Hallo and Welcome to the 25th of Another Month!
That means it is time for the monthly blog hop at Nicole Heady's Papertrey Ink blog and it's time for the monthly Christmas card Rudolph Day hookup at Maureen's Scraps of Life by Scrappy Mo blog.
So using PTI products and my own Twofer Campaign, I made these:
Nicole suggested that we use the quatrefoil die (or the like) over a watercolored background, like this, smooshed or otherwise:
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| photo credit: Micklyn via society6 |
I was curious to see if I could apply Versamark ink directly to a die in the same way that I would with a stamp and then heat emboss the image. I'll be darned if it didn't work! Here are the two dies I used. The large one is the PTI quatrefoil cover plate die and the small one is the PTI text block Christmas die.
Details
For this first one I used the faux watercolor technique that you've seen me use often of late, where you ink your stamp or your acrylic block, mist it, and then stamp it to paper. I am currently sorting through my Mt. NBUS and labeling schtuff and I had just come across the PTI "Birthday Style" set, so I thought I would juezz up my card by adding a sexy corner squiggle. Then I cut a fishtail flag, walked the edges around a marker, and stamped the sediment from SU. Wallah!
Wait. What? It turns out that the PTI Birthday Style die makes three squiggles if you don't break the die apart, and so naturally Hammy started fiddling around with adding another squiggle in the corner ... or maybe in the other corner ... or on top ... or hey! I cut another set and made a mirror squiggle because to me it looks like a giant holly leaf. Yes? In an arty-farty way? If you squint at the squiggles?, she asks, cocking her head to the side.
In addition to the PTI Blog Hop and Rudolph Day Challenge, I'm also entering my card in these challenges:
In addition to the PTI Blog Hop and Rudolph Day Challenge, I'm also entering my card in these challenges:
- Retrosketch: Sketch below.
- Addicted to Stamps and More: Holiday
~~~
For my twofer card, I wet a piece of watercolor paper and swirled on my cheap dime-store watercolor paints. I don't like that the pattern looks a bit like a map of the world, exspecially because of all that ocean turquoise blue, but that's where the colors wandered, so that's what I went with. It's very unlike a map of the world close-up IRL.
Also, the embossed Christmas text script is hard to read in photos, but is very clear and pretty IRL. I thought I would be arty-farty with this one, too, in the use of my colors. And also, the middle raindrop is light pink IRL, but it looks lavender on screen. The raindrops are from Crafty Notions.
The card base is embossed with a Craft Concepts e/f called "Stately." True story: I saw this folder on my friend Cathy's blog, so I asked her who made it and she told me. I was able to find it online, but only via Amazon UK and it could not be shipped to America. So I emailed my friend Di and asked her if she would buy it for me and mail it to me, which she promptly did.
Are we a cool supportive community of friends or what?!
Challenges
- Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge: Nontraditional Christmas colors.
- Christmas Card Challenges: Anything Goes.
- Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Anything Goes.
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122 comments:
Love your watercoloured cards Darnell and that technique sounds like such fun:) Hugs xx
What a great way to use your dies like stamps!! Love your cards - especially the arty - farty holly!!
Blessings
Maxine
Very cool technique, wouldn't have thought that would have worked so well! Love the bg colours, so perfect for XMas and fab to see you at Atsm
Watercolor Wonders Darnell, and sooooo many techniques for me to try! TFS! Xxx
What fabulous effects Darnell and inking dies?!! What a brill idea, going to try that one xx
What a happy colors! Very springly and beautiful. And so good idea to use dies like stamps, thanks for that :)This embosing is realy nice i love it too! This little crafty corner of our world is really blessing of friendship :)
Such a clever idea, you are one very smart and talented lady!! Your cards are beautiful with those colours blended wonderfully together xx
All lovely cards. It's nice to see colours.
Hope you have a good day. Sue
What bright cheery cards Darnell, and the technique you used is one I must try.
Hugs
Carol x
Lovely watercolour cards Darnell great colours and love the technique
Anne
Hallo Darnell,
your bright springcolors on X-mas cards made me smile... love your Idea how you use the dies
CU hellerlittle
Really wonderful, Darnell.
Thank you very much for this fantastic ionspiration.
Best regards, Synnöve
WOW - jolly and bright festive makes here Darnell . .. fantastic.
HAPPY RUDOLPH DAY!
That Di is a FAB FRIEND isn't she? Love her to bits.
Hugs, Sarn xxx
What a happy and cheery card Darnell. I love the design.perfect colours too. Have a Good Day. Hugs Rita xxx
These came out lovely and thanks for the new technique that I will have to get to try very soon. I would have never thought of inking up a die. Fun, cheery holiday cards. Enjoy your day.
