Summer Vibes by Gennette Houghton

 

Hello, and Welcome to Watercolor Weekend!  Ah….August….the hurrah before fall.  Don’t mind me while I sit in the air conditioning until fall arrives.  LOL!  However, I do love all of the green and flowers, and I’m in no hurry for the cold I know is coming.  I am a mid-temp kind of gal.

 For my 1^st card I decided to go with several sets using the 6158 Story Tile Template.  The possibilities with this die is never ending.  I started off cutting down my watercolor paper to 4 ¼ by 5 ½, I keep a cutout of the template with my die that I use to trace the outline of the boxes on my paper.  I then stamped in all of my images with Distress Ink Pumice Stone, and then stamped them off once before placing them on my project, masking off the guides where needed.  I used 6106 Spring Keepsake Set for the birdhouse, and used a pencil to create a guide for the hanging line.  A mix of 565 and 969 for the wood, mixing these creates a more weathered look to the wood.  I then added 403 to the main part of the birdhouse, decorating with Bleed Proof White with a touch of 025 for the centers of the flowers.  526 was used on the sky before adding in the leafy branch from 5126 WC Foliage Set 4 in 126 and 177.  I also used a mix of 565 and 969 to the hanging line.  5981 My Joy Set was used for the Black-eyed Susans, I started with 126 on the leaves and contoured with 177.  For the petals I started with a base layer of 055, adding contours with 025.  I use a small amount of 026 for the deeper shading.  The centers I use 947 and shade with 969, also adding a couple of dots with 969 on each center.  For the background I used 403, and then added some gold dots with Winsor & Newton Gold Ink with 5418 Bible Foliage Set 2.  For the next section I used 6195 Love Blooms Set with a stamp positioner to make sure I had it centered where I wanted it.  A pencil and ruler was used to map out the guidelines for the windows before I started coloring.  For the windows I used a mix of 526 and 565, shading with more 565 along the edges.  For the wood I did a mix of 565 and 969 for this one as well.  Darkening around the bases of everything sitting on the bench.  For the curtains I used 025, and the tie backs I used 403.  For the pillow on the right I used 676 and 947 for the button, the left pillow I used 403 and 969 for the button.  I colored the left pot with 905, adding stripes and dots, and then shadowed with 947.  The right pot I used 126 and also shaded this with 947.  I started with adding in the shadows on the cat with 565 and then colored him in with N15.  I used a black micron on his facial features and a pencil for his whiskers.  I added in the foliage with 5126 WC Foliage Set 4, vines, in the right pot with a mix of 126 and 177.  For the left pot, I used 4868 WC Flower Set 2 in 676 and 177.  I also added in some Bleed Proof White for flowers on the vine.  For the birds, I used the 6196 Fresh Flowers Set.  A black micron was used on the eyes, beaks, and feet before coloring.  I extended the line across the opening with a pencil as well, to create a ledge that I colored with a mix of 565 and 969, adding some extra 565 for the shadows.  For the birds I started with 526 and 905, but then decided to add additional color with 565 and 856 because I felt they were too light.  403 was used for the sky, and then I added the little leafy branch from 5007 WC Foliage Set 3 with 249.  Adding in some flowers with Bleed Proof White.  

The FG Flower Borders are so useful in so many ways, so I used the 6186 FG Tulip Border for my next section.  For the leaves and stems I started with a base layer of 126 and then shaded and contoured with 177.  For the tulips I used: Purple – 676 and 947, Blue – 403 and 407, Yellow – 055 and 025, and Peachy Red – 905 and 947, making sure I deepened the colors in the more shaded spots.  I hate to admit this, but this is the very first time I have used the little girl from 5717 Little Girl FB Set.  For her hair I used 947.  For the skin I used 850 as the base, contouring with 910, and shadow with 912, with just a touch of 772 on the cheeks.  I used a black micron for her eyes, and 912 to define her nose and mouth with a touch of 947 on her eyebrows.  I decided to go all fancy with her dress and used a pencil to map in the guides for the checkered pattern, and used 905 on her hat, buttons, and dress.  I don’t know what it is about this color, but I love it.  It can be a strong orange/red, or when it’s watered down can be a peachy pink.  I used some 565 for a shadow under the brim of her hat.  969 was used on the basket, and then created a mask before adding in the daisy bunch from 5074 Bible Flower Set in 403.  I also added in the vines from 5126 WC Foliage Set 4 in a mix of 126, and 177, adding in some Bleed Proof White.  I shaded the arms and basket on the apron with 565.  I decided to add boards behind her with a pencil and ruler, using a mix of 565 and 969 to add definition, plus added a shadow behind the girl with 565.  Using the 6158 Story Tile Template I cut out the frame from 6082 Bible Journaling S1 Paper Pack, mounting this over my images and assembling my card. 

