Wishing...

Hello everyone!
I would like to proudly announce that I won The Male Room Challenge!! What a surprise and what a great Mothers Day gift!! Thank you DT I really do appreciate it..

Now for the card I have been wanting to show you.. It was part of the Society of Stampholics April chain card challenge.. I sent mine to my new friend Carol in Scotland.  And again, like last month, I was kind of intimated sending a card to such a talented artist. You can hop on over to her blog to see her amazing work..

Here was the sketch and color inspiration
from S.O.S April Challenge

And here is what I came up with.. NOTHING like I imaged! I wanted to use the color palette but it just didn't work out that way.. However, I do love the way it turned out.

Without further ado here is my design:

Well at least the sketch was in line with
my design.

Stamped and splattered color to create a
kind of space look. hummm..

The three sequins and three stars create
a triangle which is pleasing to the eye.

I used a h2o-color wash, then stamped, then washed again, used acrylic paint with water, used just acrylic paint.. AHH!! not working out!! Then I set it aside and ate dinner... Came back and thought 'This actually isn't too bad. In fact, it goes with my star theme and there it was in front of me the entire time.. 

So this is how did it:

1. Cut and scored my CS to 4.25" x 5.5"
2. Cut heavy watercolor paper to 1/4" smaller then the card base.
3. Then washed, stamped, painted with water, painted without water.. Left and came back and loved it.
4. Die cut a star out of the watercolor paper exposing the white card base underneath.
5. Die cut two smaller stars and traced them with a black marker. Adhered them to the card.
6. Added the sequins
7. Stamped sentiment on the exposed white CS base.

That was it.. I really hope you enjoyed your time with me today.. Thank you so much for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment good, great, or otherwise.. Take care all and hope you have a great day!!

All the best,

Shawna 

Ombre HI

Hello everyone,

Today I am so happy to FINALLY post my card from Society of Stampaholics March Challenge.  I used both the color and sketch challenge (see below).

Sketch and color challenge
Society of Stampaholics: March 

My new friend Arlene from California has received her card. You should check out her blog; she is talented beyond words and to be honest, I was kind of intimidated to create a card for her. Anyhow, she got it and now I can finally share it with you!! I hope you like it!!

Using the color palette from the challenge I sponged
the paper to create an ombre sunset effect

Utilizing the sketch, I used coordinated
enamel dots to complete the design.

Detail of the sentiment 'hi there' with
matching enamel dot.

This card was so much to make. At first the colors gave me a headache but then I started playing and found they made my heart sing!!  So this is how I did it:

1. Cut my CS to an A2 size: 4.25"x 5.5" card.
2. Using the colors from challenge I started sponging the background creating an ombre effect. 
3. Cut the violet CS at an angle and trimmed the edges.
4. Die cut the word 'hi' leaving negative on the bottom part of the design and positive space to complete the one word sentiment. Adhered to card.
5. Got my alphabet stamps out and stamped the word 'there'.
6. Adhered enamel dots to the card per the sketch to match the color scheme.

I have found that sponging the background is much easier for me and bears better results than using the brayer. Just my own personal preference. I tried looking for the video on how to do it, but I can't seem to find it.. If I find it, I will make sure to post it..

I hope you enjoyed your stay! Thank you so much for jumping on over here. Please leave any comments good, happy, or otherwise.. I hope you have a great day and we will see you soon!

All the best,

Shawna 

Watercolor & Ampersand

Hello All,

This card was sent out as part of a card chain challenge called S.O.S. (Society of Stampaholics). There motto is very fitting 'Walking the fine line between hobby and obsession', HA! So funny because it is so true.

Then I saw the Little Tangles Challenge #53- watercolor and it all came together. The color challenge from S.O.S and watercolor from Little Tangles would make for a wonderful card. I thought the chain card challenge was a great idea so I sent this one out.

Well here it is.. I love love love the way this turned out and I hope the recipient does too.

Love the reaction from the Stickles creating little
dots to the watercolor background. Adds wonderful texture!

Showing some shine.

Both pictures showing the sparkle
that was added to the card!

The ampersand is actually a stencil which I inked up with Versamark Ink then laid it down applied pressure with my brayer so the ink would stick to the paper. Then heat embossed in white and used the resist technique to apply the watercolor. Wet the paper and apply color and let the water do the rest. They blended just beautifully but it wasn't enough, the ampersand needed to pop. So again, used resist technique and Distress Ink (Tumbled Glass, I think) and it seemed to have done the trick. Used the same ink and technique to distress edges of the card.

The single word sentiments seemed like a good fit! Done!! Well no, it still didn't look quite finished.. Hummmm... So I ask my nine year old daughter what I should do... She said to add some sparkle. OMG she is a genius!  So I got out my Stickles and colored in the word 'smile' and added just a bit of shine to the upper right and lower left of the card.. The sparkle was just enough to finish it off.

Oh my little crafter in training.. (Wiping a tear away).. So proud..

Challenges entering:

February Challenge

Well that is all for me today.. I hope everyone has an opportunity to giggle, smile, and laugh today..

All the best,
Shawna