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4/03/2016

Christmas Card Club - Stencils

It's that time again when a group of card makers share Christmas Cards with a theme that one of the members has chosen. For Challenge 7 this week, Carol of CM Design selected  stencil or embossing folder. MoJo has been very scarce lately, but I decided to play with some Lindy's Magicals mica powder and Brusho-s and see what I could manage. Got some interesting backgrounds, tried using stencils with glass gel bead paste, that had been colored with a gold acrylic paint and some of the Colorburst Metallic gold. Word of advice: Mix up more colored paste than you think you will need!

Here goes with 3 cards and I'll tell you what's wrong with each of them. These would have worked great in Darnell's April Fool Boo-Boo contest! (Hang in there, as I did finally get a card done that wasn't quite so wonky looking as the first 3! LOL)



 
The red & green magicals & red & green brusho crystals were dropped into wells on a plastic palette, used a dropper to add water. The magicals were quite thick* (stirred these with a plastic toothpick to mix the colors). This was the 2nd background. The gold is from dropping the Colorburst Metallic gold onto the w/c paper after dabbing the magical & brusho colors around with a brush. Used the toothpick to drag the metallic gold around, as it comes out in a droplet. *this was the 2nd background, added more water droplets to the magicals to get a lighter color on this effort.
 
- Artplorations Tree Stencil used and spread some glass gel bead paste that had been colored with gold acrylic and Colorburst Metallic Yellow. Only used part of the stencil, and probably would have looked better to use the entire stencil, but wanted to leave a space for the greeting. Also should have had the stencil higher towards the top of the piece.
 
- TH Alteration EF (Nordic Reindeer) to emboss, looked straight when inserted into the folder but the finished result does look crooked. Gah!
 
- HLS Mixed Christmas Sentiment was 'inked' with the Nuvo glue pen and foiled. This did not work as nicely as expected, perhaps because of the folder embossing. Debating on scraping this foil off, restamping with versamark and using heat embossing powder. Deciding if the  tree is going to be covered as well!
 
#2 effort:
 
 This was the first background done, & the colors were a bit dark, but after drying, kept on trying to create something.
 
- Used the same Artplorations stencil, but instead of paste, used DI Fossilized Amber to sponge, and used the entire stencil shape. This DI looked much too dark, so went back over it with Brilliance Galaxy Gold, and it does look more 'gold' IRL. Had the stencil positioned ok, top to bottom, but not side-to-side {sigh}.
 
- Same TH embossing folder and then foiled. (the 2 pieces'  folder embossing and foiling were done at the same time) Even though the folder looked perfectly straight when the background was placed inside it...I was very careful doing this after seeing the crooked look in #1 card...it still looks a bit wonky.  This foiling turned out a bit better than the first attempt though.
 
#3--
 
- same supplies as used for the previous backgrounds, but this was a glossy c/stock which just mopped up what color was on the craft mat from the first 2 efforts. Actually it looks pretty good on the background, so will be experimenting with glossy c/s again. Used the other tree on the Artplorations stencil, mixed up some more glass gel bead paste, colored again, and spread this through the stencil. Not a great look. Ditto with the foiling. The foiling can be scraped off I've learned, and could always add a die cut sentiment over this. Not sure about the tree though.
 
These 3 warts need some major rework or else tossed. If time allows, will try again for a better Christmas Club effort. I shared these because quite often I get discouraged with my own efforts. It lifts my spirits when I see expert cardmakers that I admire, make boo-boo-s & share. I know that others go through the same process but when it seems everything you touch, falls to dust, and MoJo is gone walk-about, well.... That's why I share the warts! I hope my mistakes will help someone else when they are trying new techniques. Sometimes it works for you, sometimes it doesn't. But, oh my, when it's THREE in a row, and it's still not working...that's very discouraging!!! Will be interested in hearing your thoughts on fixes (or say: Toss 'Em!) - or how your experiments can turn out, and how you saved.
 
AHA! Finally......

