Leprechaun

Hello, 

I've been playing around with some die cutting again.  These die cuts really came to life when you add some ink to the edges of them.   I also added detail lines to them with a green and white gel pen.  

No copics today

Take me to the Sea

Greetings! 

Summer is my favorite time of year.    I've had this beachy embossing folder just sitting on my desk and I couldn't let the season slip by without using it.   I also wanted to try it with my favorite technique. I love the finished look of this card.    Here is how I got it...

I inked up a white panel of card stock with blueprint sketch mermaid lagoon and salty ocean and tea dye inks.  Then I ran it through the embossing folder.  I then re-inked it with the same inks.  I like how the raised sections picked up the ink differently than the flat paper.   Once the ink was dry, I used a white pigment ink pad and gently drug the pad across the paper. Only the highest point of the design caught the white ink.    To finish it all off I die cut some seashells and a sentiment to add to the card.  I wanted the background to be the star of the show, so I didn't want anything to take away from it.   

No copics today

Tie Dye Embossed Amsomeness

Hello, 

I hope you are feeling Groovy today because we are going to make a faux tie dye background.   This was really easy to create.  We used our distress inks to create a rainbow.   I knew that I wanted to use this 3D embossing folder.  it had a mosaic pattern.  It is not centered.  The focal point is centered in the middle top third of the card.  When I did my sponging I kept this in mind.  I started my red where I thought the center would fall and had the color radiate out from that point.  I purposely didn't try to make the pattern perfect.  I didn't mind the unevenness .   Once the pattern was full of color, I ran it through the 3D embossing folder.  I wish the camera could pick up the texture on the camera.  It is really impressive.  To finish it off, I added black diamond dots to some of the arches on in the pattern.  I did my best to keep it fun and simple.  What do you think?  I hope you give it a try!

No copics

Embossed White Flowers

Hello friends, 

This might be my new favorite technique.  Okay it is old, but with the new 3D embossing folders it is new.  They add a ton more interest to this look than the old 2D folders.   It is super simple to do.  You first emboss a piece of card stock.  Then LIGHTLY drag a white (or whatever color you like) stamp pad over your embossing.  Just the highest raised levels will pick up the color just giving it a whole new look.  

I finished this card off with a splash of florals.  

 

no copics today

Powerful Force

 Hello!  

Are you afraid of white space?  It makes me uncomfortable.  I struggle with leaving white spaces on my cards.  I like to challenge myself and push boundaries.    I tackled this by making my mat on the card smaller than I normally use.  It is 3 3/4 by 5 inches.  Then used some powerful colors in the middle.  I think the white tames them a little.   This stamp was perfect for this type of layout.  I love how she breaking her boundaries and pushing her way out of the center box.   It is a little detail... but it makes me happy. 

Materials:

STAMPS: use code TJ10Chris to save 10%: 
Determined to Rise

Ink-
Mermaid Lagoon: Scrapbook or Amazon

Mustard Seed : Scrapbook or Amazon

Versa clair: Amazon

Other:

Bearly Art Glue: https://amzn.to/3LXS2CW

No copics today.

Tropical Birthday Wishes

Welcome! 

I've been working on some masculine or at least not-girly birthday cards.    I created a little jungle canopy.  It feels a little bit like a tropical oasis.  

Stamps are from Technique Junkies

Leaves

Dear Friend Sentiments

Use code TJ10Chris to save 10% on your order

Deep Sea Adventures

 Greetings friends!  It is release day at Technique Junkies.  Check out this Deep Sea Collage stamp!  I  really like this stamp, but it was a little bit outside my comfort zone.   

This background stamp is so unique and has so much detail that I didn't want to cover it all up.  I decided to use use distress inks to add color to my white cardstock. I tried to make splashes of color randomly all over my A2 panel.  I used the black soot to sponge the edges.  It helps pull the focus towards the octopus. 

My second card I wanted to play with Shimmering Bliss sprays. This was my first try at using them and they worked really well.  If you haven't played with them, they are pigment (color) with a touch of glitter mixed in a bottle.  You spray them on cardstock.  You can mix colors and they blend to create a shimmering background.  

After both backgrounds were created I used versafine to stamp the Deep Sea Collage onto each panel. I finished them up with the Soothe your soul sentiment. 

I hope you are able to do something that makes your soul happy today.  

Hugs until next time,

Chris

Supplies used:

Stamps:

Deep Sea Collage

Soothe Your Soul Stamp

If you use the code TJ10Chris you will can save 10%

Ink pads:

Salty Ocean: Scrapbook or Amazon

Peacock Feathers: Scrapbook or Amazon

Shaded Lilac: Scrapbook or Amazon

Black Soot: Scrapbook or Amazon

Shimmering Bliss:

Festive Flamingo

Imperial Yellow

Miami Vice

I'm pretty sure you can use the TJ10Chris code to save 10% on these too!

