Purple and Black Mixed Media Card by Sara Cook

Hi everyone.  I have another mixed media card today.  I had so much fun with the last one I came up with another design.  I used one of my favorite of all time dies, Fresh Foliage with the Tall Frilly Leafs Steams (a new favorite).  These types of designs are quick and easy to make while allowing you to be a little messy.  

Background:

I used Open Studio Watercolor paper and trimmed it down slightly less then 4" x 5 1/4".  I used Oxide Sprays in Villainous Potion and Hickory Smoke with the "smooshing" technique with the plastic packaging from a die. I started by misting the paper with water. Then spray a few drops of Villainous Potion on the plastic with a little water and smoosh onto watercolor paper.  Heat dry.  Repeat this process with Hickory Smoke then Villainous Potion until you have a background you like.   I then splattered with white and black paint.  Heat set dry all the way.  Next white heat emboss the word Hugs from the All the Happiness stamp set randomly on the back ground.  Making sure to have some of the words go off the sides.  Finally stamp portions of any of the full sentiments, making sure not to stamp it completely,  from the same stamp set in black pigment ink.  This is a way to introduce the black again but not over powering the background.  It will tie in the focal image.

Focal Image:

Die cut the Fresh Foliage and Tall Frilly Leaf Stems from black and vellum paper.  Stamp the "with love" sentiment from the Big and little Reverse Words stamp set from a matching, pigment in, and die cut with the coordinating date.  The pigment ink I used was VersaFine Clair.

Assembly:

Trim black card stock to 4" x 5 1/4" and adhere it behind the background panel. Adhere to a white A2 top folding card.  Glue the vellum Tall Frilly Leaf Stems cuts then the black die cuts on top.  Repeat with the Fresh Foliage.  Adhere the sentiment with foam tape over the middle lover portion of the foliage.

 

 

Supplies

 

94615 Tall Frilly Leaf Stems

98502 Fresh Foliage

cl5259 Big and Little Reverse Words clear stamp set

cl5265 All the Happiness clear stamp set

WP101 Watercolor Paper

Simple Mixed Media Birthday Card by Sara Cook

Hi everyone.  I have a quick and simple mixed media look for the background, featuring the Magnolia Blooms 3D Embossing Folder. 

Background:

Take a medium hue violet paper form the Vibrant Violet pad and add Ranger texture passed all over the back ground.  Take darker matching foil sheet and adhere to the top of the paper.  Let dry.  Emboss using the Magnolia Blooms 3D Embossing Folder.  Trim down to 4 x 5 1/4".  Use sand paper and randomly rough the surfaces, being heavy handed on the higher surfaces.  Lightly rub a white pigment ink pad on the top the image making sure the top surfaces are completely covered. Add white paint splatters.  I use white calligraphy ink.  

Sentiment:

Die cut the word birthday from the Happy Birthday Tender Script die set and the word wishes form the Best Wishes Tender Script die set.  The bottom is die cut from white card stock and the top from the dark hue from the Vibrant Violet paper pad, twice.  Adhere together.

Assembly:

Adhere the background panel to a side folding white card base.  Adhere the sentiment to the center. Add some Clear Fairy Drops around the sentiment.

 

 

Supplies

 

EF1036 Magnolia Blooms 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies

94670 Best Wishes Tender Script

94671 Happy Birthday Tender Script

SP1007 Vibrant Violet

CLD101 Clear Fairy Drops

Mixed Media Encouragement Card by Sara Cook

Hi everyone!  I have a  quick mixed media background card today using the new Curling Waves stencil. 3D embossing folder, and matching dies.

 

Background:

Clear heat emboss the bubble stamp from the Deep Blue Ocean stamp set on Memory Box watercolor paper.  Smoosh some Distress Ink Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers on a glass mat.  Spritz with water and dap the watercolor paper into each color, covering most of the paper.  Take a wet, square paint brush and apply more ink in waving motion randomly across the paper.  Heat set dry.  Use a water brush and add water inside the bubbles and then take a paper towel to dab up the water.  2nd generation stamp the schools of fish from the Blue Ocean stamp set with Blue Bell VersaFine Clair ink randomly in the background.  Take some white gesso and thin down with water the splatter on the background.  Let dry. Cut down to 4'X5 1/4" panel.

