Inspired Stripes from Instagram

 

Inspired Stripes from Instagram

I recently joined Instagram at the encouragement of my daughter.  It is so full of cardmakers!  Wowser!  So much inspiration.  I got my inspiration for this card from #daisyprincess.  I am so in love with watercoloring.  The stripes were made by loading up my brush with watered down Distressed Inks and brushing it across the card.  I find that using watercolor paper is best.  I use Strathmore 300 series (but am loving 400 series more).  The butterfly and scribble circle are from Papertrey Ink.

Where can you find me on Intagram you ask?  Look for ranciert, see my cards that I don't have time to post on this blog.  Tell me on Instagram that you saw this on my blog. That would be so kind of you :).

I am entering this in Less is More Pink and Gray challenge.  And it's their 4th birthday.  Congratulations on 4 years!

More Watercolor Flowers

More Watercolor Flowers

I can't seem to get enough watercoloring.  For this, I used distressed inks.  As for the flowers, I embossed them in white.  Once the ink was dry, I ironed off the embossing.  The flower is from Stamps of Life, the stripe on the side is from Papertrey and the sentiment is from Avery Elle.  Used a fun foam sheet to pop up the flower panel.  I like this for large areas.  I cannot thank Jennifer McGuire enough.  I purchased several sheets of white fun foam, cut them into front panel size (for A2 and 4 Bar size cards).  They stack up so nicely on my desk and ready when I need them.

If anyone is an Instagram fan, I recently started uploading my cards there (more than on this blog).  Look for ranciert.

I am entering this card into two challenges:  CAS(E) this Sketch #109

 

and to CAS on Sunday Challenge #51 Flowers

Watercolor Sympathy

Watercolor Sympathy

I often send a personal note to the families of the patients that I've cared for while on hospice.  I like to build a stash of cards,  This is a 4 Bar size, which is very fun for a change.  The smaller format lends itself to be less fussy.  This watercolor is with Distressed Inks over white embossed flowers (Avery Elle).  I cut a diagonal strip making sure that I cut the flowers for added interest.  I used fun foam under the strip for this great dimensional look.  Sprinkled it with sequins by Pretty Pink Posh. 

I am entering this into one challenge today:  CAS on Sunday: Challenge #51 Flowers

Watercolor Balloon Birthday

Watercolor Balloon Birthday

I love this balloon set from Lawn Fawn.  Since I had my watercolor palette out, I decided to watercolor some stamped designs.  The background is a wash that I started darker at the top and make lighter at the bottom, but of course I had to turn it around.  I lifted out some color with some kleenex for the clouds. The two smaller balloons are stamped second generation in black to give appearance to be in the distance and in the clouds.  I didn't want them to compete with the large balloon.  The sentiment is by Papertrey Ink.  I used fun foam for the dimension, which is my favorite way to add dimension.  Entering this into just one challenge this week:

Caseology : Week 131 Birthday

Butterfly Friend

Butterfly Friends

I wish I had more time to do all the crafty things I want to do, don't you?  Thus explains the long lag between posts.  I recently got this gorgeous butterfly stamp set from Papertrey Ink.  Now I wish I got the die cuts at the same time.  The sentiment is also Papertrey Ink Wet Paint.  I stamped the butterfly in Strathemore watercolor paper using Versafine black ink.  I used Orange Marmalade Distressed Ink for the watercolor on wings. The sentiment is also cut out of watercolor paper.  

I am entering this card into CAS Clean & Simple Colours and Sketches

 

and CASology Week 130

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Stamping to all!

Watercolor Wash Owl

Watercolor Wash Owl

Over the holidays I decided to check out some watercolor artists YouTube videos.  These are non-stampers, truly artists.  I wanted to make sure I was going in the right direction with watercolor.  My first realization that I was not was the paper I was using.  I am using Strathmore 300 series, which is okay for cards but I think next time I will get the 400 series and possibly the 500 series.  They all assured me that the paper is commonly the problem.  Since I just purchased a new pack of 24 sheets of the 300 Series, it may be a while.  Of course they use the watercolor that comes in tubes which is something I am not interested in.  I own several watercolor mediums: Derwent InkTense pencils, Staedtler Pencils and the inexpensive watercolors from Michael's and I can't forget the Distresed Inks. I am looking in to get some other mediums that other stampers are using. Can you guess what I used on this card?  The inexpensive watercolors from Michaels.  I am impressed with my uneducated eye how nice is looks. I know I need to work on some shading and depth, but that will come with practice. The branch and leaves were drawn in.  The owl is from the Little Bear set from Neat and Tangled.  This is my first time using this cute little owl.

I am entering this into another new challenge for me: K and R Designs .

She is celebrating 200 weeks of collecting inspiration on her Pinterest.  The challenge is to find one to CASE or be inspired by.  Mine is an inspiration from Isha (hobbyandideas.blogspot.com).  Her card was a winter/Christmas card, which mine is very generic.

I was impressed with her Pinterest file that I had to follow.  I am sure  you will agree.

Watercolor Modern Cross

Watercolor Modern Cross

I have been having quite a bit of fun with this impression plate from Papertrey Ink.  It's not new by any means but for some reason it was calling out to me to try some new techniques.  I love watercoloring and made several cards using different color of cs and inks.  I like this one the best.

4 Bar size cards are new to me and I am having great success in creating cards in this smaller format.  I was inspired to use this size by Debby Hughes (Lime Doodle Design). The bottom layer is a gray cs.  The modern cross was die cut in white.  I popped out all the crosses and played around with which ones to replace, which ones to leave open and to watercolor the rest.  I used Distressed Inks in 4 different colors.  The hello die is in a blue gray cs and of course I used by Pretty Pink Posh sequins.

I am excited to enter this in a new challenge blog to me Happy Little Stamper

This month's challenge is watercolour.