Tracy F

Tracy S.

Judy

Pat

Darlene

Patti

Pam

There are a ton of really cool stamping in this release.  Be sure to check out what these other stampers did with the stamps.  You can see the entire release here. 

Ocean Kisses with Video Tutorial

Hello friends, 

I have some good news!  Technique Junkies has asked me to be part of their design team.  This is also good news for you.  They are offering all of my readers a 10% discount code on all your purchases just enter the code TJ10Chris (Case Sensitive).  YAY!!!

This card has been bouncing around in my head for a while.  I wanted to see if I could make a realistic looking beach.   The best news is that it took less than 15 minutes to make!   You can check out the video here. 

You can see a materials list at the bottom of this post!

Materials:

Stamps: Technique Junkies Ocean Kisses: https://bit.ly/3rmLLJg You can save 10% with this code: TJ10Chris

Inks: Tea Dye: Scrapbook or Amazon Brushed Corduroy: Srapbook or Amazon

Salty Ocean: Scrapbook or Amazon

Versafine ink: Amazon

Tools:

Stipple Brush: Amazon

Blending Brushes: Amazon
Small Fan Brush: Amazon
Small Brush set: Amazon
Distress Sprayer: Scrapbook or Amazon

Repositionable Spray: Amazon

Jewel Picker:Amazon

Copic Storage Box: https://etsy.me/3O5Cj6Q

Paper: Watercolor paper: Amazon

Other: Silver Stencil Paint: Scrapbook

You can see the video here:
https://youtu.be/NOjCOJ2Qh74

Sledding on Snowman

Hello friends, 

I pulled out this snowman stamp from CCC and my first instinct was to grab my copics.  I was about to touch ink to paper and thought the idea of watercolor pencils popped in my head.   I haven't used my pencils in about 13 years.  I don't know why... It felt good to dust them off and give them a go.  I obviously was a little rusty, but the end result still looks good.  

Materials:

Colorado Craft Company- Sledding stamp

Watercolor pencils --really great buy!

Snowed in Sentiments by Taylored Expressions

This second card I used distress inks to create the sky.  The distressed watercolor look mimics the look of snow perfectly.  I think I preferred this look  over the watercolor pencil sky.  However, both were a lot of fun to create!

 No copics today

Monochromatic Rainbow (with Video)

 Hello, 

Well I may have officially lost my mind.   I'm making monochromatic rainbows today.  Yep.. I took the color out of the most colorful thing that exists and yet... I think it looks really cool.   I was worried I had totally lost my marbles, I asked Ryan (5yrs) what he thought.  If you know this kid...he loves rainbows.  He just sorted his whole dresser in rainbow order because that is just how it should be done.  He first said..."that isn't right!"  Then followed it with..."I like it, it is pretty."    Kids don't lie do they?  

I was having fun... so I rolled with it.  I made a bunch of these. 
Here is a short video showing the process. (remember video will only play on blog and on youtube)

Materials:

Rainbow Stencil

All About Mom- My Favorite Things

Stampin Up ink- Garden Green, Certainly Celery (Pear Pizzazz works well), Gable Green

Green Glitter- very similar to what I used

Cloud Die - very similar to what I used

Gloss Gel Medium

Wink of Stella 

Spatula

Here are the 6 versions of this card that I made.  I'd love to know which card is your favorite.  

Version 1:  Tiny red heart and wink of stella on clouds.  I think this one is my favorite.  I also really like #2 and #3. 

Version 2:  Red heart- my second favorite

Version 3:  Gold heart  Click here to see the video of this card.

Version 4:  This is the simple version with no heart.  This is just too plain... I might add a heart..

Version 5:  YUCK!  My least favorite one!   I added glitter to the clouds, but I think it is too much.

Version 6:  I used stamps to add in some detail-  It is just okay

No copics today

Sweet Hello

 Hello there!

I'm still giving my copics a rest.  This die was calling my name.  I sponged all of the pieces with ink to help add dimension.  I love the simple, sweet look.  I think I'll be using this die a lot! 

Materials:
Coneflower
Hello

No copics today

Fall Bouquet

 Hello, 

I have a real simple Autumn card today.  I used a stencil from Taylored Expressions to create the bouquet. It was really easy and fun to do.  I hope they come out with more.  I die cut the bouquet and placed on it leaf background.  I think this would be fun to try in spring colors.  Is it spring yet?

No copics today

The Shape of a Rainbow

Greetings,

I'm still on my rainbow kick. I hope you are not sick of them yet.  I have a week of copic coloring post planned for next week.  I spent a little time sitting in the sun coloring up some of my favorite images.  Can you guess what they are? 

Materials:
Rainbow Set: Rainbow Dies Copic Storage Box: I didn't use this for this video but it is awesome!