Some time back my friend Hazel (My Card Attic) had done a sponged ornament (sorry I can't find the specific post) as she was practicing her sponging. Monkey see, Monkey try to do, so I had made this ornament. Used a circle die to shape the sponging area.Then a Tim Holtz poinsettia stencil & glass gel bead paste to add a poinsettia (yeah, this was in the Crapalanche). After thinking all day on Saturday, I hunted this ornament up to make a card. (Figured at least the main image done so that it was presentable, yeah?) This was just sponged on a piece of white c/s, with the raised paste area on it, didn't want to run through the Big Shot; hand cut it, added some Christmas Twine for the hanger.

Used a PB Stellar coverplate die to cute some pink 'non-Christmas' paper. Also had a Falling Snow dots embossed card front in the C pile, so inspiration for a card. Die cut adhered onto dotted card front, added to a side fold card. The ornament is popped up and used Wplus9 stamp set (the font is a heavier font than what I used on the other cards)...foiled with the Nuvo glue, and called it done!! Pretty fast compared to the agony of the 3 warts shared above. Apologies for the long post..I just felt blabby.

Before I go, let me give a big welcome shout out to a new follower. How wonderful to gain a new friend, rather than losing one as has happened of late. Hope you can take some time to hop over to say Hello to Bonnie of This Creative DayBonnie, thanks so much for becoming a follower and I hope you'll enjoy visiting.
 
Do please take time to visit my fellow team members (blog links in the right sidebar). I am certain they will be showing some amazing cards....And thanks for sharing in my card making adventures! As DH says "Some you win, some you lose. That's life". Have a great day. Hugs
 

44 comments:

  1. Well inky friend I admire you for all that work!...things don't always work my first effort for this challenge got mashed up when I dropped my cutting plates onto the wet dimension paste!..my second try the greeting smeared and my third attempt was a S*** it card...it was going up no matter what it looked like!....I reckon that they are all good to go!.......and the pink bauble is lovely....I bet you enjoyed all that play time in your craft room.Happy Sunday Mary.....xxxx

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  2. Wow Mary, you have played so much with colours and paste, uhu? :D Fabulous all your creations!! Beautiful blended colours and the gold is so rich and festive! Love expecially the last one in pink with this sponged bauble, it is just breathtaking!!! And the background that you have created for it looks amazing!! Great works!

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  3. Wow Mary you've been very busy playing! There are certainly lots of pretty and very interesting techniques you've used to make your lovely selection of cards. Barbxx

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  4. Maybe I am looking through rose coloured glasses but I think the 3 cards look great to me. I love the backgrounds and it's difficult to get the red and green together and look vibrant. The second card also looks cool with the he background. Love the last one as well because of the pinkish colour and the styling.

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  5. My word Mary, you did persevere didn't you, mind you they are fabulous backgrounds and you will be able to use them. Both your cards are gorgeous, I love the tree image and that bauble is stunning. Love them both, Kate x

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  6. You have been very busy mary and have got some interesting results and learned some things. Thats got to be good! Big hugs rachel x

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  7. All of the colors are amazing on your cards, Mary!! I just got brushos and had fun playing this weekend but I had to toss most of my cards...definite learning curve :) I love the ornament card!! It looks so beautiful!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  8. Well I certainly admire your tenacity Mary. If I thought I was doing so badly I think I would have given up after my second attempt. However, I do think we are definitely our own worst critic because I can't see too much wrong with them! But that gorgous pink ornament really is fabulous. Full markes for perseverance! Hugs Christine x

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  9. Hi Mary, Lovely cards. Really like the last two.

    Hope you have had a good weekend and the new week ahead is a good one. Sue

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  10. Oh my Mary this looks great. I love the bright colors on your first effort and the overall result of your final piece. Great work. Hugs Veerle x

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  11. Oh Mary, you're so hard on yourself. I actually think we all are. But I see beauty and art in these cards you call wonky. But the bauble one looks extra special, wowzers! Maybe I'll get on that monkey see, monkey do thing:)

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  12. Wow Mary, amazing cards. Love everyone of them. Sorry I'm late. Hugs Rita xx

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  13. I think the colours on the first card are totally fabulous, card no 2 I think would have been fine without the embossing.
    Love your last card, a super ornament and background.

