Sunday, June 30, 2013

July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

It's July and it's time for the July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  Over 50 Close To My Heart consultants all use the same stamp set - in this case, the July Stamp of the Month - Sweet Life (S1307).  You can only get it in July.  You can simply buy it for $17.95 OR you can get it for just $5.00 when you purchase $50 in products (before the Stamp of the Month).  It's a very cool program, and I'm so glad Close To My Heart does it!

If you've arrived here from {Michelle's blog}, you're in the right place!  At the end of my post, you can click to the next consultant's blog to see what fun she has for you.

This month's stamp set is Sweet Life, and it looks like this:



I'm a little intimidated by stamps that you need to color, where the image is "anatomically correct."  I'm not an experienced watercolor-er or shader.  I envy those who are!




I stamped the image in Chocolate ink.  (I also tried Cocoa and Whisper.)  Chocolate was best.

I debated between coloring with watercolor pencils, our Exclusive Inks Marker Set and chalk (retired)...so I had to try them all!

First Watercolor Pencils:



My friend told me to color the entire image in first (with the lighter color.)  I used Sweet Leaf.  Then go around the edge with a darker color (Olive).



Same thing for the peaches. (Sunflower and Orange)



Branches, (Desert Sand and Chocolate)



Since I couldn't find my Blending Pen (which I would have preferred to use), I used a Qtip with a small drop of water on the end, to blend the colors.  Orange on one end of the tip.  Green and then Brown on the other end.

I really like how it turned out (especially since I didn't know what I was doing.)

I tried the same technique with chalks.  



Bright green & Olive and Yellow and Sunflower


You can click on the image to enlarge it...to see the differences.

Top:  Chalk technique
Left:  Image was stamped on Watercolor Paper.  Used Watercolor Pencils to color in the images.  Blended with a slightly wet Qtip.  (I like the fabric-y look of the paper)
Right: Used regular Colonial White CTMH paper and Watercolor Pencils. (the technique I liked best.)

I also tried the markers, but I didn't like the way it looked...with my lack of blending/coloring skills and the subtlety of the coloration of peaches.






I couldn't decide which paper to use on my card.  Decided on the honeycomb paper from Buzz & Bumble (X7164B, $9.95).  I also liked it with the orange branches/leaves paper from the Flirty Paper Pack (retired).



I really like it, but it seems plain.  



How about with Dark Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon?  Hmmmmmm....  it's OK....but I think we can do better.



I like it with this piece of Sorbet paper instead.



Needs some embellishment!  Ruler to the Rescue!  You use the ruler (Z1471, $9.95) and a piercing tool (Z1114, $5.95) to pierce the paper exactly where you want the brads.  Perfect!



I also put a little Almond Glitz Glitter Gel (Z1769, $2.95) on the center of the flower.  




Now that I have confidence in my coloring skills, I also made this one with the cherries...and the CTMH alcohol markers.  I also think that coloring the cherries is easier than coloring the peaches.



I used Cranberry (dark), Sorbet (dark), Sweet Leaf and Olive Markers.

A little Cricut Art Philosophy, Antique Copper Brads, puffy tape and Baker's Twine.... and like magic!  a card!

If you want to get this stamp set for yourself, click here to start shopping!  If you're in the Seattle area, come to a card class this month.  This month's classes are July 18, 19 and 20.  Please RSVP to I have enough supplies for you. (425.941.3135)  I'd love to see you!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Now it's time to hop on over to {Sarita's Blog}.  Happy Hopping!

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