Warehouse Sale Giveaway and Special Feature with Tricia O'Bin!

 

Hello Ai Fans!

Today is the last day of our Warehouse Sale, and we have a series of special blog features, for some fun inspiration this weekend!

Today, we have Tricia O'Bin, of our Watercolor Design Team. Make sure to check out her blog and social media to see more of her beautiful and exciting work!

Tricia O'Bin - Blog - Instagram - YouTube - Pinterest - Facebook

WOW, what a fabulous weekend!!!! Have you shopped yet? I

f not, head on over to the Warehouse sale!

 

I thought I would do a little Holiday Wreath project for some holiday inspiration.  I thought the little elf needed to fall asleep in that fabulously comfy wreath.  Let me tell you how I created this sweet 4.25 x 4.25 square card.

 

Painting Details

 

I started out by cutting my watercolor paper with my stitched square die.  I wanted to make sure that I didn’t make my wreath too big.  I then grabbed a circle that fit into the center of the square but gave me enough room to do create a full wreath.  I traced it with a pencil, I then took a ruler and drew a line vertically and horizontally to create four quadrants.  This is what I use to make sure my wreath is balanced.  To make sure my elf was protected, I stamped a mask and cut it out.  Without re-inking, I stamped the elf above the circle line giving enough room for the wreath.  I pulled the color out of the lines using my #1 paintbrush and added some red to his hat, jacket and shoes with 856 and some 195 to his pants.  I also added some Wink of Stella for some shine (of course!).  I covered him up with the mask so I could stamp my wreath.

 

I started out with the small pine bough from the Fir Trees set.  I inked it with 249 and then stamped it three or four times in the middle of the 1^st quadrant along the pencil line, making sure to fan out the branch.  Next, I turned my card 90 degrees, inked up my stamp and followed the same  procedure in the middle of the 2^nd quadrant.  I did this in the 3^rd and 4^th quadrants as well.  Next I did the same thing in each of the quadrants above and below the stamping I just did.  I made sure to leave space for additional boughs inked in 177 and randomly stamped where I thought needed some additional fullness, making sure to go to the left and right of the circle.  Make sure you leave some white space for your pinecones and berries.  I stamped a couple of boughs and a pinecone above my elf.

 

Next, I used the dots stamp from Mini Flower Set inked with 969. I stamped it twice in an upward motion to get it to resemble a pine cone.  I stamped it in several places around the wreath where I thought I could use some color.  I used the accent flower from the Foliage Set inked in 526 and stamped it randomly around the inside and outside of the wreath. 

 

I also inked the small branch from the branches set inked in 969 and stamped it  a couple of times around the inside and outside of the wreath as well.  Finally, I added the buds from the Flower Set 4 set on the left and right side of the wreath.  FYI – I wished I had stopped before I did this but I’m not mad about it. To add some holiday color I used the fine tip of my 856 and made some berries around the wreath in the white areas.

 

Once everything was stamped, I used my #4 paintbrush to pull the color out of the lines.  I was very careful not to use too much water.  If you do use too much water, you can always re-stamp over it once it dries.  Finally, I signed and dated my work.

 

Card details

 

I cut a mat from Gina K Design Cherry Red cardstock (3 7/8 x 3 7/8) and Christmas Pine cardstock (4 x 4) glued to a Neenah Solar white card base cut to (4 ¼ x 8 ½). 

 

I loved that I created this painting during my half hour lunch at work.  It was so quick and easy and what a great way to spend my lunch!  I hope you will give it a try and tag us on Instagram and use the #AIStamps or #AIWatercolor.  Can’t wait to see what you create! 

 

Have a crafty day!

Thank you Tricia! 

Now, for the Giveaway! Want to win the WC Fir Tree Set, WC Elves Set, and one other set of your choice? 

Comment below with any set that's in your "Wish List", and you will be entered to win! 

Winners will be chosen on Monday, November 9th, and only one comment per giveaway.