Watercolor puddles

Watercolor puddles turned into root vegetables…



The Art of Spring is yet another online class that I am taking. I am SO glad that these classes are available for a full year because it takes me that long to get through them!!! Yeah, I am in the midst of six classes right now and three more are starting in April. Plus, I am trying to do some challenges here and there. Have I taken on too much?

Ok, back to watercolor puddles… Junelle Jacobson, our fabulous teacher, had us create pages of puddles, drips, and drops in a few different color combos on watercolor paper. The trick is to keep the colors from blending too much and becoming a muddy yuck. I had some trouble putting together some colors that I really liked. We started with orange and added a bit of green, blue and red. We wanted the watercolors to be really wet so that they would run down the page when it was held up. Adding a drop of water helped. We also used different brushes to get different widths of runs.

   

The basis for this exercise was to become familiar with what different brushes can do. And so that we create our puddles in vain, Junelle encouraged us create something with our puddles. I went with one of her suggestions to make veggies out of mine.

I sketched and cut out the veggies and leaves. I used a fine black pen and a few markers in shades of grey to make a ground line so that my veggies could be underground. I glued the veggies into my art journal and outlined them with a black pen. Next, I shaded around them with markers and charcoal pencils.



Here are my beets with a radish on either side. Carrots enclose the row on both sides. I kept the background very neutral so the colors would pop.

I don’t really know much about veggies. And I don’t like beets or radishes. Maybe next time I’ll make fruit.



Are you a fruit or veggie person? Raw or cooked? Do you grow your own or shop at a farmer’s market?

Thanks for visiting!
Desiree

La petite boutique

Have you heard of Junelle Jacobson? Last Spring she taught an online class called The Art of Wild Abandonment. This is a sketching class and it was really informative and enjoyable. We started out sketching radishes! I’m not really a sketcher so I wasn’t sure how I would do. Really I just followed along with the things that Junelle sketched. I like her whimsical style.

Here is one of my projects, La Petite Boutique. First, we sketched it out and then put together a finished piece. It was fun to come up with a few bits of clothing and accessories. For the background I used white crackle paint, a floral stamp with black Archival Ink, and Vintage Photo Distress Ink. 

Next I cut the clothing, etc.,  out of patterned paper that I pulled out of my scrap bin. I put a good coat of Mod Podge over the background, and over the papers before outlining everything.

I am planning on taking The Art of Wild Abandonment 2 soon. I have to figure out when I can squeeze it in between all of the other online classes that I am taking! Do you take online classes?

Thanks for visiting!
Desiree

Elements of Style - Leaves

Another Elements of Style card. I used a Sketch For You To Try sketch by Jen Del Muro. This was fun to put together.

I colored the stamp with Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, and So Safron markers, then stamped on Very Vanilla. I also used the Color Spritzer and a Soft Suede marker. Plus I sponged with So Safron too.

I distressed the edges of the Very Vanilla, Soft Suede and More Mustard pieces. The card base is Not Quite Navy. There is vanilla satin ribbon over the mustard cardstock.

I used the Little Leaves sizzlit and cut leaves out of Old Olive. The sentiment is stamped in Soft Suede on More Mustard and punched with the 1" punch to fit in Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware.

On a side note, my lovely daughter Emily received an award for Tolerance at the Clark County Youth Achievement Awards. She is also a Clark County Youth Commissioner and presented the awards for Family Life. She gave a speech to about 1,000 people and did very well. This year we could actually hear her! I am a proud mama!

Thanks for visiting!

Desiree

Supplies

Stamps: Elements of Style

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

Ink: Soft Suede, So Safron

Markers: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, So Safron, Soft Suede

Embellishments: Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware, Vanilla Satin Ribbon

Tools: Sponge, Color Spritzer, paper distresser, Sizzix Big Shot, Little Leaves sizzlit

Elements of Style Flower

I just love the Elements of Style stamp set. This is the first card that we made at my Very Vintage class. The tissue flower really makes the card!

I used Versamark to stamp the floral background on the Old Olive base and the torn More Mustard layer to add some interest. I used a wrinkled Soft Suede scallop border at the top and bottom of the Very Vanilla panel. Besides stamping in Soft Suede I also sponged in So Safron. I added Vanilla satin ribbon which is folded into pleats.

The flower is made of four layers of tissue cut with the Flower Layers die. I separated them and offset the petals. I used the three larger flowers. Next I put a brad in the center and crunched up the flowers. That took the most time because it's fun to squish the tissue and make it look just so. I ran a So Safron sponge over the tissue to give it a
I used a sketch from The Shabby Tea Room. That is such a lovely blog. little color. The I put a So Safron button threaded with linen thread in the middle.

