Masked Water Colour with Stencils

 

MASKED WATER COLOUR and WATER COLOUR WITH STENCILS    January 2023

LIVE Video – Face Book: Card Connoisseurs – Card Making with Susan Boback

 www.susanboback.stampinup.net

I’m inspired by many types of art starting when my third-grade teacher loved paper mache’ and sculpting more than she loved teaching math.  My gram enrolled me in “kit of the month” craft kits and the next 60 years? Filled with ideas and projects.  I am an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, have been making cards for 35+ years, and I love making cards because doing so is a way that I can Love what I do and share them to cheer up the world!

TODAY’s projects are taking the ink on water colour paper and masking part of the area BEFORE you add the ink to add details to the print.  The second project is my version of a technique I saw on “Make It Artsy” Ink & Stencils.

PROJECT #1 - MASKED WATER COLOUR

SUPPLIES I USED (Stampin’ Up! unless noted) Click on the products to find them at my Stampin' Up! shop.

Re-inkers – BLUES: colors Night of Navy, Starry Sky, Orchid Oasis, Tahitian Tide, or any combination of blue shades you have. Be aware that some of the blue shades split in color when water is added. GREENS: Parakeet Party, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive and any shades of greens.  BROWN: Early Espresso (dark) and Crumb Cake (Light).

Water Spritzer good to have two

Lucite Block(s)

Water Colour Paper

White Crayon or Piece of Unscented white or clear wax

Paper towels (roll) and a mat to protect your work surface. Because you’ll be spraying water, you may want to work in a box or cover the surrounding area with a towel or paper.

Plastic gloves or something to cover your finger tips with

Silicone baking sheet or similar to protect work surface, 12x12 cardboard to guard work space from spritzed water/ink.

Fine Tip Drawing Marker – Stampin’ Write Basic Black Marker or same color as ink, which are .5 mm or Pandafly brand Micro-Line Pen

Your fingers will get full of ink.  Wear light-weight rubber gloves if you don’t want ink-stained fingers/nails, or use plastic finger tips, I found at the Dollar Tree for use with nail polish or silicone finger tips to prevent your fingers from burning by hot glue.

NOTE: DON'T spritz the paper before you add the ink because the ink will spread, and we don't want that to happen with this technique. When you’re finished with your print, spritz the back of the water colour paper with water, lightly, and set it to dry under a book or heavy object to keep it flat.  

MASKING WITH WAX: With white crayon or wax piece, make a solid circle, moon/sun shape; draw clouds, waves, mountains.

Apply your ink carefully – put a few drops of ink on the lucite block, spritz it with water, then in one movement, tip it upside down on your paper and pull it across your paper.   

If you didn't see the video for this instruction, here's the basic info:   Drop a few drops of ink on a lucite block, and spritz it with water - not too much and not too dark; starting on the left side of your paper, flip the block over and drag it quickly across the page starting at the top.  Repeat with different colors.

Sky, water and land. Don’t think too much about this – just push the ink across the page. 

USE paper towel to dab off excess ink or drips on the paper where you didn’t want it. 

Clean off the block if you're adding a new color; then clean off your hands, so that the ink on your hands doesn’t become part of the print. (This might be common knowledge, but we all need a Reminder.)  

After you've rubbed off the excess ink on the waxed areas, set it aside to dry. When its dry, trim it, make it into a card front.

‐-----------

PROJECT #2 Water Colouring on Masks (Masks are Stampin’ Up! product name for Stencils)

Project #2 was inspired by “Make It Artsy” where Julie Fei Fan Balzer sprinkled ink powder on the stencil, squirted it with water, and ……..well, let me show you how I took that idea and applied it to my favorite coordinating products.  Isn’t that just the best thing about Stampin’ Up!? Everything coordinates – so if you don’t have the artful ideas you can still make beautiful prints and projects then share them!!

I used a 12x12 piece of water colour paper – its easier to use a large piece and score it into individual pieces. Ideally it would be 4x6 sections, but my sample is 6x6. 

