Splashes of Watercolor

The NEW ePlay Challenge - Push Your Boundaries!

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Welcome to eclectic Paperie's ePlay Challenge – Push Your Boundaries!  We’re altering our challenges in 2014, creating one, month-long challenge, increasing the prize drawing, holding a design team blog hop, and including a product discount with each new challenge!  Check out the details below:

· We’ve combined our two challenges into one, announced on the first Thursday of each month.  This gives the design team more flexibility with challenge topics and projects and allows you more time to enter! 

· We’ll also feature a product each month, and during the first day of the challenge, you’ll receive a discount on the featured product….be sure to check for the special code! 

· Our prize drawing is increasing from $15.00 to a $25.00 gift certificate and the winner of each challenge will be announced on the last Thursday of each month and will be featured on the eP blog. 

· Each month we’ll hold a blog hop featuring the beautiful artwork from our design team…just scroll down to the bottom of the post for all of the links!  Talk about inspiration!!

Our challenges are about encouraging you to explore your creative journey and inspiring you to step outside of your comfort zone.  When you submit your artwork, share a unique card, scrapbook or journal page, a canvas, home décor project, or anything that you’re excited to share!  We’re looking forward to crafting with you!

Today’s special is on Liquidtex Gesso and Clear Gesso and for one day only, you can save 10% on a bottle of gesso…perfect for all of your altered projects!  Simply use code GESSO03 when checking out.

This month’s challenge is ALTER A BOOK.

And here's what I came up with:

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Here's my process:

1- Using an old (copyright 1990) torn-up children's book with a missing cover and hard pages, I covered the front page with Gesso.

2- I wanted to use my Gelli plate to add color to the page.  I coated the plate with yellow acrylic paint and laid my Daisy Bits mask on it. 

3- Next I laid down my Mini Chevrons stencil, then lifted it and turned the Gelli plate over onto the book page. 

    

I'm pretty sure I took too long to complete these steps, because my paint dried pretty fast and I didn't get a good imprint.

4- I used green paint and my Two Leaves Bits mask next.

5- Then I used hot pink paint and the Daisy Bits mask again, but I also added some curvy lines with my Silicone Wedge tool.

6- Next I used some aqua paint and the Silicone Wedge tool again to make some straight lines.

7- When I had the front of the page covered with the Gelli prints, I started added fillers with stencils and Distress paints. 

    

8- I added another watered-down coat of Gesso to create a more uniform background.

9- I added my words using the Letter Jumble stencil and the Funky Word stencil with some Black Soot ink and an ink blending tool.

10- I also added some Black Gesso with the edge of an old credit card, then added some more texture with some Metallic Gold embossing paste and more stencils and some white embossing paste and the Vintage Floral stencil.

11- Of course I couldn't leave well enough alone!  I had to pull out some Dylusions ink sprays and squirt them a few times, then allow them to drip down the front of the page. Then I finished it off with a few spritzes of gold Color Shine spray.

And this is how is all turned out:

     

You can click on any of the images  to see them full size.

That's it for me!   Please be sure to follow along the blog hop to see all the beautiful inspiration from the design team:

Thank you so much for stopping in today!

Letter Jumble stencil - Dylusions	Studio 490 - Funky Word Stencil	Mini Chevron 6x6 template	Studio 490 - Vintage Floral Stencil	TCW - 6x6 Well Rounded Stencil
TCW - Balzer Bits Mask - Daisy Bits	TCW Two Leaves Bits mask	Catalyst Silicone Wedge Tool - Yellow	Liquitex Acrylic Gesso	Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gesso -black
Claudine Hellmuth Studio products	Spun Sugar Distress Paint	Broken China Distress Paint	Black Soot Distress ink pad	Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool
Speedball 4" Pop-In Rubber Brayer	Gelli Plate 6x6" - Gelli Arts	Studio 490 White Embossing Paste	Dylusions Fresh Lime Ink Spray	Dylusions Bubblegum Pink Ink Spray
Dylusions Vibrant Turquoise Ink Spray

InLinkz.com

Always Time for a Glass of Wine

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Hello!  I can't believe that I'm finally getting to play along in an E-Team Picks challenge!  This month Tracy is our hostess and we're to RECYCLE!  I love to recycle!

I didn't have to go far to figure out what to use on my journal page.    How about the label from a wine bottle!  I have plenty of them!

Here's a look at my finished page:

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Now let me take you on the long road to how I got there!

