Splashes of Watercolor

I've been clowning around!

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He, he!  The May Club Kit from A Day For Daisies is out, and you can see all of the darling images at the ADFD site.

They're adorable!  And they're available to Club Kit members starting today!

I chose to use little Miss Polly Clown and dug out some old Hello Sunshine paper from Cosmo Cricket to use with her.  I thought this was just a perfect pairing!

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Add some twine from The Twinery, a shiny red button, Ranger glossy accents on the clown's nose, and a cut-out sentiment from the paper pad as well, and you've got a super sweet little card!  Easy-peasy!

Be sure to check out the super designs from all the design team members:

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Alice Wertz *** Arielle Gordon ***   Lori Boyd *** Shelly Mercado *** Tracy MacDonald

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There's also a new release called "Love my Bunny".

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More precious images from Tammy!

All the images are available starting today at the ADFD main site and at the ADFD Etsy shop.

Thanks so much for dropping in today.  I'm looking forward to the weekend and the summertime weather we're having!  How about you?  Do you have big plans? 

See you soon!

Better with Color - Part 6!

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Time for another E-Team blog hop, y'all!!  And this time we're using Claudine Hellmuth Studio sticky-back canvas, paints, and supplies!  These products are my absolute favorites and my definite go-to's when I want to paint something.  The canvas is tightly woven (so much easier to work with) and the paints are so smooth…almost silky…like "buttah"!  Perfect, in my opinion!  If you follow my blog, you probably already know how much I love them!

I've used them as a white wash on wood (LOVE this!), to make snow on a roof, on grungeboard, to white wash book pages and to paint on wood and canvas.

Here are links to a few samples of my projects using Claudine Hellmuth canvas and/or Studio paints:

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But for today, I've created 2 new projects.  I had it in my head that I wanted to paint a canvas bag, so I picked up a small canvas shoulder bag at Hobby Lobby and started playing around.  Now I knew I wanted soft colors so I decided to mix the Classic Teal and Blank Canvas paints to come up with a soft aqua color.  There are all kinds of colors you can get when you mix the paints.  Claudine has a helpful video and chart on her website here: Studio Paints Color Chart.

I started by mixing the colors I wanted on my craft sheet.  Then I spritzed the mixture a lot with water to thin it out.  After stamping a sentiment from Own Your Story (My Favorite Things), I painted on my canvas, using a die cut circle to cover the sentiment.

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I wanted some green too, so I decided to dab some watered down Landscape Green onto the canvas using a scrap of bubble wrap.

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Next, I used a toilet paper tube to "stamp" some Charcoal Black on randomly.  Then I drew circles around the sentiment with a Faber Castell artist pen and stamped a branch from the same stamp set.  Then I decided to stamp the Be Brave sentiment using the black paint.

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For my Ranger Fragment Charm, I painted on some of the watered down green, then using the small tube of the Landscape Green drew a little squiggle down the edge.

I stamped a small butterfly image onto the sticky side of some Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Back Canvas…yes, the sticky side.  It worked great!  Then I cut it out and adhered it to the charm.  I painted the sides and back with some of the previously mixed teal & white paint.

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The finished bag.

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I also created almost an identical painting on a piece of Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Back Canvas.  I took the top layer off of a piece of corrugated cardboard, sized it to fit my canvas and painted it with  some watered down Charcoal Black Studio paint.

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I used the Tim Holtz Small Easel Bigz Die to cut another piece of corrugated cardboard.

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I backed the canvas with a piece of cardboard and swiped some black paint on the edges.  Then I assembled all my pieces.

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Here are the blog hop details:

• Daisy is going to choose 3 random winners from the E-Team blogs. 3 winners will each win a Claudine Hellmuth Mini Acrylic Paint Set along with some other eP goodies.
• You can also visit the eP blog to leave a comment and have a chance to win a $25 eclectic Paperie voucher.
• You have until Thursday, Sept 1st to leave comments.  Winners will be announced on the eP blog on Friday, Sept 2nd.

