Splashes of Watercolor

This is just a quick post to show you my entry for last week’s 2 Sketches 4 You  sketch (Laura’s #24).  Love the sketch and love this little darling from Whipper Snapper!  THIS is why I have this adorable little sweetie.  Thanks, Shel!

Unfortunately, the card never got posted or made its way into the sketch challenge due to a certain little one’s birth last Thursday!  But that’s ok.  There’ll always be more sketch challenges!

Here’s the sketch:

I decided to be a little different and give her a blue bunny.  It’s fun to be making little girl cards for a change!  I like it!

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

• Stamps: Chloe from Sugar & Spice set - Whipper Snapper, sentiment from Many Happy Returns - Stampin’ Up!
• Paper: white, baja breeze, Basic Grey  Euphoria 6×6 pad
  
• Ink: Memento - tuxedo black, Versafine -onyx black
  
• Other: circle Nestabilities dies, corner rounder punch, Martha Stewart doily lace border punch, button, DMC floss, ribbon, Copic markers:

Can you see the dirt?? An explanation will follow shortly!

Today’s Wacky Wednesday challenge is brought to you by none other than TexasGrammy herself, Miss Bev!!  Her challenge to us was to “heat it up!”  In other words, to use our heat tool.

My intentions were to heat and curl this May Arts ribbon, but no matter what I tried it wouldn’t work!  Who ever heard of heat-proof ribbon??  Ppppfffft!  So since the card was already assembled (with a piece of this ribbon already attached behind the main image), what was I to do?  Like Horton says, I thought and I thought.  Then it hit me!  I would use Ranger Distress embossing powder for the dirt pile!  So maybe there is a silver lining to every cloud, because I actually like this idea a lot better than the first!

Here’s my dirty card:

There is also dirt on both of the flower pots, because even though you’re supposed to, I almost never clean mine thoroughly before using them again.

I did end up using the ribbon for a bow, and added a Prima flower and button tied with linen thread to it.

Head over to the Rubbernecker blog for all the details on the challenge and for links to all the designers’ samples too!  I hope you’ll play along with us!  There’s a chance to win a 40% off gift certificate for your next purchase at Rubbernecker!!!

Thanks so much for coming by to visit!  Hope to see you again soon!

• Stamps: Watering Can Spring Scene (139-03), Screen background (452)
• Paper: Prism Simply Smooth white, chocolate chip, Basic Grey Marrakech 6×6 pad, PTI aqua mist
• Ink: Memento -tuxedo black, PTI aqua mist
  
• Other: Copic markers, May Arts ribbon (BS38), corner rounder punch, heat gun, Ranger Distress embossing powder - tea dye, foam tape, Prima flower, button, linen thread, Wonder tape

Items available at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.

Wow!  I can’t believe this is the 40th Color Throwdown color challenge!  It’s been a fun ride so far, and we hope you’ll continue to play along with us each week.  It’s amazing to see all the great talent out there!!

This week our very own MFT IDOL hopeful Barbara chose  a truly wonderful color combination.  Everyone loves pink and brown together.  Throw in a little sage green, and it’s really yummy!

And I love that our graphic guru, Kisa, used orchids this week in the color swatch!  Very girly!!  Did I ever tell you that my dad used to raise orchids?  When we lived in Florida he had a greenhouse in the back yard and was always creating new hybrids.  One was even named after me!  Cool!!

Here’s my “girly” card for this week:

Love these Fashion Icon sets from Rubbernecker Stamp Co.   So girly and fun!  And how about that scrumptious May Arts ribbon!!?

Please play along in the color challenge with us this week!  If you don’t have these exact colors, I’d be willing to bet you do have some other pink, brown and light green on hand!  Just post a DIRECT LINK to your card on today’s Color Throwdown Mr. Linky.  And if you upload your card to an online gallery, please use the keyword CTD40.

For some additional inspiration, just go check out the other designers’ beautiful creations here:

• Barbara Anders
• Cathy Indelicato
• Danielle Kennedy
• LeAnne Pugliese
• Tammy Hershberger

Thanks for stopping by to check out the challenge for today.  There’ll be a Wacky Wednesday challenge posted in just a little while, so please stop back by!

• Stamps: Fashion Icon set (456), French Script background (448)
  
• Paper: pretty in pink, sage shadow, chocolate chip
  
• Ink: pink pirouette, Ranger Distress - walnut stain
• Other: clear EP, 1″ square punch, matboard, Martha Stewart Doily Lace border punch, classic square scallop Nestabilities die, corner rounder punch, CB swiss dots folder, SU scallop punch, May Arts ribbon, Copic markers: 0, N1, R11, R20

Items available at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.

