More Watercoloring with Distress Markers

I did it - broke out an old Close to My Heart Twinkle Toes stamp set and created some scene cards.  Once again, I followed the no-line watercoloring technique with Distress Markers shared by Kristina Werner in her video.  In this set, I started each image with Antique Linen Distress Inks and created the background by eye-balling it.  In Some cases this worked, but if you look close enough there are other cases with clear flubs.  Don't look too close and you'll start to think I'm a bit of an artist!

The sentiment is stamped onto the same watercolor paper in black Archival Ink.  The sentiment comes from the CTMH stamp set and the frame stamped and die cut with my Our Daily Bread Designs Ornate Borders stamp and die set.  

I enjoyed cutting these images out with some of my dies and others I just punched the corners with a corner punch.  Either way, these are ready as card toppers to put together as needed.

I really had a lot of fun working with these images and coloring them.  Truthfully, they have sat idle in the stash for a very long time because simply didn't believe I had enough talent in me for coloring.  Be encouraged all who think the same of themselves.  It is not true!  Our talent is just slightly different than those who can create these images with slightly more ease.  Try it, mess up, try again and be amazed.  I sure am...

I'm not sure what I will do with this one last piece.  The flower stamp comes from a different stamp set.  I ended up stamping and coloring this image and then decided to cut the frame using a similar technique shown in this video. Wonderful technique that I simply don't use enough.

Stretch your crafting talent.  Go out a view a few YouTube videos or surf the talented blogs of your friends and then give these techniques a try.  You might be pleasantly surprised at the results, just like me.

Brilliant Fall Colors

I am the guest designer this week at the City Crafter Challenge blog for their challenge Fall Has Arrived.  You might be getting tired of hearing this same theme from me, but it is a measure of my gratitude to the ladies for asking me to join them.  Time is very short to join this challenge.  Get your post together and link up quickly as the challenge closes tonight.  For this challenge you can create a project or pick an element from the photo inspiration.

This card was made using the following techniques which are similar to the one in the challenge entry.  Here's the details:

• The background was made by sprinkling Brilliant Red, Orange and Yellow Brushos watercolor crystals onto Strathmore watercolor paper.  I then used a spray bottle to mist water over the paper.  It created these splashes of color.  I did leave the paper flat and used a heat tool to dry so I didn't (purposefully) get too much watercolor effect.  This technique leaves wonderful bursts of color that are perfect for this card.
• I die cut the leaves with my Momenta Cut 'N Emboss Leaf die from some glitter paper.  I inked the emboss plate from the leaf die using brown Archival Ink.  The ink added the leaf veins and created beautiful focal points on the card.  

• The sentiment came from a Raisin Boat Thankful stamp set.  I stamped in brown Archival Ink and hand cut the banner, edging in Distress Inks.  

It was so fun to prepare to be the guest designer.  Hurry on up and join the fun over at City Crafter Challenge Blog!  The challenge ends tonight.

Watercoloring with Distress Markers

No secret, I'm loving water coloring right now.  I have been extremely busy at work, traveling a bit this month.  I'm trying to get caught up with some of my Online Card Class, Water Coloring for Card Makers.  This lesson included Kristina Werner's no line water color technique.  This caused me to get out some very old Close to My Heart image stamps and try my hand at this technique.  For each image, I used a similar technique shared by Kristina Werner in her video.

I first stamped the image using Antique Linen Distress ink.  I then used a water brush and Distress Markers to color each image, drying with a heat tool between colors.  When the edges became very faint, I then would use the fine tip of the Distress Marker to provide definition to the image.  Finally, the scene was completed by washing some ink as sky and ground using my larger tip water brush.  The sentiment in this card front is stamped using black Archival Ink.

I'm no artist, let me be the first to tell you.  However, the stamped images which are exquisitely designed by CTMH really help someone like me to look a bit more polished.  However, I have to credit Kristina Werner who provided such a simple tutorial that I plucked up my courage to give it a try.  I'm now looking for more stamps in the stash to try my hand at this technique.

