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.

CAS Mix Up Reminder: Print Making with Die Cuts

It's mid-month reminder time at CAS Mix Up!  Our host, Bonnie, gave us the nudge to try our hands at print making with dies.  Turns out it's quite a lot of fun!  Don't forget, this is a 5 yr birthday celebration for the challenge, too, and there are prizes to be won.  I hope you'll hop over and celebrate with us!

 

I made my card about a month ago when I tried the technique for the first time.  Hey, if I can do it. . .

Bonnie gave us a video link for instructions:  Print Making by Kathy Racoosin 9:11

I've used an older Rose Bouquet die and Spectrum Noir sparkle watercolor pens.  I hope you'll take a look at what the rest of the team and our talented guest designer, Ros, are offering up for inspiration.  They've got some beautiful stuff!  Now, let's see yours!

Have a fabulous day!

Stamps:  Lawn Fawn Wavy Sayings  Paper:  Arches 140 lb cold press watercolor, other white card base  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black (sentiment)  Coloring:  Spectrum Noir sparkle watercolor pens  Dies:  Die-namites Rose Bouquet, Lil' Inker Side Stitched Rectangles, Lawn Fawn Fancy Wavy Banners

CAS Mix Up Challenge: Print Making with Die Cuts

Hello, and welcome to another CAS Mix Up Challenge!  This month the focus is on watercolor and Bonnie has one of her favorite watercolor techniques for us to try:

But, wait, there's more:

Be sure to visit the CAS Mix Up Challenge Blog to see how we're celebrating!

I've been intrigued by the print making with die cuts technique and have wanted to give it a try, so now is the time.  My results are subtle, but interesting.

Bonnie has provided a link to this video which I watched for basic instructions:  

Print Making by Kathy Racoosin 9:11

I may have veered off into my own thing.  Techniques would be so much easier if I had a computer in my stamp room, sigh...

After spritzing everything with water, I painted the dragonflies on the backside with Spectrum Noir sparkle pens, then pressed onto the panel.  Then I painted the front side of the dragonflies, and when everything was dry I glued them in place.  Added splatters.  That's the simplified version.  I highly recommend watching the video.

I hope you'll take a look at the challenge blog to see the samples by the team and our guest designer, Ros.  They've achieved some beautiful results.  Back to the drawing board for me because I do think this technique is worth trying again.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Lawn Fawn Wavy Sayings  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, SU Tempting Turquoise, other white card base  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black for sentiment  Coloring:  Spectrum Noir Sparkle watercolor pens  Dies:  Elizabeth Craft Dragonfly, Lawn Fawn Wavy Banners

Power Poppy Christmas Remix Hop: Big Ol' Bow and More

Happy Small Business Saturday!  I hope all my American friends enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving holiday and are now ready to focus on Christmas.  Preparations have been underway in my stamp room, and it's time to get serious about finishing up the cards.

• To that end, Power Poppy brings you a $1 digital stamp -- Big Ol' Bow.  That's right -- $1.
• Additionally:  25% OFF STOREWIDE -- use code THINKSMALL
• Please read to the end of this post for another surprise giveaway!!

Speaking of Big Ol' Bow... Marcella says this is a remix of an older stamp, but it's brand new to me and I love it!  I'm thinking it could be used year round for birthdays, too.  Make it big enough to cover the card front, or make it small for a gift card... whatever.  It's just a bow, but you can do a bazillion things with it!  BTW, there's more than one version.  You'll just have to look.

I plan to print up a bunch more 'cause I really want to see it in all different colors on a white card base.  It's so easy to color!  For this card I watercolored with Spectrum Noir sparkle pens -- a bright green bow on a dark blue base.  I don't know what has gotten into me this year with the blue.

A better look at the sparkle... nothing like what you see in real life, but you can imagine.

Total Christmas cards:  36

Now, for the next surprise:

I'm giving away a $20 gift voucher to the Power Poppy store!!

Just comment on today's post now through December 2nd and you'll be included in a random draw.  Winner will be announced on the Power Poppy Blog on Wednesday, December 4.

This has been quite a hop, hasn't it?  It's not over yet, friends!  I hope you've been checking the Power Poppy Blog daily where Marcella announces everything that's going on, plus gives you links to the designers who are sharing that day.  You may find other surprises along the way.

