CAS Christmas Bird

Great news!  My dear friend, Loll, has resurrected her CAS Christmas Challenge - one of my favourite challenges ever, since I love making Christmas cards and mostly my style is quite CAS!  I'm thrilled to be back on the Design Team.

Our first challenge is Birds.  And what better than a robin for a Christmas card?

The robin is stamped and watercoloured, then fussy cut.  I die cut the "joy" square out of copper shimmer cs.  I ran a narrow embossing folder across the front of the card base, then glued the "joy" square on top of it, and mounted the robin on top of the word "joy".

Please head over to CAS Christmas to see what our first Guest Designer (Bobby (bits and pieces) and the rest of the Design Team made to inspire you.  Then link up your CAS Christmas card featuring birds!

Supplies:
Stamps - Stampworkds Sheena Douglas robin
Ink - Versafine Onyx Black
Paper - watercolour paper, off white linen cs, copper shimmer cs
Size - A2
Accessories - watercolour paints, Memory Box "joy" square, narrow mistletoe embossing folder

Wreath on a Brick Wall

We are so happy to have CAS Christmas back up and running.  We're starting off by asking for cards featuring wreaths.  Here's mine:

I love making wreaths with my Martha Stewart pine branch punch.  I use various decorative papers that feature grass on them.  There's enough variegation in the colours that it makes the sprigs of the wreath more interesting than just plain green.  

The base for the wreath is a thin circle made by cutting with two sizes of Spellbinders circle dies.  I glue the punched sprigs around the circle base, overlapping them for fullness.

For this card, I created a background with a brick wall stencil and embossing paste.  Added the wreath and stamped a sentiment and popped the panel up on fun foam.  I embellished the wreath with a bow made of a green / gold ribbon and added gold gemstones to the wreath.  Usually I add red gemstones to represent berries, but the ribbon I used for the bow inspired me to keep to a green and gold colour scheme.

We'd love to see you join us at CAS Christmas.  It's so great to get a head start on those Christmas cards.  There's lots of inspiration from the Design Team and this month's Guest Designer, Sue (Sue's Card Craft).

 I'm also linking up the card at CAS Mix Up where they want paste or gels with a stencil.

Supplies:
Stamps - SSS sentiment
Ink - Distress Mowed Lawn
Paper - white cs, various green dp
Size - 4.75" square
Accessories - Martha Stewart pine branch punch, gold gemstones, green/gold ribbon, TH brick stencil, Dreamweaver embossing paste, Spellbinders circle dies

Four Calling Birds

Hello All,

It's time to remind you that you only have until August 24th to get a card in for the CAS Christmas Card Challenge, where this month's theme is The Twelve Days of Christmas.

For my original card, I used "a partridge in a pear tree".  For this one, I've jumped a few verses ahead and I've got "4 calling birds".

I stamped and heat embossed the image in gold, typed my sentiment on the computer and printed it on lightweight cardstock, popped my image up on it with fun foam, bordered with gold cs, and added it to a matching cream card base.

While I had the stamp out and computer sentiment in front of me, I made a second version.

For this one, I coloured the stamp with Tombow markers while it was in my MISTI, colouring and stamping until I was happy with the results, popped it up on fun foam on the sentiment panel, bordered with green cs, and popped that up on a white card base.

Head over to CAS Christmas for more inspiration from the Design Team and come and join us with your clean and simple card using something inspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas!

Supplies:
Stamps - Old Island Stamping Co. "Four Calling Birds"
Ink - ColorBox Gold (the first card only)
Paper - Gina K Pure Ivory and gold cs (first card), white and green cs (second card)
Size - A2
Accessories - Tombow markers (second card), fun foam

My True Love Sent to Me

It's my turn to host the CAS Christmas Challenge and I've chosen The Twelve Days of Christmas as the August theme.

I used a new stamp that I really like - perfect for the challenge.

I stamped the image, watercolored it, trimmed it and bordered it with a matching green cs, and popped it up on a copper card base.  Truly a CAS card as the image includes the sentiment so it was very quick and easy to make.

Head on over to the CAS Christmas blog and check out the rest of the samples by the Design Team and August's Guest Designer, Meg (Bits and Pieces).  There are also some parameters for the theme, including options for those who don't have a stamp or die that seems totally suitable to The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Hoping to see your entries!

