A two in one challenge .....

... two of my favourite challenges have joined up this week to share a challenge - CAS-ual Fridays - CFC15 and Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL153.  The idea is to make a clean and simple design based on the FTL153 sketch - what a super idea.

I spent yesterday evening in my craft room and made two cards for this challenge - they both owe some of their inspiration to this week's Less is More challenge where Chrissie and Mandi have asked us to us inky techniques on our one layer cards.  Sadly these cards are not one layer - so they can't be entered.  However, I have had lots more fun playing around with alcohol inks!!

My first card keeps pretty close to the sketch.  I used alcohol inks onto an acetate panel.  First I applied some green and blue to create the middle layer of colour, then above and below that I used a mixture of purple and blue.  On the front of the acetate I stamped this lovely flower image.  Stamping onto acetate is definitely a skill - it took me about five attempts to get it right.  Fortunately, Stazon comes off acetate easily with a bit of acetone!  I attached the acetate panel by running it through my Xyron and sticking it to my card.  Finally, I added a very bold, but simple sentiment.

Stamps: Kanban - All Occasions Set; Waltzingmouse - Say It Loud
Inks:  Stazon - Jet Black; Adirondack Alcohol Inks - Citrus, Purple Twilight, Pool
Accessories:  Card and acetate from stash

My second card takes a few liberties with the sketch, but trying to keep to the sketch just didn't work!  I made another acetate panel - this time I added a drop of ink at a time and used a straw to blow the ink about until it dried.  I repeated this using several inks until I'd got a pattern I was happy with.  As the pattern was quite grungy I decided to make a card for a teenager.  I stamped a guitar onto the acetate panel and attached the panel to the card.  Then I used a couple of other stamps from the same set to complete the card.  All images were stamped in Stazon.

Stamps: Inkadinkado - Rockstar
Inks:  Stazon - Jet Black; Adirondack Alcohol Inks - Citrus, Pool, Purple Twilight, Sail Boat Blue
Accessories:  Card and acetate from stash

I've had lots of fun colouring acetate with alcohol inks and have a couple of pieces ready to make a few more cards.

I had a really fun day yesterday.  In the morning a couple of friends came round for some tips on how to use Windows 7.  In the afternoon Kathryn and I spent some time in the kitchen making cakes.  My cake mixer has died - so I took the opportunity to show Kathryn how to make cakes by hand - creaming the butter and sugar, then adding the eggs and flour - and showing her that it was hard work - but worth it!.  I made a chocolate mix, Kathryn made a vanilla mix - and we put them together to make marble Butterfly cakes.  We had such fun - actually I think Kathryn enjoyed licking off the spoons best!!  Kathryn made the butter icing and got covered in icing sugar.  And the cakes were delicious. 

If the weather is nice today, Kathryn and I are going to the zoo, if it rains I'll take her to a local activity centre.  Either way - we'll have a super morning out together. 

Before I go, I'd like to say Hi and Welcome to Wynneth who has become one of my Blog Friends - great to have you here.  That's all for now.  See you soon.