My darling granddaughter has finally been born!

Molly Corinne weighed in at 6 lbs 4 oz on Thursday, April 23rd, at 3:15 pm.  She’s a little peanut and such a doll!

Here she is with big brother Miles:

Everyone is fine and happy!

~~~~~~~

This is a card that I made for Miles, her 2-1/2 year old brother, to give to her.  Inside it reads: Welcome to the world.

Thank you for allowing me to share my happy news!

Woo hoo!  New Kittie Kits!!  Can you believe it!!??  How exciting!  I had a blast playing around with these cool stamps.  The combination possibilities are endless!!

I used the Chicken Coop Scene #7 for yesterday’s card and the Farm Scene #8 for today’s.

Intimidated by the “scene” thing?  Don’t be!  You don’t HAVE to create a scene with these cool images but if you’d like to give it a try, check out Kittie’s watercolor landscaping tutorial on Splitcoaststampers HERE.

I didn’t try a scene for today’s card.  I just wanted to use and highlight this amazing drawing of an old wagon sitting alone in a field.

*****My original post was going to end here, but I just love these wonderful images, so I had to play a little more.  As a result I have a bonus card to show you using the sketch challenge SC225 from Splitcoaststampers.  Here’s my little Moonlit Cabin using another image from Kittie Kit Farm Scene #8:

And a close up:

Wanna play along for a chance at some prizes?  Here are the deets:

Stroll along with the Rubbernecker Red Hot Mommas.  The Stroll starts at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog where you will find the rules on how to win one of the sets being revealed or even possibly the GRAND PRIZE.  If you haven’t started at the Rubbernecker Stamps Blog, you should go there now in order not to miss anything!  In order to win one of the sets revealed today, you must leave a comment on this post and to win the GRAND PRIZE, you must collect the entire phrase.  Random numbers will be drawn on Friday, 12:00 Noon.

Here is my phrase clue for the GRAND PRIZE: a.  To find the next clue, stroll over to Candy’s blog.  But remember, you need to START at the  Rubbernecker Stamps Blog in order to collect ALL of the clues.

Thanks for stopping back by!  Now go take a STROLL!!

Wagon Card:

• Stamps: Farm Scene #8 Kittie Kit, Flower Silhouettes (467) - sentiment
  
• Paper: Prism - white, Suede Brown Dark; 7 Gypsies - Nottinghill
• Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa
  
• Other: petite oval Nestabilities dies, Imaginisce flower, buttons, linen thread, May Arts ribbon, corner rounder punch, Copic markers:

Cabin card:

• Stamps: Farm Scene #8 Kittie Kit
  
• Paper: Prism - white, Baby Blue Light, Sunflowers Light, Stormy Medium;  Junkitz Cousins Collectionz - cousins floral
  
• Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - weathered wood
  
• Other: circle and labels one Nestabilities dies, ink blending tool, ribbon, lace, foam tape, Copic markers:

Items available at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.

It’s time for another Wacky Wednesday!!  This time Candy is our hostess and she’s chosen for us to use chipboard or buttons on our cards.  It’s also time for another new release!  And I’m so excited for you to see what we’ve got for you this time!!  Today’s card is a peek at what’s in store for tomorrow’s Blog Hop!  Can you guess what the “kits” may be??  How about if I give you a hint and say they’re from the ORIGINAL scene artist herself??!!

I had a great time putting this tiny bit of a scene together!  I didn’t even need a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig!  This fence is designed perfectly so that you always get a perfect continuation!  Love it!  The only “tool” I had to use was Eclipse tape to cover Mama Hen when I stamped the fence!  Easy peasy!

My chipboard element is the addition of the “hinges” from the Tim Holtz Plain Elements grungeboard pack.

You need to head over to the Rubbernecker Blog to check out all the details on the Wacky Wednesday challenge.  If your entry is chosen you could win a 40% off gift certificate off your next Rubbernecker purchase!  And while you’re there, link up to the other designers’ blogs so you can drool over their wonderful creations with one of the new stamp sets!

Thanks for visiting me today!  I hope you’ll come back tomorrow for the BLOG STROLL!!  It’ll be loads of fun and you could win some awesome prizes!!

• Stamps: Chicken Coop #7 Kittie Kit and Master #1 Kittie Kit
  
• Paper:Prism - white, Tawny Medium, Crabapple Dark; 7 Gypsies - Savannah
  
• Ink: Memento - Rich Cocoa, Adirondack - Lettuce, Ranger Distress - Frayed Burlap
  
