Happy New Year!

Hello and happy New Year from a very chilly southwestern Utah! Last night, we had rain, sleet, snow, wind, and plummeting temps! The storm system has long since moved out and it's now sunny, windy, and cold outside. Thank you for braving the weather and stopping by! LOL

What do you have planned for New Years? It'll be a quiet night for us. We like to have a nice dinner for New Year's Eve. It's been a tradition in our home. So, I've got lobster tails and steaks ready to go. Then, on New Year's Day, we'll just snack. There are lots of activities planned within the community for New Year's Eve, but we'd rather stay inside where it is warm and cozy! Do you enjoy the New Year's Day parades and football games? I wish we could see the Philadelphia Mummers' Parade. I miss seeing their beautiful costumes with the men struttin' their stuff! LOL When I was young, I had uncles that were involved with one of the bands. They had to make their own costumes and go to tons of practices. It was a huge commitment. I personally think the men had to spend so much time preparing because no women were involved! I don't know how it is today, but, back then, women were not allowed to participate in any way, shape, or form. It was a mens' only organization! It was always a tradition to see that parade.

Well, I finally decided to give coloring stamped images with distress inks a chance. Here is the very first result. It's my anniversary card to my DH. It really looks so much better IRL! Here's the funny part. Those of you who are comfortable and well practiced with this technique could have gotten the same results using, probably, less than six stamp pads. I used 14!!!! LOL Is that funny or what? Talk about blending! (not that you can even see that I used that many, LOL) I counted up the stack and 14 was the number, LOL. Isn't that hilarious?

The photo colors are a bit off. Edwin's jeans do look like the color of jeans - that nice deep blue. I left the pockets a lighter blue for contrast. I wanted to keep the card colors in the palette used in the PP. If I adjust the blues, then the rose gets a darker lavender. As it is, the flower color is pretty true.

I believe I had the wrong watercolor paper. I used what I had at home - the Strathmore Watercolor Paper (the one with the maroon and black cover on the pad sold at M's. I don't know much about paper, but since I had it on hand, that is what I used. Are you able to use the paper you use for Copics/stamping for this technique, too? I have Neenah, Gina K., and Cryogen. Can they handle the water?

I had an aqua brush in my supplies. I don't think I had a very good one. It's a Pentel. It just started leaving puddles of water until I shoved a wad of paper towel inside the pen to slow the flow. I also had trouble with the nylon bristles staying together. They tended to separate and resemble a rake. Water was coming out nicely, but the plastic bristles just didn't stay together. Any suggestions for a good water brush?

Well, here it goes:


Happy Anniversary

Is it OK?

Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm so glad that you took time to visit. You are such wonderful card makers, I learn so much from you. You give me courage and curiosity! Without the courage to try something new, I wouldn't be curious as to whether or not I can do the technique! You keep me motivated and challenged! Thank you with all my heart.

Happy New Year! I hope your New Year is filled with health and happiness.

XO,
Chris