Faux Painting with Gelatos ~ Inspired by Masterclass

Have you had a chance to check out the Faber-Castell Masterclass over at StampNation?  I'm learning so much about mixed media and getting lots of inspiration.  Today's card uses a tutorial from the first day of class.   Members can check it out here.  I knew I wanted to dry out the blowing technique for this month's Calling All Sistahs encouragement challenge.  It fits PERFECTLY!

My card was inspired by two other bloggers, Kristie Goulet and Gwendolyn Goh.  Click on their names to check out their fabulous creations!

There is still time to play along with this challenge.  Clicky to check it out and add your pictures for a chance to win big!

One more thing before I go.  Zigs and Zags is retiring and on sale at a DEEP discount.  Grab it quick because once it is gone, it's gone forever!

Stamps: Breathe, Zig & Zags (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Accessories: Gesso, Gelatos (Faber-Castell)

Gelatos Designer Set, Tropical

Faber-Castell Gelatos Designer Set, Pastels

Faber-Castell Gesso

StampNation Aurora Borealis Challenge

Have any of you seen the Aurora Borealis trend going on in the stamp world?  First you add color to your cardstock, then you blend over it in black.  Next you add water droplets and pull up some color, OR you can add white/black splatters OR spritz it with shimmer mist AND the result is a night sky with a touch of color. Pretty cool.  That's the challenge today over at StampNation.  Here's a sneak peek of my exclusive card for the challenge.

Check out the amazing sneak peek from the dream team.

StampNation members can find the challenge here.

Click here to learn more about becoming a member of StampNation.

I had some leftover pieces on my stamp table and came up with another card just for my blog followers.  This one doesn't have the technique piece.  Instead I added another "best" die cut in black.  I also tilted the sentiment strip on an angle to match the glitter tape.  Do any of you CASE yourself?

Stamps: Simply the Best (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: All that Jazz, Aquatini, Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Paper: Printed Vellum (DCWV) White (Stampin' UP)
Accessories: Glitter Tape

Quilled Creations Precision Tip Glue Applicator Bottle 0.5 oz.

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

Ranger Non-Stick Craft Sheet

Essentials by Ellen, Julie's Smooth Bristol, 20pc-5.5" x 5.5"

Best Creation Glitter Tape, Sky Blue

Lane Swerve

Last week I was going to film another video using Gesso with Gelatos, but I got a bit distracted by this box on my doorstep.

It's not craft related.  It is my new business kit for Rodan + Fields.  For those of you not familiar with R+F, it is an anti-aging skincare company from the same doctors that created ProActiv.  Back in March I started using one of their regimens and the changes I saw in my appearance made me want to share this incredible company with others.  It's embarrassing for me to show my before and after pictures, but it might help someone else who isn't happy with their skin, so here goes.

Picture on the left is 10 weeks on Redefine + Multi-function eye cream
Picture on the right is my before in March 2017

From the time I hit puberty I've had to deal with acne.  As I hit my 30's wrinkles were added.  Just like my mom I had pimples and wrinkles.  Life isn't fair!  Over the past few years I've noticed my pores enlarging, a dullness to my skin and acne scars from years of cystic acne.  You may have noticed I don't show my face very often on this blog or in my videos.  I wasn't happy with my skin, and wore make-up to cover up my skin whenever I left the house.

In March I started using one of the regimens from Rodan + Fields.  My friend led me through the solution tool to find out which one I needed and then signed me up for PC Perks.  Fast forward 3 months and I'm beginning to like what I see in the mirror.  My skin looks and feels so much healthier.  My pores don't appear as large as they were and my skin feels healthier.  My goal is to not "need" to wear makeup, and only wear it when I want to.  I would love for you to experience this feeling too.  If you would like to learn more, or just see my progress, join my Heather North Rodan and Fields Facebook group.   Last week I shared did a Facebook live of me unboxing that big business kit.  It was so much fun and a bit terrifying!


Today I am back to working on cards and editing videos, so I should have some new cards up soon.  Last weekend I did some quilting before it got too hot.  Did you catch a peek of that on my Instagram account?  We topped out at 102 degrees here in Rochester, WA.    

CAS02 Encouragement Challenge

It's time for the second Calling All Sistahs Encouragement Challenge.  This month I was inspired by the paint brushes and wanted to make a paint swatch card.  I also used the colors in the inspiration picture.

Here is how I interpreted the photo/colors.

Direct link to youtube video in HD: https://youtu.be/sc3oa1JZZJU

It was easy and fast to create this colorful card that screams Summer Beach to me.  :)  If you would like to join our challenge, the rules are simple.  Make a card to encourage someone using the photo, colors or both and link up with our challenge by the 13th.  Now, head on over and see what the amazing Encouragement Squad created using this inspiration photo.

Clicky to go there now.

Don't forget to use coupon code encourage17 at checkout for 15% off your purchase.  Thank you Michele, for letting me pass this on to my followers.

Stamps: Breathe (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

Ink: Fiesta Blue, It's A Girl, Rockin' Red, Something Borrowed (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Paper: Whisper White (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Blueprints 20 (My Favorite Things)

June Calling All Sistahs Reminder Post

It's the 17th of the month, and that means it is time to remind you ladies to do your breast self-exam and get those yearly mammograms scheduled.  Don't let the busy summertime get in the way of taking care of this important health check.

Direct link to youtube video in HD: https://youtu.be/0uYB3zjNaz8

Ready to see what the rest of the Encouragement Squad has come up with to remind us to "check ourselves"?  Clicky to go there now.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for our second Encouragement Challenge!

Stamps: Calling All Sistahs, Calm and Loving (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: It's a Girl, Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs) Soft Suede (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Sugarplum, Whisper White (Stampin' Up) Distress Watercolor (Tim Holtz)
Accessories: Birthday Journal Card Die (Sugar Pea Designs) Linen Thread (SU) Pastel Gelatos: Guava, Aqua Dolce, Elderberrym Watermelon, Kiwi (Faber-Castell) Mini Misti

StampNation Throwback Challenge

Yesterday's challenge at StampNation is a throwback to a challenge I created last year.  Black, White and a POP of color.  It's still one of my go-to color combos when I want a high impact on my cards.  Here is a peek at my card made exclusively for StampNation.

Stamps: Dearest Mom (Altenew) Wild Garden (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Aquatini, Midnight (CPD)
Paper: Basic Black (SU) Bright White (CPD)
Accessories: Lattice Frame Die, Wild Garden Dies (CPD)

Here's a little sneaky peek at what the entire team created for this week's challenge.

StampNation members can find the challenge here.

Click here to learn more about becoming a member of StampNation.

I loved this combo so much I made a second card to share with you!  I used a die cut from the Lattice Frame die as a stencil for my Aquatini ink, then added die cuts in black for a silhouette look.

Stamps: Dearest Mom (Altenew) Butterfly Notes (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Aquatini, Midnight (CPD)
Paper: Basic Black (SU) Bright White (CPD)
Accessories: Lattice Frame Die (CPD)

Prize Stag for Father's Day Card

In case you hadn't heard, Father's Day is this Saturday!  (at least for those of us in the US)  We got my husband an EPIC gift this year.  He's been saying he wants one for years, and we finally found it.  I hope he likes it as much as I think he will.  What are you getting for the dad's in your life?  We like to send our Fathers a card for their special day.  Here's another card I made, but I can't share who it is for... he may be watching.  ;)

The burlap ribbon wasn't going well with this card so I decided to distress it.  It was easy to do, Just laid it on my ink pad and pressed down.  I also distressed the banner a little bit.  I guess dad cards should have a little "dirt" on them.  Both of us have hard working dads.  My boys do too.  I'm grateful for these men in our lives.

Stamps: Sweet Sentiments (The Craft's Meow)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla (SU) Cartographer 6x6 pad (Prima)
Accessories: Blueprints 24 (My Favorite Things) Burlap Ribbon (SU) Prize Stag (Ellen Hutson)

The stamp set I used has retired, so I thought I would include some great sets I found on Ellen Hutson for you below.  I seriously need to go shopping for some new masculine messages sets.

Quilled Creations Precision Tip Glue Applicator Bottle 0.5 oz.

