Stenciled Backgrounds & Paper Pieced Flowers

Today, I'm up on the STAMPlorations Blog with a little tutorial on how to make this card.  

The tutorial has some super fun ways to use up leftovers by creating your own artsy patterned paper with stencils and Distress Oxide inks. 

Vibrant & fun! I would be remiss if I didn't mention where the inspiration from my card came from. The moment I laid eyes on the inspiration image for The Card Concept, I just knew I needed to dream up something. 

Thanks for popping by and go take a peek over at STAMPlorations! 

Stenciling Techniques - Sanna Lippert New Release

It's a paaaaaarty! A new release party that is! Sanna Lipper, one of the fab-o designers at STAMPlorations has released a whole new line of stencils. And we got to have a crafty play. They are all so gorgeous and perfect for mixed media play.

Today I'm going to be showing you a cool stenciling technique using Distress Oxides. 

This technique is actually the reverse of stenciling because you're taking OFF the color with a stencil, instead of applying it. 

Step 1: Sponge on a healthy layer of Distress Oxide onto a dark piece of cardstock. Because oxides are highly pigmented, they are designed to sit on top of the dark color. I used Broken China Oxides over a navy blue paper. 

Step 2: Bust out your stencil and tape it down so it won't move. Dampen a piece of paper towel, using a small amount of water (you don't want it too wet or your cardstock will pill). Wipe wipe wipe wipe wipe. The color will start to lift right off.

Step 3: Remove stencil and oooh and aaaah... I love the pattern of this Cornflower stencil.

I also splattered it all over with Picket Fence Distress Spray Stains.

Next, I made a correlating embellishment - also with my stencil.

Check out all that texture! Basically I swiped a layer of texture paste through my stencil, then added a layer of blue embossing powder before heat setting.

I fussy cut it and BEHOLD!

Isn't it pretty? 

I also played around with Sanna's new Lupinus stencil, too.

This one is so pretty and would be perfect for either mixed media OR clean and simple cards. 

Pssst in honor of this new release, all ARTplorations stencils are 15% off. and you get a FREE stencil with every order. Plus you can use my code STAMPGIRLBECCA for an extra 20% off your order. :)

Now go get hopping and then get shopping. 

Card Concept - White Pumpkin

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! 

At least over at The Card Concept it is, anyways. We've unrolled a new challenge with a nontraditional, but still very cozy take on Fall! 

When I first saw this image, I new right away that I wanted to pull out my Wendy Vecchi Sunburst Stencil to mimic that rusty little pinwheel wall hanging thing-a-ma-bob (I'm pretty sure that's the technical decorator's name for it). 

Speaking of non-traditional, I was really wishing that I had some metallic silver embossing paste and then I remembered I had some Nuvo enamel drop stuff. I squeezed a bunch of it into my stencil opening and then sccchmeeeared it all around with a palette knife. 

Over the top of that, I added some Picket Fence Distress Spray Stain and then I dried it with a heat tool. Because I heat dried it, it began to crackle and crinkle and bubble and create all sorts of yummy textures. 

I stamped a pumpkin from the STAMPlorations Holiday Expressions: Thankful for Autumn stamp set and colored it in using a white gel pen. For my leaves, I used some Forest Moss Distress Oxide Inks and a damp paintbrush. 

Put it all together and what do you get?
A graphic, funky nontraditional Fall card. 

This card is going to play along in the following challenges: 

Addicted to Stamps and More: Make Your Mark

The Card Concept is such a great challenge because our designers all work in different styles. While I used a Mixed Media style f, there's a whole gallery of inspiration ranging from Clean and Simple to Shabby Chic. Go check it out and play along with us! 

Watercolored Feather Card - Fusion Challenge

I know, I know... I'm running a wee bit late for my posting today... I wasn't feeling well yesterday and am consequently late on my timing. 

I promise, though, that this card will be worth the wait! 

My design is inspired by the STUNNING inspiration image over at Fusion Card Challenge this week.

Just look at that beauty! For those of you who haven't played along at Fusion, here's how it works: You can choose to play with either the sketch OR the inspiration image OR mash 'em together and use both. 

I got out some old sheet music I keep stashed in my craft hoard erm... I mean stash and used the masks from the STAMPlorations Feathers and Arrows LARGE stencil and mask set. (Which you can score for 20% off using my discount code STAMPGIRLBECCA). 

I laid the mask securely on the sheet music and added some watercolors around the edge, to mimic the inspiration image. 

I tore the sheet music out and glued it on a piece of black cardstock, adding some washi tape to the background. Then I used the Dots All Over stencil and applied some metallic black texture paste. 

Taaadaaaaa! Artsy textural goodness! I rounded out my design with some words from Tim Holtz sticker set and added a handwritten sentiment using a white gel pen. 

