Running With Scissors...

A Sweet Easter Treat

Hello!  I have some new stamps to play with – quite a few, actually.  I’m not sure when I’ll have time to get to all of them, and I certainly won’t want to forget the old stamps in the meantime, but I’m going to have fun slaving away in my stamp room…coming up for air, wiping my brow, diving back in…oh, what a grueling task – NOT!

Is this a sweet image, or am I imagining it?  I picked this up, along with several other items at Stamper’s Dream recently.  I was shopping with a purpose, showing great reserve, passing over several stamps I was drawn to for their beauty, and focusing only on what I felt I “needed”.  Michelle has a lot of new items in the store!  When I selected this stamp I was thinking it could do Easter for either an adult or a child, and it just happens to be beautiful, too!

It’s an Impression Obsession stamp, illustrated by Alesa Baker, called Happy Wishes.  The sentiment, also Impression Obsession, is appropriately called Sweet Wishes.  I watercolored on 90 lb. hot press watercolor paper with Tombow Markers.  There’s nothing I love more about stamping than watercoloring a pretty image and then imagining how it would look in different colors with different papers.  If I had more time I’d color up several of them and lay them out like a box of candy and devour them with my eyes.

 

A bit about the markers and watercoloring:  First of all, why use one coloring medium over another?  Well… they just look different, for starters.  Additionally, the watercolored image is very forgiving.  You don’t necessarily expect the blending to be utterly smooth and seamless like Copic Markers, for instance.  You can expect the brush strokes to show.  Some mottling of the image is acceptable.  That’s what makes it look watercolored, and a watercolored image has a unique beauty.  I wrote a tutorial here, if you’d like a little more info.

When I watercolor I stamp with Palette ink.  You can use StazOn, also, but Palette is kinder to your stamps and just as waterproof.  I always keep a scrap of the same type of paper I’m painting on for testing my colors and their blending qualities.  The more pigment a color has, the more it will bleed and blend.  If a color, such as some of the pastels I’ve used here, looks like it will need a little more help, I’ll paint the area with water first, just to dampen.  Then I’ll stroke on a little color with the marker and put the brush to it immediately.  The color blends better while the ink is still wet.  I’ll repeat this step until I’m satisfied with the result.

Most importantly, I try not to over-focus on or overwork a spot I’m not too happy with.  I’ll move on and find that the image as a whole looks pretty good.

These are the colors I used.  Sorry for the glare.  You can click for a close up and read the numbers more clearly, if desired.

Well, gee, there I go being long-winded again.  I don’t always have time to write much, but at the start of the year I promised myself I would share more information for the folks who are trying to learn.  We’ve all been there, and I’m still trying to learn, too.

Thanks so much for your time!  More stamping and less words to follow soon.  Take care!

Stamps:  Impression Obsession Happy Wishes and Sweet Wishes  Paper:  Ivory, Banana, 90 lb hot press watercolor, October Afternoon Fly a Kite designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir, Berry Sorbet, Tombow Markers for watercoloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, flower, oval punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Have a Cup of Holiday Cheer!

Hello, everyone!  Gee, I almost let the week go by without a Christmas card, but I'm popping in today with a cup of Holiday Cheer for you.   I've now used the third of three main images in this Impression Obsession set.  There are two sentiments in the set and I've used those at different times, too.  Doesn't it feel good to ink up every stamp in a set?  Even better to do it in the first month or so.  I'd like to think I'll continue to do this with every set, though I'll never catch up with my older stamps and, oh, my goodness, can you imagine how many blog posts that would be?  A girl can dream!

 
 
I'm also making an effort to use up some of my older papers -- in this case, BasicGrey Figgy Pudding, which I believe is retired.  I'm nearly ready to retire what's left of my scraps.  Just a couple more full sheets to cut into and then I'll put them out to pasture.

I did the coloring with Copics and added some sparkle to the snowflakes and sprinkles with Stickles glitter.  The sprinkles on the whipped cream were touched up with Cotton Candy Stickles (pink).  It's one of those situations where it looks a lot prettier in real life.   Unfortunately, they've been reproduced in the photo as smeary blobs, sigh. . .  Further details can be found in the recipe, below.

I'm so glad you could stop here today.  Enjoy your Thursday!

