In the Studio with Lili and Natasha

I had so much fun today!!  Lili and Natasha joined me in the art studio and they each made four beautiful cards!  They learned some new techniques (paper piecing, watercolor spritz, sponged backgrounds ... plus more).  I always have a great time with these crazy girls!!  Thanks again, Lili and Natasha, for hanging out with me and thanks for the fabulous snowflakes embossing folder and copper sheets - how did you know??!!

After they left, I took a short break and then headed back to the studio and made the card below.  This uses the technique I found on Art Impressions website.  You ink a line stamp and stamp onto watercolor paper.  Then you go over the image with a damp paintbrush to soften the lines.  Result - a main image that looks hand-drawn and watercolored.  This was made with all SU! products.  Hope you like.

"Wheat"

Stamps:  Always Thankful, Vintage Labels (SU!)

Paper:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Soft Suede DP, watercolor paper (SU!)

Ink:  More Mustard, Early Espresso Old Olive (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  small paintbrush, small oval punch, medium oval punch, sticky strips, adhesives and dimensionals

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I inked the stamp using Stampin' Write markers and stamped onto watercolor paper.  I wet a small paint brush, squeezed most of the water off and then ran it along the image, softening the lines of the stamp.  I framed it with Early Espresso cardstock.

I cut a piece of Soft Suede DP about an inch larger than the framed main image and also framed it with Early Espresso.  I stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso ink onto watercolor paper and punched it out with a small oval punch.  I framed the sentiment with a medium oval punched from Early Espresso cardstock.

I mounted all the pieces as shown in the picture, popping up the main image and the sentiment with dimensionals to add depth.

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This morning hubby and I started our day by having coffee on the deck (as usual).  It's starting to get a little cooler, so it's nice to have the propane deck heater to keep us warm.  With the cooler weather, the leaves have begun changing color on the vine maples that we have in our backyard.  The colors are stunning so I had to take a picture.  As always, things are even better in real life, but the trees still look awesome in the picture.  If only the leaves would pick themselves up and put themselves in the compost - wouldn't that be nice!!