Monday, January 10, 2022

CAS Mix Up and Pinkfresh Studio Challenges - keeping it loose!

It's fun to find a little inspiration to get over one's slump by playing in a few favorite Challenges.  Today two such challenges came together - CAS Mix Up and Pinkfresh Studio for a little 'loose' water coloring!

I added this pretty Cosmos Bunch stamp and coordinating dies were one of my purchases in December while sale shopping.  I did not however get the stencils - I thought I'd have remorse about that until I watched one of my friend Channin's videos and had a 'light bulb' moment!  Why not try it without the stencils, but use the blending brushes for a 'loose' water colored look?  Here's how I did it, using a clear heat embossed image...

I have a set of 'inexpensive' makeup brushes from Amazon that included this tiny little round brush - perfect to get into those tiny flowers and leaves.  Then a larger brush [from Big Lots] for the main flowers.


Then a good spritzing of clean water to get those inks flowing.


A quick dry, and press under a heavy book, and it was ready to 
die cut, and mount on my card!


I've taken this sentiment to heart - slowly, I'm coming back my friends!  
Thanks for your patience!

As for my CAS Mix Up card?  I kept it much cleaner, and simpler by white heat embossing, and loose water coloring - it's amazing how easy it is with a little ink, and a lot of water!



Thanks for stopping by - now off I go to get these into those galleries!  
=] Michele

March Flowers


24 comments:

HilaryJane said...

Well, I was just checking the gallery for new entries against my commenting number and what should I find but this lovely offering from wonderful you. Your loose watercolouring is perfect and I love that sentiment, we should all do that more often. Well done you. I also love the sentiment on your second card, very good. I am so glad to hear your are slowly coming back up. Thanks for sharing this beauty with us as CAS Mix Up xx

lostinpaper said...

I've been playing with a little 'loose watercolouring' too, it's half successful so far lol..... Hopefully it will look as good as these beauties when I finish!

Maureen Morton said...

Two terrific techniques and resulting wonderful cards. I am intrigued by the first one but fear that my need for control may hinder my success with it - ha! You are so creative and kind. Thanks for sharing.

Lisa Elton said...

Look at you getting all artsy, these are fabulous!

TK said...

Gorgeous! Love your new-found way to get "loose" water coloring, but I'm really partial to your beautiful coloring on the second card!

LeAnne said...

They are both gorgeous!!! I really love the second one...I just love that look!

Anonymous said...

Marisela Delgado said: Both cards are so pretty! You did awesome! ☺ I hope you are well and keeping warm. We were 78*F and humid a couple of days ago. We don't do Winter very well. ☺ Warm hugs! Marisela mariandmonsterd@yahoo.com

Karren said...

Fabulous cards! Your loose watercolouring looks wonderful - so free and loose :). Love it!

nancy littrell said...

Loose watercoloring is addicting:-) I definitely want to play again after seeing your 2 beauties. Such different and beautiful cards using different Loose watercoloring techniques. I love them both, Michele. So much fun playing with new toys too. So pleased you joined us at CAS Mix Up with your 2nd Gorgeous heat eb, loosely watercolored die cut flowers card. I think we all needed a break after a very busy crafting holiday season. I know I am starting to get my mojo back...Love and Hugs...Nancy

Karen Dunbrook said...

Two beautiful cards...I like the idea of spritzing with water and letting the inks run.
well done mf.
xx Karen

Jeanne said...

Amazing, Michele. Look at how creative you are in achieving that loose watercolor effect. I love both cards and especially that sentiment on the first one. Your creativity impresses me to no end, my friend. Crafty hugs!

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

What a brilliant way to add color! Game changer. And I need that set just for the sentiments! How wonderful.

Bonnie said...

You definitely don't need the stencils, Michele! Your first card demonstrates another way to do loose watercolor! I love how the colors blended and colored outside the lines! The white embossing on the second card gives a whole new look to that stamp that's just beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

Bobby said...

Blending then spraying? I think you have discovered a new technique, Michele. I love how the flowing ink makes such a wonderful background for the flowers.

conil said...

Look at you being your initimable self, i.e., brilliantly creative. Love both cards and especially the one for CAS Mix Up. It's a doozy...soft and free flowing. Just what the slump doctor ordered. Being in that slump myself, I fully understand. Think you've fought your way out of yours, though. This a beautiful step in the right direction. Thanks for pushing through it for us at CAS Mix Up.

Christine Alexander said...

Wow Beautiful cards Michelle, love the blending then spritzing technique ♥

Birgit said...

These are both beautiful Michele!

Mac Mable said...

What a pretty and artsy effect on your first fabulous card Michele x. Dainty and beautiful second one, with a wonderful loose effect too x. So good to see you blogging Michele and heartfelt and beautiful sentiments on both x.

Linda Callahan said...

Oh I do love that splash and go card - such fun to do and you are never quite sure how will turn out! I feel like that about every card I do....never quite sure how it will turn out! Yours is lovely! And so is your perfectly neat and tidy one!

Cat Craig said...

Beautifully done...I just might get back into flowers this year.

Barb Ghig said...

You did a great job with loose watercoloring, Michele! I stink at watercoloring, so maybe I'll try this technique...especially your CAS version with white EP...it's so pretty ~ xx




!

My Paper Epiphany said...

Two stunning examples of loose water-colouring! Beautiful cards. Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Mix Up:)

Leslie Miller said...

Ooooh, beautiful! Love both cards and think your brushed and spritzed card is a brilliant idea!

Papercraft Boutique said...

I've been thinking about how your "broken creative bones" were healing after the break, my friend. :-)
Both loose watercoloring are fabulous and have a totally different look from each other. Love the organic blend and flow of the inks of the first card and the clean look of the second card!
Hideko xx