Versatile, Soft and Easy Watercolor Birthday

Versatile, soft and easy, this card is quick and lovely.  It really is as simple as stamp, paint, let dry, and attach to a cardbase.  Versatile because you can change the sentiment up as you need to; thinking of you, hello, congratulations or sympathy.  Sometimes I leave the front of my cards without a sentiment and write my message on the inside. 
Try not to get caught up with the thought that to create what you see in a video, you have to have what the artist is using.  You don't.  If all you have is your kids Crayola, rock it out!  The point is to create, have fun, relax and play.  If you want to get better, keep practicing.  Monet practiced too. 
Here is the link to my video tutorial on my YouTube channel if you want to see my process and my supply list is below. 

Supplies:
Prima Cling Stamp #580179
Fine-Tec Watercolor pallete
Archival Black ink
Distress Watercolor cardstock
Frogtape
Silver Brushes: 3/4" and #8
Avery Elle Wonky Stitches die
Doodlebug Crushed Velvet black cardstock Lawn Fawn Happy Birthday Border die
Stick It sheet adhesive
DCWV Foiled Vellum Stack
SSS Sketch Heart die
Scor-tape
*Alternative to FineTec palette: Kuretake Gansai Tambi Starry Colors. 
I have not used the Starry Colors palette, however I do love their regular watercolor palette and do recommend it.  There are several YouTube videos comparing the two if you are interested. 
I'll be happy to answer any questions you have, just leave them in the comments here or on my YouTube video.  Thanks for stopping by and hanging out today!  See you next time ;)

Much Love,
Jasmine

Cool Fathers Day Card

Is this cool or what!?!  I am so stoked about how this card turned out.  It's so perfect for my Dad and I can't wait to see his reaction on Father's Day.  Lets get started!

Supplies:
Tim Holtz Distress Wood-grain Card stock
Daniel Smith Iridescent Antique Gold watercolor
Distress Inks in Ground Espresso, Antique Linen and Tea Dye
Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle Dies
VersaMark
Black embossing powder
Doodlebug Black Crushed Velvet cardstock
Doodlebug Kraft in Color 6x6 paper pack
Alphabet die by Memorybox
Chipboard die cuts from Infinity Engraving



 
Starting with a piece of cardstock, lightly paint a wash of gold over the entire piece, leaving variations in the color.  Let dry.  While it's drying we'll color the die cuts.  Using Versamark or another clear, sticky embossing ink, give each die cut a coat; the surface will be shiny when it's completely covered.  Cover with embossing powder and tap off the excess.  Heat to melt powder.  When it's shiny, it's melted.  Repeat the process so that it has 2 layers of embossing powder.



Using the ink blending tool, add ink to the cardstock, starting with Antique Linen, then Tea Dye and adding Ground Espresso to the edges.  The goal is to give the cardstock an aged, rugged, masculine look.  Think plank of wood.  You want to give it some variability in the colors.  When you are done inking, die cut with the 2nd largest Stitched Rectangle die.
The next step is to die cut the letters DAD from the velvet cardstock and the gray houndstooth cardstock.  Also die cut a panel of the gray houndstooth using the largest of the Stitched Rectangle dies. 






Mount the gray piece to a card base.  Adhere the woodgrain piece in the center of the gray piece.  Adhere the die cuts using liquid glue.  I placed something heavy on top of them to make sure they made good contact and would stay put. To create the shadow behind the word, I layered the black letters behind the gray with liquid glue and then adhered them, centering the "A" and adding the "D"'s.   Let it dry with something heavy on top to get good adhesion.


Our card is complete! 

There's my Mom and Dad!  Thanks for stopping by and hanging out with me today.  Feel free to ask any questions and let me know what you think!

Much love,
Jasmine

Calling All Sistahs with CAS-ual Fridays

 

Calling All Sistahs!
1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.

On August 17th, 2015  an Awesome friend of ours became 1 in 8

Calling All Sistahs was started by Michele Gross, owner of CAS-ual Fridays Stamps, shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It is her hope to create awareness for breast cancer beyond just the month of October by reminding you to do your self breast exams on the 17th of each month, and encouraging us all to remind all the great women in our lives to do the same. You can read more about her story HERE .
The Calling All Sistahs Collection was created by Michele with the specific intent of donating 50% of her profits from this collection to Breast Cancer Research and Awareness programs in honor of all who have been affected by breast cancer.
We at Laura's Loft are thrilled to be one of the first stores in the country to offer this special collection of stamps and dies. It's important to us to be able to remind all of our sistahs to check yourself and we are proud to continue Michele's effort by donating 50% of our own profits from this collection to breast cancer research in VA.
Join us here on the blog on the 17th of each month for CAS-ual Fridays projects dedicated to the fight against Breast Cancer and in support of our sistahs suffering through it along with a personal reminder to get yourself checked. 

