Stamping, Painting, & Coloring make me Giggle

The Spirit of Spring

I am feeling spring in the air!! In the Chicagoland area, the temperature is in the 70's in March!!   People have lost their minds - wearing shorts and flip flops. :o) Me too!

I'm sharing cards I made in the spirit of Spring. Very simple to make!  I saw this technique The Carol Duvall show - remember that show?! I miss Carol and her guests...  Tim Holtz demo'd it.

1. Colored images - markers direct to rubber, spritz with water, stamped onto watercolor paper, and then blended color with a water brush.
2. Cut and adhered layers. That's it! Ready to mail!

 

 

Stamps: Stampin' Up!
Paper:  Stampin' Up!  yo-yo yellow & real red,  Pearlescent Paper & Card Pack - Brights, Club Scrap design, Canson 120lb cold press watercolor paper
Ink:  Tombow Dual Brush Pens
Accessories: mini mister filled with water

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Basket of Tulips

I made this card for the Club Posh February card of the month. I've been coloring with Spectrum Noir Markers and am having a great time! They are alcohol based ink markers priced very reasonable. They offer rich colors and refills.  You can see videos about them HERE.

1. Inked up basket image and stamped onto white card stock.
2. Colored with Spectrum alcohol ink markers. Colored the image using two or three markers in a color family for shading.  With these markers, the color family is identified using the letter(s). When I have a large area, I find three shades work best. For smaller areas, I use two. I dig the rich ink from Spectrum Noir.  They blend so easily!
3. After coloring the basket and flowers, I added a little bling over the colored tulip flowers with Twinkling H20. While that was drying, I used a Spellbinders die cute for the layer behind the basket of flowers. I left the die in place and used the Copic Air Brush system with a very pale pink Spectrum marker to create a light pink background.
4.  I used a water based marker and Twinkling H20s to add color to the butterfly image and stamped  onto my airbrushed background. I outlined his wings with a water proof pen.
5. I cut out the basket of tulips and the single tulip. Adhere the images to the airbrushed die cut background.
6. Inked up the itty bitty hearts with a red ink pad and stamped. Outlined them with a water proof pen. 
7. Adhere all the layers.

Stamps: Judi-Kins, Posh Impressions
Paper:  Papertrey Ink, Stampin' Up!, Club Scrap design
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad, Stampin' Up! real red ink pad, Lumin Arte Twinkling H20s, Spectrum Noir Markers
Accessories: Copic Air Brush System, small paint brush, craft knife and mat, Spellbinders die cut

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

 

In-Direct Cocktails

I'm using another Stamps Happen image to highlight the in-direct technique with Tombows Dual Brush Pens.  For this card I used a white outline for a different look. I really like it with glasses and the dark background. I used the picture on the wooden stamp for a color guide.

1. Inked up  image with watermark ink pad and stamped onto watercolor paper, sprinkled embossing power and heat set.
2. I scribbled markers onto plastic pallet.  Used the water brush to spread water inside an embossed, then picked up color with water brush and spread color. I use a combination of dabbing and spreading color. I mixed different colors and just had fun with it.
3. I skipped over an embossed area so I would not be coloring right next to a wet area and just continued dabbing and spreading. Repeated until I colored all the glasses.
4. For the background, I laid down one coat, let it dry, then added a second coat. I wanted a lot of contrast.  I found the wide tip water brush to be more effective for larger areas, and for  getting a clean edge around the glasses and inside the boarder.
5. After it dried, I used a die cut to trim it.  Click here for a tip on getting your die cut where you want it around your image.
6. assembled layers and adhered the dew drops.

Stamps: Stamps Happen, Inc.
Paper:  Stampin' Up!  brilliant blue, Fabriano Artistico Extra White Watercolor Paper Block 140lb hot press, Club Scrap
Ink: VersaMark ink pad,  Tombow Dual Brush Pens
Accessories: small & wide water brush, plastic pallet, Spellbinders Nestabilities classic square die cuts, Dew Drops,  judikins opaque white embossing powder

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

October Club Scrap Jr. Kit

I am a member of Club Scrap and get the most beautiful variety of  papers, card stock, stencils and rubber every single month.  This month I used supplies from the kit to make this lovely card and also used one of Mike's images. This card measures 5 1/4 " x 5 1/4".

1. I taped the stencil down on an area of design card stock.  NOTE: I strategically placed the stencil down to make sure the part of the design on the card stock I wanted would be on my finished card.
2. Dabbed paint all over the stencil.  Carefully lifted stencil and pulled off tape. I immediately rinsed the stencil off and used a soft brush to clean it while the water was running on it.
3. After the card stock dried, I cut the square that I wanted.
4. Then dabbed paint around the border. Allowed it to dry.
5. Dabbed paint onto rubber image and stamped onto card stock. I immediately cleaned the rubber with water.
6. After image dried, cut it out with scissors.
7. Stamped a few images on a piece of white cards stock for the inside of card.
8. Adhered everything together.

