Create With M.E.

Watercoloring the Easy Way~Stamps Help Make Us Artists!

I got back from a short trip to Florida last week and when I got back to Illinois it was cold and rainy and the river that usually sits 250 yards behind my house was now just 1 or 2 yards from my house.  It wasn't fun but we kept the water out of the house this time!

2 days after I got back I had the pleasure of stamping with some of my favorite stampers and show them how to watercolor with the stamp set Waterfront.  This stamp set was designed by Connie Heisey who has sold over 1 Million dollars with Stampin' Up!  I love the set she designed its so versatile. 

When I posted my projects to Instagram and my business facebook page over at Create With M.E. (follow me on either of these social medias by clicking on the links here to see more watercoloring projects) I had several ladies mention that they would like to know how I completed the projects I showed. Also a few of the ladies were unable to attend our club and want to see how it was accomplished so I made a video to show you how.  After the video you can click on any of the links below to purchase your set or supplies to make your watercolor card using the Waterfront Stamp Set.

 

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

Product List

Waterfront Photopolymer Stamp Set	Watercolor Paper	Aqua Painters
Stampin' Spritzer	Brusho Crystal Colour	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad
Always Artichoke Classic Stampin' Pad	Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad
Dapper Denim Classic Stampin' Pad	Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad
Ruffled Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

 

Basket of Wishes ~ Watercoloring Done Easy

What I really love about Stamping is how easy it allows me to watercolor and it looks so good. It's not because of me, it's because of the stamp! I know a lot of folks say "OH NO, I can not watercolor" but with Stampin' Up! the stamps tell you where to watercolor.  Seriously the stamps speak to you. No, I am not a stamp whisperer! Anyone can do this! Read on...

The stamped images (at least the ones I lean toward) have hashmarks right on the stamp so you know where to make it darker.  Look at this image below to see what I am talking about.  Not only does the concept artist show where on the basket should be darker they also show where the basket will be casting a shadow so you can know where your light source is coming from.

Then if you want to step it up to the next level keep reading.  This is fun, but totally not necessary, to have success. If you imagine light coming in a window and shining on your image whatever it may be (a barrel in my case) then you know where to keep the coloring light. Think of anywhere something hangs over something else then it will be shadowing hence darker color is needed. 

Give it a try I believe anyone can be successful watercoloring using Stampin' Up! stamps.  If you want to order the Basket of Wishes the supply list is below.  If you already own it and just want to see what colors I used check out the product guide to see all the supplies used. 

Again I have a "Quickie Create With M.E." video for you to watch.  It's only 2 minutes which remember, gives you more time to create, play and stamp!

If you are reading this in your email feed please click on this link to be able to view the video.

 

 

 Enjoy!

M.E.

Product List

Basket Of Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set [142200] $17.00	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [126965] $6.50	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [131171] $6.50
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [126953] $6.50	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [131173] $6.50	Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [126945] $6.50	Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin' Pad [138325] $6.50
Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad [140931] $7.00	Copper Foil Sheets [142020] $4.00	Petals & Paisleys Specialty Designer Series Paper [142017] $13.00	Always Artichoke 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [105119] $8.00
Watercolor Paper [122959] $5.00	Linen Thread [104199] $4.50	Fast Fuse Adhesive [129026] $10.00	Fast Fuse Adhesive Refill [129027] $7.50
SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive Refill [104331] $4.50	Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00

 

That Thing You Did!~Swap from On Stage

I had a great time last month at our On Stage Stampin' Up! convention.  When demonstrators attend any event we usually make card swaps.  Swaps mean we make a number of a design and then we swap with other demonstrators so we can go home with a good variety of card ideas.  I usually try to make around 80 cards to take with me.  This year I designed the card below and the response was very favorable so when it was time to design my cards for last nights Forget Me Not card class I immediately thought of my own swap card.  I was focusing on retiring stamps in class this month and this set called "That Thing You Did" was on that list!  I made some color and paper changes to my original card but the design is the same.

Let me give you a few tips when working with this watercolor, embossing look.  I precut my circles with my big shot and the circle framelits out of Watercolor paper.  When using watercolor paper to emboss you really need to use your embossing buddy for complete success.  Watercolor paper tends to hold on to stray powder and when you are embossing in black its makes it look very messy.  The embossing buddy will take away your fingerprint oils too which is very important so please don't try it without using your "buddy" first.  The stamp set is a photopolymer set and your watercolor paper has a little texture for best results I recommend stamping on a piercing mat so you get a good inking with your versamark pad.  Sprinkle with the black embossing powder and emboss as usual. 

