Author: linda

Rudolph Days Challenge May 2020

linda8 Comments

it’s time for the May Rudolph Days Challenge, hosted by Maureen, where you are encouraged to create holiday cards/projects from the 25th to the last day of each month until November.

I used a new Penny Black image for my design team card, merry making, that i painted with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press watercolour paper;  i also painted the sky with my twinks. my purple background was created by sponging seedless preserves and chipped sapphire distress inks on Bristol smooth paper and then i sponged white gouache through a Taylored Expressions snowfall stencil.

be sure to pop by Maureen’s blog for the full set of rules to be eligible for a generous prize and have fun working ahead on your holiday cards!

thanks for popping by.

Freebie Fun With Taylored Expressions

linda6 Comments

Taylored Expressions is another company that is offering free digis and since i already had the big grumpy stamp/die combo, i downloaded some free Big Grumpy – COVID19 sentiments. Just login to your TE account, or create one if you haven’t already, then search download.

Taylor has a video to illustrate how to align the sentiment with acetate and stazon ink, which i don’t use, but i found vellum and versafine ink worked just as well. I also had to perform a bit of surgery to separate the sentiment so i could paint the images with twinkling H2Os on hot press watercolour paper. to finish the card, i stamped the neat and tangled dot background with broken china distress ink.

i’m playing along with these challenges:
Allsorts  #571/2 – Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp – Animal Fun

thanks for popping by.

For Boys and Men At Penny Black And More

linda12 Comments

it’s time for a new theme at the monthly Penny Black And More Challenge and this month we’d like to see masculine creations.

I painted this sweet image, a Penny Black wood stamp, gifts sedan, with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press watercolour paper, added mats and attached the image panel to some designer paper. it’s easy to play along –  just be sure to hand stamp a focal image, any company, to be entered for a chance to win a prize from our generous sponsors Penny Black and Blade Rubber Crafts.

thanks for popping by.

Positive Pants

linda2 Comments

as i’m in a high risk group in three categories, i’ve been self isolating for weeks but really, it doesn’t feel much different than my pre-pandemic life.

but i know family and friends are getting tired of the restrictions so i’m playing along with the Impression Obsession Challenge to create funny cards that i hope will make them smile. once again i’ve used the free Impression Obsession digi (NOLA003-DG Positive Pants) and pencil crayons to create this masculine card.

thanks for popping by.

A Punny Bunny

linda6 Comments

i’m playing along with the Impression Obsession Challenge to create funny cards, an appropriate theme.

like so many people, i’ve been sewing masks for family members since we’re all supposed to be wearing them but i took a break to create this card with a free Impression Obsession digi (NOLA003-DG Positive Pants).

i used pencil crayons, matted the image on pink card stock and attached it to some memory box paper – nice and flat for mailing.

thanks for popping by.

Freebie Fun With Impression Obsession

linda2 Comments

Digi stamps are new at Impression Obsession and are available for download once you sign in to your account. I downloaded some free images illustrated by IO designers Lindsay Ostrom and Nola Chandler that are very timely and positive.

i’m not a big fan of digis only because i love to paint images and my watercolour paper is too thick to feed through my printer. but my second favourite medium to colour with is pencil crayons so that’s what i use with digis.

this is the first fun image to send to my hair stylist; it was fun to colour and i simply added a mat with the new ellen hutson essential rectangle dies. of course first i had to add a bit of extra glue to the upper left corner; i didn’t even notice it lifted until i edited my photo.

thanks for popping by.

Mid April At Penny Black And More

linda8 Comments

I’m back with a reminder that we’re mid way through April so there’s still time to play along with this month’s anything goes theme at the Penny Black and More challenge.

blue bird card copyright linda snailzpace.com

i love this penny black image, the sweetest sound, but it’s one of those solid cling stamps that challenges me because it’s the opposite of outline stamps that i love to paint. still, i thought i’d give it a go and struggled with distress inks and markers so in the end, i painted it with gouache.

remember, to be eligible for a prize from a generous sponsor, your focal image needs to be hand stamped, although it can be any company’s stamp.

thanks for popping by.

Easter Bunnies

linda3 Comments

i’ve been practicing painting stripes so i made a quick and easy card to join the new Impression Obsession Challenge – Easter Fun!

i used my painted stripes for the Impression Obsession happy easter die (DIE367-J); the IO die cut bunnies (DIE168-C) were painted with twinkling H2Os on cold press watercolour paper and then i sponged the edges with walnut stain distress ink. i finished off the card with some scraps of paper in coordinating colours.

thanks for popping by.

