Watercolouring with Altenew stamps

 Hi there.  As it's the last day of the month, it time to share my Die Cut Diva DT card - or today cards!

Established in April 2014, Altenew has quickly become a leader in the inspiration industry and continues to innovate and influence the world of paper crafts. Altenew strives to encourage crafters to express their own unique creativity through the art of paper crafting.

The Challenge for this month is: Water Coloring!

You can watercolor anything on your project, just remember to include 

a die cut or use an embossing folder in your design!

The Prize from Altenew

Artists' Watercolor 24 Pan Set valued at $49.99

First card.

I used some black card and gold embossed Altenew's Cherry Blossom Bunch in Ranger Platinum powder.  I then used some metallic paints (Twinkling H2O's ) to add the colouring.   Still need more practice  with the white spray as a splatter!   I used a scrap of a die cut frame to add my sentiment from the same Cherry Blossom Bunch set.  

Second Card

This one is more CAS - 

I have used Altenew Rennie Roses.  I stamped the different sizes of the roses around the sides of the panel cut with a Gina K Master Layout 1 die.  I then watered down some Distress Oxides to colour loosely.  I used Saltwater Taffy, Picked Raspberry and Mowed Lawn inks.    Did some doodling on the leaves 

This month's challenge was perfect for me as I LOVE Altenew products  and enjoy watercolouring.  

Thanks for stopping by today.   

ANZAC Day - Poppy card.

Welcome to my Die Cut Divas post for today - here in NZ and Australia (25th April) is ANZAC Day - where we acknowledge and commemorate all those who served in the army forces.  The ANZAC's were the Australia and New Zealand Army Corp who fought during the First World War and on the 25 April 1915 the ANZAC's landed in Gallipoli in Turkey.  The landing point later became know as Anzac Cove.  

Here in NZ and Australia we wear poppies to commemorate by wearing a poppy.  So today I am sharing a poppy card as part of this month's challenge. 

Established in April 2014, Altenew has quickly become a leader in the inspiration industry and continues to innovate and influence the world of paper crafts. Altenew strives to encourage crafters to express their own unique creativity through the art of paper crafting.

The Challenge for this month is: Water Coloring!

You can watercolor anything on your project, just remember to include 

a die cut or use an embossing folder in your design!

The Prize from Altenew

Artists' Watercolor 24 Pan Set valued at $49.99

I used Altenew's Paint a Flower - Iceland Poppies.  I coloured with Altenew's Woodless Watercolor Pencils.  A little bit of gold pen to add some details.  I fussy cut the bouquet.  I used Altenew Mix and Match Frames to cut the centre navy panel and the red panel.   I added white splatter (need a bit more practice using Altenew's white spray)  I layered the panels onto a navy base.  Used a sentiment from the set die cut with Featured Sentiment dies. 

Lest we Forget.  

Colourful background.

 Hi, today I'm  here to share my Golden card for Die Cut Divas.     Our lovely sponsor this month is no other than Hero Arts.

We are grateful to them for giving our winner a $50 gift card! So generous. Thank you, Hero Arts.

Our challenge this month is GOLD

My card today is using some older Hero Arts products.  Way back when I first started stamping, some of my first stamps were Hero Arts - first wood stamps, then cling stamps and onto clear stamps.  My wood stamps are getting a bit of workout when my granddaughter comes to play... she handles them better than clear ones.    Anyway today's card uses an older Cling stamp - Flower Medley (discontinued) and Hello There Stamp and Cut set.  see it HERE 

I took a panel of black cardstock and using a Gold Embossing powder, I embossed the background stamp.  I then took my very ancient set of Twinkling H2O's..  These are very sparkly, highly pigmented watercolours.   I painted the background with these amazing watercolours.  They look stunning on the black card.  I used my Gina K Master Layouts to cut the panels.   I decided that the purple was a good foil against all that colour.  As the background was so busy, I chose to used a very simply bold die cut sentiment.   I used the Hello Stamp and Die set, cut from black and gold card.  I layer the black slightly offset behind the gold.

Do come and join us with this month's challenge.  

Thanks for stopping by.  

More watercolouring with Altenew

Hi.  It's the last day of the month so time to share a card (or two) for Die Cut Divas. 

Altenew is our sponsor this month, and the challenge prize is Altenew Artists' Watercolor 24 Pan Set ($49.99 value).   Altenew will issue a 100% discount code to the winner.