 ***This is your reminder to do your breast self-exam!***
And remind your sistahs too! 
If you're not exactly sure how to do a self exam, you can click here  to get the information you need, and then follow up with your doctor at your next appointment.



For More information on Breast Cancer Awareness just click here.
Please do your self exams!
We'll be back next month to remind you again :)

 I wanted to demonstrate the incredible courage I've witnessed in so many of our sistah's fighting this disease in my project, so I kept the rest of the design simple so that the focus could be on the sentiment.  I stamped the ribbon from the CAS-ual Fridays Hope Ribbon set in VersaMark and heat embossed it in Verdigris.  Using Picked Raspberry Distress Marker, I outlined the ribbon and pulled it out using a paintbrush and water.  If you don't have the marker, you can do the same technique using the ink pads.  Just swipe some ink an a non-porous surface and pick it up with the paintbrush.  Stamp the sentiment from the Calling All Sistahs set in black Archival using the MISTI; I stamped it twice so that it would be boldly black.  Run the panel through the Big Shot with Avery Elles Wonky Stitches die, then add Cracked Pistachio around the perimeter with a blending tool.  Adhere the stamped panel to a 4.25 by 5.5 inch panel of white glitter cardstock and adhere to a cardbase.  I added purple watercolor to the hearts in the ribbon as a final touch to finish off the card.

Emma is the next stop on the hop.  If you get lost, just click here to head back to the beginning.  Don't forget to comment on each and every stop on the hop to increase your chances of winning one of five prizes!  Michele is has a generous 3 gift cards to the CAS-ual Fridays shop to give away and Laura has a generous 2 gift cards to Laura's Loft to give away.  So be sure to leave some love along the hop as Michele and Laura will pick random winners from the blog comments on February 20, 2016.

I just wanted to take the time to say thank you to Michele for the opportunity to participate in support of such an important cause as Breast Cancer Awareness, Prevention and Research.

Much love,
Jasmine

CHA New Release Hop with Laura's Loft

  Welcome to our CHA New Release Hop!  I can tell you all of us at Laura's Loft have been beyond excited to bring you so many awesome products and this hop has been seriously cool to bring together.  We have tons of awesome projects, a store wide 15% off sale through 4/3/16 (so you can pick up all those new products!), $10 off a $75 purchase and a prize package giveaway to enter.  I don't think we could fit anymore in this hop if we tried! Giveaway entry details are at the bottom of the post along with the coupon code :)
  You should have landed here from Deana's blog, but if not, Laura's is the place to start.  To enter the giveaway, we ask that you comment on each blog in the hop.  We love to hear what you think :)  I have three projects to share, so lets get started on the good stuff!

I love the contrast between the black background and bright greens and yellow.  Tim's new mini stencils worked perfectly with Ranger Texture Paste to add raised texture and allow the colors to stand out.  Avery Elle's Sentimental die set "hugs" added a bit of whimsy with the doodley font and the Virginia Turtle Enamel Dots finished it off nicely and I put a piece of fun foam behind the black panel for some dimension.  Here's my supply list if you'd like to recreate this one.
Avery Elle Sentimental die set
Tim Holtz Mini Stencils Set #4: Blossom
Ranger Texture Paste
Distress Ink in Cracked Pistachio (Set #13) and Lucky Clover (Set #15)
Virginia Turtle Enamel Dots
Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle dies
Black cardstock
Doodlebug Bumblebee Daydream cardstock
White fun foam
White card base
Adhesive

Cut black panel with the second largest stitched rectangle die.  Using stencil and palette knife, apply texture paste in a smooth, even layer over the black panel.  I use post-it notes to mask off around the stencil to avoid paste in any unwanted areas.  Remove stencil and let dry.  Wash stencil and knife immediately; if the paste dries, it will ruin the stencil.  While the paste dries, cut a panel from the yellow cardstock with the largest stitched rectangle die.  Also cut the sentiment using the hugs die from the yellow cardstock.  Cut a piece of fun foam slightly smaller than the black panel.  Once the paste is dry, apply Cracked Pistachio using a blending tool over the paste.  Apply Lucky Clover over a few areas to vary the color.  Adhere yellow panel to the card base.  Adhere fun foam to black panel.  Center black panel over the yellow and adhere.  Glue sentiment die cut to the black panel and trim off the ends.  Add enamel dots and the card is complete.

