August Take It, Make It Challenge

This month's challenge on the Craft Stamper blog is to use pens and/or pencils in addition to a stamped image. I thought I'd submit a card I did recently, using Inktense Pencils. These pencils will react with water, just as watercolor pencils will, but the pigment is ink and is permanent once dry.

This lovely rose image is part of a set from Altenew and is called Sketchy Rose. It's a large, open image, which is perfect for coloring.

I stamped it on watercolor paper, using Black Archival ink. Then, following the shapes of the petals and leaves, I colored close the the outer edges, using various shades of Inktense Pencils. Next, using a wet brush, I activated the color and blended it away from the edges. My goal was to have the darkest color at the edge, getting lighter as I moved inward. 

Once the rose was done, I used a blue pencil and a very light touch to lay down pigment around the rose. Again with a wet brush, I moved the pigment out into the background.

I trimmed the watercolor panel down and layered a couple of coordinating papers on the right hand side, securing everything with black stitching. I never get tired of stitching on paper!

Everything was adhered to the card front with Xtreme adhesive - this works so well to keep the heavy watercolor paper secured in place.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this - I really enjoyed using the Inktense pencils!

Immi

Mixed Media Snowman

Hello! Although it's been a while since I've posted, I haven't been lazy - just busy. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas as much as I did. It was so nice to see family and watch the grandkids enjoy opening their presents.

I started this little project before Christmas, but didn't have time to finish it until after the new year. I had a tacky little metal tray I'd picked up at a thrift store because I liked the size and the color. I decided to use it as a frame for a mixed media snowman. (I was inspired by watching this artist's video.) I wish I'd taken a picture of the tray before I started, but you'll have to imagine flowers painted in the middle. As you can see, it's rather rusty around the edges, but that's the way I like it!

I cut a piece of watercolor paper to fit the inside of the tray, and had fun creating a multicolored background with gelatos and water. I sketched out the shape I wanted for my snowman and painted over the background with gesso. Then I used more gelatos, Inktense pencils, and acrylic paint to add more color, shading, etc. I also had fun with random rubber stamping and inks. I sewed some black buttons on, and cut a little orange "carrot" for his nose. I chose a phrase from a Christmas song, typed it on the computer and cut it out with an old pair of pinking shears. After the phrase was glued down, I put gel medium on the tray and back of my paper and glued everything together. It was difficult to get it to stick around the edges, but I kept pressing and smoothing the paper down until it was stuck good and tight. I gave it plenty of time to dry and added sparkly glitter glue around  the edges.

I had a lot of fun making this, and I'm happy that I found a good use for that tray (why do I buy these things, anyway??)

Till next time,

Immi