A Fall Wreath

Hi, there, and good Tuesday to you!  For me, nothing is more conducive to stamping than a clean, tidy room and a little reorganization.  I can hardly walk by there without flipping on the light and peeking inside since I cleaned it up.  I've been making cards and putting everything away as I go along.  I don't actually gain any time by not picking up after myself because I'm hindered and distracted by the clutter.  At least, that's how it works for me.  How about you?  Are you inspired by all those bits and parts laying about, or would you rather start with a blank slate for each project?

 

The only thing I reorganized is my time, switching to morning stamping and evening computer, which is the reverse of what I've been doing for some time now.  I don't know how I ever fell out of the morning stamping routine in the first place, but now that I'm back into it I'm so much happier -- not necessarily stamping more, but certainly enjoying it more.

 

After all that, I have a card to share.  Every fall I bring out a couple of old favorites to color and enjoy.  Today it’s a PSX stamp that’s about 20 years old.  Some things never lose their beauty.

 

 

Stamping in the mornings gives me a chance to do some water coloring.  I’ve fallen sorely out of practice so bear with me – this is a little intense, but then, so are fall colors.  I used Tombow markers directly onto the 140 lb hot press water color paper.  On the wreath, itself, I used no water at all.  I just blended one marker color into the other.  Can you still call it water coloring?  My Tombows are still fairly juicy so it’s like having the water built in.  It worked easily.  It’s also easy to wear out the brush tip of a water-based marker this way so, as much as possible, I dabbed rather than scrubbed or stroked.  When I did stroke I used a light touch.  For the smoky, smudgy shading around the wreath I applied marker color to the paper, then went over it with a wet brush.

 

 

I’ll add more card details in the recipe, below.  Have a good day!

 

 

Stamps:  PSX Fall Wreath  Paper:  140 lb hot press water color, 5 1/2” pre-cut kraft card base, CTMH Sunflower and Cranberry cardstock (sanded), Bo Bunny Natural Necessities and Very Vintage Double Dot designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir, various Tombow water-based markers for water coloring  Accessories:  Button, linen thread

Comments

[Glenda]

I find when I play in the morning, I get more accomplished. I do much better when I'm fresh. I have from 4 AM until 7AM of quiet time as my girls go out early and then head back to bed. It's a Yorkie thing I think, but it gives me some quiet time before the world begins! I love your wreath. The colors are so vibrant but lovely! It definitely makes me happy!

[Diane H]

Your water coloring is gorgeous...I love the beautiful colors and the shading around it (which I am scared to do, as I have a fear of creating a mess..lol)!! I can see why you like this stamp, it is a beautiful one! And of course all the stitching and the distressing is the perfect setting for it!!
I cannot work in clutter either, and try to clean up after every project I make (which I need to do this morning before I start) so I can relate. After the holidays I hope to reorganize my room a bit!!

[Pauline]

Amazingly gorgeous! Leslie, your watercolouring is done to perfection, your colours are so vibrant - just beautiful. You always seem to have the perfect papers to go along with your image. The distressed edges really give it the fall/vintage feel. The button is a nice addition to finish off your card.
I have this stamp as well, as I have many PSX stamps which I haven't used in years, I find it hard to part with some of my old favourites. I'm a morning stamper as well, and I like my work area clean and clear of clutter. Sometimes I get lazy and things pile up so I just have to stop what I'm doing and clean up my room before moving on. There is nothing better than a clean slate to work on! Have yourself a wonderful day, and thanks again for sharing such a beautiful card.

[Dotty A]

Yes I see why you've keep this beautiful stamp, and you do such a Lovely job bringing it to life.
My mornings are, First thing I make COFFEE... Feed the Pooch and play with her.... then I check my email and blogs... then if I have time I clean up my play area... I usually don't do to much crafting after the clean up, I do lay out things I want to work on or do next and get some ideas.... then I leave it be for a few hours to do other STUFF.
Then late in the moring or noon time I start crafting...

