A Case of Watercolored Blessings

Hi, everyone!  Here's the second card sample I created for this past Sunday's Creative Connections class.  For this card, I started with a sample I spotted in Stampin' Up!'s wonderful magazine for demonstrators, Stampin' Success.  There are so many beautiful ideas in there -- definitely one of the great perks of being a demonstrator!   

One of the things that caught my eye in the Stampin' Success sample was that the artist used the new Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder as a stamp!  Don't know why, but that hadn't really occurred to me before, but that's something I'll definitely be trying again with the Woodgrain and other embossing folders.  I also ended up changing one of the layers in the middle of the card to include some actual embossing, and switched out the Vintage Faceted Designer Button they used for one of the Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons.

Here's my version:

The card base is Soft Suede, and I used the direct to paper technique with Whisper White Craft Ink on it.  The image from the Full of Blessings Stamp Set is embossed on Watercolor Paper with Versamark and Early Espresso Embossing Powder.  I watercolored the image using Stampin' Write Markers and a Blender Pen.

The middle layer is Very Vanilla card stock, embossed with one of the Delicate Designs Folders, and lightly sponged with Soft Suede ink.

The bottom layer is Old Olive, stamped with the Woodgrain folder and Old Olive ink.  I tied Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon around that layer several times and then into a bow.

There's Natural Linen Thread threaded through the Brushed Bronze Button.

During class, I actually had a chance to make one more of these, and for my second card, I did the watercoloring using Stampin' Write Markers and an Aquapainter, which resulted in a more subtle look:

I sponged the edges of the Watercolor Paper on this one with Soft Suede (thanks for the great idea, Rach!)  I also decided to tied my ribbon a little differently, and so far I'm liking this version better without the button. What do you think?

Thanks for visiting my blog!

- Michelle