I have a new obsession, Mica watercolor! I was watching one of Kristina Warner‘s youtube lives and she was using the most beautiful handmade mica watercolors. So of course I went right over to Etsy and purchased a set, Iuile Watercolor by Jeanie. Now, you should know, I have been pondering the Mica watercolors for several years now. Always at Christmas time. In years past I have been able to talk myself out of them. But, this year I just couldn’t resist anymore!
These watercolors are definitely an investment. Just like any quality watercolor. But, let me tell you they are well worth it!! First of all, the mica colors are just fun to use. Secondly, the colors are rich and vibrant. And, finally who doesn’t love shimmer and shine!!!
As you can see. The pigments show up well on creamy watercolor paper or black watercolor paper. I was looking for bold color. So, I went with black watercolor paper. The paper I used is Van Gogh Black Watercolor Paper.
Now it was time to watercolor my background! Iuile Watercolor was just super fun to use and surprisingly easy to work with. One key thing to know is you really have to give the water and pigment time to mix before you start painting. Encouraging the two with your brush helps.
When I was done watercoloring. I made two different cards!!! I really don’t want to waste one bit of the watercolor background!
This card was heavily inspired by a card design from Online Card Classes, Day 2 of the Holiday Card Workshop 2021.
The background is stamped with a poinsettia from Unity Stamps in Cranberry ink (Concord and 9th) on School House Red (Simon Says Stamp).
The sentiment is one I have had a while, Birch Press Sugar Script. It is die-cut from leftover black watercolor paper and I added Star mica watercolor on top.
Here’s a up-close of the shimmer and the background stamping. I love how the settle stamping adds elegance to the card!
The second card just might be my favorite card I’ve made in a very long time!
This card uses a classic design that I go back to over and over.
The Spruce Paper is embossed using a Diagonal Stripes hot foil plate (Pinkfresh Studio)
The Gold and Spruce Paper is from The Paper Source.
And that adorable foil sentiment is from Picket Fence Studio, unfortunately, it is long retired.
Below is a list of products used. Affiliate links are used when applicable.
Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you have a few minutes to feed your creative soul!
One of the things I adore most about the paper crafting community is the way they support each other. We have an industry that is trying it’s hardest to make room for everyone at the paper crafting table! I adore all the creative ladies and gentlemen cheering each other on. Today’s card used a digital stamp by Angie Bloom Design. Angie has such a beautiful soul and I am very happy to be sharing my first ever digital stamp creation with one of her stamps. I’ll be real honest with you, I have resisted the idea of digital stamp for a very long time. I don’t really enjoy computers so they were very intimidating to me. That being said, after reading one or two blog posts about how to use digital stamps I was on my way. The process can be as easy or as complicated as you would like. Of course, not being a computer person I chose the easy route. The second reason is for me there just nothing compared to when a red rubber stamp meets the paper! What an experience. There’s just nothing like it! Angie also designs for Unity Stamps and over the years I have pickup several of her red rubber stamp designs. But, recently I had noticed she has several just absolutely adorable stamps available as digital stamps and I decided this was a beautiful lady I wanted to support!
Heart Hands really spoke to me as a beautiful stamp that would be perfect for me to practice my skills at coloring skin tones.
Hart Hands Digital stamp by Angie Blom Designs
Is that not just beautiful! I love all the details that Angie has added with the rings, jewelry, and watch. Each hand uniquely different coming together to make a beautiful heart. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a huge fan of hearts on everything. I do though appreciate it when used in beauty. I think sometimes an image can be overused and it loses its meaning. We don’t really think about what that image is truly saying cause we are used to seeing it. The heat is one of those images for me.
I started off thinking this was just going to be an alcohol ink marker practice. I set out coloring each hand.
The second step was to color the heart. The third step was to color in around the hands, as I need practice making smooth backgrounds with alcohol markers.
After trying several different dies, I decided on this wonky square die from My Favorite Things. The only problem was the way I had colored the background a bunch of white was going to show where each arm ended.
I decided to trace the outside edge of the die lightly with a pencil. Then extend each arm with a Copic fine liner. I still don’t know what to do. Was I going back and trying to fix the coloring down each arm. That seemed overwhelming to me. That’s when I decided to give each lady a simple shirt sleeve
The card base is 110 pound Nina solar white.
The layers are all from Concord and 9th poppy, aqua sky, oceanside, and peacock
The stamped image was printed on Stampin’ Up! whisper white
The card was finished with a sentiment fro a Kristina Warner set, tinny words at Simone Says Stamp. This stamp set just stays on my workspace I use it so much!
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If you are intimated by digital stamps don’t be! My main concern was if the printer ink would smear. Which was not a problem at all! My particular ink worked just fine with my alcohol markers! Go check out Angie Blom Designs
I have no affiliation with Angie Blom Designs nor with Unity Stamps. I just enjoy sharing with you guys the stamps I am loving in my craft room!
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