Thursday, February 28, 2013

Penny Black Blooming Garden

Penny Black Blooming Garden by judkajudy
I had to start using my new Inktense watercolor pencils as soon as they arrived in my mailbox! I used a softer touch on this image from the Penny Black transparent set "Blooming Garden".

I am finding that watercoloring is a very relaxing method of coloring, not requiring the precision of Copics or even colored pencils. but i have some learning to do!

I sprayed this card with Perfect Pearls (another recent splurge!) which does not show up in photos, but in real life adds just the right sparkle.

I am hoping all my blogging friends who have been dealing with blizzards are safely shoveled out and able to get back into the routine of life! It's been cold here for us - in the 30's and windy. Spring will be especially welcomed this year.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Inktense Watercolor Pencils and POD

Inktense Watercolor Pencils and POD by judkajudy
After I saw how Kelly Booth used her Inktense watercolor pencils on a Purple Onion Designs flower, Inktense watercolor pencils went to the top of my "want" list and within a week I had my set of 24 colors.

The Inktense pencils produce deeper, brighter colors but are a bit different to work with. Once they dry, the color is set and wetting or applying more water does not reactivate the color. I love the effect, but will have to practice, practice, practice!

I am yearning for spring and this bright flower and butterfly will have to do for now. We have not endured the blizzards further north of us, but we are dealing with cold, rainy and windy weather.

I'm always glad to know you've stopped by!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Tree-Mendous Penny Black

Tree-Mendous Penny Black by judkajudy
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I just bought those neon inks by Hero Arts and wanted to give them a try. I have also wanted to ink up my new transparent set by Penny Black, Tree-Mendous. So why not make a neon tree?

The whole thing may not make a lot of sense, but it makes me smile!! Anyone can have a green tree!! The patterned papers are by My Minds Eye.

I think the colors I used here are an indication that I am ready for Spring!!

It seems that once I get those Penny Black stamps within arm's reach, I cannot stop playing with them.

Have a lovely weekend. There's a Scramble going on at the Hero Arts Blog on Saturday. See you there!

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Flower Poetry - Penny Black

flower Poetry - Penny Black by judkajudy
This is the fifth and final card that I made using the five woodblock stamps I won on the Penny Black blog. I have had such fun inking the stamps up and letting my inner child out to color the images!

I watercolored the flowers and leaves and sprayed the finished card wtih Glimmer Mist, which does not show up in the photo. The sentiment is from a Hero Arts cling set. The butterfly is a MS punch.

This is an over-sized one-layer card, which wouldn't take very long to make for a different occason.  Next time i would eliminate the Glimmer Mist!  It caused my paper to warp!!  Maybe a little less enthusiasm while spraying would help!!

So, I will say it one last tiime: Thank you, Penny Black, for this wonderful prize!!

And thank you for stopping by on this Monday, Presidents' Day!!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Penny Black Bridal March

Penny Black Bridal March by judkajudy

Well, there were five stamps in that prize from Penny Black and this is the fourth card I've made, using "Bridal March". This is such a contemporary image that I could only see making a clean and simple card.

I stamped the bride onto watercolor paper in order to add some texture. I chomped the corners to add some visual interest. I colored her boot, her bouquet and her headpiece with red Copic marker and added a plastic heart to her bouquet, again for some texture.

All in all, I think it came together nicely! I am entering this card in the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays this week: black and white and a touch of color.

Tomorrow I will post the last of the five cards I made with my prize. It's been fun inking up new stamps!!

Hope you are having a great Sunday. Cold but sunny here; next week it is warming up!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Mona Lisa by Penny Black

Mona Lisa by Penny Black by judkajudy
Mona Lisa is another of the stamps from my five-stamp win at the Penny Black blog.

I cut the framed Mona Lisa from the rest of the stamp's image and colored her with Copic Markers. I added the Precious Hearts die cut to give her something to gaze at. I think she is waiting for the love of her life to show up.

