Monday 15 August 2022

August CAS Mix Up Reminder

Today is the 15th Aug so time for a reminder about our current challenge over at CAS Mix Up. This month we are using mixed media and Nancy is our host. She wants us to use emboss resist on our cards.



I have used stamping, heat embossing and watercolouring on my card.


I watched all the videos that are linked on the challenge page and decided to go with this techniques showcased by Jennifer McGuire.


I stamped the flower with 3 colours and then heat embossed it before painting over the top with black watercolour. Once that was dry I cleaned up the embossing and used a white paint pen to add a few splatters. The black watercolour did decide it wasn't going to stay where I put it, so things got a bit messy for a while.


The vase was stamped, heat embossed and fussy cut. I added the sentiment and matted the panel on 2 different coloured cards. The bottom one is a very bright yellow in real life.

I am not that happy with this one, but I can't quite put my finger on why. I think perhaps the black is overpowering and the flower is too small. Anyway, I decided to go with it. What do you think?


You have until 24th to join us and don't forget to visit the blog to get more inspiration and some links to technique videos to help.

Before I go I have a card for this months CAS Christmas Challenge where Trina is asking for pine on our cards. I have made another card using one of my little Khadi papers. There were 100 in the pack and so far I have used 2!


I taped down my paper with masking tape and did a watercolour wash with 2 colours over the paper. Once dry I stamped the trees and Santa sleigh and finished with some white gouache splatters. The edge of the watercolour was a bit ragged so I drew a line around it with a fine liner pen. The black circle round the moon is part of the stamp. I used a circle punch to create a mask from post it paper before watercolouring but it wasn't quite big enough. I decided it didn't matter as I quite like the look.


The sentiment is white heat embossed. This is my first Christmas card this year and as it was really very quick and easy to do I think I might make a few more and use up some of those tiny bits of cotton paper.



As the Santa sleigh and pine trees are from a new stamp set I am also sharing this at NBUS #41


Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it. 

25 comments:

Cat Craig said...

Loving the bold colors in your first reminder card, perfect for this time of year. Your second scene is just adorable and festive and so very sweet. Love them both for different reasons.

nancy littrell said...

I think your CAS Mix Up Emboss Resist card is perfect, my friend. Your main image panel is well balanced, love your heat embossed flower colors, love how you added the black ink over your image and then wiped off the black ink from your pretty flower (emboss resist) and added the pretty vase, framing with yellow cardstock and white splatters and sentiment:-) TFS your CAS Christmas Card Winter scene with Pine trees too. Love and Hugs..Nancy

crafty-stamper said...

Love your emboss resist card -the flower really pops against the black background.Fabulous watercolour card love the inky background and silhouette stamps-the cotton paper gives a loves textured result
Carol x

Bonnie said...

I love how the colors of the flower play off the black background, Hilary! This is stunning! Santa flying over the pines is beautiful against the watercolor wash! Wonderful colors!

Christine Alexander said...

awesome watercolouring with your night sky, love your Santa flying about the pine trees :) thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas ♥

Susan Joyce said...

Two awesome cards Hilary, both perfect for the challenges that they were created for.

Ashwini Rao said...

I do love your first card. I understand you saying the black looks overpowering, but I thought the contrast between the black and the colors are what make it stand out. So, I do like how it looks. A lovely card.
I think I'll just stop commenting on those little khadi watercolored pieces of yours - I'll just be repeating that I am absolutely loving the look of them - they look small and adorable, but you pack quite a punch with you watercoloring skills in them!

Linby said...

The first card has an oriental feel to it for me and looks great. Love the little Christmas scene - looking forward to seeing 98 more!

I Card Everyone said...

I wonder if our brains are most likely thinking flowers=sunshine and blue sky because that's when we most likely look at them? But imagine your lovely garden at night - pretty spectacular in the moonlight, with stars shining, right? That's what your hello card says to me!

Your adorable Christmas card sets the bar pretty high for the other 98 to come - absolutely adorable!
=]

Crafting Queen said...

Two stunning cards. Love your watercolour sunset as well. Hugs Anesha

Loll said...

Fabulous cards Hilary. I remember this technique from a few years ago. At the time it was called Joseph's Technicolour Dreamcoat. :) The coloured image really pops against the black. You did wonderfully with this technique and your card is really pretty. The Santa and his sleigh silhouette look amazing with your gorgeous sky background. Lovely scene you've created with your pine trees. xx

Viv said...

Love it Hilary! Flower is perfect - it pops out from that dark background. Great make. x

GerJanne said...

Hi Hilary,
I love both cards, but the second is splendid!
Such a warm colours, it looks like a little painting! Wow!
I will have take a look on the Internet for an explanation in Dutch of the resist technique. Maybe I can join you, cannot promise...

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful cards, the colour is gorgeous and love the image used x

Christine Alexander said...

love your flower card, the oranges really pop against the black ♥

brenda said...

A super post Hilary and absolutely love the elegance of the first card.

B x

papierelle said...

It's always fascinating how a dark background makes the colors shine.
And yet another beautiful Christmas card with an atmospheric landscape scene. Love it!!

Leslie Miller said...

Hmmm, well, I like your emboss resist card a lot, Hilary. I love the contrast, the white splatters, the colors of the vase and flower. A splash of brilliant color and outside the box style is as appealing to me as sweet pastels and mossy greens. It's all in the eye of the beholder. You have a beautiful night sky in your Christmas card today, too. Beautifully done, and I think the circle around the moon adds interest.

Greta said...

I'm getting overloaded with all the goodness on your blog, Hilary! I really love the look of the first card with just the strip of black rather than the whole card front which you usually see with that technique. Your Christmas card is just fabulous!

Trina P. said...

Adorable Santa scene. Beautiful watercolour wash background. Love the colours. Thank you for playing along this month and completing your first Christmas card of the year.

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Sweet flower stem in the vase, Hilary! Love the flying Santa scene too!!

Linda said...

Two gorgeous cards. I really like the bold colours of flower, looks amazing against the black. Love your Santa scene too!

Julia Aston said...

Love the orange over the black on your pretty potted floral Hilary! And your watercolored night sky with Santa flying over the pines is gorgeous! thanks for sharing it with us at CAS Christmas! xx

Liz said...

Two wonderful cards. The vivid colours on the first one are so striking against the black. I love the magical little scene you created on your second card. Thank you for sharing your lovely Christmas card in the NBUS Challenge this month. Good luck!
Liz - Guest Designer xx

Craftychris said...

I love both of these! The flower is so striking against the black and the Christmas card is beautiful! Take care xxx