Friday, March 11, 2016

HLS CAS and CAS Mix-Up March

I sat down one day last week and did some background techniques.  I love doing them and here are a couple of the cards that resulted.
This one is for Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge where you are to use the faux mother of pearl technique.  I used DecorArt white pearl acrylic paint that I bought at our local grocery store.  After applying the paint with plastic wrap, I smooshed Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers and Cracked Pistachio Distress Inks.  For my vegetation I used a Casual Fridays die in blue and frosted vellum. Not having any matching paper, I inked up a scrap with DI and stamped the sentiment from PTI.

This card is for the new challenge created by friends and fantastic designers Bonnie Klass and Loll Thompson called CAS Mix-Up.  They are encouraging us to delve into Mixed Media and each month give us a two item challenge that you can add another item of your choice.  I think this is going to stretch me to follow in Loll and Bonnie's footsteps to create some wonderful Mixed Media cards.  This month the challenge is

I started by using a technique that Jennifer McGuire showed here called watercolor lifting.  Using watercolor paper I did a color wash of the same inks I used in the first card.  When dry, I stamped and heat embossed in clear the background stamp from SSS.  Then I went back over the card with a wet brush and paper towel to remove some of the color.  That takes care of the watercoloring and my choice of resist.  I actually did three choices because I used vellum to stamp and heat emboss my sentiment in Liquid Platinum.

If the words Mixed Media scare you, I encourage you to check out this challenge.  It's a lot easier than you think to combine a variety of media on a card and Bonnie and Loll and guest designer Susan have some cards to inspire you.  I've linked to their personal blogs where you'll find even more inspiration and Loll also has tutorials.

Thanks for dropping by.


11 comments:

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Two very pretty cards here Bobby! The first one is soft and gentle with pretty colours and the second is bright and cheery, with happy colours! Thanks for joining us at Happy Little Stampers! Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Julia Aston said...

Two beautiful backgrounds for your lovely card designs!

lostinpaper said...

Your cards are wonderful Bobby! I'm really bad at creating my own inky backgrounds... I hate getting ink on my fingers lol. I think I definitely have the wrong hobby. But you have definitely inspired me to have a go, thanks so much!

Loll said...

Hi Bobby. I actually gasped when I saw your first card. WOW!! Amazing design and the colours are so yummy!! And then I scroll down and you've done it again. POW! Bright colours with a fantastic technique. The vellum adds some softness. Perfection!! Thanks so much for sharing your second card with us at CAS Mix Up. And thank you so much for the wonderful shout out!! :) xx

TK said...

Very nice card, Bobby! Congrats on the venture into Mixed Media, your result is awesome.

Kelly Griglione said...

I've been intrigued by Jennifer's watercolor lifting technique. Love how you've used it here with the leaf background, and then let it shine through the vellum. The mother of pearl technique is quite intriguing too, with a great result. Glad to see you playing around with your supplies so much!

Bonnie said...

WOW, Bobby! Love these colors and the watercolor lifting. I tried her first technique like this but haven't tried this one. You have inspired me! And vellum with heat embossing probably counts for 2 techniques! LOL, You get A+! Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

Anita in France said...

Two gorgeous backgrounds, Bobby ... so this is the faux mother of pearl I've been waiting to see :)! It's beautiful ... soft and shimmery ... and perfect with the delicate floral sprigs! The watercolour lifting is brilliant ... saw the JMcG video and it's on my list of things to try, but haven't got to it yet. Seeing this loveliness has me getting itchy fingers! Thanks for the inspiration, my friend! Delighted to have you playing along with us at Happy Little Stampers! Hugs, Anita :)

Kate said...

You've been so busy! More fabulous cards, both with amazing coloured backgrounds!

cm said...

A+++ on mastering these techniques, Bobby! Such pretty shimmer in the first; and your ink lifting in the second is wonderfully eye-catching! You're convincing me that I need to play along with both these challenges...ideas sparked!
Hugs~c

Aileen said...

Wow I love those colour combos. I can see I need to add to my collection.
Both of your cards look stunning. Love both techniques used.