Easy Watercolor for YOU! Nuvo Watercolor Pencils

Hi! Welcome to my studio.

I have been loving these Nuvo Watercolor Pencils from Sparkle N Sprinkle! 

Here is my latest card with this adorable stamp set, Violets for You.

I embossed with white, then used several techniques with the pencils on this card.

Watch the Video to see how I did it.

Violets for You has some gorgeous sentiments included.

This is the set of  digital background papers to go with this set!

Time to get busy for next year...see you then!

Batik Technique with Sparkle N Sprinkle

Hi! Welcome to my Studio...

Today's 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card features the Batik Technique. The old classic technique was done on cloth with hot wax. For this card, done on Watercolor Paper, I used Nuvo Masking Fluid.

For the brilliant color, I used three colors of Nuvo Aqua Flow Brush Tip Watercolor Pens. 

These pens are absolutely AMAZING for this technique.

The background is done using only the butterfly from, Violet for You, one of our new releases. Using a stamp for a textured background really helps tie in a theme. 

This video shows the technique and products used, so watch how it's done, then use these stamp and color substitutions to create the background for the card above. Finally, follow the instructions below to finish this card.

Any questions, just comment below. :-)

Stamp Sets by Sparkle N Sprinkle

Violets for You

A Big Birthday Wish

https://sparklensprinkle.net/products/new-a-big-birthday-wish-rubber-stamp-set-00-931p8

Nuvo Aqua Flow Watercolor Pens

Mango Mimosa - Surprise Party Set

Lilac Blossom - Spring Meadow Set

Rustic Oak - Autumn Woodland Set

https://sparklensprinkle.net/products/nuvo-aqua-flow-autumn-woodland-890n

Sparkle N Sprinkle Embossing Powders and Glitter

Coffee EP

Copper Peddler EP

To finish the card, you will need:

Clear EP

Butterscotch Microfine Glitter (for the tape and also for the Butterfly)

I cut a piece of vellum 3 inches by 5 1/2 inches. I stamped the large birthday and the smaller wishes stamps together with this amazing new ink pad called, VersaFine CLAIR. It can be heat embossed even after it has dried! I used clear embossing powder. 

These stamps are so much fun to mix and match for a variety of large sentiments...perfect for use with fun backgrounds like this.

I needed to use copper brads, but having none, I heat embossed the ones I had with Copper Peddler Embossing Powder. 

Get a grip with your tweezers and use Versamark Ink,

Dip into EP and tap off.

Heat emboss and re-dip,

Repeat for all. (Allow to cool for a half a minute before releasing to your mat)

Attach tape to A2 card (mine is yellow, but white works, too)

Dump Butterscotch glitter onto tape, burnish, brush and clean up excess.

Trim background to 3 3/4 x 5 1/2.

Attach batik background.

Tear edges of vellum as shown.

Punch holes through card base and vellum for brads and attach vellum.

Use the Tonic Wings & Things  Monarch & Princess Wing Die Set 

using the smaller butterfly this time. Coat with Nuvo large glue pen, and coat with Butterscotch glitter Attach to card by gluing only the center of the butterfly down.

 Be sure to watch the video for all the other items I used to create the background. The technique is amazing and FUN...and isn't that what it's all about?

So have FUN!

Watercolor Pencils are not just for water anymore!

Watch the Tutorial Here

Hi! Welcome to my studio!

Today I am using a beautiful stamp set just released this month at Sparkle N Sprinkle:

Violets for You

I really love the vintage "feel" of this image. Violets are an old fashioned flower.

To create this card, I used two sets of Nuvo Watercolor Pencils:

Brilliantly Vibrant 

and

Hair and Skin Tones

Instead of water, I blended with 91% rubbing alcohol, using an aquaflow brush filled with it. I wrapped a piece of washi tape around the brush, to differentiate it from my waterfilled brushes. 

First, I heat embossed the image on kraft cardstock, using white embossing powder.