See more inspiration here:

Stacy Morgan
Lisa Johansen
Gloria Stengel
Marcella @ Power Poppy Blog

See you again soon!

Christmas Bouquet and Wreath Joy

Well, here we are again, friends... a new week, and today I have two cards to share.  These were part of my coloring for the 30 Day Coloring Challenge.  I forget which days they represent.  This challenge has made it apparent to me that I really don't color every day and it has been somewhat of a push to make it happen.  I generally go to my stamp room with my morning coffee first thing, but not always to color.  I might die cut, stamp a bunch of images, prepare card layouts, finish the insides of cards from the day before, maybe just tidy up or organize.  Does that sound familiar to you?

So now I color... and, happily, it's helping me get my Christmas cards done.  The two cards today were both made with digital stamps by AlexSyberiaDesign.  Images are hand drawn and, I kid you not, she has some gorgeous stuff over there.

First card is Christmas Bouquet.  5" square, watercolored with Spectrum Noir sparkle pens.  Much prettier in real life.  Glossy accents on the sentiment panel.  It was not quite dry when I photographed it, so it's actually more clear now that it's dry.

The next card is a very simple Wreath Joy.  I die cut a curve and added a patterned paper border, but honestly, I think the wreath is prettiest when left very simple on an all white card.  I could make a bunch of these very quickly in all different colors.  I do not feel a need to be concerned about color authenticity.  Just have fun with it.

Total Christmas cards:  30

I'll be back here again as soon as possible.  In the meantime, I'll pop around to visit my bloggie friends and see what you're up to.  I've been falling behind, sigh.  Never enough hours in the day for all the things I love to do.  Have a wonderful day!

CAS Watercolor Reminder: Bouquet of Flowers

Hello and welcome!  I'm back with a mid-month reminder for the CAS Watercolor Challenge.  You have until the 24th of this month to join in with your bouquet of flowers.

It's been my pleasure to guest design this month, especially considering watercolor is my favorite medium.

It's another special day because today is Bonnie's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BONNIE!

Bonnie is one of the talented teamies at CAS Watercolor.  What a fun month it's been!  Bonnie will be surprised to see that the whole team has made birthday bouquets to celebrate her special day.

My bouquet for Bonnie is an older Penny Black stamp set called To You.  I used Spectrum Noir Sparkle watercolor pens for this one.  See the little heart by the sentiment?  That was formed by carefully positioning the sentiment so a curlicue in the sentiment joined up with a curlicue in the tail of the bouquet string.  I've used this stamp many times and that's the first time I noticed you could do that.  Cute!

The colors wanted to wash out in the photo, but I did the best I could to represent it.  Some days are like that.  In the picture below you can see some of the grainy specs that are actually sparkle.  These Spectrum Noir Sparkle pens are like watercoloring with colored Wink of Stella.  Love them!

That's all from my end of things!  Now, hop over to CAS Watercolor and have a look at all the pretty reminder cards the team has to share with you AND say "happy birthday" to Bonnie while you're there.  Remember, the 24th of this month will wrap things up.  Have a good day!

Monday Fun Day: CAS Christmas Card Challenge

Monday greetings, friends!  I'm playing along in the CAS Christmas Card Challenge today and the theme this month is Snowman.  This is one challenge I never want to miss and thankfully we have most of the month to play along.  I made two of these cards, exactly alike, which brings my Christmas card total up to 12.

Plum Purdy no longer makes stamps, but my friend, Sherri, sent me a bunch of super cute stamped images to color.  This one is on watercolor paper, sentiment included.  I used my Spectrum Noir sparkle pens for coloring.  You can see a smidgen more of the sparkle in the photo below.

Cut with a Lil' Inker Silly Stitched Die, then matted on pink and a lightly textured white card base.  Finished with a Precious Marieke Snowflake Corner.

The inspiration from the CAS Christmas Challenge team is greatly appreciated!

Have a happy day!

Here Comes Santa Double D Challenge

Hello again and welcome to another Double D challenge!  Santa will be here before you know it, so that's our challenge today -- Here Comes Santa!

