Friday, October 23, 2009

Two Great Cards ~ One Awesome Sketch

I am so excited about this week's stamping 411 sketch, that I made two cards! I started with this card. It uses shimmer white paper, and the reinker float technique. On the center 3x3" square, I embossed a white snowflake.

Next, I spritzed my cardstock with water till there were large pools of water. I added 2 drops of reinkers (soft suede and bermuda bay) to the top of a stamp box, and used a water brush to pick up the reinker, and drop it into my floating pools of water.

It's very important to do this with the right paper. Using shimmer white, is key to making this work, The whisper white would absorb the water and get the paper too wet. Lots of sponging and lots of love for this card.

Many times, I make my stamping 411 cards well in advance, so I won't be rushing. I used the above card in my "over the top" Christmas card class last week. Then, I had some extra packets.

I was asked to demonstrate a workshop wow at the Portland Maine, Stampin' Up! regionals last weekend, and since I had a few extra packets prepped. So ~ here's another card I made. with the exact same layout different stamps! I stamped my whisper white cardstock with stazon. for both flower images and the blossom definition. Then I began to color.

First, I used makeup applicators to apply an even coat of pastels to my image.

Next, I used a blender pen, to pick up the pastels and add it to selected areas of my flowers. When coloring this image I always keep in mind that the artist drew darker lines in the areas where my coloring should be darker. So I added the darker layer of chalk (with the blender pens) to those areas where the artist made the lines.

It seems I can't do a demo for a large group of people without using crystal effects, so I added crystal effects to the flower pot image, and all the flowers. The cool thing about adding crystal effects on top of chalk is, it doesn't move your color around. When applying crystal effects to an image colored with water based markers, you need to first do a thin coat to seal your image, let that dry, then apply thicker layers. On top of chalk, you can just go for it!

Many times in stamping I suggest that "less is more" when it comes to crystal effects, more is more. You don't want to see the brush lines from your paint brush ~ don't be shy ~ slather it on!

When that was dry, I sponged the edges with soft suede ink and assembled my card.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

You did a great job with the sketch this week!!! I love both your cards so much!!!

Leigh said...

Two beautiful cards.

Carole'Anne AKA Stampin Stressaway said...

oh my Selene
this is just so beautiful I absolutly love your card
I have to say that this set is one of my fav.
you did such a wonderful job with this sketch!
thank you for the wonderful inspiration
from
Carole'Anne AKA Stampin Stressaway
http://mirrorimage.typepad.com/

carolm said...

ok, this is the card i want for my purple one. . . the "bloom" card. i love that set!!!

you can throw the christmas one in as a bonus!

just love them!!!!!

xoxox

Jenna C said...

Those cards are both gorgeous! I absolutely LOVE the background on the snowflake card!! WOW!!

Patti Chesky said...

Oh Selene! These cards are incredible!!! Even though I had a sneak peek, they still blow me away!!!!

Hi, I'm Lee Conrey! said...

....as usual you have blown us away! Not once but twice!!!
The snowflake card is so unusually beautiful. I love it.
...and the flower pot card is just plain stunning! I'm sure they went nuts for it a Regional's. You're incredible!!!

sandi maciver said...

Hi Selene, both of your cards are absolutely stunning, especially love the floating ink technique one

Brenda said...

Selene, you are amazing! You teach me so much through your blog. FABULOUS cards!

stamperbeth said...

I love both cards. I wouldn't have thought to use the floating reinker with the snowflake. You're so clever!

Germaine Ferrao -Lenn said...

Oh Selene, Two gorgeous cards, I love the way you have done the bloom card, will be casing it! I have not been doing well, and went it for some heavy treatment of acupuncture, have just got back home! TFS your lovely cards and talent as usual! Hugs always!