Fall Photo/Card

Last year I captured a wonderful image of a leaf with the morning frost still on the edges. Here are the results of a few cards I created.

Fauk Batik Watercolor

Stamp Credits: Stamp - Printworks; DP - Me and My Big Ideas; Cardstock - SU

Stamp Credits: Stamp - Inkakinkadoo #8411-N; Cardstock - White Index; Cuttlebug embossing folder - Birds and Swirls

Stamp Credits: Stamp - Stampendous F104 Snow Star Points; Cardstock - White Index; Cuttlebug embossing folder - Snow Dots

Stamp Credits: Stamp - Magenta

I am teaching a class for my local card club, the Paper Dolls. One of my favorite techniques is faux batik using Adirondack reinkers from Ranger. Basically, you stamp an image using Versamark or other clear embossing ink, emboss with clear powder and heat. Then begin painting over that image using a drop of the reinker colors and your waterbrush. No need to be detailed in the painting, the best results come from random application of color. Once dry, take the piece to your ironing board (only time MY iron ever gets used - HA!). With the stamped image face up, cover with a sheet of copier paper or blank newsprint and gently iron on a fairly high setting, being sure not to use the steam feature - must be the dry setting. Move the top sheet to a clean area until the embossing powder is removed. Trim, mat and mount to your card. Stunning results and the Adirondack ink reacts in a very cool way when the heat is applied from your iron. You can also paint with any type of watercolors, Twinkling H2O's or even Lyra watercolor crayons.

Taking The Plunge

I am officially jumping on the blog bandwagon after months and months of being a lurking reader. It's just fascinating how much there is to learn from others and I'd like to add to that base in a very minuscule way by posting my work and ramblings. I also thought this would be a great way for me to keep a virtual scrapbook of my cards since I usually make one or two and give them all away. That's just the way I like to work but this would be such a good way for me to look back over time and see the progress I making in color, design and presentation.

Thanks for reading. See you soon!