Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Pure Sunshine

Hello there!  I'm glad you could drop in.  As I write this I'm about to put my feet up for a while before dinner, but first wanted to get this post scheduled -- two cards for four challenges.  Honestly, I really wanted to color something and you know how I love my Penny Black stamps.  This Pure Sunshine stamp is large and in charge, but it has a somewhat playful nature and that's what I love about it.

I put it in my MISTI along with two A2 watercolor cardstock panels side by side, then stamped right over top of the joint, half on one panel, half on the other.  I watercolored each with my oldie Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Earth Elements.



I also lightly stenciled the background of each, brushed on just a little bit of ink for barely there shading, and stamped with a retired SU splatter stamp -- Itty Bitty Backgrounds.  I'm sending the first card to The Flower Challenge where they're asking to see the word "thanks".  I wasn't sure how literal I needed to be, but I played it safe and chose a sentiment with the actual word.

The next card is going to the other three challenges which I've listed below.  I had each of them specifically in mind as I made my design choices.

 



 


  



Can we agree that Triple B always has the most gorgeous inspiration boards?

Well, this was fun!  Supplies are listed below.  I generally list everything, even if it's no longer on the market because I'm sure we all have a mish mash of supplies in our collections.

Off to the couch for a bit!  I'm sure I'll be joined by something soft and lovable, either white or red... you know what I'm talking about.  Take care and have a beautiful day!



Stamps:  Penny Black Pure Sunshine, retired Power Poppy and Impression Obsession sentiments, retired Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Backgrounds splatter stamp  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Cougar Natural card base  Ink:  Ranger Archival Watering Can for outline, SU Chocolate Chip for sentiment, Close to Cocoa for splatter stamp, Ranger Adirondack Sandal (old stash) for stenciling  Coloring:  SU Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder Crayons (retired)  Other:  5" Stencil from a large set found on Amazon


24 comments:

aussie aNNie said...

This is adorable great combo of colours and design xx [yes. you can do anything with a hot glue gun with practice ] x

Birgit said...

What an amazing pair of cards using one stamp. They are both beautiful! What fun it must be to color up those sweet images. You've done so perfectly! I like the soft stenciling and shading in the background. Purely perfect in every way.

Yogi said...

Both cards are wonderful Leslie. Good way to create them. Have a great day

Marcia Hill said...

Both of these are absolutely GORGEOUS Leslie and perfect for this season of Thanks! And what a great stamp to be able to get 2 cards from! Your water coloring on both is sooooo pretty and fits perfectly with the images! Thanks so much for sharing these lovely, lovely cards with us at The Flower Challenge and hope you enjoyed your couch time with Sophie & Ridley...I'm sure they did!! Hugs. :0)

crafty-stamper said...

Both gorgeous Autumn coloured cards, love the beautiful stamp and great technique for a large stamp too, love the delicate background stencilling-hope you enjoyed your rest.
Carol x

I Card Everyone said...

Leslie, we can always count on PB to fulfill our water coloring itch, can't we? This set is so beautiful and getting a two-for-one is a wonderful bonus!
Your subtle stenciling is just what was needed to bring both cards 'home.'
Thank YOU for joining us at The Flower Challenge!
=]

Pam Sparks said...

Both are pure loveliness! I love it when you color! So inspiring and beautiful!

Cindy Beach said...

I absolutely love it when you pull out that Itty Bitty stamp set (I gave mine away) and add just the right touch of color or texture with it. These cards are gorgeous and such a lovely use for those sunflowers! They take on a whole new look off center and two beautiful cards is way better than one.

Loll said...

Your cards are fantastic Leslie. Such a great idea to take a large stamp and spread it over two card fronts. The colours is perfect, as always from you!! :) And the finishing touches makes both so special. xx

Margaret said...

Both are gorgeous, but how could they not be with your clever design.

Lynette said...

What a great way to use the ginormous stamp! Colored so beautifully and your stenciled background is perfect. I love that you still use your old things. As I probably say every time - I still have my Itty Bitty Backgrounds, too. :-)

Bonnie said...

Two beautiful cards from this stamp, Leslie! And colored so beautifully! I love the addition of the softly stenciled backgrounds and the Bitty "splatters"!

Lisa Elton said...

How fabulous that you got two cards with this beautiful image! The subtle stenciling you've added really kick them up a notch too. Marvelous cards, Leslie!

Diane said...

So beautifully creative, you have the best ideas, I never would of thought to do that!! Both cards are downright gorgeous but all your cards are, I wish I had your creative mind and coloring ability!! Thanks for joining in our challenges at Stencil Fun and Triple B too!

Darlene said...

Well now . . . aren't you the clever one!! lol What a great idea on how you stamped these panels! (I'll have to remember that!) Your coloring is ALWAYS spot on and these are both just gorgeous! I've said it before . . . I never leave your blog without being fully inspired!!

Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Stencil Fun & Triple B challenges! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Stencil Fun Co-Owner
Triple B Co-Owner

HilaryJane said...

What a great way to use a large stamp and get 2 cards out of it. I do love the finished results. The colours are lovely and the soft stencilling really helps the flowers pop xx

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

These cards are so pretty and to think they are both made from the same stamp! Love your coloring which is so soft. I will have to remember that tip! Thanks!

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful and so pretty with a very creative color palette xx

Conniecrafter said...

I love this technique of getting two cards for one stamping, you did a beautiful job coloring them and like the soft touch of the stenciling and fun splatters to go with. I like the sentiments on both!

Cat Craig said...

As usual, your coloring is spot on. I love that you were able to color once and get two card fronts. I am partial to off the edge images and sentiments getting enough space. Love these two.

Christine said...

What a wonderful way to create two cards, they are so beautifully watercolored xx

Pauline said...

Beautiful cards Leslie. I love that you basically split the image onto 2 cards, I never thought of that. I have this stamp, I must give it a try. Beautifully coloured and love the stenciling in the background. TFS!

Ida said...

Both of these cards are wonderful. I love that you used a large stamp to create 2 cards that are both different and yet alike (if that makes sense).

My Paper Epiphany said...

The stencilling really adds something special to your beautifully coloured cards! Thanks for joining us at Penny Black Saturday Challenge:)