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Aug 3, 2014

Watercolors, stencils and some paste

For today's card I combined two of my recently found favorite challenges, which are also both very new at hosting challenges. One of them is Watercolor 101.



 Last week the challenge was watercolor wash with salt, this week, the challenge is to use this technique but in the focal image. When I first read what the challenge was, I knew I wanted to  create a Christmas tree using the watercolor wash technique and that was the inspiration for my card. 

Since I also currently love to play with mixed mediums, I wanted to combine the challenge with this month's Mixed Media Monthly challenge, and so I created  a mixed media card. The challenge there this month is stencils and pastes. 




Here is what I came up with.


I started out by simply applying Grumbacher Deluxe watercolors onto watercolor paper. I used several shades of greens. Then I added some rock salt to the paper. I had to mist the paper with some water to get the salt "working".  (If you'd like to learn more about this technique, please click the Watercolor 101 link, there are several tutorial links posted on the challenge blog.)
 Next I simply cut out a tree shape using a paper cutter. I splattered some more ink over the tree. Decided it would look nice with some word over the tree so I got out an old SU stamp and randomly stamped it over the tree using black ink. Then I used another stamp around the edges for more interest. The star on top was hand drawn, cut out and colored with gelatos. What appears organge-y in the photos, is a more deeper red in real life. Not sure why it looks orange here.

I created the background using dylusions inks and gelatos, another christmas verse stamp and the same stamp that I used to border the christmas tree. I also stamped a music note. The dots were made using a stencil and some paste that I recently picked up from Dick Blick's clearance section. It's a white paste, but for whatever reason it turned greenish.
Finally inked the edges with black ink, adhered it to a white card front and then on a green card base.

Here is a closer look at the tree where I used the watercolor wash/salt technique.

Products used:
Christmas verses and sentiment (SU- retired)
flourish stamp (lavish flourishes - Whimsy Stamps),
Music note ( Spring stamp kit - Whiff of Joy)
Dylusions, gelatos, modeling paste
archival ink, grumbacher deluxe watercolors, rock salt


 Besides the two challenges listed and linked above I'd also love to play along here:
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas where the challenge is Reach for the Stars, at
Left of Center Creative Challenges the challenge is Christmas in August and then finally at
Winter Wonderland  Anything Goes for Xmas.

Thanks for visiting,
have a great Sunday!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

beautiful card ellie! i love how you've combined all the techniques and the variety of colours. i'm also working on a christmas card for class. lol

Donna B. said...

Gorgeous Christmas Card. I love how you added some much texture and dimension. Thanks for joining us this month at The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge.

craftybren said...

What a cheerful card

Hazel said...

Thanks for entering your lovely card for CHNC challenge 188 - you could also enter this into my CHNC challenge extra for August - I'd love to see it there too.

Victoria Lavender said...

I love mixed media! Your salt water technique is great! Thank you so much for playing along and "going to class". Next week will be fun- we'll be having "freetime/recess" whee! Looking forward to your next card too, Cheers- Victoria Lavender 101: Watercolor

Granmargaret said...

Lovely card.

Lynn K said...

Lovely mixed media Christmas card! Thanks for sharing your process and for playing along with our Mixed Media Monthly Challenge "Stencils and Pastes"!!

sarascloset said...

Your card is beautiful, and your kitties are adorable!

Rachel said...

i do love a good christmas card! The salt technique looks really neat, i'll have to check it out. Beautiful card. Thank you so much for playing with the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!
-Rachel
rwkrafts.com

maureenjscott said...

Oh that's fabulous! Love the paste and stamping, great colours. Thanks for joining us at Left of Center! mo x

Lynsey said...

Wonderful Christmas card! Thanks for joining in with the Winter Wonderland Challenge.
Hugs Lynsey x

Lynsey said...

Gorgeous Christmas card! Thanks for joining in with the Winter Wonderland Challenge.
Hugs Lynsey x

crafty creations said...

Stunning Christmas card and the texture you have created is brilliant

I've added mine to MMM too

Melanie said...

This is great. Thanks for joining the August Mixed Media Monthly Challenge!