Colouring 101 - Beautiful Blendabilities

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a fabulous weekend.  My hubby and I got to have our belated Valentine's celebration last night with dinner at one of our favourite local restaurants.  The perfect way to end the weekend :)
Today I have my final post in my series on colouring.  I'm all about the Blendabilities today.  Since these awesome tools were released last spring I have used little else to colour my stamped images.  It was good to go back to my blender pens and water colouring for this series, as it has reminded me just how wonderful each medium can be, depending on the look I want.  So, here are some projects using my beloved Blendabilities:

Birthday card featuring the Bloom with Hope stamp set with sentiment from Blooming with Kindness

For this one I stamped the flower images from the Bloom with Hope hostess-exclusive stamp set using Memento Tuxedo black ink.  I coloured them using the Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight assortment Blendabilities sets. I used Old Olive for the leaves and stems.  The background layer of Basic Black is embossed using the Pretty Print (retired) TIEF. 

The sentiment is from the Blooming with Kindness set and is heat embossed in gold and die-cut using the Apothecary Accents framelits.  The wee butterfly is punched from gold foil card stock using the Bitty Butterfly punch and embellshed with rhinestones.

.Here is another project featuring the Blended Bloom stamp.  I kept the same Calypso Coral colour scheme as on the projects from my previous posts in this series so that you can see the difference in the colouring media.

Thank you card featuring the Blended Bloom stamp with sentiment from Sassy Salutations

I stamped the Blended Bloom image in Memento Tuxedo black ink and coloured it using the Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight Blendabilities assortments.  The sentiment, from Sassy Salutations is also stamped in Tuxedo Black ink.  The edge of the panel is embossed using the Delicate Designs TIEF and embellished with some ribbon from the Best Year Ever Sale-a-bration Accessory pack.

So now the question is:  Which colouring media do you like best?  In case you missed them, here are the previous projects using the Blended Bloom set for easy comparison:

Coloured using a Blender pen and ink pads.

Coloured using an Aquapainter and ink pads.

Leave me a comment telling me which one you prefer...I'm interested in hearing your opinion.  Have a great week!

Colouring 101 - Blended Blossoms

Happy Friday!  I sure hope the weather where you are is warmer than it is here!  We are FREEZING at -30C!!  Brrrr...I can't wait for spring!

Today I have some spring flowers to show you.  Yesterday I showed you a couple of projects I coloured using watercolour...today I have some done with blender pens...

Any-occasion card featuring the Love is Kindness stamp.

This is another one of the projects we'll be making at my upcoming Colouring 101 class.  I stamped the Love is Kindness tulips using black Staz-on ink on watercolour paper.  Then I used my blender pen and Strawberry Slush ink pad to colour the blooms on the tulips.  For the leaves I used Wild Wasabi and Old Olive.  I added a hint of Sahara Sand to the newspaper wrapping around the tulips.  I die-cut the label using the Deco Labels framelits. 

The background DSP is from the Subtles Backgrounds DSP stack.  I added a bit of Linen Thread by way of embellishment.  The sentiment is stamped in Wild Wasabi ink, punched with the 1-1/4" circle punch and then matted on a 1-3/8" circle punched from Strawberry Slush card stock.  I used a Strawberry Slush card base.

Here is another sample I did using the Blended Bloom stamp.  I kept the same colour scheme as the watercoloured card I showed you yesterday so that it would be easy to compare the two colouring media.

Thank you card featuring the Blended Bloom and Simply Sketched (retired) stamp sets.

For this one I used Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight inks with my blender pen.  Once again I stamped the image in black Staz-on, which is necessary so as not to run the ink with the blender pen.  The sentiment is stamped in Crumb Cake ink, punched with the Large Oval punch and matted on a scallop oval in Calypso Coral.

Be sure to stop by on Monday when I'll feature projects coloured with Blendabilities, as my Colouring 101 series wraps up!  Have a great weekend!!

Colouring 101 - Wonderful Watercolour

Since the release of Stampin' Up's Blendabilities alcohol-based markers I have gotten away from using some of my other favourite colouring media.  It occured to me that perhaps some of you might be in the same situation, so I decided to do a series of posts highlighting different colouring media offered by Stampin' Up. 
Today I'm all about watercolour.  I have to admit this is still one of my favourite ways to colour stamped images.  It is quick and easy to blend colour and creates a soft look that is very appealing to me.  Here is a project I created using an Aquapainter and my classic ink pads for my upcoming Colouring 101 class:

Any-occasion card featuring the Bloom with Hope Hostess stamp set and sentiment from the Million and One set.

