Blended Bloom gets a wash!

A new single stamp in this year's catalog, Blended Bloom, jumped into my online cart the first time I saw it.  It is a gorgeous image to color in -- either with the Blendabilities markers like I did here, or several different techniques -- like this Water color splash technique like we did at my last class or embossing it in white embossing powder on black card stock and coloring parts of it in with the Blendabilities markers -- stay tuned for a post on that technique later.  (Here is another link with all the detailed instructions of how to do this technique.)  A cute side note -- at my first scrap booking class after the new catalog came out, a long time customer of mine saw cards I had made with the Blended Bloom stamp and said, "Oh, I knew you would get that stamp!  I saw that stamp and said "THAT is a 'Beth' stamp."  I will admit, this stamp makes me happy. :)

This was a card we made at my stampers club earlier this month.  Besides the watercolor splash technique, I showed my peeps how to use the Daffodil Delight Blendabilities markers to color on top of the white embossing in the center of the flower to make that stunning center look so realistic.  Hard to see in this photo, but we also stamped the background of the card base with the same Blended Bloom image in Versamark to create that water mark look -- i.e. another use for the Versamark pad.  Those cute leaves are cut using the Autumn Accents die.  I showed how to use a stylus to create "veins" in the leaves to make them look more realistic, as well as sponging the leaf edges to add color depth.  Simple, but adds a wow factor.  Of course, I used the Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and matching framelits to create the little sentiments.  AND some Dazzling Details to add some sparkle to the flower centers.  The colors used on this card are: Rich Razzleberry, Mossy Meadow (a new In Color), Blushing Bride, and Shimmery White card stock for the flower part.  Important note: you DO need the shimmery white card stock to achieve this look with this technique.  Something about the way it resists water or something.

If you haven't checked out this weeks "weekly deals", you simply must!  The  Gift Bow Bigz Die is 25% off this week!  Besides making, well, bows... check out the adorable snowman or these santas or my favorite -- these little angel ornaments.  Such clever projects really thinking outside the box.  To see the weekly deals, click on the link below and then on the Shop button from my website.

Happy Wednesday to each of you!!!

Fith Avenue Floral's final days in the spotlight!

If you love to watercolor, this is a lovely stamp set for that!  I recently created this card for my Techniques Club class to show the "watercolor splash" technique, AND the retiring fancy fan letterpress plate (which I believe is still available on the retiring accessories list for $4.70 or something like that!)  Anyways, onto the card!

For the gorgeous "water color splash" rose, emboss the large rose image on shimmery white card stock with Versamark ink and white embossing powder.  Then roughly trim around the image, put it in a plastic tray, and spritzed it liberally with water (if you're wondering whether you've got enough water or not, spritz some more!).  Touch the tip of your aqua painter into a drop of More Mustard re-inker ink and touch it to your (now curled and wet) rose image -- if there's enough water, you will see the ink spread out through the water pooled on the project.  Let it spread around, and help it a little if you like.  Next, dip your painter in Ridinghood Red re-inker and work the color from the outside in, so the darkest is on the outside, and lighter towards the center.  When you're happy with the color, let it dry -- or use your heat tool to speed the process along. Remember, if your color isn't spreading enough, it means you need more water.  Finally, trim closely around your rose and adhere to your project.  You can use any combination of re-inkers you desire -- using a lighter color towards the center, and darker towards the outside.

Now for the fancy fan letterpress plate -- I haven't used this plate much, but the technique is very cool!  Use chocolate chip craft ink to fully ink up your letterpress plate.  Lay chocolate chip card stock panel on top of plate, and put it through the Big Shot using the recommended sandwich:
Multipurpose platform on tab 2
letterpress plate
card stock
cutting pad
card stock shim to create a deeper impression

Craft ink works better than classic ink with the letterpress plates, as it is more opaque and adheres more evenly to the plates.  If you want a white background using the plate, I suggest using watercolor paper as it is thicker and gives you a more defined, textured background than the thinner Whisper White card stock.

Of course, the leaves are the little sizzlitt leaf die, and that lovely pleated satin ribbon was in the last mini catalog. 

I hope you'll try some water color splashing in your craft room this week! :)