Watercolour Christmas

Hi everyone.  I just bought this beautiful Penny Black stamp a little while ago, and it's my first time inking it up. :)

I wanted to try the no line watercolouring technique again.  I'm happy with how it turned out.  I love to watercolour and find it very relaxing and therapeutic. :)

Turns out the challenge this month at Penny Black Saturday is One Layer cards.  Thanks Bonnie!  I'm heading over to add this card to the gallery. :)

I used distress inks for watercolouring my card, along with a waterbrush.  That combination seems to work the best for me.  I also used some watercolour pencils to add in a little detailing.  I struggle with using pencils for my main colouring, but for adding details, it really work well for me.

Since this is a NBUS stamp, I'm also sending this to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #12 (my third and final entry).  It's been great fun using new stamps and products to play along.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Bells & Berries (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Abandoned Coral, Fired Brick, Vintage Photo, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, Derwent Watercolour Pencils

Challenges:
Penny Black Saturday - One Layer
Darnell's NBUS Challenge #12

CASEing Linda

Hi everyone.  Today's card is a CASE of a card made by my dear friend, Linda (Life in the Craft Lane).  Linda is so talented and loves to play with all kinds of different mixed media products.  I have learned so much for her over the past three years. Thank you Linda!!

Linda's card

I loved the soft colours of her alcohol ink background.  Most of my AI backgrounds tend to be very bright and bold.  This time I used a different colour combination which included a few softer colours.  I love how it turned out.  I heat embossed my image in gold (same as Linda), and also stamped the sentiment so that it was across the main panel and the card base.  It turned out great and I love this design detail. The hard part was photographing it so that the word "smile" looked lined up.  It is lined up in real life, but the camera does love to play tricks. :)

I know that it's a no-no to heat emboss Yupo, but I just did quick passes over top of the stamping with my heat tool so that the yupo didn't buckle.  It takes a little bit of time, but worked well.

I hope you like my CASE of Linda's gorgeous card.  If you don't know Linda, make sure to check out her blog (Life in the Craft Lane).  She makes amazing cards and also shares her how to's on working with all kinds of products and techniques.  I know you'll be glad you stopped by to see her!

This will be my second entry for Darnell's NBUS Challenge #12.  This is the first time using this flower stamp and sentiment stamp. :)  Thanks Darnell for this fun challenge!!

Stamps:  Insightful Meadows (Unity); Smile (AliExpress)
Paper:  Yupo (main panel); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Alcohol Inks:  Shell Pink, Terracotta, Cranberry (Ranger); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Gold embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
NBUS Challenge #12

September Rudolph Days

Hi everyone.  Here's my card for the September Rudolph Days Challenge run by the sweet Maureen (Scraps of Life by Scrappymo!)

I used one of my watercolour and salt backgrounds for the night sky.  Adding a sweet white die-cut scene that I borrowed from my friend Susan.  I had also just received this partial circle cross-stitch die from AliExpress and they fit perfectly together. :)  I added a bit of glitter along the roof of the house, ground and trees. The window is coloured with a yellow copic market and the sentiment is heat embossed in silver.  Another one for my stash! :)

I hope you'll check out the Rudolph challenge and come join in.  It's open from the 25th until the end of the month.

I'm also entering this into Darnell's NBUS Challenge #12.  I'm so excited for this challenge as I have lots of NBUS items that need some love. :)  As I mentioned, the half circle cross stitch die used for the above card is new to me.

Stamps:  Christmas Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Brushos:  Turquoise and Ultra Marine; Versamark; yellow copic marker
Accessories & Tools:  Salt, Countryside Circle die (Memory Box), Partial circle die-cut (AliExpress), glitter glue, silver embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
September Rudolph Days
NBUS Challenge #12

Copper Leaf Hello

Hi everyone.  One more card for the CAS Watercolour - Silhouette challenge before it closes in a couple of days.

  

Made this card for my dear friend, Nancy.  It's her birthday in a few days and she will be off camping and enjoying a relaxing time.  Sent it to her early and she has already received it in the mail. :)  Think this might be the only card I have sent this year that arrived in time!  Time seems to get away from me lately.  Happy Birthday to you, sweet friend!!

I used a technique that I have rarely used, acrylic block watercolouring.  Don't know why I don't use this more because it's pretty easy and makes for a lovely background.  I added two shades of orange distress inks onto an acrylic block, sprayed with a little water and then pressed into a piece of mixed media paper. After it was dry, I masked the edges and stamped script over top to give it a little more interest.

I coloured a piece of copper with red alcohol ink and then die-cut the leaf sprig.  A simple Hello sentiment finishes the card.