Elements:

Die cut the Ocean Porthole 3 times from black card stock and adhere together.  Rub in Distress Crayon Tarnished Brass all over the front of the die cut.  Die cut the kelp from the Kelp Collage die set from the green Festive Glitter paper pad. Trim the longer kelp into 1 short piece leaving a longer piece.  Stencil the Curling Waves with Distress Oxide Ink Blue Print Sketch and Salvaged Patina.  Die cut with matching dies and then embossing with the matching Curling Waves 3D embossing folder.  Add some white texture paste and then Distress Grit paste to the top of the waves.

Sentiment:

White heat emboss the Refuse to Sink sentiment from the You Anchor Me stamp set on black paper.  Fussy cut out the sentiment.  I am horrible at fussy cutting and already on my 2nd sentiment when I decided to use sandpaper to even out the sides.  This worked perfectly.  This might be an old trick I never learned but it really does help even out the sharp points are uneven cuts.

Assembly:

Adhere the background to a A2 size black card.  Adhere the waves to the lower right hand side, weaving them around the portal.  Adhere to the center of the card.  Add the kelp die cuts to the inside right of the portal.  Adhere the sentiment with foam adhesive.  

Supplies

88624 Curling Waves Stencil

ef1032 Curling Waves 3D Embossing Folder and Matching Dies

CL5269 You Anchor Me clear stamp set

CL5268 Deep Blue Ocean clear stamp set

94561 Kelp Collage

94572 Ocean Porthole

gp1006 Festive Glitter Pad

Floral Watercolor Card by Sara Cook

Hi everyone.  I am using the new Gentle Blossom Watercolor Bloom die set with a subtle mixed media background.

Mixed Background:

Use a gel pad and brayer to add a water based ink pad in light blue and roll on the ink across the full gel pad.  Then add light turquoise just to the bottom half of the gel pad, blending the inks together.  I used retired Colorbox ink pad but Wendy Vecchi or Distress Oxides inks work well for the gel press as well.  Add small splatter all over with water down Brush ink in blue.  Take a print using a white mixed media paper. Let dry.  Add leaves using the Leafy Rows stencil and clear glimmer embossing paste to the lower part of the paper.  I used Dreamworks paste.  The paste smeared in 1 area so I smeared it over the top to even it out.  One of those accidents you can turn into part of the design.  The best reason to do mixed media is for this reason.  Let dry and trim down to 4"x5 1/4".

Flowers and Leaves:

Die cut out all the Gentle Blossom Watercolor Bloom dies out of Open Studio Watercolor paper.  I used a wet on wet technique to watercolor the first lightest layer of pink for the flower and green for the leaves.  Dry to just damp and then add more thicker paint in the center and let the paint flow out to create depth.  The top layers I used a wet on dry so the color is more bold.  Drying and adding ink on top for a more intense color.  Let dry.  Adhere the die cuts together using the back the envelope as a guide.

Sentiment:

White emboss the "Time to Celebrate" sentiment from the Joyful Moments clear stamp set on a light pink from the Berry Reds paper pack.  Trim to a rectangle around the sentiment and cut a larger rectangle out of black to layer behind.  Add the pink paper to the black with foam squares.

Assembly:

Adhere the background to a A2 size black card base.  Add a white piece of thin paper to the  inside of the card to write a personal message.  Take a piece of tulle and wrap a piece of 1/4" double sided tape.  add to the top of the background right above the embossed leaves.  Add the flower to the center and adhere the leaves around the flower.  Add the sentiment to the bottom half of the card.

Supplies:

94618 Gentle Blossom Watercolor Floral craft die

88615 Leafy Rows Stencil

SP1001 Berry Red 6x6 pack

WP101 Watercolor Paper

Icy Old Lamp Post Christmas Card by Sara Cook

Hi everyone.  I have a Christmas card today featuring the Old Lamp Post and Merry Christmas Posh Scrip die.  I use the some mix media techniques to get a icy effect on the "glass" of the lamp post. 

