Splashes of Watercolor

Happy Mother's Day!

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Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful, nurturing, selfless mothers in blog land!

This is the card I made for my Mom.  I also made one for each of my daughters, who are mothers as well.

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I used the Wrinkle-free Distress technique on water color paper using 2 of the new Spring Ranger Distress inks - Shaded Lilac and Peacock Feathers.  I used the same technique on my eggshell seam binding so that it would match the background.

The image is from the retired Stampin' Up! set Easy Elegance.  It's stamped in Shaded Lilac.

I'm going to spend some time with my Mom today and then with my sister at Artisphere in Greenville, SC.  Should be a fun day!

I hope you all have a happy and festive Mother's Day!

 

Hanging the Sleeping Basket

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Good Friday morning to you!!  It's time for a new A Day For Daisies release!!  This one is just as wonderful as the last !  You're going to love all the beautiful new images.  You can see them all today on the ADFD blog or at the ADFD shop.

I chose to use Hanging the Sleeping Basket today.  I've always loved fairies and tales of "the wood".   This one is especially sweet!

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The image is watercolored using Ranger Distress inks in Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Tumbled Glass, Scattered Straw and Pumice Stone.   There's a second layer of the fairy wings and one of the cherry blossoms popped up on foam mounting tape.  And the wings, baby basket, and the flower centers are all sparkling with Star Dust Stickles (my favorite bling)!

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I died the seam binding with some Distress Tumbled Glass ink using Sherry's tutorial.

Thanks so much for stopping by!   I hope you enjoyed your visit!

#1 Sports Fan ... another Our Craft Lounge sneak peek!

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Here we are back for our second day of peeks at the new Our Craft Lounge stamp release.  Today I'm here to show you the new #1 Sports Fan crafty cling rubber single.

But first, here's the list of participating blogs that you'll want to visit:

OCL blog

Kendra Wietstock

Lori Tecler

Tammie Edgerton

Broni Holcombe (you are here!)

Debbie Fisher

Carolyn King

Lori Barnett

Debbie Corbari

Lisa Eisner

Stephanie Serrano

Amber Hillman

Meredith Winston

Joy Stagg

Michelle Pearson

Dawn Barrett

Melissa Cash

Latrice Murphy

Deb Felts

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As you hop along, you'll want to leave comments on all the blogs and on Facebook on Thursday & Friday to enter for a chance to win 1 of 4 blog candy prize bundles.  Commenting will end at midnight on Friday and winners will be announced on the OCL blog and on the OCL Facebook page by Monday.

And if you go shopping today, be sure to enter the code "checkusout" to receive 20% off your entire purchase at Memories of Time.

Here's my card for today:

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I decided to watercolor him using Ranger Distress inks instead of using my usual coloring method - Copics.  I also wanted a little more shading so I added some dots with a Pigma Micron pen.

Photos of the "Fan" stamped on white cardstock and then on watercolor paper and shaded with the pen:

(You can click on them to see them larger.)

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It's simple to do, and you can add a little more depth to the photo without a lot of color shading, although I did that as well on this image.

I also used the SFYTT sketch for December.  (Great sketch, Jen!)

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I hope you're enjoying your travels along the OCL blog hop.  Have fun and good luck on winning one of those prizes!

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Echinacea on Canvas

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Hi there, everyone!

I wanted to share with you this gorgeous Echinacea flower image from the new Our Craft Lounge stamp set You Make Me Happy.  It really does!  It makes me extremely happy!

Echinacea is one of my favorite flowers…I have it in several flower beds in my yard.  I love how it blooms beautifully all summer long.

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Today I used the larger image of the single flower.  I stamped it on some Claudine Hellmuth sticky back canvas with Versafine onyx black ink and then watercolored it using a water brush and Ranger Distress inks (Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Aged Mahogany, Milled Lavender, Wild Honey, Vintage Photo, Shabby Shutters, and Tumbled Glass).

Pretty simple, but I love the bold statement it makes.  Just like the flower itself!

I cut the canvas with my pinking shears and adhered it to a piece of cardstock before attaching it to the card front.  I did some machine stitching on the card front as well. The sentiment is from another Our Craft Lounge stamp set - Big Birthday Wishes.

Thanks so much for dropping by to see what I'm up to!  I hope you'll come back soon!

 

InLinkz.com

I love sunsets!

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Especially when they're in Key West!  I just got back from a trip to Key West with my BFF Karen and we saw the most beautiful sunsets!  Like this one…

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So I immediately pulled out my Coastal Wishes stamp set from Our Craft Lounge and watercolored a small, softer version of what we saw each evening.

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Ahhhhhhh!  I sure wish I was still there!

Thanks for stopping by!  I'll be showing more photos from the trip later!

