Share Handmade Kindness
Some people just know haw to inspire others. Jennifer McGuire is one of those people. She is a rock star in the stamping world. Not only because of her amazing talent, her beyond fabulous organizational skills, or her superb teaching ability. She’s a star because she is always encoring others! And Jennifer McGuire has new challenge that goes beyond the making of handmade cards. The challenge is Share Handmade Kindness . There will be different each week. This week she is encouraging us to Share Handmade Kindness with family and friends. I personally struggle with actually sending the cards I make. This is so very different from my past life…At one point, I would sit and wright to friends and family. But, as time went by I got out of the habit ….. Therefor, when I found out about Jennifer McGuire’s challenge I know it was exactly what I needed to do. I love the idea of her challenge. So today, I am shearing with you my first project for her Share Handmade Kindness Challenge.
When preparing for today, I was not real sure who the challenge would want me to share with. But, I know that I would need cards to share. I decided to use a sentiment that included the word “kindness” seance that was what the challenge was all about. 
I have been practicing watercolor backgrounds with different types of media. So in practicing with ink refills by Stampin’ Up! backgrounds were created for a simple card that I could reproduce quite easy. I wanted something that would be easy to make several of . So I could Share Handmade Kindness as much as possible. After making several backgrounds I chose two stamps that are in the Holiday Catalog. Theses are bold images that would show up well on the watercolored background. 
I just gravitate to this stamp set. I love everything about this dove.
I have been wanting to “play” with this set more. So this seemed like the perfect opportunity!
The cards are all different sizes. I chose three colors to work with. Blackberry Bliss, Delightful Dijon, and Bermuda Bay. It is amazing how many different color combinations can be made from three ink refills. The backgrounds are easy to create. Just simply add a dot of in refill to a acrylic block and use a aqua painter. Pint the background onto watercolor paper. Then allow to dry. The amount of water that is mixed with the ink refill will have a lot to do with what color the ink goes onto the paper. Bermuda Bay mixes well with Delightful Dijon to make a very pretty green. After the background was dry I stamped and heat embossed the image. Finally, adding the sentiment to the outside on some. And the inside on others.
Practice makes progress. I am always practicing simple washes of color. Different mediums react different to water. So you bear different results. Practice is key to getting great results. The ink refills work well for backgrounds of this type. But, because they are not “real watercolors” it takes a little practice to get good results. I like to practice a lot!!!! And using bold stamps on top of the washes is a great way to use your practice work.
I can’t wait to share these with family and friends this week. I already have my list out and preparing to Share Handmade Kindness.
Be sure to check out Share Handmade Kindness and Jennifer McGuire
One last thought about Share Handmade Kindness. Some projects are closer to home that other. Jennifer shows the true spirit of a stamper and why we all get involved in crafts. Sharing what we do with others is at the heart of what it means to be a Stamper, craftier, a cook, or artist. We all love sharing our creations. I know I needed a nudge and a reminder about why I was stamping in the first place. Sharing is the Heart of all that I do. I hope you will join me and Share Handmade Kindness.
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