Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Nautical Birthday

 I've been busy with these last days of summer and loving times with friends and family, making freezer jam with the yummy peaches that grow nearby, and being outside when it's not too hot. We haven't been on the water in a couple of weeks due to the temps, but I've hopes that it will cool off soon. 

With a last name of Beach, a water scene is always a good bet for a birthday! I'm using my new Wave Border Die and Dockside stamps from W Plus 9 today. 

 When I saw the challenge at the Color Throwdown today and this adorable inspiration photo, my creative direction was set. 

Many of you may remember my frequent posts when our puppy Josie was new (they are HERE), and this reminds me so much of her. Its the ears! Blowin' in the wind!

I began with Watercolor paper and used a wet on wet wash using Altenew inks in shades of aqua and blue. After die cutting two borders of waves, I adhered them to the front of my card, popping up the second layer. I just love the way these inks work together! I also added some tiny spatters of black ink to the waves and sky. 

After adding my focal point, I still thought my card needed something, so I added the enamel dots. Here it is before the dots - I"m still not sure which one I like better. Thoughts? 

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. 

I will be entering this to Tabitha's and Julie's challenges that are going on right now at Splitcoaststampers as part of the Dare to Get Dirty event. It's a fun chance to stamp along with a wonderful group of people! You can find out about it HERE.  

Be yourself.

     Find delight in your craft.

          Make something beautiful!

 

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Exploring Mediums: more watercoloring with markers

They encourage us at Online Card Classes: Watercolor - Exploring Mediums, to practice, practice, practice! I have set time aside to do just that and I am grateful to have a chance to try out more of the techniques and use the mediums I've already purchased. 

I have a sample of using Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens to color in a gold embossed image. The ideal is to achieve a light wash of color on the flowers and a background that looks painted. Meaning, it isn't smooth and blended the way a sponged background would be. I LOVE the way when I used a yellow and an orange, I got a third shade that appeared where they blended. 

Before I make this sample into a card, I'd love some feedback from you! Which of the colors do you like it paired with? 

I did minimal photo editing so you could have a clearer choice. 

Here's Cantalope Crisp: 

and Old Olive

or Pumpkin Pie. 

Let me know which you like best in my comment box! I look forward to hearing from you! 

 

Be yourself.

     Find delight in your craft.

          Make something beautiful!

 

Stamps: Penny Black Tiger Lily

 

It's Time for Fab Friday!

 Good morning! How are you today? Looking forward to a busy family time or fun crafting this weekend? Or maybe a little of both? 

I haven't crafted much this week but I'm jumping in to the Fab Friday challenge with my card today. 

 This week it was a color challenge.  

 

Of these, Blackberry Bliss is my fav so I began by using an Aqua Painter and some ink from the top of my stamp pads to color the blossoms. Keeping it light and leaving a bit of white too.

At the beginning I began with a white card base, but everything looked too - washed out and kind of muddy. I changed my mind totally when I saw the flowers against the Lost Lagoon blue. The clouds were die cut to add the pop of white to the card. The sentiment was die cut also. I glued three layers of white die cuts for added dimension. Then I used a die cut of Blackberry Bliss card stock underneath to add some shadow. 

The flowers and butterfly were fussy cut.

I seem completely unable to make a card without sequins lately! I love the shimmer they give and sense of balance. I added shimmer to the butterfly with the Wink of Stella glitter pen. 

That's it for me today! I hope you'll check out the work of the talented team members below and play along with us this week! 

Mindy Backes
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Justin Krieger
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Pam Steckman
Janine Tinklenberg
Wendy Weixler

Be yourself.

     Find delight in your craft.

          Make something beautiful!

 

Stamps: Enamor - Clear set from Penny Black

Paper: Whisper White, Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, Ranger Watercolor Paper 

Ink: Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black, Blackberry Bliss, Mossy Meadow

Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Hand-letterd Hello die from Wplus9, Landscape Trio Dies from Mama Elephant