When you are ready to watercolor I usually use a clean aqua painter to add some clear water all over the image then you can dip your aquapainter into the ink pad lids to pick up the color you want to use.  I used coordinating colors to the paper I used. 

I really hope you will try this idea.  If you love the watercolor look but think you don't have the talent then this is the best design to start with because you can't go wrong.  Slap on some color and it's best if you don't even stay in the lines! 

Here is a picture of the actual card I took with me to On Stage. 

Enjoy!

M.E.

Here is the product list with clickable purchasable links: 

Product List

That Thing You Did Photopolymer Stamp Set [138730] $17.00	Big Shot [113439] $110.00	Circles Collection Framelits Die [130911] $27.00
Botanical Gardens Designer Series Paper [140583] $11.00	Botanical Gardens Designer Washi Tape [140586] $8.00	Hello Honey 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133678] $7.00
Hello Honey Classic Stampin' Pad [133643] $6.50	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [126965] $6.50	Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad [126953] $6.50
Watercolor Paper [122959] $5.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $8.50	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337] $7.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments [119246] $5.00	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00	Embossing Buddy [103083] $6.00
Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack [133787] $17.00	Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [109133] $5.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $7.50
Heat Tool [129053] $30.00	Stampin' Pierce Mat [126199] $5.00

 

Moon Lake~Guy Greetings

I think one of the hardest card catagories to make is one for a gentleman, a dude, a guy. You know, a masculine card. I do not think I am in the minority here either. I hear it all the time at classes.  "I need a card for a MAN!" Well, what fun is that?! No bows? No pink? No flowers?  NO GLITTER!!! <gasp> This is one area that paper-crafters struggle with.  Making paper crafts something even a man would understand and love. 

Lucky for YOU Stampin' Up! has a plethora of fabulous products to make even the most manly man who receives one of these say "Yeah, that's cool.  You made this?" (Lower your "mind voice" when you read it, maybe even put your finger between your nose and your lip to mimic a mustachio, that is what I imagine it would be like in my mind LOL)

What about a card for a classic....Dad, Husband, Brother, Son.  The options are endless with this set.  There are so many great images in this set but here I used the classic car image (no I do not know what it is, I'm a girl but they will that's all that matters) Some of my tips for making cards for a man that I shared with my class is.  Keep it clean, Stay away from bows, I would almost go so far to say ribbon (twine is ok) Use distressing, they like that stuff it uses tools.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this paper pack called 'Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack'.  You get 48 sheets with 4 sheets of 12 double sided designs.  It's is pre-cut to 4.5" x 6.5" so great for cards and your Project Life pages.  You NEED this paper if you have men in your life!  You will be using this for EVERYTHING Masculine!

This next card uses a set called Moon Lake.  It has 3 different outdoor images.  The place that most men wish they lived.  I used the canoe image and did a really simple watercolor on this card and used the water image from the Adventure Bound DSP as a backdrop.  Remember, when you are going to watercolor, always use Stazon ink.  It's alcohol based and it won't run when you apply water to it.  I LOVE to use watercolor paper because I can add and remove color (if I get too much) and I do not have to worry about my paper pilling or soaking through. 

I used my ink pads as a paint palate.  Squeeze your Stampin' Up! pad while it is closed.  That will get some ink on the inside of the lid.  You can pick up this ink with your Aqua Painter.  You can also use ink refills but usually even a full drop of ink refill is WAY more than you need for a small image like this.  The lid palate works fabulously.

If you get too much color you can wipe your Aqua Painter off on your scrap paper or a paper towel and pull extra color off with a clean painter.  It's so much fun you may not be able to stop!

When ordering your products this week make sure you

use Hostess Code: MYYEY7NY

So you get in on my Stampin'-versary give away! This is the last week and last give-away.  Read more about it at the top of this post.

Enjoy!

M.E.

 

Product List

Guy Greetings Photopolymer Stamp Set [137178]	Moon Lake Clear Stamp Set [138540]
Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack [137780]	Border Chevron Punch [132154]
Folder Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [132187]	Aqua Painters [103954]
Watercolor Paper [122959]	Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad [101406]

 

Because I care~It's not just a stamp set.