Stamps:  Impression Obsession Holiday Cheer  Paper:  Bravo Burgundy textured, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Classic White, BasicGrey Figgy Pudding designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Bravo Burgundy, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, snowflake embellishment, Stickles glitter glue, oval punch, Spellbinders Classic Square Nestabilities, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Holiday Trees

I’m dreaming of a merrier Christmas with every Christmas card I make.  They’re stacking up and, while I’m not quite there yet with 17 cards, I’m much further along than I was last year at this time.  I’m enjoying it more, too.  I don’t enjoy last minute mass production.  Maybe I have a short attention span, but at any rate I have lots of Christmas stamps and I love to use them all!

Today I’ve used a new set from Stamper’s Dream called Holiday Cheer.  I’ve got a thing for funky little trees like this.  These were fun to color and, as I’m sure you can tell, the card is not one that took long to make.  I felt good about that.  Sometimes I get a little frustrated with the amount of time that passes while I’m trying to make a card come together.  The sun is shining, Wally is pretending to nap while he waits for me (he really does that), and I’ve hit a snag that I don’t have the good sense to walk away from.  Life is short; I need more cards like this.

I did the coloring with Tombow Markers and added Stickles glitter here and there.  I’m thinking I might add a little more.  The scalloped border is from a package of prefabricated borders I picked up at Archivers.  Another time saver.

I’m at the end of a three day weekend and heading back to work now (sad face).  I hope your weekend was super!  I’ll see you again tomorrow!

Stamps:  Impression Obsession Holiday Cheer  Paper:  Classic White, Real red  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Tombow markers for coloring  Accessories:  Offray ribbon, snowflake, prefabricated scalloped border, Stickles glitter, Cuttlebug Candy Cane Stripe embossing folder

Home Sweet Nest

Hello, everyone!  Happy Monday to you!  I have another nature-inspired card today after a weekend spent mostly outdoors.  I’ve been trying to restore certain areas of the garden that have been ravaged by deer, Wally’s puppyhood, and various construction projects.  The last two summers have been very rough on the garden and it bears little resemblance to the beautiful oasis in the photos I’ve shared in the past.  Progress is slow as I’m honestly not feeling the love for the back-breaking labor these days.  I’d just as soon be walking with Wally or relaxing on the deck. . . sigh. . .  But I digress. . .

I’ve used an Impression Obsession set from Stamper’s Dream called Home Sweet Nest.  Both birds are cut out and glued over the nest.  All coloring was done with Copic markers, and the image panel edges were distressed and sponged with caramel ink.  The set includes a square of bird-related script, and I stamped that repeatedly down the border on the right.  I made a simple color block layout with BasicGrey Origins designer papers, and embellished only with the two copper brads.  I had intended to tie some burlap string around the lower edge of the image panel, but I glued the panel in place and then realized my “oops”.

Stamper's Dream Coupon code:  I want to be sure and let you know that until midnight central time tonight (Monday) you can get an additional 10% off all sale items at Stamper's Dream when you spend a minimum of $25.   At checkout look for the coupon code box and enter 10OffToday.  The Sales and Specials section is right here.  Lots and lots of great stuff!

Have a wonderful rest of the day!

Stamps:  Home Sweet Nest (Impression Obsession)  Paper:  Espresso, Wasabi, white, BasicGrey Origins designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, caramel, chocolate, Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Brads

All Pink, All Girl

Hello, stamper friends!  Are you all worn out from the Fourth of July festivities?  We had three nights of fireworks here.  Lots of noise and, as always, frequent sirens in the distance.  Beautiful, sunny days, though.  Oh, I so needed that!

Today’s card was intended for a pre-teen birthday… until I realized I’d colored a glass of claret on the vanity table.  So much for that!  I wouldn’t want to promote underage drinking!  However, I still love it and I know plenty of grown up girls who are fond of pink and polka dots (myself included).  I’m sure it will find a good home.

I’ve used an Impression Obsession stamp from Stamper’s Dream called Vanity Table.  A simple layout, easy coloring, and, oh, so cute image.  Goodness, I had fun making this card!   Neenah White and Iced Azalea Prismatics cardstock with white satin ribbons, pink rhinestones and polka dot paper from my scrap drawer keep the pink and white theme flowing.  The sentiment on the tag is one of the new JustRite Birthday Centers.  These sentiments are made for use with a round stamper but they fit this tag shape perfectly.

