Learning about stencils

 A while back I decided to try using the plastics stencils that are in popular use these days.  I ordered some online and tried to create with them.  I won't show the first few attempts.  When I tried a set of 3 stencils to use with different colors, the results were disappointing.

I figured that I was doing something wrong, so I read the package and learned that there is a rubber stamp that goes with the stencils, so I ordered the stamp and waited for delivery.  When the stamp arrived, I started over with this result.

Now, I wasn't sure what to do with it.  After a week or so, I made this card by adding a frame and a sentiment.  The moral of this story is: Find out all that is needed before ordering new supplies.

Cards for men

 I went on a spending spree and bought some new things.  I decided to try some of the stencils.  I'm learning to use them, but haven't used them on cards.  I tend to make personal cards for family members, taking their interests into cards for them.  The stencilled backgrounds just didn't fit the people who were having birthdays this month.  I turned to some alcohol ink backgrounds that I had made earlier and added die cut sentiments.

 This sentiment die is larger than I imagined when I ordered it. It is from a company called Dienamix and also had shadows for the words.  The shadows made them too large even for this 5"X7" card.  Since this is a birthday card, I used that sentiment for the inside of the card.

Next, I needed a thank you card for a nice neighbor who helped me with my car.

I needed one more birthday card for a man, so I copied the design from the thank you card, with a different sentiment die.

Happy Easter

I have been trying some new techniques lately.  After trying flower layering stamps, I've tried coloring through stencils.  This is my first attempt at layering with a set of stencils. 

This is a 5 stencil set from Pinkfresh Studio, called Hanging Garden.  I used Distress Oxide inks and blending brushes.  I mounted it on a dark pink card base and stamped the Easter sentiment on the front and gave this to my neighbor.   I added a liner to the inside with a sentiment.

Flower layering stamps

 Since I have recently have trouble coloring images, I decided to try layering stamps for flowers.  I bought Altenew Pretty Pansies.  I also bought several sets of Altenew ink cubes.  My first problem was opening the ink cubes.  With numb fingers from carpal tunnel, the lids wouldn't come off.  I finally used a knife blade to insert between lid and body of the container to open them.

The ink worked well and the stamps were easy to align with my Mini Misty.  I used Masking Magic to stamp the leaf behind he flower.  This left an unstamped area between the flower and leaf. 

To correct this, I used a blending stump to pick up some ink from the cube and filled in the white area.

I will work with more of the flower layering stamps, but would prefer to find some easier to use ink pads.  One other problem I had was I lost the tiny stamp for the middle of flower.  It's clear plastic and too tiny for my old fingers and eyes.

Embossing folders and dies

 I have been enjoying the new 3D embossing folders.  I have added color to them in the past, but these require more effort, but give good results.

This folder is from Altenew, called Garden Harmony.  I patted some Brilliance pearlescnt lime ink onto the leaves.  I added a layer from similar colored glossy cardstock and die cut the sentiment from the same glossy cardstock.  The sentiment die is from Impression Obscession.  The flowers are cut and stamped with a new combination die that you stamp and cut at the same time.  It is from Sue Wilson by Creative Expressions.  I colored it with colored pencils.

This 3D embossing folder is by Sizzix and called Woven.     I added 2 colors of Brilliance ink to add the color.  I firmly pressed Pearlescent Ice Blue to color the middle are of the design, then lightly patted Pearlescent Sky Blue to add color to the top portion.  The sentiment and butterfly dies are by Memory Box.  The flower die is from Simon Says Stamp.

Lighthouse shadow box card

 I made this shadowbox card for an adult grandson, who lives near the coast.

Front of card

Inside right

Inside left

  

Back of card

Variety of cards

 This has been a busy month with lots of family birthdays.  I've also mailed some cards to friends.  Unfortunately, I haven't taken photos of all of them.  I'll share some of them with you.

I was trying out some new dies, embossing folders and a stamp and die set.

This background is some holographic cardstock, embossed with a 3D embossing folder.  The effect can't be captured with a photo, but is very shimmery.

Birthday Wishes

 I made this card with dies.  The background is an alcohol ink creation.  The red piece is cut with a Hero Arts die.  The sentiment die is by Simon Says Stamp.  I cut the gold vellum circle with a Karen Burniston crosshatch circle die.

Old supplies can still be used

 While I was looking through old supplies, I found these wood papers and parchment. I used an old original Sizzix die called Parchment. I cut out the parchment with this die and stamped the sentiment with an old Stampendous wood mounted stamp dated 1998. I then distressed the parchment with an ink pad. Then, I attached it to the wood paper with brads and mounted both to a card base.

Using old supplies

 Some of my friends were chatting about fads and supplies we have that haven't been used recently.  I decided to pull out some supplies and make a card using them.  This is the result.

I started with handmade paper (I didn't make it, but bought something labeled handmade paper).  I wet the edges and tore the paper into a rectangle.  I cut out a tag with an old Spellbinders die and stamped the sentiment and embossed it with gold embossing powder.  Next, I attached the tag to the handmade paper with brads.  I glued the paper to a white card base.  It still needed something, so I punched some flowers to add to it.  Try making a card with those old supplies.