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Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Have a Beautiful Day!

My friend, Zoe (who taught me how to blog, how to be on a Design Team, how to run a blog and basically everything else when I was such a newbie) is having a birthday in the beginning of April.  Since she lives across the big pond I've already mailed this card out and I'm hoping she doesn't peek! I hope you like the design ~



What I Used to Make my Card:
Sparkly Green Card Base (out of a kit from years ago)
Unity Stamp, ...bunches of love, UK-669A (739)
Ranger Archival ink in Jet Black
Distress Markers in Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon, Festive                                 Berries, Ripe Persimmon, Carved Pumpkin, Lucky Clover and                             Wilted Violet
Water Brush
Watercolor Paper
Craft Mat (Enabler alert - this link will take you to a cheap source for mats)
MISTI

I stamped the beautiful flowers image on some watercolor paper using Jet Black ink.  I scribbled my markers on my craft mat (which I have to tell you, was massively cheaper at the link above. I got enough to cut into 4 separate mats and now I have them everywhere) and picked up the color with my detail water brush. 

Close Up of the Flowers
One thing I have learned using the water brush is that after you test the brush, ensuring the water is flowing, be aware of the amount of water left on the tip.  I've soaked away many a color because I dipped the very flowing water brush onto the color and then 
the color on the paper was so washed out it wasn't visible. I always have a piece of paper towel handy when I am using watercolor mediums - I'd rather have the brush too dry than too wet.  Then you have to wait for it to dry (did you know that drying your colors between adding more works wonderfully when using Distress Markers? Even if you are adding more of the same color the color builds better on dry paper. Disclaimer: Each water color medium works differently! Know the properties of the one you are using!)

After I was done with the flowers, I used my MISTI to center the sentiment.  I
Just another look
have to confess, when the image isn't even (like this floral spray) the sentiment never looks properly placed to me.  It makes me nuts.  I literally have to ask another opinion, or I just go with my gut.  The images are hand drawn and that's why I like them, because they aren't perfect.  Why do I expect my creations using those images will be perfect? Another age old question I think all crafters struggle with one way or another.  Enough prattling on.  I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial and that you are tempted to bring out some flowers and play a bit! Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Have a Beautiful Day card in the following challenges:
The Artistic Stamper (March) - Spring
Do-Al(l) Kreatives (March) - #3, Spring
Paradise of Stamps (March) - #54, Spring
The Flower Challenge (March) - #6, Anything Goes 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Bit 'o Green
City Crafter - #353, Spring is Around the Corner
613 Avenue Create - (March) #195, AG w/ Optional Twist: Use Rubber 
Stamping Sensations - (March) Close to Nature
Alphabet Challenge - Z is for Zero Embellishments 
Art Impressions - #203, Let's Watercolor
DL Art Thankful Thursday - #200, Flowers 

24 comments:

  1. Your Card is really fine. Like it.
    Thanks for playing along with our challenge #3 at Do-Al(l) Kreatives and good luck! Hope you will join us next month again.

    Hugs
    Alex
    *DT + Admin* Do-Al(l) Kreatives
    Alex' Kreative Seite

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  2. A really super floral creation with great stamping and colouring, many thanks for sharing with us at Stamping Sensations 'Close to Nature' challenge.

    B x

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  3. Love the bright blooms on your fab CAS card.
    Thanks for joining us at the Alphabet Challenge. :)

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  4. Oh she'll love it! beautiful card for our challenge!! Thanks so much for playing along at CCCB!!

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  5. Such a beautiful card for your friend! I love those flowers! Thanks for playing along with us at DL.ART Challenges!

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  6. Beautiful CAS card, I love that image! Thanks for joining us at Alphabet Challenge Blog.
    Hugs, Tammy

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  7. Your card is nicely designed and very pretty. Thanks for sharing with us at 613 Avenue Create.

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  8. Wonderful card. Love all the details and the beautiful colouring with all the shades. Thanks for joining us at Do-Al(l) Creatives.
    Hugs Heidi

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  9. Lovely creation and pretty colouration.

    Thanks for playing along with our Do-Al(l) Kreatives Challenge and good luck!

    Hugs and "Have a beautiful day" :-)
    Doris
    Kleido’s BastelStüble
    *Owner* Do-Al(l) Kreatives (#3 – Spring)
    *DT* Die Sketchtanten

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  10. Gorgeous card Christi, [without my DT hat on]. I love your card and don't you love the misti, makes stamping so much easier...I am now following you ..x ♥[aNNie]

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  11. So beautifully simple, Christi! I love your gorgeous coloring of those flowers. Well done, my friend. :-D

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  12. Your friend will be thrilled when she receives your gorgeous card. And it's perfect for our challenge! Thanks so much for joining us at CCCB!

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  13. Love your card, really nice colour choices. Thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations.

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  14. Such a pretty card Christi. Thanks for sharing with us over at 'The Flower Challenge' and we hope to see you again soon ;) Viv DT xx

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  15. Bsautiful card Christi, the flowers look perfect with the sentiment. Very talented. Thank you so much for joing us at The Flower Challenge Aileen DT

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  16. Your friend will love the beautiful floral card you colored especially for her. Thank you for joining the DL.ART Linky Challenge

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  17. A lovely card.
    Thank you for joining us at Paradise of Stamps.
    xxx Plony (DT)

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Thank you so much for your comments! I read each and every one :)