Weekend Challenge Combo #2

Today's combo of challenges is the Featured Stamper Challenge on SplitCoastStampers and Sharon's Stamp Simply Challenge.

The Featured Stamper (#110) for this week just happens to be my stamping buddy, Stacy.  I chose her "Lighthouse Scraps" card to CASE.

I used a white mat that was a part of the Stamp Simply #78 challenge.

Elements Kept:

• lighthouse and scripture theme
• layout

Elements Changed:

• Color scheme
• stamps (SU! and Inkadinkadoo instead of ODBD)
• moved the ribbon

I hope you take the time to check out Stacy's Gallery and Blog.  She is a talented stamper and a SUPER sweet and sincere person.  It will be worth your time.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Back in the Saddle

Well, the watercolor saddle.

I used to watercolor very often and since my colored pencils came onto the scene--I have gotten out of the habit. But last night I needed to unwind a bit (Christmas Stress) and I figured watercoloring was the ticket.

I also needed a few sympathy cards. I think simple is best for sympathy cards. So I just used this lighthouse stamp from Inkadinkadoo on some watercolor paper made into a card. This one is for my brother in law who lost his mom right before Thanksgiving. (Simple not flowery).


I also thought this was the perfect time to try out my new stamps from Starving Artistamps. These equestrian images are perfect for a family friend who is across the country going to the police academy. She has waited so long to get into an academy (there have not been any in Michigan due to budget constraints). She is entering *Hell Week* according to her parents. I hope this card can take her mind off of her stress for at least a moment. She loves horses (being away from her horse will probably be the hardest part of the academy). I am certain she will be able to relate to the sentiment!!




This last card is because I remembered that Tracey over at Starving Artistamps needs card in the portrait orientation rather than the landscape orientation. So I re-did the same design but in the other direction. I am so glad I did--because I like it much better. It wasn't the direction my instinct let me to go--but it is better!

I really like the sun stamp. I misted the stamp, colored it with watercolor crayons, re-misted it, then stamped it on misted watercolor paper. With the mistings, the colors ran a bit--giving the illusion of a hot midday sun. (Something that is lacking here in northern Michigan).

I made multiples of each card (it is that time of year when I need multiples of everything). And when I had completed watercoloring each card--I was a calmer person. Probably from visiting the summer shore and the hot prairie--and I never left my home.

Simply Sendable II

Here is another flattish card--It does have ribbon and dimensionals, but is fairly easy to put in an envelope and hopefully will not require extra postage. (note-The card and the stamping are straight--it is my photography that is askew)



I used a wet watercolor technique on this. Using a watercolor brush and water I went over many of the areas of the stamped image (stamped in Bravo Burgundy)---blurring and coloring as I went. I also watercolored a bit with some Regal Rose ink. Normally when I watercolor I like to use SU!'s Ivory or White naturals, or watercolor paper. But the detail on this stamp was so fine that it just looked smeary on the rougher paper.



The sentiment at the bottom was stamped with Bravo Burgundy Craft ink, embossed, then I applied Pearl Ex, and then re-heated it (the technique is called *heated pearls*). The *faith* is much shinier and much more readable in real life.



Materials Used--

• Stamps-Lighthouse (Inkadinkadoo); Swirls (Autumn Leaves); Graceful Words (SU!-retired);


• Paper-Very Vanilla, Bravo Burgundy, Regal Rose (SU!);


• Ink-Bravo Burgundy Classic/dye and Craft/pigment and Regal Rose Classic;


• Accessories-Coluzzle templates, sponge, distressing tool, Stickles, dimensionals, ribbon

There will be a couple more in this series--stay tuned.

Simply Sendable

It is that time of year. The time when my *studio* (really a wide hallway--but it makes me feel good to call it a studio) turns into Santa's workshop.



The first project is my dear sweet mother-in-law (NOT tongue in cheek--she really is sweet). She and my father-in-law really enjoy lighthouses. So I picked up this lighthouse stamp by Inkadinkadoo at Hobby Lobby (with a coupon-of course) in the interests of making items for my MIL.

Here is my first card--it is flat--very flat---
Can you believe it?? No Hardware! No Ribbon! No Flowers! No Dimensionals! Not even a Jewel!!

I used Prismacolor pencils to color the image and then stamped Linen Background over top of it. There is a touch of Stickles on the lighthouse's light.

Materials Used:

• Stamps: Lighthouse (Inkadinkadoo), Linen and Warmest Regards (SU!)
• Paper: White CS (Georgia Pacific), Basic Black, Not quite Navy, and Garden Green (SU!)
• Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Going Grey (SU!)
• Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, LOMS (Low-Odor Mineral Spirits), Stickles

Stay tuned for more Lighthouse cards!!