November 29, 2013

Be Jolly

More sprightly fun with the elves in the workshop...

Be Jolly

Today Little Elf Kit (illustrated by Mo Manning/Penny Black) is visiting.  An elevated frame was created with Jolly Chant stamped in Niagara Mist.  Underneath, on the card base, is a small piece of purple cardstock to fill the window.  Elf Kit was stamped on a separate piece of white cardstock in Onyx Black VersaFine, colored with Copics, and then fussy cut.  A portion of a longer sentiment (Christmas Wishes) was used to accent the star.

Have a holly-jolly day,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Little Elf Kit 40-263, Jolly Chant 40-250, Christmas Wishes 30-196
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fuchsia Fantasies 13-002
3M Dimensional Foam Tape
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Niagara Mist VersaMagic, Clear Embossing Powder
Sakura: White Gel Pen

November 25, 2013

HO HO HO!

With the holidays approaching, the elves are busy creating happy smiles.

Ho Ho Ho

I use my Spellbinders Flower Pot die cut upside down more than right side up.  It is a great shape for images that format into a triangular configuration.

Little Elf Ava (illustrated by Mo Manning) was stamped on a separate piece of white cardstock in Onyx Black VersaFine and heat embossed with clear powder.  After coloring with Copics and trimming, she was layered onto the shaped card.  A second layer of the arms holding the star were doubled up on top for additional dimension.  The background is Warm Wishes stamped in Bamboo Leaves Memento. A soft sponging of white gesso softened the edges.

Have a happy day, 
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Little Elf Ava 40-265, Warm Wishes 40-074, Whooo's Wishing 30-190 (sentiment)
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock:  Spring Meadow 06-001
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Copics
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Bamboo Leaves Memento, Clear Embossing Powder
Sakura: White Gel Pen
Spellbinders: Flower Pots (S5-060)
Other: Gesso

November 22, 2013

Joy * Peace * Love

Holiday joy with Penny Black's "Gathering" illustrated by Mo Manning.

Joy Peace Love

Chalks and pastels are fun alternatives for backgrounds.  This soft, snowy sky was created by stamping Crystal Pattern in VersaMark Watermark ink and lightly pouncing on Phthalo Blue Tint PanPastel with a Sofft Art Sponge.  Firmer dabbing pressure around the outside edge will yield darker tones and enhance the highlighting effect.

More ideas and techniques for using PanPastels can also be found on their Facebook Page.

Have a great day,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Gathering 40-264, Crystal Pattern 40-162A Better World 4349E
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fall Festival 16-003
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Copics
Colorfin:  Phthalo Blue Tint PanPastel, Sofft Art Sponge
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, VersaMark Watermark Ink, Clear Embossing Powder

November 19, 2013

Igloo Snuggle

Snowflakes are starting to dance about ...time to snuggle.
Merry & Bright
This is a fun image to color and layer. (Penny Black: Igloo illustrated by Mo Manning)  The little flag was created by painting a toothpick black.

Have a warm and cozy day,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Igloo 40-267 (illustrated by Mo Manning), Love At Christmas 30-187 (sentiment), Christmas Harmony 30-194 (snowflakes)
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fall Festival 16-003
3M Dimensional Foam Tape
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Love Letter Memento, VersaMark Watermark, Clear Embossing Powder, White Embossing Powder, Jumbo Sponge Dauber.

November 15, 2013

Holiday Hints with Penny Black: Day 5

It was an honor to design on the Penny Black Blog all this week!  

Before I go, one last project for the special "Holiday Hints" feature.  
Holiday Hints with Elizabeth



A sneak peek for Day 5....

Sneak Peek Day 5
Click HERE for the full reveal.

Previous full reveal "Holiday Hints" posts can be viewed by clicking on the corresponding day below:



Thank you for all your visits!
Elizabeth



November 14, 2013

Holiday Hints with Penny Black: Day 4

So excited to be designing all this week on the Penny Black Blog with a special "Holiday Hints" feature.


Holiday Hints with Elizabeth



Here's a sneak peek at Day 4....

Sneak Peek Day 4
Click HERE for the full reveal.

"All throughout the year",
Elizabeth


November 13, 2013

Holiday Hints with Penny Black: Day 3

So excited to be designing all this week on the Penny Black Blog with a special "Holiday Hints" feature.

Holiday Hints with Elizabeth



Here's a sneak peek for Day 3....

Sneak Peek Day 3
Click HERE for the full reveal.

"Sweet" wishes,

Elizabeth


November 12, 2013

Holiday Hints with Penny Black: Day 2

So excited to be designing all this week on the Penny Black Blog with a special "Holiday Hints" feature.

Holiday Hints with Elizabeth



Here's a sneak peek for Day 2 .....

