Nature

Using a stamping platform such as the MISTI makes using watercolour stamps really easy. It means that you can stamp parts of a large stamp such as this one, in small sections and still get it perfectly in place. I used three colours of markers on each berry and a couple of shades on the branch. I was really pleased with the result.

The stamp is from Penny Black and the die cut sentiment from Creative Dies.

I added a little clear Wisp of Stella over each berry although it doesn't show up too clearly on this photo.

This is my DT card for the Christmas Challenge at Happy Little Stampers

Where as ever it's an Anything Goes Challenge with the optional twist of including something linked to nature. 

Making Christmas cards throughout the year saves so much stress as Christmas approaches so do come and join us, it has worked for me!

Guest Spot

I was  very kindly asked by Bonnie and Loll if I would do a Guest Designer spot on their  CAS Mix Up Challenge. I was fortunate enough to be a Top Pick in one of their challenges... hence the invitation.

As you may see the challenge is to use markers to ink up stamps. You can get some great results with this technique and use different colours on one stamp. The other good thing is that you can ink up a sentiment in exactly the right colour to match with those used on the image.

My card uses stamps from Hero Arts, inked with Stampin' Up Markers. I did have to huff over the stamps a bit I had used several pens for each stamp and the first ones used had a little time to dry out. Bonnie gave me the tip of using my MISTI which would have meant that I could have added the colours one at a time, stamping each time with the stamp in the exact same spot and alleviating the need for huffing!

Here is the link to the challenge CAS MIX UP Ink with Markers

The 'outside in' frame was made with SSS stitched squares and the sentiment is from Lili of the Valley. So my three criteria are stamping, die cutting and inking with markers... with a little fussy cutting thrown in for good measure.

The joy of these challenges, put together by Bonnie and Loll, is that they stimulate loads of different techniques with links to lots of examples of how they can be done if you are unsure!

It's great fun, so do join in!