Brayer backgrounds...

I have wanted to purchase a Brayer for a long time. I had seen crafters use it in lots of different ways.  When I got a gelpress, I had to get a brayer. I loved it so much, I ended up buying another one!  I have one for paint and one for ink.  Jennifer McGuire has two videos demonstrating ways to use a brayer. 

While you can use a brayer to apply ink to large background stanmps, your gelpress and embossing folders, you can also use it to apply ink directly onto the paper.  Rolling the brayer in the ink and then onto the cardstock will give you an interesting texture and you will never be able to make two backgrounds that looks exactly the same. I had loads of fun playing with my brayer, inks and different paper/ cardstock.  Have a look at these. 

This card background uses the matte side of some photo paper.  
A big die cut sentiment and this card is done.  How cool is that? 
You could do something similar in any other colour combination. 
I like ot use inks that "play nicely", mixing together without making brown. 
Of course, I think I used brown in this particular card, but usually I wouldn't. 

These cards look similar because they use the same colour combination. 
I used the shiny side of the photo paper for these cards. The card to the left
is made mostly from scraps.  The sentiments on these cards were cut from 
backgrounds that were also made using my brayer, ink and stencils. 

These cards are actually quite 'flat' but there is quite a bit of dimension. 
I achieved this, by rolling different shades of green ink on the card panel. 
There are darker and lighter spots on the card which sort of reminds me of 
a patchy field where the kids used to practice soccer. Using a grassy stencil
I ink blended over the top to give it a different texture. The hexagons were
just diecut from a hexagon nesting die set. Adding a simple sentiment strip,
finishes this card off perfectly.  No need for further embellishment. 

You could use any analagous colour combination and several different types of cardstock to play with this technique and make lots of backgrounds. One last card for you..

All the paper in this card was coloured using my gelpress.
The ink was applied using a brayer. It gives a softer feel. I really like it. 

Get out your Brayer and have a play.  See what you can make with it. 

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

One Stamp Set - Five Cards!

Here is another set of cards that I have made using just one stamp set.  Well, maybe not just one. This is the fabulous HB2U stamp set from Sugar Pea Designs.  It's probably retired.  It was first made for a Catherine Pooler Stamp of Approval collection.  It has a big sentiment of "Happy Birthday to you" and three balloon shapes, - circle, star and um, a long one - some confetti and a balloon string!  It's lots of fun.  I wasn't able to buy the dies for this, so the balloon die cuts are actually from another stamp set.  You could use any big birthday sentiment and balloon stamps and dies to make these cards. 

A technique I learned from a Jennifer McGuire video. 
It makes for a great effect on a simple card. 
1. Stamp the big sentiment, using the MISTI.
2. Use temporary adhesive to attach the balloon die cuts onto the cardfront.
3. Use the MISTI to stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment again. 
4. Remove the balloons and reattach them using foam tape to give some dimension.
5. Add other balloon die cuts (or stamping) around the sentiment to continue the fun. 

Just a swipe of ink smooshed on a craft mat, makes a messy background.
All that's needed is the big Birthday sentiment and some balloons. 
This card is so quick and easy. 

Just one balloon stamped in various colours, or all the balloon stamps, 
makes a great party back drop for the Happy sentiment. 
This card really took no time at all. I have made similar cards in various
colour schemes, like the ones below. 

This small stamp was a great price, because it was only 3x4.  I have used it to make so many different cards with it. It doesn't take much to make a great card with this stamp set.  Look at these. 

Two colours, one balloon stamp and the curly birthday
sentiment sets the scene for this fun and festive shaker card. 
I think this must be one of the easiest shakers I've made. 

Some patterned paper and this big birthday sentiment
are the perfect match for a quick and easy card. The font
on this sentiment seems to go with anything! 

I've had this stampset for more than 5 years. It was one of the first photopolymer stamp set I bought and it was so worth it!  I have made so many cards using this stamp set.  The ones I've shown you today are just a few of them.  Everyone needs a stamp set like this in their stash.  It's definitely been a staple in my stash since I bought it and while I have many more stamp sets, I still reach for this one often.  Sometimes I use the whole set, or just one stamp from it.  I was devastated when I accidentally tore the  sentiment when removing it from a block.  I couldn't bring myself to throw it away and I couldn't replace it.  I mended the stamp with some painters tape and it's not quite good as new, but it stamps well enough and the whole set lives on!  I'm curious, what is your birthday stamp set staple? Let me know in the comments.  

A Card by Request

#8 asked me to make her a card with a bunny. Sounds simple enough, right? 

Here's what I made. This card came together quite quickly too. 

Some simple ink blending with a grassy stencil, then some light blue ink blending set the scene. I die cut some white clouds to add some dimension to this card. I love the picket fence border die too. My neice (#8) loves Peter Rabbit.  I'm a bit of a fan myself. Of course this meant that the bunny had to be brown like Peter. I coloured the rabbit using alcohol markers and fussy cut it so I could stick it onto the ink blended background. 

#8 lives far away from us, so this "miss you" sentiment from Lawn Fawn's chit chat stamp (with co-ordinating dies) seemed fitting. 

Let me know in the comments, what are your favourite critter cards to make? 

Stay tuned for my critter card series starting next week! 

A Quickie Card- Hang in there!

Check out this card I made using things in my "backgrounds and extra bits" basket. 

I die cut a background to make the "hang in there". A pre-cut circle frame and an embossed panel, made this card so quick and easy.  I'm all for that right now. Is anyone else too tired to think?! I feel like I need to send this card to myself today! 

Catch you next time for some brayer backgrounds turned into cards. 😊 

Told you it was quick! 

Stencil Techniques

 Stencils are an excellent tool for your Crafty Stash!  Stencils are versatile and a great price. 

Ink Blend Stencils for Colourful Backgrounds

Suitable for any sentiment! :) 

Ink Blend to build a scene

Simple ink blending, with lighter hand around the center. 
Make space for a suitable sentiment. 

Ink Blend and Print for Positive and Negative Image

One colour, ink blends to make these bamboo trunks.

All this excess ink, would have gone to waste. 
Spraying with water, and stamping onto watercolour paper, 
makes this one of a kind print. 

Texture Pastes! 

Th silver background, is a luxe paste spread through the stencil-
just like frosting a cake. 

Ink Sprays

This card uses texture paste (on the red sentiment and banner).
The glittery background uses the same stencil with a shimmer spray. 
So sparkly! 

A drop of ink refill mixed with some pigment powder
and some water, makes a shimmery ink spray.
Even if you use the same stencil, each time
will give a unique look.  The powder collects
in different places. 

Stencils are so much fun to use. Basic stencils come in various shapes and sizes.  You can use them with so many different media - ink, paint, spray, texture paste, glitter paste and even pens.  The great thing about stencils, is you can usually make a lot of backgrounds or images quickly and they are easy to turn into cards. I haven't even covered how you can use stencils with a gel press! 

If you have stencils in your stash, I recommend you pull them out and have a play.  I'm certain you will have fun! 

Happy Crafting!