365 Cards Challenge An Image Using Water Color Pencils

I recently stumbled in the 365 Cards Blog. Daily, the gals there put up a new and different challenge...what a job that is! :o) Challenge Day 6 was to make a card using this sketch...

I looked at the sketch and immediately thought gift card holder, alas, the more I played, the less of a gift card holder I came up with. I shall make one using this sketch at some point, but for now, this is the card I made.

Normally, I would have heat embossed the image before I water colored. Last night, I had a conversation with a good friend and very experienced artist, who suggested that for fine detail images and water coloring it is best to stamp the image in a lighter color rather than heat embossing. He asserted that the EP could "muddy" the fine details. I was anxious to try his suggestion so I pulled out one of my all time favorite Close To My Heart stamps called "Enjoy Every Moment." It is featured in the current Idea Book. I stamped the image in Desert Sand ink and then proceeded to water color. It did work well. The medium colored Desert Sand allows the details of the flowers and leaves to show through the water coloring without the worry of it cracking. I was thrilled! The Close To My Heart inks also did not bleed when touched with water...even better! :o)

The pattern paper is from a Paper Packet called Miracles (another all time favorite of mine) and the card stock is Colonial White, Sweet Leaf and Crystal Blue. I've been making these fun stick pins with jewelry head pins and seed pearls. I thought the bow needed just a touch of something extra to finish off the card. What do you think?

Don't be afraid to give water coloring a try. It is a wonderful pastel soft way to color your spring images. BTW - a shout out and thank you to the ladies at 365 Cards for mentioning my "white space rose card" this morning on their blog. For Now, Happy Crafting!

A Card with Water Color Pencils

I am so happy that I took those classes on water color and color pencil techniques. I have been able to really enhance my coloring! Here is another example of what I learned in the class....

The stamp is from "House Mouse." I just fell in love these meases to pieces.... :o) The card stock is Close To My Heart Crystal Blue and run through my Cuttlebug for texture.l I matted the mice with Cocoa. The image is water colored using a totally different technique than my last post on color wash. I hand painted the mice....yes me....hand painted!

These techniques are far to good to keep to myself, so most of yesterday was spent on tutorials to share with you on the techniques. Watch for them as I my plan is to have them posted by the end of the month! For Now, Happy Crafting!

A Watercolor Wash Card with Heat Embossing

A few days ago, I had the opportunity to take 2 great classes with Dave Brethauer owner of The Memory Box Stamp Company. In the first class, he taught us different techniques for using wax based coloring pencils. The second class taught several techniques involving watercolor.


Once home, I was so excited to try all of the fun techniques, I didn't know where to begin. As I thought about it, I came up with an idea using his techniques with a little of my own style thrown in. Splitcoast Stampers also had an interesting challenge posted today. The challenge was to make a card that included only the cool colors of blue, green and purple. (Blue and Green is my favorite color combo.)


Using CTMH re-inkers in Olive and Moonstruck, a water brush and 140# watercolor paper, I completed the background for my heat embossed image. You know, re-inkers aren't only for re-inking your stamp pads....they can be used for dying ribbon, making spray mists, tinting pearl paint...the possibilities are endless. Anyway, once the background was dry, I heat embossed the image from Childhood Portrait (D1373). The edges of my Spring Iris card base along with the Moonstruck layers were sponged and the card was assembled. I added Bitty Sparkles (Z1263) to the corners and tied the White Daisy organdy ribbon. The card was done.

By the way, the sketch for the card is from the "Wishes" Card Confidence book. Jeanette Lynton, Owner and CEO of Close To My Heart has written several how to books that include card and scrapbook layouts and techniques. They are wonderful! Check out my website for more information on how you can get your own copy of "Wishes" and the re-inkers in every beautiful color CTMH makes.

When you discover a new technique, don't be afraid to try it. Play around with what you have learned and make it your own. Visit often as I plan to post tutorials on this technique and many others I have recently learned. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Coloring with Copics and Dove Blender Pen

Another busy week for me but I have had the chance to get a couple of cards done...

This card is done for a co-worker who unfortunately had to have unexpected surgery. The image was colored with my CTMH water color pencils and blended with a Dove Blender Pen. I posted about the pen way back in the spring. Check out that post here.

The card is done on a 5 x 7 inch base and the sketch was found on Splitcoast Stampers. The papers I used were from both Veranda and Grace Level 2 paper packs. The card stock colors are Creme Brulee, Juniper and Colonial White. The stamps are from So Sweet and the Veranda Workshop on the Go special stamp set. Close To My Heart combines level 2 paper packs with a special embellishment and adds a stamp set that can only be purchased with the kit. What a great deal for $29.95!

This card is for my Craft Fair inventory. I have a few Fairs planned for the spring. A Wedding theme fits perfectly.

The Wedding Cake is from a retired CTMH set called "Now and Forever." I heat embossed the image in cocoa powder and then colored it with my Copics. I added a little bling with my Spica Glitter pen. The papers are from the Grace Level 2 packs.

Time to head back to work. Let me know if you can think of other themes for my Craft Fair inventory. For Now, Happy Crafting!

More Wishes...

Boy, have I been busy. You wouldn't know it by my postings, but have have really been working hard. I spent the last to days reorganizing my crafting area. The time had come. I realized that I had no clue what stock I had in my stash. And, with all the new "toys" I received in my CTMH Goodie Box, I had to do something. I don't know how everyone else keeps organized, but here is how I did it...

