Sunset Swan Anniversary

I made this anniversary card for my Brother in Law and Sister in Law.  When I made it I liked it but... and I think that is the problem.  It is the scene I wanted, just a lake and a sunset, but ....  I think it is missing something.  Initially, I attempted a no line watercolor with it and clear embossed the swans and even with the intensity of the colors in the back ground they were just lost in the scene so I over stamped with gray which created an interesting shadow effect with the clear embossing as a highlight.  I like this but I wish it was better and the only way to get better is to keep trying.

What it took - 
Card size - 8 1/2 in x 5 1/2 in;
Cardstock - Watercolor paper, Recollections 110 lb white, 65 lb blue;
Stamp - Stampendous Swan Pair;
Ink - Versamark, Memento gray;
Color - Koi Watercolor

Painting with Lindsay the Frugalcrafter - Orchid

Another one of my attempts to paint along with Lindsay, the Frugalcrafter.  Here is the tutorial and inspiration video and/or blog.  There is plenty of critical eye issues with this.  The blooms aren't quite round enough in the focal orchid.  The color mix is a little too garish compared to the original.  Yada yada yada... 

But you know what, I am happy with it, I painted this with Koi watercolors and Derwent watercolor pencils around midnight in my basement craft area with somewhat crappy lighting even with my task light and the husband's puzzle light.  Seriously, I'm lucky this even looks like a flower!!!  

Thanks Lindsay for the inspiration to try and try again!  I'm thinking this might be my Mother's Day card for my own US based mother.

Ingredients
Inspiration - Lindsay, The Frugalcrafter youtube - Orchid Watercolor Full Length;
Card Size - 5" × 6-7/8"(127 mm × 175 mm);
Card stock - Strathmore Watercolor Greeting Cards;
Color - Koi Watercolor; Derwent Watercolour pencils;

Mothering Sunday 2015

This card was a get it done card and I'm happy with it but I'm not going to pretend I reinvented the wheel with it or anything.  I went with traditional flower for an English Mothering Sunday, the daffodil and a small greeting (I think from Hero Arts).  I think if I did this card over I might bring the image a bit further up and to the right on the card.

This is actually the second card I used my MISTI on.  I didn't get a very good impression of the sentiment and restamped it.  It isn't perfect because my card moved and now I have bought magnets that are working well!

Ingredients:
Card Size - 5" × 6-7/8"(127 mm × 175 mm)
Card stock - Strathmore Watercolor Greeting Cards
Stamps - Gina K Designs: Sending Sunshine; Hero Arts: Celebrate Everyday;
Ink - Versamark;
Color - Koi Watercolor;
Accessories - Gold embossing powder.

Purple daisies

 

Using so many of the techniques (and confidence) I have picked up from Lindsay, the Frugalcrafter, I stamped this ink a Memento brown so that I would get more of a watercolor look than with a strong harsh black.  I especially like the way I pointed in the centers of the daisies.  They really pop in real life.

I would love to say that I planned this card from the beginning but the card was made around the watercolor.  I found paper to match in my stash and remembered this sweet ribbon which just has an edge of the blue in the sky.

Ingredients
Card Size - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Cardstock - Artist Loft watercolor; Recollections 110lb, Bright & Basic;
Stamps - Stampendous: Daisy Thanks;
Ink - Memento: Rich Cocoa;
Color - Koi Watercolor;
Accessories - Ribbon

Crafting with Lindsay, the Frugalcrafter, - Hummingbird

We are so lucky to have someone like Lindsay to share her talents and teaching with us mere wannabes.  This is a complete CASE of her recent Hummingbird card tutorial.  This was another card I made for my husband for his birthday.  He loves birds.  He isn't a twitcher though has a friend that is.

I watched Lindsay's tutorial and then followed along a bit but did my own thing as well.  I will say I think I need to loosen up a bit with my drawing and paint strokes although I am quite happy with how this turned out.  Well, I'm quite happy until I go and look at Lindsay's original!!! LOL! gotta keep trying.

Ingredients
Card Size - 5" × 6-7/8"(127 mm × 175 mm)
Cardstock - Strathmore Watercolor card
Color - Koi watercolors, Twinkling H20s

Feeling Blue Hues...

Like loads of other people I bought these adorable quote stamps when they were all the rage and to my shame I think this is the first time I have used one!  I always came up with some cute idea and then it evolved into something I made into something else that didn't accommodate the quote.  So when I saw this technique by Darlene with the watercolor pencils I decided I had to do it and just the sentiment that would be so very adorable with it.

I pared it down quite a bit but I think it is obvious the inspiration is there!  

Ingredients
Card size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in 
Cardstock - Recollections 110 lb cardstock, Artists Loft Watercolor paper
Stamp - Inkadinkado: Friendly Advice
Ink - Gina K Color Companions Black Onyx
Color - Derwent Inktense Watercolor pencils

Watercolor Daffodils for Mothering Sunday

Now if you follow my blog at all or just want to scan down a few entries you will probably realize you have already seen this image...

I, however, have to share the story behind this card.  I shall be brief.

1. Follow the fantastic Frugalcrafter Lindsay's tutorial on how to draw and watercolor daffodils. Check.
2. Post it on blog. Check.
3. Put in box to make into Mothering Sunday card for MIL so it will be on time. Check.
4. Forget to look up when Mothering Sunday is in England.  Check.
5. Find out it is Mothering Sunday in England the day before Mothering Sunday. Check.
6. Pull out watercolored Daffodils and mount on cheerful cardstock and stamp greeting.  Check.
7. Blog about it several weeks later. Check.

So here are the small amendments.  When it was already late I went with less is more.

Ingredients

Card size - 8.5 in x 5.5 in 

Cardstock - Watercolor paper; Recollections

Stamps - Hero Arts "Celebrate Everyday" ? (doesn't have a name on the packaging that I can find

Ink - Memento (? Bamboo?)