That’s it for me!  I’m enjoying an extra day off before I return to the work week.  I hope you’re having a pleasant day, too!

Stamps:  Impression Obsession Vanity Table, JustRite Birthday Centers  Paper:  Neenah White, Iced Azalea Prismatics, designer paper of forgotten origin  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Palette Claret, Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Satin ribbon, rhinestones, tag punch

Dots & Daisies

Happy Monday, everyone!  Today I’m sharing some watercolored Daisy Love.  I have these marvelous new-to-me Tombow markers in an amazing array of colors and I couldn’t wait to give them a try.  I painted my daisies in shades of raspberry to coordinate with my lush raspberry velvet ric rac.

 
I did have a troubling experience making this card, but there was a happy ending:

As I mentioned, I was very excited at the prospect of trying out my new markers (all those colors had me in a swoon!).  However, I became more and more dismayed as the coloring commenced.  The inks seemed to just sit on the paper and I had the most difficult time getting them to blend or bleed.  Note especially the large leaf and the indelicate shading along the stems.  Not at all the result I expected!  Whereas watercoloring is usually a quick process for me (as opposed to Copic markers, with which I’m rather slow), this image took forever to color and get it looking even passable.  When I’d finally struggled to the end I could only feel disappointed.  I’d heard such praise for these markers and I’d wanted them for so long.  I thought, “surely there must be an explanation”.

Well… as it turned out, I had inadvertently tossed a scrap of inferior watercolor paper in with my usual 140 lb cold press watercolor paper.  The paper makes all the difference!  Once I discovered my error, I tested the markers on a scrap of the good paper...  Oh, my word!  Smooth and easy blending and floating of the ink.  True and beautiful colors and no pilling of the paper no matter how much water I applied.  As much as I love watercoloring, I’ll be looking forward to using these markers again and again.  Check out all the glorious colors at Stamper’s Dream!

Thanks for visiting today!  Happy stamping to all!

Stamps:  Daisy Love  Paper:  Vanilla textured, watercolor, My Mind’s Eye Little Boy Blue designer paper  Ink:  Palette Umber and Merlot, Tombow water-based markers for coloring  Accessories:  Velvet Ric Rac, Martha Stewart deep edge punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Ruby Tuesday: Stella Serves the Coffee

Happy Ruby Tuesday!  Today’s card began with my determination to use a bit more of this least favorite piece of Stella (BasicGrey Stella Ruby designer paper).  Sorry, Stella!  I love all your papers, but this burgundy and dullish pink combo leaves me feeling a little chilly.  How to warm it up?  Perhaps with a steaming cup of coffee… or seven.

The image is from one of my favorite stamp sets – Impression Obsession Smell the Coffee.  The truth is, I love all of the somewhat funky Leigh Hannan IO illustrations.  Stella isn’t quite funky enough for this set, really, but I had to give it a try.

Today I used my Prismacolor markers for coloring, trying to match the papers, but also adding in some green and brown for contrast.  I hoped the Prima flower and velvet ric rac would help to perk up Stella a little more.  My cardstocks are Prism Crabapple Light, Medium, and Dark.  They’re actually quite pretty colors but the name, alone, attracts me.  I have a weakness in that regard… Crabapple… it’s a nice name.

I must run off now.  I’m having a busy week because I had such a relaxing weekend.  There’s always a price, isn’t there?  But it was worth it!  Have a very Ruby Tuesday!

Stamps:  Smell The Coffee  Paper:  Prism Crabapple Light, Medium & Dark, SU! Whisper White, BasicGrey Stella Ruby designer paper  Ink:  Ranger Adirondack Pitch Black, Prismacolor markers for coloring  Accessories:  Prima flower, velvet ric rac, 1" circle punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Everyone Can Use a Little Daisy Love

Hello, and happy Monday!  I hope you all had a good weekend.  I had a great Saturday, doing family things, but my Sunday was simply a day I had to face sooner rather than later.  You see, I finally did my taxes on Sunday.  I had a couple of extra forms to fill out this year and I was all over the place trying to figure out exactly what I needed to do.  I'm thinking it will be worth any expense to pay someone else to do it next year!