I started by covering my page with Mustard Seed Distress Paint.  I used the paint instead of the ink because I like the striations I get with the paint. It didn't matter that I was going to cover them all up…didn't exactly know that at the time.  Next I stamped a saying and a background in Versamark ink and clear embossed it. (You can click on any of the photos to see them full size.)

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Then I printed out an image of a wine bottle onto copy paper and cut out the bottle using a craft knife. 

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I used the reverse mask to sponge 3 different shades of purple ink (listed in the supplies section) onto my page.

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I attached my wine label using Studio Matte Multi-Medium and coated the top of it as well.  Then I started stenciling on several designs using stencils and Distress inks and even sponged around the edges of the page.

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And I hated how it looked.  It was so mono-chromatic with limited dimension.  Even after I'd slathered some embossing paste along the top and bottom edges.

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So I decided to make another wine bottle on some multi-media paper using the same mask I had created and the same purple inks.  I sponged them on then spritzed it with water.

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I stenciled some numbers onto the bottle and I cut it out and mounted it onto the page with some foam mounting tape.

I printed out my saying onto some more multi-media paper and cut it into a flag shape.  It was also mounted using foam mounting tape.  I added an enamel dot.

Now I'm happy with how it looks.  I think it has just enough color variation and enough texture and dimension as well.

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I hope you enjoyed reading about the process.  Be sure to check out all the projects from the rest of the E-Team!  You can get all the links at the eclectic Paperie blog.  And we REALLY hope you'll play along with us!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Now I think I'll go have some of that wine!

InLinkz.com

"A Little Bit More" Christmas Tree - Color Throwdown #269

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Hello all you sweet blogland people!  It's time to reveal the latest Color Throwdown combo!  Vickie is our wonderful hostess this week and she chose a great Autumn palette. 

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But, of course, I went in a different direction and used the colors for a Grinch-inspired journaling page.  This is one of my favorite quotes from the movie.  By the way, did you know the Grinch first came on the scene in 1966?  I really had not realized it was that old!  The full-length movie, of course, is newer - 2000.

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To get started, I gathered my eclectic Paperie supplies.  I first spritzed my page with Fresh Lime and Melted Chocolate Dylusions ink sprays then rubbed some Shabby Shutters ink around the edges.  I used my Mini Chevron stencil and some of the Shabby Shutters ink as well as some Gathered Twigs ink to add more designs to the page.  Then I rubbed along the bottom edge of the page with some Rusty Hinge ink, and added some Tiny Circles with some Black Soot ink.

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I pulled out some washi tape to create the tree then added some shading with more of the Gathered Twigs ink.  I pulled out my Mini Stars and Circles stencil to create the tree topper with Studio 490 Embossing Paste then added some yellow Stickles on top of that.  Oh, and I added some subtle shimmer by flicking on some watered down Perfect Pearls.  (You can click on the photo to see more of the detail.)

I used a Pigma Micron pen to write the phrase and to add the squiggly border.

This journal page is also for the combo CAS-ual Friday #120 - Curtain Call - Christmas challenge:

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Be sure to check out all the great creations of the CTD girls and please try to take some time to play along with us as well!

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I can't wait to see what you create!

InLinkz.com

Sneak Peek at my 'To Be Continued' journal page...

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I'm over at the eclectic Paperie blog today, folks!  Please come by for a visit!

 

Check it out...

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Hey there!

Wont' you please stop by to see me at the eclectic Paperie blog today?!

 

 

E-Team Picks Challenge: Monochromatic

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Hello, everyone!  I'm here today to show you my creation for the eclectic Paperie e-Team Picks challenge.

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Annette is our talented hostess today and she's asked us to create something

MONOCHROMATIC

I decided to create a monochromatic journal page to use as a background for a project that I'll be posting tomorrow.

I absolutely could not use just one color, but I think I was able to blend and soften the colors so that it's as close to monochromatic as I can get.

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First, I stamped the hexagon background in Versamark and clear embossed it.  I used Seedless Preserves, Shaded Lilac and Tumbled Glass Distress inks for my colors, and blended them with sponge daubers.  Next I misted the whole page with water and let it dry.  This softened the colors just a little. 

I sponged circles with my Dotted Flowers stencil and then sponged some straight lines using just a piece of scrap paper.

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I spritzed Dylusions White Linen ink spray through my Mini Peacock Feathers stencil, then lightly spritzed the whole page with the White Linen then with water.  I used my Picket Fence Distress marker and my Mini Chevron stencil to create the pale white chevron border.

