Faux Watercolour For GDP#072 Case The Designer Challenge

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Faux Watercolour For GDP#072 Case The Designer Challenge

gdp072

Hello and welcome everyone! Today I’m back with my entry for Global Design Project. This week’s challenge is ‘CASE the Designer’ – we are casing extremely talented Krista Frattin.

If you’re not sure what ‘CASE’ stands for, at least in crafty world, here are few decipherings: Copy And Selectively Edit or Copy And Share Everything. Generally speaking, it means that you take inspiration from someone else’s project, like colours, layout, stamp set used, etc, and add your own twist to it.

I really loved this simple layout and toned palette with a little pop of colour, so this is what I ‘borrowed’ from Krista’s card. But I’ve decided to use a new stamp set from Stampin’ Up! Spring Summer Catalogue called Special Reason.

anna-stampin-cave-stampin-up-special-reason-stamp-set-watercolour-with-masking

Faux Watercolour Special Reason card dimensions:

  • Very Vanilla cardstock: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
  • Sahara Sand cardstock: 4″x 5-6/8″(10,2 x 14,5 cm)
  • Water Colour Paper: 2″ x 3″ (briefly as it will be die-cut later)
  • Flirty Flaming Ruched Ribbon: length 6″ approx
  • Very Vanilla Lace Trim: length 6″ approx

I began with dry embossing Sahara Sand panel with a Festive embossing folder. I love this design as it’s really versatile. For my card, I’ve used de-bossed side. I added Flirty Flamingo Ruched ribbon to the panel, briefly in the middle, and secure it at the back with snail adhesive. Next, I added Very Vanilla Lace Trim on top of it, slightly overlapping both ribbons so Flirty Flamingo was peeking from underneath the lace. I adhered my panel to the card base with liquid adhesive and red-lined tape where the ribbons were for extra security.

To create my focal point I’ve used few great techniques: watercolour, faux watercolour, rock’n’roll, masking and partial die-cutting.

anna-stampin-cave-special-reason-stamp-set-by-stampin-up

I started with stamping my flower onto watercolour paper. I loaded my stamp with Blushing Bride Ink and then ‘rocking’ my stamp I added Flirty Flamingo only on the edges of the stamp – that’s rock’n’roll technique, super easy hey? Once I stamped the image, I took an aqua painter and started blending both colours on each petal creating a faux watercolour effect. I also added Flirty Flamingo ink to the centre of the flower. I build up the colour (but I let it dry completely between layers) by adding more Flirty Flamingo to the top of each petal and blending it down with an aqua painter.

Next, I created a mask. I stamped the same flower onto a post-it note and fussy cut it. I stuck it to my watercolour flower (first, make sure it’s dry) and using Stamp-a-ma-jig I stamped two leaves in Sahara Sand, one below, and one on the side of my flower. Using same faux watercolour technique I blended the ink on my leaves, being careful not to lose subtle veins detail. I also created a leaf mask and added another leaf at the bottom of the flower.

anna-stampin-cave-stampin-up-special-reason-stamp-set-watercolour

Not taking off the masks, and with help of Stamp-a-ma-jig again, I stamped another flower. This time I only used Blushing Bride ink for a softer shade. But still added a hint of Flirty Flamingo ink to the edges of petals while blending them with water.

Before die-cutting my piece, I decided to add a little bit of shading beneath my composition. Nothing fancy, just a subtle watercolour wash with Sahara Sand ink and aqua painter. I love how it added an extra dimension to my piece.

To die-cut my watercolour panel I’ve used a second smallest square (1-5/8″) from Stitched Shapes Thinlits Dies. But this is a rectangle, you say. Yes, I know, but I extended my die using partial die cutting technique (if you want to know how to do it, please leave me a comment below). The final piece measure 1-5/8″ x 2-5/8″ (4.2 x 6.7 cm).

I assembled my watercolour panel using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

anna-stampin-cave-stampin-up-special-reason-stamp-set

I really like how this card turned out. No need for extra embellishments, it’s beautiful as it is. I hope you like it too, and that I inspired you to try some of the techniques I showed, especially mess-free, faux watercolour.

I really want to encourage you to check the Global Design Project challenge blog. They have a new challenge every week with various themes and extremely talented Design Team – they will simply blow your mind with their creativity! Just click on their logo below to visit the website

gdp_blog_header

As always, if you wish to purchase any of the products I have used, simply click the images below to go directly to my online shop.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

 

Special Reason Wood-Mount Stamp Set

Special Reason Wood-Mount Stamp Set
[142899]
£25.00

Special Reason Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Special Reason Clear-Mount Stamp Set
[142902]
£18.00

Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies
[145372]
£27.00

Festive Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Festive Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
[141471]
£7.75

Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock

Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock
[106550]
£8.25

Sahara Sand A4 Card Stock

Sahara Sand A4 Card Stock
[121695]
£7.25

Watercolor Paper

Watercolor Paper
[122959]
£4.50

Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad

Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin’ Pad
[141397]
£6.00

Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad

Blushing Bride Classic Stampin’ Pad
[131172]
£6.00

Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad

Sahara Sand Classic Stampin’ Pad
[126976]
£6.00

Aqua Painters

Aqua Painters
[103954]
£15.50

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
[101049]
£11.00

Very Vanilla 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Lace Trim

Very Vanilla 1/2″ (1.3 Cm) Lace Trim
[141672]
£6.50

Flirty Flamingo 3/8" (1 Cm) Ruched Ribbon

Flirty Flamingo 3/8″ (1 Cm) Ruched Ribbon
[141426]
£7.25

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

Liquid Multipurpose Glue
[110755]
£3.75

SNAIL Permanent Adhesive

SNAIL Permanent Adhesive
[104332]
£6.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin’ Dimensionals
[104430]
£3.75

Stampin' Trimmer

Stampin’ Trimmer
[129722]
£27.00

Big Shot

Big Shot
[143263]
£99.00

Dragonfly Dreams Stamp Set & Coordinating Dies

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Dragonfly Dreams Stamp Set & coordinating dies

anna-stampin-cave-ink-smooshing-technique-with-dragonfly-dreams-stamp-set-coordinating-dies

For today’s project, I have used once again Dragonfly Dreams Stamp Set and Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies. I love this bundle and either together or separate, I just can’t get enough of it. This time though I decided to revisit two of my favourite techniques: watercolour and ink smooching. Bright colours, Cucumber Crush and Island Indigo, seemed perfect combination for a dragonfly card.

anna-stampin-cave-ink-smooshing-technique-with-dragonfly-dreams-stamp-set-detailed-dragonfly-thinlits-dies

Watercolour Dragonfly card dimensions:

  • Cucumber Crush cardstock: 8-1/4″ x 5-7/8″ scored in half at 4-1/8″ (21 x 14.8 cm scored in half at 10.5 cm)
  • Island Indigo cardstock: 4″x 5-6/8″(10,2 x 14,5 cm)
  • Whisper White cardstock: 3-7/8″ x 5-5/8″ (9.8 x 14.2 cm) and 2-7/8″ x 1/2″(7.4 x 1.3 cm) for a sentiment
  • Scraps of Whisper White, Shimmery White and White Vellum cardstock for die-cutting

First thing first I had to prepare my watercolour panel. And to be honest I risked a bit using regular Whisper White cardstock here.

If you are not confident with water colouring and don’t want to risk, please always use watercolour paper with ink smooshing technique.

I pressed Cucumber Crush ink pad on a craft mat, spritz it with water (not too much) and took a piece of acetate to lift some of this puddle of colour. I smooshed it on my panel and dried it with a heat gun. I repeat this process couple of times, every time drying my panel in-between until I was happy with layers of colour. Next, I switched to Island Indigo but I only added one layer of colour. The last touch was to add few splotches of ink to my panel with help of aqua painter.

anna-stampin-cave-ink-smooshing-technique-with-dragonfly-dreams-stamp-set-detailed-dragonfly-dies

I die cut two dragonflies, one from Whisper White cardstock and one from vellum (without the head) for 3D effect. To colour in cardstock dragonfly I used a very similar technique as previously. I pressed some more of Island Indigo ink on the craft mat, spritz it with water and dabbed the dragonfly straight in the puddle, dried and repeat until I was happy with the colour.

I wanted to add more depth and ‘life’ to my dragonfly, so I sponged the edges of wings and the body with Island Indigo ink. I also added few speckles with bronze metallic Sharpie marker.

