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

JAWS- A celebration

Hello, 

I couldn't resist jumping in on all the celebration of JAWS.   Honestly, I've never seen the movie.  I love the water and I want to keep it that way.    I prefer to keep my sharks on cards and in scrapbooks!

We created this bubbly background with the new stencil by Spellbinders.  I love it.  I think it might be one of my "go to" stencils when I'm working on water scenes.   I used a few colors (blueprint sketch, mermaid lagoon and salty ocean) of distress inks to add layers.  I splattered with some black ink to add a bit of texture then added the sharks.    So far one of my favorite summer cards!  Thank you to Speilberg for the inspiration. 

Copics used:

Greys: C5, C3, C1

W5 for in the mouths

Orange: YR07, YR04, YR02

Yellow: Y17, Y15, Y13-  covered tube with glossy accents

Diving Deeper

 Happy Valentine's Day, 

This card has been sitting on my desk since the summer.  I made this card with a kit from Spellbinders. You can see the card here.   I love the bottle card, but I wanted to make a simpler version of the card.  I tried to put together a few elements to make the cards below.    I did get stuck on the design for a bit... I couldn't figure out how to dress up the embossing folder.  It just felt flat.   In the end I went with ink blending a dark blue ink on the bottom and splattering some ink to create bubbles.  I think that made all the difference.  I love that when I have time, I can pull out the full kit and have a die cutting party.  When I'm short on time I can make this version.  

As always, I love to know what you think!

No copics today

Drop in the Ocean

 Hello all, 

Die cutting has been part of the paper crafting world now for well over a decade, but as with all things it is forever changing.  Companies continue to get more and more creative and detailed with their dies.   When I saw this new set by Spellbinders I couldn't wait play with it.   I will admit I was a bit intimidated that it takes 20 dies to make this card... but it was super easy.  I had a lot of fun making 14 cards.   The best part is  I used all scraps to make this card (except the white card base).    My scrap bins can breathe a little!  

Materials:

STAMPS:

Water you up to?

Paper:

paper from Various companies-- All Scrap

Ink:

Versa clair: Amazon

Dies:

Whale in a bottle

Orca Die

Ocean Wishes Foil Sentiments

Other:

Bearly Art Glue:(detail glue)

Tacky Glue

As you look at the photos, please notice that each project is a bit different.    I also found an Orca that fit in the bottle.  I hope to continue to search my stash and find other critters that want to go for a swim.  Please let me know what you think.  

No copics today

Sand, Salt and Memories

Hello friends,   

I can't believe that we are approaching the end of June.   If you follow me at all, you know that I LOVE mermaids.  I was so excited to get this distressed mermaid scale background.  It pairs so well with all the mermaid stamps that are already in stash.  

I used shimmering bliss from Technique Junkies to create a background full of sparkle.  If you haven't used these sprays... they are AMAZING.  They add sparkle and vivid color to a project.   When my background was dry a stamped the mermaid scales on top.   Die cut a circle and added the porthole (so sorry, I have no idea who makes this die).   I stamped the sentiments and mermaid to the inside of the card.   

I hope this inspires you to create!

Chris

Materials:

STAMPS: use code TJ10Chris to save 10%:

Sea Scales

Sentiments

By the Sea

Vivid Volt

Dolphin Cove

Paper:

paper from Stampin Up

Other:

Bearly Art Glue:(detail glue)

Tacky Glue

no copics today

Just Ducky

 Hello, 

Check out these two ducks.  Aren't they sweet?   They are from a Stampin Up Sell-a-Bration set called Stylish sketches.  They are just so sweet.  I made several cards in this layout.  I watercolored some and used copics for others.  I think they both turned out great.   Do you prefer watercolor or copic version?

Materials: Stampin Up Stylish Sketches

Simple Strips Die

Simple Strips Stamp

Berry Branch Die

Ink:

Memento Ink: Amazon or Scrapbook

Copics  are listed below

White gel pen:  Scrapbook or Amazon

Paper:

Neenah: solar white card stock

Cardstock from Stampin up (old olive, kraft, and crushed curry)

Vellum

Glue:

Bearly Art Glue- Amazon or Taylored Expressions--best glue ever! especially for small places!

Tacky Glue (for big spaces)-

Watercolor version:

Copic version:

 

Copics used today:

Brown: E18, E15, E13, E11 and a touch of E95

Green: YG67. YG63, YG61

Yellow: Y35

Sit and Back and Relax

Hi!

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite card layouts.  I love how it breaks up the card. It is also really easy to do.  It is called a book fold.  

