Awash with Flowers

As promised, here's my other water coloured card I mentioned a few days ago. This time I used the Awash with Flowers stamp set. This set is a 2-step stamping set with a large number of flower outlines and solid fillers. I always wanted to water colour with this set but never got around to it - I always went with the quicker option of 2-step stamping the solid filler images. However, since I'm in my water colouring phase, I pulled it out and had me some fantastic fun with it. I absolutely love the colours I chose (even if I do say so myself). Anyway, I hope you like it.

Remember to always start water colouring inner to outer, if that makes sense. That way, you pull your ink out to the outer edges of the petals. Think of it this way, petals and edges that are exposed earlier will loose their colour intensity faster. Also, try to keep your shading consistent. I am not a trained artist but I kind of put an imaginary light globe on my images and begin where I imagined the shaded or shadowed parts are. In short, I go with my instincts until I am happy with the effect I want. Hope the explanations help.

project recipe
stamps: Awash with Flowers (WM 121480, CM 120549), Happiest Birthday Wishes (WM 124940, CM 122617)
ink: Classic Stampin' Pad - Real Red (103133), Lucky Limeade (122935), Old Olive (102227), StazOn - Jet Black (101406) 

card stock: Lucky Limeade (124388), Real Red (106578), Watercolor Paper (122959)

tools: Big Shot (113439), Adorning Accents Edgelit Dies (125595), Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (125601), Aqua Painter (103954)

the added pizzaz: , Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806)cardessence tips

• when you emboss multiple lines with th AA folder, practice first on other card stock - you cannot run the second or third or fourth emboss through the Big Shot completely as it will flatten out the previous one; there are two ways you can try:

1. feed one corner through partially so not to flatten out previous embossing and reverse to remove from the Big Shot; repeat the same process on the other corner; or
2. don't fully cover your embossing folder with the top acrylic cutting pad ie. move your cutting over the folder so that it only covers the embossing lines you want;

• refer to Another Reason to Smile for tips on water colouring;
• lastly, apply a light wash of the Shimmer Paint;

happy water colouring