Hello lovely peeps! I hope you're having a lovely day and evening. It was rainy here today, but mild. So, after some morning chores and errands, I retreated to my craft room. I did some much needed straightening in here before I could play. Sometimes ya just gotta do that!
After everything was nice and tidy, I played with my new Daniel Smith watercolors. This was my first attempt at using 'real' watercolors - from the tube and not in cake form. I'm really liking them, but need lots of practice.
I used Simon Says Stamp Bouquet of Thanks set, along with SSS Prayers stamp set and die. I watercolored the flowers, then fussy-cut them. I layered a white A2 card with some black and white striped patterned paper, and a strip of coral card stock, then added the cut flowers.
I cut the prayer die on coral card stock, and added that with clear foam tape for dimension. Then embossed the phrase onto a scrap of white card stock, and added that with foam tape.
Some Studio Katia sparkling crystals add the finishing touch.
I am adding my card to these challenges today:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes
Simon Says Flickr Challenge - # 100 Anything goes
The Card Concept Challenge - Inspiration photo - I was inspired by the flowers, and chose the classy and elegant style of card to create
Finally, I'm adding it to The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge - Day 27!
Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to take some time for yourself today. I appreciate you taking the time to visit, and enjoy reading your comments.
Blessings,
Good morning! I hope you are having a glorious day!
I am delighted to share my post today as Guest Star Stamper for the Color Throwdown Challenge # 488.
I love the color combo for this challenge....
And, here is my card based on that inspiring photo....
I really had fun creating this card. I stamped the Just Rite Blooming Vines stamp onto Strathmore bristol vellum paper, using Tim Holtz distress ink in antique linen. I wanted an ink that would not show so that I could color it with the no-line look.
I colored with Faber Castell Polychromos, my favorite colored pencils. For the background, I used Faber Castell soft pastels with a cotton swab around the flowers, and a larger pom-pom for the areas in between. After applying the blue pastels, I used a clean cotton swab to clean the chalk off of the images.
I added the Wishing die from Simon Says Stamp, and the white embossed verse from Simon Says Stamp Sending and Wishing clear stamp set.
A sprinkling of white acrylic paint, applied by dabbing my embossing stylus into paint and then onto the card, and some yellow embroidery floss, finish off my card.
Hope my art has inspired you to try this challenge. Be sure to head on over to Color Throwdown for the design team's inspiration, and all the details!
Thanks for visiting today. I have been really enjoying the comments, so please let me know what you think.
Blessings,
This sketch ranunculus clear stamp set from Simon Says Stamp is sure getting a lot of use in my art room. I really like and use it a lot. It's great for cards, and tags, and even journal pages. I thought I would use it to make another card for a couple of the Simon Says Stamp challenges today.
To start, I stamped the pieces-parts of the set with India Ink black onto a watercolor panel, and watercolored them using Derwent Inktense water pencils. I love, love, love how vibrant and intense these pencils are when you add water, and they are easy to use.
Because the pigments in these pencils dries permanently, it does not run when water touches it when it is dry. So, it was easy to create a watercolor background by dropping some distress inks colors onto the paper, and manipulating them with my brush.
I added some spatters, and some flat sequins from Pretty Pink Posh. The verse is from SSS It's Your Birthday set.
I am adding my card to the The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge. I am also adding it to these challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stamp it!
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge - Just stamp it!
Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Challenge - Anything goes with spritz
I just got a phone call from my granddaughters, who are very excited about starting school tomorrow morning. They had to tell me what they were wearing, what they packed for lunch, and how excited they were. I wish I was able to be there in the morning, but they live in Buffalo, and I would have to leave here at 5 AM to get there on time to see the 7th grader off. We will Face-Time them in the morning. I'm so happy for FT!
Now, it's off to do some knitting for while before retiring for the evening. Extra prayers tonight for the victims of hurricane Harvey, and for the folks in Florida as hurricane Iris heads their way.
Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
lynda
Today I had a play with my Polychromos colored pencils, and some Tim Holtz distress inks. I used stamps from Simon Says Stamp! Birthday Celebration set.
This little elephant is just so adorable, and I needed a birthday card for a little one whose birthday is coming up soon.
I stamped the images with a very light gray distress ink, then colored it in the no-line coloring fashion with colored pencils. I used distress inks for the phrase, and also for the brushed color along the edges. Top-fold A2 size card, with some ink spatters, and a few Nuvo Jewel Drops.
I am adding my card to the The Daily Marker 30 Day Challenge .
Other challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stamp it!
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge - Just stamp it!
Less Is More - Lime & royal blue
AAA Cards Challenge - Creatures great and small
So glad you stopped by today. See you tomorrow for the 30 day color challenge!
Blessings,
lynda
The minute I saw this sweet stamp set, I had to have it. I love these flowers, their graceful sway and lovely blossoms. I decided to do them first in colored pencil, taking my inspiration from Debbie Hughes.
