Thinking of You

Another watercolored card for this week's post. This time I started with a piece of watercolor paper, applied a thin layer of water to the paper using an aquapainter and then added the colors to the wet paper. The watercolor paper does all the work of blending the colors, but you can help it along a little with your brush, if you'd like to. Once the watercolored background is fully dry, you can layer the die-cut piece on top of it and add some splatters for interest and a sentiment of your choice. 

 All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

 All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

Stampin'up Stamps: Window Shopping
Stampin'up Inks: Melon Mambo, Calypso Coral, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Flirty Flamingo, Rich Razzleberry
Stampin'up Paper: Watercolor Paper, Whisper White, Flirty Flamingo
Stampin'up Additional Supplies: Tripple Banner Punch, Many Marvelous Markers, Window Box Thinlits, Aquapainter, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

Tulips

I was born and raised in the Netherlands/Holland, which is known for its tulips and other flowers. Tulips are cultivated in large fields and it is the most amazing sight to fly to Amsterdam during the spring since the airport is surrounded by so many fields filled with an incredible array of colors that it is almost as if you're landing on a painting (be sure to google some images, it really is spectacular to see!).

Back to this week's card now... It is hard for me to stay away from the faux-watercoloring technique, Because it is one of my favorite techniques. It is so easy to do and the effect is stunning. It is important to use watercolor paper, since regular paper won't be able to absorb the amount of water used for this technique. Each image is stamped one at a time, to make sure the ink is still wet when you watercolor over the image right away with an aquapainter filled with water. Be very careful to stay within the edge of the images and clean off excess ink from your aquapainter to get best results.

 All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

 All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

Of course I couldn't stop after making one card and I had to make my own array of colors. Which one is your favorite?

All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

Stampin'up Stamps: Tranquil Tulips, Beautiful Bouquet
Stampin'up Inks: Blushing Bride, Berry Burst, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Stampin'up Paper: Watercolor Paper, Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White (inside of card)
Stampin'up Additional Supplies: Vintage Lace Ribbon, Aquapainter, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

Hello Spring!

I had fun stamping this wreath of flowers and greenery to frame the cute bunny on this card. I love the combination of happy bright and soft pastel colors, they work so well together. I know that some parts of the country are still covered in snow, but spring is definitely here to stay in Northern California! 

 All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

 All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

Stampin'up Stamps: Hello Easter

Stampin'up Inks: Balmy Blue, Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist, Powder Pink, Crumb Cake
Stampin'up Paper: Whisper White, Balmy Blue

Stampin'up Additional Supplies: Stiched Shapes Framelits, Big Shot, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

Amazing Like You

I'm excited that spring has arrived! Flowers are starting to bloom and everything looks so fresh and green after the much needed rain we had in the last few weeks! 

This embossed background is one of my favorites, with those playful dots. I also love the detail in these stamped images and all the variations in color. Who wouldn't like to get a card like this in the mail?

 All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

 All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

All images © Stampin’ Up!^®

Stampin'up Stamps: Incredible Like You
Stampin'up Inks: Balmy Blue, Melon Mambo, Granny Apple Green, Night of Navy
Stampin'up Paper: Whisper White, Balmy Blue
Stampin'up Additional Supplies: Dot To Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

Fresh Eggs

I often share eggs, fruit or vegetables from my garden with neighbors and friends. Of course it's more fun to give and receive presents with unique packaging. I am ready for spring, so please make sure you come back again next Sunday to check out my latest project!

Love is in the Air!

Watercoloring is probably my most favorite technique after embossing, and it is so relaxing to do. Although these hearts look complicated to make, they are surprisingly easy and even the card I made was pretty fast to put together. 

I knew I'd have a hard time to stop trying out new color combinations, so I diecut a whole stack of hearts from watercolor paper. I'm not a great water colorist, but to color these stunning hearts all it really takes is some water and ink. I first applied some water to the hearts, I then added different colors of ink and made sure I let the watercolor paper do all the hard work to blend these vibrant colors beautifully! 

I started with pinks and reds, but had to try out blues and greens as well. Look at the incredible results! Which color combination is your favorite?

Once I got going, it was so hard to stop watercoloring, but I wanted to make sure I had enough time to turn at least one of these gorgeous hearts into a beautiful card. I can't wait to make some more cards with these pretty and colorful hearts!

Stampin'up Stamps: Sunshine Sayings

Stampin'up Inks: Rose Red, Real Red, Melon Mambo, Strawberry Slush, Blushing Bride, Bermuda Bay, Garden Green, Night of Navy, Pacific Point, Tempting Turqoise, Memento Ink Pad

Stampin'up Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper

Stampin'up Dies:  Bloomin’ Heart Thinlits, Sunshine Wishes Thinlits 

Stampin'up Additional Supplies: Big Shot,Basic Black Metallic Thread, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Aqua Painters