Sunday, March 2, 2014

Virginia's View Challenge #1

My friend Virginia has started a monthly challenge which she calls Virginia's View.  Here is our photo inspiration for this first one:


I have always loved watercolor art, and so I decided to jump in with both feet.  I made 3 cards today, all using distress inks as my watercolors and watercolor paper as my base.


For this first one I started with a Technique Tuesday stamp set, Two Steppin',  which has a 2-step flower.  I stamped the outline of the flowers and leaves using Ranger Archival ink in Jet Black, then added the 2nd step using distress inks that had been spritzed before stamping.  To finish, I made pools of the same colors, dipped in a paint brush and flicked on some droplets in my background.  The sentiment is from Hero Arts Dauber Bunch.  I added pearls to the centers of the flowers and mounted my dried panel onto a new Doll Pink cardstock from Simon - it is an exact match to picked raspberry distress ink, which I used for my center flower!

I'd like to enter this first card into Card Concept's Floral Theme challenge.  The style would be Clean and Simple.


On my second card, I used finger daubers to apply various distress inks using this Mini Flower Frenzy stencil and also used some distress markers to add a few highlights here and there.  Then I removed the stencil and really spritzed lots of water onto the panel.  That caused the colors to soften and run together and blend - I love the effect!  After a thorough drying and straightening under a pile of books, I then embossed my panel with Cuttlebug's Juli's Garden embossing folder.  My sentiment comes from The Craft's Meow Potted Garden set, now discontinued. (so sad, I love the beautiful font that Clare Buswell gave us).  And I added some clear sequins here and there to give a bit of sparkle.

ETA:  I'd like to enter this 2nd card into Moxie Fab World's Styling with Stencils challenge.


And for my final card, I simply stamped this Stampendous Cling Seed Catalog onto watercolor paper, then smooshed various distress inks onto an acrylic block, misted them with water, and used a paint brush to color in the main image before washing the background in broken china distress ink.  I used my fingernail to rough up the edges of the panel before attaching it to my card base.

Thank you, Virginia, for a great afternoon of play!  There are so many other ways to get the watercolor look - I just might be back again soon with a couple more entries!

30 comments:

Cindy C. said...

Impressive!!!!! Three beautiful, Spring cards in one afternoon! And each has it's own character, I love them all!

Jackie said...

Those are beautiful! Makes me want to dig out my watercolors and get messy.

Maureen Chandler said...

Thanks so much for your lovely cards - I, too, love watercolor and you do it perfectly! I think that first card is my favorite although they are all beautiful!

Barb said...

Looks like you had such a fun day creating, Lin! I love all three cards but that first one really caught my eye - love the bright, warm colors! ♥

Dotty Jo said...

Fabulous cards Lin! I always love my visits to your blog as your cards are so beautiful and inspirational, Jo x

Lizzie T a/k/a Wifelady said...

Gorgeous watercolors! I love all the different looks you created!

Virginia L. said...

I am SO VERY impressed that you used the water-coloring technique to create three different looks for your designs!! Each one of them is gorgeous! And I love that you put your Lin-signature look with the water-coloring! Congrats to be the first to be featured over our Facebook page! (please "like" us over FB page). So glad that you link up your card for Virgina's View Challenge! (Thank you, big sis!)

Jenni's Jems said...

These are so pretty! love the soft colours... have never tried the watercolouring technique but think I might now -these have inspired me! x

Deirdre said...

Wow, really gorgeous Lin.

Lucille K said...

Lin, Thank you so much for posting about Virginia's challenge, I'm off to check it out :) And, as always your cards are beautiful :)

joy said...

You were really into this challenge, Lin! What beauties these cards are!! I love them all.

Teresa Kline said...

wow, what gorgeous cards...I simply luv your watercoloring...precious! thanks for sharing about the new challenge, will add it to my blog roll of challenges and I will play along!

sparkle & shine *~*

Barb Ghig said...

Really gorgeous cards, Lin! I really love how each one is so unique...especially how you used your embossing folder on the 2nd card! Beautiful entries for Virginia's challenge!

Ardyth said...

Wonderful watercolouring - love the soft look of these. Pretty shimmer of pearls on your bolder card! Thanks so much for joining us at The Card Concept!

Cat Craig said...

Lin, I loved your first card, and then saw the second and fell in love with that one...and then the third gorgeous. What a lovely lush post to highlight watercolors.

Leni said...

Gorgeous cards Lin! Hope I can find that stampendous stamp one day! Super beautiful!

Lisa Elton said...

A watercolored feast for the eyes Lin, Love these!!

MarcyK924 said...

Another stunning display of cards, Lin! Anything for Virgina, I'm so excited! You are her first FEATURE!!! And so well deserved! You are the busiest cardmaker I know! XO

Sarah G said...

Beautiful cards - I love your floral designs! You have such a great eye for colour!

Sanketi said...

Love them all,but the last one is my favorite!

Unknown said...

Outstanding brilliant awesome, just love all three. Can't wait to try each technique. I love watercolor, so soft. Just beautiful, thanks. God bless

Jill Norwood said...

Gorgeous cards! I love them all too! I need to go get some watercolor paper! :)

chiyo smith said...

I too love anything watercolor. Your cards are lovely and especially like the soft colors of the embossed center card. Thank you for the background stories that always explain 'where' your cards come from. Oh the possibilities...

Bless you,
grateful gramma

Karen Davis said...

All your cards are lovely Lin. I love the two step flowers on the CC card. They are so bright and fresh. Love the paint splats too. Thank you so much for joining us at The Card Concept!

Robin K. said...

My goodness Lin! I'd be hard pressed to pick a fave- I love them all!!

donna mikasa said...

Wow...wow...and WOW! I'm blown away by all the different watercoloring techniques! Love them all!

judkajudi said...

Your watercoloring is amazing!!

Bonnie said...

Three beautiful examples and each unique! You are such an inspiration, Lin!

Unknown said...

wow! all these cards are stunning!

Marie said...

Beautiful water coloring, Lin. Thanks for the mini tutorial.