Happy Easter

linda5 Comments

the Clearly Besotted Spring Plushies is a small stamp set but it’s perfect for spring and easter cards; it includes cute characters, spring florals, eggs and a sentiment. no surprise, it’s out of stock right now.

i sponged the sky with salty ocean distress ink and grass with mowed lawn distress ink. everything else was painted with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press w/c paper, fussy cut and popped on foam tape for dimension.

i’m playing along with the Allsorts #567challenge – Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue: my distress inks are 8 years old, my stamps are new, the sky is blue and i borrowed the sketch from Michelle, who designs for Clearly Besotted.

thanks for popping by and enjoy your day.

It’s Too Peopley Outside

linda4 Comments

This CNN article, Why some people just won’t stay home despite the advice, satisfied my curiosity about those who defy the guidelines.

i used the Taylored Expressions BIG GRUMPY STAMP & DIE COMBO and die cut the bear shape on a fold to create these little cards. as usual, i painted with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press watercolour paper and added glossy accents to their noses. i’m playing along with the As You Like It Challenge Favourite – Animal Or People (& Why): i love adorable and humorous animal images that make me smile; they’re always fun to paint.

thanks for popping by.

Happy Easter Chick

linda8 Comments

it’s time for a new monthly theme at the Penny Black And More Challenge and it’s an easy one – Anything Goes!

happy easter 2020 penny black card copyright linda snailzpace.com

this is the easter card I made for my daughter, using penny black ‘chick to chick,’ painted with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press watercolour paper. Ellie, my PB and More teamie made some cute cards with dotted backgrounds so I was inspired to use the Altenew dots stencil and wild honey distress ink here.

along with an easy theme this month, it’s so easy to play along! just be sure to hand stamp a focal image, any company, to be entered for a chance to win a prize from our generous sponsors Penny Black and Swedish House Crafts.

thanks for popping by.

A Cup Of Comfort

linda2 Comments

I’m cutting it close to today’s deadline for the new Impression Obsession Challenge – Pour One On!

purple and green card with impression obsession guinea pig in teacup copyright Linda snailzpace.com

I couldn’t resist making another card with this adorable Impression Obsession cutie, H13747, this time using more spring-like colours. As usual, I painted with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press watercolour paper, matted and popped the image on foam tape. To finish it off, I stamped the sentiment, B20782, with versa fine onyx black ink on patterned paper.

Thanks for popping by.

Floral Bookmarks

linda4 Comments

i’m back with another entry for the Altenew March 2020 Inspiration Challenge:

Altenew March 2020 Inspiration cool colour palette

the Altenew Book Club stamp set was one that i purchased with my Ellen Hutson 12 Tags 2019 winner’s gift card. i made three bookmarks, all painted with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press watercolour paper and attached to shimmer card stock bases.

this one was created for one of my daughter’s retiring professors:

someone saw the first and asked me to make another:

i decided i wanted one for myself, a bit softer:

thanks for popping by.

Rudolph Days Challenge March 2020

linda8 Comments

i’m up on the Rudolph Days Challenge blog this month, hosted by Maureen, to encourage you to create your holiday cards from the 25th to the last day of every month; there’s also a prize waiting for one random winner.

vintage christmas card copyright linda snailzpace.com

this was a very easy card to make because i didn’t paint this time; i cut out one of the sweet images from a 12 x 12 sheet of Bo Bunny Christmas Treasures. the impression obsession swirl was stamped in plum ink and i used burgundy linen cardstock to die cut the hero arts snowflake swirl and border before i popped the image on foam tape. This is a great way to embellish upcycled images or card toppers.

thanks for popping by.

Happy Thoughts

linda2 Comments

i just finished two and half weeks of antibiotics for a recurring RA complication but now my thoughts are happy since i’m up to creating again.

i’m playing along with the Altenew March 2020 Inspiration Challenge:

Altenew March 2020 Inspiration cool colour palette

more happy thoughts – the cool colour palette has always been my favourite.

purple and blue altenew floral card copyright linda snailzpace.com

i started with an Altenew heart cut from Arches hot press watercolour paper and stamped the Altenew weekend doodles floral image with Wendy Vecchi watering can ink and painted with  twinkling H2Os (twilight, wild plum, sweet alfalfa); the sentiment is from the same set. i masked the image to stamp the Altenew swiss dots background with dusty concord distress ink and attached foam tape. i sponged distress inks on the shimmery white card stock: faded jeans at the top and dusty concord at the bottom. to finish off, i cut a blue shimmer card stock frame with the new Ellen Hutson essential rectangles dies.

thanks for popping by.

