...Owl Be There (MFTSC81)

I spent the day at Pam Varnell's (aka stampingpam) on Saturday, and we decided to have an all-day Greeting Farm extravaganza! I absolutely love these stamps...adorable images, high-quality red rubber on cling foam, and so easy to use. This card was created using this week's My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #81 as a starting point. I have recently gotten questions from several individuals interested in the process I go through when making my cards. Honestly, I find myself starting with a good card sketch. I can always find one that will accommodate the stamp(s) I want to use...large stamps = large panels, small stamps = small panels. I will get the basic structure of the card cut out, and lay it aside to use after I have everything ready to assemble. Some of my favorite sketches come from these websites/blogs:

• MojoMonday Blog (Mondays)
• My Favorite Things Sketch Challenges (Thursdays)
• Card Positioning Systems
• Jen del Muro's "Sketch For You To Try" (Saturdays)
• Weekend Sketch Challenges (Friday)
• Amy Rysavy's Sketch Challenges (Friday)
• Taylor VanBruggen's "Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenges" (Friday)
• Lauren Meader's "My Times Sketch Challenges" (Saturdays)
• Splitcoaststampers' "Sketch Challenges" (Wednesdays)
• The Fresh Batch's "Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenges" {designed by me} (Thursdays)

Next, I move on to my patterned paper (if I want to use any), and I get my color palette from the colors included in the paper. I also use a few Color Inspiration Challenge blogs/websites if I am having problems coming up with a color combination on my own. Here are some sites that I frequently use:

• Kristina Werner's "Color Inspiration" Challenges
• Lauren Meader's "My Times Color Challenges"
• Splitcoaststampers' "Color Challenges"
• Stampin' Up Color Combo Website (you can pick one color, and the site will come up with several possible combinations for you to choose from...it's very cool!)
  

After I have the "bones" of the card together and I know which colors I will be using, I stamp and color my image(s). The majority of the time, I will stamp my images in Basic Black Craft Ink then emboss it with Clear Embossing Powder...especially if I am going to be watercoloring. I find that it is so much easier to "stay inside the lines" when the images are embossed. I also use Watercolor Paper when I am going to be watercoloring...the higher the weight of the paper, the easier it is to blend and move the color around...I usually use 90 lbs or higher. I always use an Aquapainter, Classic Ink Pads, and Classic Ink Refills when I watercolor . However, if I am going to use Copic Markers, I will use Whisper White Cardstock instead of watercolor paper. I may or may not emboss the image(s)prior to coloring; if I do NOT want them embossed though, I will use Jet Black Staz-On Ink instead of the craft ink.

Finally, I assemble the card using a combination of SNAIL Adhesive and Dimensionals. I add embellishments like ribbon, rhinestones, buttons, and brads to add some sparkle or pizazz.

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by on this gorgeous Monday, and I hope that I have covered the questions that you all have asked. If you ever have any questions about a product, technique, or process please just let me know...I will gladly share whatever I can with you. I will see you all again tomorrow with another Greeting Farm creation, so until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Forest Friends (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Watercolor Paper, Rockabilly Specialty DSP

Inks: Basic Gray, Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black Craft

Accessories: mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, clear embossing powder, heat gun, aquapainter, sponge dauber, adhesive, white gel pen, clear rhinestones, scissors