July Happy Little Stamper's Stencil Challenge

 It is time for a new stencil challenge at Happy Little Stampers.  

The stencil challenge is always "anything goes."

I am trying to be proactive and get my birthday cards done for my family ahead of time.  This will be a birthday card for a brother or a son in law.

The stencil is from Waffle Flower.  It is very fun to use.  I decided I wanted to use book pages for my base for my design.  I added a layer of gesso to the book pages.  For the blue background, I used the ink smooshing technique to color it.  

The mushrooms were done with oxide inks and I used some masking to make it look like the mushrooms were behind the main image.  Doing the ink blending on the gesso, your colors are not as intense.  (Compare the colors on the card to the envelope - thee is a world of difference.)  I added blue and green behind the mushrooms to mimic the sky and grass.  After I finished the stenciling I decided to outline the mushrooms with a black pen.  The URA Fun-gi was computer generated.  

Each layer was matted with a dark brown card stock.

I decided the card needed a coordinating envelope.

Please join us at Happy Little Stamper's for our July Challenge.  

Thanks for stopping by.  

July Happy Little Stamper's Christmas Challenge

We are getting closer to the Christmas holiday and you need to start making those Christmas cards.  What better way to get started on your Christmas cards than to join the wonderful monthly challenge at Happy Little Stampers.  

The challenge at Happy Little Stampers is always Anything Goes but you do have an optional choice if you want to challenge yourself.  This month the optional choice is Gold.  There are so many ways gold can be used in your Christmas cards.

For my Christmas card, I got out my Tim Holtz Christmas stuff to make a card.  I could make an entire year's worth of cards using these supplies.  I chose different pieces of ephemera to make my card.  

I started with a kraft card base and added a layer of patterned paper which had been distressed on the edges.  Another piece of patterned paper was added across the middle of the card.  On top of the patterned papers I added a piece of recycled packaging from my Tim Holtz supplies.  I added gesso around the edge to add some texture and depth to the background.  I also added some gold gesso.  I love this gesso when I remember to use it.  

The focal point is a wreath with a vintage Santa in the middle.  I started tucking different pieces of the ephemera around and behind the focal point until I found an arrangement I liked.  I glued these layers down.  I added foam tape to the back of the focal point and before adhering it to the background, I added a tangle of gold thread.  A sentiment was added at the bottom of the card front.

The card was completed with gold splatters.  

Here is a close up of the focal point.

Please join us at Happy Little Stampers for our July Christmas Challenge.  Get out your gold and go to town and create a beautiful card you can share with us.  

Thank you for stopping by.