And here's my card made with Power Poppy's Flowering Santa:

Our inspiration board:

And a prize for a random winner:

The snowy Santa in the middle of the inspiration board was my jumping off point.  I watercolored with a combination of Tombow markers and Spectrum Noir sparkle pens.  The snowflake dies were coated with micro-fine glitter.  The snowflake dots were made with a white pearl pen, then sprinkled with micro-fine glitter.

I know there's going to be awe-inspiring entries for this challenge.  You all have knocked my socks off many times!  Team Darlene and Team Diane have lots for you to see on the Double D blog, too, so hop over to check them out, and then play along with your own Santa.  Enjoy!

Stamps:  Power Poppy "Flowering Santa" clear stamp set  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, red Bazzill card base, Neenah 110 lb white for snowflake die cuts  Ink:  Ranger Archival Watering Can (dark gray), Palette Noir for sentiment  Coloring:  Tombow markers and Spectrum Noir watercolor sparkle pens  Accessories:  Viva Decor Pearlen Pen - Ice White, Elizabeth Craft Warm Diamonds micro-fine glitter  Dies:  Lil' inker Designs Side Stitched Rectangles, Spellbinders Create-a-Flake Five

Dazzling Dahlia

Hello there!  Did you remember Saturday was World Card Making Day?  Somehow I failed to realize that until the day was upon me and I had other plans.  I did mail two birthday cards on Saturday, though.  Does that count?

The card I'm sharing today is Power Poppy's Dahlia XL, watercolored with my Spectrum Sparkle brush pens, plus one color of Twinkling H2Os.  I was thinking fall with russet tones and this is how it turned out.

Bright, isn't it?  Yikes!  Maybe I should call this "Dahlia on Fire".  You can't even see the sparkle in the first photo.  It shows up a little more here:

And here:

Love those sparkle pens!

I started out with Macaroon and Biscuit sparkle pens (pink and yellow), and left some of that showing for highlights as I added Hearthside sparkle pen (red) and Ginger Peach Twinkling H2O (russet).  The background is shaded with Ocean Wave and Sage sparkle pens.  The gold splats are Ginger Peach Twinks.

I tried to echo all the colors of the dahlia in the designer paper card base, the light gold shimmery mat, and the copper cord.

I'm going to play along in The Flower Challenge's 1st birthday celebration -- "Use Your Favorite Flower".

I think my favorite flower is just about anything Marcella draws, but dahlias do fascinate me because of the incredible variety and some of those huge "dinner plate" blooms.  There are prizes for this birthday celebration and we're supposed to name our choice just in case we win.  Well, gee, there are still a few Power Poppy digis I don't have yet...

That's it for today!  I hope to see you again soon.  Till then...

Stamps:  Power Poppy Dahlia XL  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, light gold satin metallic, white card base, BasicGrey June Bug designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir  Coloring:  Spectrum Sparkle watercolor bush pens and Twinkling H2Os as listed above  Accessories:  Copper cord, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets

Tulip Block

Hello again!  I'm back with some sparkly watercoloring today.  First time to watercolor a Bugaboo digi (ordinarily use Copics), but I'm loving those Spectrum Noir sparkle watercolor pens just a little too much to put them down.  The image is called 4 Block Tulip Square.

I certainly could have cut out those blocks and popped them up, but decided to leave it whole because I so often go to way more trouble than necessary and, hey, it's summer so the beautiful days are calling to me.

In the rather glaring photo below you can see the sparkle from the watercolor pens (much prettier IRL), plus the glossy sentiment (Paper Smooches Hello Words) and the glossy dots throughout the image.  The sentiment was cut from a small scrap of black mirrored card stock -- my last little scrap.  It's incredibly glossy, isn't it?  That's what gave me the idea to carry the gloss through to the image, so I touched the dots with a black Sakura glaze pen.  Easy and quick.

I popped up the whole panel on a textured white card base.  No matting.  Sometimes I just like it very clean.

Today I'd like to thank my friend, Donna, for this and one other Bugaboo that she emailed to me with Bugaboo Jodie's blessing.  I tell you, I do get by with a little help from my friends.  When I think about some of the things I've received...  I'm a lucky girl.

