All good things must come to an end...

 It is with much sadness that it's been decided to shut down the CAS Challenges at the end of September after 6 1/2 years.  Please visit our challenge blog to read Loll's message and leave some love. 

I wish to thank Loll and Bonnie for running these wonderful and inspiring challenges for such a long time.  Month after month we've had fun themes and techniques , often new to me and I've learnt so much as well as gaining so many friendships. 

I will miss the the CAS Challenges and my amazing team-mates, but hope to still see your beautiful cards in blog land ❤️.

I am sharing a card which I made for a future challenge, which won't be happening. The prompt was 'Torn Paper' and when I searched the internet for inspiration I discovered an British-Canadian Artist named Ted Harrison. I love his artwork and was inspired to make this card ...

The house stamp is from a stamp set designed by my friend Shirley Bampton for Stamplorations and the dog, cat and sentiment are from Newton Nook. 

Here is a sample of Ted Harrison's art ...

                                        Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                                                

CAS Mix Up Reminder(Aug '22)

Hello there! I'm just popping in to remind you about this month's  CAS Mix Up Challenge!  It's a stencil challenge hosted by Hilary and the prompt is 'GESSO'.

Here is HILARY'S MESSAGE ...

Gesso is primarily a surface primer that gives a uniform surface and is often used in mixed media projects, but in reality it can be much more than that. This month we would love to see you use gesso on your card along with your stencils. Hilary has  included some video links bon the challenge blog to help inspire you.

 

I made a stencil with the leaf die and then carefully sponged the Gesso through the stencil. I actually watered down the Gesso, because it was a bit thick. When dry, I sponged Distress Ink over the panel and then used a slightly damp tissue to clean the ink off the Gesso.

I splattered some White Gouache and Gold paint over this. To finish I stamped and embossed the sentiment and mounted with a narrow Matte on the base card. 

Die: Simon Says Stamp Tattered Leaves

You can find more inspiration over on the CAS Mix Up Blog from our Designer Team.  We hope you'll be inspired to join the challenge.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

CAS Mix Up Sep '22

 Hi there Crafty Friends. It's time for a new challenge at CAS Mix UP. This month is a STENCIL themed challenge.  Hilary is hosting and the prompt is 'GESSO'. So it's time to get a little a bit messy!

There are some links to video tutorials on the CAS MIX UP blog and an explanation from Hilary as to what she would like to see.

 Please remember to keep your card designs Clean and Simple and include stencilling.

There wasn't much left in my Gesso bottle and it was quite thick. I used a scrap of cardstock to spread the Gesso over the stencil.  When it was dry I spritzed the paper with water and sprinkled it with Nuvo Shimmer  Powders.

I cleaned the Gesso with a slightly damp cloth. The panel was then die-cut and I assembled my card.

The stencil is from Kaisercraft and the dies are from Memory Box.

We have the talented Sue, from Cards by Q as our Guest Designer  month.

You can see her card and more from our fabulous DT at the CAS Mix Up blog.

I hope you will be inspired and join in the challenge!

                          Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                            

CAS MIX UP AUG'22 REMINDER

 Hello there! I'm just popping in to remind you about this month's  CAS Mix Up Challenge!

This month is a Mixed Media themed challenge. Nancy is our host and the prompt is 'Emboss Resist'. 

There are some links to video tutorials on the CAS MIX UP blog and an explanation from Nancy as to what she would like to see.

 Please remember to keep your card designs Clean and Simple, include stamping and one other Mixed Media element.

I stamped 2 different background stamps and embossed with white embossing powder. I used various inks, Nuvo and Cosmic Shimmer Powders. The gorgeous die-cut leaf is from SSS. 

You can find more inspiration over on the CAS Mix Up Blog from our DesignerTeam.  We hope you'll be inspired to join the challenge.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

CAS Mix Up (Aug '22)

  Hello there.  It's time for a new CAS Mix Up Challenge!

This month is a Mixed Media themed challenge. Nancy is our host and the prompt is 'Emboss Resist'. 

There are some links to video tutorials on the CAS MIX UP blog and an explanation from Nancy as to what she would like to see.

