Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Whatever Wednesday: PSX Garden

Wednesday greetings!  I've had this image all colored up for quite a while and finally made it into a card.  It's an ages old PSX stamp with no name, just K-1620, and a date -- 1995.  Can you believe that's 23 years?  Good old wood block stamps.




I took a notion to do this no-line style, stamped in Antique Linen Distress ink and watercolored on not my favorite watercolor paper with SU's retired Watercolor Wonder Crayons.  It seriously makes a difference which watercolor paper you choose.  I'll save this paper for backgrounds in the future.

I wanted to show the next photo because I think it's so interesting how different the image looks without the bold black outline.  Because of all the detail in the stamp I would have been better off with a slightly darker outline (and better paper, grrrr), but there's always a next time.  PSX stamps are classics and I'll keep this one forever.




Also, notice the shine on the image panel?  I smooshed it into my Versamark pad and embossed with ultra-thick embossing enamel.  It curls the paper and then when you straighten it out it cracks, thus the cracked glass technique.  However, this time I ran it through my Big Shot, sandwiched between two sheets of card stock and the cutting plates.  It flattened the panel, but it also took away the gloss and left it with a waxy finish.  I was disappointed at first, but then decided I liked it.  Looks laminated.

Gosh, I hope I get to color again soon.  New stamps and new dies are calling out to me, but it's a busy week.  I will make time for something simple, maybe 10 minutes at a time, and a card will eventually get done.  Have a happy day!


27 comments:

Glenda said...

You totally rock the no line background technique! That is something I've never tried but you make me think about trying it. Notice I said "think"...I'm sure I could never make something so lovely!

Diane said...

Gorgeous card and a fabulous stamp....you made me look to see if I had any of these, but I think if I do they might be Christmas, but I did pull out a few older stamps while looking, all thanks to you, lol! I love the soft colors of this and being a gardener, I just love the realism and how delicate it is! Have you seen the new 'noline ink' from Ink 3? I found it very interesting and just ordered it from Ellen Hutson to try, a tiny order as I am 'out of control'...though there are two new Mintay paper pads from Poland I must have, as one is mostly pale yellows, a rare find! Sorry to bend your ear...have a nice day!!

Sherri said...

This is gorgeous, Leslie! Have never tried the no line look, but I love the results! May have to go outside my comfort zone and do it one day. Your water coloring is amazing! Especially to someone like me who has never been able to master it! I'm so happy you saved this beautiful stamp!

Ros Crawford said...

I would find colouring that image very daunting but to you it's a breeze! What a beautiful card Leslie!

Christine Alexander said...

Wow Leslie, such a beautiful intricate image. Your watercolouring is outstanding and I love love love the clear UTE surface. absolutly stunning :)

Pam Sparks said...

I can believe it! I love my PSX collection! What fun you had playing with this style. I find I will do this too, start out with a paper that I wouldn't normally use and then end up using it all the while wishing I'd used the good stuff in the first place. lol I agree totally... tons of difference in watercolor papers!!! AND.... Gorgeous coloring! So fun when you walk away and come back and love it in the end! yay!

Yogi said...

pretty and delicate. Have a great day

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Oh WOW!! Leslie, this is gorgeously water colored, love this beautiful image, so glad you held on to it all of this years!!!
I think I have a few of these PSX stamps, these letters mean PERSONAL STAMP EXCHANGE, go figure, I just Google the numbers and letters you provided and BOOM!!! I found several stamps for sale on Etsy and Ebay, I'm sure you paid much less for yours back in 1995, I wasn't even stamping back then, I can't believe I started so little ago.
But you did a glorious job on this card, the no line coloring is a tricky technique but you ROCKED IT my dear!!!!!
I love the shine of the heat embossing, this card is perfect in every way.
Thank you so much for sharing.
XO
Maria.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your no line work is awesome. I love this image and the way you colored it.

Kathy Krug said...

Beautiful coloring as usual, Leslie. So many little details that needed attention. I think of you every time I work in my craft room and see my beautifully colored birthday card.

Pauline said...

