WATERCOLOR AND TISSUE

How do you like that title???  Sometimes I run out of ideas when it comes to putting a title on a blog post, so this time this is all I could come up with.  What does water coloring and tissues have in common -- NOTHING!!  At least not for this post, but maybe in the future I will come up with a technique using both of them together -- my wheels are spinning already!  However, I am going to show you projects today using both of these.  So let's get right to it with the water coloring first: 

I got this idea from Sandi MacIver and just had to make these for this month's thank-you cards to clients.  They scream "Spring" and so easy-peasy to make.  I used the "Another Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set" for the embossed sentiment.

Here is a group shot.  They are all different as I was just trying different brush strokes.

Here are all the supplies I needed (except VersaMark and Black Embossing Powder needed for the sentiment).  The Ink Refill colors I chose were:  Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Strawberry Slush. Heat Emboss your sentiment or image first.  For the water coloring, start with about 10 drops of Ink Refill in the lid of each stamp pad and mist some water in each (one squeeze of mist).  Prior to applying ink to Water Color Cardstock, brush clear water (see bowl and large brush at top of picture) all over the cardstock.  Then, using a separate brush for each color, apply ink to the Water Color Cardstock.  You might want to hold the cardstock down with your tweezers when applying the color.  Let it dry (or use your Heat Tool after the ink has sat a few minutes).  That's it -- easy-peasy!!  I used the same method to create the flowers.

I finished the project below last night for my husband's bathroom.  I have made many of these tissue box covers, but never with a "male" theme.  This was so much harder because I had to keep it manly (you know how I love adding flowers and ribbon -- but not this time), plus I used more pictures than normally because I couldn't make up my mind which ones to use.  So here is where the "tissue" came from:

I love these acrylic tissue box covers because you can change out the design whenever you want (which I have done before).  I had a few of these left over from a class I had a few years back and got them out because my daughter wants to make a couple at Retreat next week.

Here are all four sides to the box (and yes, I added Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper to the top).  Another quick and easy project.

Let me know what you think of the beautiful water coloring technique and give it a try, you will have so much fun!!

Until next time,

Sandi

"I will rescue you . . ., and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm." -- Exodus 6:6

RUBBERQUEEN MAKE'N TAKES FOR MARCH

I finished my make'n takes finally last night from Ronda Wade's RubberQueen meeting this month.  These are all simple cards, but as always Ronda came up with some WOW designs.  She designed these cards without any sentiments so we could use them in an event where the attendees could add whatever sentiment they wished.  You will notice I have added my own choice of sentiments in my version of her cards (and, yes, there were a few other minor changes only because I didn't remember what Ronda's looked like).  But, as stampers, we all know when we CASE (copy and share everything) some things get changed in the shuffle.  Here is what I came up with:



Couldn't leave without showing you the ice blocks that fell from the house roof yesterday.  You can't tell by this picture but these are humongous -- close to 2 feet in thickness!! 

I am so glad the dogs were not out doing their jobs when these fell.  In the 30+ years we have been here, I do believe this is the worst winter we have ever had.  And yes, I did a lot of shoveling ice yesterday to get them moved from the patio!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name."  --  Psalm 29:2

A LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT -- WITH STAMPIN' UP!

Will it ever stop snowing??????????  I do believe it is going into the 4th month of snow on the ground (and I'm not talking about a little snow -- we are running out of places to pile it)!!  I have been playing around with different projects this week that have been on my TO-DO LIST (you know, the one that never ends and you write it on a roll of toilet paper!!).  I got caught up for this month making Project H.O.P.E. cards for those in need of God's help and love, finally did my 2013 Christmas Card Album, and created a "JOY" jar for Ronda Wade's challenge to all RubberQueens for our meeting tonight.  So you are getting a little of this and that in today's post -- hope you like.

I was going for a stained glass look with this card so I picked this paper from the Quatrefancy Specialty Designer Series Paper.  I thought it looked like a modern version of a stained glass window.

This is my "JOY" jar for Ronda's challenge to decorate a jar to hold notes of joy in your life.  However, I decided it will hold little notes of daily things in my life that I am grateful for having (hence, the tag).  I stamped the flowers (Stippled Blossoms Stamp Set) on the blue tissue paper in my Paper Pumpkin Kit, applied Mod Podge over the entire outside of the jar, and then wrapped the tissue paper around the jar. After it dries, apply another coat of the Mod Podge.  Ink used:  Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Midnight Muse, and Island Indigo (same for the ribbon).

A close-up of the top.  Product used:  Island Indigo Core'dinations Card Stock, Spiral Flower Bigz Die, Tea Lace Paper Doily (applying Wild Wasabi Ink with Brayer), Bird Builder Punch on Wild Wasabi Card Stock for leaves, and Crystal Effects to attach flowers and leaves.

Okay, it is a little late but I finally got my album done to hold the Christmas cards received this year.  I use to put them in my regular photo album each year with my family Christmas pictures but this was taking up too much space.  I don't know about you, but I hate to throw away hand-made cards as they are so beautiful and many cards today have family pictures included, so this works great to keep them.  I like this so well that next year I will make my album in November; and as I get cards, I will slip them in the album instead of hanging on my wall.  Friends and family will be able to browse threw the album even after the decorations come down!!  Mostly all of the Stampin' Up! product used to make this chipboard album were from the Holiday Mini.  To make the front and back covers, I measured the length and width of the largest cards and cut my Stampin' Up Chipboard accordingly.

Until next time,
Sandi

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears."  -- Psalm 34:5