Wednesday 19 September 2018

Hello and Sending Hugs ....

Thinking about my blog friends and the weather around the world x

Stunned and delighted to have been chosen as Pinworthy 
from The Vintage Journey Challenge-Thank you so very much x
Thrilled to be amongst the wonderful winners and HM's....Thank you x

Inspired by the Twofer Challenge to make these two cards..

The theme is Leaves.....

Using the same stamp or die and make two cards for two different occasions.
I have used the leaf stamp...One card to say Hello 
and the other one to send hugs to a special friend.

First card......

I had fun layering the card with stamping, masking and partial die cutting.
Lots of shades of inks, which I inked up in the Misti and stamped individual colours onto the leaf stamp until I was happy...No water, just inks.
The partial die cutting was tricky and lets just say this was not my first card.
Finishing off with heat embossing brown and copper embossing powders.

Second card......

This time I used distress markers and water to ink up my leaf stamp.
One colour at a time....And then lightly spritzed to blend all the colours.
You loose the detail of the stamp but gain in other ways.....
After it was all dry I masked around the square and then blended the green ink 
and splattered with red/orange inks.
The small die cut heart has distress glitter on it, which I have never used 
and I liked it, in that it wasn't too blingy for this card.
Finishing off with stamping the sentiment in green.

I shall be popping my second card into The CAS Mix Up Challenge , just for fun.
I have inked up my stamp with distress markers, stamped and my choice is splats and blending.
I loved making the two cards and had fun with the techniques.
Both challenges are open until the 24th and the galleries are looking fabulous.
Challenges I would love to enter....
CAS Mix Up with my second card...Just for Fun

Vintage Journey - Back to Nature with my first card
Thrilled to have been chosen as Pinworthy my cards-Thank you x
Stamps and Stencil - Anything goes also with my first card

44 comments:

cuilliesocks said...

Two stunners Mac, beautifully designed cards, especially love the second card, love those colours, Kate x x

Izzy Scrap said...

WOW ! Two stunning cards again, Mac. What a beautiful work you’ve done on both of them. I love the partial die cutting combined with the stamping & masking. It is so creative and artsy ! And your leaf on the second card is a real beauty, it seems so real. Absolutely fabulous ! Thanks so much for sharing and for the gorgeous inspiration !

AlisonC said...

Your first card has a real autumn look which is delicate and beautiful. It may have been a fiddle but was really worth it. In contrast, I also love the bold colours on the second. x

*Vicki* said...

That is quite a stunning leaf image and you've done such a beautiful job with it on both of your designs here Mac! The neutral card is stunning for fall and beautiful done with your embossed details! The second card is so eye catching with the colors! Love he lovely splattered background you've created with it as well! Thanks for sharing these gorgeous creations! HUGS

Joan said...

Two beautiful cards, love the vibrant colours of the second card

Viv said...

Would love to try the partial die cutting - fear I am not brave enough - but your finished card is a stunner.
Love the colours and your beautiful background on the second one.
Two wonderful cards Mac. x

aussie aNNie said...

Two beautiful cards but I feel drawn to the bright green one it is so beautiful but hence love them both, you are a fab inspiring crafter.xxx

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Looks like a winner to me! - Especially that colorful Maple leaf - looks quite real. Love the ombre sponging you did as background.

nancy littrell said...

Two gorgeous and creative card designs using your beautiful leaf stamp, Mac. I love your monoprint mixed media 1st card and partial die cuts. How about doing a faux partial die cut by cutting the entire image and then inlay part of the image and popping up the rest with dimensionals. I think that would be much easier, but I think with the same effect.

Love your gorgeous Fall colored marker stamped leaf, pretty added heart and beautiful background. Your friend will Love their card. TFS another beauty my friend.
Hugs...

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Two very beautiful cards Mac. You've done a great job in showing how you can take the same stamp and create two cards that are completely different. Your first card with it's very subtle and muted tones and then your second card with it's bright autumnal colours. Fabulous stamping and inking as always, you're an inspiration to us all x

Ros Crawford said...

Oh Mac these are stunning!! I adore that earthy toned card and the partial die cutting is incredible! The leaf on your second card with the amazing BG is so beautiful! I need to try more of these techniques that you've mastered so beautifully...You are an inspiration!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

You definitely have magic in your hands, these are STUNNING and who would think the same stamp was in the two cards? GORGEOUS effect on both Mac, love your partial die cut too.
Faith
x

Trina P. said...