This month's challenge: Watercolouring

If you have been following me for some time, you will know I LOVE Altenew products so excited to be able to highlight them.   

First up is a card using Metallic paints.   Altenew have an awesome set of metallic paints but I don't have them so used some Metallic paints I've had for many years... 

I white embossed Altenew Leaf Canopy stamp onto some black card.  I used two colours of paint on each leaf.  To add the splatter I used a very light creamy paint from the metallic set.   I used Gina K  Master Layout #2 to cut the panel and it's layer.  The sentiment is from Craft Your Life Project Kit - Silk Art.   I trimmed it and layered onto some card painted with the Gold from the Metallic paint set.   This card was for my work colleague who retired recently.   She is an awesome lady so thought the sentiment was just right for her.  

And I have a bonus card for you.   Watercolouring leads itself to many different ways of being used.  For this card I used Altenew 36 pan watercolour set to make some coloured card by painting some Mixed Media paper.  I then used the panels to die cut some flowers 

My panels were a mixture of yellows and greens and some variations of blue on the other one.    The die set I used is Altenew Mini Flower Cluster Layering die set.   I die cut out all the pieces.  I did have to ink bland one layer to make it a little darker but the rest is just the watercoloured paper.  Once I had the floral cluster put together, I gave it a spritz of Nuvo Shimmer Mist for some sparkle.   To make the background, I die cut the stitched panel with Gina K Master Layouts #2 and used an Altenew stencil (Classic Stripes) and some olive green ink to add a little bit of the stencil.  I then used some Lindy's Gang blue ink spray and added it all over.   The sentiment is from Altenew Linear Life: Tropical Garden stamp set.  

I hope you can join us at Die Cut Divas  - there's still time today. 

Watercolouring with Nuvo Shimmer Powders

  Hello... Dawn here to share a card with some watercolouring for Die Cut Divas 

Altenew is our sponsor this month, and the challenge prize is Altenew Artists' Watercolor 24 Pan Set ($49.99 value).   Altenew will issue a 100% discount code to the winner.

This month's challenge: Watercolouring

If you have been following me for some time, you will know I LOVE Altenew products so excited to be able to highlight them.   

I used Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit - Hello Beautiful in this card.   I started by using Altenew silver embossing powder to emboss the largest flower from the stamp set in the kit onto some mixed media paper.   For my watercolouring I took some Nuvo shimmer powders and tapped a small amount into the wells in a painting palette and added some water. I used a blue, pinky red, yellow and green powders.   This makes the most amazing shimmery paint.  I added the paint to the image using two colours on each flower and leaf.   Once it had dried I used the matching dies to cut it out.    Next step was to die cut a panel using Altenew's Mix and Match frame dies and add some splatters with the paints and some with black paint as well.   I layered this panel over some light green card so you can see it through the holes.   The sentiment is from Altenew's Sentiment Strips #3.  It's layered onto some silver card.  The photo of the card doesn't do the gorgeous shimmer justice. 

Hope this inspires you to join us with your watercolour projects ( don't forget to use your die cut machine as well)

June Card Chain Challenge Reveal.

Hi. Time to share my card that went to Gundi in Germany as part of the Card Chain Challenge.   

I chose to use the colours. theme and sketch for my card. 

My stripes were made with watercolour paints.  Added lots of splatters.  Used Altenew's Coneflowers for my focal image.  

I'm still waiting for the card Joy from US sent.  

We had a lovely weekend, with Kieran coming to help his Dad with the decking and bring Grace with him (Mum was at home painting skirting boards) - So I got to spend 4 hours entertaining the little one.  Boy is she full on!  First thing she asked when she arrived was "Can I play in the Art room"  - lots of blending inks and learning how to use Nanny's stamps.  Then onto some painting.  I had forgotten I had some little round paints - the same sort she paints with at Daycare - so she was one happy little girl painting for ages.    I have to say, I was a bit tired when she left!    

And then today, hubby and I took the little red car out for a spin and headed north - ending up at Puhoi Pub for lunch.   It was a bit drizzly as we left so the roof was up on our way, the sun was shining and we were able to sit outside and have our lunch.   The roof was down on the way home,

A great way to spend a winter's Sunday. 

WCC#330 - Heidi's Challenge: All About Occasions

Time for the latest challenge at Watercooler Wednesday.  Heidi is our delightful hostess and our challenge is All About Occasions. 