I didn't put a sentiment on the gray shark.  I wasn't sure what kind of card I wanted it to be...yet.  What kind of sentiment would you put on it?  I used the second for a retirement card.   Hopefully she loved it.  We miss her at the senior center.  

 Materials:

Inks:

Memento Ink: Amazon or Scrapbook

Stamps:  Sharks

copics listed below

Copics used for this project:  If you are looking to shop- best price I found:

Shark option 1: C5, C3, C1, C0

Shark option 2: B66, B63, B60

Brown 1: E30, E31, E33, E35, E37

Brown 2: E44, E43, E42, E41, E40

Green: G46, G43, G40

Green 2: YG67, YG63, YG61

Water: BG02 BG01, 

Glitter pen on details

S'Whale

Hello!

Doesn't it feel good to use a stamp set that has been sitting unused for a long time.   I've been making an effort to chip away at my unused list.  I don't know why I waited so long to ink this guy up!  He is just so cute.   

I added bubbles with my stardust pen.  It added the perfect amount of sparkle to the card. 

Copics used for this project:  If you are looking to shop- best price I found

Gray: C5, C3, C1

Blue: B66

Blood Pressure

 Hi!

If you follow my blog at all, you know I love summer.  I love everything about it, but my absolute favorite thing is listen to the waves crash into the beach.  I'm so lucky to live near the water.   

To create this card, I did a little stamp surgery to cut the sentiment away from the starfish/seaweed.  I used the omitting technique to create a multi colored starfish to compliment my sentiment.  I love the pop of orange with the bright blue

Materials:

Stamps:

Blood Pressure- Technique Junkies

Use code TJ10Chris to save 10% on your order

Dies:

Waves by Birch Press

Treasure Friendship

Hi there!  

I want you to meet Rosie and Bernie.  They are best friends and they go on all sorts of adventures together.   This is my first adventure with them... but it won't be my last.  I had so much fun, I'm excited to ink them up again.  

If you are coloring along with me, the copic colors are listed below.  I drew in the sand to give the treasure chest something to sit on.  

Materials:

Stamps:

Rosie and Bernie Under the Sea

Copics used for this project:  If you are looking to shop- best price I found

Blue: B12, B14, B16, B18

Skin: E000, E00

Glass: B00

White: C3, C1, C0

Brown: E21, E23, E25, E27, E29

Yellow: Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17, Y26

Rainbow: R17, R02, YR02, YR04, Y15, YG13, B00, B01, V12

Sand: E00, E21, E53, W3, E04

Green: YG11, YG13, YG17

Orange: YR02, YR04, YR07

I used some gel pens to add sparkle to things

Experimental Water

 Hello all, 

I wanted to play around a bit with water today.  I chose the wave stamp because I thought they would compliment each other. I inked the stamp up in Navy ink and then sprayed the stamp with water.   In my opinion, the one I strayed a lot turned out the best.  It allowed the most movement of ink.   Obviously that is the point.  I guess the major learning point is that it takes a lot of water to create that movement.   

This was a lot of fun and it was VERY easy to do.  I finished off each card with glitter and Happiness sentiment.  

 Materials: -

Happiness stamp- Save 10% with code TJ10Chris

Large Wave Stamp- Save 10% with code TJ10Chris

Lots of water...

Medium amount of water...

Very Little water...

Love this one!!

Advanced Stripping! Bargello Quilt Technique

 Welcome friends, 

On Monday I shared a fun and easy way to use up scrap paper.  I've been having a blast with this "Stripping technique".  Today we are stepping it up!  I don't want to say it is harder, because it isn't.  It is just an extra step...maybe two.    No worries... I walked you through each step in this video.  

Bargello is a quilting technique that is used to create the appearance of movement. The design almost looks like it is moving.

Materials:

Happiness stamp-- Save 10% with code TJ10Chris

This is the card I posted on Monday.  This is the same technique, but such a different look.  You can see how I did that here. 

Making Waves

 Hello!

My scrap bins were overflowing... so it was time to revisit some scrappy techniques.  I have lots of tips that will help recreating this card really easy and fun.  Click here to watch the video. 

Materials

Stamps: Technique Junkies use code TJ10Chris to save 10%

Dance With the Waves Sentiment

Large Wave Stamp

White Gel Pen: Scrapbook or Amazon

Flowers Fill Our Lives with Beauty

 Welcome, 

I have a really quick post today.   I wanted to play around with a new technique.  In this technique you spray the stencil with water and press it into your cardstock.  The results are this really cool watercolor-like background.   I had a lot of fun playing with it and I think I'll be playing with this again soon.  