Sneak Peek Day 1
Click HERE for the full reveal.

Wishing you a "luminescent" day...
Elizabeth

November 11, 2013

Holiday Hints with Penny Black: Day 1

So excited to be designing all this week on the Penny Black Blog with a special "Holiday Hints" feature.


Holiday Hints with Elizabeth



Here's a sneak peek for today's project....
Sneak Peek Day 2
Click HERE for the full reveal.

Wishing you a day of "sheer" happiness,
Elizabeth

November 8, 2013

Studio Sessions: PITT Pastel Pencils, 4 of 4

It has been an exciting week launching Studio Sessions with Jill. We are already working on the next series and can't wait to share the inky fun.  Before we close the week, one more card using PITT Pastel Pencils. 

Studio Sessions


Featuring PITT Pastels
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Pastel Pencils
Additional Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE


Today I am taking advantage of the rich opacity of PITT Pastel Pencils and using them on colored cardstock.
A Friend for Life
Poppies (Penny Black) were inked with a Stamper's Big Brush pen in black and stamped on grey cardstock.  PITT Pastel Pencils from the blue/green, red/yellow and neutrals collections were used to color and highlight the flowers.  The neutral PITT Pastel Pencils added subtle shading accents underneath the blooms and along the stems.

Tip/Hint:  If desired, a light fixative can be sprayed on the artwork to prevent smudging. 

The flowers were masked to protect them while Letter Background (Penny Black) inked with a Stamper's Big Brush Pen in cold grey was stamped across the background.  Before removing the masks, gesso from Faber-Castell's Textural Accents Sampler was "flicked" onto the design. 

The artwork was adhered to a panel stamped with the sentiment (Penny Black) in black pigment ink.  The entire piece was then placed on the front of a card blank with dimensional foam tape.

And here is Jill's Friday finale.  
Jill's Studio Artwork


To see the previous three Studio Sessions you can scroll down after this post or click on the links provided below:

Have a fabulous weekend!

I will be back on Monday to kick off another special week-long event....
  
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-002 (Gray)
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft:
  Mix & Match PITT Pastel Pastel Pencils (blue/green, red/yellow, neutrals)
  Stamper’s Big Brush Pens (Black 199, Deep Scarlet Red 219, Magenta 133, Cold Grey 232)
  Textural Accents Sampler: Gesso
Other: Black Pigment Ink Pad, Clear Embossing Powder, Blending Stump

November 7, 2013

Studio Sessions: PITT Pastel Pencils, 3 of 4

Holiday cheer for today's Studio Session.

Studio Sessions

Featuring PITT Pastels
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Pastel Pencils
Additional Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

Switching gears with my PITT Pastel Pencils and using them over inked images. 

Merry Christmas
The opaque chalk pastel allows for superb coverage and you can easily achieve multiple colors in a stamped image that has solid graphic areas.


It is good to start with an impression created with a non-smudging ink (i.e. dye or archival).  This wreath (Penny Black) was inked with a Stamper's Big Brush pen in light cobalt turquoise, which is a waterproof, India ink.

The leaves were accented PITT Pastel Pencils in green and yellow while the berries were darkened with red.  A shiny sheen was added to the berries with Glaze from Faber-Castell's Textural Accents Sampler.


Don't miss Jill's colorful post.

Jill's Studio Artwork


Have a great day.
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Merry & Happy 40-261
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fuchsia Fantasies 13-002
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft:
  Mix & Match PITT Pastel Pastel Pencils (Collections: blue/green, red/yellow, neutrals)
  Stamper’s Big Brush Pens (Deep Scarlet Red 219, Magenta 133, Light Cobalt Turquoise 154)
  Textural Accents Sampler
Other: Black Pigment Ink Pad (sentiment), Clear Embossing Powder (sentiment), Blending Stump


November 6, 2013

Studio Sessions: PITT Pastel Pencils, 2 of 4

Welcome to Day 2 of Studio Sessions featuring PITT Pastel Pencils.

Studio Sessions

The vibrant chalk pastels are available in three mix & match collections:  red/yellow, blue/green and neutrals.

Featuring PITT Pastels
 Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Pastel Pencils
Additional Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

PITT Pastel Pencils offer many possibilities for blending and highlighting.  By using short bending strokes, colors within small intricate areas can be intensified and delicate shadows can be achieved.  This worked extremely well for the small berries.

Thinking of You
Holly Concert (Penny Black) inked with a black Stamper's Big Brush Pen was stamped on white cardstock.  PITT Pastel Pencils (blue/green, red/yellow and neutral collections) were added to the image.  



Shading Close Up
Highlighting with the gray PITT Pastel Pencil softened the design and added a subtle glow.  Blending was done with my fingertip.  

