Live Love Cards Challenge #1: Stencils

I'm a huge fan and follower of Darlene DeVries (of darlenedesign.com).  Her videos are awesome, very easy to understand, and always make me feel like "I can do that!"  Live Love Cards is her Cardmaking Community and I'm not regretting becoming a member for one second!  

The first challenge is to use stencils.  Lord knows I have more than I can probably ever (or will) use, so I picked one that was still in the package and went to work.  The first attempt was fun but not photo worthy!  This is my second attempt using a MFT stencil and Ranger embossing paste.  I added a vellum banner with a heat embossed sentiment, lined the edge with washi tape, and added a big Kaisercraft black enamel dot.  When all else fails...I go to black & white!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you're having a great week :-)

Inspired By...Plastic Canvas!

After doing some cleaning up in my craft room, I discovered some plastic canvas pieces that were stashed away. 

I thought this would be a great "stencil" on a budget.  I used Ranger Distress Paint Daubers in Fired Brick, Barn Door, and Spun Sugar.  Added a sentiment from Stamps of Life and popped up a heart in the center.  CAS! 

 

For a second card, I used a piece of square plastic canvas, inked it up, and used as a background stamp.  I like the grid look!  I stamped a heart using Hero Arts' "Four Hearts" stamp set, cut it out, distressed the edges with Ranger Fired Brick, and popped it up on the card.  The sentiment is from MFT's "First Class Friend" stamp set.  Added five rhinestones colored with a Copic marker (R59) for some bling. 

 

 

OWH Midweek Throwdown - Thank You!

Better late than never so I kept it simple!  I'll admit that the neighbor's maple leaves look a little better than mine, so I went over and collected a few for some color inspiration.  Good thing Sparky is a friendly dog!  For this card I used a stencil and distress inks to try to achieve the colors of the beautiful leaves.  Thanks for looking and have a great weekend!

• Memory Box Cardstock - Sweet Corn
• DCWV Mat Stack - Green
• Ranger Distress Inks - Vintage Photo, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade
• Sponge Daubers
• Creative Imaginations Stencil of falling leaves
• David Tutera Thank You embellishment
• Recollections Maple Leaf Brad

Not Your Mama's Stencils

I remember my first set of stencils years ago.  It was the alphabet - that's it- the alphabet!  Now there are so many wonderful choices out there.  And, there are so many different mediums to try with them.  With a good friend's birthday coming up, I thought I would give these stencils a try.  I also located my stippling brush which I had not used in many moons.  I wanted a little different effect (or degrees of solidity) and this method can be pretty forgiving which is a bonus!

This picture is a little blurry *sorry*.  I used two spray stencils from Heidi Swapp that I had picked up a while ago from Michaels (at 40% off, of course).  The Guava and Grape ink is from Stephanie Barnard's line of Colorbox ink pads.  The colors in her line are so vivid and the pads are smooth and juicy.  She also has a line of cardstock now that matches the ink colors perfectly.  Love that!

Here's the finished project...thanks for stopping by!