Old Lamp Post:

Trim down acetate to fit behind the cutout for the candle.  Add a thin layer of Distress Collage Medium tMatteo the acetate. Let dry.  With a pallet knife apply a thick layer of Distress Icicle Crackle Paste on top of the Collage Medium.  Leaving it thinner in the center where the candle would be.  Let dry for several hours.  It takes a long, long, long time to dry:).  Add some Distress Grint paste to the sides in chunky small pieces.  Let dry.

Spay Memory Box watercolor paper with Lindy's Dylusions Laidback Lilac ink spays. Spry it on heavy to create a extra dark color.  Heat dry. Die cut the Old Lamp Post die from sprayed watercolor paper.  Use Versafine Clair Nocturne and ink blend on top of the die cuts to create a rusty black look.  Make sure the edges also are inked.  let dry.  Die cut the top portion of the lamp post 2 more times from black card stock, long with the post 1 more time.  Glue the extra pieces to the back of the inked dye cuts except the cutout for the candle.  Adhere the long piece behind the lamp post.  Add Distress Grit paste to the top of the die cuts to make it look like icy snow. Let dry.

Melted Candle:

Die cut the larger candle from Memory Box watercolor.  Color the flame with a small tipped water based marker.  I used Marvy Markers, Persimmon, Yellow and Brilliant Yellow, coloring from the center with red to the light yellow on the outside.  Add the yellow and brilliant yellow to a nonporous surface and use a small blending tool to add to the base of the candle.  Blend a little Distress Antique Linen to the base of the candle.  Add Distress Vintage Photo to the sides of the candle and melted wax die cut to add shading.  Glue the melted wax to the top of the candle.  

Slim Pinpoint Burst Background:

Die cut the top of the  Slim Pinpoint Burst from Memory Box watercolor paper. Trim to 3 3/4"" x 5 3/4"", keeping the burst in the upper portion of the base.  Ink blend from the center of the burst with Distress Oxide Ink Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, then Spiced Marmalade.  From the outside to the hello burst use Stormy Sky and ink blend with Spice Marmalade.  From the outside again use Chipped Sapphire then Black Soot to darken the edges.  Let dry.  Add white splatter with a white spray ink to create the look of snow.  

Merry Christmas Posh Sentiment:

Die cut the top die Merry Christmas Posh Script from the dark red Polished Foil paper.  Die cut the bottom die from the brown Majestic Hues Glitter Pad.  Adhere the top die to the bottom die.

Assembly:

Select a matching paper from the Woodsy Plaid pack. Remove the the pack fully in tacked.  Trim down only the sides (keeping the edge with the hole in the center) to 4 1/2" wide by 6 3/4" tall.  Trim a small piece of the excess plaid paper and adhere to the back to cover up the hole.  Adhere to a black card base 4 3/4" x 7". Adhere the 2 pcs to the a 4 3/4" x 7" card base, with the hole sin the plaid paper on the bottom of the card.  I used the a light brown card.  Stamp the inside with a sentiment from the Yuletide Moments Sentiment stamp set.  

Adhere the Slim Pinpoint Burst background to the center of the card.  Trim the candle down to fit behind the lamp post and adhere so the flame is in the center of the burst.  Adhere the 2 black die cut to the candle.  Then adhere the top rusty black top to the icy "glass". acetate.  Trim any excess that over hangs.  Adhere over the candle and the black matches die cuts.  Adhere the post below the candle and the top piece.  Die cut one of the  Crisp Bows from dark red Polished Foil paper pack 3 times.  Trim the center piece from each die cut and trim the tails from the bow on 2 die cuts.  Glue the 2 pieces to the back to show the 2 bows behind the top.  Adhere to the center of the lamp post.  Adhere the sentiment to the bottom of the card, hiding the hole in the plaid paper.

Supplies

 

94598 Old Lamp Post craft die

94593 Melted Candles craft die

94584 Merry Christmas Posh Script craft die

94557 Slim Pinpoint Burst Plate craft die

98197 Crisp Bows

PP1018 Woodsy Plaid 6x6 pack

GP1008 Majestic Hues Glitter Pad

FP1001 Polished Foil Pad pack

WP101 Watercolor Paper

Seas the Day Collage/Mixed Media Card by Sara Cook

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is enjoying the summer.  I just got done moving and reorganizing my craft corner.  I had a lot of supplies I had hardly used and wanted to use them again.  A college type scene using mixed media techniques is an easy way to use a lot of different product with your dies.  It is a sea themed collage using the latest Summer Day Dream and Under the Sea release dies and gems.  