 For my 2^nd card I used 6184 Euro Cottage Set with Distress Ink Pumice Stone after stamping off once and then stamped onto my watercolor paper. I also created a mask for later.  I started with 947 on the roof, adding a bit of 969 for the darker areas and added shading with 565.  I used a mix of 565 and 969, with a touch of 249 on the chimney, door frame, and steps, shading these with 565.  For the walls I watered down some 969 just to give them a bit of tint, and then darker for the suggestion of bricks.  For the trim around the windows I used 947 and a bit of 969.  526 and 565 was used on the windows, and then I used some 969 for the panes.  I used 969 on the door, shading with 565, and then used 947 for the door knob.  For the lantern, I started with 526 for the glass, and finished it off with 026.  

I then used the mask I created and masked off the cottage to add in the foliage for the trees.  4051 Foliage Set 1, the large foliage, I covered the stamp with 126 and then added 177 in random areas, stamping and re-inking multiple times for both sides.  I softened this with a damp brush before adding in the branches.  I used one of the larger branches from 4964 WC Branches Set in 977, using the stamp positioner to figure out where I wanted the branches of the trees to be.  I then added in some 526 for the sky.  Removing the mask, I then used one of the smaller branches from the same set for the vines going up around the house.  From 4051, I used the small grass in 177 along both sides of the house, and then used 5126 WC Foliage Set 4 and the vines in 126 and 177.  I also softened the vines and grass with a damp brush, before adding in some Bleed Proof White.  Just a touch of 969 for the path for the door.  I cut out my image with the 3^rd from largest die from the 5063 Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies.  After matting my card base with paper from 6033 Inspirational Easter Paper Pack, I matted my image with a darker green and then silver, before assembling my card.  Thank you so much for joining me today, and I hope you enjoyed my cards!  Until next time, Create….Share….Inspire!

A Valentine for my granddaughter by Sharon Caudle

 Hello AI Fans!

If you've been affected by the widespread freezing temps, I sure hope you're starting to thaw out a little! And if not, what is better than crafting Valentines for your loved ones in your warm home? That's what I've got to show you today. Our new challenge is Love, Love Me Do (you know I love you...I'll always be true...so plee ee ee eese) Sorry...I got a little carried away with lyrics from my youth! LOL! So anyway, I decided to create a little Valentine for one of my granddaughters. I just love how it turned out, so I hope it inspires you a little. 

I just used a white gel pen to create the patterns on her hat and dress. 

I started by pulling out #5717 Little Girl F&B stamp set and stamping her onto some Copic friendly paper. I don't know about you, but I love using pinks and reds together for Valentine's Day projects. When I cut her out, I cut a slit in her basket so I could add some pink and red hearts I cut using the heart die from #5223 Bookmark Dies. After cutting my A2 card base and adding some pattern paper from #5741, I took #5721 Nested Heart Dies and cut out a window to the inside of the card. After doing that, I glued the inked cloud paper to the inside of the card so the sky would be continuous on the front. I then took a coordinating piece of pattern paper and cut a frame for the heart window using the window size heart along with the largest scalloped heart in the set. I love framing my windows as I believe it adds a nice touch of detail. That adorable fence is from #5807 Journal Fence Dies. I just cut it twice and overlapped the edge piece to make it seamless. Of course it's popped up with dimensional tape. Daisies are my favorite flower ( I have a huge bunch of Shasta daisies in my back yard), so I just can't resist using these cute stamps from #5925 Honey Bee Set.  I'm sure you notice I use them ALL the time. LOL! That set also contains those cute bees and the dies to cut them all out so they can be used exactly like this if wanted! 

So that's it for me today! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit and until next time - stay crafty!!

Copic markers used:

E000, 00, 11, 33, 35, 40, 42, 44, and 51

Y32 and 35

R11, 22, 24, 27, 81, 83, and 85

G43 and 46

B00

Easter Place Cards and Easter Mini Journal Treat Box by Diane Mason

  Hello and welcome, Watercolor Weekend Fans!

This little gnome would like to wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!🍀

Welcome back for another Watercolor Weekend! It's a wonderful time of the year with Spring in the air and Easter just around the corner. I've recently shared several Easter cards on social media, so I decided to mix things up a bit and share two watercolor Easter projects with you today.

Easter Place Cards:

I enjoy making seasonal decor and thought it would be fun to make some place cards for the Easter table. I made some slight modifications to the 5717 – Little Girl Front & Back and the 5716 – Little Boy Front & Back stamped images. I inked the stamps with 969, but left off the basket on the girl and the hat on the boy. I used a pencil to draw in the boy's pants legs and across the girl’s apron and skirt to complete the images. Next, I stamped the egg basket from 5869 – Easter Bunny Puppet Set inked in 969/565 onto my Canson XL watercolor paper. I used the following colors for the boy, girl, and baskets:  boy’s hair (026, 977, brown TwinTone), skin tone for both (850, 947), overalls and stripes on shirt (526), boy’s shoes (947), girl’s hair (947, 977, brown TwinTone), girl’s dress and ribbons (603), cheeks (a touch of 703), girl’s shoes (N52), Easter eggs (703, 407, 933, 173, 603) and to shade the white areas (565). White dots were added to the girl’s outfit with Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White.