I'm sure to make cards out of these images.  If/when I do I'll share the finished product.  For now, I'm off to cut down some water color paper and try to finish my class lessons.

A Bunch of Leafy Gratitude

If you're here to see my guest appearance at the City Crafter Challenge Blog this week, scroll down or click here.

I am the guest designer this week at the City Crafter Challenge blog for their challenge Fall Has Arrived.  For this challenge you can create a project or pick an element from the photo inspiration.

I made several cards in anticipation of hosting the challenge and have been posting them this week to encourage you to participate in this fun challenge.  This card was made using some of the leftover pieces of my challenge entry.  Here's the details:

• The card background was made using Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  The technique is all over the internet - simply apply the inks on the front of the card base with a sponge tool.  I then dropped water droplets onto the card front to create the splotches which look like rain.
• The leaves are die cut from one of the test backgrounds created using my Brusho watercolor crystals.  They are die cut with my Momenta Cut 'N Emboss Leaf die.  They create beautiful focal points on the card.  I edged each with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and used some yellow twine to tie bows to each leaf.
• The sentiment came from a Raisin Boat Thankful stamp set.  I stamped in brown Archival Ink and hand cut the flag, edging  and coloring in Vintage Photo and Walnut Ink Distress Inks.  

Oh my goodness I am having a ton of fun this week.  I am so thankful that the ladies over at City Crafter Challenge Blog invited me to be the guest designer.  Won't you join us in the challenge?  Create a card or project using the photo as inspiration.  Then head on over to the blog to link up to the challenge.

I decided to link this card up to a few other challenges:

Little Red Wagon Happy Fall Y'all

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge # 202 Anything Goes

Come join the fun!

A Fall Spirit

If you're here to see my guest appearance at the City Crafter Challenge Blog this week, scroll down or click here.

I am the guest designer this week at the City Crafter Challenge blog for their challenge Fall Has Arrived.  For this challenge you can create a project or pick an element from the photo inspiration.

I made several cards in anticipation of hosting the challenge and will post them this week and encourage you to participate in this fun challenge.  This card was made using the following techniques which are similar to the one in the challenge entry.  Here's the details:

• The background was made by sprinkling Brilliant Red, Orange and Yellow Brushos watercolor crystals onto Strathmore watercolor paper.  I then used a spray bottle to mist water over the paper.  It created these splashes of color.  I did leave the paper flat and used a heat tool to dry so I didn't (purposefully) get too much watercolor effect.  This technique leaves wonderful bursts of color that are perfect for this card.
• I die cut the leaves with my Momenta Cut 'N Emboss Leaf die from some glitter paper.  They create beautiful focal points on the card.  

• The sentiment came from a Raisin Boat Thankful stamp set.  I stamped in brown Archival Ink and hand cut the flag, edging in Distress Inks.  

It was so fun to prepare to be the guest designer.  I can't say thank you often or loud enough to the ladies over at City Crafter Challenge blog.  I decided to link this card up to a few other challenges:

Little Red Wagon Happy Fall Y'all

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge # 202 Anything Goes

Come join the fun!

Water Color for Card Makers - Day 2 Washes

On the second day of my Online Card Class, we were instructed to work with watercolors like Distress Inks or Peerless water colors to create a wash effect  the idea was to experiment with our paper and watercolor to see how it moves and works when blending.  I'm stopping by tonight to share my experiments.

This was created with three different colors  one at a time.  I used a fair amount of water on this one.  I used Distress Ink for each of the following.

This one I tried to create an ombre look.  This is tougher than I thought,  but I really like the finish.

This last was intended to keep each stripe separate,  but blend in a way so that there is ultimately a smooth transition.   I'm sure I'll make cards from these and will share the final result when I do.  Hope your first day of fall was spectacular.