My card today uses an Embossing folder and some metallic paints. 

I used a Pink Fresh Studio's Essential Slimline die to cut my panel which I then ran it through the Cuttlebug with a folder by Darice called Large Daisy Floral Leaf.  I used some metallic paints to colour the raised image... I couldn't get a good picture to show the colours.  The leaves look grey but in fact are a green colour.  I added a little sentiment label to finish the card.   

I ran an envelope through the folder as well and painted it as well to match.  

Come and join in the fun at  Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and check out the project from the other designers.  Then take our challenge and link up your project to the challenge post.    We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday 13th December  at 5 pm Mountain Standard Time (Tuesday 14th December at 12.00 noon NZ time) to link up your project.

Watercolouring with Altenew at Die Cut Divas

 Hi there.  It's time for a new challenge at Die Cut Divas.... Our sponsor this month is none other than...

Our  theme for the month of August is "watercolor real or faux". There's lots of techniques you can go with for watercolor real or faux. We'll leave it up to you.

The Prize will be a $20 gift certificate to Altenew.

As anyone who visits here frequently knows I ADORE Altenew stamps, dies and stencils. And I enjoy watercolouring... So I had no problems making a card to inspire.

I used Our Friendship Blooms Stamp and Die set . I had a slimline cream card base cut (3.25" x 6.25") so decided to use it. I took some watercolour paper and stamped and die cut the flowers. I then took some of the paints from the Altenew 36 pan watercolor paints and added to my floral image. I chose different shades of blues and greens. For my background panel I took another piece of watercolour paper and added some water to the top and let it drip down. I then added some green paints. I added some black paint splatters before adding my floral piece. I white embossed one of the sentiments from the set and fussy cut it.

Do come and join us for our challenge.  It's going to be so much fun.  So many ways to incorporate Watercolouring, real or faux.  

Mini card - Anita Jeram at Colorado Craft Company

 Hi there.  This week my order of some Anita Jeram images from Colorado Craft Company.   I thought they had got lost in the post as I ordered them on May 12th and they finally arrived 29th June.   I was super happy they arrived and even better there was a bonus little extra stamp set.   I used that one to make this little mini card.   

It's a 3" wide by 4 1/8" card.  I die cut some watercolour colour paper and stamped the little stamp and one of the sentiments in the set.   I used Zig watercolour pens to add the colour.   This little card went to my Team Lead at work... All the Level 2 Team Leads are having to re-apply their jobs.  Throughout the country there are about 50 jobs to go.  My Team Lead has her interview next week.  She loved it.  

I can't wait to get some time to use the other three sets I ordered.  Will be practising my watercolouring as the soft colouring suits the images.  Hopefully this weekend I'll find some time.   Hope you get some crafty time this weekend too. 

Mini Flower Cluster

 Hi there.   Despite the family being here, I managed to get a little crafting done this afternoon while my daughter son in law and grandson to Kelly Tarlton's aquarium.  My Dad and his partner were playing Scrabble so made the most of some me time. 

In my last Altenew order I got the Mini Flower Cluster Layering Die.  I have to say I did struggle a bit to get it layered but it turned out okay. 

I started by die cutting my layers.  I took the white layer and added some watercolour paint down one side.  I then took the Feathered Leaves Stencil and Volcano Lakes ink and blended over the same area.  I went through my card stock and found colours that worked together.   Once I had layered the flowers I added to the card with some extra leaves.   I then used the black woodless watercolour pencil to make some very find splatters.   I used a Happy Birthday sentiment from the Fresh Freesia set.  

Here are a few photos of my grandson and my grandaughter.... 

 These two hit it off like a house on fire despite the 3 year age gap.  They played so well together and then had a bath together after dinner.   Today Archie was devastated when he found out Grace was not coming to play!  But tomorrow they will get to see each other at the rehersal - they are the flower girl and page boy.   

I am so loving having a house full.  Archie is so bright and fun and I'm having fun spending time with my daughter.   And it's great to have my Dad here.  4 generations in the same house.  Very happy times. 

More Weekend crafting

 It's Easter Monday here in NZ and today we will be heading back home later today.  I managed some more crafting yesterday and another trip to the beach for a swim.  This morning it's a bit cooler and cloudy so before packing up I did another card for homework on my class - Creative Colouring with Erum.

I tried out the splatter watercolour look.  Didn't work out as well as I wanted as I didn't have a spray water bottle and had to just use a big brush.  However I was really happy with the card I made. 