Playing along with the following challenges today:

• Cards in Envy challenge:  Bug Me!  Card must feature a bug and fit nicely in an envelope for easy mailing.
• Little Red Wagon challenge:  Bugs and Slugs.  I'll take ladybugs over slugs any day!
• The Paper Players challenge:  The Great Outdoors.  Flowers were specifically mentioned as a qualifying possibility.

It's fun to join some challenges.  I need to do that more often.

That's it for today!  Have yourself a sunshiny, but not too hot, happy day!

The Monthly Christmas Card, Sparkling and Twinkling

I've been at the Spectrum Noir watercolor sparkle pens again and I can hardly express how much I'm enjoying them.  I now have the Vintage Hues set (12 markers) in addition to the three others I started with, so I thought I'd try them out on the monthly Christmas card.  Christmas is a good time for sparkle, isn't it?  I know... anytime is a good time for sparkle!

So here we go with a favorite Power Poppy Christmas set called Heaven & Nature Sing.  It gave me a chance to try a few different colors.  The birds, however, were colored mostly with Twinkling H2Os as there were no suitable browns in the Spectrum set.  I may supplement my Spectrum markers later, but for now I'm enjoying the Twinks, my interest in them having been rekindled by the Spectrum sparkle pens.

The degree of sparkle you get with these pens varies depending upon how much water you use and how much you spread the ink.  Some areas may have very little sparkle and other areas will have a lot.  I like that.  It's a gentler effect.  The photo below shows where the sparkle gathered in this painting.  Please note that the camera made some of the sparkle appear silver, but it does not look silver when seen simply through your eyes.

Each color was brushed onto a plastic palette and picked up with a watercolor brush.  The green of the holly leaves is a mix of Emerald Green and Ocean Wave.  Ocean Wave is a rich teal blue and Emerald Green is more of a lime green.  I brushed them separately onto the palette and then mixed them together with a paint brush.

One more card ready for Christmas.  My total so far:  11.  Hey, it's better than zero.

Supplies are listed below.  Wishing you all a happy day!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Heaven & Nature Sing clear set  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Bazzill light purple  Ink:  Palette Noir  Coloring:  Spectrum Noir Sparkle pens Vintage Hues set plus Emerald Green, Twinkling H2Os Dark Umber  Accessories:  Sequins, Spellbinders A2 Divine Eloquence, Spellbinders Labels Twenty Eight

Roses Watercolored with Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens

Here in the US we're coming off a long holiday weekend and I sure hope everyone who observed it had a nice time.  We finished up with beautiful weather, had some fun with family and friends, and I even got to do a little stamping.

With this card I tried something new to me.  When our local paper craft store was going out of business I bought a set of three Spectrum Noir Sparkle pens.  Honestly, I had no idea these were meant for watercoloring.  Yes, there I am... under a rock again.  I assumed they were like Wink of Stella with color and, indeed, you can use them that way, but they're a little intense.  After seeing Connie watercolor with them a few times I finally decided to give it a try.  Thanks, Connie!

The photo above doesn't show the sparkle, but you can see how nicely they work for watercoloring.  Since I was limited to three pens I chose these Power Poppy roses for my trial run.  I combined two sets -- Everything's Even Rosier (buds and sentiment) and My English Rose (full bloom).

In the next photo you can get an idea of the sparkle these pens lay down, but there's actually way more sparkle than I could capture here.

They worked so beautifully and I loved them so much I wanted to run right out and buy more.  However, I decided to read some reviews on Amazon first.  There was talk of the sparkle rubbing off and the pens leaking out during shipping.  I did notice some sparkle came off during handling, but that's nothing new with glitter.  I'd not let that stop me from buying more of these pens.  There's still plenty of sparkle after all the business of constructing the card.  I'm hoping I can find them locally.

The colors I used are Solar Red, Emerald Green, and Blue Topaz.

More card ingredients are listed in the recipe below my signature.  I hope to see you here again real soon!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Everything's Even Rosier (bud and sentiment) and My English Rose (full bloom)  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot press watercolor, CTMH Citrus Leaf, Core'dinations white card base, Echo Park Fine and Dandy designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir, Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens for watercoloring  Accessories:  Queen & Co crystal rhinestones, Die-namics Wonky Stitched Squares, Memory Box Precious Hearts