Supplies:
Stamps - ?
Ink - Archival Jet Black
Paper - watercolour paper, green cs, copper shimmer cs
Size - 4.75" square
Accessories - watercolour paints, fun foam

Wise Men for the Nativity Challenge

A reminder about the CAS Christmas challenge "Nativity" ending on July 24th.

Like the card I posted for the opening of the challenge, I'm using another stamp I picked up at a second hand sale so I have no idea who made it.

I stamped it in Archival ink on watercolour paper, painted it, trying to create a glow around the Christmas star.  Trimmed it, popped it up on fun foam, and went over the stars with a gold gel pen.  Very quick and easy.

Please check out the reminder cards by some of the other Design Team members at CAS Christmas.  We'd love to have you join us!

Supplies:
Stamps - Stampendous Nativity Christmas
Ink - Archival Jet Black
Paper - PTI Vintage Cream cs, watercolour paper
Size - A2
Accessories - watercolour paints, gold gel pen, fun foam

Gold Nativity

Oh my goodness, it's already time for the new CAS Christmas challenge!  And this month, Marcia is our host and wants to see "Nativity" as our theme.

I went with a very CAS card, especially in the "simple" meaning of CAS.  It would be a great one to mass produce as it was quite quick to make.

I put the stamp in my MISTI and stamped it a couple of times to get a good impression and then heat embossed in gold.  Likewise the sentiment.

I did not have a gold cs that matched the embossing powder well enough so I cut my bordering panel, used an embossing dauber on the four edges, and heat embossed it with the same gold powder as I used for the image.

Popped the panel up on fun foam as I always think that makes the card more interesting and adds quality to it.

Please come and join us at CAS Christmas.  There is lots of inspiration from the Design Team and this month's wonderful Guest Designer, Jane (Purplejet Loves Crafts).  You have until July 24th to enter.

The image is a stamp I picked up at a second hand sale and it had no label on it, so I've no idea who made it - if anyone knows, please let me know.

Supplies:
Stamps - unknown nativity stamp, Rubber Soul sentiment
Ink - ColorBox gold
Paper - Gina K ivory cs
Size - A2
Accessories - Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder, embossing dauber, fun foam

Jingle Bells

A quick reminder about the CAS Christmas challenge that is running until June 24th.  This month the theme is Bells.

I stamped the bells on watercolour paper and painted with my Gansai Tambi paints that include metallic gold and copper paints.  I used them on the bells - in real life, there is more shimmer than in the photo.  I fussy cut the bells, popped them up on a cs square with "Jingle" stamped on it, and bordered with gold shimmer cs.

You have until June 24th to enter our "Bells" CAS challenge.  Please check out the other samples from the Design Team if you want more inspiration.

Supplies:
Stamps - SU bells, unknown sentiment
Ink - Archival Jet Black
Paper - watercolour paper, gold shimmer and white cs
Size - 4.75" square
Accessories - Gansai Tambi watercolour paints, foam tape

Christmas Bells

The new CAS Christmas challenge is "Bells".

 

It was the perfect opportunity to pull out my bell dies and a scrap of gold glitter cs.

I die cut the bells, carefully saving the little stars that fell out of them.  I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment on white cs and then trimmed it with a wonky stitched rectangle.

I threaded ribbon through the bells and taped it to the back of my sentiment panel, and then popped the bells up in place with pop dots.  I glued on the little stars that fell out of the dies.  I added the panel to the card base with fun foam.

We'd love to have you join us at CAS Christmas.  There is lots of inspiration from our Design Team and this month's Guest Designer, LeAnne (Wee Inklings).  You have until June 24th to enter.

Supplies:
Stamps - Impression Obsession sentiment
Ink - Distress Oxide Candied Apple
Paper - gold glitter and white cs
Size - A2
Accessories - Lil Inker bell dies, MFT Wonky Stitched rectangle die, sparkly embossing powder, pop dots, fun foam

Christmas Berries

Loll is hosting the May challenge at CAS Christmas and she is asking for "Winter Berries".

I love this theme and was hard pressed to decide which of my many Christmas / winter stamps to use.  I ended up going with this one because it basically is nothing but berries.

I put the stamp in my MISTI and inked it up with various Distress markers, spritzing lightly, stamping on watercolour paper, and repeating until I was happy.