I had some white word stickers that I'd gotten at a local craft shop a while back and thought they'd go well with all the white on the page, so I used the "Beautiful", the "fun", and the "Enchant" around the edges.  Finally, I added a tiny bit of texture (chevrons on bottom right edge) using my Mini Funky Tags stencil and some Studio 490 embossing paste.  I love that stuff!  I could use it on everything!!

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So that's my monochromatic project.  But that just half of the entire project!  Come back tomorrow to see what I add to it!!

Thanks so much for stopping in today.  Check out all the details of the Monochromatic e-Team Picks Challenge at the eP blog.  We hope you'll join us!

Water Baby Nap journal page

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Today's creation is doing double duty!  This is the newest release from A Day For Daisies - Water Babies.  Such a sweet mermaid mom cuddling her little baby.  This image is called Water Baby Nap.

I decided to color her up with my Copic markers and cut her out to use on my journal page that I made for this months eclectic Paperie eTeam Picks Challenge - Gel Medium. 

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And here's the page:

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I used my Studio Gel Medium mixed with a tiny bit of Studio gesso and some Studio yellow pastel paint to create a glaze for the base color of my journal page.  Then I spritzed the page lightly with Dylusions Fresh Lime, Vibrant Turquoise and White Linen ink spray.  Next I used an Adirondack acrylic paint dabber in gold to dab here and there and also to line around the edges.

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I mixed some Studio 490 embossing paste with a little of the Fresh Lime ink spray and spread it onto the page using the my Mini Confetti stencil.

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Finally I highlighted and shaded using a Micron pen and a watercolor marker.  I also used a Silhouette die cut LOVE flag and my Dylusions Letter Jumble Stencil with the marker to create the YOU.

Here are a couple of closeups:

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I used this week's retrosketches #63 for my layout:

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That's it!  Please take a moment to visit with the other A Day For Daisies designers to see their awesome creations!  And you can check out all the latest release images at the A Day For Daisies shop or on the ADFD blog.

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Arielle
Broni
Danielle
Kadie
Mila
Sherry

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Also, I hope you'll play along in the eP eTeam Picks challenge - Gel Medium with us!  I think Julie M. picked a great challenge subject this time.  What fun!  And if you play along you have a chance of winning a prize.  Check out the details HERE!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you have a wonderful & happy weekend!

E-Team Picks Challenge - Experiment for Spring

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Hello, everyone!  As hard as I tried I just couldn't have a project ready for this past Thursday's e-Team Picks Challenge.  I finally had some time this weekend and I'd like to show you what I came up with.

Sherry is our hostess and she asked us to use FLOWERS. 

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The first thing that came to my mind is the fact that Spring has finally sprung here, and we have flowers everywhere now.   I also just received some goodies from eclectic Paperie, so I decided to experiment with some of the new goodies as well as some older favorites and some flowers, of course!

I pulled out my art journal and coated a page with some new Spun Sugar Distress Paint.  How yummy this pretty pink is!  Then I just started adding paints, inks, stains, sprays and so many other fun elements!  Here's what I finally ended up with:

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I used stencils and Distress ink with blending tools, some Christy Tomlinson Text Coffee Filter paper with Matte Multi-Medium, a crimper with white cardstock and Distress Stains,  a Donna Downey flower foam stamp with black ink, and Ranger Glossy Accents for dew drops on the paper flowers.

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I also used some Wendy Vecchi embossing paste here and there and then spritzed everything with some White Linen Dylusions ink spray.  Love that stuff!

This was certainly fun, but I may have "overloaded" it with all my experimentation!

We'd love it if you play along in the e-Team Flower challenge!  Let's see what you come up with!

Thanks so much for dropping in today!

Ocean's Beauty - a Beautiful Mermaid!

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Hey, y'all!

I've got a beautiful new little mermaid, Ocean's Beauty, to show you today from the March 2013 A Day For Daisies Club Kit.  I've created a journal page of her underwater world, and added some fabric to be able to play along in the eclectic Paperie Get Altered Challenge - Altered Fabric.

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I started with my blank journal page, covering it completely with Studio gesso.   I painted it yellow and the added strokes of green up from the bottom.  That's the seaweed!

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I added some mixed teal/blue/gesso for the water, by stroking down from the top using a wide flat brush.  I also brushed a little up from the bottom of the page.

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I used my Mini Chevron template and watered down gesso to paint on some "motion and reflections" and I used my Mini Peacock Feathers template to create more seaweed and some bubbles!  Then I used some Viva Paint Pens to add more bubbles and motion.