• Other: Ink blending tool, plain elements grungeboard, copper brads, long rectangle Nestabilities die, May Arts ribbon, Copic markers:

Items available at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.

Time for another Color Throwdown, y’all!  This week Cathy is our lovely hostess and she’s provided us with a classic and beautiful color combination:

Don’t you love it!  Is it a little easier than mine from last week?  Hey, that’s why it’s called a challenge!

When I saw the colors for this week, I couldn’t help but gravitate to my new scrumptious May Arts ribbon with the perfect colors!!  So I designed my card around that.  I’ve also been itching to color these gorgeous sunflowers; so needless to say,  this is one card that came together fairly easily.

We’d love for you to play along in the challenge with us.  Check out all the details and links to the designer’s blogs on the Color Throwdown blog. Or you can follow these links to see them all individually:

• Barbara Anders
• Cathy Indelicato
• Danielle Kennedy
• LeAnne Pugliese
• Tammy Hershberger

Hey, thanks for stopping by!  The Wacky Wednesday challenge is coming up shortly, so stay tuned….

• Stamps: Sunflower (353-05), Wildflowers (465) - sentiment
  
• Paper:Prism white, real red, barely banana, black
• Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, Versafine - onyx black, Ranger Distress - Antique Linen
• Other: May Arts ribbon, foam tape, wonder tape, Copic markers:

Items available at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.

Any day now, my younger daughter is expecting her first daughter, my first granddaughter!  They’ve chosen a name, but won’t tell me, or anybody for that matter.  How rude!  LOL!

When it came to deciding what gift to present to the new little one, I started a search of all my favorite blogs and art sites.  Of course the gift would be hand made!  I had noticed several different examples and styles of paper butterflies on canvas and I loved the “free” look of them.  The one that comes to mind first is one I saw on Amy’s blog Prairie Paper & Ink HERE.  Ali Edwards also showed one on her blog HERE.  So I decided that I wanted to do one for “Baby Girl”.

When the nursery color theme and bedding was chosen (Sumersault Lauren  from Babies ‘R Us)…..

I set out to find the perfect papers to use for the butterflies.  I could NOT find any patterned paper that suited me, so I decided to use 4 different shades of my beautiful Prism textured cardstock.  When the butterflies were cut or punched out, I stamped some of my new background stamps from Rubbernecker on them using Adirondack inks and Versamark, then heat embossed them.  Here’s the result:

The canvas was covered with Gesso first.  Then I mixed a small amount of acrylic paint with more Gesso and randomly brushed it on to provide some visual relief from the stark white canvas.  It’s as close as I could get to an exact match for the nursery’s wall color.

All of the butterflies were spritzed with a mix of Perfect Pearls and water using a Mini Mister before being attached to the canvas using Ranger Crystal Effects.  Here’s a close up:

• Stamps: Grid (451), French Script (448), Abstract Floral (450)
• Paper: Prism: Frosted Cobalt, Vibrant Cobalt, Herbal Garden Light, Herbal Garden Medium
• Ink: Adirondack inks: Cool Peri, Juniper; Versamark
  
• Other: 16 x 20 canvas, Gesso, paint brush, Plaid Folk Art acrylic paint: French Blue, Night Sky; SU Bigz Beautiful Butterflies die, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, clear EP, Ranger Mini-Mister, Perfect Pearls, Ranger Glossy Accents
  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WAIT…..THERE’S MORE:

Of course I had to make a card to accompany the gift, but I decided not to use more butterflies for it.

I’ve had this Baby Buttercup stamp from Stamping Bella for a while and it’s just been waiting for the right moment to jump into my hand!  This must have been it!

I used the same Prism textured cardstock as for the butterflies canvas and added a piece of patterned paper from the Nana’s Nursery - Baby Boy pad from DCWV.

The image was stamped on white cardstock, colored with Copics, and cut out.  I stamped it on the cobalt layer as well.  The flower, leaves and baby are all popped up on foam tape.  The tiny flower and sentiment are from the Fiskars Baby stamps set, and are stamped and colored directly on the frosted cobalt layer.  The ribbon is May Arts, available currently by the roll from Rubbernecker, but also available by the yard starting on April 21st.

That’s it for now!  If you’ve stayed with me through this entire post, I truly appreciate it!  And I’ll definitely be posting to let you know when that sweet little pink bundle arrives!