 Please remember to keep your card designs Clean and Simple, include stamping and one other Mixed Media element.

I stamped the rose several times on white card-stock and embossed with Pearl Embossing Powder. 

Then i smooshed the card on a mix of Distress Inks and Nuvo Shimmer Powder. I added a bit more powder and used a brush to blend a little. This is one of my fave Nuvo colour combos. 

You can see more from our fabulous Guest Designer  Brenda from Inked to Inspire and the rest of DT at the CAS Mix Up blog and I hope you'll join us in the challenge. 

                    Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                            

CAS MIX UP (July '22 REMINDER)

  It's time to remind you about this month's CAS Mix Up Challenge.   Linda is our host and it's a Watercolour Challenge, with the prompt  'Things with Wings'. That should give you plenty of scope.  Please be sure to make water-colouring the main element of your card and keep your designs Clean and Simple.

I stamped the bird twice, once on the main panel and on a piece of scrap, which was coloured with Altenew Metallic Watercolours and then the body fussy-cut. I sketched and water-coloured the branch. 

My instict is always to add splatter, but I wanted to keep this one really CAS and simple.

Stamp: Kaisercraft Fly Free; SSS Sketched Flowers

Die: Spellbinders 

You can find more inspiration from our talented  Design Team over on the CAS Mix Up Blog and we hope you'll be inspired to join the challenge.

CAS MIX UP JULY '22

 Hello there Crafty Friends! This month at CAS Mix Up we have a Watercolour themed challenge. Linda is our host and the prompt is 'Things with Wings'. That should give you plenty of scope.  Please be sure to make water-colouring the main element of your card and keep your designs Clean and Simple.

I used 3rd generation stamping for the butterfly and the blended with a wet brush. I wanted to get an antique look and to keep it monochrome. 

Stamp: Stampers Anonymous Perspectives Butterfly

You can see more wonderful creations from our talented DT at the CAS Mix Up blog and we hope to inspire you to play along in the challenge! 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

CAS MIX UP JUNE '22 REMINDER

  Hello there! I'm just popping in to remind you about this month's  CAS Mix Up Challenge!  It's a stencil challenge hosted by Loll and the prompt is 'PASTES/GELS'.

I used the same paste as my last card - Sizzix Pearlescent Medium. There was still a bit of colour on the stencil so it's created a very subtle rainbow effect. 

The flower and foliage are die-cut and coloured with Karin Markers.

I'm sorry I've forgotten the name of stencil again! 

The sentiment is from Newton's Nook. 

You can find more inspiration over on the CAS Mix Up Blog from our Designer Team.  We hope you'll be inspired to join the challenge.

I'm sharing my card at the following challenges:-

I used 2 of my favourite techniques - watercolour & stencilling

Add a Sentiment

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

CAS Mix Up June '22

 Yes, CAS MIX UP is back after a few month's break and we hope to inspire you with this month's challenge. 

This month is a Stencil themed challenge. Loll is hosting and the prompt is 'Pastes/Gels'. So it's time to get a little a bit messy!

There are some links to video tutorials on the CAS MIX UP blog and an explanation from Loll as to what she would like to see.

 Please remember to keep your card designs Clean and Simple and include stencilling with Pastes or Gels.

It's been so long since I've used my Embossing Paste, that it's dried up, so I dropped in at one of the few remaining Papercraft shop's near me and found some 'yummy' Pearlescent Medium from Sizzix. 

I love it! 

I used it for the background and then used my new products from Altenew to create the flower. It's made with layering stencils and the die cuts the image with no border. 

Stencils: Background could be TCW, but not sure

Altenew Hill Blossom (with co-ordinating die)

We are so lucky to have 2 hugely talented Guest Designers this month... Julie from Crafted with Jules and Darnel from Djkardkreations. 

You can see their cards and more from our fabulous DT at the CAS Mix Up blog.

I hope you will be inspired and join in the challenge!

                          Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                            

CAS MIX UP FEB '22

 Hello there.  It's time for a new CAS Mix Up Challenge!

