I'm beginning with a disclaimer regarding my card for this post, as well as the next two: they are all the talented, super sweet Vicki's fault. All hers...totally and completely! I'd just about reconciled myself to the reality that water-colouring and I were far from a perfect match, and that my distress markers and new inks (seriously...two sets of the mini cubes...what was I thinking!) were destined to be stored away for indeterminate 'down the road' use. Operative phrase: just about...until...
During a stroll through blogland, what should my wandering eye spy, but this stunning card
Still, like any one who is utterly clueless about an adventure to be embarked on, I conducted some research on 'best inks for sponging.' (I do stuff like that....). Research showed that water-based dye inks were #1, followed by distress inks. Guess what my new SU inks are? Uh huh - water based! And guess who also happened to buy one of those Tim Holtz round blending thingies? Uh huh...yours truly. Of course, I wasn't about to make anything "big" given my novice-ness with all this, so....mini card again!
My card doesn't have a green/blue panel, but it does have a pop of red and a little trio of embellishments, and two colours that meld together, and it's cas. Everything, aside from the sentiment, I sponged with three of my SU stamps. My sponge-blending needs some work (I was a tad too heavy-handed...all the excitement of realizing I 'could' sponge, after all), but over all, I'm tickled pink with my little number.
Here it is: my inspired-by-Vicki case...
Sunset colours, warm thoughts: I think it 'fits' the theme at Addicted to CAS #41: Sun (if not, let me know)
I'm also heading to Addicted to Stamps and More #101: Anything Goes challenge.
Of course, one sponged card lead to another, this time using distress inks and my ever-so-amazing STAMPlorations stamps. We're heading to STAMPlorations Sketch Challenge #14.
Hopefully, you can see the pink butterfly just above the sentiment.
I'm sharing this at Addicted to Stamps and More, as well Simon Says Monday: Anything Goes.
Vicki, thanks so much for the inspiration! You've given me something new to explore; my inks and TH blending tool thank you, too!!
Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!
Hi, these are beautiful, great color combinations too. I'm partial to purple and blues. I'm so glad I asked Vicki to join our team at AAA Cards, her work is always so creative. So glad she "Inspired" you to play along. Next week is AAA Cards blog hop and MacGyver Challenge- we hope to see you back. Cheers, Victoria Lavender
ReplyDeleteExcellent Carol. Love both cards and the stitching is cool on both cards. Yep, the butterfly is visible.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Wonderful ombre effect on both cards! Thanks for sharing your second card with us at STAMPlorations. Cornelia DT
ReplyDeleteCAROL! What a fabulous CASE :) You rocked it my friend! I adore that red bfly too. Thanks for joining in with AAA and ATCAS ----- AND STAMPlorations! You go girl with the ombre effect in the sketch~
ReplyDeleteLooky at you go :) LOVE that butterfly - who is it by??!! Think I "need" it LOL!. Great sponging and card shape and well done on the second one too.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that if you have such amazing success at 'first attempt' endeavors, then you should wander down to the nearest convenience store and purchase a lottery ticket that you have 'never bought before! If your first attempt trend continues with such huge success, then your bank account will likely be sporting millions of dollars!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous soft colors seamlessly blended together in your first card! The pink butterfly looks SOOOOO good! The bolder sponging on your second card creates more of a contrast between the colors and really highlights the sentiment well! Awesome cards Carol!
Your sponging looks great to me. Thanks for playing at AAA Cards, be sure to check out next week's bumper prize games!
ReplyDeleteCarol these cards are fabulous! Love them both!
ReplyDeletethanks so much for joining the challenge at AAA cards this week!
Both cards turned out fantastic, Carol! I think your sponging turned out just fine. The butterfly is really gorgeous! :-)
ReplyDeleteCarol, round cards are a favorite of mine and yours is so sunny and beautiful! Thank you for adding to our challenge at AAA Cards and come back for the blog hop!
ReplyDeleteCarol, these turned out wonderfully! Love the inky goodness!
ReplyDeleteStepping out of your comfort zone and doing a FANTASTIC job!!! I'll let you in on a little secret - I got all the big Distress pads and they never make it out of the storage area. I so love everything I see with sponging and the "watercoloring" with distress inks - I just never challenge myself to do it.
ReplyDeleteYour sponged panels are wonderful, Carol ... I love the soft blending on the first and how the different intensity of colour adds such dimension! On the second card, the sentiment panel is so beautifully highlighted by the gentle stripes of sponged colour! Way to go, my friend ... another technique well and truly in your kitbag! Hugs, Anita :)
ReplyDeleteOoooooh look at you go girl!! Your sponging and blending and sponging and blending are amazing!! Although I am happy with stamping and die cutting, I have to admit, I have been playing around with the watercolors a bit ;) It's kind of fun! Love to pieces what you have done here with your newly learned techniques and those classic "Carol" butterflies! ((Hugs))
ReplyDeleteI see now you made more lovely picture my dear Miss C...with bright sunny on he window its also my lovely place to make Pict of my card
ReplyDeletenow about your card ...yeah I love the butterfly card you made...the shape also soo beautiful it looks like the real butterfly fly to a flower and the card base is the flower...sweeetttt card and I ADORE It...