I added the sentiment and a bit of splatter, bordered with a matching brown, and popped it up on a red card base.  I went over the snowy bits of the image with a glue pen and added glitter.

Please come and join us.  You have until May 24th to link up.  Head over to CAS Christmas for more inspiration from the Design Team and May's wonderful Guest Designer, Lynne (Designs from the Loft).

Supplies:
Stamps - Penny Black
Ink - Distress Gathered Twigs
Paper - watercolour paper, red and brown cs
Size - A2
Accessories - Distress markers, glitter, fun foam

A Snowman in the Meadow

Time for April's CAS Christmas and our host, Bonnie, is asking us to incorporate a Christmas song.

I have a sentiment stamp that uses one of the lines from Winter Wonderland.  My parents loved that old Bing Crosby song and it evokes great memories of my childhood Christmases.

Very CAS - stamped, watercoloured, went over the snowflakes with a Stardust pen, die cut for some extra interest, popped up on fun foam on a red card base, and added glue and glitter to the snow line and the fuzzy parts of the snowman's hat and gloves.


Please come and join us at CAS Christmas.  I'm looking forward to seeing what Christmas songs inspire you.  Our Design Team and this month's Guest Designer, Birgit (Rapport fran ett skrivoord) have lots of inspiration for you.

Supplies:
Stamps - Old Island Stamp Co. snowman, PrintWorks sentiment
Ink - Archival Jet Black
Paper - watercolour paper, red cs
Size - A2
Accessories - watercolour paints, Sizzix die, Stardust gel pen, glitter, fun foam

Comparing Markers on a Poinsettia

   It's the middle of the month so this card is to remind you that you've only got until March 24th to enter CAS Christmas "Winter Flower".

 

I stamped the flower by putting it in my MISTI, inking up with Tombow markers, spritzing with water and stamping repeatedly until I was happy with the results.  I added a gold sentiment and gold splatter (might have overdone the splattering!).

I did another one using Distress markers just to compare.  Here's the focal image (I haven't turned it into a card yet).

I was not as happy with the results with the Distress markers.  They are several years newer than the Tombows but they seem to have dried up a lot more.  I had a much harder time inking the stamp with them.  I had to go over the stamp several times with the marker to get enough colour, whereas the Tombow markers went on to the stamp much more easily.  Did way too much splatter on this one too!

   Guess what?It's CAS Christmas's second birthday!!

  And to celebrate, we're offering prizes:

Winner - $25 GC to Simon Says Stamp

Random Draw from eligible entries - $25 GC to Simon Says Stamp

  So please come and join us!  There is more inspiration for you from the rest of the Design Team and this month's Guest Designer, Linda (Scrappin', Stampin', Singin').

Supplies:
Stamps - Penny Black poinsettia, Rubber Soul sentiment
Ink - Delicata Golden Glitz
Paper - watercolour paper, gold shimmer cs
Size - A2
Accessories - Tombow and Distress markers, gold paint for splattering, fun foam

Poinsettia and Holly

Here we are at the beginning of March so it's time for the new CAS Christmas challenge "Winter Flower".

And it's also CAS Christmas's 2nd birthday!

 

 

And that means there are prizes! 

Winner - $25 GC to Simon Says Stamp

Random Draw from eligible entries - $25 GC to Simon Says Stamp

So be sure to join us this month!

I went with the most traditional of winter / Christmas flower - the poinsettia.

I started by sprinkling various shades of red Brushos and a bit of ......on coated cs and spritzing with water.  I let it air dry and was pleased with the mix of pinks and reds I ended up with.  I die cut three different sizes of the Spellbinders poinsettia dies, shaped them a bit with a stylus, and layered them.

I stamped a sprig of holly on my background piece, using two shades of Distress oxide inks, and stamped and heat embossed the sentiment in gold.  I splattered some gold acrylic paint over the background and the poinsettia, and added the gold paint to the centre of the poinsettia.

I die cut the background piece with a deckle-edged die, and popped it up on a gold card base.   

Here's a close-up of the flower to show you all the lovely tones of pink and red, and the gold splattering.

In hindsight, I wish I'd stamped the holly either in gold or in a more yellow-toned green.

Please head over to CAS Christmas and take a look at the other great cards by the Design Team and this month's Guest Designer, Linda (scrappinstampinsingin).  I'm looking forward to seeing your winter flower cards in this month's link up!