I'm sending this card off to the folks at PB to thank them for my stamps. That was one happy e-mail!!

It is cold again here ... winter does not want to let go.

Thanks for stopping by! And thank you for your comments.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Penny Black Field of Poppies

Penny Black Field of Poppies by judkajudy

This is another card made from the stamps I was so lucky to win on the Penny Black blog, just for leaving a comment!

Jill Foster demonstrated how she uses watercolor pencils and an Aqua Brush to watercolor the Penny Black images. She first colors a part of the flower, then lays down plain water ahead of that colored portion and then uses the Aqua Brush to move the color into the water!! Exactly the opposite of how I have used watercolor pencils! it is super fun!

After I watercolored the image, I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist khaki. The photo does not pick up the slight sheen that the Gllimmer Mist adds.

I embossed the white matt with an Embossibilities chevron folder. And of course, I had to stitch a bit!!
I can see this image being one that I reach for often for any number of occasions! Thanks, Penny Black!!

And thank you for stopping by today.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

My Penny Black Prize!

My Penny Black Prize! by judkajudy
Here's a photo of the five woodblock stamps I won recently on the Penny Black blog. I can't believe how lucky I was! In fact, I was pretty sure it was a mistake or a joke until I replied to the email and found out I really had won all five of these stamps!

When I opened the package and saw the stamps, I was a bit overwhelmed and had no good ideas for using them. But, as often happens, when I inked them up and got started, the ideas flowed!

Penny Black has such a variety of stamps that range from elegant to cute! My favorite style of cards to make is "cute". So I will share with you today the card I made using Penny Black's woodblock stamp 100_5056 4319J "Snapshot"
 I used my new embossing folder from "Embossibilities" and highlighted the raised surfaces with Distress Inks.  I colored the cutie with Copics and added Glossy Accents to the camera lens and the little bird.  I do believe this card qualifies as "cute"!!

So as not to make this post too long, I will post a card a day until I have posted the cards I made using all five stamps.l

A VERY BIG thank you to the Penny Black folks for this very generous prize (all I did was leave comments during their preview of the new stamps!)

Thanks for stopping by!! It is a sunshiney day here in Alabama. A welcome change from our past few rainy days.

Friday, February 8, 2013

New Technique - Salt

100_5036 by judkajudy
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On Day 8 of the online class Clean and Simple 2, Kristina demonstrated a cool technique involving Distress markers, water and a sprinkling of salt.

After the watercolor paper was pressed onto a "puddle" of distress marker ink and water, a small pinch of salt was sprinkled on the surface, causing a "cool" reaction which interrupts the smooth color laid down. After my panel dried, I stamped in black and embossed with clear the framed heart and sentiment from Purple Onion Designs. I added faux stitching and some photo corners to pull together the black accents.

The white cardstock was embossed with a heart-patterned Cuttlebug embossing folder. It was such fun "playing in puddles" today! I will post this card in the CAS2 gallery for Day 8.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Speaking of puddles, we have puddles outside today. Great day for catching up on my homework!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Faux Artist 2

Faux Artist 2 by judkajudy
I am participating in an online card class called "Clean and Simple 2" in which Jennifer McGuire demonstrated a technique she calls "faux artist" (her fantasy is to be a water color painter).

I stamped the "Trendy Trees" image on watercolor paper and then went over the lines and some small areas with watercolor pencils. I then took a brush wet wtih plain water and started at the right side of the card, just swished the wet brush up and down over the image, creating the "rainbow" effect.

Not sure about the green polka dotted paper, but it was a fun card to make! That little bow is a new paper punch, purchased on clearance at Michael's.

Rainy, gloomy day today; a good day to spend crafting. DH is leaving for Phoenix tomorrow for a ten day visit with his brother. Cooper and I will miss him! Especially when Cooper wants to go for his 6:00 a.m. walk!!

Thanks for stopping by!!