Rose Teacup

Hi!  I'm playing in The Flower Challenge today.  They're asking for sparkle and I had this not-yet-used Rose Teacup set from Stampendous on my table.  What a fun combination.  It's only been in the basket for a year, I believe.  🙄

I white-embossed the stamps and watercolored with Spectrum Noir sparkle pens.  There's lots more sparkle than you can see here.  I love those pens!  The stick-on butterfly has glittery wings and a rhinestone body that refracts the light nicely, too.

White on white for the background with a delicately die cut oval frame.  I don't know the name of the frame die because it was in a package of die cuts sent by a friend.  All the images were hand cut.  The bouquet that fills the cup is popped up.

Two challenges:

The Flower Challenge #72 - Add Sparkle    My sparkle is in the watercoloring with Spectrum Noir sparkle pens, and in the glitter on the butterfly.
NBUS Challenge #42  The Stampendous Rose Teacup is out of the package for the first time.

 

Thank you for coming today.  Take good care and I will hope to see you again soon.

Soft Shamrock

Hi!  I made it back with a single flower for Power Poppy Friday.  Going for a very soft and feminine look, almost a monotone, I used a Power Poppy digi stamp called Shamrock 'n' Roll. 

I did lighten the image quite a bit before printing, yet the lines were much more visible than they appear in the finished product.  Probably no such Shamrocks exist in nature, but I took liberties with the coloring just so I could coordinate with the papers I'd selected.

I cut the image with the fancy lattice die and then placed an oval die from the same set in the center and traced the inside line to give it additional framing with an out of the box appearance.

Coloring was done with Tombow markers and blender on 140 lb hot press watercolor paper.  Sentiment is from a retired Power Poppy set.  Did you notice the four-leaf clover above the sentiment circle?

For all who may be wondering:  LuLu is being treated for an abscess on her eyeball which the vet believes is due to injury.  I'm still waiting for the improvement I wish to see.  Worried mom that I am, I asked that she be checked for glaucoma.  Results were negative.  We return for a second recheck in another week.  One dog at a time.  Both appear happy and vigorous, so fingers crossed.  Thank you for your kind concern.

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Shamrock 'n' Roll digi, retired Power Poppy sentiment  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, SU Sage Shadow and Pink Pirouette, Memory Box Spearmint designer paper (retired)  Ink:  Printer, Sage Shadow  Coloring:  Tombow Markers with homemade blender solution in a blank Copic pen  Dies:  Marianne Designs Anja's Oval, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Spellbinders circle dies  Other:  Pink gems, SU Subtle embossing folder for card base

A Cup of Buttercups

Hello!  I made it back with flowers for Friday.  Still have the trigger finger flare up going on, but this card has been finished for weeks and waiting its turn on the blog.  I've used Power Poppy's Cuppa Buttercups digital stamp and a sentiment from Power Poppy's Nice Things to Say clear stamp set.

The frame was cut from a stenciled and heat-embossed background, same as this card.  I found the buttercups already colored in my card parts drawer, so I simply cut them out.  Before I popped them up on the card I coated the cup of flowers with Versamark ink and embossed with clear powder.  It's not noticeable in the photo, but adds a nice effect in real life.  The little heart was also embossed, first with sparkly powder, then with clear.

Check out cards by my Power Poppy peeps, as well:

• Christine
• Barbara W.

I hope I'll be able to do more of what I love soon -- coloring.  I'm able to do little bits at a time, with a very light touch.  My stamps aren't going anywhere, so I can just bide my time.  I do have some works in progress.  Can you say addicted?  Take care and I'll see you soon!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Cuppa Buttercups digi and Nice Things to Say clear stamp set  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 & 110 lb  Ink:  Printer, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark  Coloring:  Copics  Dies:  MFT Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Frames, Paper Smooches Hearts  Other:  Stamplorations Winter Flowers stencil, embossing powders - yellow, dark red, clear, sparkly, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Poppies for a Flowerful Friday

Happy Flowerful Friday, friends!  I have to say, by the time I got to this card I was really feeling the need to color some beautiful flowers.  I looked through my digi box and decided on Power Poppy's Perfect Poppies.  I like to keep a collection of digis printed up, but for flexibility I generally leave the sentiment off.  This image is combined with a sentiment from a retired PP set.