Have a great day!
Desiree

Supplies
Stamps - Elements of Style
Cardstock: Old Olive, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, Versamark
Embellishments: tissuer, So Safron button from Button Latte, linen thread, brad, vanilla satin ribbon
Tools: paper distresser, scallop edge punch, Sizzix Big Shot, flower layers die

Elemental Circles

I used the Fall To Layout #86 for this card. I've been meaning to use the sketches for some time but haven't had time.

Blush Blossom and Sage Shadow are retiring colors and I love them. So these may be the only two colors that I keep around.

I clear embossed the flower stamp on the Blush Blossom first. Next I stamped it in Basic Grey ink on Shimmery White and used pastels to color the flowers in. I also stamped the flowers in Basic Grey ink on Basic Grey cardstock and Sage Shadow cardstock. I punched out different sized circles and fit them in the corresponding area on the Blush Blossom. I used dimensionals to raise the Shimmery White layers.

Let me know what you think!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Elements of Style
Paper: Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow, Basic Grey, Shimmery White
Ink: Basic Grey, Versamark
Other: Stampin' Pastels, clear embossing powder, dimensionals
Tools: Circle punches (3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8"), heat gun  

Safron SFYTT bird and blooms

Hi all... Isnt' this little bird punch adorable???? I just love it.

One of my brides has requested that it is featured on her wedding stationary and I am having so much fun with it. Think Not Quite Navy with Brushed Silver birds... beautiful!

This card is loosely based on the Saturday Sketch for You To Try on Jen del Muro's blog. It was a great starting point.

My girls unexpectedly spent the night away from home last night and so I had a night all to myself! No dinner to make (YAY) but I had to take out the trash for trash day (YUCK). Anyway, I turned on the boob tube and sat at my craft table. I worked on class samples and after quite some time I looked up and glanced at the clock... 2:30 am!!! Wow! So I crafted for a bit more then off to read for an hour before sleep. I am so tired today.

This is my non-working week from my real job and my goal is to get a start on organizing my craft stuff. I have too much of it, I keep buying and not using. Then since it isn't organized I rebuy stuff I already have. Do you do that too???? I see some gorgeous craft rooms out there and they leave me drooling.

Enough blathering on... Have a great end of the week! And go have some fun at your craft table!

Desiree

Supplies
Stamps: Vintage Labels
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, So Safron, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Tools: Sizzix, Top Note Die, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Bird Punch

Sending Love

Moving into the Valentine's mode with this card. Its a SCS sketch challenge card.  I generally don't make too many Valentine's cards but I really liked Stampin' Up!'s Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper. It's all glittery on one side and I really like the patterns. Pretty, pretty!

I had a great birthday - my friends are the best!!! My kids did nice things for me too and my dad remember my birthday and called me! YAY!

Today I need to get busy but I am so tired! I stayed up until 5am reading Outlander. Then my brother called me at 8am. Three hours of sleep is not enough!!!! He forgets about the time change. When my mom was alive she used to wake me up every Sunday morning to chat, also not thinking about the time change. Hearing from faraway family is a nice way to wake up though, isn't it?

A quick word about what Stampin' Up! is doing for Haitian Relief: For every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set that is purchased between now and Feb. 28, Stampin' Up! will give $2 to the American Red Cross specifically for Haiti. The set is fabulous and can be used for so much more than just Valentine's. I'll post some samples as soon as my set arrives. Go to this web page to learn more.

I'm off to the grocery store and then I need to plant my bottom at my craft table!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Desiree

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Simply Said, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla
Designer Series Paper: Sending Love
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Scalloped Edge Punch, Real Red marker

Curry and Suede

Fireworks are going off all around me! The girls and I had dinner at our friends' house and watched the neighbors set off fireworks. All around us were beautiful lights in the sky!

Earlier today I finally broke out some of my new In Color cardstock, ink and ribbon. I used an SFYTT sketch from Jen. It's been a long time since I used sketches or participated in any challenges...

For this one, I used Curry and Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy and Whisper White. The stamp is from the Close as a Memory set. The DSP is retired Bella Birds. Such a pretty package of paper. The only embellishment is the ribbon which is the Curry Polka Dot grograin using the backside. Also used the Top Note Sizzix die. A Simple and easy card.

I'm off to bed now to read for an hour before I sleep. I have been called into Mugs to open. So, I'll be there from 9-1 or 2. Stop in for coffee if you are in Hazel Dell!

Sweet Dreams!