Wow these are lovely and have worked really well. Gorgeous cards and such happy colour Hugs :)
I like the bright fresh colors on both of these Darnell!! I thought your second pretty card was in a frame at first glance!! That's a nifty embossing folder. You're braver than I with the watercoloring. The lack of control prevents me from diving in LOL!!
What a fun idea. How awesome that it works. Your cards look fantastic!
Two beautiful cards Darnell and lovely fresh and pretty w/c backgrounds. What a great technique you invented which I will try myself in the near future. x
Arty and Farty! You're just brilliant, you know that???!!! I'd have never thought to Versamark a die...and WOW!, it turned out to be amazing my friend! Love these bright colors, and I can see the lavender too. That ef all the way from the UK is fantastic! We've got to get some of those here in the States. I love that! Two beauties here! LOVE them. Have a good Wednesday. Missing you. Might have to give you a call one of these days...xoxo Bev
Beautiful cards Darnell and thanks for the tip on using Versamark on coverplates...why didn't I think of that???? You are SO clever! Have fun hopping today! :0)
Aren't you the cleverest to try that with your dies and it looks fantastic, especially with the wonderful background colours xx
Good use of your dies. Love your untraditional Christmas colors. I like that embossing folder, too.
Eye-poppingly stunning cards Darnell and loving all the bright colours! WoW! Christmas is coming!!!! Not too quickly though! Thanks for linking up at ATSM Sarah xx
What wonderful talents and awesome amounts of cleverness you showcase with these two cards - love the backgrounds and the lovely techniques you have used - these 2 cards are absolute SHOWSTOPPERS!!!! Thanks for the ideas and the inspiration!! YOu have a wonderful day, ok???
what a brilliant idea to try Darnell with the dies and Versamark. I love your cards, sarah.x
Darnell, two great takes on this challenge. So pretty.
Well who knew that you could ink up dies like this?!! You are one clever chick Auntie!! I love the looks you got with both of them and yes, when I enlarge the pictures you can see the embossing perfectly. I love the beautiful water colors and inks that you used and I love how festive both of these cards are! Such a cool supportive community of friends for sure! That's the great thing about friends, they are always there for you!! Hugs, Brenda
You've shown us all yet another way to use our dies to their full potential! WTG and thanks! I love both of these cards - they're beautiful!!
Oh, these are so cool!
Darnell, that was a great idea to use versamark directly on the die, then emboss. I am in awe. These came out great. Bless Hammy's heart, he is just full of good ideas too.
What a cool technique and such pretty colors! Love that framing. I'd looked for that EF once. Couldn't find it so I forgot about it. Still love it though.
Wow, Darlene, these are gorgeous, fabulous colours, bright and cheerful, the backgrounds are amazing, fabulous work!
hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design
Learn something new every day...now I have to give it a try! Two great cards today!
Fantastic technique that you invented. You should do a make it monday video! Love your backgrounds, too.
Your cards are beautiful (the Christmas card is my fave)- I have GOT to try your technique with the direct to die ink- I love the look!
Fantastic Darnell
hugs :)
Darnell - you are hilarious! and your cards are like you - bright and full of color! I read your whole post too :-) and I liked seeing your fun take on the challenge. (sexy corny squiggles and all) - girl you crack me up!
Bright and fun and slightly cheeky! Just like you!!! lol
Wonderful cards and especially love the RD one.
Thank you for taking part in the February Rudolph days Challenge. Good luck!
Hi Darnell - What a different use of a die! Great cards and a Blog Post to read with a cup of coffee!! Hope to try the Direct to Die technique too and would be pleased if my result is as good as yours.......Sarn - just read your comment - funny but I also have a lot Di's who are really good friends...!!
Well, aren't you the CLEVER one!?! I love how your background turned out, and I'll have to try this :) Great cards!
Darnell, I love these watercolor cards. My favorite is the centre one with the large Christmas greeting. Versamark on a die - who knew! Good idea. Sylvia
Very fun and usind Versamark on your dies is definitely GENIUS. Now I have to go dig mine out and try it. Thanks for sharing.
What a fun idea! It created a great look!
Very cool cards!
Super cool scrumptious cards Darnell!
Your cards both turned out perfect for this month's Blog Hop, Darnell. Love the background techniques and beautifully matched colors to the PTI inspiration photo.
WOW. Two AWESOME cards, Darnell! Love!
What a super idea Darnell! You clever, clever girl! They have turned out fabulous! Hazel xx
Wow! What a twofer! Double the inky goodness! I love how you used both of those plates!