So now it's time for you to move along to see what the rest of the E-Team has created!  Don't forget to leave comments all along the way.

E-TEAM

Latrice Murphy 

Linda Duke

Linda Ledbetter

Micki Harper

Sherry Cheever

Starla Nelson

Daisy Sparks (eP blog)

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Thanks for stopping by to take a look!

• Stamps: Own Your Story (My Favorite Things), office supply date stamp, butterfly square 
• Paper: aqua & teal cardstock, corrugated cardboard, other cardboard scraps 
• Ink/Paint: Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paints: Classic Teal, Sky Blue, Landscape Green, Blank Canvas, Charcoal Black; Ranger Archival - jet black, Faber Castell Pitt artist pen, Copic marker 100, Sharpie white paint pen
• Tools used on every card: Fiskars 9" trimmer, Scor-Buddy, Tim Holtz scissors, Ranger non-stick craft sheet, Rock-a-blocks
• Other: Canvas tote bag, Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Back Canvas, Claudine Hellmuth paintbrush, toilet paper tube, bubble wrap, Ranger Fragment Charm, Scor-Tape, Tim Holtz Trinket Pin & Tiny Safety Pin, Ranger mini-mister, Cosmo Cricket chipboard letter, old zipper pull, May Arts ribbon, craft knife, Tim Holtz ruler, Alterations Small Easel Bigz Die, Alterations Brackets On the Edge Die, black ribbon, Charcoal, Peapod  & Caribbean twine (Twinery), foam mounting tape   

Here Chickie, Chickie!

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Hi there, all you chickies!  I'm working on the grand's Easter cards.  This was a really simple and fun card to make.

The chick is from the Unity April KOTM {small things matter most}.  I colored her, then rubbed some of a darker Copic marker onto a "nasty rag" (using Marianne Walker's terminology here) and quickly dotted it onto the chick.  Kind of a reverse Copic colorless blender technique.  I first tried rubbing some ink onto my craft sheet, but the ink dried too fast that way.

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The fabric covered chipboard letters are from American Crafts.  I won them on the Moxie Fab World blog!  Thanks, you chicks!

This is also for the Unity challenge to use birds.  You can find that challenge HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be sure to come back on Wednesday.  I'll have a new Color Throwdown post and also there's a new E-Team blog hop using the new Honey-Pops!!

• Stamps: Small Things Matter Most (Unity Stamp Co.) 
• Paper: white, Material Girl and Early Bird 6x6 mini decks (Cosmo Cricket)
• Ink: Memento - tuxedo black, Copic markers: Y00, Y21, Y35, YR18
• Tools used on every card: Fiskars 9" trimmer, Scor-Buddy, Tim Holtz scissors, Ranger non-stick craft sheet, Rock-a-blocks
• Other: lemon tart ribbon (PTI), Patterned Fabric Thickers (American Crafts), foam mounting tape, rag, button, cotton thread, Scor-Tape 

Framed Marigolds - Color Throwdown #137

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Well, here it is.  Another Wednesday.  Didn't we just have one?

You know what that means….it's time for another Color Throwdown challenge.  Cathy is our hostess this week and her color combo is just awesome!

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I didn't strictly stick with the colors, but I really NEEDED to add the orange and the touch of black for drama.  (And of course the kraft.)

This image is totally awesome and I LOVED coloring it!  It's from Arielle's digital stamp company, Wax Fruit Company.  What a terrific artist she is!!   I've got several more images and you'll be seeing them in the coming weeks.

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Pretty darn cool, huh?  I knew you'd love it!!

So now it's your turn.  You don't have to use the exact colors if you don't have them, but please try to stay close.  Directly link your blog post containing your entry using the linky tool on the Color Throwdown blog.  All the other details you need to know can be found there too.

Now here's some fabulous inspiration from our blog team:

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Barbara * Cathy * Danielle * Kristin

Laura * Tammy * Carole Burrage  (April Guest Designer)

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Thanks so much for stopping by, folks!  I hope you're having a great week and aren't experiencing any of the freaky, stormy weather that's running havoc around the nation right now.  Scary!