Tip/Hint:  PITT Pastel Pencil markings can easily be erased which provide additional options for manipulating the color and intensity.

The Mix & Match qualities of Faber-Castell's products are fabulous for coordinating colors between different mediums.  As seen here, the red mat created by applying Stamper's Big Brush Pens in deep scarlet red and magenta to white cardstock coordinates fabulously with the pastel pencil medium.  This is also a savvy way to save on colored cardstock when just a small portion is exposed within the design.  In addition, the same Stamper's Big Brush Pens were used to alter the ribbon.

A few vertical dry embossed lines at the bottom of the card base lends a bit more "visual" weight to the design and anchors the matted artwork.


Sharpening
The pencils sharpen magnificently too.

Join me as I pop into Jill's section of the studio to see how she worked her magic today.

Jill's Studio Artwork


See you tomorrow with Part 3.

Thank you for visiting,

Elizabeth

Supplies:
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft:
  PITT Pastel Pastel Pencils (blue/green, red/yellow, neutrals)
  Stamper’s Big Brush Pens (Black 199, Deep Scarlet Red 219, Magenta 133)
Other: Black Pigment Ink Pad (for sentiment), Blending Stump

November 5, 2013

Studio Sessions: PITT Pastel Pencils, 1 of 4

Welcome to the first collaborative post of Studio Sessions.  I am ecstatic to be sharing a virtual studio with my friend and colorful artist, Jill Foster, in a new series of artful adventures.    

Studio Sessions


During our Studio Sessions we will feature a product, technique or idea that will we both be using which will be highlighted during the collaboration.    

Featuring PITT Pastels
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Pastel Pencils
Additional Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE


For my first studio session project with PITT Pastel Pencils, I colored this feathery friend.

Winter Perch

To begin, Winter Perch (Penny Black) was inked with Faber-Castell's Stamper's Big Brush Pen in black and stamped on white cardstock.  Tip/Hint:  Un-embossed images are typically easier to color and blend.


Close Up

PITT Pastel Pencils (blue/green, red/yellow and neutral collections) were added in layers to create definition and depth.

The fussy cut image was layered with dimensional foam on a small piece of mat board cut from Faber-Castell's Mini Mixed Media Journal.  Letter Background (Penny Black) stamped in watermark ink and heat embossed with clear powder created a resist for the application of butterscotch Gelato which was blended with a moist towel.  Edged highlights were added with a Stamper's Big Brush Pen in nougat.



Blending Stump

I implemented several blending methods when working with the PITT Pastel Pencils.  In addition to using my fingertip and a soft cotton towel, I found a blending stump to be extremely helpful in working in small, intricate areas.  Also, PITT Pastel Pencil color applied with soft "flicking" motions worked well for controlling definition.  

There's more!  Now you can visit Jill to see how she used her PITT Pastel Pencils.

Jill's Studio Artwork

We will be back tomorrow with more inspiration from Studio Sessions.

Elizabeth

Supplies:
Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft:
  PITT Pastel Pencils (blue/green, red/yellow, neutrals)
  Mini Mixed Media Journal
  Gelatos (Butterscotch)
  Stamper’s Big Brush Pens (Black 199, Nougat 178)
Other: Clear Embossing Stamp Pad, Clear Embossing Powder, Blending Stump

November 4, 2013

Introducing...Studio Sessions!

I am very excited to share a new art adventure.  I will collaborating with my good friend and fellow artist, Jill Foster, in "Studio Sessions". 

Studio Sessions

We will be debuting our first four collaborative posts starting tomorrow which will also reveal our feature product.  

We hope you will stop by to check out all the fun! 

....Elizabeth


Penny Black Fan Favorites

Check out this fabulous event "here" for 
Penny Black Club Members.


Penny Black Fan Favorites

Not a club member?  
No problem....sign up HERE in a flash!

November 1, 2013

Flip It: Two for One

Flipping a holiday stamp to get two cards from one design.


 Two for OneThe hanging ornaments (Penny Black - City Lights)
were inverted to create birthday balloons.


Ink Stamp
After randomly applying Memento inks to 
the image it was stamped on white cardstock.


Apply Creative Medium
Shimmer Creative Medium was 
applied to the trimmed element.  


Trim and Mat
The elements were then matted with colored cardstock
 and attached to the prepared cards.

Enjoy "flipping out" with your stamps!

Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps:  City Lights 40-270, Friendship 30-160
Penny Black Les Petites 90-001
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fuchsia Fantasies 13-002, Storm 01-003
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Bahama Blue Memento, Pear Tart Memento, Tangelo Memento, Lilac Posies Memento, Creative Medium (Shimmer)