Altenew Designer

Hello my crafty friends!

Today I have an amazing and exciting news to share with you. 

I am so excited to announce that I am a part of Altenew Design Team! I am so thrilled and honoured of this opportunity to work with this group of very talented people and with one of my favourite stamp companies. Thank you Tasnim and Jennifer for asking me. 

Altenew is announcing the team within these two weeks in every other day so please check out the Altenew blog to see the rest of the team! There are pretty awesome ladies there! 

I have a card to share as well. Since, it's for the Altenew Design Team Introduction I wanted to make something that has all the things that I love at the moment and here it is: flowers with watercolours!

Stamp sets used: Lacy Scrolls and Sketchy Rose.

I started drawing a circle with my pencil and stamped bigger flowers from Lacy Scrolls with Spun Sugar onto a watercolour paper. I stamped the leaves from the same set with Black Soot - I stamped the third (or fourth) generation onto the panel - to achieve a very very light image. Then I started adding shading with my watercolour set. After, I cut the window with my craft knife and trimmed the a little border off from both edges. I stamped the sentiment from Sketchy Rose with black pigment ink. Then I adhered a black card stock underneath the watercolour panel and then adhered the whole panel onto my card base. 

I filmed this while I coloured it but my Spun Sugar DI is so dry that it hardly left any stamped image onto a paper so I really had to colour very closely to paper so the filming was unsuccessful. That is also the reason why I had to improvise in the middle of the flowers. BUT, I'll promise to make successful video with this technique, this really isn't that difficult as it may seem. In my opinion, this is one of my best cards that I have ever made and I am so pleased with the outcome - although it bled at the top but I consider it to be beauty spot.. LOL!

Supplies:

Stamps: Lacy Scrolls and Sketchy Rose by Altenew

Cardstock: Canson Watercolor paper 180g/m2, Papermania Premiun Texured Cardstock

Inks: Spun Sugar and Black Soot Distress Inks, Versafine Onyx Black

Watercolours: Kuretake Gansai Tambi: no. 34, 36 (pinks) and 20 (black)

Card base: Papermania A6 300gsm

Tools:

Hanart no.0 watercolour brush

Acrylic blocks

Craft knife

Paper trimmer

Stamp-a-magic

Thank you for sharing these wonderful news with me. Have an amazingly great day! See you soon!

Marika

CAS(E) this Sketch #112 and Time Out Challenge #25

Good Afternoon!

First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for a very warm and kind welcome of my first crafting video that I made. It was a quite a lot of work to learn how to edit it and I am SO pleased that you liked it. There are more videos coming soon. It just have been such a busy weeks lately that I hadn't have time to edit any or even craft. 

But I did have time to make this card inspired by the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch and the theme from Time Out Challenge:

This is my entry to the CAS(E) this Sketch #112 and to
the Time Out Challenge #25.
This card got Honourable Mention at CTS. 

When I saw the latest sketch at the CAS(E) this Sketch I immediately thought of design paper to be used at the bottom of the card. I don't know why, since I hardly ever use design papers in my cards. Then when I saw the Rock around the Clock -theme at the Time Out, I remembered that one of the stamps on the Label Love stamp set says U Rock! And I got this idea of a brick wall! LOL! I am in a need of a masculine thank you card, so this idea was very handy for me.

I started with masking off the bottom portion of a card and inked up the upper part of the card with Black Soot and Pumice Stone Distress Inks. I tried to be loose and achieve kind of an uneven look. Then I stamped first, second and third generation stamping with Black Soot DI with U Rock from Label Love by Altenew and created this brick wall illusion. This time I went for the distress look in purpose. For the "sentiment" I used Versafine Satin Red. At the bottom of a card I wanted to add some fun and drew a whole with black marker and eyes that looked at us in the whole. This idea comes from Mauri Kunnas' children books, my girls love them I read these a lot. At least my Finnish speaking friends will recognize these eyes for sure but I believe some of his books are translated into English too. After the brick wall was done, I added to here and there very very loosely Black Soot and Pumice stone DI with my ink pending tool to get the scuffed and worn-out look. Then I dry embossed the thanks sentiment from Wplus9 and added a same diecut on top of it. I did this because I really like the look of inlaid die cutting but I don't like the puzzle work that it involves and this die cut has a lot little tiny parts. So by embossing it first and then adhering the die cut afterwords, I think I was able to achieve quite similar look with no puzzle work. For the finishing touch I added a few star confetti from Hobbycraft and clear Wink of Stella onto the sentiment.