• Stamps: Baby Buttercup - Stamping Bella, Fiskars Baby Stamp Set
  
• Paper: Prism: white, Frosted Cobalt, Vibrant Cobalt, Herbal Garden Medium, Nana’s Nursery Baby Boy - DCWV
• Ink: Memento - tuxedo black
  
• Other: Labels One Nestabilities die, Wizard, SU scallop punch, May Arts ribbon, button, linen thread, CB Swiss Dots folder, foam tape, wonder tape, Copic markers:

Items on both projects available from Rubbernecker Stamp Co.

Wednesdays are always fun!  We get to have another Wacky challenge!  This week sweet Juliana presented us with a really cool inspiration piece, and let me tell ya, I studied this piece for quite a while before I came up with what I wanted to do.  Being an accountant, I’m usually quite literal with any interpretation, but I think I managed to free myself a little from completely CASEing the piece.  Here’s the inspiration piece:

And here’s my card:

I started by completely wetting a piece of watercolor paper.  Using a waterbrush and Ranger distress reinkers, I painted the entire page in Broken China, just spreading it unevenly to keep the random look.  Then I took my clean waterbrush and picked up a drop of Dusty Concord reinker and let it drop randomly onto the paper.  I repeated this with Fired Brick reinker.  When it was completely dry, I stamped the Grid background (451) in bleach.  Subtle and just the way I wanted it to look!

The flower silhouette from set 467 and the dragonfly from Easter Inchies (436) were also stamped in distress reinkers on watercolor paper and cut out.  I couldn’t find a button in the color I wanted, so I covered a piece of grungeboard with some textured paper and sanded, then inked the edges.  I punched 2 holes in it with my cropadile and threaded some crochet cotton through it.  Distress stickles in Worn Lipstick were added to the center of the flower.

That’s it for today.  Be sure to check out the Rubbernecker blog for all the details on the challenge and links so you can get some great inspiration from the design team members too!

• Stamps: Grid background (451), Flower Silhouettes (467), Easter Inchies (436) - dragonfly, Wildflowers (465) - sentiment
  
• Paper: watercolor paper, Prism - majestic purple dark, simply smooth white, white prismatic, DCWV - textured teal
  
• Ink: Ranger Distress pads - worn lipstick, dusty concord, Distress reinkers - broken china, dusty concord, fired brick, Versafine - onyx black
• Other: waterbrush, bleach, 1″ punch, Tim Holtz chipboard circle, ink blending tool, foam tape, cotton crochet thread, Distress stickles - worn lipstick

Items available at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.

This week it’s my turn to host the Color Throwdown challenge.  When I was a Featured Cupcake Sampler for Taylored Expressions, I made THIS CARD and just loved how the colors looked together.  When you find something that works, stick with it, right?  So here are the colors for this week’s challenge:

I stamped the flower image from Flower Silhouettes (467) onto some watercolor paper using Weathered Wood and Fired Brick Ranger Distress ink. Then I stamped just the flower 2 more times and cut them out.  After I used the Labels One die to cut the watercolor paper and 2 mats for it, I painted around the branch and the bottom right corner in watered down Baja Breeze reinker.  When that dried, I stamped the sentiment from Wildflowers (465) in Weathered Wood.

The Grid and French Script backgrounds are lightly stamped on the 7 Gypsies Nottinghill paper.  I decided to used just a portion of the image panel and cut the left edge off, then pierced down that edge.  I added the ribbon and a small flower with a pearl sticker to the bow. The main flower panel is spritzed with a mixture of water and Perfect Pearls using a Ranger Mini Mister.  While the cut flowers were still damp from the misting, I curled up the petals before I attached them to the main panel.  I added a pearl sticker to that flower as well.

I hope you’ll join the Color Throwdown team in this challenge.  You can find all the deets at the CTD blog, and some great inspiration here at the team’s blogs:

Thanks, guys, for coming by and please stop by a little later for the Wacky Wednesday challenge of the week.

• Stamps: Flower Silhouettes (467), Wildflowers (465), French Script (448), Grid (451)
• Paper: watercolor paper, baja breeze, ruby red, basic gray, 7 Gypsies Nottinghill
• Ink: Ranger Distress - fired brick, weathered wood, antique linen, baja breeze reinker
  
• Other: waterbrush, ink blending tool, corner rounder, Labels One Nestabilities die, paper piercer, template & mat, ribbon, Queen & Co. flower, pearl stickers, foam tape

Items available at Rubbernecker Stamp Co.