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Monday, May 18, 2009

...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:

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:

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

9 comments:

mudmaven said...

Inspirational and instructional to boot! You are wonderful to share this with us. Thanks! ~chris

Julie said...

It's great to see how "stamping genius" works! ;) Love the card, Mercy!

Pam Varnell said...

Mercy, this card is absolutely gorgeous, especially IRL. I love the bold crispness and your watercoloring is awesome as usual. I had so much fun Saturday. Thanks for joining me.

Love the instructions for completing one of your cards. I'm one of the lucky ones that has seen the pro at work. You are my hero!! I wanna be you when I grow up. LOL!!

Silke Ledlow said...

AWWW - Mercy - the colors rock - what a cute card!!!

Kimberly's Krafts said...

Mercy.....You are my hero Girl! That card is soooo sweet! And thanks so much for sharing the process in which you create such beautiful work! Your amazing!!!

:)

Jennifer Meyer said...

Hi Mercy :) What a beautiful card but they ALL are! LOVE the fun image and colors of your design!

Thank for sharing some fun tips with all of us!

Have a fun week,
Jennifer :)

Cindy Haffner said...

Hi Mercy what fun, using my sketch. I always enjoy doing your sketches and I'm so thrilled to see you do one of mine. Hugs cindy xxoo

Anonymous said...

Nice bright colors!! I love the turquoise!! I think I need to dust my greeting farm set off- I do love the images!

Betty J Schaub said...

so sweet.