New Kris Lauren Release by Colorado Craft Company

HEY FRIENDS! Today we’re celebrating the new Kris Lauren Meets Big & Bold Bees & Honey release by Colorado Craft Company. We’re having a blog hop and a giveaway — details are below. I’ve got two cards for you to check out using two of the new stamp sets. As always, I’ve linked supplies with compensated affiliate links used where possible at no cost to you.

Giveaways!

To celebrate the new release, Colorado Craft Company is hosting a giveaway on each participating blog! Simply leave a comment below on this post, then the folks at Colorado Craft Company will announce the winners on their blog. You need to be on the Colorado Craft Company email list or looking at their blog to see if you won. You have until AUG 18th at midnight mountain time to post your comment below. 

In addition, Colorado Craft Company is giving away a COMPLETE BUNDLE to ONE winner who uses my affiliate store link to make a purchase. You will get one entry per order and will be notified by email if you have won.


Card 1

Rowhouse Greetings | Kris Lauren Beehive by Colorado Craft Company
Kris Lauren Beehive by Colorado Craft Company

BEST DAY EVER
Size: 4.25″ x 5.5″
Featured Products:

The Beehive stamp set includes clear photopolymer stamps with a large beehive, a bow, two bumblebees and a tree branch. The set 10 stamps: 5 images and 5 sentiments. The stamps can be used with the coordinating Beehive die set, sold separately.

For this card, the images were stamped on Hammermill Smooth Cardstock with Nuvo Hybrid Ink in Black Shadow. The sentiment was stamped with Versafine Clare in Nocturne. The background was created using the Cloud Stencil by My Favorite Things and Distress Inks in Scattered Straw and Dried Marigold. I cut a piece of SimonSaysStamp Fog Gray cardstock to 4.25″ x 5.5″ and adhered it to a top-folding A2 cardbase made from Neenah 110# Classic Crest cardstock. Card was assembled as shown.

COPICS: V20, R20, E000, E00, E11, E21 (skin); E53, E55, E57 (hair); V20, R20, R21, YR21, YR24, YR27, C3, C5, C7 (clothing); BG10, B000, B41, B45 (wings); YR21, YR24, YR27, C6 (bee body); E53, E55, E57 (branch); YG03, YG17, YG67 (leaves)

Rowhouse Greetings | Kris Lauren Beehive by Colorado Craft Company | Color Map

Card 2

Rowhouse Greetings | Kris Lauren Honey Jar by Colorado Craft Company
Kris Lauren Honey Jar by Colorado Craft Company

BEST DAY EVER
Size: 4.25″ x 5.5″
Featured Products:

The Honey Jar stamps set includes clear photopolymer stamps with a honey jar and label, honeycombs, two honey bees, a bow, cherry blossom flowers, leaves and a bee fairy. The set includes 17stamps: 10 images and 7 sentiments. The stamps can be used with the coordinating Honey Jar die set, sold separately.

For this card, images and the sentiment were stamped on Strathmore Series 400 Watercolor Paper with Versafine Clare in Nocturne and colored with Karin Brushmarkers. The panel was trimmed using the A2 Chunky Scalloped Rectangle die set by Simon Says Stamp. The design paper can be found in the Poppin’ Polka Dots 6×6 paper pad by My Favorite Things.

KARIN BRUSHMARKERS105 Henna, 172 Blush, 283 Gold (honey comb); 159 Cool Gray 2, 172 Blush, 264 Arctic Blue, 283 Gold (bee)

Rowhouse Greetings | Kris Lauren Honey Jar by Colorado Craft Company | Color Map

Blog Hop!

Now it’s time to hop! Don’t forget to leave a comment on each designer’s blog for a chance to win. You have until AUG 18th at midnight mountain time to post your comments. 

Adrienne Kennedy CCC
Adam Karle
Amy Tsuruta 
Bibi Cameron
Caly Person
Daniel West
Emily Midgett
Jasleen Kaur
Jenn Gross
Jennifer Kotas
Joe Sysavath
Kassi Hulet
Kelly Griglione
Kelly Latevola
Amy Young
Sandi MacIver
Traci Jenkins
Nichol Spohr

Hope you’ve enjoyed today’s projects!