• Stamps: Framed Marigolds (Wax Fruit Company)
• Paper: white, kraft, black, Mariposa Stack (DCWV), Early Bird mini deck (Cosmo Cricket)
• Ink: Computer,  Copic markers
• Tools used on every card: Fiskars 9" trimmer, Scor-Buddy, Tim Holtz scissors, Ranger non-stick craft sheet, Rock-a-blocks
• Other: circle Nestabilities, Edgers #2 die (PTI), button & twine (PTI)

How about some Mushroom Love?

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These cute little mushrooms are from an Our Craft Lounge stamp set called Love Bug.  Yes, really.  There are so many adorable images in this set!

I just had to pair these mushrooms up with some Cosmo Cricket Earth Love.  Perfect match!

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This would work for a birthday card for either a male or female, or just for an "I love you" with all the cute little hearts!  Even for Valentine's Day!

ETA:  Don't forget about the Thankful for You promotion at the Our Craft Lounge blog.  You have a chance to win free stamp sets.  Check it out HERE!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I appreciate your visits!!

• Stamps: Love Bug (Our Craft Lounge)
• Paper: cream, espresso, Earth Love Mini Deck (Cosmo Cricket)
• Ink: Memento tuxedo black
• Other: oval & big scalloped oval Nestabilities, seam binding, button & twine, Scor-Tape, foam tape, Copic markers:

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A friend's birthday….and a couple of challenges

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I needed a card for a friend's birthday and since she loves owls, decided on this cute image from the November KOTM, {picture perfect}, from Unity.

I used the colors from the Color Throwdown again (CTD119).  They just seemed to suit this image!  I also used the SSSC94 sketch.

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That's it for me today.  I hope you all have a great week, and in case you don't stop back by for the Color Throwdown post on Wednesday, I hope you also have a bountiful and happy Thanksgiving.

 

• Stamps: {picture perfect} – Unity Stamp Co.
• Paper: vanilla, espresso, cajun craze, Nutmeg 6x6 mini deck (Cosmo Cricket)
• Ink: Memento rich cocoa, Ranger Distress frayed burlap
• Other: large deckled rectangle & circle Nestabilities, sponge dauber, Victorian Lace Border die (PTI), Tattered Florals die (Tim Holtz), felt (MFT), button, hemp twine, foam tape, Scor-Tape, Copic markers:

It's a Suzi Blu blog hop!!

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The E-Team is so excited to have Suzi Blu joining us in our blog hop featuring her images!  Can you believe it?  We’ve each chosen one of the Unity stamps of her images and created a project. 

Did you come here from Suzi’s blog?  Then you’re on the right track!  If not, you NEED to go back because I hear she has a special treat for you!

Also, each one of the design team members has a fun question and answer from Suzi.  Be sure to visit each blog to see the entire interview!  You’ll end up at the eP blog where Daisy may also have a special treat!

Here’s my part of the interview:

- When did you become interested in art?

I've always drawn and made doodles since I was a kid but I never considered it art. Just something I did when I was bored or nervous. Little faces and my name in cursive writing. I say this because that is what art is for me - the default I go to when I stop doing everything else. I later went to art school but I was born loving to create.

 

Thanks, Suzi!!

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Now let’s get on to my project.

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I chose to use Suzi’s Creative Girl image.  I LOVE the quote around the frame and all the fun swirls.  I’m going to walk you through how I used this image to create a canvas to hang right above my work space.

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I stamped the image 6 different times.  Yes, 6!!

1. Stamped twice in Versamark/Ranger Distress antique linen on raspberry cardstock (one time just for the tiny heart)

2. Stamped in Memento rich cocoa on buttery yellow cardstock.

3. Stamped in Adirondack gold acrylic paint dabber on bermuda bay cardstock.

4. Stamped in timber brown StazOn on watercolor paper, then watercolored.

5. Stamped in Memento rich cocoa on patterned paper and shaded it using a W1 Copic marker.

The photo shows how each image was torn or cut for layering.  The dress was slipped up under the arm which had been cut with a craft knife.

