Fun Painting With Watercolors Today

Painting doesn't come second nature to me, so I am learning along the way.   Today I just wanted to do something a bit free form and fun to create.   One of the members (Kaitlyn Ahalt) of Let's Make Art - Watercolor group on Facebook shared a sketch of a VW Bug.   I traced the design onto watercolor paper, then painted it with Grumbacher Academy Watercolor tube style paints.   Then I fussy cut the car out when it was dry.    I created a multi-color background with the same paints.   Wanted to give the card a 70s look.

The car was attached with foam squares so it sits above the base.   Gives it a more dimensional look this way.  

It has been interesting working with the different types of watercolors.   I have a set of half pans (solids), a few liquid, and a few tubes.   The tubes give the greatest depth of color.   Each type gives a different look to the finished product.   The Grumbacher paints didn't seem to fade as it dried, and I had a bit more control with it when applying to my design.

Not sure how far I will pursue my painting, but it is fun to learn new things for my card making.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Mary

Shoppes Theme - TryFolds Stamp Set

Today is my 2nd day of showing casing the TryFolds stamp sets from Art Impressions that I purchased from Teaspoon of Fun during their sale in April.   Yesterday, if you missed it, there was a beach themed card.

 Art Impressions

TryFolds - 4339 Shoppes TF Stamp Set

 Front of card.

I adhered the card to a blue card base.

 Card completely closed.

I like how each section peeks out. 

 Card with left fold open.

Shows the inside 2 layers.

Card with both the left and right fold open.

It will stand on its own this way if you would like to display it.

Sentiment:  

"Good things are just around the corner."

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

Beach Themed Card - TryFolds Stamp Set

During the month of April, Teaspoon of Fun, offered a good discount on any orders placed through them for Art Impressions products.  I ordered two of the TryFolds (card with 3 layers to it) stamp sets.    I couldn't wait to share them with you.   So today is the beach themed set, and tomorrow I will share the shoppe themed set.  Each set comes with 3 image stamps and 1 sentiment stamp.   They are coordinated to go together or can be used separately.   Directions are on the back of the packaging and easy to follow.  These are cling style rubber stamps.

Art Impressions

4577 - Beach TF Set 

I adhered the card to a purple base.

This is the card closed.

All 3 layers of stamps.

Left side fold opened.

Left  side and right side folds are open.

This is the inside of the card.

When open like this, the card will stand on its own.

Sentiment for this stamp set: 

 "may your life be filled with blessings as countless as the grains of sand"

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Mary

Happy Birthday and Thinking of You Cards

Here are three cards I made this last week.   Each uses a different technique, but all were easy to create.

 The first card was made using an embossing folder and a stamp set that were included in the Tonic Cardmaking Magazine.   The magazine is now sold out.  I covered the embossed image with:
Nuvo Embellishment Mousse - Pure Platinum (color) - Nuvo.   The stained glass stamped image was colored in with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens

 I stamped random flower pots to create this background.   This did a stripe of copper/bronze to accent each one.   The card base also had bronze silks to tie in the colors.   Hello is a die from FSJ.

The last card is layers of matching pink card stock and ribbon.    I used my Altenew Watercolor Half Pans to color the flowers and leaves.   Then covered the flower and leaves with FSJ Journey Glaze to give it shine.   Stamp set is from FSJ also.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Mary

Anniversary Cards

Life got a bit hectic this last week, so I am a little behind on posting here to my blog.   Even though I Haven't posted, I have been creating numerous styles of cards.    Today I will share the two anniversary cards I made. 

Tonic Cardmaking Magazine (Tulips)
Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils

FSJ Yummy Dots Embossing Folder

FSJ Rainbow Drops

FSJ Heart Strip Die Set

I used the die cut hearts (the pieces that were cut out) as accents on the inside and back of both cards.   Felt it added an extra touch to both of them.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Mary

Rose And Tulip Dies Make a Beautiful Card

Part of my birthday gift was the Tonic Cardmaking Magazine.   Scrapbook.com carried it here in the US.   It is now showing as sold out.   I was amazed at all the dies, stamps, embossing folder, and cardstock that came with the magazine.   It definitely is a great value.

Here's the first card I have made with it:

The half circle dies can be used as I did (both designs show) or can be cut twice to crate the same design on both sides.    Same with the corners ... each corner can be different or the same.   Fun to mix and match.  

Potted Plants Stamp Set Used to Create an Easter Card

Penny Black makes the most beautiful rubber stamps, and I feel blessed to have acquired a few of them.   This is the last of the Penny Black Stamp Sets that Hal gave me for my birthday last week.   I love that these stamps can be easily colored in with pencils, Zig Real Brush Pens, Copics, watercolor pans and more!   This card is a mix of the stamped image, Altenew Watercolors Half Pan Set, Zig Real Brush Pens, and some metallic watercolors I had.    I wish you could see the shine from the metallic watercolor pans.   Really shiny and bright.

