A Little Inspiration

Sense of Time

Over the weekend, I wanted to try some different techniques and get a little 'artsy'.  Sense of Time has been sitting on my shelf waiting for just that opportunity.

I started with Stampin' Up!'s watercolor paper and stamped the clocks in Jet Black StazOn ink.  Then, using the watercolor brush, I painted the space between the clocks with Baja Breeze. 

Then, I used my heat tool to set the color (and speed up the drying time) and stamped the cogs in Early Espresso.  I didn't do the best job of masking, but it worked.  Then, I sponged the edges with Tea Dye ink and colored the clock with Tea Dye ink and sponge daubers too.

To create the clock hands, I used Game Spinner Hands and glue dots.  I trimmed the metal with wire snips and added the Antique Brad.

For the sentiment, I used the Top Note die with Basic Black and Very Vanilla.  I sewed Early Espresso Satin Ribbon to create the ruffle and Itty Bitty Buttons with some scrap paper and Linen Thread.  Last, but not least the mini Library Clip and a spritz of ink and sponging to complete the card.

I like how it is simple and yet there are so many details.  To see some more watercolor projects, click here.

Paper: Early Espresso, Watercolor Paper (105019) , Very Vanilla, Basic Black & Crumb Cake

Stamps: Sense of Time (113804)

Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Tea Dye (118762), Baja Breeze, & Early Espresso

Tools: 1" Circle Punch (119868), Top Note Die, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309),  Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch (119275), Color Spritzer Tool (107066) & Aqua Painter (103954)

Embellishments: Early Espresso Satin Ribbon (119753), Itty Bitty Buttons (118761), Linen Thread (104199), Game Spinner Hands (121893), Library Clip (109857) & Antique Brad (117273)

Happy Stamping!

Nature Walk Watercolor

I have been itching to try out this stamp set and so I pulled it out and looked at it for a while.  Then, I felt stumped.  I love all of the images but what's the best way to use them?

Here's my first go at it.

I played around with various colors and decided for a 'natural' look on the first go 'round - browns, greens and a little yellow.

The butterflies were stamped in Jet Black StazOn ink on watercolor paper.  I then used watercolor crayons to color the images.

The sentiment was stamped in Early Espresso on watercolor paper too - gives it a 'soft' feel.

Supplies:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Watercolor Paper, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze

Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Early Espresso & Assorted Watercolor Crayons

Stamps: Nature Walk & Notably Ornate

Other: 1 3/8" square punch, scallop trim border punch, lattice square embossing folder, Itty Bitty buttons & punches, modern label punch, corner rounding punch & Always Artichoke ribbon.

Nature Walk Stamp Set (#121997)

Available in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

It's Monday (MOJO144)

It's definitely a Monday...so I'm trying to 'kick start' the week with a little MOJO Monday Sketch Challenge (MOJO144).

• I had some old 3x5 cards laying around so I decided to use one for the base.

• Layered Crumb Cake embossed with Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder

• Stamped Fast & Fabulous in Early Espresso & Cajun Craze on Vanilla

• Sponged the edges in Crumb Cake

• Needed a decorative band to go across the bottom so I made some Designer Paper with a coordinating stamp on Vanilla in Cajun Craze that I also sponged and layered on Early Espresso

• A couple of Chocolate Chip Brads (retired - thanks Liz!)

• Finally the sentiment from "Because I Care" in Early Espresso.

Technique Tip:

When you get this stamp set, you'll notice that it stamps in a little 'grid pattern'.  Use your blender pen or aqua painter to blend the ink together.

Supplies:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Vanilla, Early Espresso & Cajun Craze

Ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze & Crumb Cake

Stamps: Fast & Fabulous (Hostess Level 2) & Because I Care (Hostess Level 1)

Other: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Chocolate Chip Brads (retired), & Curly Label Punch

Little 3x3 Note Cards

I have been on a roll making little 3x3 note cards for my Etsy Shop update.  I was going through the retired list of stamps and realized I have a few that are going 'away' and was trying to decide if I could part with this little bird.

He's (she's?) just so handsome, that I think I'll keep this set around for a while.

Notice something new?  Yup - Greenhouse Gala DSP & 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (love it!).

I also made a set of three with a brown butterfly.

 

And, since I love this hydrangea...I made a set of these too...

Can you see the inside image in Crumb Cake?

And then a couple of others with the retiring hostess set "Country Morning".  Why didn't I get this sooner?

 

I love them all and they are available in my shop.  Or, pull out your stamps and see what you can create.  I'd love to see what you make...