I used watercolors because I wanted to link up to the Mixed Media World - Watercolors and Mixed Media challenge. 

Thank you for popping by! I hope you'll go check out the rest of the lovely designs at the Fusion Card Challenge. 

Mixed Media Card Challenge - Change

Sniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifffffffffffffffffffffffff*
Ahhh do you smell that?
That my friends is the smell of 2017 air. The smell of fresh new beginnings. The smell of CHANGE!

Speaking of change, that's the theme for our very first challenge at the Mixed Media Card Challenge for 2017.

When reflecting on what I could do with the theme change, many things came up  - things like new chapters in life, changing colors, changing seasons... What I decided to do was start scrolling through my stamps to see if there were ones that inspired a mixed media piece about changing.

In doing so, I found a NBUS beautiful sentiment from Unity Stamp Co, and a only-used-once Stenciled Women by Dina Wakely stencil. Combined, I felt like the two really spoke to "change".

I also thought I could incorporate "change" into my mediums by using Ken Oliver ColorBurst watercolor crystals. I absolutely ADOOOOOORE these things, because you just sprinkle some onto your paper, spritz with water, and you get these vibrant color washes that are totally unique and stunning every time.

Next, I stamped some various shapes across my background in coordinating colors to create more dimension.

I used some Abandoned Coral Distress Paint to paint through the STAMPlorations Dots All Over Stencil.

Next, I sponged through the Dina Wakely stencil to create my focal image. 

A Rose by any Other Name Stamped Card

A rose by any other name doth smell as sweet. 
A rose colored with any other medium doth look as lovely. 

Don't you just love quoting Shakespeare. I'm pretty sure he wrote both of the two lines above. 

Today, I'm doing a reminder post for STAMPlorations theme and sketch challenge, so I'm popping in with a quick, but lovely little thank you card I made using watercolors.

I used the rose from the STAMPlorations Blossom Overture set and the sentiment is from the Strong Women set, designed by yours truly.

For the theme & sketch challenge, you can use EITHER the sketch OR the theme OR both. And you can use ANY stamps from ANY company. We're pretty easy huh? So get on over and play along with us already!

This card is also going to go play along in Tuesday Throwdown's anything goes challenge.

This posting is also a two-fer because I want to remind you to play along in the STAMPlorations Stencil Hop & Linky party, too! 

 

We're celebrating all things stenciled with a 7-day inspiration hop complete with TONS of prizes. If you're feeling inspired, you can also link up a stenciled card of your own for even MORE prizes. 

As for me, I'm also going to link it up to:
Cards Und More - ooooh it's cold
A Snowflakes Promise - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Monday -  Let there be Snow

I showcased how I created this background in >>>this post<<< using the Broken Glass stencil. The sentiment is from the HOLIDAY SKETCHES: Christmas Candles set.

Thanks for popping by! Hope you enjoy the weekend. Considering it is going to be a high of -15 degrees F tomorrow... I'm not sure how much I'll be enjoying it! BRRR

PURPLE! Mixed Media Card with Tutorial

Anyone else out there excited about all the purple cards beautifying the interwebs as of late? I know I am. Thank you SO much for all who have participated in the Hop to Stop this month. I've sent mental high fives to ALL of you!

This post also is going to serve as a reminder to go get your STAMPlorations on and join in on the latest challenge. We've got both a sketch AND a theme so there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Just do it already!

I was in my craft room last weekend and decided I wanted to get really messy. I had a leftover sheet that I'd sprayed with shades of purple Distress Inks for THIS CARD and I stared at it all googly eyed before I decided to just start playing.

I took out my Picked Raspberry Distress Paint and made some random circles (a la the STAMPlorations sketch) and then I ringed the pink with Picket Fence Distress Paint. I used my finger to swirl around the paint and blend it together. Since the Distress Spray background hadn't reacted yet with water, some of the purple color seeped into my wet paint and created a lovely blend of colors.

Next, I used the Folk Flowers set designed by Shirley B for STAMPlorations. I took what was supposed to be the stem of the flowers and bent them in the shape of my circles to create an outline. And then I embossed with white.

I also took my Picket Fence Distress Ink and added some small white circles to my big pink circles.

The last step of the background was to use my Dots All Over stencil and sponge Wilted Violet distress ink to create another layer of circles.

I stamped some of the Folk Flowers onto a piece of scrap paper and colored and shaded with my Distress Crayons.

Then I cut them out and pieced them together. Aren't they so funky and adorable!?! There's a million random flowers you could create from this set. (Believe me. I did the mathematical calculations) (don't really believe me - I have a degree in English, not math you sillies).

I stamped a big ol' sentiment from the Big Greetings sentiment kit and colored it in with purple Faber Castell Big Brush pen.

I also added some little sequins to the background and to one of my flowers.