Here are some close-ups:

I will link this card into these challenges:
CAS(E) this Sketch #112 - the sketch
Time Out Challenge #25 - I used the word Rock in my card

Here are the graphics:

Thanks for visiting! Have a wonderful day!

Marika

My first crafting video! Jippii!

Good Morning!

Today I don't have a new project to share but I have a video from an older card that I made. I made this card for the CAS(E) this Sketch two weeks ago and filmed it while making it. I haven't edited a video before so it took me some time to get this video ready for to go public and I wanted to share this card at the CTS that week. That's why these two are not in the same post.

I would more than appreciate your feedback - any kind. I know that this video is quite long and next time I'll make a shorter one. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. If you don't want to say it publicly, please send me an email. I really would love to here what you really think, what I should keep and what I should change.

So here it goes.

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant - Up and Away, Onnea- sentiment by Sinelli 
Inks: Versacolor Blue Sky (38) Distress Ink Faded Jeans, Antique Linen, Versafine Onyx Black
Dies: Leane Creatief Lea'bilities 45.9012
Cardstock: Neenah Solar White 80lb, Canson Watercolor paper 180g/m2
Derwent Inktense Pencils: Chinese Ink (2030), Spring Green (1550), Light Olive (1540), Sun Yellow (0200), Cadmiun Orange (0250), Sepia Ink (2010), Carmine Pink (0520)
Derwent Metallic Pencils: Pewter (81), Silver (80)
Black Marker (Stabilo)
Scotch Permanent Mounting Tape
Mono Multi Liquid Glue

Tools:
Ranger Mini Blending Tool
Derwent Waterbrush (2)
Stamp-a-magic
Fiskars Plus Moomin Kids Scissors Little My
Post-it notes
Acrylic blocks

Music: http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Thank you for visiting. I hope you liked it. Have a great day!

Marika

CAS(E) this Sketch #111 and Inkspirational #76

Afternoon!

This is my entry to the CAS(E) this Sketch #111
and to Inkspirational #76- challenge.

I have a sister who LOVES Twilight Saga and she asked if I could make a card inspired by the covers of those books. I also went and looked up a few challenges that influenced me in a process of making this card. The sketch is from CAS(E) this sketch. When I saw the inspiration photo of current challenge at Inkspirational I was inspired by the ATTITUDE that girl has! Then I got an idea of using this Painted Poppy by Altenew. 

I chose to use the solid stamp and inked it with Versafine Onyx Black and then heat embossed it with Rainbow Black Embossing powder. This embossing powder has a cool red glitter in it so it gave this card a little bit interest. I tried to be loose as I could with the watercolour background, I used Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour set. I also added a little bit Black Soot Distress Ink on the edges to define them a bit more. I also added little die cuts around the watercolour piece to demonstrate the circle in the sketch. Stamped the sentiment also from the same Painted Poppy stamp set with black pigment ink and cut it out and adhered it with foam squores.

Not really me this time, but I had a lot of fun being outside of my comfort zone.

I will enter this card into these challenges:
CAS(E) this Sketch #111 - the sketch
Inkspirational #76 - I was inspired by her attitude

Here are the challenges' graphics:

Thank you for visiting, I'll be back with my usual style next time. Have a great day!

Marika

Muse Challenge #105

Good Afternoon!

This is my entry to the Muse Challenge #105.

You all know by now that I adore Dawn's watercolouring and her illustrations. When I saw her wall art made with Pick of the Litter- stamp set few weeks ago I got this little idea if I could make one of my own - I mean use a stamp as my focal point and then watercolour the background. It took me a few weeks to finally take a brush into my hand try. Here is my creation. The stamp is from Penny Black a stamp set called Bundle of Joy. Very cute images all of them, I should use them more often.