I can only go so long without some serious coloring, and it's been a lot more fun since I started using Tombows with my homemade blender pen on watercolor paper.  I know... I sound like a broken record when it comes to this coloring method, but I do dearly enjoy it.  It looks like watercolor, but is easier than anything.

The simple card recipe is listed below my signature, but first let's see more Power Poppy designs by:

• Christine
• Barbara W.

Thanks so much for sharing your time with me.  Enjoy the rest of your day!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Perfect Poppies digi, retired PP sentiment  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, textured white card base  Ink:  Printer for image, Palette Noir for sentiment  Coloring:  Tombow markers and homemade blender solution in blank Copic marker  Other:  Doodle Bug enamel dot, Spellbinders Scored and Pierced Rectangles, JustRite Custom Charms (old)

Creating with Created to Create

Hello, friends!  It really won't be long before the daffodils start popping up here on the Oregon Coast.  It's hard to believe, right?  We've had some beautiful days for working in the yard, but also some very wintry days.  That's our typical January. Today I have paper daffodils with Power Poppy's Created to Create digital stamp.

The set has black line drawings with and without text on the sketchbook page.  I chose the "without text" and did my own thing with a sentiment from the Hydrangea Hype digi.  I filled in with stamped daffodils (retired) in hopes of distracting the eye from the too-straight sentiment.

In Photoshop Elements 7.0  I added a diffuse glow filter to the image before printing.  The filter gave a softening effect and made the lines lighter in some areas while leaving them dark in other spots.  It's fun to play with filters on digis, but just remember to keep the original!

About the coloring:  I've been using the same set of Tombow markers since 2010.  In the past I've always scribbled on a palette and picked up with a wet brush for watercoloring.  Lately, however, I've been using just the markers without water.  Blend a very light shade into a darker shade... it's a lot like using Copics or pencils.  The marker tips can fray out with too much rubbing and scrubbing on rough paper, so I always use a light touch on good quality hot press watercolor paper.

Empty Copic marker filled with homemade "Tombow" blender fluid

For a softer look I like the blender pen.  The brush tip on the Tombow Blender frays out too quickly so I had the idea of using a blank Copic marker filled with homemade "Tombow" blender fluid.  Found the recipe online:

• 2 tsp glycerin
• 4 tsp distilled water
• 1/4 tsp 70% rubbing alcohol

Shake in a small bottle to mix.  Use eye dropper to fill pen.

Each individual has their own preferences, but for me this coloring medium/method is a nice alternative to Copics -- way easier plus less costly and lower maintenance.  I still use all my other coloring tools, and love watercolor, especially.  Just saying ... 

I hope the new year is treating you well.  Take care, and have a happy day!

Pure Fragrance Semi-Slimline

Hello and welcome!

Heads up:  This is my 6 am PST post and I have another post at 10 am PST today.  I hope you'll enjoy both!

Marcella is featuring some beautiful flower digis on the Power Poppy blog today.  I've watercolored Pure Fragrance and designed a mini-slimline card -- 3 3/4" x 6 3/4".

The watercoloring was done with Tombow markers.  This utterly feminine image seemed a good time for stitching and lace.  Making note to self to dip into my lace stash more often.  This subtle and delicate addition adds no weight and slips easily into an envelope.  Love that!

Also being featured today is Volumes of Beauty -- another gorgeous digital stamp illustrated by Marcella.  I don't know which image my teamies have colored, but let's see samples here:

• Stacy
• Christine
• Allison
• Barbara C.
• Lisa
• Gloria
• Catherine
• Marcella @ Power Poppy Blog

Thank you for visiting.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Pure Fragrance digi  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah white card base  Ink:  Printer  Coloring:  Watercolor with Tombow markers  Other:  Lace, sequins, stitching

La Vie en Rose

Welcome back!  I'm happy to share my first Power Poppy card of 2021.  I'm using a rose which can be found in the La Vie en Rose digital set.  My sentiment, however, is from a retired Power Poppy clear stamp set (My English Rose).  A yellow rose means friendship, care, and remembrance.