More Spring Flowers At Penny Black and More

linda9 Comments

I’m back with a reminder that we’re mid way through March so there’s still time to share your spring flower creations at the Penny Black and More challenge.

penny black easter copyright linda snailzpace.com

i painted this Penny Black cling stamp, easter basket, with twinkling H2Os and Faber Castell Albrecht Durer watercolour pencils. I added yellow nuvo drops and a Swiss dot embossing folder background.

Also a reminder that to be eligible for a prize, images from any company must be hand stamped and follow the challenge theme – it’s that easy!

thanks for popping by.

Spring Flowers At Penny Black And More

linda10 Comments

it’s time for a new monthly theme at the Penny Black And More Challenge. i wish i could say spring is here but the next best thing is to make creations that focus on spring flowers.

tulip card copyright linda snailzpace.com

i painted the Penny Black tulip bouquet with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press watercolour paper. the sentiment from the Penny Black smile today! clear stamp was a generous DT gift from Maureen at the Rudolph Days Challenge and was stamped with Archival plum ink; i added splatters.

you can use any company’s image, as long as it’s hand stamped, is the focal point and suits the theme to be eligible for a prize from our generous sponsors: Penny Black, Blade Rubber, Lost Coast.

thanks for popping by.

Sticker Christmas Cards

linda10 Comments

i made four QAE (quick and easy) Christmas cards using Penny Black stickers; unfortunately, they are being discontinued but they are still for sale at penny black inc: berry delight.

sticker christmas cards

all the sentiments are clearly besotted and were stamped with versafine inks.

as a design team member for Rudolph Days Challenge, it’s my month off but i’m playing along just for fun and to build up my stash of cards. the Jingle Belles inspired me with their ‘Stuck On You‘ sticker theme, otherwise i might not have been able to join the challenges.

thanks for popping by.

Colourful Coffee Cups

linda2 Comments

i’m in the mood for colour, especially since it’s another dull day and it’s snowing!

colour coffee cups on card copyright linda snailzpace.com

i painted the cute SugarPea Designs cups (Mugs & Kisses) with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press watercolour paper and the stripes on Canson cold press watercolour paper; the cups were fussy cut and popped on foam tape. i didn’t add a sentiment but i’m thinking of using it for an anniversary card.

i was inspired by the sketch at the SugarPea Designs Mix It Up Challenge 64:

thanks for popping by.

Blue Butterfly Bookmark

linda11 Comments

this is my mid month DT post for the Penny Black and More Challenge and this month’s Animals, Birds and Butterflies theme.

blue butterfly bookmark copyright linda snailzpace.com

i made a bookmark using the penny black Illumination clear stamp set and a brilliance tricolour ink pad that was overstamped with the penny black text background in blue ink. playing along is easy; to be eligible for a chance at a prize from one of our generous sponsors just follow the theme and make sure your focal point is a hand stamped image from any company.

thanks for popping by.

Hugs And Kisses

linda2 Comments

well i’m really creating at a snail’s pace so far this year but i am able to play along with the Impression Obsession challenge theme of hugs and kisses.

guina pig in teacup copyright linda snailzpace.com

i painted this adorable Impression Obsession guinea pig (H13747) by artist Dina Kowal on Arches hot press watercolour paper with twinkling H2Os. the edges of the image panel were lightly sponged with pumice stone distress ink and the sentiment (CL549) was framed with a hand cut banner that was also lightly sponged with wild honey distress ink.

i’m also playing along with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge to use 2 or More Patterned Papers.

thanks for popping by.

Special Delivery At Penny Black And More

linda8 Comments

we have a new theme for February at the Penny Black and More Challenge and this month we’d like to see your creations featuring Animals, Birds and Butterflies.

mail delivery hedgie card copyright linda snailzpace.com

i’ve used a wooden penny black stamp called Hedge Delivery, painted everything with twinkling H2Os and added a mat from a scrap of doodlebug paper. i finished it off with two clearly besotted sentiments. playing along is easy; to be eligible for a chance at a prize from one of our generous sponsors just follow the theme and make sure your focal point is a hand stamped image from any company.

I am finally playing along with Pixie’s Snippets Playground – Challenge #370 since i used a scrap of paper for the frame and got a nudge from Di.

thanks for popping by.

