January 2022 Altenew Inspiration Challenge

 

How did I come to the near end of the month without playing along

at Altenew's January 2022 Inspiration Challenge?

I've remedied that today!  Hope they like it - I couldn't resist these gorgeous

colors when all I can see around me is the glare of white snow!

Our hostess, Reiko, shared this wonderful photo she took as our inspiration.  I thought of the wonderful Altenew Sunflower Daisies right away...

A sweet birthday sentiment from Fresh Freesia - one of my oldest [2015], 

most often used Altenew sets!

I love the font - this time I stamped it in Moss ink instead of my usual black.

One of the small branches of leaves was stamped randomly on my 

panel, then I embossed it using Altenew's Geo Steps.

Here are the inks used today...

Off I go to get this into their gallery before it's too late!

Thanks for stopping by!

=] Michele

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