hearts and flowers...

Hello my wonderful friends!


It's time for another Unity hop!
(and sale!)

I know, the new releases this week are all 'punny' stamps, and that's probably what you are hoping to see samples of... but honestly, they aren't really my style. And that is TOTALLY ok. One thing I {LOVE} about Unity is that they have SO many different styles and images! You're sure to find something that makes your heart sing!


February is kind of a crazy month for me. I've got kiddos to make Valentine's gifts and cards for, as well as a bunch of birthdays... So I figured I gotta get going on them!

Unfortunately, the photo doesn't do this one justice... This card has tons of sparkle and texture. The red panel is actually Ranger's Frosted Film. Because it is sticky back, it works for transfers. I simply stuck it onto some patterned paper, than soaked in water and rubbed the paper off. It leaves behind a fabulously distressed image (the more you rub, the more distressed) with the frosted, shimmery surface. SO pretty IRL!


Here's one of the Valentines cards.... Since this is for my older nephew, I wanted to make sure it wasn't girlie and had kind of a rough-tough look to it. I started out with a pice of patterned card stock. I stamped the big heart with clear embossing ink and covered in clear embossing powder. I also swiped the ink pad around the edges and clear embossed them as well. After that, I used an ink blending tool to cover the whole thing with brown Distress Ink. The clear embossing will resist the ink allowing the color and pattern to show through!  Finally I stamped OVER the embossing using Archival Ink. It's important to use a permanent ink designed for non porous surfaces if you want the ink to stay on the embossed areas.  A few die cut hearts finished it off. Super quick, but looks awesome and complicated. Love that!

(Jar Full of Sweetness, My Heart Belongs)

To go with the cards, I found some large plastic tubes with cork tops {super cute!!!} and fill them with conversation hearts. They stacked up PERFECTLY. (you could also use gum balls, or any other small candy!) A little twine around the top along with a stamped tag.

Love these!


For those of you who follow Unity on FB (which you totally should, cuz we have FUN!), you may remember that a little while ago, Angela asked for input on what you guys wanted to learn.

I was impressed by how many of you were asking for coloring tutorials... both watercolor and Copics. Since I don't have any Copics, I couldn't help there...

I do, however, have watercolors. I have lots of different kinds... from crayons to tubes to pencils to markers.

One of my favorite is Distress inks... and more specifically Distress Markers.

So, here is a quick, EASY way to do watercolors without having to worry too much about precision or shadows... after all, it's supposed to look a little messy!

Step 1: I'm using the flower from this months LOL kit, I also knew I wanted a couple flowers... so the first step was to make masks. I just stamped the flower a bunch of times on a scrap paper, than carefully cut them out, and added just a bit of temporary adhesive on the back. This may seem tedious, but, if all you are doing is stamping with them, you can save your masks to use over and over again. I just slip them in the bag with the kit so they are ready for next time.

*note: If you want more durable masks, or masks that can be used for other mediums like sprays or paints, try stamping the image on clear acetate using a permanent ink. They will be durable and waterproof. YAY!*

Step 2: color your stamp with Distress Markers. You can do this same technique using Distress ink pads, but using the markers gives you complete control of which color goes where. And don't worry, there's no hurry. 

Step 3: Huff on your stamp (breathe heavy breaths)... The moisture in your breath will remoisten the ink (even if it's been on there for hours!), then stamp onto WATERCOLOR paper. It's important to use a water color paper (or at the very least, a good mixed media paper) so you get the best results. Regular card stock absorbs too much of the ink.

Step 4: Place your mask over you first flower. Remember, when masking, you work from the FRONT to the BACK. Whatever you stamp FIRST will be in FRONT of everything else. 

Step 5: repeat steps 2-4 until you have your desired design. 

Step 6: Using either a damp paint brush or, my preference, a water brush, quickly paint around the lines. The water will reactivate the ink letting it smear. Where you have thicker, or more concentrated lines you will automatically have darker color aka:shadows. Don't over think this, and don't over work it. Leave white areas. Leave it kinda messy... that gives it a classic watercolor feel. 