Rowhouse Greetings | Nancy Sheads

Supplies for the New Kris Lauren Release

[Compensated affiliate links used when possible. In addition, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Items marked with an asterisk (*) were provided by a store or the manufacturer. All other items were personally purchased.]

Brush Stroke Stamps by Penny Black

HEY FRIENDS! I’ve been cleaning up my studio and going through my stash. Since I now make samples for multiple companies my stamp and die collection grows quickly. I have limited time for crafting, so my designer deadlines are always the priority, but when there is a lull, I like to circle back and look through my personal stash for stamps that that have gotten lost in the shuffle. I love the Brush Stroke Stamps by Penny Black so they were perfect for what I had in mind.

As always, I’ve linked supplies with compensated affiliate links used where possible at no cost to you.

Today’s Project

Rowhouse Greetings | At Grace by Penny Black | Softly by Penny Black

I also seem to have a growing collection of waterbased markers. I suffer from full set syndrome so I can’t just buy a few markers of any given brand. Eventually, I have to have them all! I was pretty proud of myself that I’ve been getting by with only 12 Zig Clean Brush Markers. However, on Saturday, I went to the Creative Keepsakes Convention in Lancaster and at the very last display in the very last booth I came across individual Zig markers for sale. I was good – I was offered a great deal on a full set, but I stuck to expanding my current set to 24 markers, plus a handful of new colors not found in the sets. But I also had $30 in vouchers from Michaels, so I added to my collection of Tombow Dual Tip Markers.

<sigh> Did I mention that I already have a full set of Karin Brushmarkers? And let’s not forget my 358 Copic markers. Luckily I don’t feel the need (for now!) to try out all the new brands of alcohol markers.

Card 1 – At Grace

Rowhouse Greetings | At Grace by Penny Black

AT GRACE
Size: 4.25: x 5.5″
Featured Products:

Card 2 – Softly

Rowhouse Greetings | Softly by Penny Black

SOFTLY
Size: 4.25: x 5.5″
Featured products:

So I looked through my stamp stash to find a few stamps that I could use with my water based markers and settled on a couple of older Brush Stroke stamps from Penny Black. These stamps are perfect for direct to stamp coloring. I did not videotape my coloring, but I did watch a lot of Penny Black & Jill (PB & J) videos on YouTube to see how it’s done. Here’s an example of the technique for creating one layer stamping using Tombow markers.

Both cards were made the same way. I started with a piece of Canson Montvale Watercolor Paper cut to 4.25″ x 5.5″ and stuck it in my Misti Stamping Platform. This is a situation where you really need to use a Misti because you will be stamping the image repeatedly as you work through the colors.

I positioned the Brush Stroke stamp in place (either At Grace or Softly) and used Karin Brushmarkers to apply ink to the various elements of the stamp. As you’ll see from the instructions below, I colored on the leaves and flowers in separate steps.

For the sake of simplicity, I’ll explain the remaining steps using the first card (At Grace) as an example:

  1. With the watercolor paper and the stamp in place in the Misti, apply ink to the leaves, working from light to dark.
    I started with 210 Apple Green as a base coat on all of the leaves and stems and added 228 Lush Green to the darker areas such as the base of the leaves.
  2. Lightly mist the stamp with water and stamp the image.
    The ink will dry on the stamp so you will need to lightly mist the stamp to reactivate the ink. I used the Distress Sprayer and held it several inches away from the stamp while spraying.a
  3. Use a waterbrush to lightly spread the ink, filling in areas of the stamped image as necessary. My favorite waterbrush is the Zig Medium Waterbrush. It’s hard to find, but it’s the one that I keep going back to (and stock up when I find them!).
  4. Apply ink to the flowers, working from light to dark.
    I started with 264 Artic Blue as a base coat and added 207 Cyan to the darker areas such as the base of the petals.
  5. Lightly mist the stamp with water and stamp the image.
    Wash, rinse, repeat as needed.
  6. Take a good look at what you’ve got so far.
    If it looks OK, move on. I decided that I needed more depth and definition in the flowers so I added 305 Egyptian Blue to the deepest parts of the flowers or anywhere that needed a little more definition between petals. A little goes a long way so just a few dots of color and then blend it as needed.