Whether you use 4x6 or 5x7 or 12x12, remember that we are using DRY water colour paper to start with.  We are NOT taping the stencil down like you do when you use a blending brush to apply the ink.

Add 3 drops of ink from a re-inker bottle into a water-filled Spritzer. We’re NOT using alcohol ink on this project.  This is your ink. 

**Before you spritz the ink, make sure your space and surrounding supplies are covered, as the fine ink spray gets every where.

Place the stencil down on the paper.  Hold it with one hand or not at all! Spritz the open spaces quickly, and just as quickly, lift up the stencil being careful not to tip the puddled ink/water that has collected on the top of the stencil.  Wipe off the excess liquid and place it in another dry space and spritz it again.  Do this randomly across the paper, making sure to use a dry paper towel to absorb the puddled ink on the paper – OR leave it there to dry.   Clean off the excess ink on top of the stencil and move it over and spritz again.   Look at the whole piece of paper and see how it looks to you.  Since the water colour paper is dry to begin with, the liquid ink will absorb fast as long as not too much was spritzed on. 

I added the second layer on the flower but I thought the veins of the flower in the darker color took away from the natural look of a water color print.  You decide how much to add.

Once the prints are nearly dry, add the layer for the leaves.  Use a sponge dauber, or water painter to add green to the leaves. This is another way to add color to these prints. Be free with it, and don’t be too concerned if you get it in the exact frame of the stencil.

This is a technique that shows the stenciled print as a water colour print.  I love the pastel, light print.  

To make the print look dimensional, I used a fine tip black pen, .3 mm, and outlined the edge of the leaf and the flower petals.   On the blue sample print the black outline gives dimension.  While I first used black on the pink print, I also tried the same color ink.  I think the same color ink might be better.  You’ll have to try it and see what you think looks the best for your own print.  So if you’re looking for something exact, this may not be the technique for you.

Please post your prints – I love seeing how inspired we are from each other. As I’ve said, the print will reveal itself to you as you work on it.  Each print is different, and might not turn out the way you thought it would!

Thanks for stopping by.  Be Blessed!sb

Join me in person at Card Making Class, on my Face Book Class page: Card Connoisseurs - Cardmaking with Susan Boback or Instagram.    Find out more about Stampin' Up! catalogs, products and how you can get a 20% discount as part of my team: www.susanboback.stampin.net

LADY BUG LUCK on SWEET SORBET

 Doesn't that sound like summer? Seeing a Lady Bug or enjoying some sweet sorbet? You've got them both here! According to an article by Jessica Estrada, the symbolic meaning of a lady bug landing on you is good luck and good fortune. 

Hi there - I'm the Card Connoisseur, Susan Boback.  I've been playing with paper crafts since I was a kid, that's like 50 years or more.  You'd think I'd have learned it all but in this world-wide community of paper crafting there are always new versions of old techniques, and new products that coordinate so beautifully together.  That's one of the main reasons I love Stampin' Up! the product coordination and the variety of products.  

I didn't plan to purchase the Lady Bug punch, you know. But. I saw the fun my downline Karen, was having with it. Who said a paper lady bug had to be red with black wings?  Not necessary when you're the artist, and you design your own greeting cards. Really? OK! Soon after I got the Lady Bug punch, I discovered not only the versatility and colors of the Lady Bugs, but that the body and wings could each be used to put together other designs. 

I have made green vine leaves for a wreath  

  petals for a large sunflower;    

                     

           and vase. A vase? Yes. 

        

Now then.   

Here's the Lady Bug "Z" Fold I designed for my beginner card makers in celebration of spring, April 2022.   I'd love for you to fall in love with the Stampin' Up! products I've chosen, please adapt the idea to what you have to use. And if you'd like to know about getting these Stampin' Up! products contact me here by leaving a comment or go to my website at www.susanboback.stampinup.net.   Get a catalog at my website.

HELLO LADY BUG – PUNCH - 157693 page 30 (Annual Catalog) OR

– page 20 Mini Catalog. Also can be purchased as a Bundle with stamps for 20% less through June. 157699. 