The second card..if you dont believe me you must believe me...LOL I order to Sherry from Stamplorations the Butterfly stamp too and I made GDT card with the butterfly stamp too...yes I love butterfly too dear Miss C and your ombre effect looks so pretty...Another Lovely card Miss C
I am sorry the time is so less I have so less time in front of computer also in front of my craft table but I always remember you and your words always lovely and make my day brighter Carol...big hugs from Germany, Monika
What beautiful cards you've created! The first one is so stunning and I love the soothing sunset colors you used. Amazing ombre/color blending! I love how the butterfly pops against the soft background and I thought using a round shape gave the card such a unique and special feel! And that sentiment could not be more perfect! I really liked how you tied in the sunset with the "warm" thoughts. Clever, clever! I also enjoyed seeing the second card, which is completely different yet still absolutely lovely! The butterfly is more muted than on the first card, yet it still brings such elegance and I adore those blended colors you used in the background. You've got a great eye for design and I'm so glad that you shared these creations with us here at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!
ReplyDeleteOH C, every technique you have ever done has had your own little spin but has absolutely 100% worked! These cards are no exception - LOVELY!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards and so cool that you had items on hand to help you case Vicki - so cool when you end up using sonething you could not wait to buy but had not found a use for yet!! Good for you!! YOU totally inspire me and encourage me think beyond what I think I can do!! Keep it up - all the awesome ways you spread joy to others!! P.S. I have a new post up on my blog!! Your encouragement convinced me to do it!! Hugs coming your way!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, Carol! I really adore the first card--stunning!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards!! No need to stash your goodies away!! You used them beautifully!! I hope to see more!!!
ReplyDeleteOMGosh Carol, these are amazing cards!! You crack me up because you are just as good as all the other people you follow and CAS! I too have been watching the blending with the distress inks to where it does look like water coloring and I'm in awe. So I too want to try this with a card now that the wedding stuff is over and hopefully before the college stuff begins. If not then I will have to wait until mid Aug. I love how both of your cards turned out. The colors, oh my the colors are so beautiful! Of course you know I love your shaped card and your cute butterfly, so beautiful, so colorful! Your second card's colors are stunning!! I love the blues, pinks and purples and the stamped butterfly! These are true stunners for sure!!! Enjoy your summer vacation from school, you've earned it!! Hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteOut of the comfort zone is working wonderfully for you, Carol. Your blending is totally mission accomplished. Definitely a watercolored effect here. These are two lovely cards. I broke out my blender thingy too today, and hope to post something later. It's kind of fun, isn't it?! Am so far behind, but wanted to let you know that these are lovely. Have a great rest of your Sunday. Bev
ReplyDeleteWonderful cards! I especially love the shape of the round one with the curved edges. Gorgeous inking!
ReplyDeleteWow...wow...and wow! You are simply amazing and is there any technique you can not do???? Really I don't think that is possible. Both of your cards are about as fabulous as they can be and I may just have to give this a go too and may need to call you for help...LOL. Hope you had a fabulous weekend and from the looks of your cards from Friday you must have been in the clouds.
ReplyDeleteSeriously beautiful cards, Carol. LOVE everything about them. Thanks so much for playing along at ATCAS, ATSM and STAMPlorations! xx
ReplyDeleteThese are so pretty, love ur gorgeous inking, thank you for sharing with ATSM n ATCAS !
ReplyDeleteGreat job sponging Carol. You look like an expert to me! Great colors ... especially love the shape and design of your mini card ... so sweet! Thanks for joining us at ATCAS. Loll xx
ReplyDeleteStunning card, Carol, love everything about it! Thank you for joining us at ATSM.
ReplyDeleteI love your round card... it's reflects the code word beautifully. So glad you joined us at ATCAS this week
ReplyDeleteJaydee
Well look at you doing some 'faux' water colouring!!!!! Very well done :-) Perfect blending on both cards and altogether brilliantness xxx
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful! I love sponged cards. By the way, I remember you were once asking in your blog about how to make the sponging easier... I was busy at the time and was just checking your post (I always do but don't always have time for comments, sorry about that!) but my tip is that the card you use has a big difference: I'd use card that is meant to be used with markers (Copics etc) -those tend to be smooth and the sponging tool glides beautifully. Also it's important to start outside of the edges of the paper but I'm sure you do already since your sponging looks great!
ReplyDeleteAre you KIDDING me?!!! WOW, these are GORGEOUS!!! Your blending is seriously top notch!!! LOVE the colours in the first card, and I adore the shape! The butterfly, the gems, PERFECT!! And the second card is just as lovely! The lightly stamped butterfly is absolutely gorgeous and adds such elegance. The sentiment is bold and beautiful! Two beauties!!
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