WOW! These are absolutely gorgeous! The first monochromatic one is so unique and creative. The partial diecut adds subtle dimension and interest. Your second one is striking! Amazing work with the marker spritzing/stamping technique. It doesn’t look like details were lost at all. Love the ink blending and splatters. A magnificent mix media masterpiece. Love these! x

Loll said...

Two amazing cards Mac!! Your first card is so artsy with the all neutral colours, stamping and partial die-cutting. I can't imagine how you got the die-cutting done, but it is AWESOME! I would like to give this a try!

Your second card is gorgeous ... love the colours and the texture from the splattered background. Thanks for playing along with us at Twofer Card Challenge! xx

Christine Alexander said...

Gorgeous Mac, the two cards are stunning. I love th muted tones of one and the the bright fall colours of the other.
I'm heading back home after 2 weeks in Wales, great to catch up with family and friends.

Bonnie said...

I love how you've stamped the leaves in the different shades of brown, Mac! And I am in awe of the partial die cutting! I have never been able to do that in any way usable! And your orange/red leaf is gorgeous with that shade of green! The heart and strip of kraft are nice touches that add extra interest! Two fantastic card, my friend!

Liz said...

Two fabulous cards, Mac. I love both designs, so very different. xx

Laura B said...

This is my first visit to your blog and I am amazed by these stamps. I can't even choose a favorite because they are both so fabulous. The colors on the green card especially the leaf, are stunning and the design of the brown card is stunning and surprising. I will certainly be back to enjoy and be inspired by your work.

Patti said...

I'm bowing! Mac visiting your blog is like visiting an art gallery! You should charge us just to look!

I'd pay!! : )

Darnell said...

These are incredible, Mac! That maple leaf is a beautifully drawn image. I love how you have given it a winter feel on your hello card with the various hues of your monochrome stamping and the rustic embossing! And I love the depth you achieved between the foreground and the background and the awesome partial die-cutting! Magnificent!

Your second design is a homage to fall color with the fiery coloring on that leaf and the spectacular greens of the blended background, the sediment, and the glittery heart! I actually love the side strip and the texture it adds! Thank you so much for playing in Twofer Card Challenge #9! Hugs, Darnell

Greta said...

Oh wow--2 gorgeous cards & each completely different! Always love seeing your work, Mac!

Papercraft Boutique said...

Wow, these are stunning twofers, Mac! I LOVE that your first card is monochromatic and yet actually full of earthy shades of colors. Fantastic job with masking and partial die-cutting! Love the blend of the marker inks of the maple leaf of the second card. The colors are simply gorgeous! The green background and the splatters are just perfect for showing off the beautiful maple leaf. Hideko xx

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh what fabulous cards Mac - I have no doubt with your attention to detail and multiple techniques and layers you would take a while to make a card, but it's worth every minute, to my feast eyes and be inspired, and i am sure your cards are appreciated.
Love that kraft corrugated card on the second card, but the first monochrome card is the one that has had me drooling this time!!
Blessings
Maxine

Viv said...

Two fabulous cards again Mac! both so very different too, well done again ;) Viv xx

Jo said...

Wow, when you get into crafting you are so unique. The first is a jaw dropper. I adore those natural tones, the airy branches behind and of course the partial die-cutting ...totally awesome.
The second is the perfect autumn colours for our Maple Trees here. Loving the light left behind which is so typical. Another beauty. Thanks for sharing! hugs xxx

Susanne Vargas said...

These cards are really breathtaking! Love the partial die cutting and monochromatic look of the first card! The way you colored that leaf on the second card looks so realistic! The fresh green background makes it pop and the heart is such a sweet touch! I do like the kraft strip, it adds even more interest! Both are very inspiring!
Great to see you in the Twofer gallery!

Marina said...

I give up! I'm not going to bother entering the Twofer challenge now as I couldn't make anything remotely as good as these- and I'm only slightly joking! My favourite is the monochrome one - I would love to make a card like that and I hope you don't mind that I've pinned it for inspiration.

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Great Ideas. They look entirely different but both beautiful in its own ways!

MaryH said...