Honestly – go look at the video from Penny Black. What I just tried to explain will make more sense when you see it done by Jill Foster. Next time, I’ll turn on the camera!

Once all the coloring was complete, I trimmed the watercolor panel to 4″ x 5.25″, stamped a sentiment from Happy Thoughts stamp set using Versafine Clare in Nocturne. If desired, you can sprinkle clear embossing powder over the sentiment and heat set it. and backed it with foam tape. I cut a piece of Simon Says Stamp cardstock in Fog Gray to 4.25″ x 5.5″ and glued it to an A2 cardbase made from Neenah Classic Crest 110# cardstock. I assembled the layers as shown. The second card featuring the Softly Brush Stroke stamp was completed the same way.

Rowhouse Greetings | At Grace by Penny Black | Softly by Penny Black

That’s all for me today! If anyone is looking for me, I’ll be rummaging through my stash for the next project!

Rowhouse Greetings | Nancy Sheads

Supplies

[Compensated affiliate links used when possible. In addition, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Items marked with an asterisk (*) were provided by a store or the manufacturer. All other items were personally purchased.]

New Class! Spring Greetings – Cardmaking Basics – Queen’s Ink – May 8th

In this workshop, you will create three cards featuring a variety of cardmaking techniques – stamping, coloring, stenciling, heat embossing, die cutting, etc. If you’re an old hand at making cards, you’ll feel right at home. If you’re new to cardmaking, you’ll learn the basics to get you started with this fun hobby.

The flowers are colored with Karin Brushmarkers and this is your opportunity to try out these markers. The Queen’s Ink has added Karin Brushmarker PRO to its inventory, a great addition for artists of any level. Markers will be provided for students to use in class. No experience necessary! CLASS FEE $32

The Queen’s Ink
Savage Mill Box 2048 | 8600 Foundry Street | Savage, Maryland 20763
phone: (301) 497-9449 | website: https://queensink.com
Sunday, April 18, 2021 – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Register online or call the Queen’s Ink at (301) 497-9449

Students should bring:

  • WATER BRUSH (or a watercolor brush if you have one).
  • CRAFT MAT or GLASS MAT
  • ADHESIVES for card assembly. I suggest Beacons 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue for the base layers and Ranger Multi-Medium Matte for adding other card elements.
  • INKS & BLENDERS Please bring the following if you have them in your stash: Distress Oxides in Mowed Lawn, Shabby Shutters, Squeezed Lemonade, Scattered Straw, and Kitsch Flamingo. Don’t panic if you don’t have all the inks – I will bring my ink pads to share in class.
  • CRAFT PICK I suggest the Tonic/Tim Holtz Retractable Craft Pick. 

We will be practicing social distancing protocol. Please wear a MASK and bring your HAND SANITIZER.

New Class! Joy of Spring featuring Colorado Craft Company

In this workshop, you will create three cards featuring the Anita Jeram images from Colorado Craft Company. The Queen’s Ink has added Karin Brushmarker PRO to its inventory, a great addition for artists of any level. We will explore various coloring techniques such as layering and blending using these versatile markers.  Markers will be provided for students to use in class. No experience necessary!
CLASS FEE $32

The Queen’s Ink
Savage Mill Box 2048 | 8600 Foundry Street | Savage, Maryland 20763
phone: (301) 497-9449 | website: https://queensink.com
Sunday, April 18, 2021 – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Register online or call the Queen’s Ink at (301) 497-9449

Students should bring:

  • WATER BRUSH (or a watercolor brush if you have one).
  • CRAFT MAT or GLASS MAT
  • ADHESIVES for card assembly. I suggest Beacons 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue.

