SSS SKETCHED FLOWERS: THREE CARDS, ONE STAMP

Three Papers, Three Mediums, Three Cards...One Stamp

Perhaps it's the smell of raindrops in the air and the snow beginning to melt which makes me anticipate spring, summer, warmth and my gardens! I have been obsessed with Simon Says Stamp's Sketched Flowers these past few weeks. I wanted to dig into my stash and find a stamp set that was versatile enough to use all year round. Besides the easy-to-color design, I love how the Sketched Flowers are larger than A2 (4 1/4"x 5 1/2") size and can be placed 'off the page'. 

Card Number One

For the first card, I cut Strathmore's 100# Bristol Smooth Cardstock into 4 1/4"x 5 1/2". I used the largest floral stamp in the set and placed the paper and stamp into my regular-size Misti stamping tool. I made note of where I placed the paper so that I could stamp all three card fronts identically. I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the image.

Image stamped with Memento Ink

TIP: To clean my stamp in between inks, I use the Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy! Just like the shammy that Dad used so no water spots showed, this shammy just needs water to wipe your stamp clean! Just rinse it and lay flat to dry when you are done for the day. Every few days, I let my shammy soak in soapy water overnight to get deep inkiness out.

To color this card front, I used Copic Sketch Markers. They blend so well on the Bristol cardstock! And the Memento Ink does not bleed when used with Copic Markers. To finish it off, I used a black gel pel in the centers and added some sequins from Neat & Tangled's Festive Fall Mix. 

Image colored with Copic Markers

Card Number Two

The second card front I cut Neenah 100# Desert Storm Cardstock into 4 1/4"x 5 1/2". After I placed it into my Misti, I used the EK Success Powder Tool to remove static from the surface of the cardstock. This helps prevent stray embossing powder from sticking where I don't wish it to.

The image was then stamped with Versamark ink and a fine white detail embossing powder was used and heat set.

Image stamped with Versamark
and white heat embossed

This card front was then colored with Prismacolor Colored Pencils. Black Soot Distress Ink was squished (nice technical term!) onto the craft mat, water added and then splattered onto the cardstock. 

image colored with colored pencils

Card Number Three

This card front I used Simon Says Stamp's Barely Beige Dye Ink (you could use Antique Linen or Hickory Smoke Distress Ink as well) to stamp the same image onto a 4 1/4"x 5 1/2" piece of Canson XL 140# Watercolor paper. I chose to use the smooth side. 

I stamped the image several times to get a good impression. The watercolor paper has a deeper texture and you might want to make sure you have a clear image for the next coloring medium.

a very faint outline of the image

This third image was then colored using the 'no line' watercolor technique. Since I had loaned my Zig Clean Clear Brush watercolor markers to my bestie, Cindy, I used Tim Holtz's Distress Inks in the mini cubes for my watercolors. 

TIP: Cut a piece of cardstock to fit inside a package from an empty stamp or die set. Slide it in and seal. This makes the perfect palette to squish (there's that word again) your ink onto.

Use a regular paint brush or watercolor brush to pick up the ink and use as watercolors! Use the stamped image as a guide. When I was finished, I used the darkest color and splattered paint onto the card front.

mini ink cubes used as watercolors

Finishing Touches

On card fronts Two and Three, I sprayed Sheer Shimmer Spritz. This fine mist gives the sparkle of glitter paper!! (I tried to photo it. You just HAVE to try this stuff especially if you are like me. I DO NOT LIKE glitter everywhere but I like the look!) 

adding Sheer Shimmer Spritz

Just can't get the full effect!

I mounted the two white card fronts to Neenah Desert Storm card bases and the dark card front to a 110# white cardstock card base. All three had the same sentiment stamped on the outside with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink. The insides were stamped with a single flower from the stamp set in Barely Beige ink and then "smile" was added in black.

These colors are my favorite! They look very much like Autumn which gives me yet another idea! How about the same stamp set colored for all four seasons?!

I hope you stretch the use of your favorite stamp set and try using different papers or mediums to color with! I LOVE seeing your work!! It inspires others to try something new too! You can find me here on my blog, on Lori Ellen Designs Facebook Page, on Pinterest and you'll find these cards in my Etsy shop...

Lori Ellen Designs Etsy Shop

Artistically and Lovingly Yours,

loriellendesigns@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/LoriEllenDesigns

www.etsy.com/shop/LoriEllenDesigns

www.pinterest.com/loriellendesigns/

Below I have a list of some of the items I used in making this card. I added some of my favorite tools also. Clicking on the picture will take you to more information.

I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY SHOPS so I am not selling items. Feel free to comment or contact me with any questions!

SSS Sketched Flowers

Lawn Fawn Stamp Shammy

Neenah Desert Storm Cardstock

EK Success Powder Tool