Friday 10 May 2013

Stamping with Marker Pens

Hi Everyone,

Like I said in my last post, I was off to test out my new Memento Dual Marker pens, by Tsukineko, and after a little practice this is what I've done!
The secret is in the 'huffing' ... another new term and technique for me to add to my crafting dictionary :) Here's how I made the card.

- Taking two pens, Bamboo Leaves (green) and Lady Bug (red), the first step was to ink up the holly corner flourish, from Anita's Magical Christmas stamp set, by 'painting' with the 'brush' tip, each pen has two tips, one a brush tip and the other a fine tip, carefully selecting green for the leaves and stems and red for the berries. 

- The next step was to 'huff' or breathe on the stamp to reactivate any ink which has dried during the process and then quickly stamp, first in one corner then, after re-inking, the second corner of the white card base. The process was again repeated for one corner on the inside of the card - and also the centre of the back.
- For the topper the sentiment, from Docrafts Penelope & Percy Christmas Greetings stamp set, was coloured and stamped onto a snippet of smooth white card in the same way. It was then run through the Cuttlebug cutting it with a Spellbinder Label Twenty-five die then sponged around the edges using Tim Holtz distress ink, Festive Berries. The red mat, made from yet another snippet, was created by tracing round the Spellbinder label die and cutting it out by hand. 

- The final touch was to add a bit of sparkle with Stickles - Xmas Red on the 'berries' in the corner flourish, and Crystal along the top of the word, Merry - and then a few of Anita's red gems to two of the corners. 

I'd like to submit this card to the following:

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge 123 - let's get sentimental

Craftyhazelnut's Challenge Extra for May - which, as ever, is anything goes

Jingle Bells - Merry & Bright

and, of course, Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Week 71 - where there's always fun and games to be had just so long as we hand in our snippets homework on time :)

Now, who would have thought that at my age I would have so much fun playing with colouring pens ... just proves I'm just a big kid at heart :))

And, finally, a weather update for Ayr - today we've had just about everything the weatherman can throw at us - sun, wind, a temperature drop (more like a thud) and rain - no snow though, so that's a blessing. Right now, 7pm, the sun is shining and the birds are happily singing away ... I think they are relieved the rain has stopped too!

I'm off to do a bit of blog hopping for an hour or so before joining the EM to watch a new police drama that looks promising.

Hope you all have an enjoyable evening and a lovely weekend.

Happy crafting,

15 comments:

Sandra H said...

Totally stunning results Elizabeth those pens have coloured a beautiful card xx

MagsB said...

Oh my, Elizabeth, this is exquisite! What a wonderful card!

I hope you have better weather for the weekend! (We're due wind and rain in Hertfordshire. Flamin' spring!!)

love Mags B x

Hazel said...

Beautiful card and love the way you decorated the inside too - thanks for entering both of my CHNC challenges - hope to see you again soon. x

Mrs A. said...

I have yet to try this technique out. Wonder if sneezing on stamp would work as

Mrs A. said...

Think the gremlins got my post cos it disappeared. I was going to say that I haven't tried that technique yet. Wonder if sneezing on stamp would work as am having bad bouts of hay fever at the moment. You are the second person I have read that carefully cuts round your nesties. Miss does that too.

Jackie said...

A beautiful card Elizabeth, you have put those new pens to brilliant use :o)
Jackie xx

Di said...

Fantastic Elizabeth! Such a great result from colouring and 'huffing'. You reminded me that I have done that with Whispers pens, of which I have too many, must give it a go again.

And am so with you on snipping round the traced die shape.

Have a lovely weekend!

Hugs, Di xx

SmilynStef said...

Love that vibrant Merry Christmas ... so glad you joined us at jingle belles.

coops said...

so stunning Elizabeth.fab stamps and your design is gorgeous :D

xx coops xx

Craftychris said...

Absolutely gorgeous card, I must try this technique! Thank you for you lovely comments xx

Angie said...

What a pretty and elegant Xmas card ...I have some pens ...somewhere ...that I have to use the 'huff'method with ...and I think you have created a new term. xx

Hettie said...

That is one beautiful card there Elizabeth. So much detail and great colouring. You are never too old to enjoy the simple pleasures of colouring in!!
Hugs
xx

Rose said...

this is beautiful :)
"huffing" lol at first i thought of something entirely different!!!

so glad you linked up with CHNC Extra this month
Rose GD

lauren bergold said...

this is indeed "merry and bright" in every way; i love that the "MERRY" is actually bright... and sparkly too! so pleased you could join in our fun at JINGLE BELLES! ♥

Barbara said...

What an interesting new technique - it certainly made for a wonderful card, I love it! And I particularly like when people work on the inside as well... which I don't do often enough myself, come to think of it!