Oh... and just cuz I thought of it.... if you are good at doodling... have you ever noticed that if you flip this flower upside down and don't stamp the stem, you have a tutu... just waiting for a doodled dancer?

That 'flip the picture upside down to draw it' exercise we did in art class suddenly has real life application! LOL!


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 Monday on the Unity blog.

Enjoy!


Comments

  1. Love all of your creations! I page thru some of the different designers sometimes. I see some stamps that I missed when they released. Thanks for sharing your watercolor technique! :)

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  2. I love all your projects and it is wonderful that you do such great tutorials. Thanks for this.

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  3. Your projects are all beautiful.
    Thank you for the watercolor tutorial. I really want to try this.

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  4. They're all gorgeous, but my fav is the last one... thanks for the great tutorial!! And for the extra use of that stamp... you're just tutu much! (and you thought puns weren't your thing!)

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  5. I love that you provide a step by step to the techniques used on your amazing cards!! Thanks for the inspiration!!

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  6. I would have never guessed a tutu, but you're right. Awesome creations again today Kassi. :)

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  7. Wonderful, wonderful cards! Thanks for the tutorial as well.
    Beth
    Beth's Beauties

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  8. Oh, my goodness....these are amazing!! Way too much to comment on individually. Loved your step-by-step tutorials. Wonderful techniques. LOVE the results on them all.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  9. Great cards and I love the flower stamp.
    isoscia at aol dot com

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  10. Great card my friend. Have a great day!

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  11. WOW! Unique cards! Love! Such honesty too! We all have our stamp style!

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  12. Beautiful work, Kassi! Thank you again...and again...and again for taking time to share your techniques with us!

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  13. Wonderful cards and I like the tag for the candy tube.

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  14. The pun-type stamps aren't my style eiter althugy I think the birds are cute. Your creations are lovely. My favorite is the sympathy card and I appreciate your tutorial for using Distress Inks to color the images. Thank you for sharing so generously.

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  15. Beautiful cards! Love how you did the floral card... thanks for sharing your tips! I have Distress markers, so this is a great way to put them to use! The flower is a beautiful image for this technique!

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  16. Wow, you have been busy. Gorgeous cards. Thanks for the tutorial. Hugz

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  17. Thanks,thanks,thanks everything is outstanding. Ilove each one of your projects but I really enjoyed your tutorial of the watercolored technique since I'm new in this hobby.

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  18. Fantastic creations! Love love love em all! Thank you for sharing ♥

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  19. Thanks for your Lovely tutorials, it helps a lot. BTW, your cards are beautiful, love it too.

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  20. Oh mu gosh - you've been busy! Love the masculine card and that candy tag. And your watercolor card is so pretty.

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  21. Thanks for the great tutorial! catisi@aol.com

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  22. Stunning cards!! I love the texture. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  23. I love the valentine that you made for your nephew. I have 2 sons and I struggle with making cards for them. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  24. Fabulous creations and thank you for sharing your technique.

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  25. Wonderful projects, thanks so much for the watercolor tutorial!

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  26. My favorite was the watercolor technique that you used on the flower. Thanks.

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  27. What detail in your Cards!!
    Amazing Work!!!

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  28. Thanks for sharing your beautiful tag and cards.
    Crafty hugs,
    Dawn
    Designs By Dragonfly {blogspot}

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  29. Totally gorgeous colouring thanks for the tutorial x

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  30. You've been a busy bee! Thank you for such inspiring art. And thank you for your tutorial...always informative.

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  31. I love your cards, so delicate, so beautiful!

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  32. Wonderful cards. thanks for sharing your watercolor technique.

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  33. These are wonderful! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  34. Thanks for the tutorial!

    Kim Rippere
    Craftisan Studios
    Design Team Showcase

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  35. Tag is my favourite. Good work and thanks for the tutorial.

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  36. Beautiful flowers! Thank you for sharing how you created them! And I love seeing the border stamps used too! Thanks for sharing.

    Katie B.

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  37. Oh WOW! Beautiful vintage looking cards and tag! Love the idea with tube! :-D

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  38. Beautiful cards thanks for the tutorial

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