Single Layer Watercolor Card

I am stepping way outside my comfort zone with this card.  I decided to really challenge myself and do a clean and simple, one layer card.  No sequins.  No pearls.  No ribbon, layers, or embellishments.  It feels unfinished to me....I am dying to add something.  Even three little pearls.  But, I did it.  It's finished, and I am going to let it go.....

 I used Impression-Obsession stamps.  The bird is E7716 cling stamp, and the verse is an oldie, but one of my faves, a Kahlil Gibran quote.  Sorry, I do not have the item number from that one, as I unmounted the stamp and neglected to write it down.  

I inked the bird with pumice stone distress ink and spritzed it onto watercolor paper.  I used the misti, as I knew I would be layering colors, and couldn't have done it without this awesome tool!  While the ink was still wet, I added some other shades, weathered wood, iced spruce, and frayed burlap, gathered twigs, and ground espresso with my watercolor brush.  When that dried, I carefully inked the stamp in sections, using my distress minis to put color where I wanted it on the stamp.  Then I stamped over the  image, and all the lovely detail came back.  Love. My. Misti.

I cut a mask of the bird, then used my other favorite tool, my Clarity stencil brushes, to brush some tumbled glass, salty ocean, shabby shutters, and pine needles around the image.  Finally, I finished with the verse, which I stamped with rich cocoa Memento ink.

I mounted the panel onto a card base, and called it finished.  I had to walk away, as the urge to do more was almost irresistible!

So, I am adding my card to these challenges:
The Daily Marker - Day five of 30 day color challenge
Addicted To Stamps - # 201 Anything Goes 
Less Is More - One Layer challenge - theme is Time
Little Red Wagon  - 349 It's Summertime!

How many of you think that now that I took the picture I went back and added something?  Well, I'm proud to say I did not.  The more I look at it, I kind of like the simplicity of it.  It's growing on me.

But, now I need to make another card so I can play with my embellishments.

Thank you for visiting today.  I'll be back tomorrow with day six of the color challenge.  Enjoy your weekend!

Blessings,

lynda