Next came the canvas.

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Using a foam brush, I applied a coat of gesso to the canvas.  When that was dry, I applied some Tim Holtz tissue tape, scrunching it to give the canvas some texture.  I added the plain white Prima flowers too.  I applied another coat of gesso over the entire canvas and let that dry.  Next I applied several layers of Claudine Hellmuth teal and green paint in a semi-controlled sloppy fashion, and added some more of the tissue tape.  When all of this was thoroughly dry, I used some matte multi- medium to apply the Gala Glitz from Art Glitter and some Bella dots.

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The third part of the process was to make the flower.  Using the Tattered Florals & Tattered Leaves dies, I cut some patterned paper for the flower and felt for the leaves.  I stitched down the center of the leaves, and added some gold paint to the flower petals before forming them using a stylus and piercing pad (any soft surface will work).  The button is a chipboard piece from Maya Road and was painted with the teal paint and edged with gold paint.  I used some Caribbean bakers twine from the Twinery to tie the button.  The ribbon is from May Arts and the pins are also from Maya Road.

Whew!  And then I put everything together with lots and lots of Scor-Tape and foam mounting tape.

(You can click on any of the pictures in this post to see them larger and in more detail.)

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So, now it’s time for you to move along to the other E-Team blogs!  Here’s the progression:

Suzi Blu (!!!!!!!)

Broni Holcombe (You are here!)

Latrice Murphy

Linda Duke

Linda Ledbetter

Micki Harper

Sherry Cheever

Starla Nelson

Daisy Sparks (eP blog)

Thanks so much for visiting and thanks so much to Suzi Blu for joining us today!  What a thrill it was for us!

• Stamps:  Creative Girl (Suzi Blu & Unity)
• Paper: watercolor paper, bermuda bay, raspberry from Chocolate Box & butter from Black Magic (Core'dinations), Fleurist (Cosmo Cricket)
  
• Ink: Versamark; Ranger Distress antique linen, tattered rose, spun sugar, vintage photo, scattered straw, tumbled glass; Memento rich cocoa; Adirondack gold acrylic paint dabber; StazOn timber brown
• Other:  craft knife; clear embossing powder; water brush; foam brush; gesso, matte multi-medium, classic teal & landscape green paint (Claudine Hellmuth Studio line); artist's canvas (5x7); Tissue Tape - Symphony, Tattered Florals die, Tattered Leaves die (Tim Holtz); Gala Glitz - teal (Art Glitter); Bella dots; stylus & piercing pad; felt (My Favorite Things); chipboard mini button, decorative pins (Maya Road); May Arts ribbon; sewing machine; Caribbean baker's twine (The Twinery); Scor-Tape; foam mounting tape

I Believe - Color Throwdown #116

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Time for another Color Throwdown!  LeAnne is our hostess (we missed you GF), and she’s chosen the perfect color combination for a Christmas card.  Lord knows, I need to get busy on those!!

Here are the colors:

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So one of the first stamp sets I pulled out this year to start on my Christmas cards was the Mini Holidays set from Tim Holtz.  Then I came across the MOJO Monday sketch 162 which I thought would be perfect to use with the Santa stamp.

I used a combination of papers from Cosmo Cricket and Basic Grey and my favorite Scor-Tape to create the border of glitter.

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Please take a few moments and check out the fabulous inspiration that the design team has created for you this week:

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Barbara * Danielle * Kristin * Laura

LeAnne * Tammy * Carla Suto (October Guest Designer)

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And we’d love for you to play along with us this week!  Check out all the details at the Color Throwdown blog, then post a direct link to your creation there.  Can’t wait to see what you do!

Thanks for visiting, and please join me on Friday for another E-Team blog hop!  It's gonna be fun!