We've had a wonderful time with this fun challenge.  Amazing cards by our wonderful Design Team and talented Guest Designer, Birgit.  And so many beautiful and creative cards from our participants.  Thanks to all that played along!

Stamps:  Script (Penny Black); Sentiment - Bouquet of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Wild Honey (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  acrylic block, water mister, copper sheet, red alcohol ink, Little Leaves die (Sizzix)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette

Merry Monday

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with the Merry Monday Challenge ... tag + texture + bling + die-cuts.  Whew ... all that and I still managed to keep it CAS. :)

I used another "throw-away" piece of foil that I use to protect my work table when working with alcohol inks.  I just loved the colours left over on the foil, so used it to make this bright and shiny tag background.  I mounted the foil onto a piece of card stock, adhering with glue.  Once dry, it was dry embossed with a snowflakes folder to add lots of texture.

A simple white die-cut of snow hill and trees was added on top, and the sentiment was stamped and heat embossed in silver.  The silver adds bling (along with the shine from the foil).

A dotty stamp was used to add interest on the card base, again heat embossed in silver.  The main panel was popped up for added dimension.

Stamps:  Festive Snippets (Penny Black); Gorgeous Grunge (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Aluminum Foil; White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Alcohol inks from Ranger; Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Snowflakes embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Tree Line die (Impression Obsession), silver embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
Merry Monday Challenge #257 - Tag (+texture+bling+die-cuts)

With Sympathy

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a sympathy card that I sent to a dear friend.

The background is a flat wash of soft blue.  To add a little bit of interest, I splattered with water and then used a paper towel to remove the water and ink (ghosting).

I stamped a flower sprig and watercoloured with Stampin' Up! inks using a water brush.  Then framed the image with a simple white border.

This is for the CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Watercolour Wash.  I followed one of the videos on the challenge blog to create the flat wash.

There's still a few days left before the challenge closes.  Hope you'll join us.

Stamps:  Penny Black; Sentiment from Bouquet of Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Blue watercolour paint (?); Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant (Stampin' Up)
Accessories & Tools:  1" flat brush, water brush, white gel pen, Square Nestabilities (Spellbinder)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Watercolour Wash

Thinking of You

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all having a great start to your week.

I'm back from my holiday on Galiano Island.  We had a wonderful and relaxing time. Saw lots of wildlife, including deer that had a path right through the property we were at, so they were just at the edge of the deck when passing by.  We also saw whales in Active Pass, which is always exciting.

I'll share a couple of pictures that Alex took of the place we stayed at ... a beautiful log home right on the water, overlooking Active Pass (between Vancouver mainland and Vancouver Island).

On to the card for today.  I'm honoured at Sabrina (Cook22 at SCS) is hosting the latest "Try a New Technique" challenge over at Splitcoaststampers and has used my Tissue Paper Watercolouring video as inspiration.  Thanks Sabrina!

I wanted to make sure I played along.  Luckily I had a few pieces of watercoloured, scrunched and heat embossed tissue paper in my stash, so this was a quick and easy card.

I added a die-cut peek-a-boo window and bird on a branch to the card front.  The sentiment is heat embossed in gold to match the embossing on the tissue paper.

This also works for the current CAS Watercolour challenge - Silhouette. :)  Bonus!

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White tissue paper; White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Tangerine Tango and Melon Mambo Reinkers (SU!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  gold embossing powder, heat tool, Window die and bird on a branch die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
SCS TLC656 - Watercoloured Tissue plus Embossing
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette

Sending you Love

Hi everyone.  A reminder for the CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette.

My card starts with the Inka Gold background.  I smooshed Rose Inka Gold along with Brushed Corduroy re-inker.  It's a different colour combination for me, but I love how it turned out.  I then stamped script randomly over the background for some more interest.  I used a corner die-cut with dragonflies, cut from black to be my silhouette.  I framed it in white and stamped a sentiment.

We are already over half way through the month.  There's still just over a week to play along with our challenge before it closes.  There are AMAZING entries in our gallery.  Come check them out and see the reminder cards from the Design Team and our wonderful Guest Designer, Birgit.

Stamps:  Script (Penny Black); Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  White card base & frame (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black (SU!)
Ink:  Distress Ink & Re-inker:  Brushed Corduroy
Accessories & Tools:  Inka Gold Rose (Viva Decor), water mister, palette knife, Dragonfly Stems Left Corner die (Memory Box), Rectangle Nestability (Spellbinder)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette

I'd Rather be Sailing

Hi everyone.  The card above looks like a bright and beautiful summer day, perfect for sailing.  For those of you that know me well ... the title of the post should read "I'd Rather Be Sailing ... NOT!" :)  I get sea sick easily.  I've been on a sailboat just once in my life and spent most of the time clinging to a pole while laying on the deck.  Not a pretty sight!!. :)

We're half way through September so this is my reminder card for the CAS Mix Up Challenge - Watercolour Wash.

