Sunflower and Watercolor

Today I was in the studio with Frances.  We had so much fun!! ... and both got two cards made.  We spent many hours crafting, gabbing, eating (always eating!) ... great time - thanks again for spending the day with me, Fran!!

The first card is fun and has sort of a country-feel to it ... it's the gingham - so sweet!  I used my new Sunflower die from C.C. Designs, but substituted the center of the flower for one made from my beloved sun punch (love those punches even though you get a workout using them ... at least my hands get a workout - whew - they are tough).  Love the yellow and Early Espresso together - so clean and fresh.  Hope you like.

"One of a Kind, Sunflower"

Stamp:  Word Salad (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  Heavy White (C.C. Designs); Yellow Gingham (Making Memories); Old Olive, Soft Suede (SU!)
Ink:  Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Sunflower die (C.C. Designs); Little Leaves die (Sizzix); Medium and Small Sun punches (Punch Bunch), 1/4" Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon, mat pack, stylus, tweezers, adhesives, glue, sticky strips and glue dots

I cut out two sunflowers from the yellow gingham dp, shaped them with my mat pack and stylus and glued them together, offsetting the petals.

I punched one medium sun and six small suns from Soft Suede cardstock.  I sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink, cut each sun ray in half and shaped them with my mat pack and stylus.  With the six small suns, I cut into the middle of each one, twisted them into the shape of a cone and then glued the six cones into the center of the medium shaped sun.  I glued the sunflower center onto the petals.

I cut out three Little Leaves dies from Old Olive cardstock and glued them together to make a thick die-cut. 

I stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso ink.  I glued the leaf sprig and sunflower to the card front.  I added a strip of yellow gingham dp to the top (1 1/4" wide), topped with the grosgrain ribbon.  I added another gingham strip and ribbon to the inside bottom of the card.

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For the second card, I was inspired by this beautiful card by Susie Nelson on SCS.  I love her watercolor technique with the negative circle die with white die-cuts layered on top.  I used the same techique, layout and design, just changing up the colors of ink and dies.  I made mine smaller, so left off the sentiment.  Thanks Susie!

This card qualifies for the Technique Lover's Challenge at SCS (TLC391 - no stamping).

"Happy Birthday, Frances"

Paper:  Heavy white cardstock (C.C. Designs); watercolor paper
Ink:  Re-inkers Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Nestabilities circles (Spellbinders), Madera Corner die (Memory Box), Hydrangea Punch (Martha Stewart), Aqua Painter, mat pack, stylus, clear glitter glue, glue, sticky strips and dimensionals

I added a couple of drops of water to each reinker, misted my watercolor paper lightly, and added the reinkers using my Aqua Painter.  It took a few tries to get the look I was happy with ... watercolor paper has a mind of it's own!!  Once dry, I mounted the watercolored paper onto my white card base.

I ran a white card front through my Big Shot with the circle Nestie.  I cut out three Madera Corner dies from white, mounted two to the back of the card front - one in each of the diagonal corners, pulling the stems to the front.  You'll notice the corner die at the top right has less coming through than the corner die at the bottom left ---  I wanted it to be heavier on the bottom of the card.  The third corner die is attached to the inside panel for interest.

I punched out several hydrangea blooms, shaped them with my mat pack and stylus, and added clear glitter glue to the center of each blossom for some bling.  Once dry, the flowers were glued randomly onto the leaf stems.