Happy Tuesday and my entry to PTI's "Make it Monday #173: No Outline Watercoloring"

Happy Tuesday everyone!!

It was a hot one here today-a good day to sit at my desk and make a card. I played along with Paper Trey Ink's "Make it Monday #173: No Outline Water coloring." My card was inspired by a costume from "The Paradise," a BBC show. I binged watch the first eight episodes on Netflix this past weekend as I rested my sprained ankle. I had caught an episode late at night during the winter via "Masterpiece Theatre" on PBS and had been searching for a place to watch more episodes. I noticed it was on Netflix and it was the perfect way to spend the time. I know the show was canceled in England after only two seasons because "Mr. Selfridge" was more popular, which is a shame. I have watched both shows and favored "The Paradise." The characters are more engaging and likable then the characters in "Mr. Selfridge."

Anyway, one thing I did notice were the costumes. I did not love the cuts nor was the authenticity accurate for those times but I did pull inspiration for my card from one of the main character, Denise's, dress.

Rich colors like peacock blue, deep red, royal blue, and purples were used alone or paired with brighter colors like apple green, orange or sea green in the clothing of this period. These are my kind of colors!!

Here is the card I created:

I am sure you are probably wondering how that dress inspired this card, since it is nothing like it. However, you cannot question how inspiration influences your creative flow and just go with it.

I chose to stamp a leaf cluster from Paper Trey Ink's "Doodlie-do" stamp set as my image to paint. This leaf reminded me of a peacock feather. I used a plethora of Paper Trey Ink's dye re-inkers as the paint. I looked at a peacock feather close up to figure out what colors I wanted to create and then mixed the "watercolor" from there. I even added some gold perfect pearls to one of the paint mixes to give the leaves a little bit of sheen.

As for the technique itself, I found it difficult to do. In fact, it took me four times to get the image just the way I wanted it for the above card. Below are my "mistakes" that I wound up throwing away.

It not only took some time to get the coloring the way I wanted it but also there was a fine line for the image to be over water colored. I actually liked the lines in the image and needed to find a way to paint over them so they did not show but preserve them at the same time.

When I put together the card, I originally wanted it to be a full length piece. However, I dropped the panel and it picked up a speck of paint so I had to alter my design.

I used a Wink of Stella clear glitter pen to put a little bit of sparkle on the blue circles. I then used Glossy Accents over it. It is hard to see from the photo but they are shiny in real life.

On the bottom, I wrapped gold thread around a few times. I originally wanted to add some beads but re-thought that idea because I actually want to send this card out to someone. Instead, I adhered three gold sequins on top of the thread.

I am not sure if I would try this technique again. I like there to be some boundaries to what I am painting. I was never one to color outside the lines!!

I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and visit. Have a great night!!

Supplies:

InLinkz.com

Tag You're It Challenge #2

Happy Sunday!! Today is my 18th year marriage anniversary. We haven't really celebrated it yet because my daughter was sick last night but we did go to breakfast. I cannot believe we have been married as long as we have!!

In keeping with this day of "celebration," I created a tag for the "Tag You're It Challenge Blog."
The challenge was to use Laura Basson's tag below as the inspiration for the tag you created.

This woman is so talented and makes a TON of projects each week. I do not think she ever sleeps!! Her blog is amazing. I always look at Laura's projects and they seem so simple but I do not think outside of the box like she does. She is an amazing designer.

Anyway, here is the tag I created for the challenge:

I chose to keep the background colors similar to Laura's tag. I also chose to use die cut and stamped flowers from WPlus9 instead of using a vellum element in back of the sentiment. I think this tag is more my style then any project I have done lately. I love INKING!!!

To create the background, I used bubble wrap as my stamp. First I die cut a white tag using a PTI tag die. I then took three different colors of distress ink and rubbed them on a piece of bubble wrap, blending them at the same time.

