This card is for several challenges....it started out for the Watercolour challenge and then I saw the Ways to Use It Challenge. I have so many stamps that have never been inked and stamps used on this card finally saw daylight. Finally when checking the Misti challenge I knew I was going to colour my flowers in pink so 3 win-wins.
To say this was the most frustrating card to make...well there have been other times when I was trying to do some fancy folds....is an understatement.
I purchased my Altenew stamp set after watching a Jennifer McGuire video at least 2 years ago, if not more. Since then itâs been sitting in my stash with me too scared to try it out. Until today.
3+ hours later.....I was about ready to put the stamp set into an orphan pile. I started by using some of my best watercolour paper. First mistake. I had all of the instructions printed off the net on how to use these stamps. I really should have practiced first. After stamping on both sides of my paper, I decided that practice on scrap paper was necessary, even though by this stage I had attempted to stamp the flower at least 10 times, none of which worked. I resorted to bringing out my red pens and marking where I was supposed to line the stamps up. That second one is soooo tricky.
After trying my Misti and blocks and goodness knows how many pieces of scrap paper, I finally worked it out...well sort of....and thought itâs now or never or these stamps or going. Sorry Altenew...they are beautiful stamps but I need something easier to line up with.
Out comes more watercolour paper and doh...stamped wrong. Turned that over and tried again. Today was not the day to try my patience and I am not one to give up easily. Finally I finished stamping all 3 flowers and even masked. They arenât perfect but they are the best I could do and after about 20+ attempts a girl can only take so much. Thank goodness for my Misti though as it allowed me to get a better image.
Flowers done, now onto the leaves and practice again on scrap paper. These were easier. Leaves done. Phew I was exhausted by this stage LOL. If it had been 5 oâclock I think the G&T would have been out.
Now onto the watercolouring. I had watched the videos and made notes so Iâm plonking ink on my mat, adding some water on my flowers and off I go. Thereâs 3 pinks on there and with the stamps I simply followed where they had put shading with a couple of my own extraâs LOL.
Onto the leaves. I should have left it at that but one of the techniques was to ground the images and I had seen watercolouring around flowers before and always thought it looked so good, so Iâm now mixing my colours and start to smoosh my brush around. Yuk. Did not like my effect.
Scissors out and Iâm now fussy cutting them. Gosh. Edges distressed and I decided to go around the flowers with my black journalling pen. I canât help it...Iâm a messy mixed media girl LOL.
Sentiment stamped and bling added and done. I like the overall effect and those flowers really are lovely but unless someone can give me some tips on how to line them up, I think they will turn into mushrooms again.
The good news is that I used 2 unused stamp sets...even the PB one had been sitting in my stash unused.
I enjoyed learning today and will try the other watercolour techniques another day.
TFL. Happy day
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2020 GMT Views: 991
Favorited:3
Accessories: Bling out of stash, black journalling pen
Techniques: Stamping....multiple times and even more....lots of tutting and frustration, watercolouring, fussy cutting, adding distress, stamping and finally adding bling
Registered: April 14, 2006 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 2158
Sat, Jun 13, 2020 @ 2:54 AM
I'm so sorry that you struggled with this image! The outcome is beautiful!!! The whole card is lovely with beautiful watercoloring! Great job! Now that you've broken it in, I'm sure you should keep it out and try again!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: January 19, 2014 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 90281
Sat, Jun 13, 2020 @ 4:56 AM
I love when I can make a card for several challenges and what an amazing flower too. It is wonderful that you have the image hanging over the top. I love to extend out over my cards when I remember to extend out. It adds to the cards nicely.
Registered: February 27, 2007 Location: LaCrosse, Wisconsin Posts: 39277
Sat, Jun 13, 2020 @ 5:14 AM
I will have to check out that stamp set to see what you're talking about....whatever the issue with lining them up was, this is outstanding, although it sounds like you have no hair left....plonk!
------------------------------ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
Those flowers are gorgeous, Jayne! Great sentiment, too. I know what you mean about not turning out, and several tries. It is the same here! I am glad you stuck with it, because the result is worth it!
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Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 131551
Sat, Jun 13, 2020 @ 8:30 AM
I've read enough people saying that those layered stamped are beautiful but hard to ensure that I am not tempted. I'm sorry you wasted good (your best, even, ouch!!) watercolour paper on the learning curve, that hurts. Hopefully you can salvage even some of it. I like the clean look you got after fussy-cutting them. They have a lovely vintage look.
Registered: August 27, 2014 Location: Santa Rosa, Texas Posts: 12055
Sat, Jun 13, 2020 @ 9:00 AM
Definitely worth the trouble. Your card is amazing. I love the layering, it adds wonderful dimension. I hope you kept your "mistakes." I do and it's amazing how they come in handy. TFS!
Registered: July 9, 2008 Location: Stars Fell on Alabama Posts: 74762
Sat, Jun 13, 2020 @ 12:24 PM
Very pretty card and I'm glad you got to use that pretty stamp and try out your watercoloring with it, too. Good job!
------------------------------ My Blog---My Gallery---My PinterestI'm a Punchkateer! (Prez) FOREVERDirty Dozen Alumni2014 CAS Spring DT--- Inspiration Challenge Co- Hostess 12/02/17-12/28/19 Watercolor Wednesday Design Team Hebrews 13:2Brenda
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Registered: April 18, 2011 Location: Melbourne, Aus Posts: 51844
Sat, Jun 13, 2020 @ 11:32 PM
Oh wow Jayne, this looks fabulous and so very worth all your hard work. I hope you kept the watercolour paper attempts, no matter what it looks like, it will be great for mixed media backgrounds (I speak from experience). Don't be too hard on yourself my west coast Aussie mate, Jennifer M and all those other bloggers that make it look so easy, have practiced a gazillion times and would never upload a video that wasn't perfect.
------------------------------ Susie
Please don't take your organs to heaven - heaven knows we need them here.