Kaleidoscope

Hi everyone.  Today we are showing a technique that I first saw on a friend's blog.  Jenny stamped a large line image and heat embossed in gold (any embossing powder colour will work).  She then watercoloured the image LOOSELY, not staying within the lines, and making sure the background was watercoloured as well.  Once dry, the image was cut up into strips, lined back up in a random order and adhered together.  LOVE the artsy look of the finished card!

Jenny's inspirational card

In Jenny's post, she didn't mention if there was a name for this ... so I consulted our word affitionato, Darnell.  She came up with Kaleidoscope Technique ... isn't that perfect to describe this??!!

Kaleidoscope definition - Webster's Dictionary:

"a changing and enjoyable mixture or pattern"

Please share your cards using this technique in the linky below.

We'd love to see what you make!!

Supplies:

• Water-friendly card
• Large line image or collage of smaller line images
• Versamark or pigment ink
• Embossing Powder
• Heat tool
• Watercolour Paints or Inks
• Watercolour paint brushes
• Optional:  Stencil, inks, blending brushes or sponges
• Optional:  Permanent pen for outlining (metallic, black, white, etc.)

Technique Instructions:

• Stamp line image using Versamark or other ink onto water-friendly card
• Sprinkle with embossing powder; heat set
• Loosely watercolour image using watercolour paints, inks, or other colouring products
• Cut image into 1/2" strips
• Re-align strips in a random order and adhere to card front; trim off excess card (you can create two cards since you don't need to use all the strips you will have)

Alternate:

• Use a Stencil:
• Make sure to colour the background before stenciling - you don't want a lot of white space for this technique.
• Sponge through stencil instead of stamping.
• Sponge around outside of images to blur lines (Stencil Sponging Bleed technique)
• Optional:  Outline images from stenciling using permanent ink pen
• Cut image into 1/2" strips before randoming re-aligning and adhering to card front
• Use Patterned Paper (repeat steps above)
• Try it with dry embossed, coloured images
• Start with a piece of coloured card stock and add stamping, embossing, stenciling, or sponging
• Try this technique, cutting the strips into random widths for a different look

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Kaleidoscope Technique Card Samples

Jenny (My Paper Epiphany)

(Guest Designer)

Loll

 
 

Susan

Christine

 

Julia

Darnell

Bonnie

 

Brenda

 

* * * * *

Sharing ...

                              Michele                                             Donna W.                                            Donna W.

 

                                 Robyn O.                                            Loll                                           Linda W.

                               Linda W.                                         Linda W.                                    Linda W.

                                                                                        Robyn O.

Monochromatic - Design Element

Hi everyone.  This month we are showcasing the Monochromatic Design Element.  Keeping a card design in different shades of one colour makes very striking cards.

When creating Monochromatic cards, the one colour you choose should be the main focus of your design.  White, black, and metallic may be used for small accents.

If you do make cards, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!!

Different ways to create a Monochromatic design:

• Stamp, sponge, or stencil medium or light coloured card stock using Versamark to give you a tone-on-tone design.  Dark card stock doesn't work for this technique.
• Stamp, sponge, or stencil with different shades of one colour of your choice of medium (inks, watercolourings, pencils, markers, etc.)
• Stamp or stencil with Versamark (or shades of one colour) and heat emboss with clear to create a darker image than your card stock, which also has shine.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Monochromatic Card Samples

Julia

Susan

Loll

 

Brenda

 

Bonnie

Darnell

Christine

* * * * *

Sharing ...

Nance                                             Denise                                        Bobby

Loll                                               Pat                                            Bonnie

Robyn

We'll be back on the 28th of July

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Bokeh

Hi everyone.  Today we are showcasing an older technique which is a photographic technique adapted for card making.  This involves a background (either sponged, watercoloured or patterned paper) and layering of sponging through a circle stencil to create a very beautiful and unique background.

You can use a stencil with different-sized circles or create your own stencil using a piece of acetate or thin card stock and cutting different-sized circles with either punches or dies.

If you do make Bokeh cards, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!!

Videos: 

Bokeh made Easy by Dawn for WPlus9 (7:47)

Supplies:

• Colour:  1-3 colours of either watercolour paints, water-soluable inks, etc.
• Watercolour paper, mixed media, bristol (if watercolouring background)
• Regular card stock, mixed media, bristol (if sponging background)
• Different-sized circles stencil   OR   small circle punches or dies with acetate, vellum or thin card stock to create your own stencil
• Small finger dauber
• White Pigment ink

Alternate:

• Alcohol inks
• Yupo
• Alcohol Ink Lift pad   ... OR ... small amount of rubbing alcohol or blending solution applied lightly with sponge dauber

Technique Instructions:

Following the video above ...

• Create a background with sponging or watercolouring 1-3 colours of ink.
• Edited to add:  Use some of the sponged colours to add a few circles randomly over your panel.  This adds more depth to the overall finished look.
• Using a circle stencil, sponge white pigment ink using a small finger dauber.  Sponge circles randomly over your card front, moving stencil as needed.  Vary the sizes of circles and intensity of white ink (smallest circles are usually the brightest white; largest circles and softest white). 
• Make sure to overlap some of the circles as that helps to create depth.
• Finish the Bokeh card front as desired.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Bokeh Card Samples

Bonnie

Julia

Christine

Darnell

Loll

 

Brenda

 

Susan

 

 

* * * * *

Sharing ...

Michele                                           Robyn                                        Christine

Christine                                           Pat                                        Marcia

Marcia                                           Aimslee                                                     

We'll be back on the 28th of June

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!