Redesigning Designer Paper For Rudolph Days

linda13 Comments

it’s time for the first 2020 Rudolph Days Challenge, hosted by maureen, where we encourage you to create christmas cards/creations during the last week of every month until November. you only need to submit one entry to be eligible for a generous prize.holly christmas card copyright linda snailzpace.com

for my DT card, i used a technique i am calling redesigning designer paper. i wanted to use the taylored expressions holly embossing folder but with something other than a plain background. see below for steps. I finished off the card with impression obsession die cut holly embellishment and a creative expressions die cut sentiment with red cardstock.

photo heavy tutorial:

step 1: choose paper

step 2: emboss
(if lightweight paper is used, avoid cutting through by placing copy paper behind DP)

step 3: choose inks, ink up brayer
(before brayering on paper, brayer on teflon sheet to evenly distribute ink)

step 4: brayer embossed paper with light pressure

step 5: brayer another layer, lightly

step 6 continue, lightly, until you’re happy with colour intensity

step 7: use marker to colour details

step 8: use leftover inks to splatter background

step 9: spritz leftover inks on teflon sheet

step 10: press watercolour paper onto spritzed inks

I’d love to see your creations using this technique. thanks for popping by.

Snail Mail

linda3 Comments

i haven’t created much so far this year but it was fun to paint and make this little note card.

i painted this cute turtle from the Clearly Besotted ‘snail mail’ clear stamp set with twinkling H2Os, fussy cut, and popped him on foam tape with two layers of grass from the same set. i sponged the sky with distress inks.

i’m submitting this to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Besotted With Our Pets theme; my brother had a pet turtle.

thanks for popping by.

Thank You Ellen Hutson Twelve Tags 2019

linda5 Comments

i was absolutely shocked to see that i was the random winner of the Ellen Hutson Twelve Tags 2019 challenge! i had to get hubby to check to see if i was reading the winners’ post correctly and yes, one of the tags i entered was posted so it was true.

if you follow me you know that Christmas is challenging for me because of my son’s brain cancer diagnosis in early december and his birthday at the end of december right after christmas. the 12 tags challenge has been a tradition for 6 years now; it gives me something to focus on and feel productive during the holidays.

thank you card for ellen hutson copyright linda snailzpace.com

so, this is the card I sent to Ellen Hutson. i painted the poppy stamps wreath, die cut with hot press watercolour paper, with twinkling H2Os and added glossy accents to the berries. the WPlus9 sentiment fit perfectly.

thanks for popping by.

You Can Do It!

linda11 Comments

i’m posting my first card of 2020 – happy new year. this is my DT creation for the January Penny Black and More Challenge and we’d like you to make it feminine this month.

penny-black-stickeroo-cat-copyright-linda-snailzpace.com-1.jpg

this cute cat is from a sheet of Penny Black stickeroos called So Cute! #10-163 that i attached to some pretty paper and added a ribbon. i finished off the card with a Clearly Besotted sentiment popped on a rectangle that was sponged with distress ink.

remember to be eligible for a prize from our generous sponsors, Penny Black and Blade Rubber Crafts, the focal point has to be hand stamped although it can be any company’s; the only exception are the PB stickeroos.

thanks for popping by.

Warm Winter Wishes

linda3 Comments

every year i make a set of cards for my daughter to send out to the vet and other animal lovers so this is the 2019 design.

stampendous-snowman-bbunny-copyright-linda-snailzpace.com_.jpg

i painted the small stampendous image with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press watercolour paper and attached it to a green vellum-like circle mat. the sizzix tim holtz holly die separates pieces so i die cut through the white cardstock, attached a green shimmery vellum-like rectangle behind it and then taped that piece to the card base. i thought it would be faster than inlaid holly because i made 12 cards. to finish it off i stamped a Clearly Besotted sentiment. i added glossy accents to the buttons but resisted adding glitter to the cuffs and pom pom because some bunnies like paper and touch their noses to it.

thanks for popping by.

Mid Month Reminder Penny Black and More

linda5 Comments

i’m sharing another design team card for the november Penny Black and More Challenge theme of flowers all over.

i coloured the penny black centrepiece cling stamp with coloured pencils and the inside with a sentiment from the smile today set.

remember to be eligible for a prize from our generous sponsors Penny Black and Bee Crafty, your focal point has to be hand stamped but can be from any company.

thanks for popping by.

12 Tags of Christmas 2019 Challenge Day 12

linda2 Comments

this is my tag for day 12 of the annual Ellen Hutson’s 12 Tags of Christmas. down to the wire but i did it.

santa, elf and rudolph tags

inspired by Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, i love Julie’s creative tags. i ran out of time to fussy cut but i’d like to try tags like hers another time. all the painting i did took up most of my time and then computer problems yesterday so i couldn’t upload. then today i went to upload and the link expired too early but thank goodness i could email them in. that’ll teach me for creating at a snail’s pace. anyway, it was a lot of fun and i always learn something new.

as usual, i painted these clearly besotted images with twinkling H2Os on Arches hot press watercolour paper, die cut with mama elephant bookmark die, lawn fawn sentiment and lawn fawn red sparkle twine.

thanks for popping by.