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.

Dancing Your Way to Health

My watercolors were out on the work table and so I couldn't help myself.  I decided to try to act a little like an artist.  I am slowly coming to terms with the idea that I may, in fact, have artistic tendencies.  This might sound funny to you since I've had a craft blog for several years, but I always thought of myself as crafty rather than artistic.  My grandma had purchased a little dancing mouse stamp set from Close to My Heart several years back, never used it and gave it to me.  I had not yet used it so I made this card.

I loosely used Kristina Werner's technique with Distress Markers starting with a stamped image using Antique Linen Distress ink.  The marker colors included:

• Scattered Straw
• Worn Lipstick
• and Weathered Wood

I used Strathmore watercolor paper which is the right price on sale and a perfect medium for this technique.

Ultimately, I gave this little card to my MIL as she was recovering from a minor surgery on her foot.  Minor or not, the thought of dancing around made her smile- just the right touch I'd say.

If you haven't given your inner artist a chance (like me!), let her out.  She's not too bad and look what you have to show for your efforts! Ive also found the challenges help me to think of my craftiness differently.  I'm linking this up to The Ribbon Girl Blog challenge August Colour Challenge- Pink and Word Art Wednesday's Challenge#197 - AnythingGoes/Family.  Come join the fun and challenge yourself to see your craftiness differently.