Double the Fun: Red Sparkle with Elizabeth

It's double the designing fun as we reveal two cards using the same Penny Black stamp; Red Sparkle.  



As you can tell, I am enjoying the beautiful blooms of summer and have carried those feelings right over to this holiday stamp by Penny Black called Red Sparkle.

Penny Black: Red Sparkle 40-481, Petals 51-042, Flower Pop Outs 51-230, Words of Kindness 30-353
Orange marigolds and red geraniums inspired me to swirl their colors together to create a colorful birthday wish.

Direct-to-stamp inking was done with Faber Castell's PITT Artist Big Brush Pens in Scarlet Red and Chromium Green Opaque.  After quickly "huffing" on the inks, the image was stamped on watercolor paper.  

The design was watercolored with various Distress Inks.  I let the watercolors completely dry before I trimmed the image.  As you can see, I eliminated the sprig of holly so the image would capture the essence of a garden flower.

The image was coated with a layer of Liquitex Gloss Varnish which gave it an enamel-esque texture.

A piece of cardstock cut smaller than the front of the card base was dry embossed with Penny Black's Petals die and the window was created by the negative die cut space from Flower Pop Outs.

Before the embossed/window layer was attached to the card front with dimensional foam, the sentiment from Words of Kindness was stamped in Onyx Black VersaFine ink and positioned so it would show through the window.

The flower was positioned across the window and accented with a small bit of twine tinted with Delica Golden Glitz ink while the stamens were accentuated with Iridescent White Mist 3D Scribbles Paint. 

For more "2016 holiday stamp conversions" click HERE and HERE.


Double the Fun: Red Sparkle with Jill

It's double the designing fun as we reveal two cards using the same Penny Black stamp; Red Sparkle.  



This is one of my favorite stamps from Penny Black's "Magic of the Season" collection. It is just too fun to color and paint!



I began by stamping 'Red Sparkle' with VersaFine Onyx Black ink onto Canson 140 lb. watercolor paper and heat embossed with clear powder.  The flower and background was then watercolored.  Once dry, I tore the bottom left-hand corner and applied Distress Inks to the background using an ink blending tool and a foam pad.  The script was lightly stamped using Vintage Photo Distress Ink, randomly removing some ink from the stamp with a baby wipe before stamping. I adhered a piece of text paper (inked and then stamped with Penny Black 'Footnotes') to the bottom left-hand corner of the card.  The die cut sentiment was inked with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink, adhered to the card, and embellished with small gems.
All stamps and dies by Penny Black Inc: 40-481 Red Sparkle, 51-251 Rejoice, 40-470 Script, 30-238 Footnotes

Stay tuned to see how Elizabeth brings this pretty poinsettia to life!

Brushstroke Bonanza: Perfect Pear with Elizabeth

It's a brushstroke bonanza here in the STUDIO as we share cards and techniques featuring Penny Black's newest brushstroke stamps.



You may have read in my previous post HERE that I am in the midst of some holiday stamp conversions.

I have another alternative for Penny Black's Perfect Pear that has been released as part of their fabulous holiday brushstroke collection.

Penny Black: Perfect Pear 40-493, Snippets 30-283
I was inspired by vintage fruit designs used on coasters and kitchenware to create an everyday greeting card.

With this card having layers of gesso, watercoloring and varnish, I immediately grabbed a 4-inch white Inchie Arts Art Square.  (Please note the size is not a typo.  I trimmed it to a 3 x 4-inch rectangle later in the project which visually fit my finished design better.)

To begin the Art Square was painted with clear gesso.  After the gesso dried, Perfect Pear was stamped in Desert Sand Memento Ink and watercolored with various Distress Inks.  At this point I didn't like the placement of the stamp design so I trimmed the piece. 

Working with limited strokes, a coat of Liquitex Gloss Varnish was added.  The finished piece had the look and feel of the vintage coasters that had inspired me.   

A sentiment from Snippets was stamped in VersaMark Watermark ink on a black banner and heat embossed with white powder.  

The finished design was attached to a 3 3/8 x 4 3/8 white card base.

You can find more Inchie Arts inspiration and projects on their BLOG and FACEBOOK page.


The bonanza continues with more inspiration from my blog pARTner, Jill!




Out and About with Jill: September Shimmerz Video

Today I'm...
on the Shimmerz blog with a new VIDEO!
featuring Penny Black products: 40-485 Poinsettia Wreath, 51-255 Winter Cheer, 51-007 Tagged, 80-011 Beau Jardin

Click HERE for the full reveal and to watch the video.

And before you go...
If you're looking to add Shimmerz Paints to your crafty stash then be sure to mention my name in the "comments" section in your shopping cart when placing an order.  The kind folks at Shimmerz will give you free paint just for doing so! (Shop HERE.)

Brushstroke Bananza: Flambeau with Jill

It's a brushstroke bonanza here in the STUDIO as we share cards and techniques featuring Penny Black's newest brushstroke stamps.



Today I'm setting things a'glow here in the STUDIO. :)  Okay, maybe I'm not striking any real matches, but I am certainly lighting the candle on this elegant stamp by Penny Black, 40-491 Flambeau.

Here's the how-to...

Watch directly on YouTube HERE.

All stamps by Penny Black Inc: 40-491 Flambeau, 30-374 Winter Joy, 30-238 Footnotes

I hope you're enjoying our Brushstroke Bonanza...stay tuned for more inspiration from Elizabeth!