Thursday, November 21, 2013

Tattered Leaves


Hi everyone.  Another day of experimenting with my water color paper and inks.  This time I used the colors from the current challenge at Color Q (*** correction, as I went to upload this, I realized this was last week's challenge and I missed it -- oophs!).  LOVE these colors together!

I also used a die-cut from Tim Holtz called Tattered Leaves.  This is a NBUS for me ... as I've had this for a long time and don't think I've used it before.  Darnell will be proud! :)

I used the same technique as my Splattered Maple Leaves that I posted a few days ago ... and it worked perfectly again today.  I feel like I have a little more control with this way of coloring water color paper ... and since I am a bit of a control freak :) ... it's really works for me.  I'll experiment with more colors soon.

Here's a recap on how I watercolored the leaves:  I randomly sponged dry water color paper die-cut leaves with the four colors in the challenge ... heavier with the Curry and Pumpkin inks ... and lighter with the two darker inks (Razzleberry and Burgundy).  Then I sprayed with my water mister until the inks became wet and started to run together slightly (don't soak the leaves as the ink will run off and you'll loose a lot of the color).  Once it was dry, I splattered the leaves using a toothbrush loaded with water and Burgundy re-inker, pulling my thumb across the bristles to spray the ink onto the leaves ... yes, it's very messy and ink flies all over the place, so if you give this a try make sure you don't have other projects nearby or they may be ruined.  Also, my thumb is a lovely shade of burgundy :) ... and it will take a few days for it to wash off completely.  But, the results are worth the mess!! ... at least I think so. :)

Here's a close-up:





Paper:  White, Watercolor paper (Arches 140lb. cold press - natural white), Modern Medley DP (SU!)
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Bravo Burgundy (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Tattered Leaves die (Tim Holtz for Sizzix), sponge daubers, water mister, toothbrush, distressing tool, glue, adhesives and dimensionals



I hope I have inspired you to give this a try!

This will be my second entry into the Paper Players #172 - CAS Leaves challenge.




20 comments:

Aileen said...

Just love these leaves Loll. I'm also a great fan of watercolouring, it allows us to play around so much with all those beautiful colours.

Anonymous said...

Definitely worth the inky finger, Loll ... this is as glorious as the last set of leaves ... so amazing! Anita :)

Anonymous said...

I really thought you used real leaves! Beautiful even for a Razzleberry Thumb~

Benzi said...

Beautiful leaves, Loll. I love the splatters as they make the leaves look as if ithey just fell off a tree. The watercoloring is wonderful.
Yes, Darnell will be proud. :-)

Susan said...

Love the torn text background as well as the gorgeous leaves! A wonderful technique that I will have to try (when done with Christmas cards!).

Darnell said...

Thank you for the detailed instructions for this, Lolly! I love them, especially the way you have them framed over the text!! Hugs, Dolly

Kylie said...

They look amazing. I love the background paper. It all works really well together. Shame on you for never using that die before!!! Its very cool! xx

Barb Ghig said...

Your leaves are just beautiful, Loll! I love how the colors blended and how your splatters made them look so realistic! Your torn text background is perfect, too...Fabulous autumn card!

MaryH said...

Again, simply lovely. I really like the leaves over the book print too. You can save your fingers if you use some cheap, thin gloves. (I do with the Dylusions sprays). You can bet I'll be trying this technique just as soon as I get a chance. Love the TH leaves, and that Darnell has us all speaking in acronyms! Someone else has started VOS - I love it! (very old stuff). I got plenty of NBUS & VOS. TFS & Hugs

Canonbury creations said...

Amazing leaves Loll, look fab against the torn page:)
Val x

Nance Leedy said...

Happy {sigh}! Loll this is just lovely--you've really mastered this technique and those Tim Holtz leaves are to "die " for! So glad you share with us at The Paper Players!

Anonymous said...

I love your card, Loll! And thanks for sharing how you colored the leaves!

~Shery

Brenda in IN said...

Gorgeous leaves and I love that spatter technique.

Darnell said...

Morning, Lolly. I woke up today remembering that I didn't add that "YES, I am proud" to my comment yesterday! Thanks for carrying on the NBUS movement!! Hugs, Dolly

Jaydee said...

Loll. your water color leaves are gorgeous! I love them laid against the text background. Fabulous CAS card. So glad you joined the Paper Players this week
Hugs
jaydee

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

So gorgeous - this card really caught my eye!

Debbie said...

Thank you for sharing this technique - you are very inspiring! Beautiful card!

Ann Schach said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Loll! I love how you mounted them against the print. Thanks for playing with The Paper Players a second time this week! Your entries are CAS perfection!

Bonnie said...

I'm loving this technique more and more and can't wait to try it! It makes the most realistic looking leaves! I love them atop that background paper!

Karen M said...

Your leaves look amazing Loll and your whole card is beautiful! Well done on using some NBUS too:) hugs xx