I was inspired by this week's Muse card by Marion Vagg. I love her simple design and thought it would be perfect for a little watercolouring at the centre. Since this card is for a baby boy I first thought I would make the card base blue like Marion but then I loved the white-on-white- effect. I started with stamping the baby hedgehog onto a piece of watercolour paper with Versafine Onyx Black. Then I watercoloured the background and the hedgehog with Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour set. I dry embossed the background with my Big Shot, I can't remember the name or the manufacturer of the embossing folder. Sorry. I added a little paper twine bow to get some interest. I felt that this card doesn't need a sentiment since it is my first freehand watercolour "painting" I wanted to leave it as it is. 

Here is Marion's beautiful card:

 

Thank you for visiting. Have a great day!

Marika

CAS(E) this Sketch #110 and Seize the Birthday

Good Afternoon!

This is my entry to the
Seize the Birthday Card Challenge.

This is my entry to the
CAS(E) this Sketch #110- Challenge.
This card was a Winner at the CTS.

Inspiration for both of these cards comes from this week's CAS(E) this Sketch.  When I saw Leigh's sketch I immediately saw Clouds! I used the sketch for both. For the Balloon I was also inspired by Dawn's way to colour it like old storybook way. Here is Dawn's tutorial for that colouring method. I tried to leave those hard edges for to get the look but... well I will try this again for sure.

I stamped the balloon from Lawn Fawn onto a watercolour paper with Black Soot Distress Ink - I used third generation stamping. Then I watercolored the image with Kuratake Gamsai Tambi watercolour set. I stamped the sentiment - says Congratulations in Finnish and added a few sequins.

For the second card, I stamped the critter and the umbrella from Mama Elephant onto a watercolour paper with Antique Linen Distress ink and coloured it with Derwent Inktense Pencils. I cut them out. Then I diecut a cloud stencil with one of dies and added Faded Jeans DI and Blue Skye Versacolour ink with my ink blending tool. I adhered the critter and the umbrella with foam tape and liquid glue. I stamped the sentiment and added a few sequins to get some interest. 

Edit: I filmed this while making it but edited it a week later. If you want to see how I made this, please head over to my youtube channel:

I will link these cards into these challenges:

CAS(E) this Sketch #110 - the sketch (I was actually able to follow the sketch this time! Very proud of myself! LOL! In case you are new to my blog, I usually never am able to do that, I have to add or leave something out for some odd reason) 

Seize the Birthday Anything Goes - A birthday card for a boy

Here are the Challenges' Graphics:

Thank you for stopping by today! Always pleased to here what you think. Have a great day!

Marika

CAS(E) this Sketch #109

Good Afternoon!

This is my entry to the CAS(E) this sketch #109 and
Runway Inspired Challenge #77 - Jenny Packham.
This card got Honourable Mention at the CTS.

I made this card for the CAS(E) this Sketch and I took the colour theme from Runway Inspired Challenge. I saw that challenge inspiration photo and it was so gorgeous that I had to take part. This card ended up being totally different what I had in mind in the first place, so it is not quite what the inspiration was for. 

I started with stamping the Peony Scrolls by Altenew and Pretty Little Peonies by Wplus9 with Versafine Smoky Grey onto this grey card stock. I coloured the flowers with Derwent Coloursoft Pencils. After, I stamped the sentiment from a stamp set called Sketchy Rose by Altenew with Versamark and heat embossed it with Vanilla White Embossing Powder. I added the paper twine, a few sequins and that little light blue border.

I will link this card into these challenges:

CAS(E) this Sketch #109 - the sketch

Runway Inspired #77 - Jenny Packham - The colour theme

Here are challenges' graphics:

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you are a having a wonderful day!

Marika

CAS(E) this Sketch #108

Good Afternoon my crafting friends!

This is my entry to the CAS(E) this Sketch #108.
This card was CTS Favourite.

You all know by now that I like to participate to CAS(E) this Sketch every time I have a chance. Well, when I saw this week's sketch, my head was empty - no ideas at all. Those horizontal lines outside that box just wasn't talking to me. So, I made this window card instead. It probably is not what the sketch was made for, but hopefully you are still able to see the elements on it. 