I love the sketched look of the images in the Bloom with Hope hostess set...they are perfect for watercolouring!  The key to successfully watercoloured images is to use Watercolour Paper.  Using regular card stock just leads to warped paper, poorly blended colour and generally unsatisfactory results.  On this card I stamped the flower and leaf images in black Staz-On ink.  I coloured the flowers using ink from the Rich Razzleberry ink pad and an Aqua painter.  (One may also use a small paintbrush and water for this look, but I have found it difficult to control the amount of water I am using with that method.  I much prefer the Aqua painter for watercolouring.) I added a little bit of Blackberry Bliss ink to add darker highlights on the flowers, blending it with the lighter shade as I went.  The centre of the flowers is coloured using Crushed Curry ink.  For the leaves I used Old Olive ink.

Once the images had completely dried I stamped the spatters using the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set and gold metallic ink.  The sentiment, from the Million and One stamp set, is heat embossed in gold.  The coloured panel is mounted on a Blackberry Bliss card base.

Here is another card I did using watercolour that features the Blended Bloom stamp...

On this one I used Calypso Coral ink for the petals and Daffodil Delight for the centre of the flower.

Stay tuned tomorrow...I'll have some projects coloured using a Blender pen to show you...it gives a completely different look!

Only Two More Sleeps...

...till Christmas Day!  There is still so much to do, but the excitement certainly is growing in our household!  Each new gift that appears under the tree must be shaken, sniffed and carefully examined to determine its contents.  Christmas sure is fun with a 7-year-old in the house! 
I have been so busy shopping, baking and wrapping gifts that I haven't had much time to play in my stamp room (unless you count the hours spent wrapping!).  I do want to show you the third project I designed for my Blendabilities Club this month...

Any Occasion card featuring the Blended Bloom and A Dozen Thoughts stamp sets.

Can you believe I achieved that soft watercolour look with Blendabilities??  Its SO easy!  First of all, I stamped the Blended Bloom image in Melon Mambo ink.  Did you know that there are several Classic ink colours that work with Blendabilities?  Check out the list below:

• Always Artichoke
• Baked Brown Sugar
• Blushing Bride
• Calypso Coral
• Coastal Cabana
• Crisp Cantaloupe
• Crumb Cake
• Crushed Curry
• Daffodil Delight
• Garden Green
• Hello Honey
• Marina Mist
• Melon Mambo
• Lost Lagoon
• Old Olive
• Pear Pizzazz
• Pink Pirouette
• Pistachio Pudding
• Pool Party
• Pumpkin Pie
• Sahara Sand
• Smoky Slate
• So Saffron
• Soft Sky
• Tangelo Twist
• Tangerine Tango
• Tempting Turquoise
• Wild Wasabi
• Wisteria Wonder

 Now, to create the soft colour, begin by colouring 4-5 petals at a time with the lightest shade of Melon Mambo Blendabilities.  Then go over each petal with the Colour Lifter, working in a circular motion using the fine tip.  Be sure to only work 4-5 petals at a time, so as not to allow the ink to set completely...it is much easier to lift the colour when it is still damp.  I really worked the folded parts of the petals to achieve a very light shade of pink.

For the centre of the flower I coloured the stamens using the lightest shade, but didn't use the colour lifter on them.  The area between the stamens and the centre of the flower I coloured with the medium shade of Melon Mambo Blenda's.  The centre is coloured with the lightest shade of Old Olive Blenda's and then lightened further with the Colour Lifter.
The rest of this card is pretty simple.  I used the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF to emboss the background and the Circles Framelits to create the cut-out for the bloom.  The sentiment is from the A Dozen Thoughts set and is stamped in Pear Pizzazz ink.  I used some Melon Mambo 1/8" Taffeta ribbon by way of embellishment.  The entire card is on a Pear Pizzazz card base.

I kept the inside very simple to allow lots of space to write, stamping the Blended Bloom image twice in Melon Mambo ink.

Now for today's Weekly Deals...these prices are good until Monday at midnight.

