Floral Bliss

Good morning all, its still pouring down with rain in Hamilton and if I didn't need to go out to finish of Mother's Day present etc I'd think yah I can play all day in my craft room. My poor country, parts of it are under emergency management, we no longer are land of the long white cloud but land of the torrential weather bomb.

But back to the crafting I was trying to play along with the gorgeous inspiration board from the latest Just Add Ink challenge and also combine it with The Flower Challenge "soft pastels", theoretically a match made in heaven as JAI is soft and dreamy Also it's interesting that JAI's picture has inspired more lilac cards than pink ones, I saw pink as the predominant colour but thought I would do a SOFT wash of pink and lilac to cover all bases.

Well I now know no matter how much water you try and tone down Nuvo's Cherry Bomb shimmer powder it's never becoming a soft pink!  I really like the concept of what I was trying to do for the challenges and going to share my card but trying to tone down the Cherry Bomb made it a bit of a mess. it's still pretty and the good thing was I had fun making it.

Supply List:

Stamps: Floral Bliss (SSS), Stripe-tastic Edge (YNS), Inky Bouquet (PFS and it's matching die)

Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne, Versamark, Dragonfruit (C9)

Paper: Distress Watercolor (RNG), Black, Neenah #110

Nuvo Shimmer Powders: Cherry Bomb and Lilac Waterfall

Other: Twilight Ombre glitter drops (PFS), white EP

So back to the challenge and hopefully a more pastel look, this time I thought I would watercolor in with a paint brush so I could control the intensity of the colour. So I got out my Gansai Tambi Pearl paints (pink, lemon yellow, may green, white gold)  and my Zig Pearlescent watercolours (black pearl) to play with. Well I've managed to mute it down but I like the brighter one best but am using this card for the challenges as much softer. 

Supply List:

Stamps: Floral Bliss (SSS),  Inky Bouquet (PFS and it's matching die)

Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne, Versamark, 

Paper: Distress Watercolor (RNG), Black, Neenah #110

Other: Magic Potion Ombre glitter drops (PFS), white EP, Gansai Tambi Pearl paints, Zig Pearlescent watercolour paints, Master Layouts 1 die set (GKD)

Challenges: JAI #651 , TFC #80

I may have another go at the Flower Challenge, not that I am very good with pastels as it's a monthly challenge but unfortunately Just add Ink's closes today so I'll finish with both are "better than horrible" and I'd have no problem using them to give to somebody.

✿ Karen ✿

For Lindsay

The crew at Color Hues have made this week's challenge all about LINDSAY who was part of their design team and their challenge is to honour her with her favourite hues and to be inspired by what inspired "her". Now that surely is a challenge worth entering to honour and remember her.

Now this week's hues are purple and blue so I immediately thought of my most inked stamp Mondo Hydrangea (Essentials by Ellen) which I think is perfect for this challenge. My favourite technique with this stamp is watercolouring so I thought I would use my "new to me" Nuvo Shimmer Powders I picked up at SENZ and my favourite white cardstock post-SENZ for colouring whether it's blending or watercolouring on, that honour goes to Lavinia Multifarious Smooth and Supreme white cardstock; which I love and is now an essential in my craft room.

Trying to show the shimmer of the watercolour wash and the glimmer in the black glitter with this close up but not sure if I succeeded.

I sprinkled the powders on my stencil mat from Waffle Flower and added a few drops of water to make a wash and then painted in each individual flower with my no. 2 round brush. I couldn't cope with the leaves just being "blue" so added a bit of green.

Supply List:
Stamps: Mondo Hydrangea (EE), You (Photoplay)
Inks: Veramark
Paper: Lavinia Multifarious, SSS #120lb (trying to use up) but a great card weight for the base of the card, Vellum Paper (SU!), black glitter (CTMH), scrap of black cardstock (?SU!)
Dies: Mondo Hydrangea (EE), You (Photoplay), Blanket Stitched rectangle (PF), Hexagon Tile coverplate (PF), sentiment strips (Photoplay), A2 Layering (Waffle Flower)

Nuvo Shimmer Powders: Violet Brocade, Lilac Waterfall, Blue Blitz, Falling leaves
Other: Alabaster White EP (Brutus Monroe), no. 2 rounded brush, foam strips

Challenge: Color Hues #46

Now I personally didn't know Lindsay but she sounded an amazing positive person and crafter and my sympathy goes out to her family and friends. There are some amazing cards honouring her so do check out the challenge site and if you have time join in with the challenge.

✿ Karen ✿