Technique:

I am not going to explain in exact detail on how I created the card.  With mixed media you are just playing with color and textures.  To start a mix media or collage it is easier to pick a color scheme and textures to use through out your design.  For the colors I did stick with traditional ocean colors.  I don't have a complete collection of any inks or paints and just mix and match the different products I have on hand.  The colors I did use  I will reference in distress inks, Speckled Egg, Mermaid Lagoon, Blueprint Sketch, and Cracked Pistachio.  I also used silver and bronze.  For texture I used embossing powders, texture pastes, and clear mica flakes.  Play with your products but keep to a color and texture theme and it will all come together in the end.  

Background:

For the background I used an extra heavy white card stock, ~140lb, and cut it to 7"x31/2".  I started with creating a stencil by die cutting the Jumbled Line Collage from acetate.  I used matte textured paste to stencil in the center of the background.  Let it dry.  I created a stamp from the Ring Stack die by die cutting from fun foam.  This is an easy why to turn any die cut into a stamp that can be used a few times.  I stamped and blue embossed the image randomly around the back ground.  Next I used spray inks to create the background in all colors in my scheme.  2 of the sprays were shimmer sprays.  Let dry.  To darken the background  ink blended Blueprint Sketch and Mermaid Lagoon in the center of the card.  Let dry.  Then I added some Distress Crackle paint randomly and then sprinkled with Distress Clear Mica Flakes.

Images:

For the images I die cut from the same extra heavy white card stock.  The dies I used are Marina Sailboats, Whale Family, End of My Rope Set, Deep Blue Ocean, and You Anchor Me.  I die cut several of each die and ended up with more then I used.  To color I used various techniques and textures.  Some I embossed with silver.  Some where ink blended with Distress inks and clear heat embossed.  Some where ink blended with Distress inked and applied Distress Crackle paint and sprinkled with Distress Mica Flakes.  Others were sprayed with ink and covered in the Distress Crackle paint.    To add silver to the ink blended die cuts I used a Gelato stick and blended with my fingers.

Assembly:

For placement I kept the images you would find at the top of the water closer to the top of the background and the images under the water closer to the bottom.  Some are only half adhered so I can place items behind them and in front of others to create layers.  Next add some Clear Fairy Drops for bubbles.  I framed the background on a dark blue paper and adhere to the top section of the 5"x7" white card.  For the Sentiment I used the Seas the Day stamp from Deep Blue Ocean stamp and die set with deep blue dye ink on strip of white card stock.  Then backed with the a strip of the same deep blue paper.  Adhered on the bottom left hand side of the card.

Supplies

 

94547 Ring Stack craft die

94560 Jumbled Line Collage craft die

94575 Marina Sailboats craft die

94573 Whale Family craft die

94546 End of My Rope Set craft die

CL5268 Deep Blue Ocean clear stamp set

CL5269 You Anchor Me clear stamp set

DRP101 Fairy Drops

Hello Slim Line Card by Sara Cook

Hi everyone.  I have a mixed media background slim line card featuring the Floral Chain die.

Background

Die cut from heavy white card stock the largest rectangle die from Slim Basics.  I used a slim line sized jelly plate to spray Dylusions ink sprays.  Lemon Zest on top and bottom, Rose Quartz in the middle, then a few sprays of Funky Fuchusia.  Take a print off the plate.  I had to blot more ink in areas missing color.  Clean off the plate. Let the background dry. I wanted the background a little lighter for I also sprayed White Linen and lightly blended it. Let dry. Still not as light as I wanted, so I took Distress Picket Fence ink and a briar to add ink to the jelly plate.  I put the Leafy Rows stencil on the plate and then randomly blotted the ink on the background off the plate to create lighter areas of leaves.  Let dry. Then splatter some gold paint for some sparkle.

Flowers:

Die the lightest pink from Berry Red paper pack with the Floral Chain die.  Then add golden dots to the center of the flower with a gold gel pen.  Add double sided foam tape to the back of the flower centers.