A Fitting Occasion Wood Stamp Set Price: $46.95 Sale: $35.21	Be The Star Wood-Mount Stamp Set Price: $35.95  Sale: $26.96	Blushing Bride Baker's Twine Price: $3.95  Sale:  $2.96	Chalk Talk Framelits Die Price: $30.95  Sale: $23.21
Chocolate Chip 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Price: $12.50   Sale: $9.38	Midnight Cheer Ensemble - Digital Download Price: $10.95  Sale:  $6.57	Oh My Goodies Wood-Mount Stamp Set Price: $30.95  Sale: $23.21	Squares Collection Framelits Die Price: $32.95  Sale: $24.71

Miss Me?

Did you miss me?  I've been away up north at my parents' all week.  I had planned to post while there but their Internet access was sketchy at best, so I've pretty much been off the grid for the last seven days.  It was a nice way to enjoy my last few days of freedom...next week it is school work and preparations for the new school year which begins September 2nd.
Today I have another one of the projects for the first month of my Blendabilities club.  Check it out...

Any-occasion card featuring the Blended Bloom and Tag Talk stamp sets.

I really like the look of the Blended Bloom image stamped on Typeset DSP and then shaded with the Calypso Coral Blendabilities.  To add definition to the centre of the flower I left part of it unshaded, allowing the colour of the DSP to act as a highlight.

The sentiment label is from the new Tag Talk set in the Annual Catalogue.  I love that it gives a chalkboard look.  I heat embossed it in black to give it a bit of a sheen and added a couple of rhinestones for some bling.

If you haven't joined my Blendabilities club yet there's still time!  Check out the details here and sign up today!

It's My Blog-aversary!

Today my little blog turns FOUR!  I had no idea when I started writing about my love of papercrafting back in 2010 that I would still be going strong four years later!  As you can see, to celebrate the occasion, I gave my blog a makeover over the weekend, designing a new header using My Digital Studio and changing up the font and colour scheme.  I am thrilled with the result...new and fresh and ready for another 4 years!  I also have a bit of blog candy to give away...after all, what would a birthday party be without a loot bag?!?  More on that below...but first I have, appropriately, a birthday card to show you.  This is one of the projects that is included with the first month's kit for my Blendabilities Club members.  Check it out:

Birthday card featuring the Blended Bloom stamp with sentiment from Sassy Salutations.

I LOVE my Calypso Coral Blenabilities!  The shades blend so perfectly it makes colouring so easy.  It is the perfect set with which to start my club off.

Because my club members will start with just the one colour set I kept my flower monochromatic, but was able to get lots of shading with the three markers and the Colour Lifter (also included in the first month's kit).  So?  Have you joined the club yet?  What are you waiting for?  Click HERE for all the details.

Now for some birthday loot!

I'm giving away the items pictured above:  Artisan Embellishments Kit, Print Poetry DSP stack and Vintage Verses WM stamp set.  So, how do you win this little bundle of goodies?  Simple!  Leave a comment on today's post with your thoughts on my blog makeover and/or what you think of the new Blendabilities alcohol markers.  I will randomly select one lucky winner from all who leave a comment.  You have until Friday, August 15th to leave your comment.  I will announce the winner on Saturday, August 16th.  Good luck!

Blended Paperpieced Bloom

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a fabulous weekend!!  The weather here was simply perfect once again, but I was busy in my soon-to-be craft room most of the weekend.  My little piece of stamping heaven is coming along.  It won't be long till the big reveal...stay tuned ;)
I was so busy I completely forgot to post my project for this week's challenge over at The Technique Twist.  This time we are working on 3D Paperpiecing...a fussy, labour intensive technique that we experimented with to find ways to make it a little less daunting.  Here is my take on it:

Thank you card featuring the Blended Bloom and Banner Banter stamp sets

Instead of colouring the entire image, I paper-pieced different patterns of DSP for the various layers of the flower.  Here is a side-view:

I added shadows and coloured the centre with Coastal Cabana and Daffodil Delight Blendabilities.  To get the dimension I burnished the wrong side of the layers with a stylus on a piercing mat.  It causes the paper to curl ever so slightly...you have to take care not to press too hard when burnishing so as not to tear the paper.

The sentiment in the banner is from the new Banner Banter stamp set.  I love all the little sentiments that fit perfectly inside the Banner punch.  For the background I used the Pretty Print TIEF (retired)...sure wish that one was still available...it is one of my favourites!
I used a few little In-colour sequins and some Hello Honey stain ribbon to pretty this one up.  What's not to love about ribbon and bling??