  

I die-cut all the pieces with the included dies from each set. I wanted the girl and boy to be interactive, kind of like paper dolls. I used a craft knife to cut around their hands so I could slide the basket handle under their hands. Because I removed the hat from the boy image, a little bit needed to be trimmed off the sides of the die-cut with scissors before gluing the front and back together. I did not apply glue under the hands.

For the place cards, I die-cut a 2 ½ x 3 ¾ inch rectangle (5724 – Nested Rectangle Dies) of cardstock and scored at 1 ¼ inches on the 2 ½ side to create the fold for the place card. I cut two 1 x 3 ½ inch pieces of purple-dotted patterned paper from the 5742 – Easter Journal Paper Pack to attach to the front and back of the place card. The front piece was only glued on three sides, leaving the top open for the boy and girl to slide into place for display along with their Easter basket of eggs. This next step is optional, but since these are paper dolls and we want them to be played with, it’s a good idea to seal them with a bit of Distress Micro Glaze so the colors won’t bleed if they should get a little water splashed on them.

 

I stamped the “Easter Wishes” sentiment from the new 5867 – Mini Easter Sentiments Set onto a sentiment banner die from 5543 – Journal Template Die Set. I die-cut two additional blank sentiment banners to attach to the back of the place card to personalize with your guest’s name. I think these sweet place cards will add a nice touch to your Easter dinner table and if you want to, go ahead a play with those adorable paper dolls after dinner! Now on to our next project.

Easter Mini Journal Treat box:

A holiday dinner wouldn’t be complete without a little sweet treat! These adorable treat boxes could be placed on your Easter table along with the place cards or passed out after dinner for your guests to enjoy. To make this treat box, I used the recently released 5805 – Mini Journal Box Dies to create the box. I love this die! It was created to safely keep the mini journal, but it makes a great little gift box too!

To decorate the front of the box, I stamped the egg basket, 2 eggs, and bunny bum from 5870 – Peeking Bunny Set with Versafine Onyx Black ink onto my Canson XL watercolor paper. Versafine Onyx Black ink is water-resistant when dry and is perfect for watercolor. These images painted up rather quickly and the dies made cutting them out a breeze! Here are the colors I used to paint the images:  Eggs and basket (703, 403, 173, 603, 993), bow and bunny bum (shaded with 565, and 703 for the pads on the feet). I die-cut the pieces, slid the bunny bum into the slot, and glued them in place leaving the feet to hang free. I then attached the basket to the front cover with foam squares. I tucked one of the eggs behind the basket and glued it in place. For the other egg, I added it on top of the basket and attached it with a foam square. For the top of the box, I die-cut a bow from white cardstock using the dies from 5811 – Gift Card Pocket Dies. Once the bow was assembled, I attached it to the top of the box with mini glue dots.

As I mentioned before, this box was created to house the mini journal. Well, our mini journal won’t have any pages this time, it will have something better inside – chocolate!

Using the cover die from 5718 – Mini Journal Template, I die-cut two panels from purple cardstock and glued together the front and back. For the cover, I used the frame die from 5805 to cut the frame from the purple-dotted patterned paper from 5742. With the same die, I die-cut a piece of watercolor paper for my bunny painting, using only the interior piece. I stamped the bunny on a tree stump from 5737 – Bunny & Chicks Set inked in N52, leaving off the pot and lower part of the stump. The bunny was shaded with 565 and 703 for the cheeks. I painted the stump in 977 and 969, and added details with a brown TwinTone. I brushed in some sky with 407. I glued the frame to the front cover of the mini journal and popped up the painting in the center with foam squares. Next, I added sentiments and die-cuts to the interior and inside flap. The sentiments are from both Easter sentiment stamp sets: 5733 and 5867. The die-cuts for the sentiments came from the following sets:  5805, 5718, and 5588.

 

To make the decorative covers for the Hershey’s Nuggets, I cut (2) – 1 inch x 3 ½ inch strips of Canson Mixed Media Paper. I randomly stamped the egg from 5870 in Versafine Onyx Black Ink and painted them with the same colors as above. To fill in the white space, I randomly added tiny dots in the same colors. I wrapped the strips around the chocolates and secured the ends with double-sided tape. I then added mini glue dots to the chocolates and pressed them into place on the center of the mini journal.

 

Your little mini journal is now complete and ready to go inside its adorable treat box. I hope you enjoyed these projects and will give these ideas a try! If you do, please share and tag Art Impressions on social media – we love to see your work! Until next time, Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Happy Easter, and Happy Painting!

For the Easter Place Cards:

For the Easter Mini Journal Treat Box: