Watercolored Aloha

Hi guys,

I want to share a card that I made for a friend of mine recently.  You know I'm originally from Hawaii and it's like a state requirement that you must embrace all things pineapple (and rainbows;).  Lucky for me, I have this super cute set called Stay Golden that was designed by Julie Ebersole for Ellen Hutson.  The hand-drawn pineapples in this set are super cute and are perfect for watercoloring.  

I started by stamping the outline pineapple stamp with a tan ink (used non-waterbased ink from MFT I think).  I painted it in with some yellow and orange watercolors.  Then I stamped the solid pineapple crown but used Distress Inks (Peeled Paint) this time.  I painted over the stamped crown first with water and then with green and yellow watercolors.   Makes the crown look like it was painted freehand, right?  

For the aloha sentiment, I die cut the painted piece with some alpha dies.  Instead of inlaying the letters, I adhered them with foam tape.  It makes them stand out just a little bit more, but doesn't take away from the overall stamped background.  

Now I gotta get this baby in the mail:)  Thanks for stopping in!  Enjoy the rest of the week!

JJ

Gingko Leaves Galore with Neat & Tangled

Hi guys,

Today, I'm on the Neat & Tangled blog today with a card using the Have Courage stamps and Happiness dies from the April release.  

First I stamped the background in a light neutral color.  When I stamp a full background, I like to stamp larger than the A2 card size and then trim down.  That way I can capture the frame I like best.  The great thing about the Have Courage stamps is that I was able to stamp a pretty tight background without any masking whatsoever:)

Next I watercolored the leaves in green and yellow.  I am a watercolor novice, but I have 2 tips that have helped me have more fun with watercolors.  My first tip would be to buy an assortment of paint brushes including the small/thin ones.  The second tip is to get watercolor paper (I get mine from Hobby Lobby).  I know that I'll never be a great watercolorist, but I really do enjoy it!  

I used the Happiness die for the sentiment on the front.  I wanted to keep the card from CAS, so I stamped the rest of the sentiment inside the card.  

Here's the finished card put together.   

Thanks for stopping in today!  Have an awesome week!

JJ

Neat & Tangled April Release Day 4: Inlaid Square Coverplate

Hi everyone,

Today is my last post for the Neat & Tangled April release.  It's been a lot of fun being able to work with all the amazing new N&T goodies.  Danielle and the folks over at Neat & Tangled are so sweet and talented, and it's been a blast!  For today's post, I'm highlighting the Inlaid Square Coverplate.  You saw me using this yesterday, and here is another way of using a coverplate.  I started by watercoloring a simple image of the gingko leaves from Have Courage.   

Then I used the coverplate to cut the image.  The key to making this technique work best is to 1) use a simple, bold image and 2) choose a die that contrasts with the image (the leaves have a natural, organic line which is a good contrast to the straight lines of the die).  This is one of my favorite types of cards to make.  

If you go over to the Neat & Tangled blog you'll see more coverplate action!  

Thanks for dropping by this week!  I do appreciate all of your kind  words:)

JJ

Neat & Tangled April Release Day 3: Happiness

Hi there,

For Day 3 of the Neat & Tangled April release, I'm highlighting the Happiness set.  These sets have a stamp set and coordinating die set.  For my card, I used the die set to create an inlaid die cut plaque.  You can also see a couple other new release items, the bears from Mommy, Daddy, and Me and the Inlaid Square Coverplate.   

This card actually started with the background.  I wanted to use the coverplate in a different way, so I used different patterned papers.  The resulting pattern reminded a bit of a lodge quilt, so I used more kraft and added the die cut plaque and bears.  I love that little bear lounging on his poppa's back!  So cute.

Click on over to the Neat & Tangled blog for more Happiness!    

JJ

Neat & Tangled April Release Day 2: Mommy, Daddy, and Me

Hi guys,

It's Day 2 of the Neat & Tangled April release and I have another set to reveal.  This one is called Mommy, Daddy, and Me.  This set has the sweetest mommy/daddy and baby pairs.  I made a little shaker card with the shaker being inside the conversation bubble.  

The background was done with three of my faves: Distress Oxides, star glitter, and mirror sequins.  How cute are those elephant stamps?  

Click on over to the Neat & Tangled blog to see the other cards done with this set!  (P.S.  There are some giveaways too)

Thanks for stopping by!

JJ

Neat & Tangled April Release Day 1: Have Courage

Hi everyone,

I'm so excited to be playing along with the April release over at Neat & Tangled.  The set being highlighted today is Have Courage stamps and coordinating dies.  The main stamps are gingko leaves, but I did a floral twist on the watercoloring. 

First I embossed the image with gold powder.  To get the gold highlights on the "flower", I used an embossing pen.  Then I cut it out with the coordinating die.  The circle cut out is backed with vellum for a softer look.  

Head on over to the Neat & Tangled blog to check out more ideas with this set!

Have a great week guys!

JJ