WATERCOLORED "FREE AS A BIRD"

 

I recently experimented with watercoloring some images from the "Free as a Bird" stamp set, and it became addicting.  I'm still working on some extra images that I stamped onto watercolor paper because I enjoyed it so much!  As relaxing as watercoloring can be, one of the things to keep in mind is that it should be a [somewhat] slow process.  The first card that I made was for a demonstrator friend:

I love this card--it was one that I was very pleased to put in the mail.  The colors are so pretty, and the card has ample texture and dimension.  Stampin' Up! colors include:  Pool Party, Cajun Craze, Highland Heather, Soft Suede, Mossy Meadow, Smoky Slate, and Crushed Curry.  

The embossing folder that I used on this card is Ornate Floral 3D. 

The inside of the card was pretty, too.

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The second card that I made (and mailed to my parents) is shown below:

My ink colors were just a little different.  Instead of Cajun Craze, I chose Calypso Coral, and I swapped Pool Party for Balmy Blue since it showed up better.  Being on the telephone with ADT while I was watercoloring was not a good idea because it caused me to color outside the lines a little.  

Once again, I used the Ornate Floral 3D embossing folder, but I also used the (retired) Falling Petals embossing folder.  I love that the petals look like hearts!  This card also has a burst of sparkle from the three sequins.

I thought the white & silver twine bow was a nice touch, don't you?

Does this card make you want to do some watercoloring?  Just grab your ink pads and water brush!

I wish I had taken a picture of the envelope for this card because it was a beautiful lavender color and also decorated with stamped images that I had watercolored.  

This "Free as a Bird" stamp set has some beautiful images and a very useful selection of sentiments!

FREE AS A BIRD stamp set

"OCEANFRONT" + HORIZON DIES

 

Warning . . . the project that I'm sharing today might make you yearn for a trip to the coast.

This card, which features Stampin' Up!'s "Oceanfront" stamp set and "Horizon" dies, definitely has a beach vibe.

This card was quickly put in the mail (because it had a belated birthday wish to deliver), and I didn't write down the colors that I used.  I believe the ink colors are Grapefruit Grove (retired), Just Jade, Old Olive, and Crumb Cake. 

The "Seabed" embossing folder was perfect for the distressed-edge Crumb Cake layer.  Aren't those pebbles adorable?  I think they're so fun!

Of course, the envelope deserved a little decorating.

The new products that are featured on this card are from Stampin' Up!'s January-June Mini Catalog.  See all of the great products HERE!

Have a wonderful day!  Maybe go ahead and plan your next trip to the beach!

GARDEN BIRDHOUSES

Winter is a great time to think ahead to Spring, and that's what I've been doing lately.  Unfortunately, in North Carolina, Spring turns much too quickly into Summer, but I still LOVE all things about that season (except pollen).  On a really cold day recently, with a little icy snow lingering in the cold shadows, I decided to make a handful of cards using Stampin' Up!'s "Garden Birdhouses" stamp set.  I colored the birdhouses (and birds) with Stampin' Blends, which are too fun and easy to use.

I've said it before, but my favorite thing about the Stampin' Blends markers is that you don't need any charts or education to know what blends with what--I love that!  To create the background for my birdhouses, I used Blending Brushes with Balmy Blue and Pear Pizzazz inks and then stamped the images.  On a scrap of paper, I used the brushes again before stamping the sentiment.  I thought that turned out to be a really nice touch!  Following are a couple more pictures of the cards I created:

I brushed the middle birdhouses with Wink of Stella.

I had fun using different colors for the birdhouses.

All in all, just sweet little "thinking of you" cards.