Thursday, August 21, 2014

"Water Painting": Donna Mikasa inspiration...Stretch Your Stamps 2~Day 6, STAMPLorations Bi-Weekly Sketch Challenge #18 and August Stamps and Dies Challenge

Hello,

The closing date for entering cards (and comments) to the galleries at Stretch Your Cards 2 is drawing near, so I'm in 'craft and dash' mode to get a couple more done and posted asap.  Minimal chatting from me (I have plenty 'stored' up, so that will change...soon *grin*).

As I made clear recently, distress inks/markers and I are separated, however, we had a brief reconciliation yesterday, only because a) I had to try Donna Mikasa's Day 6 technique, b) distress inks are the only medium that works for said technique, and c) no 'water-colouring' was involved.  Actually, quite the opposite: "un"-water-colouring was involved...Given the state of my relationship with distress inks, this was too good to be true!

Donna's card, nothing short of gorgeous, involved embossing an 'open' image (floral), sponging the panel, the going "inside" the image with extra water, and dabbing away the ink....Easy, and the effect is so pretty.  I started with this, using my one and only 'big' floral stamp....


The splotch by the sentiment....grrrr, but the effect with the flower is rather pretty, in real life.  Add a mist of perfect pearls pearlized water would be the next step to pretty it up. 

Simple: emboss, sponge, dab off. Given that, I decided for a second card, using my STAMPlorations butterflies. Butterflies and believe sentiment are embossed, panel sponged, the butterfly wings are 'un-water-coloured' (or, as Donna described, 'painted with water'), 'dream' lightly stamped in to the background.




I'm adding this to STAMPlorations Bi-Weekly Sketch Challenge #18




and Stretch Your Stamps 2 Gallery for Day 6.

Go check your collection of outline stamps; this  technique offers so many possibilities...


Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

15 comments:

Nonni said...

Two great cards, I've never seen this technique before, how gorgeous! Great use of STAMPlorations stamps too, I now finally have the artful flutters and can't wait to ink then up! :) Thanks for inspiring us at STAMPlorations, Carol.

Deepti said...

Gorgeous creations :) and nice technique ! thank you for sharing with Stamplorations!

Carole said...

Oh fabby fab!! These are great...really must give this ago!....need time, time!!!
Beautiful cards both of them.

Marisa said...

Glad you and your distress inks are talking again LOL! Fabulous work on both of these BGs!!

Kim Heggins said...

Another pair of creative genius! Both of these are stunning and your distressing is shear perfection. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Kylie said...

Both cards are so very pretty! I am thrilled you are playing with your distress inks again - and this style seems to work really well for you so keep at it!! More, please! :)

Anita in France said...

What an awesome technique, Carol ... you've used it so beautifully on both these cards! The un-watercolouring is gorgeously soft and dreamy ... and so lovely with your fabulous colour combo's ... amazing ... and added to my list of techniques to try! Anita :)

Kim S said...

You and I talked about separating from distress inks - then you come out with these lovely creations!!!?? I might be able to sponge the background but I would be scared to death to add the water splotches. I wouldn't have control and that's a problem for me! The colors on each card are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Hi Carol. Yet more stunning cards! Amazing sponging, Have a fab day! hugs Monika xxx

Vicki Dutcher said...

LOVE your STAMPloartions card with the butterflies and awesome color combo - Thanks for joining in with STAMPlorations~

Greta said...

These are beautiful! Love how you used the sketch, Carol!

Shannon J said...

Heart palpitations!!! Stunning beyond words!! You better keep those distress markers close at hand and make that reconciliation permanent because HOLY MOLY I am swooning over these! GORGEOUS!!!

Dana said...

Wow these are gorgeous!! The colors are awesome and the uncoloring is fabulous!! I'm going to have to try this out too!!

maria f. said...

Oh yeah! Un-watercoloring. Love it. And love your creations for this sketch over at STAMPlorations. Hope you are well.

Shery Russ said...

Hey, Carol! I must say that for someone who's separated with distress inks, your brief reconciliation resulted in two cards that are just brimming with gorgeousity (yeah, I made that word up!). Love that un-watercoloring technique and you've showcased that technique fabulously in these two cards! So I probably won't believe you anymore next time you say you're separating from *insert supply here that you've got a love-hate relationship* 'cause I know you're just going to come back with something that'll just make me go, "Get outta here!" :o)