Friday, October 06, 2017

Christmas Trees

Hi everyone.  Working more with the no-line watercolouring.  I hope you're not sick of seeing this technique. :)  I am really enjoying it and looking at all my stamps in a whole new way.

Wanted to play along with Merry Monday #259.  I've been missing joining in on a regular basis this year.  Been busy with lots of projects, but took some time out to play along.  This week they are looking for Christmas trees.


I'm also entering this into Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Christmas.  This is my second entry into the challenge.

I started by placing my silhouette trees image in my Misti.  Inked with light brown (Stampin' Up - Saraha Sand).  This time I removed my card from the Misti as I decided not to heat emboss.

Watercoloured the trees, snow hills and bird using Distress Inks and a water brush.  Used three colours of blue ink to sponge the sky and then stamped the sentiment in the darkest shade of the three.  My stamp didn't stick to the misti (forgot to add some temporary adhesive), so it fell off half way through stamping a second time (to get a clear image with distress inks, you need to stamp two or more times).  Luckily, only a few smudges of blue where they shouldn't be.  Carefully added a little water with my brush and dabbed with paper towel.  It worked.  Then used the matching colour of marker to write over top of the sentiment.  It's not perfect, but close enough! :)

For the finish, I added falling snow using chunky white frantage on top and heat embossing.  It turned out pretty good, except for the poor little bird that looks like he's being pelted with large snowballs. :)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!






Stamps:  Scenic Season (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Smoky Slate (SU!); Distress Inks:  Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Candied Apple, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush, sponges, chunky white frantage (Stampendous)

Challenges:
Merry Monday #259 - Christmas Trees
Simon Says Stamp - Christmas

34 comments:

Unknown said...

This card is absolutely gorgeous, love everything about it
Hugs Kaz xx

Mac Mable said...

Great save Loll. The water colouring turned out so beautifully and I would never get fed up of seeing your inspirational projects. The no line stamping and colouring is so glorious. The sponged sky looks bright and beautiful and frames the trees so uniquely. That poor bird is off to the sick bird hospital....LOL x

Bunny said...

Spectacular card. I'm not sick of the technique. I wish I could DO that technique. Don't worry about the bird. He'll be alright. [Bunny]

jenn shurkus said...

gorgeous card!! thank you for playing along with us at the simon says stamp wednesday challenge!

Sue said...

Simply beautiful, Loll. Gorgeous inking and water colouring, such a pretty Christmas scene.

Julia Aston said...

This is just SO pretty Loll! wonderful highlighting around the trees - beautiful no line stamping! Julia xx

Liz said...

Stunning card, Loll. I love the scene and I did smile when I read your comment about the bird - I hope he's recovered!! xx

BożenA said...

It's so beautiful Loll! Your technique is really excellent. Thank you for the description of how you made this card. Watercolor is relaxing, but quite difficult. Water sometimes goes against our expectations, but more often creates an amazing effect, one that would never come to our minds. So I love watercolor. And I love those snowflakes, they look beautiful. And I love the shining background in the center, giving such a solemn effect. Great card, Loll!
Hugs,
BożenA

Nstiz said...

How you achieved definition in the branches of those trees with watercolor is just amazing! I studied this one for quite some time trying to wrap my brain around that! There are definitely individual pine branches in there! Wow, that's amazing. As far as the sentiment, you hand wrote OVER a stamp? Let me bow to you now! Beautiful, Loll!

Bobby said...

Your "good enough" looks pretty fantastic to me, Loll. It's such a pretty scene and your watercoloring is very realistic.

Susan said...

I thought it was the Scenic Season stamp but wasn't sure (till I checked your supplies list) - the no-line watercolouring technique gives it such a different look - totally revitalizes an old stamp by using a modern technique! I love it! Great save on the sentiment - it gives it a bit of a watercolour look so it fits very well with the rest of the card.

Bonnie said...

This is a beautiful watercolor scene, Loll! Your sponging is perfect and so is the snow! A beautiful scene, my friend!

JoAnn said...

What a beautiful scent you created Loll. Love the colors and design. Thanks so much for joining us this week at Merry Monday.

kiwimeskreations said...

Fabulous winter Christmas card Loll - love that you let us into all the oops moments too :-) If you hadn't of told us, no one would have known!
Blessings
Maxine

Robyn Oliver said...

Beautiful card Loll

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Fabulous, it looks like a print.
Faith
x

Julie B said...

Love the pop of green against the sky and trees Loll, fab. :)

Linda said...

I LOVE this Loll ...... snowy scenes are always a winner for me.
Keep these watercolour creations coming my friend I'll never get tired of seeing them. Have a lovely weekend xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Such beautiful work Loll your snowy Christmas scene is lovey

Anne

Aileen said...

Loll how could you think anyone could ever get sick of seeing such stunning looking cards. Nothing looks more stunning than no line watercolouring, your skills just grow and grow.

HJ said...

I could never tire of seeing your beautiful backgrounds and cards, Loll. This is a stunning card and I don't see any reason you might think it is not perfect. Have a wonderful day!

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

I for one, am certainly not tired of seeing this technique! I tried it once and made a real pig's ear of it! Yours looks just like a watercolour painting! I also think that that little smudge also adds to the look of it being a painting as it looks as though you have hand-written the greeting! Just gorgeous Loll! Have a wonderful weekend! Love & Hugs. Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Jeanne said...

This is gorgeous, Loll. There is a sense of serenity and beauty in this card that is so calming. Thank you for sharing some of the things that went into creating the card. I would have never guessed there were any issues. It's just beautiful. You are a wonderful and talented artist. Hugs!

stampwithsandy said...

Loll, this is stunning! Your watercoloring is gorgeous, and I love the snowy effect of the Frantage. I've never used that product before but now you have me investigating!

Anita in France said...

Brilliantly recovered, Loll ... it would've been such a shame to have lost this lovely scene to a falling stamp! Wonderful no line watercolouring ... and that frantage snow is fantastic ... magical! Hugs, Anita :)

Marcia Hill said...

What an absolutely BEAUTIFUL card Loll, and no, I am not sick of seeing your no line water colouring! Those trees are so pretty and I love the way you didn't add the blue completely around the trees so that it looks like there is a beautiful glow around them! Lovely, lovely card my friend! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Merry Monday!! :0)

Helen J said...

I'm not sick of this technique either, particularly as it the result is so stunning!

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

Loll this card is just beautiful and a great example of no-line watercolouring, a technique I never tire of. A real standout on this week's Merry Monday gallery!

MaryH said...

Can't image anyone ever getting sick of seeing your work and techniques. You've certainly mastered the noline w/c...this is so soft & pretty. Loved reading about your marvelous "save". (had to chuckle that things like this happen to others besides me!) Also love the look of the frontage. Between w/c and frontage challenges (me) - I would be at a loss on creating this pretty card! But I love seeing others do the techniques well. Got a moment- so off to see some of your earlier posts I missed. Hugs

Christine Alexander said...

never tired of your techniques Loll :)
gorgeous effect with the trees, I have that stamp and might give it a try next week. Great save by the way, don't you hate it when a stamp fall off your MISTI.

Lisa Lara said...

So exquisite Loll!

Heather Hopson said...

Wow, this is goregeous! Great watercoloring, Great card! I never get tired of that stamp set. Truly beautiuful!

Karen Dunbrook said...

I agree...wow...gorgeous card!!
xx Karen

Marjorie DUMONTIER said...

This card is truly a delight !!