I colored the images with colors from the hair and skin tone set, as they are more muted, and give that vintage look. I used Pinot Noir, Strawberry Milkshake, and Ivory Rose for the Violets. The only color I used from the Brilliantly Vibrant set was green, in two hues: Lemon Grass and Imperial Jade. I also added some Caramel Popcorn to the leaves to tone them down, and the brilliant colors were a bit too bold.

 

I stamped the sentiment using Versafine Claire Ink in Pinecone. It stamps so clear and clean. I just love it!

The bottom of the "note" is torn and brushed with Nuvo Mousse in Indian Gold.

I also used it at the top.

I layered the  note on the background, and added a twine bow. The finishing touch is Nuvo Vintage Drops in Chocolate Chip and Pioneer Green.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Craft-Dee BowZ

Dragonfly Dreams

The Corrosive Challenge

A Bit More Time to Craft

Classic Design Team

Please check out our online store, and create your own lovely palette of colors, using Vintage Drops and Nuvo Watercolor Pencils, along with your choice of our lovely stamp line.

Happy Holidays,

Home is Where the Love is

Mixed Media is my love...lately.

I have been creating 12 x 12 canvases this year, and enjoy it so much. 

So now that I am a part of the Sparkle N Sprinkle family, I get to create with the amazing embossing powders, glitters, stamps, and glues we create, not to mention Tearific Tape, and Tonic Nuvo products we sell...the list goes on and on.

For this 6x6 canvas, I challenged myself to think outside of the card box, so to speak. In doing so, I actually moved into my own comfort zone!

Here is what I used for this project:

By Sparkle N Sprinkle:

Vintage Country Home Digital Stamp Set

You Hold the Key Digital Stamp Set

Journal Mixed Media Rubber Stamp Set

Music Background Rubber Stamp Set

Copper Flame Chunky Embossing Powder

Glitzy Gold Cosmic Embossing Powder

Caribbean Embossing Powder

Cayenne Embossing Powder

Platinum Detail Embossing Powder

Pear Embossing Powder

Brushable Glue

Static Free Bag

Also Available at Sparkle N Sprinkle

Nuvo Vintage Drops in:

-Bohemian Teal

-Saddle Bag

-Pioneer Green

-Dusty Rose

-Postbox Red

Nuvo Embellishment Mousse in:

-Persian Red

-Spring Green

Mother of Pearl (made into a mist)

Light Mist Spray Bottle 2-pack

Versafine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne

Versamark Embossing Ink Pad

Nuvo Marker Pen Collection in

Rich Reds (I used Tiger Lily 374)

Cookies & Cream ( I used Garlic Clove 472)

Nuvo Dual Tipped Blender Brushes

I also used a piece of a vegetable bag as a stencil.

I hope this inspires you to try mixed media canvases...

Stay tuned for a tutorial on how to create a canvas like this one.

Happy Stamping,

Sketched Pears and Blossoms

I am so thrilled to be a stamp illustrator. The company that creates both rubber and digital stamps from my art is Sparkle 'N Sprinkle. I love the, "bling" created by this amazing company!

Saturday I had some fun creating this card. I combined three stamp sets and used a bunch of SNS products, including some Tonic Nuvo marker pens they also sell. 

I used a technique where I colored in the images with markers, then colored in the entire background with a blue marker. It really shows up the curly lines in my images.

Here are the products I used:

Leafy Flourish Stamp Set (not my design, and I love it!) 00-641P5

Sketched Pear Stamp Set 00-902P5

Sketched Pear Blossom Stamp Set 00-905P5

1/2" Tearific Tape SAT04

Platinum Detail Embossing Powder EP326

Champagne Ultrafine Glitter G1045

Nuvo Marker Pens: 410 Persian Lime, 431French Navy, 472 Garlic Clove, 428 Blue Print, 404 Butterscotch

If you have any questions about this card, please leave a comment below. 

Be sure to visit Sparkle N Sprinkle to find all the things I used. (it may say it's out of stock, but don't believe it!) Also, visit them on YouTube, where you will find tons of videos by Demo Donna!