So... after all that, I could use a little Daisy Love!

Daisy Love is the name of this Impression Obsession stamp set from Stampers Dream.   They're such easy coloring, and so bright and cheerful against the Jack & Jill paper by My Mind's Eye.  I touched them up with Stardust Stickles Glitter for extra cheer, and this card is already on its way across the country to share the love with a friend.  Who couln't use a little daisy love now and then?  I hope this brings some sunshine to your Monday, as well.  Have a great day!

Stamps:  Daisy Love  Paper:  Apricot textured, Classic White, My Mind's Eye Jack & Jill designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, eyelets, Stickles Star Dust Glitter glue, Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Simple Pleasures

Hello!  I'm back today with another Impression Obsession sample for Stampers Dream week-long showcase of these wonderful stamps.  I used three IO stamps on my card -- Nicely Nested Branch, Tire Swing (large), and Fill Your Day (sentiment).

Making this card was all about simple pleasures and, as stampers, I know you can relate.  No matter whether I'm making something elaborately detailed or sweet and simple, like this card, the time I spend with my craft is certainly one of those simple but highly valued pleasures.

The papers I used are My Mind's Eye Jack & Jill -- very fun and fresh.  I love the whole collection, but I swear if I had an entire pack of just this one sheet, I'd be happy enough.  Shown here are two sides of one sheet.  The border strip is actually two skinnier strips I pieced together -- end slices from another project I was working on.  I'm a real pack rat when it comes to saving all those little pieces.

Once again, I've used my red burlap string for the little stitches and bow.  I'm just loving this string, my first experience with this particular product.  It comes in lots of colors, which you can see here.

The team has created some very nice Impression Obsession samples to share with you.  Here's the entire line up for the week so you can take a peek at your leisure:

Monday:  Me, Laurie, Becca, Michelle

Tuesday:  Michelle, Cindy, Amy, Denise, Dawn

Wednesday:  Michelle, Tosh, Silke, Cammie, Amy

Thursday (today):  Me, Michelle, Cindy, Denise

Friday:  Michelle, Laurie, Silke, Tosh

Thank you for your time.  Enjoy your day!

Stamps:  Nicely Nested Branch, Tire Swing (large), Fill Your Day sentiment (all Impression Obsession from Stampers Dream)  Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, My Mind's Eye Jack & Jill designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Burap string, button, Top Note die cut (Stampin' Up!)

Daisy, Daisy, I've Got Some News for You

Happy Monday, everyone!  I've been keeping something under my hat until my official first day, but today I'm free to share my news:  I've joined the Stampers Dream Team!  I'm just a tad bit excited about that because it means I'm working with a fabulous group of sweet and talented stampers and I've got lots of new stamps and products to share with you.  Michelle (store owner) and her team have always been tops in my book, and if you're not already acquainted with them, I hope you'll enjoy getting acquainted through the links provided further in this post. 

I'm jumping right in there today with Impression Obsession week.  All week long the team is sharing cards and projects made with this line of stamps which, lucky me, I just happen to love!  My card today uses Daisy Love.  I colored the image with Copic markers and gave the card a distressed appearance with frayed edges and ink smudges.  I can really feel the garden when I do a card like this because it's pretty much how I look when I come in from a day of gardening -- frayed and smudged.  This image would represent what I call my "casualty vase" -- blooms that fall under a heavy rain or a clumsy hand.  They always turn into the prettiest arrangements.

I used neutral tones in the layout with a chocolate Bazzill base, My Mind's Eye Lush Green designer paper, and lattice made from Prismatics Spring Willow Light.  The center smudgy panel was repeatedly stamped with one of the daisy images in the set.  The red burlap string adds a splash of color and suits the tone of the card more than a fancy ribbon would (though I do love my fancy ribbon!).

So you won't miss any of the wonderful designs the team has prepared for you, the schedule for the week is as follows:

Monday:  Me, Laurie, Becca, Michelle

Tuesday:  Michelle, Cindy, Amy, Denise, Dawn

Wednesday:  Michelle, Tosh, Silke, Cammie, Amy

Thursday:  Me, Michelle, Cindy, Denise, Dawn

Friday:  Michelle, Laurie, Silke, Tosh

Thanks so much for your time today.  I hope your Monday is most wonderful!