cards.  Here is the link to Jeanette's blog along with Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of cute cards!  Jeanette is up for our March challenge, so please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Sketchbook Bouquet/Sentiment Strip

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut 100 Cougar Opaque White; Velum

Ink: Simon Says Stamp Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Cottage Cutz Double Stitched Oval Die; Studio Katia Color Burst Pearls; Concord & 9th Stitched Vines Cover Plate; MFT-My Favorite Things Blueprints 20 Die

Blooming Sunflower

 

Today is the day I am posting my card for our first One Plus Twelve challenge in 2025.  This is year number 7.  For this challenge, we are to use just one stamp, to make a card every month and post on the 3rd of each month.  For this year, I picked a Gina K Designs set called Blooming Sunflower.  The set includes a sweet  stamp set and matching dies for the image and all four of the sentiments.  I am excited that I get to use this set every month for all of 2025. 

For my card this month, I stamped the image and sentiment in Hero Arts Intense Black ink.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers and die cut both the image and sentiment.   I picked a Hero Arts stencil called Circular Grid for the background.  I brush blended with 3 Taylored Expressions inks--Potato chip, Mango and Sweet Corn. I embossed a small black strip with an older Stampin' Up Folder called Square Lattice.   I added some Studio Katia Lemon Burst Pearls around the image.

 

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve posts to see the the stamp set for the 2025 cards that Kelly and Jeanette have created for January!  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  Be sure to come back on February 3rd to see another fun card. 

Image/Sentiment:  Gina K Designs Blooming Sunflower stamp and die set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Crushed Curry

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black; Taylored Expressions Potato Chip, Mango Sweet Corn

Accessories:  Hero Arts Circular Grid Stencil; Stampin' Up Square Lattice Embossing Folder; Studio Katia Lemon Burst Pearls; Copic Sketch Markers

Eclectic Blooms

 

Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. This round, Kelly is the hostess and sent out this sweet image from Concord & 9th called Eclectic Blooms.   She also included a sentiment from the same set, but I used one of my own.  So for August, this is card #120 and we are at the end of year number 10!  I cannot believe this trio has been going strong for 10 plus years and looking to go to 11!

I colored the Sweet floral image with my Copic Sketch Markers. I die cut the image with a Gina Marie Designs In & Out Double Stitched Oval.  I then die cut a white panel for the background with a Stampin' Up Stitched Greenery Plate and used foam tape behind the oval for some dimension.  The sentiment is from a Simon Says Stamp sentiment pack. I added somme Studio Katia Lemon Burst Pearls around the image and a bow from Stampin' Up yellow yarn. . I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card!  

Please check out the other Musketeer's cards.  Here is the link to Jeanette's blog along with Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards!  I am up for our September challenge and the start to our 11th year!  Please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment:  Concord & 9th Eclectic Blooms/Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Pack

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Hefty Doodle White; 

Ink:  Altenew Obsidian Black Ink

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Gina Marie In & Out Double Stitched Oval Die; Stampin' Up Stitched Greenery Background Plate; Studio Katia Lemon Burst Pearls, Stampin' Up Yellow Yarn

Two Snowmen with Presents!

 

Here we are--this is the Double Duty Day!  This is the 33rd month, so we are now in year #3

Each month, we get to pick a stamp set from a predetermined company. Then, we will use that one stamp set and make two cards from the set.  Different images and sentiments from the same set can be used, or use the same image two different ways—Double Duty either way!  But, as an added challenge, one item must be used on both cards—same color cardstock, same ribbon, same stencil, same something.  Double Duty Again!  We will post both cards on our blog on the the 22nd of each month.  See-Double Duty again!  We will be sure to have fun getting doubly inky each month with a different stamp company.  Let’s have fun!

For September, the company we picked was Rubbernecker Stamps.  I love this company and the owners too!  I demoed a number of years ago--like probably 12 years ago, for Dave and Rubbernecker at a local stamp show in the Milwaukee area.  I think I did it for 3 or 4 years and had a blast.  Now Dave's son Rob is also in the business and I had the pleasure to meet him at a show in Illinois in August.  They really make some fun stamps and dies.  Plus fun stencils and inks and many, many other crafty items.  

I picked the fun stamp called Snowman With Present.  I have a single rubber stamp but this image is also a part of a fun snowman set with coordinating words and dies.   

For both cards, I used an embossing folder and a oval die.  I also colored each of the snowmen with my Copic Sketch Markers and his hat in shades of green.  I also added Wink of Stella to the body of each of the guys along with rhinestones on both cards.

For the first card, I die cut a Studio Katia Dotted Nested Oval from a white panel and then used a Sizzix Snowflake 3-D Embossing Folder.  I then placed the colored image behind the oval and used foam tape all around the snowy panel.  I added rhinestones in the center of a number of the snowflakes

For the second card, I used a panel from The Paper Cut's White Glitter cardstock to emboss with a Simon Says Stamp Oval Frame.  I die cut the colored image with the same Studio Katia Dotted Oval die and layered it three times for some dimension. I used the same rhinestones in the middle of some of the snowflakes on the embossed panel.  

