Hello, and welcome to another week on the blog! I hope your weekend left you feeling refreshed. It always seemed to me completely undone within the first hour at work Monday morning, but that was probably just my particular job. It's behind me now and I'm so glad for that!
Today I'm sharing my maiden efforts with a brand new set of Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor paints. Yes, I treated myself. Told my hubby they're my first ever grown up watercolors. I can tell you I'm going to love these paints. Smooth, easy coverage with as little or as much water as needed, and very fun to layer color on color. I'm a novice with them, but I plan to get a lot of practice.
I started with Power Poppy's new clear stamp set, In Praise of Sunflowers. Stamped the image in Hero Arts Memories Sand ink. I've had several of these inks for years and never realized until this weekend that they're waterproof and, therefore, can be used with watercolors. The color I used is quite visible when stamped, but it did a good job of disappearing under the paints, so I got a no-line look without really expecting it.
I love all the sentiments you can mix and match with this stamp set. I put together the "Hello, sunshine" on the front, and pictured below is the sentiment combo I chose for the inside. This is going to be a September birthday card, so I'll hand write my own "happy birthday".
I'll keep working with these paints until I get a better feel for them. Try a different type of image, a different outline color.
I used the burlap ribbon today specifically so I could play along in the "Pretty Pretty Ribbon" challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters. I have miles and miles of ribbon which I'm not using enough lately but, honestly, I'm trying.
I'll be back on Wednesday so I hope to see you then. Have a great day!
Stamps: Power Poppy In Praise of Sunflowers Paper: 140 lb hot press watercolor, SU! Cherry Cobbler and Summer Sun, old Daisy D's designer paper Ink: Hero Arts Memories Sand, Versafine Onyx Black Coloring: Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor paints Accessories: Burlap ribbon, Poppystamps Clothesline Hearts, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
28 comments:
SQUEEL!!! Gorgeous! Leslie, for your first attempt at using these Kuretake Gansai watercolour paints you have nailed it! Your colouring is right up there with the best! Seriously, it's absolutely gorgeous! The papers couldn't be more perfect, and love the clothesline heart you added. I've only used my paints a couple of times, but your right, very smooth colouring, using a little or a lot. I love them as well. Humm, maybe you have encouraged me to pull mine back out. So much to do so little time! Maybe tonight, I'm off to work - ugh Mondays!! Have a wonderful day.
Another amazing card by Leslie:) You can use ANYTHING and make it stunning! Love the sunflower. Aren't Mondays great now?
If this is your first try at these paints, no one would believe it ! This looks like you have been painting for 20 years and have perfected your craft completely . Wow !! Totally gorgeous !! I couldn't achieve this if I had painted 20 years ! You are just naturally talented my friend . Give Wally a hug for me and save another for Lulu .
Absolutely stunning! Loved your blog for such a long time. I've been out of town and didn't realize Wally was having surgery. So glad he's recovering nicely. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
very pretty. love the clothesline hearts. Have a great day
Oh my goodness, I can't imagine how it is going to be when you get good at them, this is perfection now for me, gorgeous coloring and the burlap with the sunflowers just go perfectly together!!, love the little heart clothes line, the perfect touch for that corner!! Lovely inside too! Totally LOVE this!
This card is wonderful! You have such talent in words and color and I always enjoy your blog. As one who is also retired I have found there are no 'Mondays' in the week anymore! Are we lucky or what? !!
Lu C
FANTASTIC! WOW look at you go with those new paints ... this is GORGEOUS! Love the rich colors and your overall design is just perfect for the image! SCREAMS Fall to me for sure! Beautifully done inside and out Leslie! Thanks for always sharing such wonderful stories, tips, tricks and just friendly chit-chat! Happy Day to you ...
Ooops forgot to say "Thanks so much for joining us at The Sisterhood’s ‘RIBBONS’ challenge and please come back again soon!"
Darlene
one of the 'Sistahs'
The Sisterhood of Crafters
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please come for a visit!
What a beautiful fall card! I always have a bunch in my kitchen this time of year. I love the coloring along with the burlap look and little hearts! Have fun with your new paints!
Amazing stamping and colouring Leslie, would never have thought this is your first time using your new paints! looks perfect to me, wish I had your talent for colouring.. beautiful stitched detail to.. your pretty banner is a perfect finishing touch with this gorgeous paper..
Pam x
Wonderful coloring on your sunflower!
Well, you 'wowed' me again with your gorgeous yellow flower (and yellow is my favorite color). Oh, love the stitching (I haven't stitched on my cards in a long time, not since before Dar came and I had to move my sewing machine...blaming her..lol)...love the sentiment, too...another gorgeous creation!!
Whoa - you certainly don't look like a novice using these watercolors. Fantastic job!
Well, I still remember your old blog that had numerous tutorials and that is what initially had me attempting watercolor. You've always been so talented...and this is just one more example, Leslie!! I love the depth of color and mixing and mottled areas. So beautifully done!!
Wow! Your sunflower is amazing! The overall look is perfect inside and out! Can't wait until you get good w/your new watercolors!! I recently purchased them but haven't had an opportunity to play yet. I'm the true w/c novice!
Holy moly!!! This is your first time using them??? You are a born artist! This is gorgeous!!!!! I love my Gansai's but you are on a whole different level to me! Your work is stunning!
Looks like you mastered these watercolors right out of the box. That sunflower is spectacular and you colored the center perfectly. Love the dies and the burlap ribbon is so pretty with the design.
I've recently bought the Zip Real Brush watercolors and I am struggling. Maybe I'll get some tips from Youtube.
Gorgeous card Leslie! So beautifully designed with the perfect elements! Love the burlap, your coloring...everything! You have the watercolor touch for sure! Real!
Oh, Leslie! This is GORGEOUS, and congratulations on getting this amazing watercoloring set! You've used it well, and I can hardly believe this is your first attempt. Pauline is right - you nailed it, and it's absolutely exquisite coloring! I LOVE it! WOW! And I also love the darling clothesline of hearts! How precious is that? And truly, what perfect DP you've used along with the stitching and the beautiful, rich burlap ribbon! Stunning and beyond! LOVE it so much! This is going to be pinned so much! I am still in awe of your coloring. So glad you are no longer working and really enjoying doing whatever you want whenever you want! Big hugs, sweet friend! xoxo
Oh my, Leslie, this card is stunning!! Your sunflower, the red burlap ribbon, the hearts...it's all good! Looking forward to you practicing again with your watercolors!
WOW!! This is just Gorgeous Miss Leslie! LOVE your Wonderful Watercoloring on the Sunflower! Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers, they always make me smile and your's is no exception! Love the combo of patterned papers and burlap too!
Hugs
Shannon
Glad you splurged on the watercolors as you would never know you weren't expert at them Leslie. This sunflower is beautiful and again you didn't try for the no lines but it looks awesome. I actually stamped something to give this technique a try, have yet to actually do anything with it but will once the kitchen is complete. ;-) Almost done.
I can't beleive this is colored with watercolors? WOW, it looks so great! Good job so far. I have been wanting those paints myself but am holding off.
This is one of those "Blow Me Away Cards" Leslie. Oh I just am in awe of your no-line coloring. What a beauty and love that sweet heart banner!
This is an absolutely stunning card! wow!!!
*THUD*.....*CRASH*....That is my jaw hitting the desk and me falling off my chair. Holy Smokes Leslie you are AMAZING!! Love the card, love the design and the colouring with your new paints is just INCREDIBLE!!! *LOVE IT*
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