I colored with Tombow markers and, in certain spots, a blender pen.  The card is minimally decorated with some pretty designer paper and a scrolly corner, as well as the scalloped edge.  Oh, and three little rhinestones.

Let's see other samples today:

Stacy

Nancy

Christine

Wishing you only good things as 2021 progresses.  Sent with love!

Stamps:  Power Poppy La Vie en Rose digital stamp and retired My English Rose clear stamp set sentiment  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot press watercolor, Bazzill brown card base, 49 and Market Butter designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Palette Noir (sentiment)  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender pen  Other:  Rhinestones, Die-namites Scrolly Corner, Lawn Fawn Outside In Stitched Scalloped Rectangle Stackables

Brand New from Power Poppy: Mossy Pots with Paperwhites

Hello everyone!  Today I'm quite excited to be able to share the first of Marcella's brand new Power Poppy stamp sets just in time for Christmas!  Marcella will tell you more about it on the Power Poppy Blog, but I would like to mention that many of the stamp sets are not limited to Christmas.  I'm totally in love with this release and I think you'll see why as each new set is revealed.

Have a look at today's set:  Mossy Pots with Paperwhites.  All new sets are available both as clear stamp sets and digital downloads.  I've made a digital composite for this Christmas card, but leave off the Christmas finery, change the sentiment, and you've got simply a nice pot of paperwhites.

I colored with Tombow markers -- no water, just markers -- on hot press watercolor paper.  The tinsel garland is cut from glitter paper.  It shows more sparkle in real life, but it actually is rather subtle for glitter paper.

I adore the sentiment font in this set, especially how Marcella has twined the leafy vines through the words.

If you haven't been there yet, be sure and visit the Power Poppy Blog where you'll get lots more details and Marcella will link you up with the stamp sets and all the designers who are sharing today.

There's lots more to come, and I'll be here each day with samples.  Thanks for your time today!

Power Poppy Friday with Lots of Color

Well, here we are again at Friday and flowers, and since it's my Power Poppy day I have some extra pretty flowers with butterflies in a digital stamp called Time to Fly.  Can you tell I was in the mood for color?  I went all out and had the best time with this!

I colored with my Tombow markers, NO water, and only minimal use of the blender pen.  I used the blender pen on the clock face and the aura around the image.  It might be my new favorite way to color.  It's similar to using Copics or pencils, blending dark to light or vice versa, but for me it was easier and quicker.  I'll try it again soon and see if I still love it.  It's important to note that I used 140 lb watercolor paper, which is essential for the water-based markers.

Since I printed in a light gray, most of the lines disappeared under my water-based markers, including the watch face, so I went back over that with a fine tipped gray marker.

See more colorful Power Poppy flowers here:

Christine

Other than the coloring, this is a simple card:

• Power Poppy Time to Fly digital stamp
• 140 lb Fabriano Artistico Extra White watercolor paper
• Tombow water-based markers

Stay well, stay safe, and enjoy your weekend!

Fall Flower

Hello, and welcome back for Flowerful Friday.  I went with fall colors for today's card.  Have to make the switch from summer at some point.  I've used a Power Poppy digital stamp called I Luv Mums -- just one big flower and a sentiment from the digi set.

I always love mums in this russet color because it's so unusual and it speaks "fall" very clearly.  I colored with Copics and sponged the edges of the panel.  Making an effort to use some ribbon.  Hmm... not thrilled with the criss cross, so I added some hearts.  Don't know if it helped, but, hey, there it is.  I'm happy to use a little bit of designer paper as it continues to be a staple in my stamp room.

Inside I've used a retiring Power Poppy sentiment set -- Good Thinking:  Renewal.  I linked, but it's sold out.  One of my favorite sentiment sets and I use it all the time.  These front and inside sentiments are perfect together, I think, and very useful.

Will wonders never cease?  I actually photographed the Copics.  There were very few of them so it was easy.  Even still, it seems like a lot of Copics for a single flower and leaves. 

Have a look here, too:

• Broni
• Christine

I appreciate the time you spent with me today.  I know how busy Life can be, even when we're mostly staying home.  I hope you're all okay in these times that are still not normal.  I won't say that everything here is 100% perfect, but Rich and I are well and our home is intact.  Take good care of yourselves!

