Stampfest At Lynette's August 20, 2025

Note: You can click any image to see a larger view.

On Wednesday, Aug. 20th, Don and I visited Lynette and had a great time.  We all had lunch at Naf Naf's and then Lynette and I had a wonderful time stamping. Lynette had lots of great ideas! 

Lynette found great inspiration for the Altenew Leaf Canopy stamp set on Pinterest. The title of the Pinterest page is, "Colorful Leaf Stamping". This card inspired the next seven cards below: the three brick embossed layer cards and the four cards mounted on orange cardstock. 

The first three cards were initially a trial on some odd colored watercolor paper from Lynette's stash. We lightly spritzed the Altenew Leaf Canopy stamp which was on an acrylic block. Then we colored the leaves with Lynette's wonderful Caran D'Ache watercolor crayons, using a few different colors. Then we lightly spritzed again, before stamping on the watercolor paper. Adding the color from the watercolor stamp was a fun way to stamp the leaves! The three cards above started out as a test, but we liked the result. We added them on top of a "brick" panel made with the Sizzix Tim Holtz Bricked embossing folder.

Leaf Canopy on orange cardstock:

For the four cards above, we did the same technique, using different colors from Lynette's Caran D'Ache watercolor crayons. When dry, we used a dotted stamp from Stamps by Judith with Gina K Peach Bellini ink to created a splattered look. Then we mounted the watercolor layer onto orange cardstock.

Kraft cards:

Our inspiration for these kraft cards is from an Altenew blog hop back in 2018. Scroll down to card #3, #4 and #6 to see Erum Tasneem's card. We used Brilliance ink on the leaf canopy stamp.

For these cards we were inspired by Erum Tasneem's No-Line Watercoloring using Leaf Canopy Stamp Set by Altenew, July 29, 2018. On watercolor paper we stamped the outline of the leaves with distress antique linen ink. Them used Caran D'Ache watercolor crayons and a water brush to add color within the stamped antique linen leaves. For splatters, we used that dotted stamp from Stamps by Judith. We mounted the watercolor layer on kraft paper, then on a white card.

Lynette helped me to copy this card design that she made previously. When I saw her card, I fell in love with it. 

We inked one side of Gina K Tapestry embossing folder with brilliance blue ink....the side where the images are raised, I think. .

We stamped the Stampin Up Marvelous Morning Glory flowers with SU Tempting turquoise, stamping off three times for the lighter shade (the fuller stamp). Then stamped the inside details part with full Tempting Turquoise.  

Thanks so much for visiting!

Peace and all good! 

Stampfest at Lynette's July 11, 2025

We visited Lynette on Friday and had a great time as always! For lunch, we took a walk to a nice restaurant in her neighborhood...delicious food, with leftovers to take home. 

Lynette found inspiration for our cards from Lisa Hetrick, Gina K (who was inspired by Natasha Foote) and Jodene Tripp.

For our first card, we followed Lisa Hetrick's flower card with a wet on wet watercolor technique demonstrated on Lisa's YouTube tutorial from May 28, 2019. 

Card Tutorial: Washy Watercolor Florals + 3D Sentiment Embellishments

Lisa described it as  "wet, wet, washy watercolor". 

Lisa stamped her flowers first with GK amalgam ink-obsidian/black waterproof ink. Apparently the amalgam ink is waterproof. However I left that inkpad at home. So we decided not to stamp the flower first. 

First we added water to the watercolor paper with a paintbrush. Then we used watercolors from Lynette's stash, trying to keep our work area wet so the color would travel. We followed Lisa's video as we worked and set aside our panels to dry before we stamped the large outline flower from Gina K's Hugs and Wildflowers set, using Versafine Onyx black ink. It was very fun to watch the colors move and "go with the flow" on the paper.

Lynette mounted her both panels on a dark pink panel from her stash (this one and the next).

I decided to add the extra stamping shown on Lisa's demo, stamping the little branches with Gina K dandelion yellow and medium lilac. I stamped the leaves on a separate piece of cardstock with GK grass green ink. Then I fussy cut the leaves and attached them with GK connect glue.