Happy Creating,

Puttin' on the Ritz with Gecko Galz

 Just love the fun images from Gecko Galz for this month's samples! I cut the backgrounds and tucked my focal images behind the cuts. I also distressed and folded the background cuts on the second card to add dimension. a bit of glitter glue and some clear dimensional glue finishes the cards.

Be sure to visit Gecko Galz' Etsy Shop to pick up some amazing images for all your crafting projects. Leanne always has terrific freebies with purchase and offers One Dollar Wednesdays!

Happy Crafting,

Beach Party Bingo with Gecko Galz

 What fun I had making these cute cards with Gecko Galz images!

Very easy to do, just print out your images and punch out some dots of various colors from cardstock. I used some clear dimensional liquid to make the dots shiny, and some glitter glue on their hair.

Be sure to visit Gecko Galz on Etsy to get all your favorite images. Every Wednesday is Dollar Day and offers several sets at a great price!

Happy creating,

Enjoy the Journey with Gecko Galz

I have been working on a Art/Junk Journal for several months now. It is very personal. I have hidden my own art in several places in this journal.  

These two pages represent my journey with Gecko Galz in my journal. I have used a ton of GG stuff, and hope they inspire you to enjoy your own journey using Gecko Galz products.

 Alice's Journey was an unusual one, to say the least! 

 Here is a list of the products I used:

Wonderland Collage Set-Bottle and falling Alice

Ask Alice Collage Set-Rabbit

Vintage Sweets Paper Pack-background

Journal Page Headers Kit-"Dream Big"

Quotes to Live By-Lewis Carroll quote

Then, I did a page supposedly created by a woman who took a journey with her children. She sent a sweet letter to her husband, and on returning, collected all the memorabilia in a special envelope to be kept forever.

 Here is a list of what I used for this card, from Gecko Galz...

Face to Face jewel it Collage Set - Face

Charming Words Collage Set - "Home Sweet Home" and "Bonjour"

Words from the Heart - background

Hear and Soul Stamp Set - digital stamp

Vintage Labels - label

Postcards from Abroad - postcard

Sail Away - ticket, photo and boat card

Pretty Petals - bow and bouquet

So stop by and pick up some of these amazing items! Remember, Wednesday is dollar day, when several items are reduced to $1.

Enjoy!

Retro Summer with Gecko Galz

I've never been to Hawaii, but I love pineapple...does that count?

With all that's burning there right now, I thought I would pay tribute to their

beautiful state...and the delicious fruit that comes from there.

I do have a pineapple plant I am growing from the top of a pineapple. I have actually seen pineapples growing in my neighbors' yards...so cool!

Being a transplant (like most of my friends here in our community) from the north, I am truly captivated by the flora and fauna here in Florida...the birds are amazing too!

Anyway...

the above card was created with some of the newest images from Gecko Galz. The background is from the, First Class Package paper pack. 

My gorgeous lady is from the, Aloha Digital Collage Set. She is framed in black to match the framed sentiment, which is found in the, Quotes to Live By set. 

I made a flower using a soda can and alcohol ink, with the Tattered Floral and Tattered Poinsettia dies by Tim Holtz. The dry embossing folder is by Tim Holtz's Alterations. It's embossed with a polka dot folder from my stash, and has Stickles by Ranger in the center. I also put Stickles on her lei, but they are difficult to see here. They look great in real life though!

The cardstock is "vintage" CTMH...years old!

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Crafty Gals Challenge #167 Summer Colors

Little Red Wagon Challenge #449

That's Crafty Challenge Blog - All in a Summer's Day

Enjoy life today...and have fun!

Asian Fusion with Gecko Galz

 Gecko Galz has the best images! I love this fire-hot image of this geisha. I added an iron gate die cut and some diamond glaze to her eyes and lips.

The image and background are form Gecko Galz.

I also used some black glitter card stock.

I hope you like it.

This card was created with a free image from Gecko Galz.

Sometimes Leanne gives a freebie with each order. It's fun.

I also used several other products from Gecko Galz. Visit the Etsy store for many, many choices.

The bird is fussy cut and added with foam dots. The background color piece was created with an acrylic pour I did. I simply made a copy and printed it out. The sentiment, bird, focal point and Asian script are all by Gecko Galz.

