Watercolor and Embossing for AHSC #256

Hello again, crafty friends.  I am stretching my wings and trying something a little new to me for this week's sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  Before I share my project, though, I want to say we love seeing all our participants' AMAZING artwork and remind you that the deadline for submissions for this week's sketch is 10:55 pm Eastern/9:55 pm Central on Sunday, 3/25/18, and you can link your projects HERE.  Now on to my project:

details:  While the purpose of most cards is to share joy or send cheer, I have found that once in a while it's meaningful to let someone know you understand what they're going through.  Sadly, there are a lot of people near and dear to my family who are experiencing big struggles right now so while I'm not sure who I will send this to (or even if I will send it it all), my heart and thoughts have been heavier than usual and this card, which is quite a bit darker and bolder in color than I usually create, is the result.  I started with a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4" base of black cardstock topped with a 5 3/8 x 4 1/8" panel of Lagoon, and another black panel measuring 3 5/8 x 2 5/8" topped with a 3 1/2 x 2 1/2" panel of watercolor paper.  Before I put the pieces together though I used several ShinHan markers (Turquoise Blue, Peacock Green, Marine Blue, and Lavender) and the colorless blender marker to create a sort of twilight themed watercolor background.  Once that had piece had dried, I used VersaMark ink and white embossing powder to heat emboss this image from a retired stamp set called Paper Garden.  For the sentiment, I used Pansy ink with another retired stamp set called Beloved Bouquet.  I ran the stamped sentiment through my Cuttlebug using the banner die from the retired Sugar Rush cardmaking stamp and die set and then inked the edges with a sponge dauber and Peacock ink.

So while there were several steps to this one, it really was fairly simple to do.  While I'm still deciding if I like such dark, dramatic colors I do think I will continue to practice my alcohol marker blending with other color combos and stamp sets as I like the overall effect.  Also, don't forget to stop by HERE to see what the rest of the AHSC design team have created for you.  Trust me, you will be glad you did!  Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!  ~~  Annette

Cheery Hello for AHSC #254

Hello again, crafty peeps!  This week's sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge gave me an excuse to *finally* sit down and put together a cheery little card I've had in the back of my mind for AGES.  Actually, it was in the back of my "stash" as I could never seem to find both the patterned paper and this particular stamp set at the same time.  Both the stamp and the paper are items I picked up at yard sales when I first began paper crafting approximately 10 years ago and I'm not even sure whether they "went together" or even if I got them at the same yard sale, but I love how they look together!

details:  I have no idea what company designed the paper, but the stamp set is an older rubber stamp set designed by Mary Engelbreit.  I used black Memento ink to stamp the images on watercolor paper, fussy cut the teapot and cup and adhered them to the panel, stamped the small flowers in the corner directly on the panel, and then used vivid green, golden yellow, and cherry pink ShinHan alcohol markers.  I cut another white panel just 1/8" taller than the first one, and used this black and clear washi tape that coordinated with the retired Jeepers Creepers kit, as Mary Engelbreit's work often featured such "dotted" lines around them.  To finish the card off, I used some Honey cardstock with the Hello and Thanks Thin Cuts (both of which are retired).  I have to say, I am so pleased with how closely the finished card is to what I had in mind, as that rarely happens for me!

This was such a fun sketch that I want to try a few other combinations if time allows this week, and of course we would love to see what you create with it too!  As always, you have until 9:55 pm Eastern/8:55 pm Central on Sunday, 3/11/18, to link your project, which you can do HERE.  Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!  ~~  Annette