WOW and DOUBLE Wow! I love the amazing change-up in your color scheme with this wonderful maple leaf. Your partial die cutting looks good to me,and it created such a subtle texture & dimension to the neutral colors of the fall leaves on that card. But I must confess, the pop of rusty color on the gorgeous leaf in #2 grabbed my eye at once. YOu've captured the fall color so well, and great work on the masking for the green too. I love the strip of corrugated paper as a border..it added just the right little touch of extra texture. Both are just gorgeous (and the neutral colors are what we'll see after the rusty leaves fall to the ground!) TFS & Hugs

Mia said...

Awesome, super, lovely cards, Mac. Great inspiring designs. Hugs, my talented friend.

Anita in France said...

Spectacular, Mac ... what a twofer! The soft dreamy nature of those subtle colours and delicate images on the first is just stunning. The partial die cutting is such a beautiful idea ... and so worth the persistence ... a gorgeous design touch. Your single leaf is warm, rich and wonderfully autumnal ... I love how you've used the sweet heart ... and how the bling on it is deliciously understated! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Twofer! Hugs, Anita :)

Brenda said...

Wow Mack, what two beautiful twofers! I'm in love with both of them and blown away by both of them. That first card of yours is just amazing. I love the partial die cutting on this card, but what really blows me away is all the beautiful stamp layering you have done. I love the colors in this one too. Your second card is equally as beautiful. I love the vibrant colors on the leaf, which is a beautiful leaf. It has all the fall colors that you see this time of year. Your background is just so pretty and looks like the carpet of green grass that the fall leaves lie on. Love that heart in the corner, so perfect for sending those hugs to a good friend. Hugs, Brenda

My Paper Epiphany said...

Looks like a twofer winner to me!!! Absolutely stunning cards:)

Marianne said...

Both your cards look amazing, Mac! Love the monochromatic look of your first card, and I'm wowed by the depth you have created with your masking and partial die cutting.
And I love the beautiful autumn colours of your second card.
Like you, it takes me ages to create a card ... or rather ... thinking about the card I want to make. And then by the time I'm ready to make it, the linky has closed. But I guess I thrive on a little pressure.
Marianne x

SueC said...

Fabulous cards, love the Autumnal feel to both of them. Thanks for joining us at Stamps and Stencils.Sue C x

Brenda in IN said...

I don't know how I missed these but they are stunning, Mac. I love the dimension on the hello card and the different colored leaves. That is gorgeous. The reddish leaves on the second card are so pretty on the blended background. Two great cards!

Cec said...

Both cards are stunning. Love how you can such a different look from one stamp. Thanks for joining us at Stamps and Stencils.
Hugs!
Cec

Ellie Knol said...

LOVE the second card especially... the colors jump off the card, WOW! I will start following your blog as from now, via Feedly, so you won't see that I am subscribed, but I am!

toni said...

Ooooo! I love both of these cards! Two fantastic looks. I've been doing some Eco printing on fabric and the first card has a similar look to the effects of Eco printing. Lovely! Thank you for joining us over at Stamps and Stencils. Toni x

Jennie Atkinson said...

Two stunning cards! I particularly like the gorgeous colours in the second one. Thank you for sharing your lovely art with us at A Vintage Journey for our Back to Nature challenge. Jennie

Julia Aston said...

Two lovely leaf designs Mac - so different in colors - LOVE the browns on your first one and the great texture with the partially popped out stems! thanks so much for sharing with us at A Vintage Journey! Julia xx

Words and Pictures said...

Wow - I'm having a hard time deciding which of these two is my favourite! Of course I'm drawn to the subtle neutrals of the wildflower meadow with the tumbled leaves, but I also love those vivid colour tones of the leaves against the fabulously inky spattered background. Brilliant double duty work with the stamp, and thanks for joining us on A Vintage Journey.
Alison x

Christine Alexander said...

Mac, congrats on being pin worthy at Vintage journey awesome cards (www.vintagejourney.com/2018/10/back-to-nature-pinworthy-winners.html)

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Oh my I really am in awe of these delightful cards Mac, you have captured everything I love about nature and shown that even by using the slightest of colour it can become a statement piece. I could not pick between the two as they are both my favourite.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Hugs Tracey xx
P.S Congrats on your well deserved AVJ Pinworthy, i'm sorry I have not been around for a couple of weeks, i'm trying very hard to catch up with it all x