Supplies:
Stamps - Rubber Soul sentiment, Penny Black holly
Ink - ColorBox gold, Distress Oxide Evergreen Bough and Lucky Clover
Paper - coated cs, gold shimmer cs, white cs
Size - A2
Accessories - various red Brushos, Ranger gold acrylic paint, Spellbinder poinsettia dies and deckle rectangle die, gold embossing powder, fun foam

Joy of a Little Dog

The CAS Christmas Challenge is asking for "Joy" this month.  One of the great joys in my life is Tessa, my sweet English Cocker Spaniel.

Penny Black makes some lovely stamps that have a very spaniel-like dog that reminds me of Tessa.  One of them is a very tiny stamp, with the dog wearing a collar with a star.  The star, in my mind, makes it suitable for a Christmas card.

I have a great little tag die that has "joy" as part of it.  And the dog fits right on it perfectly.  I stamped the dog, coloured the collar and star with sparkly gel pens, and die cut it with the matching die. 

I die cut the "joy" tag three times and glued them together to give it dimension, stamped a few little stars on the top in gold, and added the die cut dog to it.

I added it to a gold shimmer stitched rectangle die cut and popped that up on fun foam.  I'd meant to put a brad through the tag's hole but forgot so added a red gemstone instead.

I'm also linking it up to the Less is More Less (Tiny and Few) challenge where they want you to see how small you can go with your images.  My dog and the stars are pretty tiny!  And there's only one dog and three stars.

Supplies:
Stamps - Penny Black dog, Stampendous star stamp
Ink - Delicata Gold Glitz, Archival Vintage Photo
Paper - gold shimmer and white cs
Size - A2
Accessories - Penny Black matching dog die, Impression Obsession joy tag die, Lil Inkers stitched rectangle die, red and gold glitter pens, fun foam

Joy

February's CAS Christmas Challenge is "Joy".

I pulled out my Memory Box Winter Joy die.  This is the die:

I haven't used it for ages.  In the past I've just die cut it and added it to a background.  This time I wanted to try and use it in a different way.

 

I die cut it out of masking paper and added the mask to a piece of white shimmer cs.  I then sponged and brushed a couple of shades of blue Distress ink over it.

I removed the mask.  I die cut the three letters of "joy" out of a scrap of aqua/turquoise shimmer cs and glued it over the letters on the card.

I mounted it on fun foam on a matching white shimmer cs card base.  And embellished it with blue and white sequins.

Head on over to CAS Christmas to see what the rest of the Design Team and our wonderful Guest Designer, Claire (String Bows Blog).  You have until February 24th to link up your card.  Please be sure it is clean and simple, and includes the theme of "joy" in some way.

I'm also linking it up to our sister challenge, CAS Mix-Up as the challenge there is "Stencil from Die-Cuts".

 


Supplies:
Ink - Distress Oxide Salty Ocean and Tumbled Glass
Paper - white shimmer and aqua/turquoise glitter cs
Size - 5.75x4.5"
Accessories - Memory Box Winter Joy die, masking paper, blue and white sequins, fun foam

A Tiny Tag

A card for CAS Christmas "Tag" - your card must have a tag on it.

 

Unlike my card (see here) for the challenge launch where the tag was the whole focal point of the card, this one has a very tiny tag that just carries the sentiment.  

And, because I used a punch for the tag, I'm also linking up with the Double D Challenge "Punch".

I started by stamping the dove in metallic blue ink on a scrap of denim blue cs, heat embossed it, and then coloured the dove's body and wings with a white coloured pencil. I laid my tiny snowflake stencil over it and used the same metallic blue ink with one of my stencil brushes, getting the stencil around, but not on, the dove.

I trimmed the piece to fit behind a white die cut frame. The sentiment is stamped and heat embossed on white, punched out with a tiny tag punch, and attached to the dove with silver thread. The panel and frame are popped up on fun foam on a matching denim blue card base.

Supplies:
Stamps - SU Dove, Simon Says Stamp tiny sentiment
Ink - Encore Metallic Blue
Paper - white and denim blue cs
Size - A2
Accessories - Memory Box tiny snowflakes stencil, white coloured pencil, tiny tag punch, sparkly embossing powder, MFT stitched rectangle frame, fun foam, silver thread