For our second card design, we followed Jodene Tripp's Sept. 16, 2019 blogpost:

Altenew - Clean & Simple Boutique Cards

using the large leaves stamps from  Altenew's Leaf Canopy stamp set. First we stamped the the large shadow image with GK soft stone ink. Then stamped the large leaves outline stamp in Versafine Onyx Black ink. In both instances we followed the placement that Jodene used.

For our third card design we followed Gina K's YouTube from Jul 8, 2025: 

Inspired by Natasha Foote! Ripped Masking Technique - Fun Cardmaking Technique to Try Tonight!

Apparently Gina was inspired by Natasha Foote's YouTube from Jan. 22, 2025

Ripped Masking Technique TWO DIFFERENT WAYS (1131)

I forgot to bring my GK Masking Magic, so we used Lynette's removable tape. We used a solid mask for the sides, and ripped the tape for the wavy our ink blended areas. We used Post It's as shown by Gina to prevent our ink blending from going anywhere but the intended space! After ink blending an area, we stamped a design with the same color ink as what we used for the ink blending. 

From top to bottom, used Gina K inks:

Wild Dandelion, Turquoise Sea, Lucky Clover, Wild Lilac. 

Then we stamped the flowers from Gina's Natural Silhouettes stamp set using Versafine Black Onyx ink.

Thnaks for visiting!

Peace and All Good!

Stampfest at Lynette's May 26, 2025

Yesterday Don and I visited Lynette for the first time since my knee replacement surgery two months ago. We had a great time visiting. Enjoyed lunch at LongHorn's. Later we all enjoyed Phigment wine, cheese and crackers and chips and salsa for our supper. Lynette and I both loved the Rosemary Flatbread crackers from Aldi-they came in a box.

Lynette and I each made three cards. We found great card samples online, with BIG THANKS to...

Rachel Tessman of Stamp Your Art Out

and

Seeka of Sky Paper Scissors.

 

Note:  you can always click on an image to see a larger view of it.

We used directions from Rachel Tessman's Layering Leaves Square Column Fold Card blogpost. She listed the sizes of the various papers on that blog.

The card base is 5-1/2 x 10-1/8" scored at 4-1/4", 5-3/4", 7-1/4" and 8-3/4".

For the brick dry embossed panels, you start with 3 pieces: 

  2 of them are 1-3/8" x 5-3/8" 

  and

  1 of them is   1-1/8"   x 3-3/4".

We used Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Bricked embossing folder, after cutting the pieces.

We drew our own vase, using Kraft paper for it. Then Lynette stamped a texture stamp with GK warm cocoa ink on it.

The die cut leaves we used were from Lynette's stash.

I stamped a sentiment from Altenew's Leaf Canopy set on the banner of my card.

 

For our second card...

we found A Hidden Scenery Z-Fold Card on Rachel Tessman's blog. I tapped the "Page Down Key" three times to arrive at two photos of this card. She used beautiful printed paper from SU's December 2023 Paper Pumpkin Kit. She has a link there which leading to her Sept. 13, 2023 Autumn Hidden Scenery Z-Fold cards. There you find her directions for this style of card:

Card base  5-1/2 x 8-1/2"

Score at 2-1/8" and 4-1/4"

For the small aqua folded card that is attached later cut layer:  5-1/2 x 3"

For the white layer on the front and inside, cut two:  2-1/2 x 2-1/8"

We stamped our own design on our white cardstock base using Stampin Up's Spring Garden. We stamped the stems in GK's Jelly Bean Green and the flowers in SU's Yo Yo Yellow. For the cloud background, we used Lynette's cloud stencil with Distress Tumbled Glass ink and a blending brush. It was very fun to customize our card design, but if you have printed paper like Rachel's that would be very pretty too.

We used a word art stamp from the Stampin' Up! set called Natural Beauty for the outside of the small aqua folded card. You can write a note inside or you can use a stamp for the inside, like Lynette did.

This card is attached on the left side only. The fold part slips undereath the right side of the folded card to keep the z-fold part tucked inside. Rachel shows exactly where to add foam tape to the back of the folded card in her YouTube, December 2023 All The Best Paper Pumpkin Kit: First Set of Alternate Projects

Lynette added two yellow butterflies to the inside of her card to enhance the scene!