City Crafter Challenge #280: Fall Has Arrived

I am so pleased to be able to write this post to you.  I am the guest designer at the City Crafter Challenge blog for their challenge which starts today.  Their challenge for week 280 (this week!) is Fall Has Arrived.  For this challenge you can create a project or pick an element from the photo inspiration.

I don't know if you can tell, but I was inspired by the word Fall (since it isn't fall in Arizona until late October, I use any excuse to think of fall early!) and the pop of bright red in those apples.  For most parts of the Northern hemisphere, fall has just started and, yes!, leaves are falling.  But, it's also harvest time so that also a great idea to start with.  This photo could also inspire hills or other borders.  Just have fun.

I am so enjoying two things right now - shaker cards and my Brushos.  I immediately turned to both for inspiration.  Here's the details:

• The background (which is actually in the foreground) was made by sprinkling Brilliant Red, Orange and Yellow Brushos watercolor crystals onto Strathmore watercolor paper.  I then used a spray bottle to mist water over the paper.  It created these splashes of color all on it's own.  I did leave the paper flat and used a heat tool to dry so I didn't (purposefully) get too much watercolor effect.  This technique leaves startling bursts of color.
• I die cut the background with my Momenta Cut 'N Emboss Leaf die to cut out the openings for my shaker card.  I also cut leaves from glitter paper to put on the card front behind the window/foreground.
• I used Jennifer McQuire's shaker card method to assemble my card, filling the openings with variegated seed beads.  I made a starter card for this with prills for the shaking that was a bit of a "fail".  Maybe I'll share that card with you to talk about what not to do.  I also used Jennifer's trick of die cutting a piece of white foam to raise my frame for the shaker card.  I cut the opening back only a small bit so that the beads can't hide too much in the edges.  It works beautifully and makes a very sturdy shaker card that can totally go through the mail.
• The sentiment came from a Raisin Boat Thankful stamp set I won a couple of months ago during a challenge.  I stamped in brown Archival Ink and hand cut the flag, edging in Distress Inks.  A little more ink around the edges of my card and it is a fabulous finish.

Since I'm guesting at City Crafter Challenge, I will personally challenge you to join the fun.  The challenge ends September 28th, so hurry and join the fun!

Watercolor for Card Makers - Online Card Class

I decided to join the folks at Online Card Classes in a recent offering of Watercolor for Card Makers.  It's not to late to join the fun.  Check them out at the link.  This first specimen is a good technique shared by Jennifer Mcguire.  By embossing the image, it creates a lovely edge within which to confine the watercolor.    I applied Distress Markers to the page and then used a brush and some water to move the color around in the image.

This is a color study looking at the different colors and how they move on the watercolor paper.  I used Canson cold press watercolor paper  and am not  very happy how this paper works.  There is a fair amout of pilling.

I used some drawing gum to mask the heart shape and color the pink on the outside of the heart.  Then I removed the drawing gum by gently rubbing the gum off the paper and colored the center with blue.  Definitely going to put this drawing gum to use.

This is my favorite technique for today.  I applied the Distress Marker to the stamp, stamped the image and then used a brush with water to move the color around.  These turned out very nice and I want to give this a go again for sure.

I'll probably use these for cards in the future.  I'll try to post them if I do.  Have a great night and I'll see you tomorrow for a very special post.

Sending a Very Happy Birthday

Popping in to say a quick hello and share this fun shaker card I made for my nephew's birthday.  He was 9 this year - that funny age where he is too small to cherish a card from Auntie and too big to like something juvenile.  So, I made this card to have fun.  Here's the details:

• The hat was cut using my Cricut cart Straight From the Nest out of watercolor paper.  There are layered pieces (the red at the top and the green fringe at the bottom).  I used my Brushos to create the watercolor look to the hat.
• The shaker window was cut using my SSS Stitched Rectangles die.  I love the simple, yet crisp look this die gives.  The shaker window was created following the same process that of Jennifer McGuire's video.  The shaker is filled with blue sequins, clear acetate stars and red and blue bling pieces. 
• The sentiment inside and out are from Penny Black's Sweet Wishes stamp set using black Archival Ink.

