Stamplorations Love Always Card with Salt Colored background

Posted on February 1, 2019 by dannscraftingwhims

Hi there! Welcome back to another crafty whim! This time I’m experimenting with a ‘digi’ and watercoloring with salt. Because a printed ‘digi’ (digital image) from my printer often smears, I decided to do the background FIRST and then print on top of it. I really wanted to play with this nifty technique I’d seen on Betsy Veldman’s blog (HERE). She had a cool variation of the salt technique — where you sprinkle salt on your watercolor and let it dry for some interesting patterns. She COLORED her salt and sprinkled it around for some really cool effects! I especially liked her aqua border with flowers, so decided to try something similar. I guestimated where the orchid and lily would fall and tried to get the yellows and pinks more in those areas. Since I wasn’t going to do much until I was sure I could get similar results, I colored up 1/4-1/2 tsp of coarse salt.

The handiest colors I had on hand were distress inks and spray stains. It only took 2 drops of the ink, but about 6 of the spray stain to color up the salt. I didn’t have a purple, so mixed Mermaid Lagoon with Abandoned Coral until I got the color I wanted. By the time I sprinkled my salt down, the paper was dryer than I’d’ve liked, so I gently spritzed a bit of water across the top. Let dry and brushed off the salt:

Sherry Russ at Stamplorations kindly made available these lovely free digis over on their blog (HERE):

You know I rarely use digis, but I decided to give this lovely one a whirl. First, I had to size the digi. Another reminder of why I prefer stamps. Sure you can resize digis easier, but getting them exactly right is a bit of trial and error (for ME, at least!)

Not bad, but I thought it could use a little more. When Betsy was done with the salt, she went back and added some more watercolor. I was afraid to re-wet the surface as these were distress inks and would react with the water, so I chose to use some Copic markers to make the leaves and a few details stand out, then added a bit of sparkle…

In the end, it turned out nifty, but not near as cool as Betsy’s projects. Some day I will have to come back and revisit this, experimenting with different watercolors and inks.

Supplies used:

Stamplorations framed Love Always digi (Free HERE)
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor cardstock
Yasutomo Metallic Watercolors
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink – fossilized amber
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain – abandoned coral & mermaid lagoon
Costco Kirkland Mediterranean Sea Salt
Copic markers: C3; G24, 82; RV17; V6; YG17, 61; YR2, 4
Spectrum Noir by Crafter’s Companion Sparkle pen – clear
Scotch adhesive runner
Core’dinations Parisian Nights card base

I’m playing along with the following challenges – click on any one of them for more information on how you can join the fun:

Thanks for stopping by and for sharing your comments!

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

With a Friend In the Garden – Art Impressions Cat Card

Posted on October 25, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

Well, the Cat Lovers Hop is purring right along and today finds us reaching the half-way point already!

My first card for today happens to use the prize set that Art Impressions is offering some fortunate hopper over on HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com: With a Friend. You can see the details over on the main hop page HERE.

Isn’t that scene just DARLING?!! It goes well with the current Art Impressions challenge: Stamp a Scene!

I embossed the stamp on the sweet Spellbinders shaped card base, then, to make the scene stand out, I stamped it again onto white cardstock and watercolored the image. When done, I popped it up with a couple of foam sheets and ran a black Sharpie across the edges BEFORE taping it down to the base.

It looks really cool in real life popped up like that! The sweet words say: “In the Garden with a friend is the best Place to be.” Awww! I’m sure they would’ve said ‘snoozing with a friend’ if they’d’ve had room! : )

Materials used:

Art Impressions: With a Friend Window stamp
Spellbinders Decorative Labels One
Tsukineko Versamark Ink
Inkadinkado embossing powder – Black
Tsukineko Memento dye ink – Tuxedo Black
Marvy Uchida Le Plume II pens – 2,5,8,12,15,37,75,77,87,90,97
Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops: Gloss Carnation Pink & Gloss Dandelion Yellos
Core’dinations 110# paper: White and Ballerina pink
Fibre Creaft Creative Hands Peel & Stick foam sheets
Tombow Xtreme permanent adhesive
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue

I’m playing along with the following hops and challenges – click on them for all the details.

