Saturday, June 16, 2018

Jewels of the Sea

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder that we are over half way through June.  The CAS Watercolour June Challenge is Ocean, and there are new cards by the Designers and Guest Designer, Robyn, up on the challenge blog.  Check them out.

For my card today, I used a paper towel transfer piece for the background.  I save my mop of towels and then spritz them with water and transfer the ink to a background.  This time I got lots of water and colour in the middle  with a bit of the quilted design of the paper towels towards the edges.  This is mostly peacock feathers ink with a little green added.  Thought it is the perfect colour for a tropical ocean.

I used the Encrusted Jewel technique with my ocean die-cuts (two shells and starfish).  I started with the starfish, and decided to add a little bit of purple glitter along with the white and gold embossing powder.  Added a few tiny sequins and some shaved ice as well.  It all melted so beautifully together.  I decided to use the same combination (minus sequins) on the two shells so they all work together.

I die-cut three squares from my background.  I die-cut again in white card stock and inlaid the white pieces to create a flat card front.  Then I popped up the watercoloured squares on top and glued the embellishments.  The sentiment is heat embossed in gold to tie in with the rest of the colours.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out today's inspirational cards on the challenge blog, and then come play along.  The challenge is open until June 24th.  Hope to see you in the gallery.






Stamps:  Beach Sentiments (retired - Amy R)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches Hot Press 140 lb.)
Ink:  Leftover ink from mopping up another project
Accessories & Tools:  Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Shells & Starfish dies (AliExpress), gold embossing powder, gold tinsel embossing powder, Seedless Preserves glitter (gift from a friend), White & Gold Frantage (Stampendous), tiny clear sequins, Shaved Ice (Stampendous), heat tool, hot plate

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour June Challenge - Ocean
CAS Mix Up - Layered Embossing Powders

24 comments:

Mac Mable said...

Sure is a perfect colour for a tropical ocean. So very beautiful and love the encrusted jewel technique for the shells and starfish, they look amazing. Great layout and all finished off with the gold heat embossing of the wonderful sentiment x

nancy littrell said...

OMG..Loll, your Encrusted Jewels seashells and starfish are Gorgeous!!! I love the sparkly colors and textures. I card you have to touch! Your paper towel transfer background does look like tropical green water. TFS your very creative and beautiful card, my friend. Hugs...

Brenda said...

Loving this card and those encrusted shells and starfish Loll! They are so beautiful-stunning in fact. I love how you got the background. Do you stritz's y our paper towel and that's how the ink transfers to the paper? It looks so nice! I have so much to learn about these techniques. lol And quite clearly I need to use inks more often so I have used paper towels! Hugs, Brenda

Bonnie said...

These jewel encrusted shells and starfish are amazing, my friend! Love the jewel colors of the "jewelry" and the soft watery background!

Cathy said...

These seaside treasures look amazing Loll, love the subtle background colour too, Cathy x

Nstiz said...

Wow, that is some pretty amazing texture you have on your die cuts. Love the effect- so realistic! I'm always amazed at the backgrounds you create with your paper towels too. Now if only I were neat enough to keep them by color but that probably won't happen.

Christine Alexander said...

beautiful Loll, love the shell and that amazing background, the paper towel el background has such soft colours

Susan said...

Gorgeous! Your encrusted jewel shells are fabulous and look perfect on the squares of paper towel background! Love the way you did the die cut squares just slight raised up.

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Such a very beautiful result.
Faith

Jeanne said...

Trio of beauty here, Loll. How fun that you can combine a couple of different techniques that work so well together to create such lovely and sparkly results. Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs!

BożenA said...

OOO! But an amazing card, Loll! Now you convinced me that I need to collect all those paper towels with inks. Your background is amazing, you're right, like the color of the ocean or the Red Sea. Beautiful turquoise shades! I also love your sea creatures. They look amazing in this technique. Another beautiful card!
Hugs,
BożenA

Pat said...

What fabulous texture on the starfish and shells Loll, and the colour is so pretty transferred from the mop up to the card and it is quite soft which works beautifully, and the gold sentiment ties in perfectly. x

Robyn Oliver said...

Wonderful card Loll, it's serene and very pretty. The three little square frames so cleverly constructed to show off your beautiful sparkly shells - so simple and effective. But your paper towel background...I'm in a dilemma now - I don't use paper towel often to mop up but think that's going to happen now.. and my head is a buzz - where do I keep them, flattened and in a folder, and oh yes, you can get different embossed patterns on them - I'll be looking with a different eye in that aisle now.... we crazy card makers

Papercraft Boutique said...

Wow, your Encrusted Jewel seashells and starfish are amazing, Loll! You managed to sprinkle all the powders and elements in the right place. (I had a hard time doing it with a tiny plastic spoon!)
I love that you used the 3 raised squares. They show off the gorgeous pieces. And yes, the paper towel mop background looks just like a beautiful tropical ocean!
Hideko xx

Karen Dunbrook said...

these look amazing...you had great results mf.
xx Karen

Brenda in IN said...

This is another stunning card. I love this technique and hope to try it today. This needs to be framed and hung for all to enjoy. It looks like a picture I would find in a upscale shop. I love the shine and design.

Jo said...

Ocean jewels! The soft aqua background is the perfect nesting. Totally awesome :D xx

Marcia Hill said...

SOOO BEAUTIFUL Loll!! Your starfish and shells just couldn't be any prettier...absolutely loving all the glitter, sparkle, and shine on your ocean jewels!! FABULOUS background too...love that you get all that color just from a used paper towel!! Lovely, lovely card my friend!! :0)

Trina P. said...

Gorgeous paper towel transfer background, Loll. You chose a beautiful colour for an ocean theme. And wow!... your encrusted pieces are spectacular! So sparkly and dimensional. Love it! xx

Anita in France said...

A beautiful tropical ocean for those gorgeous jewel encrusted images, Loll ... the shimmer and shine is just fantastic ... and the texture is awesome! Hugs, Anita :)

Ina G said...

Wow! you have created a stunning creation here Loll. Love the depth of embossing here. Such colour and you always make cas look so fantastic. Fabulous layout.

Julia Aston said...

Your embossing looks so sandy Loll! perfect for these lovely seashells and starfish! xx

Bobby said...

Jewels of the sea indeed, Loll. They are gorgeous.

Kia's Place said...

Amazing design Loll ... love your background technique and the encrusted jewel is a fabulous look.