We will be practicing social distancing protocol. Please wear a MASK and bring your HAND SANITIZER. 

Rowhouse Greetings | Anita Jeram Be Creative Mini by Colorado Craft Company
Rowhouse Greetings | Happy Day! by Colorado Craft Company
Rowhouse Greetings | Anita Jeram Pond Pampering by Colorado Craft Company

Anita Jeram Be Creative – Colorado Craft Company

GOOD MORNING FRIENDS! I’m back today with something a little different. First of all, no Copics! Second, it’s me, watercoloring! How did that happen? Like many of you, I adore the new Anita Jeram stamps from Colorado Craft Company. Although they would look just fine colored with Copic markers, they really need the flowy softness of watercolors. I recently took at class at The Queen’s Ink using Karin Brushmarker Pro brush pens and decide they would be perfect for this image.

Today’s project features:

ANITA JERAM BE CREATIVE

Rowhouse Greetings | Anita Jeram Be Creative Mini by Colorado Craft Company

I stamped the image and sentiments on a piece of on Canson Aquarelle Watercolor paper using Versafine Clare Ink. Since watercolor paper has a texture, it’s really best to use a stamping tool such as a Misti because you will probably need to stamp the image multiple times to get a crisp image.

I used the wet-on-wet method for watercoloring, applying clean water to the area to be colored with a No. 4 round Silver Black Velvet Brush. Then I lightly touched the tip of the Brushmarker Pro marker to the damp paper to apply color, allowing the ink to wick outward. I used my brush to move the ink where I wanted the color to be.

You could use a waterbrush, but I really like my Silver Black Velvet Brushes (I have various sizes of their round brushes) and wanted to try them out here.

I applied the color in layers. For the first layer, I simply blocked out where the various colors would go. Then I applied additional layers of ink to deepen colors or add depth and shadows. I allowed the ink to dry thoroughly before applying the next layer.

FINISHING THE CARD

After the layers were complete and thoroughly dry, I trimmed the watercolor paper with one of the dies in the Wonky Stitched Rectangles die set by My Favorite Things. I thought it added a nice detail to the edges.

For the background, I cut another piece of watercolor paper to A2 size. Then I picked a couple of the markers used in the image, scribbled the ink on a piece of acetate, and spritzed it with clean water. Next, I dabbed the acetate on the watercolor paper, creating ink blotches as shown. I prefer this method rather than smooching the paper into the ink. I think that you get more texture and variety in the ink blot pattern and it’s easier to control the end result. You can add multiple layers but be sure you dry the layer carefully with a heat gun before moving onto the next.

To finish, I glued a piece of craft foam to the back of the image to pop it up from the background. I adhered the card front to a card base and that finished off the card.

Rowhouse Greetings | Anita Jeram Be Creative Mini by Colorado Craft Company

SO WHAT’S NEXT?

Well, I’m popping this card in the mail to my friend Wendy Taylor-Aspinall. A few weeks ago, she was a guest artist on Kae Pea’s Creative comMOONity blog and created beautiful Love Art Dolls using ArtFoamies stamps. Afterwards, she graciously sent the doll on the far left to me so I thought this card would be the perfect thank you note. Be sure you pop over to her blog post where she posted a video showing how she made these dolls.

That’s all for me today! See you soon!

Rowhouse Greetings | Nancy Sheads

SUPPLIES

BRUSHMARKERS: Henna, Almond #216, Soft Peach #200 (mouse); Royal Blue #045, Rosewood #272, Almond #216, Black #030 (paint brush); Artic Blue #264 (sky); Apple #210 (grass); Apple #210, Royal Blue #045, Black #030 (splattered background)
NOTE: I believe that Soft Peach #200 has been renamed to Skin 1 #200 so I linked it below.

[Compensated affiliate links used when possible. In addition, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Items marked with an asterisk (*) were provided by a store or the manufacturer. All other items were personally purchased.]