Next I laid the bubble wrap over the tag and "stamped" the bubbles. The background wasn't quite there yet so I misted some water over the top of the tag to make the ink run. I tried to dry it off using a heat gun but it was blowing the color around a bit too much for me so I let it dry naturally.

While the tag was drying, I die cut and stamped a bunch of leaves and flowers. I then used Vintage Photo ink and an ink blender and inked all around each piece, including the dried tag.

Using flat and different widths of foam adhesive, I adhered all the elements to the card.

I liked the way Laura used glossy accents on her tag to look like water drops. Instead of doing this technique, I used translucent sequins in different sizes around the bouquet.

This was the first time in the last couple of weeks that I actually had some inspiration. The bubble wrap technique was a lot of fun to do. I have done it before but do not do it often because I enjoy popping the bubbles and then recycling the wrap. I never have any around!! Do you remember doing that as a kid? It is still fun!!

I will be using this tag on a card but haven't decided how yet. I will definitely post it when it is done.

I want to thank you for stopping by today. Have a great night!!

Nora

Supplies:

InLinkz.com

A Few Layouts

Hello everyone!! I haven't been blogging, though I have had the time. I lost my card mojo. I get so mad at myself when this happens. I attempted to do some challenges but I wound up throwing them all away. (Yes, I do throw things away if I cannot save it. It kills me sometimes because of the time it takes to create!) I even have some fun new-to-me products sitting on my desk too, but nothing was shouting out at me to use.

I also have not been crafting because I sprained my ankle exercising the other day and have had to keep my right foot elevated for the past three days. I now have to wear a boot for the next two weeks. It is very fashionable...NOT!

Today I am going to post three layouts that I worked on in between my failed attempts at card making. Sometimes I have to go between crafts for me to get my creativity back. Does that happen to you?

All products from all pages were purchased from Scrapbook.com, with the exception of the frames on the dog page. These were purchased at Designer Digitals. Scrapbook.com has been my go-to place for scrapbook supplies for some time. When I buy, I tend to buy a lot. Shh Shhh-don't tell my husband!

My first page is a birthday page. I layered patterned paper by Bo bunny over a fun Crate Paper base. My process for this was to find the photos first, trim them and then arrange the patterned paper pieces freely over the base paper. I don't do this enough and I should because it was fun.

(supplies)

I have other photos from this birthday that I plan to put in pocket page protectors. I will journal about what went on at the party at a later date. (dinner, bingo, cupcakes and make your own sundaes) I just did not feel like getting into it on this page.

I think one of my favorite parts of this layout is the transparency over the left photo. I even ordered some different kinds last week because I had a blast playing with them again. I might even try to use one on a future card.

The second layout features my dog, Zack, whom I call Stinky. Why? Well, he is constantly getting into stuff and is a "little stinker," hence the nickname. His many escapades are a source of amusement for the kids I work with.

This page is about how Charlotte won a pet photo contest at her orthodontist office. We took Stinky outside and had a little photo shoot on our deck so we would have the "perfect photo." To get the "kiss" photo, we put peanut butter on Charlotte's nose!! I then let Char choose which photo she wanted to enter into the contest.

(supplies)

This page is really simple. I layered paper, some die cuts and used another transparency over the photo that won. Don't you love his underbite?

I saved my favorite page for last. These photos are not the best and so I cropped them into circles. They were of when Charlotte and our neighbor had a lemonade stand. Char and the boy did this frequently and made a lot of money. One time they made $20 each!! The two of them were so cute, shouting at the top of their lungs to people walking or driving by.

(supplies)

I started off by misting the paper. I did not love where the mist was going so I misted a craft sheet and used a paint brush to place dots where I wanted them on the background card stock. I have seen this technique used on cards so I figured I would try it on a layout.

I then had a blast die cutting circles out of different pieces of patterned paper. Circles are my favorite shape! I used no rhyme or reason when I laid them together with the photos. I just adhered them down right away as I placed them. I am really pleased with how it all came together.

Well, that is all for today. I hope you all have a great night!!

Nora