Dreaming - Flower Collection

Hi everyone.  Back with another two cards using Penny Black's new Dreaming release.  Today I used a different image from the Flower Collection stamp set (30-575).  I tried something a little different (for me) and I hope you like it ...

I wanted to use this image on a watercoloured (smooshed) background and practise more with the Bleaching Technique I learned at my recent retreat (thanks again, Susan!)  I started by smooshing Salty Ocean and Wilted Violet with a piece of mixed media paper.  I used lots of water so the colours are soft and well blended.

The image is stamped with Versamark and heat embossed in white.  A small paint brush and bleach was used to remove the background colour from the leaves and flowers.  I find I had to do one small part at a time (say, one leaf) with the bleach and then quickly blot with paper towel.  Otherwise the bleach would continue to spread and go outside of the white embossed lines.  Even though I was careful, it happened quite a few times, but I figured out how to quickly fix the problem ... add some diluted Salty Ocean ink. :)  Once the image was bleached, I then watercoloured with more distress inks (Peeled Paint, Wilted Violet).  The smile sentiment (Happy Snippets 30-358) was stamped and heat embossed in white to match the image.  To finish the card I added an antique frame (51-397).  I'm happy how this turned out.

Here's a close-up ...

Here's a second card using the same basic layout, but changing up the design with keeping the background white, and changing up the colours of the flowers.  The sentiment stamp is from Happy Heights (30-548).

A Leaf Stitched Frame (51-552) was popped up on top for added dimension.  Told you I knew I would use these A LOT! :)  This time I added just a little Twisted Citron green distress ink to the leaves to add something special to the frame.

I'm sending the first card over to Penny Black Saturday July Challenge - Anything Goes (2nd entry).

And I'm sending the second card to Penny Black & More July Challenge, where they are looking for summer colours.  I think the second card is very summery and fresh with the red and bright green. :)

******Summer Colours******

I hope you enjoyed my cards.  Thanks for visiting!

Card #1:  Smile
Stamps:  Flower Collection (Penny Black); Happy Snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, water mister, bleach, paint brush for bleach, Leaf Stitched Frames die (Penny Black)

Card #2:  Hello
Stamps:  Flower Collection (Penny Black); Happy Heights (Penny Black
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Grey Shadow Archival Ink (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, Leaf Stitched Frames die (Penny Black)


Challenges:
Penny Black Saturday July Challenge - Anything Goes
Penny Black and More July Challenge - Summer Colours