  

 I had fun playing with alcohol inks and Yupo paper in the making of the background for this card.  I wanted an edgy, artistic look in this project and the Dylusions Mica Sprays worked well.  I also utilized two of the new Tim Holtz stamp sets with some gold embossing.  Here's my supply list if you want to try this one out.  

Yupo paper

Alcohol Inks: Raspberry, Twilight, Gold and Snow Cap

Alcohol Blending Solution

Tim Holtz Lady Rose stamp set

Tim Holtz Ponderings stamp set     

Dylusions Mica Sprays

Avery Elle Wonky Stitches die set

Design Creative Bling Sequin mix in Raspberry Crush

Little Things sequin mix in Warm Golden Glow

VersaMark embossing ink

WOW Metallic Gold Superfine and Opaque Bright White embossing powder

Zots Bling glue dots

Black cardstock

White card base

Adhesive

  Here's the link to Tim's tutorial for alcohol inks and glossy cardstock; the technique using the Yupo paper is the same.  Die cut a panel of black cardstock with the largest of the Wonky Stitches dies.  Stamp the sentiment from the Ponderings set and the large rose spray from the Lady Rose set using VersaMark ink.  Add gold embossing powder to the roses and white to the sentiment.  Heat set both; let your heat tool run for 60 to 90 seconds before applying it to your cardstock so that it can get good and hot.  If it's hot enough, the powder will melt almost immediately and the less heat you have to apply to the cardstock, the less warping you'll see.  Shake the pink and purple mica sprays vigorously to get the mica distributed.  Spray the black panel twice with each color, concentrating it towards the center so that you see the splatters when it dries.  Cut the Yupo background to 4.25 by 5.5 inches and adhere to a card base.  Adhere dry black panel to the card base, lining it up with the bottom right corner.  Add sequins using glue dots and you're finished!

Watercolor is one of my favorite mediums to work with, which the Botanical Garden and Painted Inspiration sets by Altenew lend themselves to so easily.  I loved the texture of this Tim Holtz Distress Woodgrain cardstock and added to it using another of the Mini Stencils and Dylusions Mica Sprays.  Here's my supply list for this beauty so you can try it if you want.
Tim Holtz Distress Woodgrain Cardstock
Dylusions Mica Spray (Vibrant Turquoise)
Tim Holtz Mini Stencils Set #4
Altenew Botanical Garden Stamp Set
Altenew Painted Inspiration Stamp Set
Avery Elle Wonky Stitches die set
Distress Ink is Wilted Violet (Set #15)
VersaMark embossing ink
WOW Metallic Gold Superfine embossing powder
White card base
Vellum cardstock
Archival Black ink
MISTI
Pretty Pink Posh 6mm Amethyst sequins
Little Things sequin mix in Warm Golden Glow
Daniel Smith Watercolors: Quinacridone Rose
Silver Brushes Black Velvet #6

  Arrange the trellis stencil diagonally across the woodgrain cardstock, from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.  Mask off the surrounding paper with post-it notes or scratch paper.  Shake Turquoise Mica spray vigorously and spray over stencil, being sure to get even coverage.  Remove masks and let dry.  Using the MISTI, stamp the flower images in Archival black ink.  You'll want to use a waterproof ink so that it doesn't run when you add watercolor.  I wanted the roses to stand out, so I only applied color to the roses, not the leaves, stems or butterfly.  Stamp the sentiment in VersaMark on Vellum.  Emboss in Gold.  I used the largest of the Wonky Stitches dies width wise to add the stitching detail along the edges of the sentiment and leaving it long enough to wrap around the back of the panel.  After the watercolor is dry, blend Wilted Violet lightly around the edges of the panel.  This will help the texture of the woodgrain to stand out as well as help to highlight the stencil design and shimmer from the mica spray.  Add adhesive to the back of the panel to adhere vellum.  Adhere panel with vellum to the card base.  Add sequins with glue dots and the project is complete.

The next stop on the hop is Robbie and below is the complete list.

