Karen Stamps a Lot

Watercoloring made easy!

I came across this card on a demonstrator website and since I have this set, I had to make it for myself. It is a technique I shared in my most recent newsletter. If you do not get my newsletter, sign up and you will be on my list...I have given some step by step directions below.

 
Watercoloring is one of my favorite techniques and it is pretty darned easy to do! One of my favorite stamp sets, retiring at the end of the month, is called Natures Nest (113826).Click on any of the photos to see tham at a larger size.

It is the perfect set to get is you love to watercolor or if you want to learn. My favorite tool to use is an Aquapainter that has no water in it. I prefer to dip the end into water to moisten it then pick up ink from the lid of the ink pad.

   

I use Staz-on ink and a detailed stamp image like the ones in this set. I also think the BEST paper to use is actual watercolor paper (122959). You can see from my example that I used a pretty small piece as it is somewhat pricey. A somewhat satisfactory substitute is our Naturals cardstock (White 102316, Ivory 101849) although it is not as forgiving of excess water as watercolor paper is. Anyway, Stamp your image with Jet Black Staz-on, let it dry for a minute or two. If you are using the watercolor paper, I like to moisted he stamped image before adding other color - just dampen - no water sitting on the surface.

 

Next use any of our classic ink pads (or our re-inkers) and with the lid closed, press the lid into the ink pad...open the pad and there should be a little puddle of ink in the lid. This is what you will use to color your image. I first used Sahara Sand and colored the lower portion of the turtle. I also used Soft Suede as a darker color. The idea is not to make the image a solid single color, but to have variation! I even put a little in the shell of the turtle and under him, to "ground" him on the page. For the shell I used Garden Green and Always Artichoke.

Again, don't try to get the color even across the image, leaving it with lights and darks create a lot of depth. That's all there is to it! I hope you will give watercoloring a try soon.

Summer Smooches, a fun project and free tutorial

Here is information on the Summer Smooches Sneek Peek available from now until April 30.

PLUS Here is a fun project that you can make!

Download Bookmark Project Here

See what you missed?

Here are a couple of cards that we made at the Spring into Spring card class. Thanks to the ladies who came! It is always a good time!Don't forget that there is only two weeks left for Sale-a-Bration, it ends March 31. Stock up now and get some great exclusive items for free.

I am working on the Mixed Bunch tutorial that those who purchase my Mixed Bunch bundle will receive. So many great options for this set and punch, it is hard to narrow it down to 4 projects...

here is what the bundle is:

The special $50 Bundle will be the Blossom punch, Mixed Bunch (clear mount)stamp set shown on page 17 of the Occasions mini plus one package of 2011-2013 in-color shown on pg 176 of the regular catalog(or other card-stock priced the same) and 10 sheets of your choice of either Very Vanilla or Whisper White and 12 regular envelopes of the same color...PLUS something from the Sale-a-bration brochure and the instructions to make 4 cards using your new goodies. I will be placing orders once a week through March and will have the tutorial done and ready to send out by March 21. The price of the bundle does not include shipping and sales tax, so the total price will be $59.10.

If you'd like to get in on the bundle I am offering, let me know~

 

Primary Colors and Love Birds

I held my Flip-Flop album class last night, but you can purchase a kit, including the tutorial with several pages of full color photos, to show you how to make one on your own.

I will place an order on the 16th and on the 25th. I will email you the tutorial as a .pdf and mail the precut and scored materials. All you will need to furnish is your own adhesive. I suggest Sticky-strip (104294)for the best hold, or Tombo Multi-purpose adhesive (110755). I will provide 1/2 of the Simply Scrappin kit used for the album, two buttons and ribbon for the closure plus the emailed tutorial. The cost for the kit and tutorial is $25 plus $5 postage since it is an odd size (12")(US only) if I have to mail it. If you would like to purchase only the tutorial, it is $10 and will be emailed within 24 hours after payment has been received. It will include instructions and photos for BOTH projects, so you can see another way to use this pattern. Here is a Paypal button so you can get them right here!