Sentiment:

Die cut the Hello Streamlined Scripted die from heavy black card stock, twice.  Color one with the same gold gel pen.  Let dry.  Glue the golden Hello offset on the solid black die cut to create a shadow. 

Butterfly:

Die cut the Glade Butterfly base form white card stock and the top die from black card stock.  Color the butterfly base from the center out creating an ombre affect using alcohol markers.  I used Copic Y06 to RV10 to BV00.  Glue the black top of the butterfly to the base.  Shape the wings over one of the pens, curving them at the ends. 

Frames:

Die cut the largest and 3rd largest die from Slim Basic Rectangles from heavy black card stock to create a frame. Add double sided foam tape to the back of the frame.  Die cut the largest Crystal Frame die from the same heavy black card stock.

Assembly:

Add the mixed media background to a slim line card base.  Adhere the frame with foam tape. Adhere the Crystal Frame to the right side of the card, adhering the 2 end points to the card base and the 2 points on the top and bottom to the frame.  This will create a 3d effect of the frame.  Adhere the sentiment in the center of the Crystal Frame.  Adhere the flowers with the double sided tape diagonally on the left hand side, leaving the petals on top of the frame.  Adhere the butterfly on top of one of the flowers.

Supplies

 

94542 Floral Chain craft die

94540 Hello Streamlined Script craft die

94523 Crystal Frames craft die

94578 Glade Butterfly craft die

94556 Slim Basic Rectangle Layers craft die

88615 Leafy Rows Stencil

SP1001 Berry Red 6x6 pack

Mixed Media Birthday Card by Sara Cook

Hello! I am trying something outside the box this week:)  I have been doing more and more mixed media projects and the new Gear 3D embossing folder got me inspired to mixed style steampunk with under the sea theme .  Hope this inspires you to rethink the different style in your collection to create something unique.

Water Background:

I used a wet on wet watercolor technique on Memory Box watercolor paper with the blues, greens and gold from Kuretake.  I used a medium size brush and randomly added each color to the paper and then used a larger flat wide brush and made a wave motion to blend the colors together.

Gear layer:

Use the gold from the Polished foil paper and embossed with the 3D Gear folder.  I then lightly sanded the top of the paper to remove some of the foil.  I then painted using the new Lunar Paste from Simon Hurley.  I used all the new colors and randomly added them.  I cut out around the gears so the water background will be seen.

Fish:

I die cut the School of Fish out of watercolor paper and painted different colors with the Lunar Paint. I die cut the Graceful Jellyfish base and the top with dots out of blue and pink paper.  The top with the top I embossed with Speckled Egg  and Kitsch Flamino glazing.  I then die cut the other top out of acetate.  I painted one with Bee Sting and the other with Clear Skies out of Lunar Paste.  I adhere the painted acetate to the jellyfish body with foam and the embossed top with tape.  

Rope:

I die cut the the looped die from the End of My Rope die set from watercolor paper 4 times.  Colored with Distressed Oxide Vintage Photo then Walnut Stain. I put the die back over the cut and then colored with Antique Linen.

Sentiment:

I embossed the Birthday from Bid and Little Reverse Word stamp set with Speckled Egg Glaze. I stamped Fishes from the Oceanside Typewriter stamp set and stamped with Versafine Clair Paradise ink on white card stock and cut to size. I used the matching sentiments and then distressed the edges with the side of  scissors. 

Assembly:

I created a card out of dark brown card stock that measured 4 3/4" x  6".  I adhered the water layer in the center.  Then adhere the Gear 3D layer making sure the water can be seen.  then I added the rope around the gears on the outside.  Then I added the jellyfish with foam tape as the focal point.  then added the sentiments Birthday with foam tape and Fishes with just tape.  Then added a few fish around the scene.  

Supplies

 

EF1018 Put It in Gear 3D Embossing Folder

94546 End of My Rope Set craft die

94574 Graceful Jellyfish craft die

94570 School of Fish craft die

CL5259 Big and Little Reverse Words clear stamp set

CL5240 Oceanside Typewriter Sentiments clear stamp set

FP1001 Polished Foil Pad pack

WP101 Watercolor Paper

Hello Card by Donna Sledzik

Good morning everyone! Today I have a fun background technique using a Gelli Plate.  This is a gelatin like surface that you can apply paint or ink to and create a print. 