Humming By

Hello, again!  It's time to wrap up the week on the stamping blog.  I've made so many cards I don't know if I'll have time to post them all before Christmas, but maybe if I double up whenever possible.  Today, however, it's just one card -- Power Poppy Trumpet Vine Visitor digital stamp, sentiment included.  Actually, there are 5 images in this set.

It's not brand new in the shop, but it's one of many I printed a while back and have been gradually coloring.  An image like this is timeless, thank goodness.  This one was printed on Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press paper and watercolored with Tombow markers.  I tried to keep the coloring loose and not worry overmuch about the detail.  There are smudges and other imperfections, but that's one thing I like about watercolor -- it's very accepting and forgiving.  Just leave some highlights and it's bound to look okay.

The frame was watercolored, too, with multiple inks.  The card base, which is covered with some old designer paper, was pulled from my card parts drawer.  Hooray for using another piece from that drawer!  Honestly, I tried many different colors for the card base, and this one just seemed to work best.  You had to have been there.

By the way, my scale says this card with lining and envelope and protective cover sheet still comes in under one ounce.  Hooray again!

Thanks so much for spending part of your week with me.  Wishing you all happy days till we meet again!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Trumpet Vine Visitor digital download  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah white card base, BasicGrey June Bug designer paper  Ink:  Printer  Coloring:  Watercolor with Tombow markers  Other:  Memory Box Wrapped Stitched Frames, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers

Power Poppy: Healing Bouquet

Hello again!  I have another beautiful new digi from Power Poppy today.  This one is called Healing Bouquet.  Marcella's art makes my jaw drop.  Girl knows how to draw botanicals!  Have a look:

I used a hand stamped sentiment, but there are also digi sentiments with Healing Bouquet.  My coloring was done with Copics on 140 lb hot press watercolor paper.  I chose Copics for this one because I printed on the wrong side of the paper.  Fabriano Artistico extra white has 2 subtly different sides and I seem to get better results on one side.  Maybe it's just me.  I do love this paper when I'm careful to use the correct side.

I encourage you to check out the rest of the team's cards here:

• Julie
• Christine
• Stacy
• Allison
• Broni
• Gloria
• Barbara C.
• Catherine
• Power Poppy Blog

It's been a treat for me to color and share these new Power Poppy digis and I hope you enjoyed looking.  Thank you so much for your time.  Take care!

New From Power Poppy: Aloe and Oranges

There's something new from Power Poppy for all of Marcella's digital stamp fans (count me in!).  Today and tomorrow we have digi sets to share, and there will be more coming a bit later, but promise they'll be worth waiting for.  Today it's Aloe and Oranges.  You have to know I love this, don't you?  Click the link to see more of the set.

I had to include the Gansai Tambi paints in the photo because I kept forgetting how I colored this.  I drew the border line with a ruler and marker.  When you have a full front image and no extra layers, the border line makes a quick and easy frame.

My Bloom Brigade teamies have each put their own spin and mad coloring skills to work on this one.  Check here:

• Stacy
• Julie
• Christine
• Kathy
• Allison
• Broni
• Barbara C.
• Catherine
• Barbara W.
• Nancy
• Power Poppy Blog  (7 am CDT)

Come by tomorrow for some gorgeous flowers.  See you then!

Lady Slipper Orchid

Hooray, it's Friday and I colored some Power Poppy!  This is something I've had set aside to work on for quite a while.  First, I should mention the flowers -- Lady Slipper Orchid digital stamp with a sentiment from the Orchids Rock clear stamp set.  I used Gansai Tambi paints for watercoloring.

The border is the clear stamp background, Big Sexy Leaves.  I watercolored that gorgeous thing way back in 2018 (see the card here) and had this strip left over.  I always intended to use it with the orchids and finally got around to it.  Good grief, 2 years.  Can we all agree how quickly time flies?

I did my best to coordinate the colors, using the same Gansai Tambi paints.  Since I'd splattered the leaf border with white acrylic paint back in 2018, I also splattered the orchid image in 2020.  To finish, I drew a border line with a gray marker and distressed the edge. 

