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