To create the background, I stamped the flower images with Black Archival ink onto the Gelli Plate.

The ink needs a few minutes to dry before paint is applied to the plate. 

I squeezed 3 colors of acrylic paint onto the Gelli Plate and used a brayer to spread the paint. You only need a small amount of paint for this step. Once the paint is on the plate, I used a few household items to add some texture.

In the photo above you can see how thin the layer of paint is. I waited a few minutes for the paint to dry, then added a layer of white acrylic paint over the whole plate. I used a brayer to spread the paint onto the plate.

I placed a piece of white cardstock onto the plate and rubbed it with my fingers to transfer the paint to the paper.

I love all the texture that shows up on the print.

Next, I stamped the flowers on watercolor paper, then painted and die cut them.

I trimmed my printed paper and glued it to a black cardstock layer. Next, I used foam tape to adhere my flowers to the background. I spattered the piece with white paint. When the paint was dry, I adhered it to a green cardstock mat. I glued this to a white card base.

To finish the card, I stamped the word "hello" and used foam tape to adhere it to the  card front.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

CL5265 All the Happiness clear stamp set

CL5259 Big and Little Reverse Words clear stamp set

SP1009 Earth Neutral 6x6 pack

WP101 Watercolor Paper

Be Mine Slim Line Card by Sara Cook

I have a mixed media slim line card today.  A soft mixed media background, featuring the new Slim Pinpoint Heart Plate die.

Background:

The card stock is a extra heavy white card stock.  Ink smoosh Distress Inks Picked Raspberry, Spun Sugar, and Shaded Lilac on a glass mat and spritz with water.  Tap the card in the inks, turning the card each time adding more ink.  Heat set the card and repeat.  Blended Spun Sugar and Wilted Violet on the dried card stock.  To mute the background smoosh Hero Arts Unicorn all over the card stock.  Heat set.  Take a large wet brush and brush water across the card to continue to blend colors together.  Heat set again.

Die cut the paper with the Slim Pinpoint Heart Plate die.

Randomly place the scripted stamped from the Peony Garden Corner set on a plastic sheet. Ink with Shaded Lilac Distress ink and randomly stamp the background card, turning the plastic sheet in-between impressions.  This should be random so the sentiment cannot be fully read.

Focal Image:

Use the 2nd largest heart die from the double Stitch Loving Heart die set and cut out of a light purple card stock.  Center the die cut in the upper middle of the Slim Pinpoint Heart Plate die and secure in place.  Run it through the die cut.  Ink around the outside of the heart die cut with Shaded Lilac Distress ink.  Add double sided foam tape foam tape the the backside of the heart and then align on the ground. Stamp be mine from the Big and Little Valentines stamp set on white card stock with Shaded Lilac ink.  Cut out each word separately.  Swipe the side of the stamped image directly into Shaded Lilac ink to create a boarder.  Lightly blend Shaded Lilac on the stamped image to tone down the white background.  Glue in the center of the heart.

Sentiment:

From Big and Little Valentines stamp happy Valentine's Day in Picked Raspberry Distress Ink on while card stock. Cut each word out.  Make the boarder the same way as the be mine words.  Glue on the background.  Too high light the sentiments take a white gel pen and outline around the paper.

Card Base

Cut 2 pieces of white card stock to 3 3/4"x8 3/4".  Score 1/2" from top of card and fold.  This will be the bottom base.  Add g to just the 1/2" scored section of the bottom base and place the top card base on top.  Then glue the background card on the top card centering for a white boarder. To embellish die cut Scribble Leafy Branch Outline die from white card stock and Scribble Leafy Branch background from Vellum.  Arrange 3 pcs at the bottom right of the heart and 2 pcs at the top left of the heart.

 

Supplies

 

94550 Slim Pinpoint Heart Plate craft die

94359 Double Stitch Loving Heart Cut Out

CL5252

CL5255 Peony Garden Corner clear stamp and die set

94274 Scribble Leafy Branch Outline

94275 Scribble Leafy Branch Background