Gorgeous Leslie! You always do such amazing colouring. I have yet to try the no line colouring. Such a classic image, I also have several of the PSX floral stamps and I will never part with them at least not for some time.I find some of the older images are the best. Love the softness of your colouring along with the embossed background - what a great idea. I'm so glad that you finished this into a card. Another wonderful piece of artwork Leslie. Enjoy your week.

Susie said...

The wonderful thing about paper is there's always a "next time" I love that! You are so correct when you say that the paper makes all the difference - it surely does. With all that said, I want to tell you what a wonderful job you did with the no-line technique - Beautiful!

What a great idea to include the wood block stamp in the photo. While it is nice to see the detail, honestly, I prefer the softer look you've achieved. I was amazed at the age of the stamp! That's a long time to keep a stamp Leslie. But you know I found a wood block stamp from Penny Black at a sidewalk sale when I first started stamping in 2008. It is called, Reach for the Stars. I love that block stamp as much today as when I first found it. For me it hasn't aged a day (she smiles).

Love your card and your art, Leslie.
Hugs,
Susie ~

Conniecrafter said...

Wow, absolutely stunning, when I see this gorgeous coloring I can't imagine needing anymore coloring classes :) You do amazing work with your no line coloring!! This is a classic stamp, will be wonderful for always!! Love the cracked glass technique, glad you liked how it turned out after all, I sure do :)

Cindy Beach said...

Your no line watercoloring is beautiful and so perfect for this detailed image. Yes, those old stamps are some of the best! I'll never forget the fun of the intricate large wood block stamps. I love how your cracked glass technique turned out. And Leslie, you ROCK those SU crayons! Enjoy your day.

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

What a perfect stamp for this time of year. The no line watercoloring is interesting. I have a few of PSX wooden stamps and I love them! The colors are so soft and pretty!

Donna Ellis said...

oh my goodness! Look at your amazing coloring job with your gorgeous PSX stamp. I just looked to see if it still graces my shelves, but I apparently donated it last year when I did housekeeping. There is nothing like a K size PSX stamp. Well, there is nothing like a PSX stamp period. LOL Your softness has captivated me, Leslie - and the dots between the words is perfect! Each word making a statement of its own as well as together. Fabulous details right down to the coloring on your seed packets! Enjoy a fabulous week-end! hugs, de

Stacy Morgan said...

Very soft Leslie with the no line coloring. I agree it looks laminated and I like it. Very clever of you too girlie to even try that. The shading looks awesome, not what you planned I know but turned out wonderful. I can't wait for you to play with your new goodies either. hee hee

laurie said...

These are beautiful and fun to see the actual stamp you used,too. You are awesome at this technique!

Leslie Miller said...

Testing

Pretty Paper Junkie said...

I love the softness of this painted image. It is lovely just like it's creator.
(Love those old PSX stamps)!

Sue from Oregon said...

Hi Leslie-lets see if your testing works :) I tried it on my blog and it worked! You soft pastel really caught my eye...gorgeous and such a classic stamp!!! Beautemous! ♥ Sue Kment

Hannelie said...

I love to see people using old supplies. The industry is so driven by 'NEW' :( I also love the soft 'laminated'look! Beautiful coloring as always!

Lynette said...

It looks absolutely wonderful, Leslie!! Perfect in every way:)

Ida said...

How pretty. What's even neater is that I have that exact same stamp. What a blast from the past seeing it used again.

crafty-stamper said...

Love the fabulous stamp and great dreamy watercolour effect-never tried the no lines technique
Carol x

KathyA. said...

Ohh... such a lovely card. (And I agree about PSX stamps. I have many and love them! I have pulled most of the rubber off of wood mount stamps because I get better impressions using my MISTI. However, my PSX stamps always provide a nice clean image!)

CherylQuilts said...

Wow, Leslie, what a gorgeous card using Garden Tools (I found one for sale on eBay -- no, did not purchase it!). But truly, your no-line coloring is this image is amazing! And it's amazing that this stamp is that old. I love the beautiful images with such great line detail and accuracy. It's stunning! Hugs!