Holly leaf is the first thing I thought of when I saw the squiggles, Darnell, and was going to mention it until I read further. I'm glad inking up the dies with VersaMark worked because now we have a whole new technique to use on our cards.
I think your holly leaf is just fab!!
And that folder....I was wondering!!
Amazing results with the cheap watercolors!
Absolutely stunning trio! I love the bright colours and very cool embossing technique! Oh, so clever!
I saw a holly leaf too! Amazing artsy cards Darnell! Love them!
Two simply gorgeous cards Darnell! Love the trick with the Versamark. I'm going to have to try it!
Loving your choice of colours for these fabulous and very different Christmas cards, but that is what we love about you, new ideas and always willing to try out different things and what we don't love about you is the fact that they always turn out so very well, while ours go in the bin, lol.
Hope all is well with you.
Kath x
Well aren"t you the clever one!! What a fantastic new technique that I am going to have to try! Your cards are just fabulous Darnell! I love the faux watercoloredness!!
So you just went ahead and invented your own technique, and a lovely one it is. I'm so going to be trying it! Love the happy colours of your two cards, and yes, it does look like a holly leaf to me; it's the first thing I thought of :).
WHAT?! This is awesome and so clever of you to come up with this. I am going to have to try this one! Love your watercoloring. :)
Beautiful water colored backgrounds Darnell! I'm really loving the water color trend myself these days...
Too cool technique. Love the embossing. Hugz
What a positive colours, dear Darnell! :-)) I like both of your cards. You own a lot of fantasy to see world map on your card. :-))
Hugs, Sonja
Two beautiful cards and a brilliant use of the cover plate and text block dies! Brava!!
Beautiful cards. I love the colors you used.
What an awesome technique to use your dies, Darnell. Both cards are beautiful!
Oh Darnell, first of all thank you for such lovely comment on my blog/card. Second I must say that I enjoyed your post... you had me laughing at arty-farty! Your cards came out great! and so glad to read that you tried the stamping on your dies directly, I only thought about it but did not attempt.
WOW! These are amazing! What a great idea to ink the dies with versamark and emboss! I must try this! Both are beautiful, Darnell!
love, love your pretty card Darnell!!! I just love hoping around to see all the beautiful work everyone created for the blog hop!
Love your twofer cards!! The backgrounds are positively glorious!! They totally catch your eye!!! Thanks for your inspiration!!
No. 70 in the comment dept. I'm moving up in the world! Honestly Darnell, love the way you think. But, its just as fun reading the process ad viewing your beauties!
Gorgeous cards. Love your techniques of using the cover plate and die as a stamp. Very creative.
Purdy Purdy cards Darnell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The colors are smashing!!!!
Love these fun bright colors! Fabulous cards Darnell!!
WOW! Those are awesome! Love how bright they are!
Your cards are just awesome and you're so on top of things to be making Christmas cards already! Thanks very much for sharing the Versamark tip...I'm going to try that!
These are SUPER BEAUTIFUL!! =) I LOVE the AMAZING Designs and your take on the Challenge!! Who KNEW you could FAUX Water Color!!?? I LOVE it!! =) THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)
Look at you rocking Christmas cards with this challenge...wow, never would have thought to do this and you rocked it Darnell! Nicely done - both are great.
Both cards are fabulous, Darnell! Great techniques and I love the watercolor look with the bright colors! Very cool embossing folder too!
You used a die to stamp with Versamark ink and then heat-embossed the image? Who says crafters aren't gutsy people! Your cards are fabulous.
What a cool technique.....love the look of the outline embossed pattern of both dies! Too neat! Definitely will have to try that out. The colors are so pretty and bright! Fabulous cards!
These are awesome. Great job on using your dies different.
Amazing!!! I must have missed the faux watercolor technique - I'll look it up - Love the dies as stamps as well!!! XO
These are just AWESOME !!! Might have a go at that myself. Thanks for showing us :-D xxxxx
Darnell, these are very cool, even if I did shudder at the thought of Christmas..not yet its still cold! I love embossing folder story - what lovely blog friends we all have. Cx
Darnell, you are brilliant!!! I love how these turned out and I have got to try out your heat embossing with the dies. You smarty pants! And a big giant (and long overdue) thank you for the sweet Valentine's card. We loved it, and I've been enjoying it for weeks, and I'm so so sorry that I didn't that you sooner. You really are the best and your card made Valentine's day all the more special.
Fabulous. I can see the holly leaf - love the arty-farty look. What a great technique to ink and emboss the embossing plate - more fab ideas :) You should take a pic of Mt NBUS before it gets to small. If its like NBUS in this place it isn't likely to become extinct.
what an idea...:) Just brilliant. Love both your cards. Hugs.
Beautiful card, love the colours and the fabulous technique, tfs!
