Watercolor Pencil class...

Today, I wanted to share the projects we made in our Watercolor Pencil Class last month.  Each participant received a pack of the new Watercolor Pencils and a pack of Watercolor Paper.  We played with lots of techniques, then complete 3 projects.  They also went home with lots of their technique samples to make into more cards.

As you can tell, everyone is busy water coloring!  

This project was made using Watercolor Paper.  We drew swatches of color then painted over them.  After drying we die-cut the "sweet" from the Cupcake Cutouts Framelits Dies, then added two more layers of thick card stock underneath the words to give them a raised look.  The "Hello" is from the Sunshine Sayings stamp set.  

The flower was heat embossed with White Embossing Powder and colored with the pencils, then water added to blend the colors.  This card was made using the Rose Wonder stamp set.  

For this card, we stamped the image on Vellum Card Stock with StazOn ink, then colored the back of the image.  We then used a little water to blend the colors, allowed to dry and adhered to Whisper White card stock to help it pop.  We used the Flourishing Phrases stamp set.  

This was an optional card that I decided not to do at the class, but thought I'd share it here.  To make the spatter background, I used a very wet paint brush or Aqua Painter, then flicked the end of the Watercolor Pencil causing color to spray off the end.  I used a few different colors for this fun background.  The "celebrate" came from the Happy Celebrations stamp set in the Occasions Catalog.

Watercolor Pencils 141709 Price: $16.00 High-quality, smooth color pencils. Perfect for watercoloring stamped images. Use with Aqua Painters, Blender Pens, or alone. * 13 pencils in Stampin’ Up! colors: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White * Acid free * Lignin free

Hand painted Valentines Card...

I have a couple more last Valentine's projects for you.  This first one is a hand painted Valentines card that I made for a card swap at our Kansas City Stampin'Up! event.  The focal point was a piece of Watercolor Paper, corners rounded, and painted with different shades of red/pink ink refill.  After drying, I punched the heart and popped it up further on the card.  This is one of my favorite all time cards.  So simple, but so cool looking.

The sentiment is from the Sheltering Tree stamp set - love those fonts!

Here's a close up of the painting.  I started with lightest on the bottom and worked my way up with darker shades.  I started with Pink Pirouette and ended with Cherry Cobbler.  I also tilted the paper so the colors would run down a bit.  If you want to try this, make sure to add enough water to your inks.  

Although it's not really a Valentines card, this one uses the Sending Love Designer Series Paper Stack, the Circles Collection Framelits and the fun Hey, Chick stamp set from the Sale-a-bration catalog (Free with a $50 purchase).  

Sheltering Tree Photopolymer Stamp Set 137163 Price: $25.00 Create your own friendship-scape with flowers, bikes, and trees. These Two-Step stamps give you so many creative options--combine individual stamps to build the final image you want in the colors you want. Photopolymer stamps * Are totally transparent for perfect image placement. * Have just enough give to create a perfectly stamped image every time. * Cling like crazy to our clear blocks so you don't have to worry about slipping. * Save space—you need only one set of blocks for all your photopolymer stamps (blocks sold separately). * Come packaged in cases with images on the spine for easy storage and quick reference. Quantity: 14 photopolymer stamps Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): a, b, e, h

Sweetheart Punch 133786 Price: $16.00 Punches are a quick and easy way to add interest and depth to your projects. And there’s no better way to cut out stamped images—many of our stamp sets have coordinating punches. Our punches are high quality, affordable, and easy to use. * Sleek body style * Large surface area offers precise cutting and leverage * Locks to store * Slim and stackable

Hey Chick Clear Mount Stamp Set 143331 Price: $0.00 Why did the chicken cross the road? To deliver a handmade card to a friend! These playful hens will deliver smiles all around. Quantity: 7 rubber stamps Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): a, c, g

Watercolor Paper 122959 Price: $5.00 Love to watercolor? You'll want this paper! It's designed especially for watercoloring. It absorbs water to keep paper flat for a high-quality finished look. Use with Classic Stampin' Ink, Blender Pens, and Aqua Painters. * 5 sheets * 6" x 9" * Resists buckling when wet * 140-lb. (300 gsm) cold-pressed paper * 100% cotton paper

Back to Blogging & some cute Valentines!

It has been quite a while since my last post.  Sometimes, life just gets super busy, as I'm sure most of you know, so you have to prioritize.  Unfortunately, my blogged suffers when that happens, but I'm still holding lots of great workshops and classes.  I had a huge pile of projects to post (some of them were from Christmas - yes, I know!), and I just couldn't walk past them anymore.  So, I've decided to make a concerted effort to post all these fun projects.  Yes, I will post the Christmas ones too, since we only have 317 days left - lol!!!  It's always good to have ideas for next year. So be prepared for a strange mix of projects over the next few weeks.

Since Valentines Day is right around the corner, I'm going to share some love themed projects over the next couple of days.

The first project is from a framed art class I held last month.  We used the Sending Love Suite of products from the new Occasions Catalog.

This is the final product in a square gold frame.  

A little closer look at the sampler.  

The second project uses the same suite of products and the Circle Collection Framelits Dies.  I stamped and heat embossed on a Window Sheet put in the center.  I filled it after with candy coated sunflower seeds.  This was one of our annual Hostess Tea projects.

Here's another one made the same way but as a Christmas ornament filled with M&Ms.  

Sealed With Love Photopolymer Bundle 144705 Price: $45.75 Bundle and save! Buy these two coordinating products and save 10%. Sealed with Love Photopolymer Stamp Set All you need is love and these stamps. An alluring blend of romantic and heartfelt, you'll find yourself infatuated with this set. * Quantity: 27 photopolymer stamps * Suggested clear blocks (sold separately): a, b, c, g Love Notes Framelits Dies Create die-cut love notes and envelopes in seconds with Framelits dies and the Big Shot. * 14 dies * Largest image: 5-7/8" x 7/8" (14.9 x 2.2 cm) * Use with Big Shot

Sending Love Designer Series Paper Stack 142733 Price: $10.00 Pick a pack of patterned paper! So many designs, so many colors, so many uses. Each sheet is double-sided for double the creative options. The smaller size works beautifully on card fronts. * 48 sheets, 6 each of 8 double-sided designs * 6" x 6" (15.2 x 15.2 cm) * Acid free * Lignin free Coordinating colors: Real Red, Whisper White