I started with a smooshed background from my stash of light pink and green. I embossed the poinsettia and then watercoloured over top using distress inks (worn lipstick, shabby shutters, peeled paint). I added a bit of shading to the leaves, but not the poinsettias. I just left them the one colour. You'll see dots of red ink that was leftovers in the folder from my other cards. Should have washed it, but it all worked out as I love the little bits of contrast.
Close-up ...
On to the second card using the same embossing folder. This started out as a fail. I inked the inside of the folder with distress inks (fired brick, peeled paint, mustard seed), spritzed with water and ran it through my embossing machine. The deep 3-D embossing is amazing, but my ink only left an outline of the images. I set it aside for a while. I had a thought to watercolour freehand over top of the embossing ... so that's how this design came about. You can see bits of the outlining as well as my watercolouring of the images. Happy with how it turned out ... although there are a couple of boo-boos. :) This was the first card I made with this embossing folder.
Stamped a simple sentiment (Big Scripty Greetings Holiday - Simon Says Stamp) using the same green on my leaves and stems, but stamped several times to get a clean image, which made it darker. Also found it hard to figure out where to put the sentiment, so it ended up on the bottom. I'm OK with it! :)
Close-up ...
Last card ... this time watercoloured with zigs which are bright and clean. Totally different look than the distress inks used above.
Close-up ...
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Jessie's latest toy - 3 Squirrels in a tree trunk
Stamps: 2)Big Scripty Holiday Greetings (Simon Says Stamp); 3) Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper: Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Real Red card stock (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Distress Inks: 1) Worn Lipstick, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint; 2) Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Peeled Paint; 3) zigs
Accessories: Poinsettia 3D embossing folder (Sizzix for Tim Holtz), water brush, white embossing powder, heat tool
Beautiful cards. My last Granddog (wheaten terrier) Loved that toy! He would take the little critters outside and bury them!
ReplyDeleteCan see why the EF was a 'Must Have' - gorgeous cards Loll.... and nearly as gorgeous as Jessie! She is simply adorable! x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! Beautiful Jessie!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how many times I've put that embossing folder in my cart and then taken it out only to put it back in again!! I always chicken out thinking I wouldn't be able to color it well enough! All 3 of yours are absolutely beautiful Loll...I think the 1st is my favorite too though just because of the softer colors. A lovely, lovely trio my friend! Love Jessie's new toy too...she plays so gentle with it! Daisy would have destroyed it in an hour! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!! :0)
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing 3D embossing folder for sure! Your first card is so pretty, I love the softness of the colors, but yet vibrant enough. The darker red spots are great and definitely gives bits of contrast. This one is my favorite of the three too. The other two are bold and look so different with the watercolor to the Zig color. The sentiment is in the right spot to my eye on the second card. I do like the panel cut down on the third card and your sentiment on the mat. There is sweet Jessie, how is she doing?? She looks like she really loves her toy! She is as cute as ever! Hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteGorgeous results from that beautiful embossing folder!!! My favourite is the first one too - love the soft colours. Also love the third one with the panel cut down and popped up on the gorgeous rich red card base.
ReplyDeleteJessie sure is having fun with her new toy (it's so cute!).
I've just got my hands on this embossing folder and I can't wait to play after seeing your gorgeous designs. Love the watercoloured look on the first one, glad you stuck with the second the result is beautiful, and I love how you've trimmed the third one down to fit your festive red cardbase ..... love it! Now I just need some time to play. Thanks for sharing xx
ReplyDeleteThere turned out beautifully, Loll. Kudos to you for painting an embossed image, something I have not had the nerve to try. I too favor the pink one but all of them are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThree fantastic looks with this awesome embossing folder, Lolly! I especially love the pink with the soft smooshed background! The reds are so vibrant and gorgeous too, especially on the red card base! Looks like Jessie is having fun too!
ReplyDeleteI have just bought this embossing folder so will definitely be having a go at these techniques! I don't think the image on the packaging sells it. It was only after seeing another gorgeous sample that someone else had made that I knew I wanted to buy it! Thanks for the inspiration Loll ~ Stef
ReplyDeleteNow that these cards have been seen, I'm guessing that this TH folder will sell out in a heartbeat. I've often wanted to try this technique, but never have the courage, lol! These are really pretty cards, Loll. I like everything about them. Simply gorgeous. xo Stay safe. Bev
ReplyDeletePoinsettia's AND puppy in one post? Oh the joys, Loll!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness you really know how to paint those embossed images, my friend - beautifully! What you are calling your 'fail' is my favorite! I'll bet it is gorgeous un-colored, too?