Be sure to visit the Etsy shop, Blog and Facebook Challenge Page for more inspiration and fun!

Garden Time with Gecko Galz

Hello! Welcome to my studio.

Here are a couple of cards I made for this month's Gecko Galz Customer Challenge. The other card is in the previous post.

This first card I simply adore. The little girl image from the Garden Time digital collage set is irresistible. A bit of Stickles in silver adorns her hat, gloves and shoes. I paired her with a seed packet image from Pretty Seed Packs, to which I added a few Glossy Accent puddles. I also distressed the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink by Ranger.

The background is from the Kensington Gardens ATC set. I dirtied it up with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. I used some old CTMH cardstock to create the card base. What I like about their cardstock is the white core. I don't know if they still make it that way, but this is "vintage cardstock," as it is about 18 years old!

The sentiment is from the Charming Words set...lots of perfect words for any mood. 

The vines were cut with a die set called, "Trailing Ivy" by Creative Expressions. I added some Distress Oxide Ink and Glossy accent drops to provide some real life texture and color. 

I hope you enjoy using these images as much as I do.  I am an artist, and illustrate stamps, paint and draw. I also enjoy making cards, junk journals and collage. Gecko Galz is my go to place for all things gorgeous, unusual and vintage. Be sure to visit the Etsy Shop.  Every Wednesday there are Dollar deals!

I am entering this card in the following challenge...
Hiding in my Craft Room # 339 4/17

Have fun,

In the Garden with Gecko Galz

Hello! Welcome to my studio.

Here are a couple of cards I made for this month's Gecko Galz Customer Challenge. The other card is in the next post.

This second card reminds me of my best friend. She loves plants. This gardener image from the How Does Your Garden Grow? digital collage set, sets the mood. A bit of Stickles adorns the flowers. I also included a butterfly from the same set. The love letters image from the Postal set, is accented with more Stickles. I also distressed all the edges of the elements with Vintage Photo Distress Oxide Ink by Ranger.

A little tag from, Tag You're It and some melted ribbon from my stash dress up the corner of this card.

The background is from the Kensington Gardens ATC set. I dirtied it up with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. Some strategically folded patterned paper creates a sort of, clapboard siding, reminiscent of a house where this woman lives and tends her garden.

The sentiment is from the Charming Words set...lots of perfect words for any mood. 

The vines were cut with a die set called, "Trailing Ivy" by Creative Expressions. I added some Distress Oxide Ink to provide some real life color. 

I hope you enjoy using these images as much as I do.  I am an artist, and illustrate stamps, paint and draw. I also enjoy making cards, junk journals and collage. Gecko Galz is my go to place for all things gorgeous, unusual and vintage. Be sure to visit the Etsy Shop.  Every Wednesday there are Dollar deals!

Challenge entered with this card:
Hiding in My Craft Room #339

Have fun,

I Love Spring with Gecko Galz

This is one of two cards I made for this month's Gecko Galz Customer Challenge. The other one can be found in the next post.

I have been having fun with the Artsy Domino Digital Collage Sheet by Gecko Galz. So much variety and COLOR!

I also used a butterfly from Butterfly Dreams. I coated it with Glossy Accents, and attached it with the same. I used one of the Tim Holtz Alterations Die sets that I got for Christmas. I ran a piece I printed on cardstock from the Playing with Marbles ATC Collection. Behind the cutouts, I used some Marabu Mixed Media Art Spray in Cherry Red. It's an acrylic spray paint and it's so cool!

The Postmark is from the Birdie Darlings Set. I simply cut it out of one of the images. I used some Stickles to create the cancellation lines. 

Finally, I used the Charming Words set for my sentiment. 

I hope you enjoy using these images as much as I do.  I am an artist, and illustrate stamps, paint and draw. However, I enjoy making cards, junk journals and collage. Gecko Galz is my go to place for all things gorgeous, unusual and vintage. Be sure to visit the Etsy Shop. Right now Easter stuff is on sale, and every Wednesday there are Dollar deals!

Have fun,