Stamps: Michael Strong
Paper:  Club Scrap ,  Stampin' Up! whisper white
Ink/Paint: Adirondack acrylic paint dabber pearl Stampin' Up! more mustard, pumpkin pie
Accessories:  Club Scrap  stencil,  low tack tape

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

A Distressed Fleur-de-lis

I made this card for our Michael Strong Yahoo Group challenge.   Hetty, our group leader, gave us the layout. 

1. The first thing I did was picked out my colors. 
2. Inked up texture  image with  distress ink pad,  stamped on card stock, sprinkled embossing powder. Repeated for a random design. Heat set.
3. Repeated for each color.
4. Inked up Fleur-de-lis image , stamped on white scrap piece of card stock, sprinkle with embossed powder and heat set.
5. Use die cut to cut out image. TIP: I learned this tip from my Stampin' Sister Judy at Mike's Yahoo group. Using a scrap piece card stock ( a color different than what you stamped your image on), run the die cut through your machine. This is your template.
6. Center your template over your stamped image. Very carefully run through your machine as you normally would for a cut.
7. Cut your  layers to size and adhere all pieces.
8. Stamp small Fleur-de-lis image on the inside of your card for a nice little surprise.

Stamps: Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fleur De Lis & Texturizing Stamp Set
Paper:   Neenah Classic Solar White,  Club Scrap ,  Stampin' Up! always artichoke
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress ink pads scattered straw, forest moss, spiced marmalade, rusty hinge
Accessories: heat tool, Stampin' Up! clear emboss powder, Michael Stong Fleur-de-lis die cut

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

 

Batik Silhouette Fan

This card features a Batik water coloring technique I learned at the Create Retreat with Helen and Michael Strong's new Silhouette Fan image.

1. Ink up images with brown ink pad and stamp onto masa paper. For this this technique, the idea here is not to get a crisp image, but more of a worn look.
2. Wad up paper into a ball and soak in water for about 1 minute.
3. Gently unfold and dry flat. You can use a hair dryer to speed up drying time.
4. Use a paint brush and acrylic ink to outline the image. No need to be super straight - part of the charm of this technique - no straight lines!  Allow it to dry.
5. Use a water brush to add color with the H2O pots. I drop some clear water into the little pots and let them set for a few minutes to get to a runny toothpaste consistency. Allow a color to dry on the paper before painting a new color next to it.  The results should be imperfect - a bit rustic. Leave some white.
6. When all the sections are dry, cut around outline.
7. Use a paint brush and acrylic ink to paint in between the sections. Again, don't worry about being straight - just have fun with it. Set aside to dry.
8. Ink up frame image with gold ink and stamp onto A2 size piece of Cryogen Gold card stock.  Re-ink and stamp again to cover piece completely. Trim 1/4' off top and one side.  Adhere layers to base card. 
9. For the inside of the card, ink up smallest fan silhouette image and stamp on the bottom. Repeat to form a little fan row.

Stamps: Michael Strong silhouette fan & frame
Inks/Paints:  FW Acrylic Artist Ink sepia (I won this bottle in Helen's class!),  StazOn timber brown, Encore Gold Metallic, LuminArte Twinkling H2O's cinnamon stick, bougainvillea, sky blue, solar gold, persimmon, key lime, plumeria, spiced pumpkin
Paper:   Masa Paper  - a Japanese Rice Paper, Cryogen white gold, Club Scrap
Accessories: paint brush, water brush,

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Little Girl...Big Shoes

I shared a few weeks ago that I have been on a color kick - busy coloring Mo's adorable images.   I stopped coloring long enough to put one of the images into a card. :o) This little sweetie pie is walking around in Big Shoes.

1. Color the image.  There are many videos and tutorials out there on using Copics  I have  learned a lot from Marianne, Sandy, and Suzanne.  Sandy teaches at My Creative Classroom and has Copic class starting next week. Suzanne has several videos on YouTube.  After watching, be sure to practice.  You will get the blending effect you want when you combine the right ink, paper and technique.  Sandy was the one who introduced me to the card stock I used for this project - Cryogen White. I'm almost embarrassed to say how much I have. Don't want to run out! :o)
2. Cut out the image using a die cut. Leave the die cut in place and blend color around the inside edge, adding blending in further on the bottom to give her grounding. Remove die cut.
3. Use marker to add a shadow under the little girl and her purse.
4. To get matching ribbon, run ink pad over ribbon several times to desired shade.
5. Adhere all layers.