VELLUM LAYERING DESIGNS PAPER – 157764 page 33

SWEET SORBET CARDSTOCK - 2022 In Color 159268 page 122 (annual catalog)

BASIC BLACK – 121045 page 123 (annual catalog)

BLING – PAGE 141 – 143 (annual catalog) always use an uneven number on the card front

1.     Use Sweet Sorbet for an  - A2 card. That's a card base that is 8 1/2" x 11" and scored in half at 4 1/4". For the front fold, score it at 2 1/8” and fold back towards the fold of the card base.

1.      2.  Attach a black/white print layer 2 7/8” x 5 ¼” to the folded back (2 1/8”) piece.  MAKE sure that you only put adhesive on the card base because the DSp that hangs over should not be sticky on the back.

2.       3.  Punch out two black Lady Bug bodies, 2 Lady Bug wings in Sweet Sorbet.

3.       4.  Use a dot of glue on each wing to attach to body.  Use a black marker to add dots to the wings.

4.      5.   Attach lady bugs to vellum FIRST BEFORE attaching vellum to black layer/card base. The reason is that the adhesive shows under the vellum. 

5.       6.  Add the adhesive to the back side of the vellum, cut at 3 ¼” x 3 ½”, under the lady bugs so it doesn’t show through.  Also make sure that you don’t put adhesive on the one-inch overhang of the vellum. 

6.       7.  Add a white layer to the inside, 5 x 3 ¾”.

7.       8.  Add THREE (3) bling of your choice to the card – always an uneven number – one on the card front and two on the inside.  Line up the two bling on the inside piece in the upper and lower right corner so that they are visible when the card is folded flat. 

8.       No sentiment is added – you can use for many different occasions.

I'd love to see what you choose to put together for your version of this card. Post it at Card Connoisseur on Face Book or send me an email.   Note that this blog address spells CardConnoissuer a little differently that the word is spelled on the Face Book Page.

 

You might choose to hold an online workshop with your friends from around the country, or an in-person gathering - there's many ways to get free products and discounts as a customer.  If you are interested in saving 20% and more, on every order you place, join my team - click here, and share in the community of demonstrators who are hobbyists or take the business forward. I'd love to share this with you! 

In May of 2022 there are some extra deals with joining so make sure to check on what you can get just for choosing to purchase the kit.  Look here.  And don't forget that you are not obligated to purchase another product, to teach a class, to hold a workshop, to sell anything to anyone.  Its a great way to upgrade your tools or save money on the beautiful products.

 Thanks for stopping by.  Keep sharing what you love with others, as we "brighten the world, one card at a time"!  Be blessed!  Sb

SLIM TENT Easter Friends Card

 

Inspired Tina Zinck - Slim Tent cards  

You are the artist – make it your own design! Click on the PINK words found in each post to access the links. 

This Slim Tent cards fits in an A2 envelope.

Measurements:

Card Base is 2 x 11” and scored at 5 ½”, Crumb Cake, but can be made with Basic White or Very Vanilla. 

Designer papers for front and inside area 1 ¾” x 4 ¾”. Cut 3 of Daffodil Afternoon Designer papers from Sale A Bration Jan-Feb 2022, or your choice of papers. Linen thread  or coordinating ribbon of your choice, is 18” long.  

Use Tasteful Labels die set or similar to fit.  

Stamp Set is Easter Friends from the Jan - Jun Mini Catalog 2022.

The Slim Tent card is designed to stand up, with the signature not visible. Signature can be added on the back.

Optional Assembly: Attach two chicks on the front; or two chicks on the top, inside, which would leave more space inside for your signature.  Put the sentiment on the front instead of inside.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1:  look at the double-sided Designer papers and choose the prints you’ll use on the each of the 3 parts – front, top & bottom of inside.

Step 2: before you adhere the Designer papers, attach the inside die cut/tag, making sure it will line up with the green die cut/tag that will be attached on the front.

Step 3: attach the three (3) Designer double sided papers to the front, top & bottom of inside.