While sponging I’ve noticed that the dragonfly was bit ‘flimsy’ (note to myself: if you plan to dab your intricate die-cuts in the puddles of coloured water, use paper with the higher grammage, like watercolour perhaps(!?) lol. So I die-cut just the body of a dragonfly from Shimmery White cardstock, watercolour it, sponged the edges and adhered on top of the dragonfly with liquid adhesive. Next, I adhered the vellum dragonfly underneath, offsetting slightly.

anna-stampin-cave-ink-smooshing-technique-with-dragonfly-dreams-stamp-set-detailed-dragonfly-thinlits

The sentiment I chose comes from the same Dragonfly Dreams stamp set. I stamped it in Versamark on the strip of Whisper White, heat embossed it using Copper Embossing Powder and trimmed it diagonally. The sentiment alone seemed a bit dull so I took a very narrow strip of Whisper White (around 1/8″), dabbed it in Versamark and heat embossed in copper as well. Next, I trimmed it and adhered it to the sentiment, underneath the top edge, so it peeks out slightly.

anna-stampin-cave-ink-smooshing-technique-with-dragonfly-dreams-bundle

To assemble the card I’ve used my favourite Tombow liquid adhesive. I love it because it gives you some wiggle room before it sets. Also, it’s the best for those slightly warped watercolour panels. Next, I’ve added my sentiment in the top right corner using dimensionals. For dragonfly, I’ve used Tombow again. The last touch was to add some extra shimmer to the dragonfly with Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush. You can’t go wrong with this stuff right?!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my project and that it will give some extra ideas of how to use this beautiful Dragonfly Dreams Bundle. I would love to hear what you think in comments below. As always, if you wish to purchase any of products I have used, simply click the images below to go directly to my online shop.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day

Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Bundle

Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Bundle
[144728]
£42.25

Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies

Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies
[142749]
£28.00

Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Stamp Set

Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Stamp Set
[142924]
£19.00

Cucumber Crush A4 Cardstock

Cucumber Crush A4 Cardstock
[138342]
£7.25

Island Indigo A4 Card Stock

Island Indigo A4 Card Stock
[124390]
£7.25

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

Whisper White A4 Card Stock
[106549]
£8.25

White Vellum A4 Card Stock

White Vellum A4 Card Stock
[106584]
£6.00

Shimmery White A4 Card Stock

Shimmery White A4 Card Stock
[121717]
£7.25

Cucumber Crush Classic Stampin' Pad

Cucumber Crush Classic Stampin’ Pad
[138324]
£6.00

Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad

Island Indigo Classic Stampin’ Pad
[126986]
£6.00

Versamark Pad

Versamark Pad
[102283]
£7.75

Embossing Buddy

Embossing Buddy
[103083]
£5.50

Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder

Copper Stampin’ Emboss Powder
[141636]
£4.50

Aqua Painters

Aqua Painters
[103954]
£15.50

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush
[141897]
£7.25

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

Liquid Multipurpose Glue
[110755]
£3.75

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin’ Dimensionals
[104430]
£3.75

Paper Snips Scissors

Paper Snips Scissors
[103579]
£9.00

Stampin' Trimmer

Stampin’ Trimmer
[129722]
£27.00

Big Shot

Big Shot
[143263]
£99.00

Dragonfly Dreams Clean & Simple For GDP#069 Colour Challenge

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Dragonfly Dreams Clean & Simple For GDP#069 Colour Challenge

gdp069

Hello and welcome everyone! Something new from me today as it’s the first time when I bite the bullet and decided to take a part in Colour Challenge over at Global Design Project.

I’ve been following this blog for some time now, just never felt confident enough to join in the fun. But hey! It’s just for fun, right?! And when I saw Delightful Dijon (I really, really love this colour) amongst other colours in this week’s challenge, I just knew: now or never. It’s a great colour combination and as my free choice, I simply used Whisper White.

I didn’t craft much lately due to health issues, but I was eager to use a new stamp set from Stampin’ Up! Spring Summer 2017 Catalogue, called Dragonfly Dreams. It comes with coordinating Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies, as a bundle, and is just beautiful. It seemed perfect for the idea I had in my head.

Just forgive me poor photos. I don’t have any fancy equipment and take my photos in the daylight. But the weather is so miserable since few days down here in Midlands, UK, that it was just impossible to take any decent picture.

anna-stampin-cave-stampin-up-dragonfly-dreams-stamp-set-and-dies-bundle-clean-and-simple-card

‘Nearly Inlay’ Dragonfly Dreams card dimensions:

  • Delightful Dijon cardstock: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
  • Whisper White cardstock: 2 panels 4″x 5-5/8″(10,2 x 14,3 cm)

First, I stamped the card base with the polka dot (kinda) background stamp from Dragonfly Dreams Stamp Set until it was all covered. I’ve used Delightful Dijon ink for a tone on tone effect.

anna-stampin-cave-stampin-up-dragonfly-dreams-bundle-clean-and-simple-card

Next, I die-cut the largest detailed dragonfly, using Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies, from one of the  Whisper White panels and adhered that panel (without dragonfly) to the card base. Of course, I forgot to stamp my sentiment before adhering the panel to the card front.  Typical, right?! LOL But nothing was lost yet. I picked the beautiful ‘You sure know how to make someone happy’ sentiment from Dragonfly Dreams Stamp Set (I love sentiments and the fonts in in this set) and heat embossed it on my card base with silver embossing powder. Seemed easy, but while heat embossing it, the base ‘curled up’ a bit. So I run it through my Big Shot to straighten it up. Bear in mind if you’ve got worn out plates they will leave an impression on your cardstock – ask how do I know.