Desiree

Branching Out

Love this set! It's called Branching Out and is really cute. Besides the tree and leaves it includes a tire swing, boots, bird, birdhouse, butterflies and snowflakes. I thought it was perfect to use for this sketch from the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's site (site is closed until next year). I used DSP from a SU mini catalog about a year ago. The color scheme is Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip. I also used Summer Sun and Basic Black inks. The ribbon is Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain and brads are antique copper.

Not a lot going on at the home front these days. Lil is busy reading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I think there are six books now. My mom turned me on to these awesome books about 10 years ago. I want to read them again!

Emily is off with her friend Josh at his family reunion. Tomorrow she'll be working with the Youth Commission on their diversity policy report. I think they will be going before the Board of Clark County Commissioners with their recommendations soon. Fabulous experience for her.

I've received my preorder package from SU and the new In Colors are AWESOME! I haven't opened everything up yet and I gotta get craftin with that yummy stuff!

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty good weekend!

Desiree

Chocolate embrace

I am so excited my SU! preorder package is arriving today!!! I can't wait to see the new In Colors in real life!

I made this card a few days ago with the Embrace Life set and Parisian Breeze Specialty Designer Paper. I am sad to see that paper go. Really pretty.

The sketch was from the Stampin' Out Alzheimers site. If you didn't get in on it this year, you need to next year!!!

I used vellum over a layer of dsp, and stamped on it with brown stazon. The flowers were stamped on Whisper White and watercolored using reinkers. Whisper White taffeta ribbon and pearls were added as embellishments.

Back to work now! Thanks for visiting!

Desiree

Too late for Verve....

Verve had a great challenge but the deadline was Friday. On SCS they posted three sketches and a color combo to follow, then you post them to the forum for a chance to win the new release. Yeah, I didn't make it.... but I did make two cards.

I used the SAB Botanical Blossoms set and the colors So Safron, Baja Breeze and Close to Cocoa. I am not sure what I was thinking on this first card. I think I was moving in a good direction until I added the flower in Baja with the Baja layer. It jsut doesn't go. What do you think???

The dsp is Delicate Dots which is also from SAB and so is the ribbon, So Safron 5/8" grosgrain. The buttons are from the Latte Button Bouquet. I also added 1/4" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment is a hostess set from the fall, I think.... Looks like I am going to have to peal that Baja flower off and do something different. It's bugging me.

Now this card came together much better. I like it. It's very soft and simple. I stamped the leaf outline in Whisper White on the Baja Breeze cardstock. Hmmm... not a single embellishment or ribbon on this card. Is it too simple????

Maybe this card needs a second look too. I made these cards on Thursday night after a long day. Maybe I was more brain dead then I thought I was.

Well, that's all I have for now. Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully I'll have something better to look at later. :)

Desiree

Hello there!

Yeah, it's me and the birdies again. This is from the Good Friend set. I used Jen's sketch for you to try on this one. I started with a piece of dsp paper from the Sunshine Morning Simply Scrappin Kit. I chose Baja Breeze, Old Olive and So Safron to go along with. The base is textured Baja Breeze. I stamped the bird in Not Quite Navy, beak in So Safron and legs in Close to Cocoa. The flowers are punched using the Boho Blossoms punch.

Please excuse the crookedness of this photo. What was I doing???

I hope that you all had a great Easter weekend!

Desiree

Pieced and pierced

I think this is the first time I've pieced a stamped image. I kept it really simple just creating one layer. When stampers piece images like florals with several layers, they turn out so beautiful! I was hoping to get this one in for Dawn's Raspberry Suite Color Inspiration Challenge but I was late. I didn't touch my craft table at all last night. This will get into the Flourishes challenge and Mojo Madness 81.

I only have a few stamps sets that I can even do this technique with so I was really limited. So I pulled this one out and thought, who doesn't love a cupcake? The frosting was done with Basic Grey Lilykate and the bottom with SU Bella Bleu. The pattern in the background is from that retired paper that everyone loved so much - it went with Embrace Life and had lots of Groovy Guava and River Rock in it, you know the one.....

Blush Blossom, Ruby Red and Whisper White are the cardstocks and Chocolate Chip is the ink. I used that cute scalloped oval punch and a stamp from the Oval All set. For embelishments I used a bit of linen thread and three gems from Imaginesce. I added a few beads to the frosting. I also pieced the little cupcakes. Cute, huh?

Off to read a few more pages of Infinite Jest. I may be reading that thing for the next year.... ugh! Yeah I know, why don't I just put it down then... Well I did that once and that is really not my MO. I have to start what I finished. Plus it's an interesting book, just a slow read.

