It’s My Blogiversary

WordPress alerted me that this week marks the sixth year since my first blog post, aka a blogiversary. The first few years were dedicated mostly to my beloved card making papercraft, and while I still enjoy making cards, I now spend more time working on my watercolor skills and techniques.

Happy Puppy

Because this blog began with card making, it seems fitting to share what I made last week at a craft retreat.

Garden Gate

These cards were made with stamps that are pieced together to create little vignettes suitable for card fronts. They are “inked” with waterbased markers and then “watercolored” around the edges of the images with a damp brush to give them a painterly look.

Really, these stamps were probably a gateway into my wanting to paint on a bigger scale, and it’s fun to go back and use them every so often.

Bird Bath

Thanks to everyone who follows my blog and especially those who have taken time to leave a like or a comment.

Sleeping Puppy

I’ve found that followers/bloggers are some of the sweetest, most encouraging and passionate folks and am glad to have gotten to know so many of you over the years. Here’s to a seventh year of blogging and creativity!

Rustic Barn Scene

Rose Gardens

After practicing loose, freestyle watercolor roses for a couple of days, I had quite a “garden” of them to be made into greeting cards.

Hand-painted Roses Bridal Shower Card

They are quite fun to paint, take shape quickly, and make an elegant presentation.

Hand-painted Roses Birthday Card

Hand-painted Roses Birthday Card

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s hoping we call can take time to smell the real roses today.  Happy Wednesday!

Orchid and Magnolia Cards

I had the pleasure of spending last weekend at a crafty retreat with some talented ladies, which is always so relaxing, renewing, and productive.  However, we missed our friend Traci and hope she can join us on our next trip – hope you are feeling better, Traci!

Sometimes when I get home from these weekends I have a difficult time transitioning back into things because half of my supplies are still packed up, and I don’t know which direction to go – should I set up my work space for papercrafting or watercolor painting?  Before unpacking I decided to clean up my entire craft corner and in the process came across quite a few things I haven’t shared here yet, including these two cards.

The watercolor flower paintings on the fronts are totally CASEd from Pinterest (I believe one is a tutorial from The Frugal Crafter), and I remember being so excited when I finished them because they turned out so well. If I remember correctly they are the mixture of some Daniel Smith watercolors and Derwent Inktense pencils. Leave it to me to stick them in a dark corner of the craft desk and lose track of them. 🙂

I’ve also been keeping a nature/travel sketchbook the last couple of months and am deciding whether or not to share some of those drawings and paintings here.  I have to say that I really like working in my little sketchbook and get lost in the process of really “seeing” things I’d never noticed before.

Hope you all have a great weekend and take time to “see” the little things, some of which are quite remarkable.  Hugs!

Wedding Cake Illustrations #WorldWatercolorMonth

During World Watercolor Month I have discovered so many great artists and their blogs, and I came across this blog post by Beth Briggs, who is a very talented artist and illustrator of everything fashion, floral, and feminine.  Her watercolor designs and creations are so classy and sophisticated yet girly and playful.  Her blog includes many DIY features, and she states that her mission is to encourage and inspire the artist in everyone.  Well, she certainly inspired me, especially with a tutorial on illustrating wedding cakes.  It was very timely as we have been to a few weddings already this year and have a few more to go, necessitating me to whip up a new batch of wedding cards.

Wedding Cake Card 1

 

Wedding Cake Card 2

I decided to use my Koh-I-Noor watercolor pencils rather than paint because of the fine details on many of the flowers, and oh what fun these were to create!  Of course I had to finish the tiniest details with a little shimmer and sparkle with Wink of Stella pens, and I was quite happy with how they turned out. I am working a couple others styles and will post those in a few days.  In the meantime, be sure to stop by Beth Brigg’s blog and check it out!

I’m sad to see the inaugural World Watercolor Month come to an end and would like to thank Charlie at Doodlewash for dreaming up this spectacular event. Charlie, you were so kind to comment on and like what I am guessing were hundreds of blog and Facebook posts daily, so hopefully now you can rest for a few days.  I am also hopeful that WWM was a success in getting donations and raising awareness for the Dreaming Zebra Foundation and the Art Room Aid project sponsored by Dick Blick.  It’s still not too late to donate and you can do so by clicking on the links directly above.

I KNOW World Watercolor Month was a success in bringing together watercolor enthusiasts of all skill levels from around the globe!  I have met many talented blogger friends who will undoubtedly continue to inspire through their watercolor sketches.

World Watercolor Month 2016

Save