Gina K. Designs - August 2023 Monthly Mix Challenge - Smackin' Acetate

This month, I was determined to participate in the August Monthly Mix Challenge on the Gina K. Designs & Stamp TV Friends Facebook page.  Gina challenged us to use the Smackin' Acetate technique.   I enjoyed watching Gina's video where she demonstrated 3 different ways to accomplish this technique.  I used ink cubes (Gina K's Blue Raspberry, Ocean Mist & Jelly Bean Green) smeared on acetate to create this technique.   It took a little practice since I don't believe I have ever done this technique before, but it was pretty fun, although kind of messy.  lol!!!

 

 I created this card last week but never had a chance to post it.  I giggled a little when I saw Gina's 'Foil it Friday' card last week.  Though my card is nowhere near as elaborate as Gina's, it made me smile that we might have been on the same wavelength when designing our cards.  Lol!!  But I flatter myself!!!

I had taken about a 6 year break from making cards.  I had just plain lost my mojo.  About a year ago, as I struggled to get back into card making, I found Gina's videos.  Her humor, her soothing voice and her inspiration really helped me find my card making creativity again.  It doesn't hurt that she is a fellow Wisconsinite.  

I used several Gina K. products for this card.  Other than the ink cubes I already noted, I used the butterfly stencil, butterfly die and the word 'friendship' die, all from the Create Friendship set.  For those stenciled butterflies, I used Gina K. Sweet Corn, Prickly Pear, Honey Mustard, Sea Glass, Powder Blue, Blue Denim and Slate ink cubes.  This was my first time using the Master Layouts 11.  I love that postage stamp look.  I used some layering weight white cardstock for the smackin' acitate technique, some basic black, and blue cardstock in the background and I used white cardstock for the card base and 3 mini pearls to bling it up.  

It does not show well on the photos, but I used a Gelly Roll Clear Star gel pen to outline the spots on the butterfly wings.  I love those gel pens. No matter what color you use, it just adds some subtle sparkle. It just seems to take on whatever color you are writing on.   I wish it showed on the pics.  

I had a blast playing along with this months challenge. Hopefully I'll get a chance to play along next month too.  

Keep that mojo going!

Joyce

With Sympathy and Prayers

 Recently, a good friend lost her baby brother to cancer - he was 44.  It was devastating news.  When he was born, she was like a second momma to him.  

I'm loving this set by Arjita Singh from Gina K. Designs called Sweet Memories.  Those flowers are just lovely and the sentiments are touching for some sad situations.  

For this A2 size card, I dragged out my much neglected Copic markers to color in the flowers and leaves.  I used a 3-D embossing folder to add dimension to the white cardstock, added a base of shimmery pink and mounted that to some printed paper from the Bo Bunny 6" paper pack called Pincushion.  The sentiments are from the same Sweet Memories set from Gina K. Designs.  I used Gina K. Designs Master Layouts 2 to cut out the white cardstock and the sentiments banner.  I fussy cut the "With Sympathy" sentiment and shadow.  I used 2 layers of foam tape to pop that banner to give it 

a lot of dimension. 

Happy Crafting!

Joyce

Summer Themed Challenges - Hero Arts and Simon Says Stamps

Summer Themed Challenges!!

It has been a very long time since I have participated in a challenge but both Hero Arts and Simon Says Stamps are having a great summer theme challenges.  What says summer more than daisies? 

We are camping this week, so I had to improvise with my photo a bit, but I think it turned out all right.  The card is resting on the spare tire of our motor home with the beautiful Wisconsin north woods in the background.  I will take the opportunity to craft anytime, anywhere!  

I used quite a list of supplies for this card.   That sentiment stamp and the die cut of the word blessing both come from the Hero Arts set Blessings Stamp & Cut.  They go perfectly together.  I cut about 3 or 4 of the word Blessings out of black cardstock and stacked them to create more strength and depth to that sentiment.  

For those daisies in the background, I used the Gina K Designs stencil from the Spring Daisies set.   I also used several Gina K inks - Powder Blue, Blue Denim, Grass Green, Fresh Asparagus and for the sentiment, I used Momento Tuxedo Black.  I also used the Gina K. Designs Master Layouts 2.  Such a handy set.  

That lovely, soft green gingham paper is from a Bo Bunny 6" paper pack called Pincushion.  

I will be entering this card in the current Hero Arts Stay Crafty Challenge - Celebrate Summer and the Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge - Summer Mood Board.  

Happy Sunday! Have a wonderful, safe week.

Joyce M.

May All Your Dreams Come True

We recently attended the high school graduation party for my great niece.  She is an exceptional young lady who is going to go far in life.  I wanted to create a card to reflect that.  

I am still learning when it comes to ink blending with stencils so I have been doing a lot of practicing.  I used this stencil I had in my craft room.  I am not even sure what brand it is.   The inks also were from my stash of supplies from many years ago.  Most are dew drops inks.  I like how this turned out but definitely will be getting more practice.  

This week, we are camping in Northern Wisconsin.  As usual, I packed a bunch of paper craft supplies with me and hope to spend a little time creating each day.  I have gotten a couple of cards completed and I hope to get those posted soon.  

More soon,

Joyce