Hugs, Hazel x
Great cards Darnell,, I love the bright colours :)
These are terrific and thank you for the tip about the die ... I have that die!
Playing catch up Darnell after a hectic time culminating in a BIG weekend! Great cards here as always - love the bright colours.
Wow gorgeous colourful designs, love them all ! Take care, Shirleyxx
ps.. very creative using the embossing plates as stamps :) xx
Artsy-Fartsy to the max! These are fabulous!!! I saw the holly leaf right off the hop - perhaps the 'merry & bright' triggered Christmas-y ideas!! Sweet little blings too!
Great techniques on both of these pretty creations Darnell - aren't you the clever girl using the little swirly pieces on the first one!!
Such fab watercoloured creations Dee, loving the bright colours and techniques used too. Every card you make looks even nicer than the last one....how do you do that?;)hugs Vee xx
Love both your artsy-fartsy cards, Darnell!!! The holly leaf and the world map and both lovely!!! Beautiful colours!!!
Have a lovely day!!!!
Wow Darnell, it took me two days to get to the bottom of the comments...... only joking, apologies for being so late...
Your cards are both fabulous, I really ought to try these techniques - they are so beautiful and I just adore your colour choices! Big hugs, Annie xxx
Your cards really are Merry and Bright this week. I thought holly leaf too!
Aren´t amazon a pain. They won´t ship dies to Spain either. They don´t deserve our custom, but the trouble is they do stock the items we can´t find elsewhere!
It was Ben´s birthday on Sunday. he was over here with us, and he loved your musical rainbow card and said to Thank you very much. Kate x
What wonderful cards!! Thanks for playing along with us at CCC!!
These are so colorful Darnell! Love them both!
Love your cards, Darnell! Very clever to ink the dies--gotta remember that!
Oh my Darnell...been a while since I have hopped over to say Hi and oh my goodness you have been up to a lot of wonderful projects...having so much fun catching up on all your wonderful creations!
Yup, saw the holly straight away. Yup, arty farty! Love those backgrounds!
Well, what a cool technique Dippy - never have thought of inking my die with Versamark and then heat embossing but it looks soooo good! Love all your watercoloured backgrounds - gorgeous colours.
Hugs.
Karendipity xxx
Ah yes, holly against that glorious watercolour background, Darnell ... saw your arty talent on show straight away! The wandering watercolours on your text block are gorgeous ... kind of cloud like and soft ... and lovely as a BG to that cool die stamping ... artsy and innovative! Hugs to you, my friend, Anita :)
Hammy goes to the top of the class. That hamster is a GENIUS!! Love it!!
Hugs
xx
PS the cards are gorgeous too!
Sexy corner squiggle - I am still giggling over that :) - Versamark on dies??? Genius! Cool cards, Darnell and Happy Friday! Thanks for playing with us at ATSM!
Hello!
What beautiful projects - I love the cheerful and pretty colors! Your creations are always beautiful! Wishing you a happy day!
Hugs,
Barbara Diane
Whoa... How have 3 blog posts effectively escaped my notice?! Egads! I am liking your watercolored backgrounds. They are striking in their vibrant colors.
Such a very interesting technique resulting in a most unusual and brilliant Rudy Day #2 card. I LOVE it! Sounds like a fun technique, and it certainly yielded a super winner too. Also, I was thinking that your squiggles looked like a sort of inverted Christmas tree branches - on its side. Love both the w/c backgrounds, and a brilliant use of these dies. Clever girl! TFS & Big huggies.
Cool cards, very creative!!
Fabulous holiday cards Darnell...love what you did with those dies, so amazing and very creative.
Very pretty Christmas cards! Thanks for playing this week at CCC.
Very pretty card, Darnell. Love the water coloring. Thanks for joining us at Christmas Card Challenges. Marsha DT @ SCCC
Stunning colours and cool techniques equals fantastic cards! xxx
Two gorgeous cards....absolutely love the water coloring! And ...wow....heat embossing with dies, what an awesome idea..thank you for sharing!
Beautiful cards! The inky backgrounds look fantastic! Thanks for joining along with the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge!
Fantastic cards Darnell. Especially love the second with 'stamping' with the die! Neat idea. The water colored backgrounds are very pretty.
What a genius idea! (I'm going to try this one). I think both your cards are simply fabulous - so bright and beautiful. Thanks so much for playing along with ASM this week!
So beautiful and crative card!
Inking dies with Versamark, the embossing? Seriously? You are a genius! Does that mean all my butterfly dies can be transformed to stamps (of a sort) as well? SQUEEEE! Your cards: arty-farty fabulous! WOW!
Hugs~c
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