• Stamps: Coastal Wishes (Our Craft Lounge)
• Paper: marl paper, textured melon mambo
• Ink: Ranger archival - jet black; soft sky, baja breeze, crushed curry, tangerine tango, melon mambo 
• Tools used on every card: Fiskars 9" trimmer, Scor-Buddy, Tim Holtz scissors, Ranger non-stick craft sheet, Rock-a-blocks
• Other: water brush, artist's pen, straight edge

Color Outside the Lines - Color Throwdown #141

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Really?  Is it really Wednesday again already?? Ha, ha!  That week went sooo fast for me!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I know I did.  I spent the entire day with my 2 youngest grandchildren (and their Mom and Dad & dogs!) and we had a blast!  Then their Dad cooked big juicy steaks and all the trimmings for us all.  I love that guy!!

So I guess we should get down to business…..craft business, that is!  How about a look at the challenge colors that Danielle has chosen for us this week.

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Such pretty, happy colors!

I've had this sweet little Pure Innocence image since she first came out and have been dying to ink her up!  But I didn't use my Copic markers this week.  I decided to break out the reinkers and paint brush and do some watercoloring.  I couldn't resist taking the sentiment literally and drew a line frame on her canvas so that she could color outside the lines.  Both she and the canvas are watercolored.

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So you're going to play along with us this week, right?  I sure hope so.  We've had some great entries lately and I can't wait to see more of your creativity!

Here are links to the CTD crew so you can grab some great inspiration:

Barbara * Carole * Cathy * Danielle * Kristin

Laura * Tammy * Jen Mitchell  (May Guest Designer)

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Now it's your turn!  You can find all the challenge details and rules at the CTD blog, so head on over and check it out!

Thanks for stopping by!  You guys are the best!

• Stamps: You Color My World (My Favorite Things) 
• Paper: watercolor paper, white, so saffron, teal, Beach Babe 6x6 paper pad (Fancy Pants), Love Me Do (My Mind's Eye)
• Ink: StazOn  - jet black, Versafine - onyx black, Ranger Distress - Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade; rose red, blush blossom, bermuda bay, so saffron, soft suede, basic gray
• Tools used on every card: Fiskars 9" trimmer, Scor-Buddy, Tim Holtz scissors, Ranger non-stick craft sheet, Rock-a-blocks
• Other: paint brush, Lacey Circles Nestabilities, open scallop punch (Fiskars), artist pen, ruler, scrap of cardboard, pink sorbet twine (Twinery), brad, Scor-tape, foam mounting tape  

Sunflower - OCL63 sketch challenge

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Hi, all!  Happy Saturday to you!

I'm actually only one day late playing in the Our Craft Lounge blog challenge this week!  Quite an improvement over last week!

We've been presented with a sketch to use as inspiration, and here it is:

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I turned it on it's side, and it really kind of resembles an envelope now, don't you think?

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I watercolored the sunflowers, cut them out with an inverted scallop circle Nestabilities die, and popped it up with foam mounting tape.

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Come play along in the challenge with us.  You can find all the details on the OCL blog and there's a chance to win a stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

• Stamps: Sunflower Seeds (Our Craft Lounge) 
• Paper: watercolor, perfect plum, almost amethyst, Kioshi 6x6 paper pad (Basic Grey) 
• Ink: Ranger Distress - black soot, scattered straw, wild honey, dusty concord; Copic markers: E31, E37
• Tools used on every card: Fiskars 9" trimmer, Scor-Buddy, Tim Holtz scissors, Ranger non-stick craft sheet, Rock-a-blocks
• Other: clear embossing powder, Heat It craft tool, water brush, inverted scallop circle Nestabilities, open scallop border punch, Star Dust Stickles  

Vintage Love - Color Throwdown #119 & a Sneak Peek!!

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Hi, folks!  It's time for another Color Throwdown challenge and this week I'm combining it with a sneak peek for the new Our Craft Lounge release!  You're gonna love these SWEET new stamp sets! 

First of all, let's look the color combo that our lovely Barbara has chosen for us.

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Ok, now, my challenge was to use these colors to create a Valentine card.  Uh huh.  I thought it was impossible too!  But I think I may have pulled it off.  You tell me what you think.

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Isn't this the sweetest little girl you've ever seen?  I fell in love with her immediately.   She's in the new release from Our Craft Lounge called Vintage Valentine. (And she's got a little boy friend too!)

I used the MOJO165 sketch for this week, and I decided to tone down the CTD colors and watercolor her and her little teddy.  Then I used the backgrounds for the intense colors.  Can you see how I popped up the envelope and her cute little teddy?  I also added Ranger Distress Stickles in antique linen just about everywhere!