I used a mixture of Woodless Watercolour pencils and the 36-pan set of watercolours. My flowers are from Nature's Blossom set and the leaves from Leaf Canopy set. I added some depth with Prismacolor pencils- a technique that Erum uses.  I used the Woodless Watercolour pencils for the background.  The sentiment is from a Gina K Wreath Builder set. 

Yesterday I played with the Wreath Builder stencil and stamps.  I had forgotten to bring my normal MISTI and only had my mini one and thought I might not be able to use it.... but managed it 

The edge hung out but it worked well. 

I did a few more cards yesterday but will share them over the next few days.   Take care all

Homework for Erum's Creative Colouring class

 Happy Easter to you all.  I'm spending some time up at my friend's place in Mangawhai and happily have brought some crafty supplies and a couple of WIP projects from the my class at Altenew Academy.  I'm doing Creative Coloring with Erum - Advanced Techniques Online Class

The other day on my Facebook I showed this WIP 

Yesterday afternoon I finished it off.  

This was Day 3's class - Watercolouring and Stencils.  I used this gorgeous stencil called Rose Bouquet and after stamping it with Vanilla Cream ink, I used some of the Woodless Watercolor pencils.  Added some splatters for texture.   I had forgotten my coloured card so used a darker pink ink to blend some ink around the edge of my layer piece.  Turned out perfect.  Finished with a black sentiment from Sentiment Stripes 2 stamped directly on my main panel. 

My second project started last Wednesday with me adding some Texture paste and sparkle glitter Embossing Powder to my white card.  Once it dried, I used the heat gun to set the powder.  Another one I completed yesterday 

This one was inspired by Day 2 - Playing with Textures.  I used the same stencil as my first card.  I added some WOW Sparkle Embossing powder over the paste.  I then took some purple watercolour paints (from the 36 pan set) and added it all over the watercolour card.   I case'd Erum's idea of stamping a sentiment in black on white card and fussy cutting around it for a shadow layer.   I got the Birthday stamp set this week... I was tired of trying to find a Happy Birthday sentiment so was super pleased to see this one on sale.  I added a little "girl" sentiment to finish

Our Easter weekend has had lovely weather so far.  We travelled up north Good Friday morning.  After finishing these two cards in the afternoon we headed to a local beach to enjoy the afternoon sun and even I managed to hit the water.   Then today after doing two more cards we "beached" again.  We went a little later in the day but still got some sun and yes another swim for me.  Two more days of the holiday break so hoping the nice weather continues. 

Happy Easter to you all.  

Exploring Watercolour Mediums...Day 1 homework

I have been taking an Altenew Academy class called "Exploring Watercolour Mediums"  - so far I've watch Day 1 and Day 2 videos  and I've done my Day 1 homework.

Day 1 technique was to use inks as a watercolour medium by stamping and then spritzing with water.

I used Leaf Canopy for the leaves and Fabulous Florets for the flowers.  I used the same technique to stamp the flowers.  Once they were dry I used the outline layer to gold emboss the flowers before die cutting.  I used the same technique to colour some white card.  I used a MFT reverse stamp to add ink and water.  I used the Bold Thanks die to cut out the pink piece.  Finished with part of a sentiment from Sentiment Stripes 2 and a few green sequins and added some gems to the flower centres.

Now to catch up on Days 3-6 videos and the homework.

WWC 273 Marsha's Challenge: All About Occasions

Hi there - time for another challenge at Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Marsha is our hostess with an All About Occasions.

 

Today I am sharing a Birthday card with you.

I have used an large Altenew stamp called Happy Bloom which I stamped onto some Bristol smooth card.  I then used some Zig Real Clean brushes to add the colour.  I did some very pale blue around the flowers and leaves.   Added some clear faceted gem to finish.

Come and join in the fun at  Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and check out the project from the other designers.  Then take our challenge and link up your project to the challenge post.    We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday at 5 pm Mountain Standard Time (Tuesday at 12.00 noon NZ time ) to link up your project.

Anything Goes at Southern Girls Challenge.

Hi.  Another challenge at Southern Girls...

As usual it's an Anything Goes Challenge
        


I used an image from Star Jam Lines called Fairy in a Branch.

I used some pretty patterned paper for the background.  My sentiment is from Clearly Besotted. 

Do come and join us at Southern Girls for this fortnight's challenge. 

