Dragonfly Card

I LOVE this card, it uses alcohol inks, acetate, embossing and stamping to create a gorgeous dragonfly that really pops with vibrant colour, and the technique to create the water ripples is a winner... It is really easy as well, making use of the Blossom Punch and the Mixed Bunch stamp set. Look out for my NEW feature coming up called "WOW! HOW?" where I will take you step-by-step on HOW to make something WOW! The first one will be how to make one of these gorgeous shimmery dragonflies, inspired by those seen at the London Wetland Centre - if you are abound London at all this summer it is well worth a visit:

Here is the view of the dragonfly from the side, so you can see the distinct layers, one of stamped and coloured acetate and the other of mirri-card. The dragonfly is mounted onto an embossed panel of Pool Party card stock, inked with Pool Party inside the embossing folder - actually a wood grain design, but it works really well as water ripples I think!

A front view for you finally, so you can see the glitter I added to accent the design, and the beautiful rhinestones that have been stuck along the body. You can see the ripple pattern from the embossing in the background as well:

I hope you like the card - I have used several of the Stampin' Up!® In Colours for this card, but the Concorde Crush (that beautiful deep blue used for the background on the main card) will be retiring this year so get your hands on it soon if you love it!

The recipe is below, but don't forget to check back soon for the NEW "WOW! HOW?" feature.

Happy Crafting!
Becky

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Mixed Bunch, Everything Eleanor
Inks: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, StazOn, various alcohol inks (non SU)
Card Stock: Concorde Crush, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Mirri-card (non SU)
Punches: Blossom
Other: Rhinestones, glitter (non SU), acetate (non SU), Woodgrain embossing folder (non SU)

I am entering this particular card into 4 challenges:
inky impressions challenges - use dies or punches I have used the blossom punch and coordinating Mixed Bunch stamp set to qualify for this challenge.
lej designs challenge blog - #13 - bling-bling Glitter and Rhinestones, what more can you ask for!?
my time to craft challenge - #183 - make it wet This challenge is anything to do with water, so a dragonfly should be perfect!
always crafting - #12 - Water another one based around Water, I entered this challenge a few weeks back with a masculine card: take a look at it by clicking HERE!

Triple Treat Flower

A simpler style of card for you today, but really fun and contemporary - I like it! A really quick and easy card to put together also makes it a handy one to have up your sleeve if you need a card in a hurry...

A close up of the layers of the flowers. Each flower and the leaves have been punched from the same stamp, just using different colours. Extra interest is created by added texture in the form of a simple scored border around both the red and white panels.

Well I hope you like it, and the recipe it listed below. If you love this stamp like I do, you might want to check out some other things you can do with it by clicking the link HERE.

Happy Crafting!

Recipe:

Stamp Sets: Triple Treat Flower

Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade

Card: Poppy Parade, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade

Ribbon: Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine.

Punches: Fancy Flower, 5 - Petal Flower, Crop-O-Dile

Tools: Cuttlebug, Perfect Polka Dots (Embossing Folder)

Other: Brad (non SU), foam pads.

Something for the Men...

Wow, have I had a busy week! It was the Guide Dog Social at the weekend and it was great to catch up with everyone. Unfortunately Odelle started her first season last week which meant that we could not take her to the event with us as she would have proved very diverting for the other puppies! I will see if I can pop some photos of the event up here later.

In the meantime all this rain has put me in a nautical frame of mind, so I thought I would share one of my personal favourites with you today, a card using the Sail Away stamp:

So how did I do it? First I stamped the image using StazOn black ink onto watercolour paper, before using masking fluid to paint in the sails. Masking fluid is a great substance available from most art and craft shops, that prevents water based inks (and other inks for that matter!) from reaching the paper underneath. Once the fluid was dry I applied a wash of various Stampin' Up! blues and greens with the brilliant water brushes. Again allow to dry, then simply rub off the masking fluid with your fingers!

Ripped edges to the card add to the rustic feel, and the linen thread from SU! makes the most fantastic nautical 'rope'. Eyelets coloured white using white StazOn are reminiscent of portholes, and the little charm is one from my stash (sorry but not SU).

Let me know what you think of it!
Becky

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Sail Away
Card Stock: Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Watercolour paper.
Inks: StazOn (Black and White), Old Olive, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point
Ribbon: Linen Thread
Other: Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, charm (non SU)

I am also entering this make in just the one challenge today:
Always Crafting - #11 - for men
A self explanatory topic for this challenge! Take a look at the DT work some great colouring skills on show there!