For the inside panel, I stamped few dragonflies in Delightful Dijon in the corners before adhered it with liquid adhesive.

anna-stampin-cave-stampin-up-dragonfly-dreams-bundle-clean-and-simple-card-inside

I wanted for my dragonfly to carry some silver detail too, so I stamped tiny splotches/dots from Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set all over the die-cut, using Versamark ink, and heat embossed it with silver embossing powder.

Anna' Stampin' Cave Dragonfly Dreams Bundle Clean and Simple Card.JPG

My original idea was to inlay the dragonfly die-cut back to the negative on the card base. But I’ve changed my mind along the way as the stamped detail on the card base wouldn’t be really visible through the die cut. So I decided to adhere my dragonfly only on the body length but it didn’t look good either. At the end, I’ve used tiny pieces of dimensionals to pop the dragonfly up.

anna-stampin-cave-stampin-up-dragonfly-dreams-bundle-cas

I’m really pleased how this card turned out and I hope you like it too.

I really want to encourage you to check the Global Design Project challenge blog. They have a new challenge every week with various themes and extremely talented Design Team – they will simply blow your mind with their creativity! Just click on their logo below to visit the website

gdp_blog_header

As always, if you wish to purchase any of the products I have used, simply click the images below to go directly to my online shop.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day

Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Bundle

Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Bundle
[144728]
£42.25

Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies

Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies
[142749]
£28.00

Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Stamp Set

Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Stamp Set
[142924]
£19.00

Gorgeous Grunge Clear Stamp Set

Gorgeous Grunge Clear Stamp Set
[130517]
£18.00

Delightful Dijon A4 Cardstock

Delightful Dijon A4 Cardstock
[138345]
£7.25

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

Whisper White A4 Card Stock
[106549]
£8.25

Delightful Dijon Classic Stampin' Pad

Delightful Dijon Classic Stampin’ Pad
[138327]
£6.00

Embossing Buddy

Embossing Buddy
[103083]
£5.50

Versamark Pad

Versamark Pad
[102283]
£7.75

Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder

Silver Stampin’ Emboss Powder
[109131]
£4.50

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin’ Dimensionals
[104430]
£3.75

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

Liquid Multipurpose Glue
[110755]
£3.75

Stampin' Trimmer

Stampin’ Trimmer
[129722]
£27.00

Big Shot

Big Shot
[143263]
£99.00

Elegant Monochromatic With Pop Of Colour

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Elegant Monochromatic With Pop Of Colour

Wow! It’s hard to believe, but today is last day with My Hero Stamp Set from Stampin’ Up! Yep, 5 weeks have passed!

For my final project, I’ve created this striking yet elegant, almost monochromatic card, in shades of grey but with a pop of colour in form of dainty orange flowers.

stampin-up-botanical-builder-framelits-my-hero-stamp-set

For the base of my card I took an A4 sheet of Smoky Slate cardstock, cut it in half at 4-1/8″ and folded in half at 5-7/8″. I run the front of the base through Big Shot with Festive Embossing Folder. The panel is a piece of Basic Grey cardstock that measures 2″ x 5-7/8″. I adhere it to the base with Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive.

Next, I created my floral composition using Botanical Builder Framelits Dies. I die cut a couple of leaves from vellum and six flowers: three tiny flowers and three small 3D flowers from a scrap of Whisper White cardstock.

Savvy Tip: Don’t know what to do with random off cuts that are to small to use on cards or to punch anything out of them? Don’t throw them away! I save all my off cuts and use them up when need to die cut small elements, flowers, etc using framelits dies

To add a little bit of colour to my flowers I sponged the edges of the tiny flowers with Watermelon Wonder. For 3D flowers, I decided for more ‘dramatic’ look I sponged entire flowers using Pumpkin Pie ink pad and a dab of Watermelon Wonder to the centres. I also added a large rhinestone to each centre. You can’t really tell from the photos (blame the awful English weather) but I’ve added a touch of shimmer using Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush to each flower (tiny ones too).

stampin-up-botanical-builder-framelits-my-hero-stamp-set

Next, I took a strip of vellum ( 1/2″ x 4-1/8″) and stamped a ‘Celebrate’ from My Hero Stamp Set in Versamark. Of course, I’ve used an Embossing Buddy prior to stamping. I heat embossed the sentiment with Silver Stampin’ Emboss Powder.