More Altenew Inspiration.

I'm back with some more cards inspired by Altenew.... two cards inspired by Altenew Designers.

First up - Inspired by Lydia - and her video HERE.
Lydia used Watercolour Roses for an easy watercolour look - I was inspired by her design as well as no line colouring.

I've used Rennie Rose stamp set and used Vanilla Cream ink to stamp the flowers and leaves onto some watercolour paper.  I used Altenew 36 pan watercolour paints to colour the images.   I added a bold sentiment from the Hello Gorgeous set stamped in Obsidian black ink.   A few pink sequins to finish.

I'm adding this to The Flower Challenge this month.  - Anything Goes 

My second card was inspired by Amber in her first Colour Combination video - HERE,.

Amber made a gorgeous card using Frayed Leaf, Wisteria and Iceberg inks.  She used a layering stamp and left off the first layer.   I tried that, but as my stamp (Simple Beauty) only has two layers, I did add the first layer.   My stamp is still fairly new and the Wisteria ink beaded up a little but I love the look it gave the flower.  I also was inspired by Amber using the blue on top of the green to give a different look to the leaves.   I added some dark purple splatters with some ink spray and finished with a sentiment from Classic Beauty set.  I matted with some pale blue card and then onto a white card base.   I am adding this one to the Altenew Monthly Challenge

Thanks for stopping by.  I had a fun weekend making beautiful flower cards. 

Life is better with friends

My NZ swap group theme this month was set by my friend Suna.  Stenciling was what she decided on... use a stencil or make on yourself to use.    And Suna was my partner this month.  She lives not too far from me - and used to work in the same office as me till she retired.

For my card I made my own stencil with an Altenew cover die.

I started by using my homemade stencil to blend the blue inks from Lapis Lazuli inks to make my background.  I stamped the leaves from Altenew's Wallpaper Art set in Obsidian black ink. OMG this ink is stunning.  The coverage is incredible.  I also added some fine splatters with black ink. I stamped one of the flowers from the Wallpaper Art set onto some watercolour paper and used the inks to colour it.  I deepen the shadows with a Prismacolor pencil.  I fussy cut the flower and added it over the leaves.  The sentiment is from Altenew's Leaf Canopy set.   A few blue enamel dots finished the card.  I heard from Suna to say she got the card and loved it.  Always a bonus when the recipient likes your card.

Off to see my little one later today.  Can't wait.

No line watercolouring.

Well I've never had much success with no line colouring - usually with Copics or pencils but today I decided to try it out with watercolouring.   During the week I watched a video on the Altenew Blog where Erum did some no line watercolouring and she made it looked very easy.  So I brought my Zig Markers and the Altenew watercolour paints with me to Mangawhai.   After a busy start to the morning, I sat down and tried the technique out following how Erum did it.

Here is my first attempt for the day

Was pleased how it turned out.  I stamped one of the roses from the Wallpaper Art set onto some Canson XL watercolour paper with Sand Dunes inks before using the Zig Marker to colour.  I ended up making a mess of trying to add some leaves, so I fussy cutting it.  I then changed my mind on how my design would look.  I took some cream plain card and trimmed it to just less than a card front.

I stamped one of the leaves from the set with Limestone ink and then added the rose with some dimensional tape.  I used the Limestone ink to run around the edge of the panel before mounting it to the base card.  The sentiment was stamped with my new favourite black ink (Obsidian from Altenew)  It's from the Leaf Canopy set.  

I am entering this into

The Flower Challenge - Your favourite flower.  (I have lots of favourites but roses is right up there!)   

For my second go, I used another of the roses from the Wallpaper Art set.  I stamped the rose and two of the leaves from the set with the Sand Dunes ink and again used the Zig markers to colour

I used an orange marker to colour the flower with a dark grey for the centre and a dark green one for the leaves.  I coloured directly on to the paper for the really dark leaves and used water to shade the lighter leaves.  The sentiment for this one is from Sophisticated Wreath set.

This one is for Virginia's Show and Share - trying out a new technique



All in all a very happy crafty afternoon for me with my very limited supplies.

Last night our wee precious called around with her Daddy while Mummy was out getting a Mani-Ped done.  She was a bit upset for a bit but Nanny got her to sleep and then Pop had the magic touch when she woke after only 45 mins.   She is now three months old!  And this evening is winging her way to Hawaii for her first overseas trip!

thanks for stopping by.