Watercoloring Techniques

Happy Watercolor, Delighful Dozen, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler

 For my last workshop, I wanted to show the guests how many ways they could color in a lined image without going to a lot of work.  This technique, Watercoloring with Markers, is one of my absolute faves.  Simply stamp with StazOn Black or any other solvent ink onto a piece of watercolor paper (Stampin' Up!'s paper is the best - only because I've tried others and their absorbency rate is fantastic!), use a marker to go over the accent lines on the stamp, then use an Aqua Painter to spread the color out.  If some of your image ends up too light, go over some of the accent lines again with the marker when your color is dry.  On this card we used Cherry Cobbler.  That is my absolute favorite shade of red!!!  We made a removable bookmark with the watercolor paper and flower image, tucked it behind a piece of Gold Vellum and the Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding.  Those were attached with Mini Glue Dots.  We used the Tag Topper Punch to shape the top of the bookmark and some Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine finishes the bookmark off.

Happy Watercolor, Cherry, Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold

I made this card because I wanted a stepped up version to show.  I love the layers of Cherry Cobbler cardstock and the Brushed Gold cardstock against each other.  Such an elegant look.  Here I used the Gold Washi Tape for a background and across the stem of the flower.  On this card I experimented with some watercolor paper from a local crafting store.  See how the image is washed out and there isn't much color variation?  It took a 1/2 hr for the little bit of water to soak into the paper.  I had to go over it again with the marker to get some color variation.  I was very disappointed.  Lesson learned.  Unless I'm using blender pens, DON'T use the cheap watercolor paper!  Because of the colors going on here, I chose not to use the Baker's Twine.  Instead, the Linen Thread looks quite fine. 
Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station once again.  Let me know how you've been enjoying coloring in your stamps recently.
Blessings,
Julie

Ouch! Get Well Soon....

Delightful Dozen, Raspberry Ripple, Blushing Bride

Yes, these bandaid cards are all over, but I thought it was completely appropriate for my friend's 17 year old daughter who had to have her hip rebuilt.  Yes, ouch!  I'm hoping that she'll have no problem putting on her dancing shoes once again after she's healed up from the surgery.  I also had fun using my new framelits for this card.  And added benefit for needing to make cards, right?  Love these new shapes!  The Get Well layers are made with the Chalk Talk set and the layers behind the bandaid are made with the Deco Labels Colletion.  Aren't they fun?! 

Thanks for once again stopping by the Stamping Station!

Blessings,
Julie

Happy Easter Chocolate Bunny Style

I usually don't do Easter bunny cards, but I saw this little guy on Pinterest and had to try him.  The bottom is the ornament punch, the head is the 1 3/8" circle, and the ears are the large and small oval punches.  The clouds were made with Stampin' Up!'s cloud embossing folder, available in the Occasions Catalog, and the cute little tail is the fabric flowers in the same catalog.  So, what do you think?  Isn't he adorable?  And super easy.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter.  I also hope that you have fun celebrating with family and friends.

Many blessings to you!

Julie

Happy Good Friday

It's Good Friday and we just got home from an amazing service.  I posted this today instead of Sunday since the ribbon is red.  On Sunday it will be white as snow. 
The cross was made with Stampin' Up!'s Lattice Bigz Die.  The greeting is stamped from the Delighful Dozen stamp set.  I hope this card reminds us all of what started yesterday (Thursday) and was finished on Sunday (Easter Morning).  Without the crucifixion, there is no resurrection.  I am humbled.

Blessings,
Julie

Glitter and Holidays ... Oooooo La La!

Delightful Dozen stamp set; Lots of Tags Sizzlits; Wide Oval and Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punches; 1 3/8", 1 1/2", and 1" Square Punches; Snow Burst Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, and Whisper White cardstocks

So, glitter paper meets the triple punch.  Woo Hoo!  Just snip off the bottom three loops of the flower to get this fabulous bow for your presents.  The presents were made by punching squares out of scrap pieces of Christmas Lodge Designer Paper and matting them with a piece of cardstock 1/8" larger than the square.  The rest is easy peasy!  I love simple and quick cards that look fab because of all the fun tools and supplies.

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station!

Blessings,
Julie

Playing with the new stuff!!!

Yes!  I finally had time to play with some of my new stuff.  I also put two challenges into this card.  The first was by my wonderfully creative friend Joanne, who posted CC336, a color challenge of Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, and Sahara Sand.  So soft and pretty!  The second was this week's sketch challenge SC346.  I really like the end result of the two paired together.  Of course, I wanted to use my new stamp sets Simply Soft and Delightful Dozen, and this worked so well!  Yes, I also added the new and delightful polka dot brads.  See the sparkles on the flowers?  That is the new SU! product Dazzling Details.  It's a very fine glue that has iridescent sparkles in it.  Yes, I know that there are other companies that have something similar, but I really like the thinness of the applicator so that you can highlight specifically small details.  I also used my new 1" square punch (I'm so glad that we finally have one of those!!!) and my postage punch.  The ribbon is Pretty in Pink, but let's not tell anyone that detail.  They don't really need to know, do they?  :-D

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station!

Blessings,
Julie