2017 Cat Lovers Hop
Art Impressions Challenge #219 – Stamp a Scene
Simon Says Stamp Aug/Sept 2017 Work-It-Wednesday – Stamps
CropStop October Challenge – Linky Party #33 Anything Goes
- (Aleene’s, Art Impressions, Core’dinations, Spellbinders. Tombow…)

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

The Ton Peonies Million Thanks Card

Posted on July 22, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

Hello, hello! It’s time I got crackin’ on the many Thank You cards I owe. I started with the Mood Board from The Ton’s July Challenge:

The lower corner has the top and bottom flowers almost reversed with the macaroons in the middle, and most of the flowers have lots of pinks and lavender with some yellow and green. Instead of macaroons, I cut out the SHAPE of my sentiment for the middle. Here is the finished card:

I love the glamorous shiny BLING of that rose gold embossing powder!

Embossing the flowers made it easy to watercolor them with my Zig markers.

Materials used:

The Ton Happiness is Peonies stamp set
Canson L’Aquarelle Heritage Hot Pressed 140# watercolor paper
Tsukineko Versamark Ink
The Ton Couture Gilding Rose Gold embossing Powder
Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens: 25,26,28,41,45,50,81
Core’dinations cardstock: white & black
Scotch adhesive tape runner

I am entering this card in the following challenges. Click on any one of them for more information on how you can play along…

I am pleased you stopped by here today! Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think – I always enjoy hearing from you!

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

Die-Versions Seaside Sunset Thank You Card

Posted on June 26, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

It’s time for another card for the Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

This one is for one of the fab baristas at my local Starbucks who is going away…

Isn’t that a FUN die cut?!! It was easy to watercolor. Then I used the IrRESISTible Pico Embellisher to outline the circle and on the sentiment and corners. It dries raised as if it were embossed, but has a delightful translucent shimmering gold shine.

On the inside I used more of the Starbucks stickers and a couple of coffee cup clips with the gift card holder that they give you to hold the card in place.

Materials used:

Die-Versions Whispers “Seaside Sunset” & Sweet Spots “Oh Thank You” dies
Spellbinders Antique Frame Accents dies
Core’dinations white cardstock
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress inks: Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Peacock Feathers, Pumice Stone, Spiced Marmalade
Imagine Crafts IrRESISTible Pico Embellisher Gold
Simply Defined “Stay Put” All Purposed Liquid Adhesive
Starbucks stickers
Pigma Micron green 005 Archival Ink pen
The Paper Studio Flea Market Fancy Gold Coffee Cup Paper Clips

I am playing along with the Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop click on it for more information on how you can join the fun.

Thanks again for stopping by!

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

Color Burst & Mama Elephant Hello Friend Summer Cats Card

Posted on June 25, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

Hello again, sweet peeps! Thanks for stopping back by to see this card for the Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

I pulled out my Color Bursts and, for the first time, added Liquid Metals. I was not disappointed!

Of course, one of the kitty’s ice creams is COFFEE flavored! >^.^<

Just look at that shimmer from the Liquid Metals!!

Inside:

Materials used:

Mama Elephant: Hello Friend Wishes, Little Cat Agenda, and Sunday Sentiments stamp sets
Spellbinders Labels 24 dies
Tsukineko Versamark ink
Inkadinkado black emobssing powder
Ken Oliver Crafts Color Bursts: Tangerine & Yellow Ochre
Ken Oliver Crafts Liquid Metals: Metallic Coral & Yellow Gold
Aqua Blend Pencils by Spectrum Noir: Black Umber, Fossil Grey, Hyacinth, Kiwi, Sorrel
Canson L’Aquarelle Hot Pressed Watercolor paper 140#
Simply Defined 80# Heavyweight Cardstock
Simply Defined “Stay Put” All Purposed Liquid Adhesive

I am playing along with the Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop click on it for more information on how you can join the fun.

Thanks again for stopping by!

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

MFT Camp Create Day 1: Wonderful Watercolor – Rainbow Galaxy Background

Posted on June 13, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

Hello and welcome! It’s that time of year again… Another summer at My Favorite Things’ Camp Create!

Day one of camp showed a marvelous watercolor rainbow galaxy background that I just HAD to try! While I was at it, I decided to do two in case one didn’t turn out. I was really quite worried I’d get mud by adding the black, but they both turned out ok! In spite of the sparkle, it’s not a girly card and would do for a guy, too.

You can find the easy to follow instructions on how to do the watercolor background HERE. I used Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors since I don’t have the Prima watercolors she used. I love the vibrant colors!

You may be wondering how I got the longer die-cut rectangles for the inside writing space:

You take your cutting plate and put the edge before the final edge of the die. After cutting, line up the two sides and again place the edge before the final edge of the die as shown in the right-hand part of the picture. Depending on how the pattern goes, you can get it half-again longer (like the left hand side of the picture above) or more.

