Thursday, September 29, 2016

Seasons

      Today I want to celebrate the beauty and joy of the changing seasons. 
 
      Winter; cold and not so much fun for most people, shoveling, wearing boots and heavy winter coats. However, there are also times, when you look out the window after a snow storm and everything is pure white and laced with snow and ice and it's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen. Building a snowman with your kids, sledding, skiing, snowboarding, when you have snowball fights or make snow angels, Christmas. Then Winter becomes a wonderland full of fun and excitement.

      Spring; crocuses, daffodils, tulips, cherry blossoms, dogwoods in bloom,  trees waking from their winters nap with green buds, rain, birds singing, the sound geese flying overhead and spotting the first robin of the season. The promise of warmer, longer days, Easter bonnets, bright colors and baseball games. People coming outside after a lone winters hibernation to enjoy the beauty of a new season. What a glorious time of year.

      Summer; longer hotter days, lots of sunshine, cookouts, 4th of July, fireworks, family reunions, graduations, weddings, and of course vacations. It's a time to celebrate with friends and neighbors, a time for swimming, flip flops, shorts, hiking, tubing, camping, mowing the lawn and making s'mores around the fire pit. Hopping in the car and taking long rides in the country, carnivals, festivals, amusement parks, finding adventure around every corner. Summer is full of fun and enjoyment for everyone.

      Autumn; leaves changing from green to red, orange, yellow and brown; cooler days and nights, a crispness to the air. Sweatshirts, sneakers, long pants and jackets. Farmers markets, apples picking, carving pumpkins, Halloween, trick or treats, falling leaves and the World Series. Thanksgiving with family and friends, Football, pumpkin and apple pie   A time to take stock in all you have and to be thankful.


     My cards today reflect the beauty of the Fall season.


     Card #1 Celebrate




Products used:

Penny Black #40-357 Autumn Dance
Penny Black Die #51-028 Celebrations
Ranger Queens Gold embossing powder
VersaMark
Ranger Distress ink
Misti
Canson watercolor paper 130lb

      Using the Misti, I placed the watercolor paper in it and centered the stamp. Then I inked it with VersaMark and stamped it on the paper, I did this twice to make sure all the detail was stamped. I removed the paper from the Misti and covered it with the embossing powder, then tapped off the excess and embossed with my heat gum. When the embossing was set I let it cool then used my Ranger distress ink to shade and blend the background. I spritzed it with water and dried it. I did this twice to give the background movement and texture. I wiped any excess ink off  the embossing and added the celebrate die-cut.

Card #2
       I learned this technique from my friend Lynda, and she in turn learned it by watching 




Products used:

Penny Black #40-492 Berry Kissed
Penny Black #30-229 Special Wishes
Canson watercolor paper 130lb
Canson card stock
Ranger distress ink markers 
Ranger Archival ink
Misti

     I started out with my stamp and watercolor paper in the Misti. I colored in just the leaves with Tea Die and then I added some Gathered Twigs to the bottoms of each leaf and just a touch to some of the edges. I spritzed the stamp with water and closed the Misti to stamp the leaves. Then I used a paint brush and blended just a few of the leaves at a time, and stamped again without adding any more ink. I did this with all the leaves until I was happy with the texture, color and definition in each leaf. I repeated this technique with the berries using Carved Pumpkin and Rusty Hinge. I did the stems in Ground Espresso. (see website above)

     I also used my Misti to stamp my sentiment so I would get a clear stamping and so that if it wasn't I could stamp it over again if needed.
 
     This technique is so awesome I have already used it on a bunch of my other stamps. Try it I'm sure you will love it too.


    
 I will be entering these cards in:




Thanks for stopping by.
Have a wonderfully crafty day!

Karen

21 comments:

  1. Such beautiful cards to celebrate this colorful season! Thanks for joining us at colourQ!

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  2. Lovely, lovely cards! Came over from the gallery at ColourQ when I saw your Berry Kissed card done with Fall colors...absolutely LOVE it!! :0)

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  3. a splendid background! love it!

    thank you so much for playing along with us at make my Monday!

    hugs and kisses from germany
    silvi xoxo

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  4. Two beautiful cards. I really love your submission to ColourQ this week. Thanks so much for playing along.

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  5. Both cards are great! The colors are gorgeous and your coloring is super! Thanks for joining us for this challenge at Make My Monday.

    Robbie

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  6. Beautiful cards!
    Thanks for playing at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge!
    Helen x

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  7. Beautiful cards, I love the colours you used with Berry Kissed! Ger

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    1. Thank you Ger, I saw your card also, beautiful!

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  8. I saw this over at the Simon Wednesday Challenge blog and had to pop over and tell you how pretty this is!!! ♥ Sue Kment

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  9. PS..forgot to tell you thanks for joining the PBSC for September with this lovely watercolor creation! ♥ Sue Kment

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    1. Thank you, Sue. PB stamps are my favorite to work with.

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  10. A stunning autumnal card! Thanks for joining us at PBSC! xxx

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  11. Beautiful cards, so warm and welcoming

    Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge this week.

    Jo x

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  12. Beautiful autumnal cards. Thanks for playing along at Make My Monday. Caz DT

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