Supplies:

Paper: Greenhouse Gala DSP, Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze & Daffodil Delight

Ink: Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Cajun Craze & Crumb Cake

Stamps: Country Morning, Because I Care & Spring Song

Other: Beautiful Wings Embosslits 

Simple Watercolor

This card was inspired by the a card from the Summer Mini Catalog (Page 19).  I love the "Zen" like feel of the card and how beautifully this stamp works with soft/subtle colors.

I started with Sahara Sand base (4.25 x 6.5) and scored the paper at 5.5 inches.  I then carefully tore the edge and adhered the folded edge to a piece of vanilla card stock (4.25 x 5.5) on which I had stamped the image in (soon to be returning) Baja Breeze.

Supplies:

Paper: Sahara Sand & Vanilla

Ink: Baja Breeze

Stamps: Watercolor Trio

Other: Grommets & Twin

All supplies Stampin' Up! except for grommets & twine.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day.

Watercolor Trio

I spotted this beautiful card by Jackie Bolhuis that uses the new Watercolor Trio stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog and decided to CASE it (with a few modifications of course).

Here is my version of the card:

I started with Certainly Celery and layered a piece of Whisper White embossed with the Lattice Embossing Folder and punched along the edges with the scallop edge punch.

The image is stamped in Old Olive, Soft Suede and Melon Mambo.

The ribbon is Rose Red as is the butterfly.

I just love the new stamp sets!

To download your Summer Mini Catalog, click here or the sidebar picture.

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White, Rose Red & Certainly Celery

Ink: Old Olive, Soft Suede & Melon Mambo

Stamps: Watercolor Trio

Other: Slot Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Medium Oval Punch, Embosslits Beautiful Wings, 1" Double Stitched Gross Grain Ribbon (Rose Red)

Have a great day!

Asian Artistry in Watercolor

I love this set.  Especially against a watercolor wash background.

It's like a mini painting.

How to:

• To make the base, cut a piece of card stock 4 1/4" x 9 3/4".
• Score at 5 1/2" and fold to create the holder.  Use just a narrow bead of glue to hold the edges together (or eyelets or brads would work too).
  
• Note card 5 1/4" x 3 3/4"
• Decorate to your heart's content
• For more details on the watercolor wash, check out the other watercolor posts
• Fits a regular A2 envelope
  

Supplies:

Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Rose Red, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Rose Red, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede

Stamps: Asian Artistry (Hostess Level 2)

Other: Eyelet Border Punch, Large Oval Punch, 1/8" Punch, Crop-a-Dile, Brads, Twine

I Cherish Your Friendship

 

Watercolor, stamps and ribbon.  To me that is such a creative and romantic combination.

Stamping with Shirley the other day, I used a piece of her 8.5" x 11" watercolor paper, washed it with an aqua painter and water then washed it with Baja Breeze and a little Old Olive (that really lightened up). And then played with a couple of her Anna Griffin stamps in Not Quite Navy.

When I looked at the images today, I decided to add a little more color to the tulips using my Pink Pirouette re-inker and Aqua Pen. Then, with an almost dry brush, I added some old olive.

Next step was to add some Antique Linen distress ink (whisc smeared the tulips just  a smidge so be careful).

Then, the inside of the card.

There is something about this tulip, stamped on Very Vanilla, punched out with the large oval punch, edged with Pink Pirouette ink and Antique Linen distress ink that make my heart sing.  I love it.

I originally saw this card over at Megan's site and wanted to make something similar, but then I saw the tulips and went for it.  What do you think?

Supplies:

Paper: Watercolor paper, Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper, Very Vanilla

Ink: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette, Antique Linen (Ranger)

Stamps: Anna Griffin

Other: Eyelet Border Punch, Ribbon, Large Oval Punch, 3/16" Circle Punch

With All Your Heart (WSC103)

(Oops! I hit the publish button instead of the save button.  Here's the rest of the post.)

I love the Weekend Sketch Challenges (WSC103).  The cards always so creative and it really encourages me to put more into each card.  On a day like today (cold, wet & windy), I can really spend some time on the images and try out some new ideas.

The Weekend Sketch Challenge used squares this week and since I had just spent an afternoon stamping on watercolor paper, I felt this peony from the Asian Artistry (Hostess Level 2) set would be a great focal point.

(More watercolor images coming soon and also here.)

For the inside, I used Very Vanilla lightly sponged with Pink Pirouette and then a coordinating flower/leaf from the Sizzix die cut Bird with Leaves and Flowers.

Supplies:

Paper: Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Watercolor Paper, Soft Sude, Old Olive, Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper

Stamps: Asian Artistry

Ink: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze

Other: Ribbon (stash), Sizzix Bird with Leaves and Flowers, Large Oval Punch, Flourishes Texture Plate

To see more takes on the challenge click here or SplitCoastStampers.  And, upload your link for a chance to win goodies at Beate's Blog.

Have a great day!