I really wanted this galaxy to tinkle and added lots of sparkly accents that you can see in the materials list below. It’s got oodles of 3d texture. The sparkle is kind of hard to capture on camera – even this quick video doesn’t do it justice:

View this post on Instagram

Twinkling Galaxy Watercolor cards for #mftstamps Camp Create Day 1. Details coming on tomorrow's (6/13/17) blog post. (Link in profile.) #watercolor #galaxy #rainbowgalaxy #galaxybackground #gansaitambi #gansaitambiwatercolor #stickles #amazing #papercrafting #diecutting #handmadecards #cardmaking

A post shared by @ d.ann.c on Jun 12, 2017 at 6:33pm PDT

For completing this, I’ve earned my first Camp Create Badge:

Note: if you collect all 5 badges, you can be entered for a nice prize… just sayin’! : )

Materials Used:

My Favorite Things: Friends Like Us stamp set
My Favorite Things: Doubly Amazing and Pop-Up Bday (cut off) Die-namics
Spellbinders Timeless Rectangles and Romantic Rectangles 2
Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors 20, 31, 32, 40, 52, 64, 139
Canson Cold Press Watercolor Paper
Core’dinations cardstock: black & white
My Studio White Acrylic Craft Paint
Martha Stewart Crafts Titanium Metallic Acrylic Craft Paint
Ranger Stickles: Black Diamond, Glisten, Icicle
Imagine Crafts IrRESISTible Pico embellishers: copper
Tonic Studios Nuvo Glitter Accents: Fresh Snowfall
Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue
Tombow Xtreme adhesive runner

I’m entering these cards in the following hops and contests. Click on any one of them for more information on how you can join the fun:

I hope to be back soon with another project from this fun skills camp!

Thanks for stopping by!

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

Altenew Creative Watercolor Media Class – Lesson 6

Posted on June 1, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

Well, it’s time for my card from the final lesson of Altenew’s Creative Watercolor Media Class.

Lesson 6 showed another way to use re-inkers to watercolor. I liked this technique a lot! It’s fun to watch the colors spread out to wherever the water is on the paper. Although I only had 2 re-inkers, it worked just as well smooshing my ink pads onto a craft mat and picking up the ink. I added a lot of ‘raindrops’ — you regular readers know I love to take pictures of flowers that have raindrops on them. : )

Materials used:

Altenew Peony Bouquet & Beautiful Day (sentimen) stamp sets
Tsukineko Versamark Ink
Inkadinkado embossing powder: Linen White
Stampin’ Up! dye ink re-inkers: Bravo Burgundy & More Mustard
Altenew Crisp Dye Ink: Coral Berry
Tsukineko Memento dye inks: Bamboo Leaves, Dandelion, Sweet Plum & Teal Zeal
Tonic Studios Nuvo Crystal Drops: Morning Dew
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock
Simply Defined 5×7 Bright White card base 200#
Misc. teal cardstock
Tombow Xtreme adhesive

I am entering this in the following galleries and challenges:

Altenew Creative Watercolor Media Student Gallery.
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes

Well, it was a fun and informative class. I’ve learned some useful tips and have a few techniques I think I will use again and again. As you’ve seen, the the class focuses on using dye inks (on pads, from re-inkers, or in shimmer sprays) to watercolor. Click on any of the highlighted links above for more info.

Edited to add: Thank you Altenew, for the honor!

Thank you all for stopping by! If I’m not back before, have a lovely weekend!

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

Altenew Creative Watercolor Media Class – Lesson 5

Posted on June 1, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

Hello, again! Lesson 5 of Altenew’s Creative Watercolor Media Class was on using dye inks for watercoloring.

The images were stamped and then the butterfly was covered with a masking fluid. Once dry, the background could be ‘smooshed’ on, dried, and the masking rubbed off.

This was only my second ever try with masking fluid. I don’t know if it was because of the type of fluid I used this time or the watercolor paper, but the paper wanted to pull up with the fluid…

Argh!