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Ok, so you can find all the blogs that are sneak peeking today at the OCL blog, but I've also listed them for you below.  Be sure to leave a comment here and on all of the participating blogs today and during the actual blog hop tomorrow for a chance to win some blog candy.  And please make sure that your contact information is included or that you are signed in to Blogger .  The contest will close on Saturday (Nov. 20) at midnight, and winners will be announced at the OCL blog.  Tomorrow you'll see which set I'll be giving away and you can comment then too for another chance to win.  Here are the blogs to visit:

Amber Hillman

Bev Gerard

Broni Holcombe

Chelle Fowler

Deb Felts

Heather McNally

Jeanne Streiff

Joy Kennedy

Kendra Wietstock

Kisa Peters

Lori McAree

Pam Hooten

Tammie Edgerton

So are you going to play along in the Color Throwdown with us?  These are some great colors.  You can even use them to make a Valentine card!!  Check out what the rest of the design team has made:

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Barbara * Cathy * Danielle * Kristin

 Laura * Tammy * Lynn Put (November Guest Designer)

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Did you catch that?  Cathy's back!!!  We're so thrilled and I know you will be too!  We've missed her so much!

I'm so glad you stopped by to take a look.  Don't forget to leave a comment, check out all the blogs on the OCL blog hop, and all the Color Throwdown DT blogs too!  And tomorrow is the big Our Craft Lounge new release blog hop party!  So be sure to check back in with me for that and another chance to win some blog candy!

• Stamps: Vintage Valentine (Our Craft Lounge)
• Paper: watercolor paper, early espresso, pear pizzaz, Mariposa Stack (DCWV)
• Ink: computer, pear pizzaz, Ranger Distress inks:  walnut stain, tattered rose, victorian velvet, wild honey rusty hinge, fired brick, tumbled glass, antique linen
• Other: water brush, clear embossing powder, circles, scallop circles, & lacey circles Nestabilities, sponge dauber, paper bag, Postcard Texture Fades (Tim Holtz), corner rounder punch, seam binding, vintage lace, vintage button, rustic cream button twine (PTI), Scor-Tape, foam tape, Ranger Distress antique linen Stickles

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

Coloring Techniques for Card Making Blog Hop!

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Good morning and welcome to the Coloring Techniques for Card Making Blog Hop! Today we wanted to introduce you to a brand new, must-have book that has been written to help shed some light on some of the hottest trends in coloring techniques in paper crafting today.  And I'm so excited to tell you that I had a small part in this!

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{LINK TO BOOK IS HERE} ~

Coloring Techniques for Card Making features three of the most popular coloring techniques in card making today--water coloring, colored pencils and using alcohol-based ink markers. Each chapter showcases one particular technique and includes an introduction that will help you choose the products that are right for you, and will walk you through the steps to creating one of our featured projects. Easy-to-follow instructions, detailed materials lists and helpful coloring tips will make it easy for you to achieve stunning card-making results. As a bonus, enjoy a chapter that focuses on ways to highlight and accentuate your projects with products such as glitter and gel pens, shading techniques and methods for creating the look of texture with color.

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This is one of my cards that is appearing in the magazine in the water color section:

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I had so much fun creating projects for this book.  You all KNOW how much I LOVE to color!  Don't you just love the way my card was photographed with that beautiful flower!  I do!  This was one of my favorite projects.  I love the warm colors and the sewn, ruffled ribbon.  And I always love to color and cut out these flowers!!

We are so pleased that you have joined us for the hop! Be sure to leave a comment at each blog along the way to be entered for your chance to win a free copy of Coloring Techniques for Card Making.

The designers who are participating in the blog hop are as follows:

Keri Lee Sereika
Debbie Olson
Jeanne Streiff
Trudy Sjolander
Asela Hopkins
Broni Holcombe
Kathy Menzies
Christine Okken
Dawn Lusk
Laurie Wilson
Sherrie Siemens
Chrissy Le

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Thanks so much for stopping by to share in this wonderful adventure with me!  It's the first time I've been published!  I'm so proud to have been a part of this!  And I'm so grateful to the team who put this together and was gracious enough to include me!

Don't forget to leave comments on each of the blogs to be able to win!  Have a great weekend!

• Stamps: Whispy Blooms (Our Craft Lounge), Blooming Expressions (by Anna Wight for Whipper Snapper)
  
• Paper: watercolor paper and soft suede (Stampin' Up!), White Monochromatic Family: Snow (Couture Cardstock), Origins 6x6 paper pad (Basic Grey)
  
• Ink: Archival jet black (Ranger), reinkers: barely banana, crushed curry, wild wasabi, soft suede (Stampin' Up!)
  
• Other: water brush (Koi from Sakura), floral vine deep edge border punch (Martha Stewart), grosgrain ribbon, cinnamon Stickles (Ranger), sponge dauber, sewing machine