• Stamps: Mini Holidays (Tim Holtz Idealogy)
• Paper: watercolor paper, vintage cream (PTI), Jolly By Golly 6x6 mini deck (Cosmo Cricket) Stella Ruby 6x6 pad (Basic Grey)
• Ink: Memento tuxedo black, Ranger Distress antique linen
• Other: Lacey Circles & Circles Nestabilities, sponge dauber, metal label holder (Making Memories), Scor-Tape, Glamour Dust (DecoArt), ribbon, foam tape, floral vine punch (Martha Stewart), Copic markers: YG11, R22, R29, E0000, B000, C00, 0

Sunflower Bouquet - Just For Fun® color challenge #26

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Time for another Just For Fun® color challenge!  This time we have a great versatile color combo.  Check it out:

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This sunflower bouquet image just leaped out at me when I was choosing what to color up.  With this pretty Cosmo Cricket paper background, it was an easy card!

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You should have seen my fingers after I spritzed a water/Ranger Distress fired brick reinker mixture on some ivory seam binding and scrunched it up to dry!  It took all day for the red-finger syndrome to disappear!   

I hope you'll play along with us this week!  Just add a direct link to your creation using these colors at the Just For Fun® blog.   Then be sure to check out the design team creations.

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Just For Fun® Blog
Broni Holcombe (that's me)
Beth Moore
Glenda Brooks
Kat Tucker
Margarita Ybarra
Roni Johnson
Sandy Sandrus
Sherry Cheever
Starla Nelson
Terre Fry

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Thanks so much for stopping by!  I might just have another card for you tomorrow morning!  I know...shocker....me posting on the weekend!!  That doesn't happen too often!

And PLEASE stop back by a little later today.  I have a surprise to tell you about!

• Stamps: Fall Floral (G3430) (Just For Fun® Rubber Stamps)
  
• Paper: white, riding hood red, green, Material Girl (Cosmo Cricket)
  
• Ink: Memento tuxedo black, Ranger Distress fired brick & antique linen
  
• Other: Labels Ten & Peony Nestabilities, sponge dauber, seam binding , Cropadile Deco corner punch, button, twine, frond punch (Martha Stewart), Scor-Tape, foam tape, cinnamon Stickles

It's a BLOG HOP and an Our Craft Lounge NEW RELEASE!!

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Oh, wow!  I can't wait for you guys to see all the fabulous stamp sets that Our Craft Lounge is releasing today!  And you won't believe the lineup of great designers that have samples to show you and stamp sets to give away!! 

If you leave a comment on this post (be sure there's contact information available), you'll have a chance to win this gorgeous stamp set:  Shades of Fall.

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How gorgeous is that?  It has everything you need to make all kinds of Fall/Autumn and Thanksgiving cards and layouts!

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I had a blast playing with it!  I even added some sparkle to my leaves!

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You can get all the details on how to win at the Our Craft Lounge blog.  And here's a list of retailers who carry Our Craft Lounge products: OCL retailers.

Here's the blog hop list with all kinds of fabulous creations to inspire you and multitudes of wonderful new stamp sets to win!

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Amber Hillman
Beate Johns
Beth Silaika
Bev Gerard
Broni Holcombe (that's me!)
Cambria Turnbow
Charmaine Ikach
Cindy Lawrence
Deb Felts
Debbie Corbari
Deborah Anton
Denise Marzec
Heather McNally
Holly McMillen
Jeanne Streiff
Joy Kennedy
Julie Okada
Kendra Wietstock
Kisa Peters
Lori McAree
Maree Truelove
Michelle Fowler
Pam Hooten
Tammy Hershberger
Terri Thill
Vicki Garrett

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Wow!  I can't wait to see everything!

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Now leave me a comment, then go forth and HOP!

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• Stamps: Shades of Fall (Our Craft Lounge)
  
• Paper: watercolor paper, river rock, poppy parade, Cosmo Cricket Classics Collection: Core Essentials French Roast Crisscross & Katydid Crisscross (Core'dinations)
  
• Ink: Memento tuxedo black, Ranger Distress brushed corduroy
  
• Other: sponge dauber, brown ribbon (May Arts), green ribbon (Ribbon Fx), Turning Leaf glitter (Art Glitter), Quickie glue pen, foam tape, bakers twine (Martha Stewart), Copic markers: