Sunday, March 6, 2016

Watercolor Blog Hop

It's time to play and and have fun using watercolor. 

A blog hop is one big circle of creative inspiration.   About 30 Close To My Heart consultants have joined in this blog hop to showcase various ways to use watercolor.  

Close To My Heart has both watercolor paints and watercolor pencils.  The beauty of the paints is that you can just let the colors run together, or water them down or build up more color to achieve just the look you want.  The pencils are great when you would like to have a little more control over your color, but you would like the look of watercolor.  You just color using the pencils and then use a wet paint brush over it to produce the look you desire.

If you are coming from Tracey's blog, you are on the right path.  At the end of my post, you will find a link to the next blog in this hop.  If you get lost along the way, you can find a complete lis of participants here.

In preparing for this blog hop, I played around with my watercolor paints and some techniques that I hadn't tried before.  Plastic wrap was used in the one I liked best.  So most of my samples involve that technique.  I have also been trying to find some time to do some art journaling and prayer journaling.  For the past few months I have found time to do prayer journaling several times a week, but haven't had time to start the art journal.  So for this post, I decided to use some of the watercolor samples to combine my prayer work with my art work, and put them into protectors that will fit into my new CTMH planner.

First, I will show you some of the samples using the plastic wrap.  Here's a link to find out more about the technique.  I wet my watercolor paper using my CTMH spray pen, then added several colors, and then applied the plastic wrap and left it on the paper until it dried.





Now here are the pieces I used for my prayer journal cards.

The lettering is obviously hand lettered (and I need a lot of practice there) using a black sharpie pen.  I stamped the butterflies, but decided to trace them with my sharpie so they would be as bold as the writing.


Here's another sample.  I didn't use the plastic wrap on this.  I just applied color to a very wet paper and then held the paper up to let the color run.  I then added a second and third color and let them run together.   I really do like the effects with that technique as well.




Supplies used are all Close To My Heart products except for the black Sharpie marker and the plastic wrap. You can click on each to see (and/or order) the product on my website. 
Stamp set - Your Beautiful Self

Thanks for visiting today.  I hope you have some time to play, relax, and have fun with watercolors like I did.  Enjoy lots more creativity as you visit all the participants in the hop and see many more ideas for using your CTMH watercoloring supplies.   Next stop on the hop will be  Marie's blog


Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Monthly Specials

It's Stampaganza Time! 



Buy any two My Acrylix® stamp sets (M-, A-, B-, C-, D-, or E-size) at full retail price and get a third stamp set of equal or lesser value FREE!
 
That is a savings of up to $29.95! 

This offer is only available during March, so start submitting your stamp orders as soon as possible, and let the Stampaganza begin!

Click this link (my website)  to start shopping now! 

Contact me if you'd rather not shop online.



Tuesday, March 1, 2016

March SOTM blog hop Sunshine Birdies

Welcome to the March 

Close To My Heart 

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop


This month we are featuring this cute stamp set, Sunshine Birdies.
Remember, the stamp of the month is only available until March 31.
$17.95 or only $5 with a qualifying purchase of $50.


If you are coming from Marie's blog, you are on the right path.  To join in the fun, start here.  At the  end of my blog entry, as with other blogs, you will find a link to the next blog the end of the posting. If you get lost along the way, you can find the complete list participating consultants here.

For my project this month, I made a pocket letter that I will send to my out of town teen-age granddaughter for Easter.   I paired the Sunshine Birdies with the CTMH Penelope paper pack which has a lot of fun colors for Easter and springtime. I also used several Cricut images from our the CTMH Cricut cartridges listed below.
I started making pocket letters,which were a hit, for my older grandkids this past Valentine's Day.  Each little pocket will have some little flat treasure hidden behind the card like money, a gift card, coupon good for .... with Grammy, gum, etc.  I still need to find a few more flat goodies to send.  

These pocket pages are  page protectors for trading cards which you can find 
at office supply stores.  Each pocket is 2 1/2 x 3 1/2.

The protector can then be folded into thirds and will fit in a business size envelope to be mailed.  (obviously, the treasures haven't been tucked in yet.)


Supplies used are all Close To My Heart products (with the exception of the page protector, one goggly eye, the lace doily, and the business size envelope) which can be purchased on my website or from your independent CTMH consultant.


Paper: Penelope Paper Packet, White Daisy, Canary, and Cocoa Cardstock
Washi Tape: Limeade Washi Pack
Shimmer Trim: Green
Embellishments: Purple Heart Enamel and Glitter Duos, Treasured Puffies, 
Extra Thick Twine: Pixie, Thistle
ShinHan Touch Twin Markers: Leaf Green, Golden Yellow, Clay, Tender Pink, Cerulean Blue Lt.
Cricut Cartridges:  Artistry - for flowers and Happy Easter, and Artfully Sent for the rabbit.
 
Be sure to visit all the blogs to see the fun and creative ideas everyone has to share.  
Your next stop along the way is Wendy's blog .