No copics today

Under the Sea

 Hello, 

I'm in love with these shimming bliss sprays that I picked up at Akron convention.  The photos don't do these justice.  They a silver sparkle to them.  I tried to take a photo at an angle to capture the sparkle.  It shows it a little better.   I used a white gel pen to add some bubbles and make a frame around the center panel. 

Materials:

Stamps:  use code TJ10Chris to save 10%

Sea Floor Stamp

Lessons from the Ocean

Sprays: use code TJ10Chris to save 10%

Mardi Gras

Dolphin Cove

Can you see the sparkle?

While I had the stamps out I thought I'd look through my stash of backgrounds.  I found this shaving cream background that I had left over.  I thought it looked like water.  I love the way the Sea Floor background looked stamped on it.  To help focus the attention on the sentiment I used a Hero Arts fish tank die on top.  I added dimensional foam to parts of the frame to give this card a 3D look.  

I'd love to know what background do you like better? 

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. 

Side Step Fishing Card

 Hi! 

I love cards that can "Wow"  the recipient.  Side step cards are a great because they easy to create but don't skimp on the WOW!.   I've made a few center step cards in the past that are similar.   They are linked here if you want to see them (friendship, birthday, and cowboy).  

The really nice thing about a sidestep card vs. a center step card is you have the ability to create hanging elements that help create that "Wow" impression.  This card still fits into a A2  envelope but the fishing pole and sign hang off the card.  The steps help create the illusion of an immersible scene.  

Check out the video here 

You can see the video for this card here 

Materials:

Stamps: Rubbernecker Stamps
Under the Sea Stamp set

Fisherman

Copics: Copics used for this project:   This is the best deal that I know of for here.

Fisherman: 

Blue- B91, B93, B95, B97, B99

Green- YG99, YG94, G99, G85

Bag and Sign: E44, E43, E42, E41

Shirt: E50, E51, E53 with stripes drawn in with brown marker

Skin: E000, E00, E11, E13

Hair: C3, C1,

Orange Fish- R05, YR18, YR16, YR14, YR12

Green Fish- YG17, YG13, YG11

Crab- R37, R35, R32

Green/Yellow Fish: YG17, YG13, Y15, Y13

Dies:

Side Step Die- (size I used in video) https://divinitydesignsllc.com/side-step-card-die/

Side Step Die (small version)- https://amzn.to/384AOVY

Wave Die- Scrapbook or Amazon  

Stencil:

Cloud Stencil: MFT or Amazon

Men and Fish are alike... (with video)

Greetings, 

I think this little guy needs a help. I love all the different expressions on the fish faces.   

The vellum on this card is a key ingredient. The stencil created a beautiful wave pattern in the background,but it made it really busy.  It was hard to know what to focus on.  The vellum softens the pattern and brings the worm and fish into the foreground.  The best part is that I don't think the vellum is that noticeable.   Most people wouldn't give it any thought.  Cool huh? 

Check out this 3 min video to see this Quick Tip. 

You can see the video here. 

Materials:

Stamps:
Under the Sea

Lunch in

Embellishments:

White Nuvo Drops: Scrapbook or Amazon

Copic:  Best deal as of posting - click here

Purple: V17, V15, V12, V01

Orange: R05, YR16, YR14, YR12

Pink: RV11, RV13, RV14, RV17

Green: G46, G43, G40

Yellow: Y11, Y13, Y15, YR12

Brown: E31, E33

White Gel pen: Scrapbook or Amazon 

Sign: E50

Stencil:

Wave Stencil- the one I used

Similar stencil  or here 

Vellum: -Spellbinders

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

Fishing You the Best Day Ever

Hello friends, 

We just got home from the lake.  It was SOOOO hard to leave.  It was over 90 degrees, the water is calm and there was a cool breeze.  Alas, we had to get back to real life.   To chase away the blues, then create a summer card.  I pulled out one of my favorite die sets.  Box cards are so easy to create and they add a cool-factor to a project.  

I hope you are enjoying this summer weather.  It is going to be over all too fast.  I probably should get out some fall stamps soon.  

Hugs, 
Chris

Materials List:

Fishing stamp set

Fishing Die set

Box card die

Snowdrift die

Cloud Stencil

 Copics used:

Cream: E50, E51, E53

Brown: E31, E33, E35, E37

Navy: B32, B34, B37, B39

White: C3, C1, C0

Red: R29, R24, R14

Orange: YR00, YR02, YR04

Yellow: Y15, Y13

white gel pen