    Kath x

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  14. Well all your cards look fabulous to me Mary, lot of playing goin on here! mind the bauble card is gorgeous, beautiful colour and details.
    Pam x

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  15. I think the first two are lovely and the first one shown has some pretty colours, and I think the tree is OK but if you don't like it you could mat over the top. I love the bauble and the background which is really pretty. You have persevered and sometimes things we make just don't appeal to us but are enjoyed by others so I think we are just too hard on ourselves sometimes. This coming from the biggest perfectionist ever..lol. Hope you have had a good weekend Mary. x

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  16. Wonderful backgrounds Mary, I love that you persevered as the cards are lovely! Cathy x

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  17. Wow! Beautiful designs, Mary! Gorgeous colors, and beautiful use of color and techniques and mediums. I love each card! Hugs, de

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  18. Mary you are way too hard on yourself - especially when you are trialing techniques - they may not be your 'usual' style, but they look fine to my eyes! I know we are our harshest critics, often because we start with one goal in mind and the card takes another direction altogther.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  19. Hi Mary. I really LOVE the background on your first card. Those colours works so well together. Amazing because they are opposites and I usually end up with brown mud when I use them. Yours looks amazing. And I love your gold tree.

    I will share something I learned about glass bead gel. I sponge colour through my stencil first, then clean off the stencil and add glass bead gel on top. I find that the glass beads sparkle a lot. Adding acrylic paint (or something opaque), effects the amount of sparkle from the glass beads. Hard for me to tell from your photos, but if you find you don't get the sparkle you want, try sponging colour and then adding glass bead gel right out of the jar (no additives). Just advice from my experience. I have lots of fails, but I just keep working until I find what works for me. :)

    Oh, and your pink ornament with the poinsettia is GORGEOUS!! Beautiful colours, beautiful design, and great products. Way to go! xx

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  20. Well Mary, first off, let me say that when I saw your cards with those pretty backgrounds I thought how lovely they were. Secondly, you know how much trouble I have with things going wrong, as I have posted about it enough times. Like you, I think it helps others. Thirdly, I have found that if you keep - what you think of as failures, you will always find someone in the future coming up with that very failure as a 'new' technique and you can dig it out and use it! LOL These techniques are not as easy as they make them look (I wonder just how many of these things are 'first takes'. Remember, the only failure is, not trying in the first place . . . at least we try my friend! Have a great week! Hazel xx
    My Card Attic

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  21. WOW!! You have been busy! I think your cards look good

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  22. Wow Mary! fantastic cards! I love them!
    xoxo Olga

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  23. I know how frustrating it is to work so hard and not be satisfied with the results. A while back I really began to dislike daffodils. You should have seen what went in the trash! For some reason I was compelled to keep trying and finally got some going in good shape. I love your gorgeous Christmas ball! The subtle poinsettia makes it extra elegant and the larger sentiment took the foiling much better. If at first.....

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  24. Fabulous works of inky art, gorgeous colour tones, wonderful additions and super fabulous design.xxx  {aNNie}

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  25. Wish I knew how the first 3 were boo boo's, as far as I can tell they are wonderfully textured bright and beautiful cards. Love what you have done with them.

    The ornament card, oh! I do so admire your cutting a circle out, great background, love the large sentiment.

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  26. Well practice and perseverance pays dividends. I like your no 3 card but oh my goodness card no 4 is a real stunner. Love the colours. Hugs Mrs A.

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  27. Oh golly Mary, if I had a penny for every mistake I made, I would be rich now!! I do really love the beautiful background on your first card, it really is beautiful. Perhaps you could put a mat of some kind over it, it would be a shame to throw it away. I also love the last card you made, again, the colours are really beautiful.

