Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Studio Calico - Central High Card Kit Revealed!

Just dropping in to share my cards from this months Studio Calico kit release...  Central High.  For my projects I've used the Central High Card Kit, the Style Guide add-on, the Road Show add-on and the Register add-on.  You will find links to supplies below.  Now, to get started...
This card features the card kit only.  Love this exclusive Lawn Fawn stamp set!
A shot of the inside pocket.
Card kit and Road Show add-on.
Style Guide and Road Show add-ons.
Featuring the Style Guide add-on stamp set.  The "happy" alpha letters are actually from the Central High main kit.
The stamp set from the Register add-on and embellishments from the Style Guide and Road Show add-ons.
Last but now least, the background stamp from the Road Show add-on.
There you have it!  Thanks for checking these out and have a super day!

Maile




Saturday, August 25, 2012

Studio Calico - Central High Card Kit Sneaks

Just quickly dropping in today... to share my first Studio Calico sneak peeks with you!  I've been having so much fun creating with the Septembers Central High card kit and I can't wait to share my entire projects with you.  But, until then, here are a few peeks of the card kit as well as the Style Guide and Road Show add-ons...
There you have it... I hope you've enjoyed!  All will all be available on August 27... that's just around the corner!   I'll be back just after that with the full reveal.

Thanks for stopping by!
Maile

Friday, August 17, 2012

Watercolor Wonder

Thanks for joining me today for this weeks Papertrey Ink Design Team Tip!

Watercolor is becoming wildly popular these days.  I’ve seen it popping up everywhere… from wedding/party décor, invitations, fashion, fabrics, home décor and paper goods (just to name a few). It's amazing what a little wash of color can do and it doesn’t take an artist to create a watercolor masterpiece!  I am in LOVE with this effect and I’ve been exploring a few techniques. So, let me share...

A watercolor effect can be achieved with, of course, watercolor paints.  But if you are like me and don't own any, there are other options.  Dawn McVey has a video on how to use your Papertrey Ink ink pads here.  I've opted to use bottled spray inks/color misters.  These are good for a high saturation of color, which was the look I was going for.

Let's get started shall we?!...
I was going for a watercolor panel on this card.  I began by heat embossing the flower and vase image, from the Sunflower Bouquet stamp set, in white. Then over that, I began with the lightest color and started painting in the top left corner.  Using back and forth strokes, I moved diagonally along the card front switching between colors until I reached the bottom corner.
Once dry... I embellished the card front with fine linen buttons and twine.

Just like above... I heat embossed a sentiment, from the Thanks All Ways stamp set, in white.
Using back and forth strokes I began to paint from just above the sentiment; allowing the color to fade and the brush to dry, as I painted down to the bottom.  I then repeated the process a time or two.
Using four different sized brushes, I painted lines across the card front in a simple back and forth motion.  Wasn't being too precise here.
Once dry... I stamped a sentiment from the Autumn Acorns stamp set.
This cheery card began by painting free form circles using different sized brushes.  Simply swirl the brush around a few times, giving each circle a neat layered-color look.

Once dry...  I stamped a sentiment from the Beautiful Butterflies stamp set and embellished with coordinating buttons.

Last, but not least...  this time I took my largest brush and pounced the color on.  Sort of like bouncing the brush up and down and swirling a bit to give the spots of color a more random look.
Once dry... I stamped the same flower image as above, from the Sunflower Bouquet stamp set, and a Think Big Favorites #19 sentiment in black ink. 

Here are a few handy tips:
  • For best results use watercolor paper or heavy weight cardstock (I've used both for today's cards and have achieved the same results with each).
  • When painting with spray inks, I chose to dip my wet brush directly into the bottle and scrape excess back into it.
  • Use a combination of different sized brushes.
  • When painting over a heat embossed image, wait until the paint is absorbed (but not quit dry) before wiping the embossing clean with a tissue.
  • Warping of the cardstock will happen.  So create your watercolor masterpiece on a block of cardstock that is cut to your desired size.  Once it is completely dry, attached the painted block to a card base using a good/strong adhesive. 
  • Take the time to play around and make discoveries.  Quickest way to learn this technique is to just do it. 
  • Remember... there are no mistakes!  Any mishaps just add to the uniqueness of your masterpiece.  :)
I've found a ton of inspiration via Pinterest and I've rounded them up, for you and I to refer to, here.

So go ahead! Pull out your watercolors, ink pads or spray inks and see what you come up with.  I do warn you though... be prepared to get messy.  Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by.
Maile




Sunflower Watercolor Panel Card
InLinkz.com

Thanks For Everything Card

InLinkz.com

Celebrate Today Card

InLinkz.com

Happy Birthday Card



Enjoy Card
 
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