I printed my Thine Own Mermaid sentiment from A Day For Daisies onto some white cardstock, cut it out with a circle die, attached it with foam mounting tape and then painted it into the scene.

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For my little mermaid, I printed her onto white cardstock and colored her with my Copic markers.  I also printed her again onto a piece of copy paper, used paper tape to add a piece of fabric, then printed her again to get her "outfit".

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This is where the fabric came from - some faux silk curtain swatches:

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I added some sequins and popped little miss "beauty" up onto the page, and I was done.  What fun!

The Studio paints that I used are: Dab of Yellow, Landscape Green, Sky Blue, and Classic Teal.

Here's the full page again:

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And some closeups:

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You can click on any of the photos to see them at full size.

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That's it for my eP Get Altered Challenge - Altered Fabric.  Come and play along with us at the eP blog!

Also, please stop by to see all the gorgeous creations from the A Day For Daisies DT using all the gorgeous mer-people from the March 2013 Club Kit!!

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Arielle
Broni
Danielle
Kadie
Sherry

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Thanks so much for dropping in today!  What plans do you have for the weekend?  I have my 2 older grandsons and we're going to see Oz - the Great and Powerful (can't wait!) tomorrow.  Then on Sunday my youngest grandson is singing the national anthem (with his school class) at the Charlotte Checkers hockey game, so we're all going to see that.  It'll be a busy and fun-filled weekend!  I hope you all have a great one!

 

A Journaling We Go: Inspired by Words (page 1)

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**Scroll down or click HERE for the Color Throwdown challenge post.

Hello, everyone and welcome to our latest E-Team blog hop!  You may remember that last time we revealed how we had designed our journal covers.  And Daisy challenged not only the E-Team but everyone to create a journal cover.  Based on those entries, we added 2 guest designers for this blog hop!  Please be sure to welcome Melody Schwartz and Marjie Kemper as you travel along the hop today.

Now here are the business details before we get started:

• Visit each E-Team blog participant PLUS the guest bloggers to leave a comment to win a $25 eP gift certificate. Comments can be left from May 23-May 28th.
• Two random winners from the blog hop will be chosen. GC winners will be posted on the eP blog on May 29th.
• Join the E-Team in our journal adventure and post your journal page on the eP blog.  We are going to pick 2 people to join us next month! You have until Sunday, June 3rd, to upload your journal page inspired by this month's quote.  We'll pick and announce the next E-Team guest bloggers on Fri, Jun 8th.

On to the creative stuff!

Here is our inspirational quote for this month:

"A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water."  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Since this is my very first journal page, I decided to start simple and stay pretty literal.  Baby steps, folks!

My first creative step was to make some tea!  Yep.  You read that right!  I boiled some water, threw in 3 tea bags, let it steep to get pretty strong, then set the tea bags aside to dry out and put the tea in a container to use later.  When the tea bags were dry, I opened them up and emptied out the tea leaves, then just flattened them with my hand.

I painted my journal page with the tea, let it dry, then repeated the process several times until I got the color and coverage that I wanted.

I printed a teacup template that I found on Pinterest onto some patterned paper and cut that out, then drew an outline around it using a Copic multiliner pen.

Next I drew some curvy lines with a pencil to represent steam coming from the cup.

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I painted the steam with some pewter Twinkling H2O paint and then inked all the edges of the page with some Ranger Distress Stain in frayed burlap.  I created random dots on the page using my Dylusions  Dotted Flowers stencil and the stain as well as some Claudine Hellmuth Gesso.  I also spritzed some of the flower border using Ranger Distress ink in tumbled glass.

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Then I sponged the edges of the tea cup, added the tea bag tag to it and wrote the quote using the Copic multiliner pen on the tea bag.

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I needed to add some more "oomph", so I sponged behind where I was putting the tea cup and other random areas, lightly stamped the flower from Studio 490 Forever Art stamp set,  then highlighted the steam with a white Sharpie paint pen.  The large circles that look like teacup stains are where I dipped an empty toilet paper tube in some Distress stain and stamped it onto the page.

I also used my multiliner pen to outline the page, some of the dots, and the steam.  I created some shadows by making dots with the pen.

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And TADA, I declared my very first journal page finished!

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I hope you enjoyed experiencing my process, now please travel on to visit the other E-Team members and guests to be totally WOWed by their creations:

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Linda's feeling a little under the weather so she's not participating this time.  But please stop by her blog to show her some love and share some healing thoughts!

I'm so grateful you stopped by to visit today!  I hope you have a wonderful second half to your week!!