Happy Birthday!

Seems birthdays are popping up like the weeds are! I am trying to be better at sending birthday cards this year.  This card was made from a background that I made myself.  I hope you like it! 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Kaleidacolor Pad in Spectrum
Red Lead Paperworks Story Stamps "A Handmade Story" (discontinued)
Embossing Fluid
White Detail Embossing Powder from Simon Says Stamp
Clean Color Markers in Violet, Light Violet, Persian Blue, Orange, Pink, Carmine Red, May Green and Yellow
Paper Smooches Wise Dies, Streamers, #KFBD029
Quietfire Designs Happy Birthday Plain & Simple, #5899
MISTI
Pop Dots

I've seen so many cards using white embossing powder and watercolor that I had to try it.  It took me a while to find a flower that was small enough to work in the design I wanted and, unfortunately, the stamp set is discontinued.  I'm sure you have something you could use; it doesn't have to be a flower. I struggled a bit with placement as it's hard to see where you have already stamped with the embossing ink.  Even with the slight pink tint mine has it wasn't easy.  Luckily, I didn't over stamp and once the white detail embossing powder was on and heated up I was very pleased with the background.  I used the tried and true scribble and watercolor technique but instead of using a detail water brush I used an actual brush.  I don't know the number (most of my brushes are so old all distinguishing marks are long gone) but it was tiny.  I then added more color to the inside of the flower and blended it out a bit.  You can see what I mean in the photo above.

Another Look

After the background was done I didn't do anything with it for a while.  I worked so hard on it, and while I totally enjoyed coloring the flowers, I didn't want to use it as just any old card.  Then I realized that a very good friend had a birthday coming up on St. Patrick's Day (that'd be NanaConnie - Visit her blog and say Happy Birthday - I'll wait.)  Perfect use of the watercolor background I made! I just mounted the panel on a white card and then made the Happy Birthday banner using a Kaleidacolor pad, my MISTI and the Paper Smooches dies.  I just have to say, while Kaleidacolor pads may initially seem expensive compared to other ink pads I have had my Spectrum pad since I started stamping.  That's about 19 years now and I have never had to reink it or had any problem with it.  Pretty good deal if you ask me.  Anyway, I attached the banner die cut on the card using Pop Dots.  

I loved making this background so much I ordered some stamp sets specifically for the little flowers and leaves - they should be so cool using this technique! Another one I've seen around lately is using colored pencils on Kraft cardstock. I haven't tried that one yet but the results I've seen are spectacular.  Thank you so much for stopping by - I appreciate your visits, comments and support.  Did you know I am on Pinterest? And, I am trying to figure out Instagram (yes, I am feeling old right about now.)  Let's connect! Fondly, Christi

PS: Happy St. Patrick's Day :) 

I am entering my Happy Birthday card in the following challenges:
Make My Monday - #41, Colors of the Rainbow
Die Cuttin' Diva's - #308, Rainbow
Inky Chicks - #80, Flowers
The Flower Challenge - #6, Anything Goes w/ Flowers (#2)
STAMPlorations Monthly Challenge - (M) Sketch and/or Spring (I used Spring) 
DL ART Thankful Thursday - #200, Flowers (#2)

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