celebrate with pearls...

Hello my wonderful friends!

In case you haven't heard... Unity's b-day sale is STILL ON!


If you are arriving here from Kary's blog you are right on track... if not, go ahead and start at the beginning by clicking HERE.. You don't want to miss any of the fabulous inspiration (or chances to win!)

And to get you in the mood...
{Elephant Celebration}

Isn't this fella SO cute?  For this card, I just stamped the image in black over a watercolor wash background I had made while experimenting with inks and water.


Phyllis Harris stamps are simply sweet, and adorable. I LOVE this one! 

*quick tip... if you want a watercolored image that doesn't have the harsh outline, try stamping it in a light  colored ink... I used Antique Linen Distress Ink for this one. 

I also thought I share a super quick and easy tutorial for... 

Easy Pearl Watercoloring

You'll want a line image stamp for this. I'm using {Wishing You Joy}

 Step 1: Ink up your stamp using water based markers like Distress Markers. (if you want a solid color, you can use a water based ink pad.... the markers just give you the ability to easily use multiple colors on one image)

Step 2: When you are done coloring your stamp, huff some warm breath on it to remoisten any dried ink, and stamp onto a water color or mixed media paper.

Step 3: this technique can be done using plain water... however, I wanted to add a little extra punch, so... mix a little bit of Ranger's Perfect Pearls into a puddle of water. The more Perfect Pearls you add, the more intense the shimmer. 

*It is important to us Perfect Pearls for this because they are a shimmery mica powder that have a built in binder that sets with water. Not all mica powders have that binder, and without it, the shimmer will just wipe off.

*bonus tip: to make a homemade shimmer spray, just mix the Perfect Pearls and water in a spray bottle instead of a puddle on your table. 

Step 4: Dip a small, thin paintbrush into your pearl water, and gently brush along the stamped lines. Allow the water to move the ink. This gives your stamped image a hand painted look. Be careful not to use too much water on your brush, or you will lose too much detail. You may want to practice this on a scrap first to get a feel for how much water to use.


Allow to dry, than finish how ever you want.

I used the new Unity Challenge to inspire my finished card...

{Wishing You JoyChicken WireBotanical Bliss}

*You can't tell from the photo, but for the stamped border along the bottom, I inked up the {Chicken Wire} stamp, than lightly misted it with a homemade shimmer spray, then stamped.


Don't forget---
 Leave a comment on EACH blog in the hop (including the Unity blog) for your chance to win.  The winners will be announced Saturday night on the Unity blog.


Your next stop is Lisa!


Enjoy!



Comments

  1. Beautiful projects, Kassi! Love the water colored "Reach for the Stars" card.

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  2. All of your cards are so pretty and soft. Lovely!!!

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  3. Oh so beautiful! I especially LOVE the technique on the last one! Might have to give that a try! Thanks for sharing!

    housesbuiltofcards@gmail.com
    www.housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com

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  4. WHOOHOO I have Perfect Pearls that I don't know what to do with!! Thank you SO MUCH for the brilliant and beautiful idea!
    xxxx
    Riette

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  5. All such gorgeous cards! I really love the soft look you got on Reach for the Stars by using a light ink, going to have to try that!

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  6. Awesome creations and techniques again today Kassi. :)

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  7. I am so happy I just received this stamp set, love all your projects and technique you shared.

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  8. Cute elephant, great sunburst and thanks for the tutorial.

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  9. Thank you for the step by step and I love the perfect pearls. Reminds me to drag mine out!!!

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  10. Lovely cards. Thanks for sharing with us.

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  11. Great tutorial!!!Very pretty cards!

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  12. Very pretty cards. The little elephant is so simple yet speaks so loudly. The Phyllis Harris card is very sweet. Like the technique.

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  13. Forgot to say thank you for the Perfect Pearls tip. Very pretty. Also pretty Mothers Day card - so soft and pretty.

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  14. Thank you for the tutorial, it's a beautiful look on cards. I'm looking forward to trying it. There is something creepy about the elephant/clown, but I love the second card with the sunshine and little girl. Thank you for sharing.

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  15. Lovely card! The color washed background looks amazing! LOVE the ray background on the Phyllis Harris card! Thanks for the Pearl Water coloring tutorial! Pearls are now on my wish list.

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  16. Kassi, you are one very talented lady. These are just FAB! <3!

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  17. Thank you for sharing your beautiful technique! can't wait to try it!

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  18. Kassi, I love the technic you share, and the card just too gorgeous.

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  19. Can't wait to try the technique. Love the elephant .

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  20. So excited by the watercolor card creations. Thanks for the great tip to watercolor with perfect pearls. Great idea for shimmer.

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  21. Another wonderful Kassi tutorial! Thanks so much! This is truly lovely, Kassi. Thanks for sharing your talents with us.

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  22. Beautiful projects. Thank you for the detailed directions, maybe I'll get brave enough to try it one day.Thanks for sharing with us today.
    Sue
    http://suek86401.blogspot.com/

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  23. the little girl card is magical! great job

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  24. Love all 3 cards! Great watercolor wash background with that cute elephant, and a sweet PH image colored beautifully, and gorgeous flowers! Thanks for sharing!

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  25. Do you ever rest? I need some of your crafty energy. Thanks for the watercolor tip.

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  26. Oh my are these cards pretty, so very girly and soft in color and feel.

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  27. beautiful card!! love the colors... very beautiful..
    -Berina
    Moxie Craftie

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  28. Great job on the cards. I love what you did with the Phyllis Harris stamps! Thanks so much for the perfect pearls tips! No lines coloring is becoming one of my favorites and I do it the same way :)

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