Our third card was inspired by Seeka's April 11, 2022 blogpost on Sky Paper Scissors. We used Gina K's inks. From the bottom up: Key Lime, Lucky Clover and Sea Glass. I think I started using my green blending brush at first, so the top layer is rather green-ish! 

Lynette die cut all the Gina K Botanic Duo flowers/leaves. She used her Cuttlebug, with dies facing up, the cardstock on top of the dies AND a piece of bubble wrap on top of the cardstock. Then the B plate on top of that. In the past I had trouble getting these dies to cut completely. She had no problem. I'll give her method a try the next time I cut these at home.

Lynette also cut stitched circles from Vellum and a smaller one from cardstock. She did not attach her die pieces, putting everything aside for later. That's why I only have my card photo.

A great big THANKS to Rachel Tessman for her wonderful blogposts. Loved your Layering Leaves Square Column card and your Hidden Scenery Z-Fold Card.  You have such an artistic eye for color and design. We really appreciate your sharing the blogposts with us!

Thanks also to Seeka for her Sky Paper Scissors blogpost on ink blending and Gina K's Botanic Duo dies. What a beautiful layout! Love the use of the Vellum circle under the white cardstock circle. Thanks for sharing beautiful cards with everyone.

Thanks for visiting!

Peace and all good!

Saran Wrap and Cereal Bag technique, Scrunch First

 

Wanted to try Saran Wrap technique with some darker colors, maybe for guy cards. Used Canson watercolor paper 140 lb/300 g, 9 x 12 inch size. I cut that in half.  On the left, I taped the watercolor paper down by the edges with old washi tape. I neglected to tape the watercolor paper down on the right.

Spritzed the watercolor paper with water. Then added Jane Davenport Brights Palette watercolors, Fairytale, Frida and Ink colors, spritzing when needed to keep the paints wet.  

LEFT PANEL: This time I scrunched the Saran Wrap before applying to the top of the wet paint. I liked the results better when scrunching the wrap first...more dramatic lines created. 

RIGHT PANEL: Using the same cleaned cereal bag, I scrunched it first then applied to the wet watercolor panel. I taped it down with washi tape instead of placing an old heavy book on top.

You can see the difference between how the Saran Wrap, left and the Cereal bag, right create patterns in the wet watercolor paints. I like both looks. The cereal bag is more eco friendly, as it is being reused when the cereal is gone and it can be reused multiple times.

I cut a 3-3/4 x 5 inch panel and placed it on top of a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" white card base to get an idea of how this would look. I'm thinking it would be a nice birthday card for a guy.

Thanks for visiting!

Peace and all good!

Saran Wrap Technique Again, Slight Variation

 

On these panels, I used a thinner Canson watercolor paper, 117 lb/250 g/m2. It comes in a 5.5 by 8.5 inch tablet. I taped both layers down with Scrapbook.com Mint Tape, re-using it from the other day. I spritzed the paper with a fine mist of water. Then I randomly added Jane Davenport Brights watercolors to the wet paper. I spritzed if the paint started to dry. 

Then I scrunched both the Saran Wrap-Left, and the cereal bag-Right before placing on the wet watercolor paint. I placed an old book on top of the cereal bag because the scrunched part wanted to unfold. The Saran Wrap's scrunched part remained in place after placing it on the wet watercolor paint.

I was inspired to scrunch the plastic wraps before placing them on top of the wet watercolor paint as shown in this YouTube: Watercolor Techniques - Plastic Wrap by Ms. Covart from March 7, 2017. I like this more dramatic design created with this method of scrunching the plastic film before placing it on the wet watercolor.

...and I'm very happy to re-use the cereal bag. It cleans up easily with plain water.

Thank you for visiting!

Peace and all good!

More Wrinkle Free Distress

Here are results from the Wrinkle Free Distress technique from yesterday. I used Gina K's inkpads, smooshed on the white section of my glass mat, spritzed with water and dipped watercolor paper in it multiple times. Used Canson watercolor paper, 140 lb/300 g/m2 cut into smaller pieces. At first I started with these inkpads: bubblegum pink, light orchid and wild lilac. But then I added passionate pink too. 

You can see how the ink colors move when water is spritzed on them.