    I do hate it when I make mistakes but if it teaches me something then it is always worth it! Hugs, Anne xx

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  28. Look at you going all mixed media on us! And I'm loving every minute of it! Your backgrounds are amazing and each of these cards is stunning! Hugs, Autumn

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  29. Gosh Mary you have had a good inky time! Love the brushos background on the first card!

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  30. I admire you for soldiering on. I usually call it a day after two non-working cards in a row. Your mixed media projects just need more practice until it comes out right so at least you are getting the practice. Your ornament card came out wonderful so you still have in you!

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  31. Lots of creative juices flowing here Mary! Very pretty creations indeed. Love the last one especially. It is obvious that you had a fun time creating these beauties!

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  32. Wow Mary what fabulous colors and creative designs.

    Hugs Diane

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  33. Well, I am in admiration of you that you kept trying. But honestly, I don't see anything wrong with your first 3 cards. The backgrounds are stunning! The embossing doesn't look wonky to me at all, but I have wonky eyes. lol I've never even used brusho's or glass gel beads, so you are way up on me. Never used any of that stuff. So I am going to say fix what you don't like and leave the rest because they really are pretty cards. Hazel is a fabulous card maker, she awes me all the time! So I can see why you were inspired by her. Your pink ornament is simply gorgeous! I love the raised poinsettia on it, that pink background die is amazing and what I love the best is that you used colors that aren't traditional. I love Christmas cards with pink in them!! Thanks for sharing your tips and tricks for us to learn as well. Maybe one day I will try one of these amazing products. Then you will most likely see failures!! lol I guess we all can be great at everything. I know I definitely am not. Hugs, Brenda

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  34. Brilliant selection and I would have been more than happy with the fabulous "failures" they are all brilliant and love the pink bauble
    carol x

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  35. I'm glad you shared all your cards and your process. I too do the same -- but I enjoy the creating and playing even If I don't use it -- and my husband says, "You spent all day in their and only made ONE card?!" umm - yup!

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  36. You did end up with a spectacular card! I was late posting this time for a variety of reasons. I find embossing and/or stenciling to be a challenge. But I did have fun and will keep on working.
    I love your sponged effect - and I know in person it is really a wow of a card - Bravo!!
    Sandy xx

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  37. Well I think its brilliant to share our boo boos as you said so others can see we are not perfect all the time (though this doesn't happen much of course). Remember to keep all boo boos for Darnells challenge next year.
    As to your cards I love card No1. i think it is stunning, of course cause it contains all my much loved colours, I think you are being too hard on yourself it is stunning. As is your 4th card with the Christmas ball. Wonderful

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  38. The background on your first card looks so beautiful; love those warm and sunny colours! Think their is a good base to make something of it... And the sponged bauble looks wonderfull!

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  39. Being too hard on yourself again, Mary!!! I think the bgs you created are great and the gold trees are lovely!!!! Put it aside for a day or two and then get back to it - I'm sure you're going to look at it with new eyes and see that it's quite OK!!!! The last card with the ornament is lovely!!!
    Hugz

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  40. These are all so gorgeous and unique, Brusho are such an amazing tool to use!

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  41. Sorry I'm late here Mary, had a few things happening.
    What trials and tribulations you have had with these pesky cards, thanks for sharing your boo-boo's, you are very brave for doing so but it does help to remind us that we all have them and we're not alone. Mr Mojo doesn't always play nicely and our efforts aren't always rewarded with a perfect card, however your determination and perseverance paid off in the end with the gorgeous pink bauble card, well done it's gorgeous!
    Lorraine

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  42. Hi Mary
    Fabulous cards.... Love them all...
    Hugs Sylvie xx

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  43. Mary, I admire you for keeping going when in your eyes things weren't how you wanted them to be! This whole crafting lark is a huge learning curve and if we stuck to what we knew it would get pretty boring...and we wouldn't need all these new crafting goodies!
    I love your backgrounds and your third tree looks perfect on the lighter one. Your bauble is so pretty and the background is perfect. Carol x

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