I am still having fun with the watercoloring technique I shared earlier this week here.   A little Stampin' Marker and an Aqua Painter to color this image.  I actually dotted the center of many of the florettes (ok another horticulturist term from my past ;-) with the new Concord Crush marker and then spread that color out from the centers with my Aqua Painter.  When an image has shading already in it like this one does it couldn't get any easier.  Add your color where the dark hashmarks are on the stamped image then pull the color out to the lighter areas and voila' you are an instant artist and with watercoloring you don't even have to color inside the lines for it to look great!  My favorite part!

Here is a close-up of the image.  My photography on this card was less then lovely sadly.  Notice I finished the main image off with a spritz of marker in my Color spritzing tool. (LOVE IT!) then I had sponged the edges of the image to soften it.

Lastly to finish off this card I stamped the words in versamark all over the background.  It is a simple idea but really finished off this card.  NO I did not use a stamp-a-ma-jig for the background, YES, you can use one but I am an "eye-ball it" girl from the get-go and while I admit there are many times when a Stamp-a-ma-jig is my favorite friend this is not one of them.  Just give it a try!

  

Watercoloring~Fast and Fabulous!

I love to watercolor.  It's almost like being a kid again and using crayons in my coloring book.  When I was a kid I would go to my Grandmas house and I would spend hours coloring in her coloring books using those little bits of crayon she had in her big crayon box, which was really an old cookie tin.  She never threw one bit away, and she would dig with me trying to find that perfect  blue for the sky or that perfect green for the grass.  I would beg her to color with me and being the great Grandma that she was she would oblige me.  I am sure now that she probably didn't enjoy it as much as I did but at the time she never showed it.  I miss my Grandma.

This week I got to do a little watercoloring when I was working on my swaps for my local Demonstrator groups new catalog swap.  I was signed up to do a different set but that set was back ordered and arrived at 10:30am on the day my swap as due. The swap hostess was gracious enough to allow me to change which set I used. I was in the middle of putting the finishing touch on these so I wasn't going to change then. ;-)

I did a little different watercoloring technique on these. I have been using this technique a lot lately when I watercolor.  It's using the Stampin' Markers and my Aqua Painters.  I am in love with this way of watercoloring.  Here are some simple step by steps....

I used Fast and Fabulous which is a level 2 hostess set from the new catalog.  I love this set it's gorgeous and so much fun to watercolor.  By the way I am really loving my clear mount stamps it made this scene come together very easily because I could see where my placement was. 

Make sure when you are stamping on watercolor paper and you intend to use Aqua Painters that you ALWAYS use Stazon ink.  Basic Black, although waterproof in some situations, it's not one that can handle the amount of water you need in this technique.  Just a side note I LOVE the Stampin' Up! watercolor paper.  It's 140lb and I can work it and work it and it NEVER pills or balls.  It's wonderful stuff Maynard!  Note how I stamped my flowers to look like we were looking up close at a few and then there were others in the distant background.  Great way to use this stamp  set.

Okay I know  you are thinking "What the heck M.E.?" How is that going to work?! I used my markers (some of those yummy new colors) and just swiped color on the flowers and yes it will blend. Just watch....

 
 

See I took my Aqua Painter and started blending the color working the ink around until it was completely blended or to my liking anyway. 

I left a lot of the marker 'swipes' in this example because I liked the way it looked, a little shaded.  If I had kept working the marker it would have completely blended.  The only thing left now is to bring out the color from the center of the gladiolious (yep I know flower that because I have a degree in Ornamental Horticulture and was a florist for over 10 years that was BSU, Before Stampin' Up! ;-)

I took the picture before the water had dried so it looks like I added crystal effects but I did not it eventually dried.  Note I left some white areas.  I like that look.  I think leaving a little white says "watercolored".  Now to add some 'sky' area.  I used a little different technique here...

  

Take your classic pad and while it's closed squeeze it, squeeze it several times hard enough to get some ink on the inside of the lid.  Then open it and pick up color with your Aqua Painter. 

More cool white areas and don't worry about  little bleeding of color...it's WATERCOLORING PEOPLE!  Maybe watercoloring is not for the ...hmm...No M.E. you can't say that....um....Nope can't say that either....Wait here you go...the perfectionist.  Yep perhaps watercoloring is not for the perfectionist but boy are they missing out if they don't give it a try.  I mean seriously it's gorgeous and SO easy to do! Anyone can lay down a little marker and a little water.  So you wanna see the final card?  Here you go...

Voila' some great new paper colors and a few brads and I ran some Designer series paper through the texture folder and swiped my sanding block over it to distress it.  Added one of the sayings from the New Perfect Punches set.  I like it!