OCC Watercolor: Day 3 Free Draw

My very favorite technique... hands down... Jennifer's flamingo! I have been waiting to order a flamingo set for a while now.  To see how to break the drawing down to geometric shapes... amazing...

Here's my take:

Normally I don't use watercolor pencils... and I even own some! But this was so fun! Definitely will use this technique again!  The PTI die cut swoosh adds to the SU Curly Cute stamp of happy. 

My watercolor pencil set is an old one that I have had for ages and I couldn't be happier with the way this turned out. I did do the splattering which is difficult to see in the picture, also added some shimmer spray over the whole piece. 

This is the first OCC that I have taken that I needed no new materials to fully participate. I'm not sure if it's because I am more experienced about using what I have, or just looking forward to painting- but it has really given me so many possibilities in my own stash!

OCC Watercolor: Day 2 Paints

Have I mentioned that I LOVE watercolor painting??? Since Jennifer Rzasa's hummingbird in the first class, I have been on a mission to get better at it! I find it so very interesting to learn how the water works with paint.

One of my favorite card techniques is no line watercoloring with Distress inks. So this time I wanted to try something new... so the gold embossing just appealed to me. Here's my take on Dawn's lesson...

It is a little difficult to see, but I used PTI Friends Til the End stamp set, and made the flower a sunflower, embossing first in gold. The paint is Windsor-Newton Cottman tubes, I have the starter set.  The sentiment is die cut in gold glitter paper.

The watercolor paper is attached to a classic kraft card base. I didn't think I'd like the gold embossing, but I do!

OCC Watercolor: Day 1b

Since I had the stencil all made...I wanted to try another idea! Loving the new set from PTI... The vines are actually from Clearly Besotted "Simply Scrumptious" strawberries set.

Because the vine on the other card was so dark, I tried using a second generation stamping for this one. I still used SU pens on the block with brushes, tied the gold and kraft twine... and the sentiment is using the rock n' roll again! This is on an avocado green card base.

OCC Watercolor : Day 1a

Today I started doing the homework for the OCC Watercolor Medium Class. It finishes tomorrow, so I am trying to complete at least one project for each day so I am able to post them.

We have been away babysitting and then a respite at the Cape, so I am a bit behind :) Without giving too many details I will present my projects.

Here's the first with watercolor pens...

First I made a stencil with my new PTI pumpkin dies...

Then with the stencil I traced three rows of "staggered" pumpkins and watercolored each using the techniques somewhat like Kristina described, each row a little darker color of orange. 

I also washed the background in a lighter orange all over. Finally I stamped the vine and leaves using a "rock n' roll" technique described by Laura  Bassen later in the class. The trick or treat die cut in black really added a nice sentiment. 

The watercolor paper is adhered with fun foam on a classic kraft card base. I did use SU water based pens, although I scribbled them onto a block and then painted with a brush, I found they worked for this project. 

September Birthdays

As September arrives, the weather usually reminds me of chilly nights and leaves starting to show some fall colors. This year we have been treated to some really warm temperatures, so it doesn't seem like apple picking yet.

For my sister's birthday, I went with an old favorite, watercoloring with Distress inks, also adding some stamped images with SU inks. I used Tim Holtz watercolor paper with different flower stamps, including my very favorite- SU Pretty Amazing, mixing and masking as I went along.

I masked the edges of the paper, making the border. The sentiment is die cut and adhered with glue. I added the sequins to give it a little extra shine. Used scor-tape to the kraft card base making it an easy to mail card. 

Our granddaughter Campbell, will be six on September 27th. I love how she enjoys getting the hand made cards! So on this one the wheels do turn, she is riding a two-wheeler with lots of skill! A big feat this year! We also went apple picking while she visited last weekend, so I think she'll enjoy the apples. 

The pattern is one I copied from PTI's Betsy Veldman on Pinterest, and I attached the bike with foam tape to make the wheels actually turn. The sponged background shows much better in real life...Here's another shot...

The fence behind the bike is difficult to see, but it is like the one at Cami's house. The "sponged" apple tree is actually a stencil I made from PTI's Mighty Oak with some different stamped leaves... and the apple from another set.  I die cut the "6" and stamped it inside.

If you look closely you see my blue mistake in front of the fence! The card base hit the stamp case- I refused to throw it away and start again! SO I added a few more apples...

Here's the envelope- Love how it looks like it's moving by second and third generation stamping the bike! This will be a fun card to mail and I hope she likes it!

I am beginning to organize my stamp sets to sell some on eBay. I just have so many that I really don't use any more. I just sent a big order to PTI for some Christmas stamps, and others that I have been waiting for. I'd also love to take that Watercolor class at the Art Center, so maybe by selling some stamps I can make it happen! Wish me luck...

Thank Yous

It has been such a long time since I have added to this blog! And so much has happened in such a short time...

My 91 year-old mother who had been suffering from the effects of several strokes over the last four years, died on July 14, 2015. Although I was not with her in body, my sense of gratitude for her hard earned peace was overwhelming! It was the first day in over three years that I know with confidence that she is no longer suffering.

So many memories from family and friends .. lots of time just feeling family! We were all so blessed to have her in our lives for so long... she got to know grandchildren and great-grandchildren. What a spirit ... I was so grateful to have lots of thank you cards from my stash, many made during On Line Card Classes, to share with some very special people.

Here are a few of the new ones that I have made to replenish my cards on hand...

All three of these cards are one layer to make mailing easier. I masked off the border on the flowers, and stamped the blossom after masking the rectangle for the sentiment... masking again for the leaves. The stamp set is PTI Friends Til The End, and inspired by the blog... Cards by The Sea.

I left this one in outline form on the white... really like how it turned out. The colors are SU Tangerine Tango and the leaves are Wild Wasbi. The center is Early Espresso. Then I decided to try sponging the color to give a bit more color to the card. It looks better in reality than the picture, but I still prefer the former.

This was such an easy card to do, that I may try it again with some other sentiments, just to have on hand! The idea came from a Make it Monday video and I just love the all over pattern. 

This last design comes from one that Jennifer Mcguire showed in one of the classes. It has become my favorite go to for card making. I used the butterfly stencil and filled in the spaces with lots of smaller flower stamps, using three different colors of SU older inks. Love the result!

It feels good to be back in my craftroom working on something that gives me peace, and sends fun messages to friends. I am still enjoying the watercolor painting, although I am not brave enough yet to make them my cards! Maybe someday...

I know you are at peace Mom ... Keep sending me those good thoughts!