Again, both cards use an embossed folder, the same Studio Katia die and rhinestones in the center of the snowflakes.  I colored both images with my Copic Sketch Markers and added Wink of Stella for some shimmer on their bodies!

I hope you enjoyed my cards for our group.  Please be sure to check out the other Double Duty cards. Here is a link to Jeanette's, Darlene’s  and  Carol's blogs.   I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of sets of great cards.  

Next month we are using Lawn Fawn Stamps--should be some cute cards.  So be sure to check out our cards on October 22nd!  

Image/Sentiment:  Rubbernecker Stamps Snowman With Present

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, White Glitter Cardstock; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Real Red, Garden Green

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Sizzix Snowflake Oval Frame and Snowflake 3-D Embossing Folders; Studio Katia Dotted Nested Oval Dies; Wink of Stella; Copic Sketch Markers; Clear Rhinestones

Coffee Avery

 

Today is the 9th and it is now time for another The Three Musketeers post. We are ready to showcase the card we all created with the Paper Nest Doll's image that Jeanette sent out for our August card, #108! That means we are at the end of year number 9 with this fun challenge! All three of us sure have enjoyed the challenges every month and we hope that it continues for a long time! 

Jeanette sent Kelly and me this sweet Paper Nest Doll's Coffee Avery image.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers--she is so sweet with her cup of coffee!    I die cut an oval from a Gina Marie Designs Peekaboo Oval Die out of Island Indigo and then embossed the panel with a Spellbinders Dazzling Dots folder.  I cut the word coffee from a Studio Katia Script Coffee die out of Early Espresso.  It also comes with a backer, but I did not use it.  I also layered the word three times.  I did not add any bling to my card this time!  I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card!

Please check out the other Musketeer's cards.  Here is the link to Jeanette's blog along with Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards!  Kelly is up for our September challenge--please be sure to join us again. 

Image/Sentiment:  Paper Nest Doll's Coffee Avery

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Hamilco 120# White; Stampin' Up Early Espresso, Island Indigo

Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black  

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Spellbinders Dazzling Dots Embossing Folder; Gina Marie Peekaboo Oval Die; Studio Katia Script Coffee Die

Pinkfresh Florals

This is my May card for the monthly themed swap that Terry is hosting on SCS. Each month she will post a theme and we make cards using any stamp set we believe follows that thought. The theme for May is "Flowers" 

I have been playing with a few of my Pinkfresh Studio stamp set lately and they have beautiful florals.  This stamp set is called Hydrangea and Rose.  Plus, the set has coordinating washi tape along with a die set.  I went with the washi tape and then die cut the pretty colored flowers. The background is Stampin' Up's Greenery Cover Plate, cut from white.  I added an oval cut from Studio Katia's Dotted Oval Die, cut from Petal Pink. I then layered the die cut flowers around the oval.  The sentiment is from the same set and die cut with Gina K Designs Sentiment Strip Dies.  Petal Pink Pearl Embellishments from Trinity Stamps were added for the final touch.

I hope Terry and the others swappers like my card this month too! Terry has posted all of the 2023 themes, so be sure to come back to see what we create!  

Image/Sentiment:  Pinkfresh Studio Hydrangea and Rose Stamp set, washi tape and die set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White; Stampin' Up Petal Pink

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Stitched Greenery Cover Plate; Trinity Stamps Petal Pink Pearls; Studio Katia Dotted Oval Die; 

One Plus Twelve

 

This is my 3rd One Plus Twelve card for 2023--this is year number 5.   For this challenge, we are to use just one stamp, to make a card every month and post on the 3rd of each month.  For 2023, I picked a Taylored Expressions stamp and die set called Graceful Ferns.  I think this set is so versatile and I picked the largest fern image to use each month.  There is a With Sympathy sentiment and coordinating die in the same set, so that is what I used this month.  

For my card this month, I picked my Taylored Expressions Mini Slim Square Window die and cut a white panel.  I then inked the image and sentiment with Stampin' Up Smokey Slate and die cut each one. I layered the white panel over a piece of cardstock that I had previously inked with Alcohol Inks.  I then used a Jewel Tone Slimline card from The Paper Cut.  I placed the image and sentiment on the mini-slim panel.  I added some Studio Katia Stormcloud Pearls for the final touch.

 

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve cards to see what they picked for their stamp of the year for this challenge in 2023.  Here is a link to both Jeanette's  and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will enjoy checking out each of our cards using the same stamp for 2023. I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card and that you might too! Be sure to come back on April 3rd to see our cards for the next month!

Image/Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Graceful Ferns Stamp and Die Set

Cardstock:  The Paper Cut 100# Cougar Opaque White, Jewel Tone Slimline card base; Glimmer cardstock inked with Alcohol Inks

Ink:  Stampin' Up Smoky Slate

Accessories:  Taylored Expression Mini Slim Square Window Die; Studio Katia Stormclouds Pearls