A couple of the attendees were like - "Oooh, sweet card".  That was enough for me.  I got the boy a Stomp Rocket.  Now that solicited a "cool!" from the birthday boy.  I'm a happy Auntie.  If you haven't given the shaker card a go, I suggest trying.  They are fun and cool new (to me) technique.

I'm linking up with the following challenges :

Our Beautiful World chall6:  #115 Assorted.  It is rare that one of my cards fits the word prompt, but this is such a time.  The word is Assorted and my shaker card does contain an assortment of shiny bits.

Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge : Love This Technique.  I am certainly enamored with the shaker card right now.

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #201 Anything Goes.  The entries in this challenge are so varied that I am always inspired when I click through.

Come join the fun!

A Set of Notecards with Vintage Flowers

I'm out of town today and scheduled this post last weekend after completing the post on my Altenew Vintage Flowers stamping session using my MISTI tool.  I'll suggest Jennifer Mcguire's video as it is what I used.  All sentiments were stamped with black Archival Ink using my SSS Handwritten Borders stamps.  I'll try to point out color combinations.  The purple is a Brilliance Pearlescent Purple pigment ink in the background and VersaMagic Purple Hydrangea pigment ink in the foreground.

Notice the difference in these red flowers.  The background ink is SSS Smoke hybrid ink.  The red is Colorbox Magenta pigment ink.  The first card was made with the "outline" layer in Colorbox Frosted White pigment ink.    This next card used another layer of the Magenta pigment ink.  I really like the outline effect of the white pigment ink, don't you?

The yellow is Close to My Heart's Buttercup dye ink and the orange is CTMH's Sunset dye ink.  This is an example of a color combination I was determined to hate and found that I really like the definition provided by these inks.

The background is a Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue pigment ink and the foreground is VersaMagic Aegean Blue pigment ink.  When I first stamped the background, I thought "Ugh!" due to the splotchy nature of the stamp. However, the look is very appealing lending texture to the flower.

The last one is SSS Smoke hybrid ink and CTMH Moonstruck dye ink.  This is another of my favorite combinations.  I like these so well that I intend to make a few more sets as presents.  Look for more pictures and color combinations coming before the holidays!

I'm linking up to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge Simon Says Die Crazy.  I almost didn't purchase the matching die for the Altenew stamp set.  I'm so happy I did now.

Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge Love This Technique.  I couldn't resist joining this challenge.  I really do love this technique.  The layering stamps really add dimension to the card.

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #201 Anything Goes.  They lays have such inspiring entries.

Come join the fun!

A Very Friendly Birthday Card

Brandy sent me a photo of this lovely creation she made for her niece's birthday.  It is so bright and colorful, I'm just in love with this card.  Here's some details about the card:

• This shaker card was made using a technique similar to the one shared by Jennifer McGuire's video.  The opening is a simple rectangle, but the foam sheet behind, use of glittery sequins inside, etc. are all similar.
• The balloons and streamers were stamped using various inks and Mama Elephant's Party Kit stamp and die set.  Brandy used some black string as the balloon ties and I think it adds just the right texture and depth to the card.  
• I'm not exactly sure where the candles came from, but I enjoy the colorful addition.  They were adhered with the sentiment frame to the card base before creating the shaker part of the card.  I believe the presents were a part of the same sticker set or technique.
• The chummy pals on the front of the card were stamped using black Archival Ink and the PaperSmooches stamp set Chubby Chum Pals.  The colored images were also cut using the coordinating dies.  

Tell me how charming and adorable this card is!  Each small element has been created with such love and attention.  As usual, Brandy stuns and I'm so blessed she lets me share her creations here with you.  Let's all give Brandy a round of applause.  She reads your comments and is encouraged (like me) by your kind words!