Couple Cards

I've participated in the monthly CCC for many years, sending and receiving cards from all over the world.  For April my card stayed in the US, which was good, since being sick delayed my getting it in the mail.  I loved the color combo of silver, evergreen, lilac.  You don't have to use the exact colors.  

The bouquet from Alex Syberia Spring Garden was silver embossed and I used the stencils to add the color.  My inks were CN9 Grape Soda & Lilac, Altenew Forest Glades & Frayed Leaf and a light and dark gray.  I added silver splatters and Taylored Expressions glitter dots.  

Someone gave me the diecut sentiment which I brushed lightly with gray.  There's a short video in my IG post.  Nancy suggested I add this card to Color Hues Lilac and Lime challenge.

Ever since I saw the blackout techique with embossing folders, I wanted to try it with blue ink.  A reel on IG inspired me to do it now.  

I colored some of the images on the debossed side of a panel using SSS Vine Canopy folder.  This time I used alcohol markers.  Then I rubbed over the entire panel with Versafine Clair Blue Belle and splattered with white gauche.  Really love how PTI Skinny Diagonals Frame made the perfect border without covering up too much of the design.  I used PTI Dark Indigo for the mat.  SSS Stitching Butterflies were die cut from vellum twice to make 2 layered butterflies.  I attached the pieces only in the center and then added the bodies colored with the same marker as the berries. 

SSS Painted Hugs diecuts were stacked and covered with glaze.  Hard to tell, but there's just a bit of sparkle from the Stickles on the bodies.  Not everyone's cup of tea, but I really like the look.  I'm entering SSS Monday, SSS Wednesday and Word Art Wednesday. 

I'm happy to say I'm doing much better.  I'd feel 100% if only my ears weren't still plugged!  Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

Friendship and Sympathy

The Altenew April Inspiration Challenge is about to close.  I've seen a lot of embossed black out cards lately.  Two of the designers are Barbara Tarayao and Karen Dunbrook.  Decided to give the technique a try using Altenew's Floral Acanthus embossing folder. 

I colored the images on the debossed side using a small blending brush and Distress Inks fired brick, dried marigold and weathered wood.  Have to say, I love those colors together!  Then I used my Versafine Clair Nocturne ink pad to cover the panel.  I love how there's a bit of the black on the images that gives them more definition.  Almost forgot the white splatters and they really do step it up. I used black glossy cardstock for the mat and Altenew's Fancy Hello.  Finished with black enamel dots.  Now I'm anxious to try more folders and different color combos.  I'm also entering SSS Wednesday.

I needed 2 sympathy cards for sisters who lost their nephew to colon cancer.  I prefer simple cards to send condolences and usually use nature images.  

My stencils from The Greetery have been waiting to be used and made the perfect background for the silhouette image from The Cat's Pajamas.  The stenciling was done with Brilliance Pearlescent Ice Blue and the silhouette was stamped in PTI Weathervane.  I used Versafine Morning Mist for the sentiment from PTI Wildflower Garden.  I used MFT rectangle dies to cut the Weathervane and white panels.  

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.