You can see how the lighter weight Canson 117 lb/250 g/m2 watercolor paper really curled up. I used a full size, 5.5 x 8.5 inch piece. 

I placed a eyedropper bottle on top to flatten it a bit as it dried.

I hope to make some cards with these panels!

Thank you for visiting!

Peace and all good!

Saran Wrap Technique

An artist friend shared a panel of her Saran Wrap technique recently. After seeing her art, I just had to try it. 

 

On my first attempt, I cut watercolor paper into smaller pieces. Then with a brush I wet the watercolor paper panels with plain water. Then added these watercolors, Mystic, Frida and Butterfly from my Jane Davenport Brights watercolor palette. Placed Saran Wrap over and made wrinkles in the Saran Wrap with my finger.

Note: you can click on any image to see a larger version of it.

After it dried, I did not get many "wrinkle lines" as you can see in the results. My panels curled and since they were not taped down, the Saran Wrap shifted. 

On my second attempt at Saran Wrap Technique I taped two larger pieces of watercolor paper to my glass mat with Scrapbook.com Mint Tape. Note that on the right one, I used a breakfast cereal pouch. I learned about that on a YouTube, What can I use instead of plastic wrap in watercolor?... by Liz Chaderton Studio. She talked about how to use a cereal bag at the 3:19 mark in the timeline.

I tried to take a photo of the opened cereal bag. It's difficult to see on the white part of my glass mat.

Above you can see the result of the Saran Wrap layer on the left and the cereal bag layer on the right. I scrunched up the cereal bag before placing it on the wet watercolor. Then added a heavy book to weigh it down.

Here is a picture of my Jane Davenport Brights Watercolors.Colors used for the panels above are...

Left: Buzzy (yellow), Jimminy (lighter green) & Mermaid (green blue). 

Right: Best Friend, Fairytale, 70s Eye Shadow, and a little Mermaid.

I cut the panels and plan to make cards. Here is what they may look like. I probably will add a white leaves die cut, like the first card. I am thinking of using these as Thank You cards for my neighbors and friends who have been so sweet to me for the past 4 weeks while I recover from knee replacement surgery.

Thank you for visiting.

Peace and all good.

Wrinkle Free Distress April 2025

 

I was inspired to make some wrinkle free distress backgrounds recently after running across a beautiful card by Jung Ahsang from 2015! I used watercolor paper, cut to about 3-1/4 by 4-1/4 inches. I dabbed distress inks onto my glass mat-in the white section, so I could see the colors: picked raspberry, worn lipstick, scattered straw and ripe persimmon. NOTE: initially I used spun sugar, but subbed worn lipstick instead. Spritzed the inks with water. Then dragged the watercolor paper through it to pickup color. You can go back and add more color if desired. 

Allow the paper to dry. You can use a heat tool to speed up the drying time. Used Versafine onyx black to stamp the images.

Flowers from Crafters Square, a gift from Lynette! Belated birthday stamp from DeNami Design. I don't know if they are in business anymore.

Flowers from Crafters Square (again). This time I added leaves to change it up a bit.

Leaves from Pink & Main, a gift from Mona!

Happy Birthday from Gina K's Happy Hydrangea small stamp set.

For my last card, I used an old Stampin' Up! inkpad called positively pink. Used Gina K's Mandala Maker for the flowers and "leaves". 

Happy Birthday from Hero Arts A2153.

Thanks for visiting!

Peace and All Good!

Beach Cards, April 2025

My beach panels were inspired by Jackie Bolhuis' Beach Themed Cards Here. I love the look she creates with the Stampin' Up! Oceanfront stamp set. But I don't have that set. So I tried to re-create it on watercolor paper cut to about 3 x 4-1/4 inches. I wet the paper first with a round paintbrush. Then I pressed inkpads directly onto my glass mat-the white section. Used a round paintbrush dipped in water and picked up color and added it to my watercolor paper. Card on left started with Gina K sea glass for the sky and ocean mist for the water. I changed to ocean mist for the sky and turquoise sea for the water on the center and right panels. Used Gina K sandy beach for the land. Used Stampscapes Gulls-302A, Cattails-016B and Reeds Lg.068D with Distress ground espresso. I forgot to add the sun like Jackie did. 

You can always click on an image to see a larger version.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Peace and all good!