July 2025 Monthly Challenge with Simone Carr

Hello Ai fans!

Welcome to the July 2025 Monthly Challenge!

This month our Guest Designer is Simone Carr.

Please welcome her back and enjoy all of her wonderful creations!

 Hello Crafty Friends,

Today I’m sharing a peaceful coastal scene featuring a pelican perched on a rock. I had a lot of fun building this tranquil moment using a combination of watercolor stamping, masking, and scene layering.

On a piece of watercolor paper, I marked off a square measuring 2 ½" x 3 ¼" and placed Post-it tape around the edges to create a clean, framed look. I stamped the pelican from the KH5820 – My Favorite Bird Set using Tombow 565 and 969, stamping it off once for a softer outline, then onto the paper. Using my stamp positioner, I stamped the rock below the pelican using the same colors.

With the main images in place, I began painting the scene. I mixed Tombow 526 and 177 to create a serene water tone and brushed it in around the base of the rock. I taped off the horizon with Post-it tape and used 026 to paint a soft glow in the background, deepening the color to the left and right sides for balance. For the sky, I brushed in 565 and softened the edges with 526, fading it gently around the pelican.

Next, I added grass using the small grass from Foliage Set 1 (4051) stamped in 098. After shifting the tape slightly upward, I stamped in the cattails from Pond Set (5424) for added detail. In the foreground, I included more grasses using Tombow 177 and 969.

To finish, I watercolored the pelican with light shading in N55 and 969, keeping most of his body white, and added 026 on the beak. The rock was painted by pulling color from the lines, and I added definition with a brown TwinTone marker.

For a final touch, I wrapped some natural string with beads around the bottom of the card to give it a little coastal texture and interest.

Materials Used:

Stamps:

    KH5820 – My Favorite Bird Set

    Foliage Set 1 (4051) – Small Grass

    Rocks Set (5414)

    Pond Set (5424)

Inks & Markers:

    Tombow Markers: 177, 026, 098, N55, 526, 969, 565

    Brown TwinTone

Other:

    Canson Watercolor Paper

    Stamp Positioner

    Post-it Tape

    Natural String and Beads (for embellishment)

I had so much fun creating this playful get-well card using the Doggy Kisses Set (AI CS 38) that I ended up making two bonus cards as well, experimenting with different colors and layouts—perfect for sending a little extra comfort and cheer.

I stamped the image using Archival Ink in Shadow Grey onto Bristol Smooth Cardstock to keep the outlines soft and watercolor-friendly. To color the pup, I started with Tombow 947 for a light wash in the shadow areas, added 992 on the face and belly, and used 977 on the head and legs. I returned with 947 to deepen the shadows for more dimension. The teddy bear was colored with 899 and 992, while 703 added blush to the cheeks, ear, and tissue box. I used 407 for the slippers and 403 for the cup.

The tissue box and cup were fussy cut for added detail. I paired the scene with patterned paper from the Basic Teal Paper Pack (6011) and used an Envelope Edger Die to finish the layout with a clean, curved edge.

Materials Used:

Stamps:

    Doggy Kisses Set (AI CS 38)

    Catastrophe Set (4933)

    Portfolio (5952)

Paper:

    Bristol Smooth Cardstock

    Basic Teal PP (6011)

    Basic Pink PP ( 6010)

    Basic Green PP (6009)
    Basic Yellow PP (6012)

Inks & Markers:

    Archival Ink – Shadow Grey

    Memento Ink Pad

    Tombow Markers: 947, 899, 977, 992, 407, 403, N45, 195, 703, 177, 312, N55, N65, 026, 565

Other:

    Envelope Edger Die

    Fussy Cut Elements (Tissue Box, Cup)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this cheerful card brings a little smile and inspires you to create something heartwarming of your own.

Until next time, happy crafting!

—Simone

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