The Best of Both Worlds

Here's my dilemma: I have a nice collection of stamps and dies and I have a Cricut Explore.  If I use my stamps and dies, I feel like I should be using my Cricut more, and vice versa.

So for this card, I used both!  I cut the tree with leaves and the grass with the Explore.  The Explore did the writing for me too.  I really love using it this way when I don't have a stamp for a sentiment I want!  For the other elements I used 2 sets from WPlus9, the Happy Mail and Sending Sunshine stamps w/dies.  I also used Spellbinder's Celebra'tions Pierced Rectangle dies.

I used watercolor paper so I could watercolor the sky and ground.  I colored the bear, birds, banner and flowers with my newly purchased Spectrum Noir pens.  What fun!

I added a bit of clear Wink of Stella to the sunshine and some of the leaves.

Well, I had fun making this card and my husband really liked it too!

I don't know if anyone actually looks at what I post (if it's not an Online Card Class) but if you are looking, I thank you!!!!

Floral Watercolor

I decided to do one more card for the Pretty Pink Posh Watercolor Blog Hop.  There have been so many beautiful cards posted--I'll be looking at them for days!

I've been wanting to do a pink card and I believe I've accomplished that!  I used Heartfelt Creations Botanical Rose stamps and coordinating dies.  The background was stamped with JustRite Ticking Stripe background stamp.  The sentiment is from JustRite as well.

I used Spun Sugar Distress Ink for the background and flowers.  I don't think it shows in the photo but I used a yellow Wink of Stella for the flower centers.  The leaves are Distress Inks in Mowed Lawn and a touch of Twisted Citron.  I love using these inks for watercoloring!

I had to add just a touch of bling with Distress Stickles in Clear Rock Candy!

Here is a close up of the flowers and leaves embossed in white embossing powder.

Thank you so much for taking a look!  I love comments and all are so appreciated!  

Freezer Paper Mask!

Yes!  I did it!  I actually used the freezer paper mask that I pulled off of my card shown in yesterday's post.  When I took it off, I just thought it was so pretty so I set it on my desk instead of trashing it.

I'm posting this in the Online Card Class, Mask-erade, Day 4 gallery.  Also, I'm stepping outside my comfort zone, and posting it in the Pretty Pink Posh blog hop.  Because, after all, the mask was watercolored too!!

So today, I took a Scor-Tape sheet, stuck it to white card stock, peeled off the other protective sheet and  (carefully!) stuck down the freezer paper mask!  THEN, I used the same die with freezer paper and cut it again.  I used all the little freezer paper pieces to mask the holes/open areas.  I hope that make sense!  :)

And because I LOVE glitter, section by section, I peeled off the little bits adding the different colors of glitter.

I used the same colors of Distress Inks to die the seam binding ribbon.

I guess the glitter wasn't quite enough bling!  So I added a few bits of bling from Want2Scrap.

Here are the two cards.  The differences are interesting to me.

I know glittery cards aren't really on trend, however, I do like sparkles on my cards. :)   I am really enjoying watercoloring too!  The Online Card Classes are totally awesome.  I have learned a lot from them.  The great thing is that you can sign up and take previous classes too!

Online Card Class, Mask-erade, Another Day 4 Card

Thought I'd have some more fun with the technique using freezer paper as a mask.  I cut a mask using Spellbinder's die called Butterfly Magic.  I then used several colors of Distress Ink to do the watercoloring!  I really enjoyed this!

The pretty pearl swirl is from Want2Scrap

I added some clear Wink of Stella to the butterfly for a little sparkle!

I've really enjoyed these classes and can't wait to see what class they offer next!

Thank you for checking out my card.  Comments are very appreciated!  :)