Altenew Watercolor Half Pan Set

Zig Real Brush Pens

Master's Touch Metallic Watercolors Pan Set

Penny Black Stamp Set - Potted Plants

NOTE:   I separated/cut one of the butterflies from the main

stamp set.   It was too tight of a fit for an A2 card with it attached.

This way I was able to get the full design on the A2 card by

stamping it as two separate images.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

Harmony Stamp Set by Penny Black Used For This Card.

I know it may not seem like Spring where you currently live, but I am sure it is just around the corner.   Here in Arizona, it definitely has arrived.  This card should bring some Springtime happiness to the person who receives it.   The stamp image is from Penny Black and is called Harmony.  The wood chip embellishments/bird cages I believe are from Bo Bunny.   I covered them with a set of Crafter's Companion Metallic Markers.

Altenew Watercolor Half Pan Set used for flowers.

Crafter's Companion Metallic Markers used for the bird cages/birds.

 Penny Black Stamp Set - Harmony

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

In Love Stamp Set Perfect For Many Occasions - Penny Black Stamp Set

Have you ever seen a stamp set and knew the minute you saw it that you had to have it?   That's how I felt when I saw this darling stamp set called "In Love" from Penny Black.  I'm really blessed that Scrapbook.com is local for me, so I can pick up orders the day after I order them typically.  I couldn't wait to make a card with this one.

Altenew Watercolor Half Pan Set - used for coloring

Penny Black Stamp Set - In Love

This set is so versatile ... anniversary, wedding, I love you, thinking of you and MORE!   If you masked off the balloons, you could use it for a friendship card too.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

Mary

Teaspoon of Fun Special Offer When Buying Art Impressions Products

Teaspoon of Fun is offering a great deal (25% off) if you purchase Art Impressions products through them for the month of April.   Full details can be found on their blog.  CLICK HERE

Art Impressions has both rubber and clear stamps.   

I got my very first Art Impressions Stamp Set recently called Spare Me.   I thought it was unique and couldn't wait to make a card with it.

 Art Impressions Spare Me

Colored with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens

Spare Me Stamp Set

What a fun stamp set.   So useful for so many occasions.  

This stamp set is a clear stamp set.   It doesn't say photopolymer anywhere on the labeling.  It states "clear".   There was no odor to this stamp set, and I did get a crisp image when stamping.  I definitely will be buying more of the Art Impressions products.   Hope to take advantage of the Teaspoon of Fun sale this month.   Full details:  CLICK HERE

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

A Bouquet of Flowers Perfect for Any Occasion

I am keeping busy doing watercoloring with the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens.   I found a Daisies Stamp from Deep Red that worked perfect to create a card front.   This card would be perfect for any occasion:   Birthday, Mother's Day, Thinking of You, and so much more.

The images in the corners was stamped directly onto the card base.   The center grouping was stamped then fussy cut out.   I put FSJ Rainbow Drops in the center of each flower.   The center grouping is raised up using foam squares with thread positioned underneath.

Deep Red Brand Stamp Set

Daisies

(this is a red rubber stamp)

Purchased from Scrapbook.com  

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?

The last time we were at the post office, we picked up some sheets of Scooby-Doo forever postage stamps.   They are so cute with Scooby-Doo holding the watering can.   I realize too that there is a large image on the side of the sheet that I could recycle into a greeting card.  

If you want to see the full sheet of stamps, click here (USPS link).

I hand drew in some areas of grass using my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens.   Set the fence over the top of Scooby-Doo and the grass, then added in the die cut sentiments.

FSJ Fence Die Set DI-0485

Crafter's Companion Die-sire  Simple Sentiments

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

Spring Floral Cards Using Penny Black Stamp Set: Full of Glee

Spring is just around the corner, and it was time to make some floral cards.   I used my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens and a brand new stamp set from Penny Black called Full of Glee.   I purchased the stamp from Scrapbook.com ... Click Here if you want more information on it.

The first is a photo of all the cards I made.   Do you have a favorite?   It was so much fun deciding on which colors to use for the flowers themselves, then deciding on the card base.   These card are perfect for any occasion or to be used as a note card.

Here are photos of the individual cards and also the stamp set.  

The Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens are so easy to use.   This stamp is perfect for any type of coloring that you would like to do.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Mary

Unicorn Card

I've taken a few coloring classes on-line the last few months.   One of the classes (Kit And Clowder) was to to color in a unicorn or horse using their digital stamped image.   The mane was done in rainbow colors.   I actually finished the mane a few weeks ago and then set it aside.   Not sure why.

On Sunday morning, I just couldn't sleep so got up and started working on finishing my unicorn using my Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils.   I am pleased with the results.   The horn of the unicorn is actually gold/bronze with FSJ Sparkle Silk over the top.  It doesn't show up in the photo though.

