Thursday, February 12, 2009

Signs of Spring

Well, it's a big day here for me! First off, it's the third sneak peek at the new releases from Flourishes.

I have two samples for you today so keep reading. This set is a gorgeous one drawn by Marcella Hawley called Signs of Spring. I'm LOVIN' it!


Today is a special one for me too because I wrote my first watercolor tutorial for Flourishes as well. I'd love for you to go and check it out HERE and tell me what you think!


I am asked a lot how I watercolor, what techniques I use, what are my tips and tricks. It's a hard question honestly! I learned to watercolor way back in high school in my Art 10 class. We had a great teacher who taught us all kinds of basic mediums and techniques, but I gravitated to watercolor right from the beginning. I've been honing my skills ever since. For me watercoloring is joy. I feel a deep sense of peace when I am doing it and feel my Lord and Creator smile as I'm being creative.


So, I've tried to put what's in my brain down onto the cyber screen for you over at the Flourishes Blog.


Here is the finished card from the tutorial: Sweet Daffodil




I love the play of color and pattern in this one too. I've used several different designer papers, Martha Stewart adhesive ribbon and American Crafts Ribbon as well as pearls and brads.


I wanted to sentiment to look a little washed out so I stamped it on damp paper and then blended it some more.






Easter Chicks



This card was just FUN. Marcy had said to me that she wondered what people would do with these little chickies...so that got me thinking....what about little colored Easter Chicks all having a little chat? So this is what came from that idea. All these puffy cuties are watercolored and some cut out and popped up. They just make me smile. My two favourite are the two sitting on their little puffy bottoms!




To win this beautiful set check out the Flourishes Blog today,


Please join ME and the Flourishes crew in the Splitcoaststampers Forum tonight 7 - 9 Eastern (5 - 7 Mountain) for a release party! Lots of chat, lots MORE inspiration, contests, giveaways, games. It will be a lot of fun!


And be sure to check out the other gorgeous samples with this set from the other Design Team girls, everyone's doing some watercoloring today....so you'll see all of their great techniques as well!:

Cindy Lawrence
Faith Hofrichter
Julie Koerber
Latisha Yoast
Laura Fredrickson
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Jan Marie Caruso
Nancy Kirk

Recipes: Sweet Daffodils: Stamps: Signs of Spring; Ink: Black Stazon, Not Quite Navy, Cameo Coral; Paper: Cameo Coral, K & Co Berry Sweet, SU Raspberry Tart, Watercolor; Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Piercer, 1/2 pearls, Not Quite Navy Brads, Martha Stewart Adhesive Ribbon, American Arts Ribbon, Dimensionals, Reinkers, Aqua Painter.

Easter Chicks: Stamps: Signs of Spring; Ink: Black Stazon, Blush Blossom, Regal Rose, Always Apricot; Paper: Regal Rose, So Saffron, Basic Gray - Urban Prairie DSP, Watercolor; Accessories: Oval Punch, Basic Gray - Urban Prairie Brads, Eyelet Border Punch, Flourishes Polka Dot Organdy Ribbon, Dimensionals, Nestabilities, Big Shot

15 comments:

Latisha said...

the daffodil card is drop dead gorgeous..its perfection
and the cute little chicks...OMG love love love it, the two on the left hand corner towards the top look liket they are laughing, so very creative. And well you totally rock the water color thing

Norine said...

love the daffodil card so pretty and those chicks too cute
hugs
Norine

Denise Marzec said...

You bring such great *light* into your images with your watercoloring. Breathtaking!

Love the sweet chick card too. The papers are so pretty!

...off to check out your tutorial!! :)

NancyK said...

Hi Christine - thank you SO MUCH for the wonderful and easy to follow tutorial on watercoloring. It was well written and easy to follow - I just may try and make a "christine" card! And - oh my - those little chicks are so cute!

Etha said...

oh beautiful!! both cards are just amazing ;) love the stamps too ;)

Laura (scrapnextras) said...

I love the daffodil in orange and your tutorial is awesome! Beautiful work as always!

"Kirby" (KrB) said...

I love the colors you did your daffodil in! That card is so pretty. I adore those Easter chicks. That is absolutely too cute, and that makes me want this set. Great job!

Julie Koerber said...

Oh my gosh Christine - you knocked my socks off with the tutorial and these samples-- and it's only 7 AM my time and I haven't had my coffee yet!! LOL! Thanks for showing everyone your gorgeous skills! I had a blast trying out your tutorial! I can see more watercolor in my future thanks to you! ;-)

Stacy Morgan said...

The daffodil is outstanding! Just wow Christine! The chicks are too cute too!

Silke Ledlow said...

Christine - your daffodil card is gorgeous!!!Love your watercoloring!!! The little chicky card is super adorable!!!

Kimberly Crawford said...

Beautiful!! The daffodil is gorgeous!
The chicks card is fantastic too! I love how you curved the sentiment to make it look like a banner-brilliant!!!

Mark's Finest Papers said...

Adorable!

Anonymous said...

Good job Christine, I am looking forward to seeing all the sets from Flourises tonight. Keep painting, soon we will having you join our art group. Ruth

Yosha said...

Great cards!!

Thank you for the great tutorial! I plan on getting the watercolour paper this weekend! Will link my attempt...well assuming its halfway decent!

cheers

Rose Ann said...

Your daffodil is totally gorgeous, Christine...and your coloring is amazing!! Love your cute little chicks too!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!