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Prize Stag by Julie Ebersole

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Blueprints 24

Prima Marketing Mixed Media Banner Pad by Julie Nutting

Arc Crafts A2 Wood Envelopes, Cherry

Tim Holtz Textured Surfaces

Taylored Expressions Cling Stamps, My Favorite Dad

Taylored Expressions Cling Stamps, Punny Man

Hero Arts Wood Block Stamps, Father's Day

Paper Smooches Clear Stamps, Daddy Yo

Altenew Clear Stamps, Best Dad

Lawn Fawn Clear Stamps, Dad + Me

Lawn Fawn Clear Stamps, Happy Happy Happy

Taylored Expressions Cling Stamps, Simply Said - Dad

Father's Day and Dad's Birthday Cards

Father's Day is coming up this weekend and my dad's birthday is this week too!  I need some masculine cards STAT, so I pulled out my new-to-me stamp set from Stampin' UP! called High Tide.  It's perfect for my dad who loves the ocean and my father in law that loves fishing.

If you are making one card, you might as well make 3, right?  I let the camera and have a video for you.

Direct link to youtube in HD https://youtu.be/_L9trmzfefU

I used Teeny Tiny Wishes and a couple of punches for my sentiment on the next card.

This is the card from the video.  As  you can see, it makes a nice encouragement or sympathy type of card.

Stamps: Butterfly Basics, High Tide, Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU)

Ink: Dapper Denim, Night of Navy (SU) Paper White Pigment (Fresh Ink) White Craft Ink (SU)

Paper: Crumb Cake, Dapper Denim, *retired* Blooms & Bliss DSP (SU)

Accessories: Various *retired* punches (SU)

Never Give Up

Have you had a chance to play along with the new Calling All Sitahs Encouragement challenge?  There are still a few days left to enter your cards to win a $25 gift code to CAS-ual Fridays Stamps shop!!!  psst... the odds are in your favor.  ;)  

This challenge asks you to make an encouragement card based on the photo or colors or both above and link up to http://callingallsistahs.blogspot.com/2017/05/may-challenge-post.html by June 13th at 9am EST

I'm in love with this color palette, so I made another card using it.  I also pulled out my patterned papers.  They've been collecting dust in my stamp room and I've been missing them.  This pack was one I picked up in New York over a year ago!  Don't be surprised if you see a few more cards with layers on them again from me.  The tide is turning.  LOL

Looking forward to seeing some of your lovely cards in the challenge.  Clicky to go there now.

Stamps: Dream the Do (CFS) Wild Garden (CPD)
Ink: Aquatini, Garden Party, Flirty Fuchsia, Pixie Dust, Sweet Sixteen (CPD) Night of Navy (SU)
Paper:  Fairy Dust (Kaiser Craft) Night of Navy, Whisper White (SU) 

Accessories: Buble Box Fri-Dies (CFS)

Don't forget to use coupon code encourage17 to get 15% off at CAS-ual Fridays!

Sold Out

You all were as inspired as I was by the new Stamp of Approval Naturally Inspired collection.  It sold out in less than 15 hours!!!  We didn't even make it to today when it would be live for the public to purchase.  StampNation members had first crack on Tuesday night and when the wait list got the link Wednesday morning they snatched it up quickly.

Catherine generously opened up ordering for the wait list to purchase a second run that will ship in about 4 weeks.  If I were you, I would get on the waitlist now for the new SOA release.  ;) 

I had the card above and a video for you today that went along with my card featured in the project guide.  Unfortunately, since the collection sold out so quickly, I've decided to postpone my video until the items go up for sale individually.  Subscribe to my youtube channel to see when that video goes live.

In the meantime, here are a few sneak peeks at more cards I've made using this collection.  I'll post them when Catherine says they are in stock in her store.  :)

Would you like to see a video for this one?

Check out the sparkle from the new embossing powder.

Another way to use some of the stamps in the medallion mix up.

This is a companion card for a future StampNation challenge.  I used the extra bits and pieces to make a new card for you.


Congratulations to all of you who have a box on the way.  I feel like I've barely scratched the surface with this one.  I truly do love it!