Sakura Koi Watercolors; 2 of 6: Jill

Deep pools of aquamarine, ruby red and citrus orange (just to mention a few) are being splashed around the Studio.  Come jump in with us and get inky as we explore the wonderful palette of Sakura Koi Watercolors.

For more information about the Sakura Koi Water Color 

Field Sketch Travel Kit click "here".

Oh, how I LOVE my Sakura Koi watercolors!  For my first project, I am using a new (and gorgeous) Penny Black brushstroke stamp, 40-332 Pure Iris.  

This was a two step technique. First, I colored directly onto my stamp using Tombow Dual Brush Pens. I lightly misted the stamp and then pressed it onto Canson 140 Lb. watercolor paper.  Now, here's where I grabbed my Kois... In order to add additional shading and dimension to the flower and background, I painted right on top of the stamped image using the Sakura Koi watercolors.  These paints blended beautifully with the original marker color beneath.  To finish things off I added a few paint splatters and also some subtle background text stamping (Penny Black 30-238 Footnotes) using Ranger Archival Ink in the color of Tree Branch.  I removed some of the ink from the text stamp with a baby wipe before stamping for a light, vintage look.

And stay tuned, in a week or two I will have a video demonstrating this technique using another new brushstroke image from Penny Black.  

Sakura Koi Watercolors; 1 of 6: Elizabeth

Deep pools of aquamarine, ruby red and citrus orange (just to mention a few) are being splashed around the Studio.  Come jump in with us and get inky as we explore the wonderful palette of Sakura Koi Watercolors.

For more information about the Sakura Koi Water Color 

Field Sketch Travel Kit click "here".

Today I am jumping in the pool of watercolors with two approaches.  One is traditional and the second is abstract.

The fashion girl (Penny Black - 4391K Dressed to Impress) was done in a traditional approach.  After stamping the image on watercolor paper in Onyx Black VersaFine and heating embossing with clear powder, the Koi watercolors were applied with a paintbrush.  A second dress overlay was created for added dimension.

The second approach was more abstract.  Clear gesso was pounced on the cityscape die cut (Penny Black - 51-017 Downtown) and (after drying) the die cut was "smooshed" into a puddle of blue Koi watercolor that I created on my craft sheet. 

A few crystal gems and a simple sentiment complete the design.  

Up next, Jill dives into our Koi palette!  

Love Is In The Air; 3 of 3: Jill

 It's the beginning of a new year and what better way to kick things off than with love in the air! Join us in the Studio over the next two weeks as we share projects celebrating hearts, smiles, and friendship. 

With love in the air, I just couldn't resist sharing a couple of the cute samples I made for Penny Black's recent release, Love and Friendship.  Each image was stamped using Ranger Archival Jet Black ink onto Canson 140 lb watercolor paper.  I then painted each one using Distress Markers. 

All stamps and dies by Penny Black: 30-270 Mimi's Love, 51-093 Heartfelt

All stamps and dies by Penny Black: 30-243 Furry Affection, 51-099 Hugs and Kisses

Hope your day is filled with love and smiles (and of course, stamping)!

Love Is In The Air; 2 of 3: Jill

 It's the beginning of a new year and what better way to kick things off than with love in the air! Join us in the Studio over the next two weeks as we share projects celebrating hearts, smiles, and friendship. 

Today I'm sharing a card featuring a very inky background...

Using an ink blending tool and a foam pad I inked my Valentine sunset using the following colors of Ranger Archival ink: Red Geranium, Sienna, Monarch Orange, Saffron, Leaf Green, and Aquamarine.  The hill was cut from cardstock before inking and added to the red background using dimensional adhesive.  I stamped the turquoise piece using Penny Black 30-238 Footnotes using Deep Lagoon Versafine ink.  Next I layered Penny Black's Creative Die, 51-100 Tree of Love, using a Zig Glue Pen to apply adhesive to the intricate sections of the die cut.  I reserved a few of the hearts to color and fit back into the tree.  Finally, the sentiment (30-274 Posted with Love) was stamped onto Penny Black's Creative Die, 51-048 Admit One. Before stamping the sentiment, I stamped the ticket outline (Penny Black 30-243 Amazing!) using Smokey Grey Versafine Ink. 

Wishing you a weekend filled with LOVE!

And if you're looking for additional Valentine card ideas, be sure to visit the Penny Black blog as they have been featuring designer inspiration all week. 

Love Is In The Air; 1 of 3: Elizabeth

 It's the beginning of a new year and what better way to kick things off than with love in the air! Join us in the Studio over the next two weeks as we share projects celebrating hearts, smiles, and friendship. 

My heart is twirling in circles over the new Penny Black Valentine collection - Love and Friendship.

I put a little twist on the Hearts in Circle die and made it into a window to spotlight some Furry Affection.

Here's my recipe for love:

• Die cut “Hearts in Circle” on a 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 piece of white cardstock.  Die cut a circle in the center.  Adhere a 3 7/8 x 5 3/8 piece of coral reef cardstock to the back and re-cut the circle in the center.  
• Stamp the sentiment “I Heart You” in Satin Red VersaFine.  
• On a separate piece of white cardstock, stamp the image from “Furry Affection” in Tuxedo Black Memento.  Color with Copic markers.  Attach the image to a white card base, positioning it so it will show through the window in the previously prepared mat.  
• Attach the window mat to the front of the card with dimensional foam tape.

Stay tuned for more love with Jill!

[Supplies: Penny Black: 51-095 Hearts in Circle, 30-272 I Heart You, 30-273 Furry Affection; Mix & Match Cardstock: 01-001 Storm, 15-003 Coral Reef; Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Tuxedo Black Memento, Satin Red VersaFine; Copic Markers; 3M Scotch: Dimensional Foam Tape; Tombow: X-treme Adhesive; Other: Circle Die]