Stamps/Images:  Mo's Digital Pencil
Paper:  Cryogen White, BasicGrey,  Stampin' Up!  basic black, Club Scrap
Inks: Distress Ink pad crushed olive,   Copic Markers
Accessories: blending tool & foam, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Joann's white ribbon

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Coffee with Hetty

Hetty is a lovely, talented woman who is the moderator for our Michael Strong Yahoo Group.  Mike named his newly released coffee set after her. I'm so excited for Hetty!! She works hard to support our group, where lots of ideas are shared about creativity.  This card is 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

1. Rub anti static bag over water color paper. Ink up large coffee cup image with watermark ink, stamp  onto watercolor paper, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set. 
2. Choose color theme/design papers and markers.  I picked several from my Club Scrap
   collection  and narrowed it down.  I've been a member for years and just adore their card stock/papers!! They have great designs and texture on quality  paper.
3. Add color to the image with markers. Start with lightest shades and cover the largest area with in an embossed area,  then spread with water brush. Allow to dry.  Color with the darkest shade covering a smaller area and spread color with water brush. Allow to dry.
4. Cut out image.  Cut layers out of design paper/card stock.
5. Adhere layers.
6. Use a VersaMarker to color a part of the swirls image that will fit over coffee cup. Use a scrap piece of paper to mask where coffee cup will be, and stamp swirls about the coffee. Sprinkle with emboss powder and heat set.
7. Adhere coffee cup.
8. Using dual art brush pen to ink image, stamp small coffee cup image inside card. Draw swirls above cup.

Stamps: Michael Strong's Hetty's Coffee Cup Set MS352EZ
Paper: Strathmore 140lb cold press watercolor paper, Club Scrap, Stampin' Up! very vanilla
Ink: VersaMark watermark ink pad, VersaMarker watermark pen
Accessories: heat tool, Stampin' Up! embossing buddy, Tombow Dual Brush Pens 452, 491, 969, 977, water brush, craft knife and cutting mat, crystal white embossing powder

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Art Impressions Challenge

This week the Art Impression Challenge is to use three or more design papers.   That IS a challenge for me - I usually use only one, maybe two. :o)  This card is 5 1/4 x 5 1/4".

1. Choose design paper and primary markers to match.  I remembered I had some m&ms design papers - perfect for scales. :o) For each primary color, choose one or two more shades in that color family, and any other colors to complete coloring your image.
2. Rub anti static bag over water color paper. Ink up girlfriends image with black ink, stamp  onto watercolor paper, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set. 
3. Cut rectangle around image.  Cut layers out of design paper/card stock.
4. Add color to the image with markers. Start with lightest shades and cover the largest area with in an embossed area,  then spread with water brush. Allow to dry. Color the next shade  covering less area, then spread with water brush. Allow to dry. Color with the darkest shade  covering a small area and spread color with water brush. Allow to dry.
5. Repeat for the rest of the areas to color.
6. Add a subtle grounding of the light blue marker and spread color with water brush.
7. Use the glaze pen on the dial of each scale. Set aside to dry. Apply glaze pen again.
8. For the inside of the card, stamp sentiment and add coordinating design paper.  This little guy's
   expression is just so cute and goes with these images.  See!  One day you'll find a use of all the design paper you've been buying too!  That's my justification and I'm sticking to it!

Stamps: Art Impressions
Paper: Club Scrap design card stock, EK Success, BasicGrey,  Fabriano Studio Watercolor Pad 140lb cold press, Georgia Pacific
Ink: VersaFine onyx black
Accessories: heat tool, Stampin' Up! black detail embossing powder, emboss buddy, & ribbon, Tombow Dual Brush Pens, water brush, Sakura clear glaze pen

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Mother's Day Bouquet Resist

Here's a little Mother's Day Bouquet using clear embossing powder.

1. Rub anti static bag over water color paper. Ink up image with VersaMark  ink pad, stamp onto watercolor paper, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set.
2. To get your water color pallet, turn ink pads over and press them onto non-stick craft sheet side by side, not overlapping. If you do not have a craft sheet, you can press the ink pads  onto a piece of plastic or spare acrylic block.
3. Pick up color with the water brush and apply over flowers. The embossed image will act as a resist and the color will fill in around the image. I didn't worry about being precise - I wanted the colors to flow and mix. NOTE: your water brush should be moist, not dripping.
4. Dab excess color off onto a paper towel in between colors.
5. Allow ink to dry.
6. Cut oval around bouquet. Leave the die cut around the image. Spread clear water all around the image. Pick up some blue and fill in color. I picked up other colors from the flowers along the way. I like that look!
7. Adhere layers and ribbon. The yellow layer is the other side of the Club Scrap design card stock.
8. Ink up bouquet image with old olive ink and stamp partial image into the corner of  a piece of A2 size vanilla card stock.  Ink up sentiment and stamp near the top.  Trim 1/4" off top and one side. Adhere to the inside of the card.

Stamps: Happy Mother's Day MSET02
Paper: Club Scrap design, Stampin' Up! old olive, Strathmore 140lb cold press watercolor paper
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress ink pads fired brick, spiced marmalade, mustard seed, tumbled glass, broken china, pine needles,  VersaMark watermark ink pad, Stampin' Up! old olive ink pad
Accessories: heat tool, Stampin' Up! emboss buddy, clear embossing powder & ribbon, water brush, Spellbinders Nestabilities oval die cut

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena