21 February 2019

Altenew Educator Certification Program - Irresistible Inking Techniques

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back! Today, I have another project from AECP to share with you - I am finally getting close to finishing the first level, only 2 more projects to go before the final challenge, woohoo!

Irresistible Inking Techniques led by Sara Naumann is a fun class full of great ideas on how you can stretch your supplies, especially ink pads. Do you have a lot of ink pads in your craft-room, and maybe you're not too sure what potential they have, other than straight forward stamping? Then this class is for you! Of course, Sara only touches the tip of a mountain, really, as there are loads of things and techniques you can use your ink pads for, but this class is a great start, especially if you're new to crafting and card making. 

I was quite inspired to use a few of the techniques showcased by Sara on my project! As you will see in a moment, however, I ended up only using one or two of her suggestions - that's simply where the card design took me! 

I have wanted to give stamp block inking a go for a long while now, and this class and assignment finally gave me the push to do it. Funnily enough, however, my first attempt at it was a bit of a fail, as I used a wrong type of paper (it does't take water well at all, I should have thought about that!) & I don't think I used enough water --> The result? I ended up with a splotchy and rather ugly-looking pattern on my card-stock. But, you know me - I don't like giving up on any projects, so I decided to keep going, just for practice... 

... and I couldn't be happier that I did! I opted for colouring my image with Polychromos Pencils, and... just look at the close up photos! The ugly splotchy pattern added so much fabulous detail and texture to my florals! Once I finished colouring the whole image, I decided that it was perfect just the way it was, hence I opted not to add additional "inky" details to it - the gorgeous sentiment and a few enamel dots were in my eyes more than sufficient. 

What are your thoughts?




I will most definitely use this technique in the future, and I hope to achieve both my initial desired effect (of a smoother background for my focal image), but I also hope that I'll remember every now and again to go for this "failed" splotchy look, as - oh my - I love this texture so much! 

Have a great day,

Mirella

SUPPLY LIST (please see affiliate disclaimer & essential supplies info here):

Altenew BEST MOM Clear Stamp Set ALT1031 Altenew ROCK COLLECTION Mini Cube Crisp Dye Ink Pad Pack ALT1522 Strathmore TONED GRAY Sketch Paper 5.5x8.5 Pad 50 Sheets 412105 Faber-Castell POLYCHROMOS COLORED PENCILS 36 Piece Set in Tin 110036 Stampendous SPRAY BOTTLE SPLATTER gs402 Spritz Spritzer Tsukineko VersaFine ONYX BLACK Ink Pad VF-82 3M Scotch PINK ATG ADVANCED TAPE GLIDER .25 Inch Adhesive Glue Gun CAT 085 MISTI PRECISION STAMPER Stamping Tool Kit Lawn Fawn STAMP SHAMMY Cleaner LF1045

20 February 2019

Create a Smile Stamps Challenge: A sketch

Hi Everyone,

It's time for another challenge over at Create a Smile Stamps - how exciting! This time, we have a sketch that we would like you to follow. 

Personally, I find the sketch themes really and truly challenging - as they should be, of course, that's the whole fun part of it! I find myself struggling at times with coming up with a design that would follow the sketch, and at the same time be my own... And, truth be told, I quite often end up with an exact replica of the suggested layout or design. 

Every now and again, however, I really like to try thinking outside the box, and this is where the real fun starts!

Let's have a look at the sketch from this week's challenge, shall we?


I had quite a few ideas for that one, but almost all of them followed the sketch exactly, and I wanted to do something slightly different... And then, suddenly - wham! A totally mad idea came to my head... I went with it, and here's the result:


As you can see, it's a VERY loose interpretation of the sketch, but you can still see it there, can't you? I hope you can, haha! :o) 

I must tell you, I am pretty chuffed with this idea, and of the whole design, too! All I used were two stencils (Blossom for the "pine branches" and Huge Polka Dots for the "baubles"), and an add-on stamp set (Vinyl Christmas greetings), some Distress Inks, and a bit of heat embossing. And voila! My first Christmas card of the year! :o)



Hope that you like it, and that you'll play along. Will you follow the sketch more precisely, or rather loosely? I can't wait to see!

