Happy 4th Birthday to ATSM!

I'm a very proud mumma today because my challenge blog Addicted to Stamps and More! is turning 4 years old. This was my first adventure after only blogging for a couple of months myself so I am very excited that ATSM has turned 4.

Thank you to all my designers over the years. I couldn't have done it without you!

I couldn't resist taking part in the celebrations. There is a photo to inspire you to play along!

Here is my card -

I wanted to use the bright, fun colours from the photo. 

I used a curved die to pencil in some lines. I painted the areas with Dylusions blendable paints by just using my finger. When everything was dry I used an oil based Sharpie pen to draw in the lines. It's a bit messy but I enjoyed making it.

The sentiment and stars are from a great set by Happy Little Stampers -

The Big Bold Birthday set really gives your sentiments center stage.

There are heaps of giveaways for this challenge. I hope you will pop on over to help us celebrate and be in the chance to win some great prizes!

Prize: $30 gift certificate

Prize: $25.00 gift certificate

Prize: 3 digital images

Thanks for popping in today. See you soon! 

Combining Brusho with Calligraphy (using Masking Fluid)

Hi everyone. I know I've been missing in action recently but I managed some time in my craft room today.

A while back now I bought some masking fluid. It's been sitting there on my desk feeling very neglected. I'm sure I heard some squeaky voice saying 'Use me! Use me!', and so I did ;)

I wanted to try the masking fluid with my Brushos. I had a little play with some stencils which, honestly, could have gone a little better. Then I tried flicking some fluid onto waterpaper before adding the Brushos. That was a cool effect. But, what I really wanted to try was Calligraphy using the fluid.

Now, I am not very good with a calligraphy pen. I have been practising a little but not near enough. The masking fluid was a little harder, in my opinon, to use than the ink but I perservered. My examples are nowhere near perfect. I don't think they will ever be. The main thing was that I had fun!

The first sample I am going to show you is what NOT to do -

It was hard for me to see what I was actually doing when trying to write because the masking fluid is the same colour as the paper! I realise now that you can get other brands which have a tint in them. Next time....

Once the masking fluid had dried (doesn't take very long), I sprinkled the crystals over the paper and misted it with water. I used my heat gun to speed up the drying process.

Here is what NOT to do - Don't start rubbing off the masking fluid until everything is completely dry! See the 2nd 'a' in fantastic? The paper started to rub away too. Bugger!

So I kept practising and made these two panels - much better!

I still need practice! 

The practice I need is how to control my calligraphy pen. I have no problem with the straight letters but when I want the thinner lines and go in an upward direction, I fall apart!

I guess this sort of thing never needs to be perfect but it would be nice if it were :)

With all things considered, I wasn't too unhappy with the result. If you would like to try this, please do! I would really like to see what you make. 

Here is a card for all us beginners out there -

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges -

Crafting with Dragonflies - Sentiment as the main Focus

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes

Thanks for popping in today. See you soon xx

HLS June CASE the Designer

Hi everyone!

It's so good to be blogging again. I have been so busy with the house move and just life in general that it has taken most of my time and my mojo with it.

Today starts a new challenge over at Happy Little Stampers. We have a brand new designer to CASE!

We are CASEing Rahmat this month!

and here is my card -

I have heat embossed my entire card! I don't do that very often. 

The circles from the Mix Mash set were heat embossed in white and then the circle outlines in silver.

I used Distress Ink to create an ombre effect over my panel.

I heat embossed the flower from the Doodled Flowers set and fussy cut it out. The leaves and sentiment were also heat embossed. I used vellum for these elements.

The last step was to add a glitter enamel dot in the center of the flower.

Using Rahmat's card as true inspiration I really only changed a few bits and pieces of my card.  Thanks for the inspiration!!

I hope you will join us over at Happy Little Stampers. 

Here are the products I used on my card -

 

See you there!