By The Sea By The Beautiful Sea!

I was challenged to create a paper related crafting project for Scrapbook Cove for the August class schedule.  I knew that using nautical navigational map was going to fit into the line up.  I created a map covered picture frame and related projects.  I created three different cards using nautical die cuts, patterned paper and a word banner.  I love the way they came out.  Check out my Instagram account #espressoexpressions for my cards and pictures.

Coordinating picture frame and nautical cards
Coordinating picture frame and nautical cards

Shades of Pink Shaker Card!

My Favorite Things web page has another challenge and it monochromatic. I created a shaker card using shades of pink for the flowers, circles and sequins.  I added a pink stamped word banner with a glossy accent mini heart! # MFTcolorchallenge

Shades of pink were used for the flowers, circles and sequins.
Shades of pink were used for the flowers, circles and sequins.

A Bouquet of Squiggle Flowers!

I have been watching the teaching videos and posts about color combinations from My Favorite Things summer school tutorials.  A current challenge is using secondary colors on the color wheel- purples, oranges and greens.  I used a new squiggle flower set from Simon Says Stamp.  I stamped the flowers on watercolor paper and painted them with diluted inks and use the coordinating die cuts.  A final touch was a word banner.  Time to post it on the challenge web page!

Watercolored flowers with secondary colors
Watercolored flowers with secondary colors

A Trio of Flowers on a Gift Bag!

I created a mini-shopping bag for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Get In Shape! weekly challenge.  I used a Stampin’ Up flower stamp and flower punch that I colored  with inks that were diluted with water and painted inside each flower.  Two accent circles,  word banner and silver cording, glitter glue and white satin ribbon handles finish up the snazzy bag.   Time to put something special in the bag for a friend!

#ssswchallenge Get In Shape challenge
#ssswchallenge Get In Shape challenge

Watercolored Inked Background Thank You!

This background used a technique that uses distress inks, water and a piece of clear plastic.  I inked the thank you stamp with permanent black ink on a trimmed piece of watercolor paper.  I spritzed the water color paper to moisten it.  Then I selected a few different shades of blue and green distress inks and rubber them on my craft sheet.  I used a brush to pick up colors.  Then I used the clear plastic sheet to pick up some more ink as accent colors. I touched the ink where I wanted it on the paper.  I made a final trim when it was dry and attached it to a coordinating color and tied a thin shiny cording with a bow.  The final touch was stick on gems and glitter glue for the lawnscaping.blogspot.com Sparkle and Shine No. 109 challenge.

watercolor background with distress inks and plastic sheet.
watercolor background with distress inks and plastic sheet.