1. I started by making an inventory list of all of the CTMH colors. I included paper, ink pads, pens, embellishments and ribbons. I completed the form in Excel so that I had grid lines. I took my ink pads and a Q-Tip and inked the square by the appropriate color name. The rest of the grids are hand marked reflecting what products I have in that color group. This way I always have a quick reference. I have the sheets in plastic by my work area so it will be easy to update.

2. I did another inventory sheet in Excel of all of my CTMH stamp sets. I used excel in this case so I could sort by product number and always keep them in order when I add a new stamp set to my stash. That is also in plastic by my work area.

3. I did an inventory sheet of the My Reflections Paper Packs including the "matchy matchy" coordinating Card stock colors. This way I always have a reference at my fingertips.

4. Each of my B/T Duo's Paper Packs are in 12 X 12 bags. I found paperclips with cardboard flags attached. I wrote the pattern name on the flag for quick reference. I sprung for a wood paper organizer that allows me to file the papers together in a vertical fashion.

5. All of my distressing tools, scissors, pens, pencils, cutters, ribbons etc., etc., etc., are in their own labeled containers for quick assess.

What a job, but a "Frugal" use of my time. I know have a grip on my inventory.


I tried out my "new" craft area this morning as I made this card for SCS Limited Supply Challenge 226. This was a fun challenge. Participants were given a menu to select from. There were 3 categories each with 3 selections. You were to pick only one selection from each of the 3 categories. Here are the choices:
Menu #1 – Images (just pick one item from each menu!)
1. Planes, Trains, & Automobiles – basically anything with locomotion (this would include boats, too!)
2. Non-floral Nature
3. Neutral Images (stuff that isn’t girly, for sure) . . .
Menu #2 – Color Schemes
1. Reds/Blues
2. Greens/Browns
3. Neutrals
Menu #3 – Embellishments
1. Ribbon & Brads OR Eyelets (tie masculine KNOTS instead of girly BOWS)
2. Diecuts/Punches & Embossing Folders/Texture Plates
3. Natural Fibers & Hardware (hodpodge, charms, etc.)
PLUS, the card had to be masculine....
I picked Non-floral Nature, Greens/Browns and Ribbon and Brads. Here is my offering....

The sketch is from the new "Wishes" Card Confidence Program book. I'm loving this book. Everything is spelled out for the basic sketch and then the card maker embellishes as they wish. In this case, I sanded all of the layers except for the DP. The center image was done by hand drawing the sky and grass with watercolor pencils and then used my Aqua Painter. The trees were second generation stamped using 2 shades of brown ink. I popped the center image with 3d foam.
Paper
CTMH – Cocoa, Topiary, Colonial White and DP from Abundance (ret.)
Stamps
CTMH – The Beauty of Christmas (ret.)
Ink – Stamp Pads
CTMH – Cocoa and Desert Sand
Accessories
Ribbon and Brads
Techniques
Sanding, Water Coloring and 2nd Generation Stamping

I'm off to put all my supplies back the way I found them this morning. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Spritzed Stained Glass Tutorial

I play with different techniques. This technique isn't new but I have added a few of my own quirky twists. I call it "Spritzed Stained Glass." There are lots of stamps out there that this will work with included a great Close To My Heart Christmas stamp called "Gloria." For this sample I used another stamp because of the size and ease in demonstration.

1. For this technique, you will need VersaMark, inks, black embossing powder, a heat gun, a water spritzer glossy card stock, and an aquapainter.

2. Stamp your image with the VersaMark on the card stock. Cover the stamped image with the black embossing power and heat with the gun to set.

3. Allow the image to cool and set and then spritz with the water. Make sure to cover all areas and don't worry if the water pools a little.

4. Select your colors. Gently squeeze the stamp pad so that color sticks to the lid of the pad. Using the aquapainter, pick up some of the color and touch to the areas you want to paint. The color will defuse over the image. You can control the amount of water by drying your brush on a paper towel and picking up some of the water, or adding water by giving your aquapainter a little squeeze. As you are painting, try to think about how light reflects through a stained glass window.

5. When you've finished the painting, it's time for the hard part....You need to allow the painting to dry for at least 30 minutes. Touch the image lightly to test for dryness. When it's dry, assemble your card and enjoy!

Paper
CTMH – That’s Amore (DP), Spring Iris, Moonstruck, Glossy Card stock
Stamps
Large Image unknown, Sentiment from CTMH - Gratitude
Ink – Stamp Pads
CTMH – Spring Iris, Moonstruck, Hollyhock, Blush, Amethyst, Crystal Blue
Accessories
Daisy White Ribbon, Daisy White Brads
Techniques
Heat Embossing, Spritzed Water Color Painting, Scoring

This is a really great technique that doesn't require "perfection." If you think about a Stained Glass Window, the colors defuse and blend which adds to the beauty. This technique is very easy and gives a wonderful completed project. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge

This is my third card for this challenge. It is a great weekly challenge that highlights a movie and participants are to create a card inspired by the movie. Each week there is a also a twist thrown in. I have had fun each week and the ladies do a great job coordinating the challenge.

http://cinemasaturdaycreativechallenge.blogspot.com/

The card is done on a 5 X 7 inch base. I used water color crayons and a water brush to complete the castle and I heat embossed the flourishes.

Paper
CTMH – Olive and Colonial White CS, 140# water color paper and background paper from my stash
Stamps
CTMH – Playful Flourishes and By the Sea
Ink – Stamp Pads
CTMH – Garden Green, Versamark, StazOn – Stone Gray
Accessories
CTMH – Olive Ribbon, Gold Embossing Powder, Cuttlebug Embossing Powder, Punches

It's time to head off to work on another challenge. For Now, Happy Crafting!