  

Bonnie is hosting this month's challenge and we're having so much fun playing with watercolours!

I created the background wash following Gina Kim's video tutorial.  I taped down my watercolour paper and added lots of water on top with a sponge brush.  Then I used Peerless Watercolours to add swipes of colour (yellow, green and blue).  I added more ink and water and tilted the panel, letting the ink flow until the paper was completely covered with colour. Very easy way to do a Watercolour wash.

I die-cut this sailboat and sea scene with white card stock and popped it up on top. A simple stamped sentiment finishes the card.

I hope you'll take some time to check out the CAS Mix Up Challenge blog to see the beautiful watercolour wash cards from the Design Team and our wonderful Guest Designer, Cathy.  I know you'll be happy you did!

Since this card is a silhouette, I'm also adding this to the CAS Watercolour Challenge - Silhouette.

Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Peerless Watercolours (Bright Yellow, Light Green, Sky Blue); Salty Ocean Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  sponge brush, paint brush, Navigation Sailing die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Watercolour Wash
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette

follow your art

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing an experiment.  I wanted to see if I could watercolour with Distress Oxide Inks.  I used a brush to add clear water randomly over the center of my watercolour panel.  Then I just picked up some distress ink and randomly tapped it into the wet paper.  I washed out my brush and added a second, and then third colour randomly over the background.  I loved the artsy look and decided to add this sentiment to go with.  Diluted black acrylic paint was splattered over top to finish.

I'm happy with the way it turned out, but was hoping it would have a more translucent look.  Next time I will stick with using Distress inks or watercolour paints.

Stamps: follow your art (Stampendous)
Paper:  Hot Press Watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Oxides:  Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz); Versamark; Black acrylic paint (Liquitex)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, black embossing powder, heat tool, paint brush for splattering

Summer Sunset

Hi everyone.  I'm currently away on vacation over on Galiano Island.  We arrived last night and it started to rain.  It's been raining all day ... so it's too chilly to sit out on the deck, but we are enjoying the beautiful waterviews from inside the house.  It's all about resting and relaxing this week.  Jer and Alex are here for the weekend and we've been eating lots and playing games.  I pulled out my zigs this afternoon to do a little watercolouring and soon was joined by both Jer and Alex.  They had fun playing with the zigs. :)

Today's card is more playing with watercolour washes.  This was an experiment and it didn't turn out as I had planned. :)  I was looking to create a summer sunset with a watercolour flat wash.  I was hoping the colours would blend into each other a little more, but it's still a pretty background, so I'm sharing with you.

I wet my watercolour paper first, and then mixed up my paints with water to create pools of colour to work with.  You need to have the colours mixed ahead so that you don't have to mix more as you go along.  I started at the top with a few strokes of pink, then changed to orange (overlapping a bit with the pink), and finally to yellow (overlapping a bit with the orange).

I added a die-cut silhouette of some trees and leaves overtop so the sunset could peek through.

I'm adding this to the CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Watercolour Wash.  And I'm also adding this to the CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette.  Silhouettes don't have to be black! :)

  

Come join us!

Stamps:  Sentiment - Painted Butterflies (Altenew)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press); White (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Basic Gray (SU!)
Ink:  Peerless Watercolour (Bright Yellow, Orange, Geranium Pink); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  sponge brush, large 1" flat brush, Birch Tree Window die (Simon Says Stamp), white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Watercolour Wash
CAS Watercolour September Challenge - Silhouette

With Love for Izzy

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card I made for Jer's dear friend, Izzy.  He asked me to make her a special birthday card that was feminine with red or purple.  I used all three. :)

This is my first time watercolour blending both red and purple to create a two-toned flower.  I'm happy with how it turned out.

Of course, I got a smudge of black at the top left and didn't realize until after I finished watercolouring!! :)  So I fussy-cut the flower and stems, leaving a thin white border.  Then I popped up the flower heads for dimension and glued the bottom of the stems under a sentiment banner at the bottom.  A few sequins add sparkle ... Izzy is all about the bling! :)  I took my white gel pen and went over the lines of the stamens to make them stand out more.

I'm playing along with The Flower Challenge #12 - Tic-Tac-Toe.  I used the line across the middle "Gems, Watercolour, CAS". :)

  

Thanks for coming by for a visit.

Stamps:  Bouquet of Thanks; Thoughtful Messages (both from Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Wilted Violet, Candy Apple, Twisted Citron; Archival Black (Ranger); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, white gel pen, sequins

Challenges:
The Flower Challenge #12 - Tic-Tac-Toe