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!

Anniversaries

Our two children celebrating anniversaries this year, are receiving the same card that was made in an OCC. Here it is...

Using PTI Flippin' Out - this is a very simple design that sends a whole set of experiences to the couples :) We all love the beach and it has been a family favorite vacation spot for years, from Maine to Rhode Island and as of late, Cape Cod! John and his wife just purchased a dream beach house there!

Funny to see this on a black base, but the sentiment inside is white embossed "Enjoy Your Day!" We also sent them a message written in white and it looks awesome! For more details about the card check out my post on one stamp set three ways on Day 7 OCC in February.

Happy anniversary to the happy couples! With sadness our third child is not celebrating an anniversary this year. Today ironically would be the day ... this will be the first year NOT to celebrate... My thoughts are going out to both of them and all of our families hoping the sadness we are all feeling will soon transform with happiness in their new lives.

Sympathies....

To me the most difficult card to relay how you are feeling is the sympathy card. A college friend's mother passed this week and here is the card I sent her family...

One of those times you're glad you have a card that you like on hand! This is one I made in OCC-Mask-er-ade using PTI Botanical Blocks and masking the edge of the stamp off. Then I watercolored using Distress inks.

It is watercolor paper with a blue background wash. This is one of my all time favorite cards ever, because the roses look so real!  I need to make a few more to have ready.... but no two are the same :) There are more details on my original post on June 2nd...

Other notes that things are very bad for my mother right now and my sympathizes to Jo and her family are related to my own situation I am sure! It has been a very difficult three years especially for Mom, and I can only pray for her transition to a better place soon.

June-July Birthdays

There are several late June early July birthdays that are jammed together! Will, on the 27th, Cathi the 29th, Lyla Kate the 30th, Vic July 2nd, and John on the 9th!

So I forget to take pictures of a couple of them.... I made Will's card in the Online Card Class, with the zipper die, which he'll enjoy as an eight-year-old really into telling jokes and riddles. Notice 7 frogs on the front....... and I put one on the inside!

I continue to love the zipper dies! It's such fun to stamp, planning the kid's reaction when they unzip...

I did hear that Will's reaction was fun! The answer is ... your age!

This beach card goes to a friend that could certainly use a beach day break for her birthday...

This was another card that I made during the Mask-er-ade card class. The details will be found on that posting.

I did make another card for our granddaughter. Lyla Kate who turned 4 on June 30th. I forgot to take a picture of the card before I sent it! It was a shaker card with a star front turned into a shaker. She asked for a Barbie Glam Glitter doll... I have to admit she had to show me online what that is... So I knew the sparkles would get her in the shaker. It also had LOTS of fours!

This card I sent to our friend in assisted living, although we still think of him as our next door neighbor. Vic turns 94 this year and is in remarkable good health. The details for this card also appeared in the Mask-er-ade class. 

Last but not least, is my birthday card for John. He won't be here for his birthday due to a golfing trip with our son . So...

... very appropriate. I can't think of anything John would rather be doing than golfing! The card is made from lots of die cutting. I saw a similar card on the Internet somewhere, although I think it was teeing off instead of putting.

I am really loving the stitched dies to give the card front a clean look. Although you can't tell in the picture, the lighter green die cut is attached with fun foam so it is a level above the blue, and the darker green sits inside of it. he flag pole actually moves giving some nice dimension on the front. The golf ball is embossed with the small dots folder, so it really looks like a golf ball!

Happy birthday John!