Monoprint Birthday for Sandie

Hi everyone.

First of all ... Happy Birthday to my friend and fellow DT member Sandie (London Days).  Sandie, I hope you are having a wonderful birthday.  I know there's some special events for you today and I wanted to join in.  I hope that you have already received the birthday card I mailed about two weeks ago, but if you haven't ... here's another one for you!  Have a great day Sandie!!!

Today is the last day of the on-line watercolor class that I'm taking (although the write up today said there will be some bonus techniques tomorrow - yay!).

There were four different, fun techniques shown today ... the first one is called "monoprint".  Tim Holtz demonstrated this fun and easy technique using stencils ... LOVE IT!  I haven't yet received my Distress Inks that I've ordered, so I used Stampin' Up! inks, and a sponge dauber to add them to the stencil - worked great.  I love the bright colors of the background and didn't want to cover it up, so I added a simple stamped sentiment along with a thin word die (layered), which is coated with Wink of Stella for some added shimmer.  I'm entering this into the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Die Crazy!

I had fun experimenting and below are two more backgrounds I made with the monoprint technique.  I made one that didn't turn out (not sharing), but I think I just didn't add enough ink or water.  This technique needs lots of both.

Here's the other samples I made with stencils ...

I like how they both turned out, especially the harlequin and will make it into a card at a later date.

The weather has been lovely all week here in B.C. and I've been working on cleaning out my greenhouse that has been neglected for two years.  It became a dumping ground for pots, dead plants, etc.  I've now emptied it out and today I'm going to start washing it down.  I know it's late to get started for this year, but it's the first chance I've had, so I'll do it now while the weather isn't too hot, and then be ready for bulb planting in the fall.  It's nice to have some time to putter ... and being outside getting fresh air is even better.

Hope you all have a wonderful day  too!  :)

Stamps:  Handwritten Notes (Avery Elle)
Paper:  Watercolor (Arches 140 lb. cold press); Black (SU!); White (Neenah)
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Happy die (Simon Says), Stencil (cut with Cameo and cut file Polka-dot Lace), sponge daubers, water mister, Fiskars Stamp press, Wink of Stella pen

Challenge:
Simon Says - Die Crazy!