Christine has a wheelie great card to share today so be sure and stop over to her blog and have a look.

I'm glad you took the time to visit with me and I hope we can do this again soon.  Hugs! 

Stamps:  Power Poppy Lady Slipper Orchid digi, Orchids Rock clear stamp sentiment, Big Sexy Leaves clear stamp background  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot press watercolor  Ink:  Printer for digi, Ranger Archival Watering Can for sentiment, Palette Landscape (green) for leaves background  Coloring:  Watercolor with Gansai Tambi, diluted white acrylic paint for splatters, gray marker for narrow line border

Zinnias in Vases

One last card this week, friends.  Fridays are for Power Poppy so I have some of Marcella's digital flowers today.  Zinnia Parade is a perky and fun set for happy coloring and I thought this one would be good for a CAS card.

I was really feeling the white space at the time.  Just a bit of polka dot designer paper 'cause that's one of my favorite things, and a sentiment from one of Power Poppy's clear stamp sets -- Vibrant Thanks.  Oh, I did a little stitching up the side, too.  Coloring was done with Copics.

Check out these beautiful cards, too:

Stacy Morgan

Broni Holcombe

Julie Koerber

I hope you have a nice weekend, whether you're staying home or getting out and about.  Whatever your plans, be safe and alert, please!  Thank you so much for your time.

Seeds of Today

Hello!  Quick Copic coloring for today's card.  One by one I'm catching up on my not-yet-colored Power Poppy digis.  This one is Seeds of Today.  Marcella initially created this digi set with graduation celebrations in mind, and it does come with the appropriate sentiment for that, but I'm seeing it in a different light today.  Whether we plant the seeds of pretty flowers, or those of bitter fruits, we all reap what we sow.

I finished with a scalloped valance and a yellow mat.  Just simple.  Minimal supplies are listed below.  Have a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Power Poppy 'Seeds of Today' digital stamp  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card, yellow, BasicGrey Origins designer paper  Ink:  Printer  Coloring:  Copics  Dies:  Spellbinders Scored and Pierced Rectangles, Serendipity by Impression Obsession Heart Scroll Valance

Dahlia Display

Welcome to Friday!  It's a Dahlia kind of day, I think.  It sure felt good to watercolor some flowers this week.  I'm sharing Power Poppy's Dazzling Display digital stamp watercolored with Tombow markers on Fabriano Artistico 140 lb extra white paper.

Keeping it simple, I matted onto SU Lovely Lilac to match the dahlia, then glued flat to a white card.  One of the sequins is covering up a smudge on the sentiment.  My printer ink is great for watercoloring IF I lighten the image first.  I printed the flowers in no-line and the sentiment full strength.  I thought I was being careful, but apparently I dripped some water on the sentiment.  I wasn't able to correct all the smudges, but the sequin helped a little.

There's more to see here:

Broni Holcombe
Lisa Johansen

That wraps up the week here, friends.  I'll be back next week if cards happen.  Take good care of yourself!

Single Zinnia

Hello and welcome!  I'm glad you could join me today.

I've colored a big flower that I hope will inject a little cheer into your day.  It's Power Poppy Zinnia Parade digital stamp.  It struck me that this digi set is just the sort of happy coloring my heart needs right now.  Easy, cute, fun!  It's also another experiment with my Cryogen Ivory cardstock.  I used Prismacolor pencils again, but this time I blended with Gamsol odorless mineral spirits.  Sorry Cryogen, but I can't make myself love you, tsk tsk.  I have one more digi printed on this paper and I'm not sure what to try next.

Red gingham sure has a way of adding a homespun look to a card, doesn't it?  The card base with patterned paper was already made and sitting in my card parts drawer.  I have quite a variety I've made up, then changed my mind and tossed them into the drawer... now I'm trying to make a point of using them.  This old paper seemed just right for my Zinnia!

Part of the difficulty with Cryogen paper is getting an adequate photo.  It has a shimmer which reflects light aka glare.  The picture below gives you an idea of the shimmer, but it's actually barely noticeable to the naked eye.

Well, that's it from me this week.  For something really pretty have a look here:

Christine Okken

Thank you for your time today.  Wishing you peace and love.