Have a great Friday! We are just hours away from the weekend!!!! I'll be at Mugs from noon to 3 on Saturday, so if you're in Hazel Dell stop in and say hi!

Desiree

Hearts of Blue!

Once again reaching for my Cheep Talk set... If you don't already have it, you need to get it! I love these little birdies!!!

For this card I combined the Weekend Sketch Challenge #75 with Kristina's Color Inspiration #48. The colors are a wonderful combination and I kept the card very simple. The colors are Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze. The dsp is from the Ski Slope pack from last winter. The ribbon is Kiwi Kiss satin and the hearts are from the So Tweet Onboard Chipboard collection. I inked them up with Baja Breeze and then glittered them up with Art glitter. I used the liquid glue from SU so that glitter is stuck on there but good. Don't you hate it when glitter comes off everywhere as you handle a card??? Here's a closer look at those little hearts...

Tomorrow evening is my Funky Folds class, I might come up with a bonus card... maybe the Never-ending card would do the trick. I've never made one so now's as good a time as any!

Back to work for me. This making a living thing really cramps my real life, heeheehee! Have a great day!

Desiree

Shout Out for Sheetloads!

As I was blurfing (blog surfing) I came across this publication called Sheetloads on a blog called Sheetload of Cards. The issue that I took a gander at features a cute sketch and then cutting diagrams to make several of the same card. What a great way to get the maximum use out of your paper! I hate it when I have lots of scraps left over and they end up in my ever growing scraps box -- usually never to be heard from again.... Take a look at the April issue pictured here:

The idea is to use up your stash of supplies while building up a stash of cards! The sketch and cutting diagrams are well illustrated with a special supply list if you only want to make one card instead of six. There are quite a few examples and also some instructions for various techniques.

I couldn't resist trying this out and I wanted to go with some bright colors. I pulled out my Bali Breeze DSP and Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White cardstock. Following the cutting diagram I had all my pieces ready for assembly in minutes.

Here is my project part way through... For embellishments I pulled out my Sizzix Big Shot and SU Butterfly die. I used the Rounded Tab punch to make the butterfly bodies and then drew on the antennae. I used glue to adhere the butterfly along the fold line and then dimensionals underneath the wings to raise them a bit off the paper. The little flowers are punched out with the Boho Blossoms punch and a rhinestone brad is in the middle.

Take a look at the end result... I stamped the sentiment in Basic Black on Whisper White. It's from the Soft Summer set in the Occasions Mini Catalog and the only stamping on this card. I really enjoyed this process, it was quick and easy and now I have 6 more cards to add to my card box. Yeah, at some point I am actually going to have to send some cards out. I haven't reached that part in my stamping addiction therapy. However, with 6 matching cards I should be able to part with 5 of them and still have one left over to hoard, right?

Ok, now it's your turn to get on over to Sheetloads and give this a try! Thanks for stopping in and I hope your weekend has been going along wonderfully!

Desiree

Use a little, keep a little...

Hello fellow paper hoarders... you know who you are! Susan Roberts (Rainy) is a self-admitted paper hoarder... just like the rest of us she buys oh-so-pretty papers and then can't bear to use them. Yeah, that's why I have a gajillion papers packed into my craft area! Well, Susan posted this blog about dividing those gorgeous 12x12 sheets into four 6x6 pieces. Now she can use some and still have some left over to keep for that "very special project in the future." She came up with a great one sheet wonder using a 6x6 sheet and a sketch to go with it and created 4 great cards --- take a look at her blog!

Here are my cards based on her formula. They are definitely not as beautiful as her cards. The first set I worked on was Real Red, Whisper White and Sahara Sand. It was late and I really didn't put much thought into it. I used a Cuttlebug paisley embossing folder (I like them WAY better then the Sizzix texture plates) and a sheet of 6x6 DSP from last year's Level 1 Hostess Paper pack. The stamp set is called Lovely Labels stamped in Real Red on Whisper White then punched with a circle punch and layered on Sahara Sand that was punched with the scallop circle. I also punched little 1/16" holes all around. Linen thread and a white eyelet were used for embelishments.

The second card is much better I think. I used Bella Bleu DSP and Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla and Bordering Blue cardstocks. Here I did use the Damask Sizzix texture plate. I love this stamp from the Cute and Curly set and I stamped it in Not Quite Navy then punched it out using the corresponding punch. The Not Quite Navy layer was handcut. I added Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon as the final touch.

Happy Friday!!!