Step 4:  Attach the green die cut/tag to the front, making sure it lines up and covers the tan die cut/tag. This one goes over the Designer papers, while the inside one goes under the papers.

Step 5: Stamp one of each of the three (3) chicks in colors that coordinate with your Designer papers. I stamped with Early Espresso ink on Basic White, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight cardstock, then cut them out, and color the beak and feet on each with a colored pencil. Attach the chicks – one on the front, two layered on the inside bottom with Tombo Multi-Purpose Glue.  (If you're new to this glue, use just a few dots - its very sticky; don't get it on your project, hands or clothing; you can reposition your image quickly if its off centered)

Step 6: tie the Linen Thread around the top front as desired. 

Step 7:  Stamp the sentiment with Early Espresso ink. Cut around the sentiment or use as a rectangle shape.  Attach to inside top.    

 

You can make this card your own design for any season or occasion.  Choose a Designer Series Paper and stamp and die sets that coordinate - one of the reasons we love Stampin' Up! products.  The die cut/tag should set out to the side, the eye-catching piece of this card.  Watch Tina Zinck's video on YouTube and see the variety of shapes she uses.

I'd love to see what you choose to put together for your version of this card. Please post a photo or send it to me in messenger.  Head over to Card Connoisseur on Face Book and post your card there too.   Note that this blog address spells CardConnoissuer a little differently that the word is spelled on the Face Book Page.

Find more of my projects at www.susanboback.stampinup.net and while you're there, check out the latest specials on products too! You might choose to hold an online workshop with your friends from around the country, or an in-person gathering - there's many ways to get free products and discounts as a customer.  If you are interested in saving 20% and more, on every order you place, join my team - click here , and share in the community of demonstrators who are hobbyists or take the business forward. I'd love to share this with you!

Thanks for stopping by.  Keep sharing what you love with others, as we "cheer up the world, one card at a time"!  Be blessed!  sb

TECHNIQUE CLASS - Heat Emboss in any Color!

 Yes, you read that right.  How is that possible? Read on to find out. 

Emma Parkin-Wilson, Independent Demonstrator  from Australia, is my inspiration.  

You'll never buy colored embossing powder again!

Why Emboss?

*To highlight a stamped image

* To add texture

* To seal the edges of your image from ink in the background, or

* To seal the edges of your image to ink within the embossed lines

If you’ve never heat embossed before, here are the basic tools and instructions. (If you’ve done it, scroll down to the instructions for today’s project in RED.)

Heat Tool – NOT a hair dryer

Anti-static pad  - find it here at Amazon

VersaMark watermark Ink

Embossing Powder Clear

Heart & Home Stamps

Stamp Image - Hello Friend is a Sale A Bration Free choice - the following photos show the images, embossed with clear embossing powder. You can see how shiny the image is.

Basic instructions:

1. Rub an anti-static pad across your cardstock. If you don’t do this, the embossing powder will cling to areas where you don’t want it to go.

2. Ink up your stamp, making sure the VersaMark is on all of the stamp, but not on the edges beyond the image.

3. Press the stamp firmly (don’t rock it) on your cardstock to make an imprint. Remember that VersaMark is clear, so that you won’t see the stamped image as well as if it was stamped with a color. 

4.  Using a tray or clean paper underneath your cardstock, sprinkle the stamped image with the embossing powder; then tap the powder off into the tray or paper, and pour it back into its container. With a fine brush, remove extra powder not on the image.

 5) With heat tool, melt the powder. This is embossing!

Hold the cardstock/image near the tool and watch it closely as it does get hot.  Take all precautions not to burn yourself or your work space. You may choose to use a tweezer or to put your piece in a box to emboss it. 

Now that you’ve embossed, decide if the image will remain as is, or if you will shade the background or color within the image. 

Today’s Project: Heat Emboss in your favorite color!