[Donna Ellis]

Leslie, once again my heart and eyes gasped at the preview of your card! And then upon arriving at your blog, my heart melted and my eyes danced! LOL BEAUTIFUL watercoloring. I just love the way you have used your PSX stamp (they are one of my favorite all time companies!) - love the richness of your colors and that amazing cornflower blue-lavender to really draw me in! The background papers and stitching are perfect for bringing in more texture, and that feeling that something good and homey is just beyond the wreath. love, de

[Conniecrafter]

Oh my goodness is that ever Gorgeous, your coloring is out of this world, you can give such dimension with just your coloring, I would so love to be able to color like you do. Love the shadowing around it too, LOVE it!
I do love a clean craft room but I will have to say right now it is a mess, and probably because I have too much for my space, I really need to go through everything and get rid of stuff. I do most of my computer in the morning and my cardmaking in the afternoon :)

[Stacy Morgan]

I have 2 PSX stamps that were given to me and they are some of my favorite. This is one I wish I had! Your wreath is spectacular Leslie. Looking at this I seriously doubt you are having trouble water coloring. Gorgeous depth and richness to the leaves and the vibrant blue flowers you know I adore. Gorgeous wreath!!!

[yogi]

very nice - a nice difference to the winter weather I've got out my window...
Yes I need a tidy place to be creative, I mess it up pretty quickly, but am so much happier after tidying up and having a bare surface to work on again. I also enjoy creating in the AM and doing the web stuff afterward.

Have a great day and nice seeing you do watercolors again.

[bensarmom]

Leslie, your watercoloring is just stunning! This card would make anyone smile, then they'd want to hang it! You are a truly talented lady.

[ChristineCreations]

Oh my Leslie...this is amazing. You totally brought out the beauty of this set. The colour combination is so perfect too, and I love bold watercoloring :)

[Evelyn in Oregon]

Oh, how I wish I could say that about my space! As it is, there are now piles on the kitchen table (never used, anyway) ... because the small room is stuffed with "stuff." So many items are things I ordered and have never used...and I'm learning that some of the paint-things don't hold up well at all. Lesson learned there.

I have a similar wreath stamp like the one you used on your card but would never have the patience or skill to colors it so beautifully.

[Colleen Dietrich]

Checking out your post while at lunch at 'the office' (day 2, and boy am i homesick), and am loving those rich colors on the wreath. No wonder you saved this stamp for twenty years! I would love a wreath like this on my door come late summer. :)

[nancy littrell]

Gorgeous colored wreath Leslie. I love how you added so many different Fall colors and your watercolored shading to add more depth to your wreath. Your DSP framing, sanding and sewing are so you and the perfect touch too. TFS and always inspiring us my friend. Hugs, Nancy

[beth]

Wish I was you Leslie and could learn to put things away when I am finished right now my craft table looks like a bomb exploded all over the top.

I love your card and that beautiful wreath and as always your coloring is spot on....I pulled out a PSX stamp over the week-end and made a card it was Poppies.

[Sherri Dean]

I adore this card! Your watercoloring is always just gorgeous and makes me want to grab mine! Except for the fact that I can't begin to color like you do! lol
I start out with a clean desk, but then in the process of deciding what I want to do, I end up with such a pile of papers, dies, stamps etc. on my desk that it looks like a tornado went thru the room! I find myself pulling out so much in the process that it takes me forever to get it all put back. I used to tell myself it was because I was creative that I made a mess, but maybe I'm just indecisive and can't make up my mind what I want to do! ha ha

[Holly]

Absolutely GORGEOUS! Love the soft beige watercoloring around the wreath and the stunning rich colors on the flowers and leaves on the wreath. As for keeping the craft room clean, hehehehe, mine WAS clean for all of 24 hours. Then I bought some stuff and it is scattered all over waiting for me to find homes for it all. Hehehehe!!! Once I get it clean again, I'll clutter it all up in the process of making a card. :-)

[KarrenJ]

Beautiful and vibrant card! I love PSX stamps and have several that will never leave my collection.

[Patti Willey]

Oooh! I love wreath stamps! Never heard of this PSX brand I can't believe you've held onto it 20 years! I definitely have a habit of buying and selling more frequently! But his is a Beauty! I see on ebay there are some options with fruit, I just love wreath stamps! I know I know I said that right! Gorgeousness! Pinning.

[Maggie s]

Wow! This is so gorgeous. I love the image and your coloring is spectacular as always. I so wish I could have a neat clean place to work, but even after tidying up, it still is disorganized and I have about a 2' space to work in. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to get it together.

[Sue Kment]

Lovely watercoloring...such rich and warm colors! I am always amazed at all the details that go into your creations!