Debbie demonstrates how she colors with colored pencil. Click on her highlighted name to see her post and tutorial.
I stamped my flowers onto kraft card stock using VersaMark clear ink, and colored them with Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils. I fussy-cut the right side and added it to a piece of textured card stock, creating an A2 size card. I folded the front of the card back, which gave it an interesting z-fold.
The sentiment is embossed onto a darker card stock panel, and I used foam tape to adhere. Simon Says Stamp moonstone sequins finish off my card.
Stamps are Simon Says Stamp clear set Bouquet Of Thanks SSS101748.
I am adding my card to these challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Get in shape (shaped card)
Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge - Anything goes
Allsorts challenge - Fancy folds
I hope you are enjoying your weekend. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Blessings,
lynda
Today's card is for my sister-in-law, who is recuperating from surgery. I hope she likes it and it brings her some cheer....
I know poppies are not purple, but I really wanted to use it on these flowers today. I guess you could say I used artistic license.
Stamps: Penny Black Poppies 3949H and Thinking of You from Penny Black Gratitude clear set 30-105.
Other: Spellbinder's die for purple embossed frame; Lawn Fawn stitched squares dies; amethyst gems from my stash, Spectrum Noir crystal clear sparkle pen; fun foam; Copic markers.
I stamped the poppies onto white card stock and colored them with my Copic markers. I used the stitched square die, then brushed distress ink (dusty concord) along the outside edges. I then framed it with the purple die cut/embossed frame, then layered it onto black. I used fun foam to attach it to my card base, to give it dimension.
A strip of decorative paper and some of the same card stock as the frame along the left edge give it some interest. I gave the flowers some sparkle with my Spectrum Noir crystal clear sparkle pen. I stamped the verse, and added some gems to finish off the card front.
Here's a peek at the inside....
Simon Says Stamp Prayers stamp set and die. I don't know who the sprig is...it was in my stash unmounted.
I am adding my card to these challenges:
Penny Black At Allsorts Challenge - All things spring
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Spring or Easter
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Showers and/or flowers
I made several cards today. Some for our church card ministry to send to parishioners in hospitals or shut-ins, and a few for relatives and friends....just because. I was on a roll! This was my last one for the day.
Thank you for visiting.
Blessings,
Lynda
Just a quick post tonight to get one more card up on the blog. This kitty stamp set from Simon Says Stamp is just the cutest! I had to use it again. I thought it would make the perfect card for a dear niece who is going through a difficult time.
I used Simon Says Stamp Furry Kisses stamp set, and their Prayers stamp set. The prayers die is also from Simon Says Stamp.
Other: Tim Holtz distress inks, Clarity stencil brushes, Polychromos colored pencils, rubber cement, Spectrum Noir crystal clear sparkle pen, SSS assorted moonshine sequins.
For the background, I used a technique that I had seen on Jennifer McGuire's blog in her YouTube video on masked inking for one layer cards. You can find the link to her tutorial on her blog HERE.
I used rubber cement to mask the kitties.
I added some sparkle and shimmer to the prayers die with my Spectrum Noir sparkle pen, and some sequins for fun.
I am adding my card to the Daily Marker 30 day color challenge.
I am adding it to these challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - For a special lady/girl
Simon Says Stamp Flicker Group - Color something
Make My Monday Challenge - Use any three colors of the rainbow
Thank you for visiting. Hope to see you back here soon.
Blessings,
lynda
We were one of the fortunate almost half of the Rochester NY area residents with power today, after 81 mile per hour winds tore through upstate New York yesterday. Prayers go out for all those who did not fare so well.
I walked around the neighborhood to survey the damage, then came home and decided to watercolor. I made this birthday card....
The stamp is from Altenew's Best Mom clear set. I watercolored it using Tim Holtz distress inks, then fussy-cut the edge and foam mounted it to the background. I created the background on a matte coated card stock panel. I rubbed some distress inks onto my craft mat, using spun sugar, picked raspberry, tumbled glass and salty ocean. Next, I spritzed the mat with water, and rolled my acrylic brayer through, then onto the matte card stock. I repeated until I achieved the look I desired. Then I cleaned off my craft mat, and applied some gold pigment from my Fine Tec metallic watercolor paints, and rolled that onto the panel. It shows up far more in real life. When dry, I stamped some Penny Black images (letter background and twirls) on it, then spattered with the picked raspberry.
Some strips of patterned paper and a narrow strip of white dyed with my ink pad to match the card along the left edge balance the composition. The 'wishing' dye is Simon Says Stamp, and the birthday phrase is from their coordinating set Sending and Wishing.
I am adding my card to these challenges:
The Daily Marker - 30 day color challenge
Simon Says Monday Challenge - Make your own background
The Flower Challenge - Anything goes
Allsorts Challenge - Spring inspiration 
Thanks so much for stopping in today. Stay warm and safe. Hope to see you back here tomorrow.
Blessings,
lynda