Then I put it all together and said Taaaaa Daaaaa really loudly. :)
This card was so much fun to make and so much fun to stare at. Fun all around!

Make sure you head on over to STAMPlorations and check out the rest of the design team's handiwork!

I'm going to link this up to Seize the Birthday's lots of leaves challenge and Little Red Wagon's Let's Party - Happy Birthday challenge.

______________________________________________________________

Now - Just a reminder that the Hop to Stop is in full Hopping mode. Last year we had 238 linkups and I'm SO hoping to beat that. 

If you're wondering what the Hop is - it's a blog hop designed to raise awareness for victim's of domestic violence during National Domestic Violence awareness month. 

One in three women will experience domestic violence over the course of their lives. One in three. 

Please consider making a purple card and to help build awareness for such an important issue. <3 

As a bonus, the hop has over $700 worth of prizes that will be given away by extremely generous sponsors.

The Hop to Stop 2016 - Raising Awareness for Domestic Violence

You are lazy. 

You are dirty. 

You are a worthless slob. 

These are the words that were breathed to me. Words I've worked hard to recognize are not true. But over a 7-year relationship, I listened to them. 

Over a 7-year period I watched as my belongings were broken because I'd left them out. As my dog was beaten in punishment for his frustration. As my sense of self was slowly ground into nothingness.

Domestic Violence is a personal topic for me. In 2012, thanks to the help of a domestic violence advocacy agency I was able to leave an abusive marriage.  

It took me a long time to realize that even though I felt alone, I wasn't. And the more I shared my story with others, the more they shared back. I started the Hop to Stop as a way to connect DV survivors and give hope to victims. I never imagined I would read through the stories that were shared along the Hop, the crafters who poured out their hearts - some of them for the first time ever. 

Here is my message for you. 

Though you feel bruised and stained... 

Though darkness had covered your life...

There is hope for light to shine again.

Though you feel shattered in pieces...

And though shadows cling to your edges...

Those pieces CAN be put back together. 

Made even more beautiful.

YOU are a work of art. 

If you're wondering why everything (at least that's my hope) in the blogosphere is turning purple... there IS a reason - the Hop to Stop is here! 

You see, purple is the color of National Domestic Violence Awareness month. 

1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence over the course of their lifetimes. 

Let that sink in - 33% of all the women you meet. 

Women between the ages of 15 and 44 are more likely to be injured or die as a result of domestic violence, than through rapes, muggings and car accidents combined.

And women aren't the only people who are affected! Women, men, transgender - gender doesn't matter. Domestic violence is something that exists regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, religion, education level, etc.

And yet, it's something that is rarely talked about in very public ways. It's something that's hidden and hushed. And since papercrafters are some of the most amazing people out there, some of you have agreed to make a card (or cards) to raise awareness for this issue.Together, we CAN make a powerful impact. 

Speaking of amazingly awesome - ^^^ Do you SEE that graphic above?! These are all the incredible companies who've agreed to support this blog hop. 12 companies and over $700 in prizes! I can't thank them enough! Complete prize listings are available in the FACEBOOK EVENT page.  

DCWV is donating to paper stacks for every 75 linkups

DecoArt donated a prize package valued at nearly $200

Happy Little Stampers donated a $20 gift card

Jessica Lynn Original donated a $20 gift card

Newton's Nook donated a $25 gift card
Simon Says Stamp donated 6 of their purple ink pads

STAMPlorations donated a $20 gift code

Tattered Angels donated purple Glimmer Mists
Uniko Studios donated a stamp set of choice
Verve Stamps donated a $30 gift code
Unity Stamp Company donated over $200 of stamps

Now... one last thing before the linkup (I know, I know... it's a long post. Some of you have asked if you could send your cards somewhere special, and so I've reached out to the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) here in Grand Forks, ND. They are SO excited about the plan and said they could definitely use cards. 

CVIC is a nonprofit that provides emergency shelter, legal advocacy, housing assistance, and child and adult therapy for victims of physical and sexual violence.

It's not mandatory, but if you want to send cards to CVIC, email me (bexcruger@gmail.com) and I'll give you my address. 

I can't wait to see what you've created!

THE RULES (oh those pesky things...)

If you'd like to participate in the Hop to Stop, here's how it works:

• 1 - Make a card that FEATURES purple
• 2 - Link it up below before October 30, 12noon CST
• 3 - New creations only please, no backlinking allowed
• 4 - Provide a link back to the Hop! (it would be great if you put the badge in, too!)
• 5 - You MUST comment on at least the 3 entries before you to be eligible to win (be a good neighbor) buuuuuuut visiting the sponsor blogs/shops is HIGHLY encouraged. (hey - they are pretty generous and it would be great if we could thank them! There might even be an extra special top-secret prize in it for someone - wink* wink*)

Link up your cards here!

An InLinkz Link-up