=]
I, too, bought this folder the minute I saw it but haven't used it yet. I'm not sure I can do it justice like you did. All three cards are great and inspiring. I do like the soft first card and how you did it. The red ones are lovely as well. What a cute toy that is and Jessie looks like she is enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous, Loll!!! The first is my fave too!
ReplyDeleteAll three are just gorgeous, Lolly! I think you are going to sell out this e/f! I love seeing the different looks you end up depending on what you do. My favorite is the first one with the dreamy softer colors. Well, my real favorites are the photos of Jessie, of course! That's gotta be the dang cutest dog toy ever!! Love, Dolly
ReplyDeleteA wonderful set of card, I agree the first one is my favourite too. Have never tried water colouring an embossed card so I must try it sometime xx
ReplyDeleteI don't use many EFs these days but this one is gorgeous and you have used it beautifully on all three cards Loll. I do particularly love the first in that pretty pink but the otherin more reddish tones are wonderful too, and this Sizzix one is definitely on my wish list and I will be keeping an eye out for it. x
ReplyDeleteSorry, I forgot to say what lovely photos of sweet Jessie, she obviously loves her new toy. x
ReplyDeleteOh my, each of your cards is a masterpiece. That embossing folder is a must have! Love every one and the colours are gorgeous. Hugs Mrs A.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, they're all gorgeous! I love the delicate color of the first with the watercolor and the speckles, which worked out perfectly. Sure glad you didn't discard the second one because I really love it -- wow! It's like a stamp, but 3D! The last one is bright and soft at the same time. The colors are fantastic and the red base with white embossed sentiment is so lovely.
ReplyDeleteWait a minute - ack! I forgot to express how utterly adorable Jessie is with her new toy! It wouldn't last long here. LuLu would carry the squirrels around like puppies for a few days, but the first time a hole appeared, their stuffing would start to come out little by little.
ReplyDeleteGreat cards, Loll! I love all three, each for a different reason. The colors are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJessie sure is having fun :o)
OH WOW these 3D EF are amazing and I just love you treatment of the embossed image... yes I do like the first the best - soft colours, but they're all fabulous Loll, have a great crafty week hugs Robyn
ReplyDeleteOh my..Three gorgeous 3D EB folder poinsettias cards, Lolly. I love all 3 and can not possibly choose a favorite. The softness of your 1st card, the 2nd poinsettia card with a Joyful sentiment and the brighter Zigs colored and framed 3rd card are all perfect for friends with different styles:-) TFS your beauties and all the details, my friend. I will be adding this wonderful 3D folder to my wishlist. TFS and always inspiring me. Love and Hugs..Nancy
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these three amazing cards Loll. The embossing folder looks fabulous and I love how you've water coloured them in three very different ways. Such an artsy and pretty first one, vintage and distressed second one and what a vibrant third one x.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky is Jessie with her new toy?...which made me giggle x.
She is super adorable and glad she 'freed the squirrels....LOL x.
I can see why you had to have this EF, Loll ... it's so you ... and you showcased it beautifully on all three cards ... I'm especially taken with that first one, it's just dreamy! Cute pics! Hugs, Anita :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards here Loll... all of them, love how you water coloured them all so differently too. Darn....yet more stuff I need now lol ;)hugs Viv xx
ReplyDeleteThey are all so artsy and so lovely! And Jessie... Awww! She is so sweet and what a cute toy!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive - I find it SO hard to colour EFs! Love the different looks you came up with here. I love the photos of adorable Jessie with her toy. Eva had something similar when she was a pup and had a lot of fun with it. Vicky x
ReplyDeleteBrilliant working with this folder. Thanks to different techniques, you obtained 3 such different cards. It's fascinating and very inspiring. The manufacturer should pay you Loll a commission on the sale because you've got so many people to buy this EF. It's a great thing to inspire so much. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteJessie is very sweet.
Gorgeous cards made with an amazing poinsettia 3D embossing folder, Loll! Yes, I can see the first card is more like YOU. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing the three ways of watercoloring the EF. Your watercoloring is simply exquisite!
Jessie is as cute as ever! Is she trying to get into the tree trunk after taking the squirrels out? :-D
Hideko xx
Wow these cards are breathtakingly beautiful Loll. That embossing folder sure is a winner and you have done it proud.
ReplyDeleteI think all of them turned out amazing! Love the rich colors on the second... that technique rather worked well! I just got this folder the other day! I am looking forward to making some cards with it. Thank you for the inspirations!
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