Video: If you'd like to see how I made this card you can see it by clicking here 

Photos:

Okay... I added glitter to this one.  I'm weak people!

I used inks to sponge this, but chalks and copics would work as well.  

If I used copics here are the ones I'd use

Red: R29, R24, R14

Orange: YR09, YR07, YR04, YR02

Yellow: Y11, Y13, Y15

Green: YG11, YG13, YG17

Blue: B00, B02, B04

Indigo: B63, B66, B69

Violet: V12, V15, V17

Trio of Flowers

Hello friends,

I stumbled upon this die by Memory Box called stitched tulips.  I loved the idea of using ink to color the flowers and pop them back into the die.  It makes an elegant and clean card. I made two variations.  One card with colored butterflies and one with white.  I think I like the colored butterflies better.  What do you think?

Materials used: Sentiment stamps: Memory Box stitched tulips Butterfly die
Glitter pen: http://shrsl.com/29arh

If you'd like to see how I made this card you can see the video by clicking here.  If you reading this in your email. It won't play. 

Photos:

Copics used:

Red: R35, R32, R30
Orange: YR04, YR02, YR01
Yellow: Y11, Y32, Y35


https://youtu.be/TFuDCXLHSCk

Squeal! This piggy says...

Greetings stamping friends,

We are still in lockdown mode.  I'm missing all of my class peeps.  I hope you are doing well.  This is one of the cards from our April virtual class.  I hope this piggy makes you smile!

Materials used: stamps: http://shrsl.com/29a8x Pink Cardstock: http://shrsl.com/29a9e
I used a mixture of dies from all three sets:
Die Set #1: http://shrsl.com/29a7z Die Set #2: http://shrsl.com/29a84 Die Set #3: https://bit.ly/2KOE4FN

Check out the video.  It will only plan on youtube or the blog.

Photos of Pig card.  Links to the frog and cat card are below.

I've used this die set a few times.   Here are the links to the cards that use the same series of dies.

Frog: http://www.purplelakestamps.com/2017/04/froggy-birthday.html
Cat: http://www.purplelakestamps.com/2017/06/meow.html

No copics used today

Sunrise Butterflies

Welcome,

I love playing with color.  I often use black butterflies to decorate a colorful background.  I thought it would be fun to try the opposite.  This time I sponged the butterflies to look like a sunrise.  I kept the background simple and stamped a flower background with white pigment ink.   This ink is wonderful.  It works perfectly for this technique. 

Stamps used:
Flower background  
Butterflies are by MFT but were discontinued.  However, I found these and they are similar.
White ink
Distress inks 

No copics used today

Dueling Sunflower

Hello,

I played around with this sunflower die by Papertrey Ink.  I wasn't sure what version I liked better.  Do you have a favorite?

No copics today

An Experiment in Ink

Hello,

Many years ago...when I first took my first stamp class the first think the instructor taught us was the different types of ink and their properties.   This was long before hybrid ink existed.  I've noticed a lot of questions on the topic popping up on social media.    I thought we would experiment a little with dye based inks.  I hope you watch the video to  see how  I created these rich and vibrant sunsets.

You can see more cards:
F A C E B O O K: http://www.facebook.com/purplelakestamps I N S T A G R A M : http://instagram.com/purplelakestamps Materials used: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps: https://blueknightrubberstamps.com/ Distress ink Various Colors: http://shrsl.com/1wbki Blending Brushes: http://shrsl.com/1qwon


If you are looking at this post in your email the video will not play.  You need to go to youtube or my blog to watch.

Photos:

This is the Saffron base:

This is the white base:

This is the Yellow Base:


This is the saffron base:

This is the white base:

This is the Yellow base:

M Y C A R D B L O G : http://www.purplelakestamps.com F A C E B O O K: http://www.facebook.com/purplelakestamps I N S T A G R A M : http://instagram.com/purplelakestamps Materials used: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps: https://blueknightrubberstamps.com/ Distress ink Various Colors: http://shrsl.com/1wbki Blending Brushes: http://shrsl.com/1qwon

No copics today

Halloween Surprise

Boo!   Is it too early?  I know Halloween is still over a month away, but I had this card in my head and just had it give it a try.

This card looks simple at first glance.  However when you open it up a ghost pops up.  I thought it was perfect or Halloween.

Supplies:
Interactive die
Witch Stamp set
Mama Elephant: Boo Agenda
Versafine

You can see a video of the card here.  If you are looking at this in your email. The video will not play.  Follow the link view this on youtube.

Here are some still photos of the card.

Copics used:

Black: N10, N8, N6, N4

Orange: YR07, YR04, YR02, YR00

Grey: N3, N1, N0

Green: Y09, YG06, YG03, Y01

Purple: B66, B63, B60

Yellow: Y15, Y13, Y11

Broom: Y21, YR21, YR23, YR24, YR27

wink of stella

white gel pen

black glaze pen