Have a great day,
Mirella

SUPPLY LIST (please see affiliate disclaimer & essential supplies info here):

Satin gold paper - from my stash (I want to try the Tonic one when my supply is finished)

Create A Smile HUGE POLKA DOTS Stencil scs25 Create A Smile BLOSSOM Stencil scs30 Create A Smile VINYL CHRISTMAS GREETINGS Clear Stamps clcs94 My Favorite Things SNOW GLOBE SENTIMENTS Clear Stamps CS243 Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad CANDIED APPLE Ranger TDP47391 Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad FIRED BRICK Ranger TIM20202 Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad WILD HONEY Ranger TIM27201 Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad MOWED LAWN Ranger TIM35008 Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad CRUSHED OLIVE Ranger TIM27126 Ranger MINI ROUND INK BLENDING TOOLS IBT40965 "Neenah Classic Crest 80 LB SMOOTH SOLAR WHITE Paper Pack 25 Sheets Neenah Classic Crest 80 LB REAM Smooth Solar White Paper Pack 250 Sheets" Tsukineko Versamark EMBOSS INK PAD Watermark VM-001 WOW Embossing Powder OPAQUE BRIGHT WHITE SUPER FINE WL01SF Tsukineko Memento Ink Pad RICH COCOA ME-800 Prima Marketing METALLIC ACCENTS Semi Watercolor Cake 589974 DMC Metallic GOLD Embroidery Thread 284ZA

06 February 2019

Create a Smile Stamps Challenge: Friendship

Hi Everyone,

Time is truly flying, and it's time for another challenge over at Create a Smile Stamps! This time, we're focusing on friendship. A really lovely theme, and it opens a lot of possibilities in terms of interpretation which is always great, isn't it?

I decided to play with the Cart full of treasures stamp set - it's so adorable, and so versatile, too! I love it when one stamp set can be used for many occasions! 

I coloured my images with Copic markers and then fussy cut them. It took me a while before I decided on the final layout and design of the card, but I am really happy with how it turned out. To ground my images, I used a tag using the Pocket Tag die set. I cut one in white and blended some Distress Inks on top, to create a mini scene. And then, I cut another tag from blue glitter paper - for some additional interest. I used the same die set to create the little "Surprise" banner that goes along the cart --> I was pretty chuffed with this idea, and I think it is a nice little detail on my card. 

The sentiment is a combination of a stamped message from this set (yes, I know, technically koalas are not bears, but we do call them "koala bears", so I thought that for the purpose of the cute card, it was allowed!), and I also used the cool Alphabet stickers by CAS - they come really handy, and their size is perfect for cards, so I reach for these quite often (especially when I want to personalise the card with the recipient's name). 

Finally, I added some sparkle here and there, and a few accents with my white gel pen.

And here's the finished card:




I hope you like my interpretation of the "Friendship" theme. Will you join the challenge, and try for your chance to win €25 to the Create a Smile store? 

Have a great day,

Mirella

SUPPLY LIST (please see affiliate disclaimer & essential supplies info here):


Glitter paper - DCWV Glitzy Glitter 6x6 pad


Create A Smile CART FULL OF TREASURES Clear Stamps CLCS53* Create A Smile POCKET TAG Cool Cuts Die DCS8 Create A Smile BEARMAIL Clear Stamps clcs64 Tsukineko VersaFine ONYX BLACK Ink Pad VF-82 My Favorite Things BLACK LICORICE Hybrid Ink Pad MFT Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad TWISTED CITRON Ranger TDP47322 Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad BROKEN CHINA Ranger TDP39877 Ranger MINI ROUND INK BLENDING TOOLS IBT40965 Crafter's Companion CLEAR OVERLAY Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens SPECNSPACLE3 Tombow N15 BLACK Dual Brush Marker 56621 Sakura CLASSIC WHITE Bold Line 10 Gelly Roll Pen 31031 Sakura BLACK GLAZE GEL PENS Pen 2 Pack 38495 Copic Multiliner SP 0.3 BLACK Ink Marker "Neenah Classic Crest 80 LB SMOOTH SOLAR WHITE Paper Pack 25 Sheets Neenah Classic Crest 80 LB SMOOTH SOLAR WHITE Paper Pack 40 Sheets NH80LB40 Neenah Classic Crest 80 LB REAM Smooth Solar White Paper Pack 250 Sheets" Neenah Environment 100 LB SMOOTH DESERT STORM  Paper Pack 25 Sheets Ranger .5 Oz. MINI MULTI MEDIUM MATTE Glue INK41511 Quilled Creations PRECISION TIP Empty Applicator Bottle 317 Lawn Fawn STAMP SHAMMY Cleaner LF1045 Tim Holtz Tonic MAXI GUILLOTINE COMFORT PAPER TRIMMER 1980e Sizzix BIG SHOT MACHINE Gray And White 660425 EK Success CUTTER BEE Scissors EKCB01