Not sure if I will make this into a card or frame it as is.   Undecided at this point.   Almost all of my creations are given to others.   Not very often do I kept something I have made.   

Finishing this image sparked additional motivation to create more so I spent many hours on Sunday creating other images/cards.   It was a fun and creative day.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Mary

Disney Themed Cards For All Occasions

A few weeks back I purchased some Disney themed dies at Tuesday Morning.   Finally had a chance to use them this weekend, so wanted to share my cards with you.  I am a big fan of the silhouette look (all solid color, usually black) so decided to use that technique for some of my cards. 

 Disney Waltzing Belle Metal Die

The Belle card was made to fit into a legal size envelope.  I used textured 8 x 8 card stock and folded it in half, then accented with lavender ribbon and rainbow drops.   The card base is a light lavender too.

 Disney Poised Cinderella Metal Die

Disney Cinderella Embellishments Metal Die Set

This card is an A2 size (4 1/4 x 5 1/2).   Inside it has a clock striking midnight and her missing shoe for Prince Charming to find.   Card base is a pastel pink.

 Disney Daisy Duck Metal Die

Disney Donald Duck Metal Die

This card is also an A2 size.   Card base is bright yellow.   The metal words are from a grab bag I purchased of retired products.

 Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends Joyful Mickey Metal Die

Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends Blissful Minnie

This card is a legal size (8 x 8 folded in half).   Card base is textured light silver card stock.   I added in the metal words.

Disney Fairies (unsure of official name for this one)

This was a set of 3D stickers.  I couldn't resist Tinkerbelle and her home.   Inside there are flowers that were part of the set.  Lots of sparkle and shine to her wings.   This was also found at Tuesday Morning.

I did use the Glue Sponge for the intricate dies.   It worked well.   I will have some tips and more information about it on my next blog post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mary

More Marble Swirl Creations/Cards

I worked some more with the Marble Swirl Stamp set from Catherine Pooler.   There is still a lingering odor to it (it's photopolymer), but not as bad as when it was brand new.

If you are interested in the stamp set:   Marble Swirl
https://shop.catherinepooler.com/products/marble-stamp-set

Here's my two latest creations:

 Flowers are from FSJ.
Colored in with Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils

 Horse is a digital image from Kit And Clowder Class.

Colored in with Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Mary

Marble Swirl Stamp Set Card

When I saw this Marble Swirl design, I knew I had to have this stamp set.  I love the way it is actually 3 stamps to create the swirl effect, that each stamp can also be used individually (on its own).  I ordered directly from Catherine Pooler's website.   They shipped quickly.

PROS:  Unique Design, 3 swirled images, 3 sentiments, 1 sentiment block,
CONS:  Photopolymer stamp set (smells)

First, I want to say that I LOVE red rubber stamps and that they are my stamp type of choice.   I rarely buy acrylic or photopolymer.   One of the reasons I try to stay away from photopolymer is that there is an odor to it, and sometimes it is pretty intense.    When I opened this stamp set, the odor was awful.  I ended up setting it outside overnight to air it out.   That really helped, but even now 3 days later, the stamp set still smells.   I have left it open/completely exposed in my craft room to air it out even more.   If you or someone in your family is scent sensitive, this might be a stamp set to avoid.

Here is the card I made with this stamp set.   I used FSJ Turbo Teal, Watermelon Fusion, and Lavender Fusion for the swirls and overlapped the colors in some areas.

If you are interested in the stamp set:   Marble Swirl
https://shop.catherinepooler.com/products/marble-stamp-set

I'm looking forward to trying other colors, designs, and layouts with this stamp set.   The sky is the limit.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Mary

St Patrick's Day and Easter Cards

Oh my gosh, where has the time gone.   I can't believe I haven't posted for over a month!   No excuses, just "life got in the way".    As a result I'm not crafting every day like I use to.   I need to get back on track and craft more often.   I love making cards.

Here are some cards I made for St Patrick's Day and Easter this year:

The St Patick's Day cards were made from "window clings".   They had sticky backs and adhered to the card stock extremely well.   I loved the shine on the designs and the blending of the colors.  Once I saw them, I had to give them a try.

Next I worked on Easter cards.    These were made from retired stickers/die cuts I had.  It was fun trying to mix and match them.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Mary

Working With Silver and Gold Leaf Foils

I have never been a fan of the FSJ Silver and Gold Leaf Foils until recently.   I discovered that they can be applied easily to double sided adhesive tape.

Here are some samples .... I put double sided adhesive tape on the card front (base) and then applied a die cut (butterfly or tree).  One die cut was in position, I then placed then rubbed the leaf with my fingers to get it attached to the adhesive.   The final step was to take a sponge dauber and brush off the excess from the die cut.   Very pleased with the results.

The butterfly was done in gold leaf foil.    A dear friend gave me the Gnome stamp set as a surprise last month.   I thought the little house, sign, and frog were the perfect accents for this card.  

The tree was done with silver leaf foil.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Mary