1. Laura- http://www.lauralscott.com/cha-in-the-loft/
2. Deana-http://www.designcreativelybling.com/2016/03/we-got-cha-in-loft.html
3. Jasmine- You're here!
4. Robbie- http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/search/label/CHA
5. Emma- http://heartofcraft.blogspot.com/2016/03/cha-release-hop-with-lauras-loft.html
6. Lisa - http://royalpumpkinart.blogspot.com/2016/03/cha-new-release-hop-with-lauras-loft.html
7. Sue T. http://thecre8tivestudio.blogspot.com/2016/03/lauras-loft-cha-hop.html

There are several ways to enter and the more comments you make in the different social media platforms, the more entries you earn! It is required that you comment on each blog in the Hop.  After that, you are encouraged to like and comment on our Facebook page, tag on our Instagram post and pin on Pinterest, as well as share on your own pages. The participant with the most entries wins the fabulous prize package! How cool is that!?! 


So, what's the prize? Wait for it...

Sweet, right?!? That Stamping Bella Stuffies is a favorite of mine and I'm sure you'll make room for it in your own space :)

Don't forget to comment on each of the 7 blogs in the hop to enter the giveaway and we'd really appreciate it if you wanted to share! (Those count for extra entries too, but we'll keep that between us ;)  I have decided to give these three projects and an extra surprise to a random commenter on my blog, too!  And can't forget the coupon code! $10off75

Thanks for stopping by and hanging out with me today! I'd love to know what you think and answer any questions you might have.  See you later!

Much love,
Jasmine

2015 Christmas Project Series Day 8: Watercolored Poinsettia

Welcome! Today's project is this gorgeous card done in traditional Christmas colors, using a non- Christmas stamp set.  I used a variety of techniques including stamping, watercolor and heat embossing as well as fun embellishments with the liquid pearls and vellum.  It turned out to be very elegant and classic while still fresh and modern.  Or maybe I'm just flattering myself!  Ha! I made two versions of this card, but you'll have to wait for the other one.  It will be shown in a blog hop for Laura's Loft coming up, so look forward to that!  On to how I made this red and gold beauty!

My supply list:

• Neenah Solar White 110 lb cardstock
• Distress Watercolor Cardstock
• DCWV Vellum cardstock
• Altenew Lacy Scrolls
• Tim Holtz Christmas Blueprints 4 (Poinsettia)
• Tim Holtz Mini Christmas Blueprints 7 (Holly)
• Casual Fridays Snowy Sayings (Stamp of Approval box)
• Koi Watercolors
• Mica Artist Colors, Set 6 by Fine Tec
• Archival Ink in black
• VersaMark ink
• WOW embossing powder in Vintage Candy Cane
• Liquid Pearls in Gold and Rouge
• Tape Runner
• Foam Squares

 I started with my Poinsettia and Holly.  I stamped both images on the smooth side of a piece of Distress Watercolor Cardstock in black Archival Ink.  I like archival when I do any water-based technique because it's waterproof, so it won't run when it gets wet.  I love the Koi watercolor travel set because it's small, easy to use and great quality.

After my images were painted and dry, I fussy cut them out.  Yes, it took awhile, but I think the finished look was worth it.  I added the Rouge Liquid Pearls to the holly berries and the Gold to the center of the Poinsettia.  Tapping several times on the back of the card will settle out the peak on the pearl medium.  While that dried, I stamped the background.

 Starting with the flower images from Altenew's Lacy Scrolls stamp set, I stamped them in Delicata Golden Glitz ink.  I turned the stamp in different directions to make it look random.  Using the smaller images, I filled in the gaps with the leaves, filigree and swirls.

Delicata is a pigment ink, so it takes a bit to dry, but does dry fairly quickly.  The shimmer of this ink is simply incredible.

While the background dried, I cut a strip of vellum 1.5 inches wide and 6 inches long.  Using the "Joy to the World" sentiment from the Snowy Sayings set by Casual Fridays, I stamped it in VersaMark and used Vintage Candy Cane embossing powder by WOW to heat emboss it.  To avoid warping the vellum as much as possible, let your heat gun warm up for 60-90 seconds before applying it to your embossing.  It should start to melt almost immediately and will change from powdery to shiny when it's melted.  Now that each element is complete, we are ready for assembly.  Start with the vellum.  I added tape runner behind the sentiment and folded the overhang on each end over to the backside.  I added a bit of tape runner along the edge of the vellum and smoothed it down to attach it and pressed around the sentiment to stick it down.  Next, I used tape runner over the edges of the front of the card base and attached the background piece.  To finish up, I added foam squares to the holly and poinsettia to attach them.  All done!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed your visit and learned something new.  Feel free to ask any questions and let me know what you think! 

Much love!