You’re going to use the same FIVE (5) steps for basic embossing, except for one additional step:

Following Step 2 above, “ink up the stamp with VersaMark”, then ink the stamp in your choice of color, before you stamp on the paper. (Don’t panic about putting your stamp from VersaMark ink right into another ink pad, because VersaMark is clear. That’s how to remember not to put the color on first, because you wouldn’t want to ink up the stamp in the color first and then put it onto the VersaMark pad.)

Then follow the steps, making sure to use the anti-static pad first, stamp your image on your cardstock, cover it with CLEAR embossing powder, shake off the excess, and emboss it with heat tool. 

Here are the two birds, embossed with a color ink.  

       

  

         

Learning this technique enables you to highlight any image, whether on a white or light background or a dark background for a tone-on-tone design. 

TONE ON TONE DESIGN

By using the technique described above, you can create a beautiful tone-on-tone or monochromatic design by heat embossing in your favorite color ink on the same color cardstock, then coloring the stamped image with white pigment ink or by using chalk or a chalk marker. 

Although embossing with just the VersaMark on the dark paper produces a good image, to create this monochromatic design, with the addition of the coordinating ink AND the VersaMark with the clear embossing powder, you create a darker, more visible image.

Here are the two bird images. Then they are colored in with white pigment ink or chalk marker. You may want to try coloring them in with the chalks or the white water color pencils.  Try it and let me know how it looks!

 

The cardstock and ink are Night of Navy. I used white pigment ink and the chalk marker. Although the breast of the bird looks like light blue, it is only a lighter amount of the white ink. This really is my favorite print.  This bird is from a retired set.  I just love it!

 

The "Hello Friend" bird and branch (Sale A Bration Jan/Feb 2022) is stamped on Pale Papaya cardstock with Pale Papaya ink (In-Colors 2021-2023). The layer is Evening Evergreen, and the card base is Pumpkin. The ribbon is Window Pane ribbon in Evening Evergreen.  The white is White pigment ink and Chalk Marker.

Here is another image using this technique.

You can find any of the products used at the links above in the embossing instructions, or at my online store Here.  

Check out my PROJECTS tab on my page Here.

Follow my posts on Face Book at Card Connoisseur. Contact me with any questions. Post your projects there, too!

As always, thank you for stopping by.   I look forward to seeing what you create.   Be Blessed!  sb

Celebrating TREES in NOVEMBER

There's been such a focus on the colors of Fall and Halloween and Harvest, so what's left for November? I'm not one to jump into Christmas decor just yet, and while Thanksgiving will come near the end of the month here in the United States (last Thursday), November is here to be celebrated.

 I love trees, and the Beauty of the Earth Designer Series Papers really exemplify the four seasons.  Here in the Upper Great Lakes region, winter is just around the corner, but its not here yet (November 2, 2021).  

So today I'm looking to the papers of Beauty of the Earth to celebrate our beautiful trees, no matter if all their colors are gone.

The sun is shining this morning on frosty roofs, with a blue sky and crisp cold air.  Terri Gaines' examples of cards really capture what I am seeing out my window.  Take a look here at her cards, especially the "Sympathy" in blue.

You can purchase this DSP (Designer Series Paper) from the Annual Catalog. If you are placing an order, please consider using my NOV 2021 Host Code: 3BCF6249

No matter what the season, you'll find a card design in these papers.  Don't you agree?

I'd love to tell you more about our beautiful coordinated products, like these. And if your Wish List is $75 in the month of November (Nov 4 - Nov 30, 2021)  talk to me about how you can get $125 of products for just that - $75! with free shipping; first chance to view new products before the customers; customer discounts as well as your own; 20% off your own purchases from Day 1; an amazing community of demonstrators; support as part of our team.  There's never an obligation to buy, sell or teach a class, but you'll want to share your excitement, just like I'm doing with my customers, friends and neighbors. Stampin' Up! products are perfect for simple or detailed cards - one you can make at a moment's notice; scrapbooking and paper crafted home decor.  Won't you consider joining my team? Team Card Connoisseur is waiting to welcome you! 

Follow on Face Book and Instagram - Card Connoisseur

Thanks for stopping by - be blessed! sb