This month is a Mixed Media themed challenge. Susan is our host and the prompt is 'Faux Cloisonne'. This is a new technique for me and I had fun!

There are some links to video tutorials on the CAS MIX UP blog and an explanation from Susan as to what she would like to see.

 Please remember to keep your card designs Clean and Simple and include stamping and one other Mixed Media element.

I didn't have too many magazine's on hand when I made this, but I found a great pic in a Craft 

Stamper Magazine which had just the right colours. 

I stamped the leaves on the magazine, gold embossed and fussy cut. 

Stamps: Stampers Anonymous Nature's Wonder 

Can you see the Eiffel Tower hidden in the leaf?

You can see more from our fabulous DT at the CAS Mix Up blog.

I hope you will be inspired and join in the challenge!

                          Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                            

CAS Mix Up Jan '22 Reminder

 Hi there. Just popping in to remind you about our current CAS Mix Up Challenge. It's a Watercolour Challenge this month. I'm hosting and I've asked you to keep it loose!

Ha ha1 I've just realised my card looks like our logo1 Maybe we should use that as a theme some time! 

I used a stamp from a brilliant Concord & 9th stamp set called City Stacks. I added colour to the stamp with Karin Markers,  spritzed and then stamped. Then I added a wash of water to the paper and let the colours blend, with just a bit of help from me!  So easy and fun. 

You can find more amazing inspiration over on the CAS Mix Up Blog from our  Designer Team.  We hope you'll be inspired to join the challenge.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

CAS MIX UP Jan '22

 Welcome to a New Year of CAS Mix Up Challenges! I'm hosting this month. It's a watercolour challenge and I chose 'LOOSE WATERCOLOUR' as the theme. 

What I mean by 'LOOSE' is to not worry about being perfect and to allow yourself to go outside the lines! There are links to videos on the CAS Mix Up blog to inspire you.

I stamped the bird on watercolour paper and then slapped on some water adding pigment randomly and allowing the paint to drip for 'movement'.  Then I added some splatter and splatter. 

The bird stamp is designed by Finnabair for Prima and the sentiment is from Tim Holtz.

We have Karen (Random Reflections) joining us as Guest Designer this month. You can see Karen's card and more from our fabulous DT at the CAS Mix Up blog.

I hope you will be inspired and join in the challenge!

                          Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

                                            

CAS MIX UP NOV Reminder

  Hello there! I'm just popping in to remind you about this month's  CAS Mix Up Challenge!

This month is a Stencil themed challenge. Loll is our host and the prompt is 'Stencil Monoprint'. 

There are some links to video tutorials on the CAS MIX UP blog and an explanation from Loll as to what she would like to see.

 Please remember to keep your card designs Clean and Simple.

I used a hexagon stencil and when the monoprint was dry, I used the stencil again in the traditional way, sponging another shade of yellow. It was then trimmed the panel and layered with die-cuts and the stamped bee.

Stencil: TCW Hexagons

Stamps: Gina K Beautiful Bees

Dies: Stampin Up Meadow Stems

You can find more inspiration over on the CAS Mix Up Blog from our  Designer Team.  We hope you'll be inspired to join the challenge.

I'm also sharing my card at the following challenges:-

Theme: Critters

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)

CAS Mix Up (November 21)

 Hello there. It's time for a new CAS Mix Up Challenge!

This month is a Stencil themed challenge. Loll is our host and the prompt is 'Stencil Monoprint'.  This is probably my favourite Stencil technique, because it's like Faux Watercolour.

There are some links to videos on our blog. Please be sure and keep your card designs Clean and Simple.

I went with my favourite colour combo and made this pretty scene. I used Distress Inks and Karin Markers and spritzed the stencil liberally, before flipping over on to Bristol Card-stock.

When dry, I stamped the Dragonfly and sentiment, leaving it black, for a cleaner look. 

Stencil: Stamplorations

Stamps: Gina K Beautiful Wings.

Die: Kaiserkraft Sketched Rectangle  Frame

We have Steph (My Paper Corner) joining us as Guest Designer this month. You can see Steph's card and more from our fabulous DT at the CAS Mix Up blog.

                    Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I love to read your comments:)