Inspired By... Colorful Fall

 Welcome back, it's time for a new challenge at Inspired By! Our weekly challenges are filled with inspiration and multiple options for your participation. I hope you will check them out and join us by adding your creation to the gallery this week! 

I love our theme of Colorful Fall.  Traditional fall colors are so beautiful, but I've been noticing a trend towards purple or pinkish leaves in the paper-crafting world lately. Here's my take on that combination. 

For the leaves, I used a sponge dauber to add layers of color until I was satisfied with the blend. I created a frame with kraft card stock, inking a leaf pattern with a stencil to add interest, adding all to a square card base. Here's the photo prompt for fall.

Here's another should you prefer to make a Holiday card. 

I will also be joining the CAS challenge at The Paper Players. 

I appreciate your visit today, thanks for spending a bit of time with me.

Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Card supplies: 

Stamps: WPlus9 Autumn Leaves and dies; Gina K Stamps Autumn Wreath Builder

Inks:  WPlus9 - Hayride, Sweet Nectar, Cockleshell

Stencil: Gina K - Leafy Stencil

Advanced Watercolor Using Gouache

Hi friends! 
I hope you are having a weekend that is relaxing and filled with happy days. 

We've spent lots of time boating this week on the lake, the weather has  been so perfect! Hard to believe I could be out in short sleeves and cropped pants in November, even in NC. 

In my craft room, it's still December as I've been focused on Christmas cards and techniques from my participation in the recent Online Card Class, there's still a list in my head of cards I want to make inspired by the lessons. 

I was so amazed with the Advanced Watercolor lesson we had that I ordered supplies to make the gorgeous cards that Dawn Woleslagle presented. This is my first time using gouache watercolors, they are opaque colors  and can be used over dark card stock.

I began with stamping on kraft card stock to get the feel for the gouache paints. The main flower is from the  Perfect Poinsettia stamps by Gina K. It was larger and I thought that made it easy to practice on. 

Using very little water enables these inks to dry quickly and be layered with color for highlights and shading.

This is my second practice piece, the first one was trashed but I am pleased with how the coloring turned out on this one, so I finished it into a card. 

I know someone will like receiving it, even if I'm still in a big learning curve with this skill. 

Thanks to you for coming by to visit today and encouraging me in this adventure of loving my stamps, paper and ink. And die cuts. Definitely die cuts!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!