Mr Cardmaker is a Hugger

So, I have to admit, I am not the first guy to jump on the bandwagon when it comes to buying the latest and greatest products out there. I like to look, make sure it's not a flash in the pan, that sort of thing. I add things to wish lists all the time, and I'm GREAT at filling a shopping cart and then clicking out at the last possible second. I'm probably the sole reason why those emails from companies saying, "you left stuff in your cart" were invented. My apologies. Really.

I do buy stuff, and plenty of it, though I notice there are plenty of folks out there who really do buy EVERYTHING. ALL OF IT.
I am glad I restrain myself, though. I think there were a few fads that came and went and I was glad I missed.

I am limping along, picking up some faves here and there, and I bought the Concord & 9th Hugs stamp set. I passed on the dies for now, but the wish list abides.

I did cards with the bear image from this set a while back--you can see them HERE.
This time I went for the citrus slices, to see what could be done with them.

I made this--

This was actually my very first attempt to use copics with this set, and I definitely have some practice to do with them. The white panel was actually a full panel originally, but I tried to make some grapefruit slices and BOMBED with them. It seems I haven't got the right pink markers...
Happily, I was able to trim those off, and it left me with this panel.

(Wow, I am looking at that coloring; how embarrassing.)

Anyway, I used versamark ink to stamp the slices on the card base, which is made from Stampin Up Summer Starfruit cardstock. Discontinued. So sad. I love that color.
Once I made sure it was TOTALLY dry, I stamped all the "Hugs" and "More Hugs" and white heat embossed them. Do check to see that one step is dry before moving on, otherwise you'll have a big mess, which really is not so much fun.
I added the yellow striped paper along the side of my panel for some energy and separation, and added the enamel dots to finish.

I thought it would be fun to do the inside, too, because there was a sentiment in the set that was so perfect for it.
I did this inside--

I love the little splash image. Perfect.

A simple card, really, not too bad for a first go with these stamps. I hope you found some inspiration!

More next week!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
All Best-
Richard

#concordand9th

Mr Cardmaker is Resistant (and Has Been Exercising!)

Emboss/resist is one of my favorite techniques, not only because it looks fantastic and takes very little time to get a great effect, but also because you can do it over and over and get different results just about every time.

For example, I made this--

Fun and happy, quick and easy. My way to go!
I used Concord&9th's Eat Cake an Celebrate stamp set on watercolor paper with versamark ink, and heat embossed white embossing powder over it.
Then, it was just a matter of three colors of Distress Ink in washes over the images, and I was almost done!

I did go back in with my waterbrush and paint in some of the tiny details on the candles, and, of course the flames.
Then the only thing to add was my diecut sentiment and some enamel dots. Couldn't be easier.

I also decided to play around with the stamps and matching dies a little more, and while this is in no way ready for sending, I can't help but feel there's a good idea percolating, and I'm willing to play around until it bubbles, to the surface.

I made this--

The candles here are coated in a heavy dose of Spectrum Noir clear sparkle pen. These yellow star sequins really help the overall look, but I'm just not sure about all of that negative space. I'm still pondering about it...

Standing up--

As you can see, the sentiment is diecut, so you can look through to read part of what's inside.

That looks like this--

I stamped the cake image in Versamark, just to get a subtle impression. I'm pondering about that decision, as well. And the spacing of the sentiment...and so much more...
An exercise, I call it. I'll be working on it...

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Remember to stop by on Instagram @rlbreaks !
All best-
Richard

Mr Cardmaker Prefers a Chocolate Cake Card

Building the birthday stash again, and using some of my newest acquisitions. Eat Cake ad Celebrate is a fun stamp and die (sold separately) set from Concord&9th, and I have had some fun playing with it.

I made this--

I played with some white embossing powder here, going to town on my background. To give my chocolate cardstock some extra depth, I sponged an even darker ink on bottom half and the edges. I do love me some emboss/resist action.
I kept the image are on the simple and petite side. That cake stamp makes me so happy, and there's a world of variety to be had as far as coloring the thing. I also love that the Happy Birthday sentiment has a die of its very own, too!

I had the gold zigzag circle on my work table, gathering dust, so I was happy to be able to use it with my stitched diecut vellum circle. I slid my adhesive for the vellum under my diecuts, and also under my sequins. A god thread nest (to amplify the gold) and some stickles in the sequin centers, and I was all set!

I do seem to have a bit of a messy background with the loose bits of white embossing showing here and there, but I'm going with calling it a little on the "urban side."
That's my story, and I'm sticking with it.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Remember, you can catch more (including some "in process") photos on Instagram @rlbreaks !
All Best--
Richard