I am a big fan of Dawn Woleslagle from Wplus9. I've admired her colouring and watched her tutorials many times - actually she is the main source from where I have learned to colour. She is amazing and when this stamp set Flora and Fauna 2 was released and she made watercolour tutorial how to colour these hummingbirds, I was just blown away how beautiful creations she was able to achieve with just "adding colour to here and there". She says that colouring these birds isn't difficult. I was like... yeah right! But look, I am pretty impressed myself! Her tutorial is so amazing and you can watch it here. I did one thing differently, I used Derwent Inktense Pencils instead of Distress Markers to get those details and I think they worked very well with this technique too.

Here are what the card looks open up and a close-up from the humming bird.

I stamped the flowers and birds from Flora and Fauna 2 by Wplus9 with Memento Desert Sand ink and watercolored them with Spiced Marmalade and Gathered Twigs Distress Inks. I added details with Derwent Inktense Pencils. The front panel and sentiment is stamped with Versafine Vintage Sepia. After I cut the window I masked the frame and inked it with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.

I will enter this into these challenges:

CAS(E) this Sketch #108 - the sketch

Here are the challenge's graphics:

Thank you for visiting and I hope you are having a great day! See you soon!

Marika

Inkspirational #75 and Card Concept Challenge #27

Good Evening Everyone!

This is my entry to the Card Concept Challenge #27
and Inkspirational Card Challenge #75.

I made this card and filmed it while making it. It was made with the same technique as one of the cards at the Altenew Guest Design post and I was asked to make a tutorial to show how I coloured it. Well, I don't have a video you, unfortunately I was only able to film my head.... although I tried to avoid it. Maybe next time. :) 

The inspiration for this card comes from these two challenges. Valentine's Day is coming up and love is in the air. In Finland, we celebrate friendship at Valentine's day and that is why I need more "friend" cards other than "love" cards. I loved the colours at Card Concept and wanted to participate with this friendship card. Hopefully it is ok. I also made this card Inkspirational's colour challenge in mind. I only read the key word - Rose - and started to make it. After I was done I noticed that there was no craft card stock at the neutrals list.. Hopefully it is ok too? If not, please delete my card.

I started this card with stamping the sentiment from Altenew with Versamark and heat embossed it with Vanilla Opaque White embossing powder. After, I stamped the flowers and leaves from Whimsical Flowers set by Altenew with Memento Desert Sand ink. I coloured the flowers with Derwent Coloursoft and Faber-Castell pencils.

I will link this card into these challenges:
Inkspirational Card Challenge #75 - Use rose colours
The Card Concept Card Challenge #27 - Love, I was inspired by the colour combo

Here are the challenges' graphics:

Thank you for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day! 

Marika

Muse Challenge #102 and CASology #131

Good evening everyone!

This is my entry to the Muse #102- challenge.

This is my entry to the CASology #131- challenge.

My Godson turned two this month and her sister turned four. They had combined birthday party today and I wanted to make cards for them. 

I started with stamping the images from Purple Onion Designs onto a watercolour paper with black pigment ink. I coloured the images with Derwent Inktense pencils and cut them out. After that I created background by stamping the Purple Onion Designs backgrounds stamps with grey ink. I coloured them with Derwent coloursoft pencils. I added snow by going over some areas with Versamark pen and then adding either white or Clear Silver Highlight Embossing powder and heat set them. I inked the sky with Versacolour Sky Blue pigment ink. I die cut circles onto panels that will be my card front and stamped the sentiment from Avery Elle (Oh Happy Day) and Tiddly Inks (Happy Birthday). Then I put the cards together. For the final touch, I added Wink of Stella for the penguin's hat to add some shimmer.

I will enter these cards into these challenges:

Muse Card Challenge #102 - I was inspired by the die cut window and a critter on top of the front panel. 

CASology Card Challenge #131 - Birthday card. Maybe mine isn't traditional birthday card with balloons and cakes but I wanted to make something a bit different.

Here are the challenges' graphics:

Thanks for visiting! Hopefully you're having a great day! See you soon!

Marika