But the nice thing about papercraft is most things are fixable… a Micron pen easily re-drew the lines, but when I watercolored the wing, the colors showed the lifted spots. Solution: Cover the areas with shiny metallics and dimensional liquids…

As the saying goes, ‘it’ll never be noticed on a galloping horse (or fluttering butterfly).’ lol

Materials used:

Altenew Bejeweled stamp and die sets
Altenew Coral Berry Crisp Dye Ink
Memento dye inks: Dandelion, Elderberry, Rhubarb Stalk, Sweet Plum, Teal Zeal and Tuxedo Black
Imagine Crafts IrRESISTible Pico embellishers: gold & copper
Nuvo Glitter Accents: Fresh Snowfall
Nuvo Crystal Drops: Morning Dew & Copper Penny
Prima Christine Adolph Watercolor Resist Pen
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock
Core’dinations Parisian Nights A2 pink card base
Tombow Xtreme adhesive

I am entering this in the following galleries and challenges:

Altenew Creative Watercolor Media Student Gallery.
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes

Hopefully, I’ll be back soon with the final lesson.

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

Altenew Creative Watercolor Media Class – Lesson 4

Posted on May 30, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

Welcome back to another card from Altenew’s Creative Watercolor Media Class.

Lesson 4 was quick and easy watercoloring with ink sprays. Once again, I had trouble with my stamped image in dye ink bleeding, but I dabbed it up and re-wet and had a light grey background that didn’t seem to bother the vibrancy of the mica sprays.

Love that shimmer and how the three colors blended! I did the body and the tips of the wings after drying the blended areas. Then I used Nuvo drops to add the embossed frame some dots, hearts and a doodle to finish it off.

Materials used:

Altenew Bejeweled stamp and die sets
Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists: Coral Reef, Stormy Night & Sunflower
Tonic Studios Gloss Nuvo Crystal Drops: Apple Green; Caribbean Ocean & Carnation Pink
Canson L’Aquarelle Hot Pressed Watercolor paper 140#
Core’dinations Parisian Nights A2 pink card base
Tombow Xtreme adhesive

I am entering this card in the Altenew Creative Watercolor Media Student Gallery.

There’s a lot on my plate tomorrow, but I’ll be back soon with the last two cards from this fun class.

~D.Ann

p.s. any ads on this page are placed by WordPress and are not endorsed by me.

Altenew Creative Watercolor Media Class – Lesson 3

Posted on May 29, 2017 by dannscraftingwhims

Well, after a roaring start, I wasn’t able to keep up the pace. : ) But I’m glad to be back today with a card I made for Lesson 3 of Altenew’s Creative Watercolor Media Class, taught by the ever cheerful and talented Laura Bassen (aka Laurafadora). She used the Altenew crisp dye ink pads to paint her cute card blending a light and dark shade of each color.

I liked my last card (the 3d lotus) so much, I thought I’d do the same layout but all on one layer this time, using the same color scheme from the May 2017 Inspiration Challenge in my foreground:

I also decided that since this would involve some masking and using the MISTI stamping tool, I should take advantage of the set up time and do 3 additional cards. The MISTI makes it easy to set up a production line:

I also wanted to try stamping in the darker color of what I’d be painting for a no-line look. Then I thought while I was at it, I would compare papers. Here they are, all ready to go…

Upper L: Distress Watercolor Cardstock; Upper R: Strathmore mixed media 90#; Lower l: Canson cold press Watercolor; Lower L: Canson L’Aquarelle Hot Pressed

Here’s how they turned out:

I learned why it’s easier to watercolor when you heat emboss the outline… the water and color stays in the lines! : ) I was surprised that the lines, although dry, absorbed the water from the fill-in and bled out, blurring the images. I can only imagine if I’d’ve used black to stamp the outlines! The Mixed Media paper was the worst at this although it said for wet media.

I selected the best one (Ranger Watercolor Cardstock) and decided to add some sunshine by watercoloring the white space in all yellow to make the flowers pop (and to see if it helped hide the bleeding). I think it turned out ok. I’ll set the others aside and try to do something with them later on.

Supplies used:

Altenew Lotus tamp and die sets
Altenew Beautiful Day stamp set (sentiment)
Tsukineko Versamark Ink
Inkadinkado embossing powder: Linen White
Altenew Crisp Dye Inks: Coral Berry & Frosty Pink
Tsukineko Memento dye inks: Bamboo Leaves, Dandelion & Pear Tart
Tsukineko Brilliance Pigment Ink: Pearlescent Beige (for the pistil)
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock
Here were the other three contenders, :
- Canson Cold Press Watercolor paper 140#
- Canson L’Aquarelle Hot Pressed Watercolor paper 140#
- Strathmore Mixed media 90#
Core’dinations pink cardstock
Simply Defined 5×7 Bright White card base 200#
Tombow Xtreme adhesive (great for watercolor – no warping!)