Desiree

Little yellow birdie

Isn't this little bird just a cutie??? I am so in love with the coordinating stamps, designer paper and chipboard that Stampin' Up! put together. The chipboard set is called So Tweet, the dsp is Sunshine Garden and the stamp sets are Cheep Talk and Good Friend. I made this card using Jen del Muro's sketch and for Jen Tapler's challenge. In a nutshell, Jen Tapler is celebrating her blogaversary by challenging people to create a card that she can auction to raise money for a cure for Alzhiemer's. Well, my dad was recently diagnosed so this challenge is something that I wanted to participate in. It's very reminiscent of the challenge that Cammie had a few months ago on her blog.

This card uses Kiwi Kiss, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla cardstock. I covered a chipboard birdie with Sunshine Morning dsp. That was glued on with my favorite PVA glue, available at Arts and Scraps - the BEST local scrapbooking store around! - and sprinkled with a tiny bit of glitter. You can see that better in the second photo. His beak is Only Orange and feet are Chocolate Chip. His eye is a blue rhinestone brad. Next I cut out the leafy branch from the reverse side of the same dsp and adhered it to a piece of Always Artichoke cardstock that I punched with the scallop edge punch. Along the bottom I added three pears. The sentiment is from the Cheep Talk set. I think I'll be using these stamps for a long time!

You can just barely see the glitter in this detail shot. I wanted just a bit so that it wasn't too glittery. So now this card is off in the mail to Jen Tapler. I hope she raises ALOT of money - we need a cure now!

I'll be back after a while with more cards. I actually have more to post!

Have a great weekend!!! And thanks for stopping by!

Desiree

Embrace life!

Wow! I can't believe how long it's been since my last post... So much has been going on! Most notably is that Lillianna has come home after being at her dad's for 3 months! I am so glad that she is back home. I've also been helping Emily repaint her room. That has been taking longer then it should have... I have been finding bits of time here and there to craft, I just haven't had time to get to the computer.

I made this card for the Sketch For You To Try over at Jen's blog. This week she is also giving away some goodies! I started out with a Very Vanilla base then I pulled out my Sizzix Big Shot and Top Note die for a Ruby Red and Blush Blossom layer. I used the Embrace Life stamp set and Cameo Coral ink for the blossoms then I used Barely Banana pastels to color in the littl buds. The ribbon is Very Vanilla 5/8 grosgrain and the strip of DSP is really old, so I can't remember the pack it came from. The main flower was created in three levels. I stamped it twice in Timber Brown Stazon and watercolored with Ruby Red. After they dried I cut the flowers out. The first one I left whole and the second one I cut into separate petals and then using stampin' dimensionals I layered them. You can't really see it but I added yellow glitter on the stamens. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment in the inside.

I have more to share this week... a heart album and another progressive page layout. Thanks for visiting and happy stamping!!!

Desiree

Spring is near!

I love these delicate little flowers! This set is Sweet Stems. The colors I chose for this card are Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, and Almost Amethyst (which I haven't used in ages). After I stamped the flowers in Basic Black I colored them with chalks and then used markers for the small dots. I really like the soft look. I used the Swiss Dots embossing folder with my Big Shot for the Whisper White layer. I added Certainly Celery twill ribbon (fron Sale-a-Bration), a silver hodgepodge ribbon slide, a silver mini library clip and a pink rhinestone brad. The sentiment is from the set All Holidays. I used Mojo Monday 73 sketch for this one. A pretty little spring card!

Next up is a bright red butterfly! This is a really simple card that I made from Jen's SFYTT. The set is Garden Whimsy and I just stamped and cut and popped on dimensionals. I used Real Red, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, So Safron and Chocolate Chip. The only embellishing is piercing. Maybe too simple....

So I have been so looking forward to Survivor starting tonight.... and wouldn't you know it... I FORGOT!!! I didn't even set up my TIVO... Now I gotta watch it online, I am thankful for that option. How could I forget??? I mean, really....

And to all my friends and family, I did not make any Valentine's cards, not one. Such a shame really. So don't be looking in your mailbox. I still have a Christmas gift to finish up. Am I a procrastinator or what???

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Go be creative!

Desiree

Trees and flowers

Here's a cute little card using Basic Grey paper as the background. I used Sweet Stems and one line from Many Happy Returns. For embellishments I used felt flowers, So Safron button, a Real Red brad and linen thread. Color palette includes So Safron, Old Olive, and Real Red. I pulled out a snippet of Soft Sky for a flower punch.

The sketch that I used is a Mojo Monday sketch. Check it out here. The designers create awesome cards.

So does it matter that the stamp is a flower and the background is full of trees? It's so dreary outside that I must have forgotten how to tell the two apart. heeheehee

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

Desiree