My Peerless Water color set arrived!

Ok, I gave in. 
     I have seen so many card making videos using the Peerless water colors, I just had to buy them. Being a frugal crafter, I wanted to "try them" before "investing in them". With the basic set not having many colors, and the bonus set costing too much plus shipping, I hesitated. 
     Then I went on Etsy.com, and found "Peerless Watercolor "mini" Travel Palette 3/4" squares of peerless on 4.5" x 6 " palette" sold by "Oliveme Artsie" for only $15! Perfect, I get to try before investing, and I have 40 colors to play with! It arrived in less than week. So, what do I paint first? Here is my first attempt:

It's true, the colors are SO vibrant, and they pop from the page. My Happy birthday is a bit askew, but its all good. In the background I filled in with a copic marker. I am excited to use these A LOT!  lol. 
Thanks for stopping by!

Featured Technique: Distressing

Hello,
I got the chance to go to "Just for Fun's" Trunk Show on Saturday. I almost go run over by women twice my age! I walked away with a handful of great deals.
     One item I am enjoying is a thick stack of pre-cut textured colored cardstock. I got about 100 pieces for $1 cut 5 1/2 by 4 1/4. I also grabbed a brand new package of shimmery black cardstock normally priced for $11.95, was priced $5. It is beautiful cardstock. I always have trouble finding thick black cardstock for my cardbases. I grabbed a few stamps and some used templates.
     One item I purchased was a used set of the Sew-Easy handle and multiple heads. I need to play around with them. Unfortunately, it didn't come with the pink mat that you need, but maybe my other mat will work just as well. Maybe you will see some sewing on a few cards in the near future! Anyway, on to my card for tonight:

      I know you can't see the details really well, but all the parts to this card are distressed. I had fun using a rough piece of sandpaper and sanding the card stock to smithereens! I had paper powder everywhere. I even distressed the floss at the bottom of the butterfly panel, it is looking ragged to suit the look. The photo did a nice job of picking up the colors, I just love distress inks. I just purchased a set of the mini color distress inks. I love them!

Paper: Stampin' up and Neenah Solar White Card Stock Inks: Distress inks Stamps: Butterfly and flower - unknown (Indadinkado, I think), Sentiment - A stamp in the Hand Embossing Powder - White Distressed with sandpaper and distress tool

 Thanks for dropping by!

Bokeh Background Technique - By Understanding Blue

I ran across this video, and watched it from start to finish. I was looking for a way to e-mail a link to my friend, and I realized that with one click, I can post a video to my blog! How cool is that. I realize it is not my video, but I tested it out to see if it works. It does!

I have been struggling with my use or (lack of) circles in my designs. I simply don't use them. Why? Not sure. So I thought this technique may help me with incorporating circles into my cards. This video is fabulous. Thank you Blue!

Freshly Made Sketches 153

Hello!
I hit several challenges this week! I love playing along when I can. This sketch was easy to enjoy.

Here is my spin:

The colors on this panel are so beautiful! I love distress inks. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Butterfly Stamp: unknown set; I like you: Simon Says Stamp September card kit
Paper: SU !
White embossing powder
Wooden embellishments: Simon Says Stamp September card kit

Featured Stamp Set: Petals from Scratch - Fiskars

Hello!
I was playing around in my craft room, and a simple card emerged. (Don't you love when that happens!?) I am sure I was inspired by a post I saw, although i can't give credit off-hand. It looks so spring-y, (although we are currently heading into autumn here in Florida) I wanted to share with you!

 I spend the other day researching PEERLESS water colors. They seem to be all the rage in card-making right now. I put it off and put it off, and decided that I can watercolor just fine using distress inks and all the other inks I own. I just can't afford to purchase every HOT item in this industry. (although some days I feel like I DAMN right deserve it) Maybe once the rage settles down, I will find a small "try me out set". Until then, I will hone my water coloring skills with other paints!

Supplies:
Flower stamp: Fiskers "Petals from scratch"
Butterfly stamp: Penny Black "free flight"
Sentiment: Penny Black "Allegro"
Ink: distress Inks and Embossing powder