Tip: For best results with heat embossing always treat your cardstock, dsp, vellum, etc with embossing buddy. I takes off the statick from the surface of your paper, and makes the powder stick only to the areas you stamped.
Tip 2: If you don’t have an embossing buddy or any other antistatic tool you can use cornflour instead. Just sprinkle a little amount of flour over the surface of your cardstock, spread it with fingers or paint brush, and shake off the excess. Now you can stamp and heat emboss.

I assembled my composition using Glue Dots and liquid adhesive. Two tiny flowers on the vellum banner are hiding adhesive that I’ve used to adhere the banner to the card base.

stampin-up-botanical-builder-framelits-my-hero-stamp-set

I really like how this card turned out. I love the monochromatic, cold look of greys with a pop of bright orange. And what do you think about this colour combination? Do you like it? I would love to hear from you in comments below.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge #13 – Birthday In Marina Mist Blues

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Birthday In Marina Mist Blues

SSSC Header

Thank you for joining us for another Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge!  We are so excited to be sharing this hop with you. The products used are all available in the current Annual, or seasonal, Stampin’ Up!®  Catalogues*. Simply use the buttons at the bottom of the post to keep hopping!

Welcome welcome! We are back with our monthly challenge after a long summer break. Did you miss us?

This week sketch was designed by our lovely Mandy and it is…anything goes. I know! A nice little warm-up for us – thank you, Mandy.

I know you see more and more holidays related projects lately. But I decided to keep the warm summer days for a little bit longer. And what says ‘summer’ more than blue skies and butterflies?

stampin-up-butterfly-basics-meets-number-of-years-bundles

This is a birthday card for sweet ‘sixteen’ who loves blue. The base of my card is Marina Mist cardstock, standard A6 size. The first panel is a piece of Color Me Irresistible Specialty DSP that measures 5-5/8″x 3-7/8″. I chose to use white, embossed woodgrain pattern and gently sponged Marina Mist over my piece and adhere it to the base. Next, I cut a strip of Marina Mist cardstock, 1″ wide, and stamped little roses from Number Of Years Stamp Set all over the piece and adhere it across the sponged panel.

stampin-up-butterfly-basics-meets-number-of-years-with-wink-of-stella

I die-cut two circles: large one from Whisper White ( I pierced it around the edge) and smaller one again from Color Me Irresistible Specialty DSP. I sponged this smaller one with Marina Mist. But this time, I’ve added lots of ink for really deep shade. I adhered smaller circle on top of the large one, off-setting it.

I stamped butterfly from Butterfly Basics on a piece of Whisper White in Marina Mist and die cut it using coordinating die. I also die cut larger, detailed butterfly from vellum, using the same die set. Next, I attached small butterfly on top of detailed one, with Silver Metallic Thread in between. I adhered them both to the circles using glue dots and attached the whole piece to the card base, off-setting it to the left.

stampin-up-butterfly-basics-meets-number-of-years

I stamped numbers 1 and 6, from Number of Years Stamp Set, in Marina Mist of course, and die-cut it with coordinating dies (I love this set!!!). Next, I stamped banner and word ‘birthday’ inside of the banner and die-cut it. For the word ‘happy’ I had to adjust it a little bit, and with help of masking, and partial die-cutting, I was able to create matching smaller banner. I attached the numbers and banners to the card base using dimensionals.

stampin-up-butterfly-basics-meets-number-of-years

There’s no such a thing as bling-free teenage girl card, right? So my finish touch was to add a gentle shimmer to the butterfly, circle, and numbers with Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush. I think it’s my first card ever where I’ve used one ink pad colour only. And to be honest I really like this monochromatic look.

And what do you think? Do you like monochromatic? Please let me know in comments below.

As always, if you wish to purchase any of the products I have used, simply click the images below to go directly to my online shop and don’t forget to enter the hostess code for the month of September RKW34AHD, to receive a gift from me.

Now, be sure to hop along and see more inspiring projects. Your next stop is Mandy’s blog  go and see what she has made for you.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day

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Product List

Glue Dots

£4.75

Big Shot

£99.00