Thursday, May 4, 2017

Watercolor Sympathy Card Set

Not my kitty, but the cherry tree just outside my craft window is in full bloom right now and my sweet little Andromeda does like to climb it.  Never seen her napping in it, though!

Hi, Friends......

Today I am sharing a series of watercolor sympathy cards. I had posted one that was similar on THIS POST, but I had made a bunch of these pretty embossed watercolor backgrounds using leftover Easter egg dye!!

(You know the old crafter's motto: "Waste not, and your craft room will always overflow with unusable items." Hahaha!)
I paired the rest of these backgrounds with a simple scripture from Verve - New Mercies stamp set, stamped with Versafine ink in Smokey Gray. I LOVE how these turned out!!

Other supplies used:

Sizzix Textured Impressions - Roses embossing folder
Distress Inks in Picked Raspberry and Mowed Lawn

#1 - I wasn't sure how sponging DI over the existing color in the background would work.....(I envisioned a disastrous muddy mess...Eek!).....but the layered colors worked great and gave some pretty combined effects as the hues mixed.   I think it helped that they were dry sponged on...and so the lower layers weren't activated very much. 

Here are the others I made:
#2 - I love the "orange peel" effect that I get when I smoosh two pieces of the mixed media paper together and there isn't quite enough watery dye to go around.  The color follows the "channels" between the sheets of textured paper and gives me this lovely dimpled effect.  This probably would look better if the dimpling weren't in the sentiment space, but watercolor backgrounds have minds of their own!


#3 - Lots of watery dye on this background so no "orange peel" look.  I love the dreamy smooth look of this one, too.



#4 - I almost discarded this one because of that streak on the right edge, but I went ahead and used it.  The natural variations are part of the charm. 

CAUTION:  Science Nerdiness dead ahead!!!  You might know that I am a "Mad Chemist" sort of crafter.  That part of me loves the "paper chromatography" effect I get when I make these dye-based backgrounds.  This color separation phenomenon is something I observed way back when I was just a kid.  I was totally fascinated and spent many hours discovering which colors would wick out of all my old classic Flair felt-tip pens...esp the black ones!!  It was extremely exciting to discover in science class that this  phenomenon had a name!  This was long before I was aware of my alchemist alter ego!  (BTW...I think all crafters are alchemists as we love making something fine out of base materials!)


#5 - The streak on the left side is mostly obscured by the embossing and sponging.  The very watery look in the center was perfect for stamping the sentiment. 
Which is your favorite of the cards? Do you like the total watery look or the ones with some of the dimpled look better?

Today is sunny and is supposed to be 80 degrees this afternoon. 
(Eeek!.....Quite a change from the snow we had last week!! lol...) Thank you for stopping by. Your visits and sweet comments are very appreciated!

<3
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering these cards in the following challenges:
1. DL.Art May Linky Challenge - Anything Goes
2. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Hint of Pink
3. Die-Cut Divas May Challenge - Use Flowers
4. MarkerPOP Challenge #119 - Watercolor Florals
5. Creative with Stamps Challenge #14 - Flowers


 












6. Crop Stop April Linky Party - Anything Goes using Product/Brand CS carries (I used Darice embossing folder and Distress Ink)
7. Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Great Outdoors 
8. Cupcake Inspirations #405 - Inspiration Photo/Colors
 

20 comments:

  1. SO many pretty variations on this card! Gorgeous backgrounds! Thank you so much for playing along with us at Cupcake Inspirations!

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  2. such pretty cards! love them :) and the combined layered colors have created such beautiful effects.
    hugs
    preeti

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  3. Quite honestly Janis, I can't pick one as I think they are all beautiful! It sounds odd but my fav. cards to make are sympathy cards, not for the occasion, just because I love making beautiful, meaningful cards. Sadly, today I needed 8 and cleaned out my stash. My husband lost 2 aunts in the past 2 days. Being as we all live in the same community and are rather close we will be giving them all one. Thankfully this is a hobby I am passionate about so I will just make more to replenish.Yours are a great inspiration for me. Thank you for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Teresa....
      Thank you for your kind words. I am so sorry for these losses and that you needed eight of your sympathy cards. My sympathies and prayers for comfort for the entire family!

      <3
      Janis

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  4. Wow Janis, these are so beautiful, and the variations in color are part of the charm. The combination of watercolor (Easter egg dye style), embossing folder, inking to bring out the roses, and lovely sentiment makes these just exquisite! My favorites are the ones with the orange peel effect because I love the textured appearance. The white areas where the ink didn't flow actually reminds me of ice crystals and gives a lacy look to those backgrounds. These are probably some of the most beautiful sympathy cards I've seen EVER!!

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  5. Hi there, darling! These embossed, watercolor cards are LOVELY!!!

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  6. Love your fabulous card! The flowers on the background and the sentiment are fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)

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  7. Beautiful cards. so many interesting results. My fave is #3.

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  8. Gorgeous cards! I think my favorite is the first one, though I do love the addition of white in the later ones. Thanks for linking these up to the Cropstop blog!

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  9. They are all just gorgeous! Can't pick a favourite sorry ;)

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  10. Oh wow! This is gorgeous and a fabulous use of this week's colors! Thanks so much for joining us at Cupcake Inspirations.
    Debbie

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  11. Super cute!!! Thank you for joining us at Cupcake Inspirations, good luck!!! Amy DT

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  12. The cute kitten is so darling sleeping in the cherry tree. Sweet.. Love this card. So pretty and love the colors and so glad you shared over at Creative with Stamps. (we are having a theme pink at Stampavie and More.. if you'd like to join, its a just for fun challenge)

    Billie A
    Creative with Stamps
    Inspiration Destination
    Catch the bug
    Aud Sentiments
    Stampavie and More

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  13. This is beautiful Janis It just melts...............Lis

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  14. They are gorgeous, hard to choose which one I like best!
    Hugs, Sherry x
    Loose Stitches and Unraveled Threads

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  15. I like the embossing effect, sweet cards!!!
    Thanks for joining creativewithstampschallenge

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  16. Wow! Those are so cool! I like them all...they are all so unique!
    Thank you for joining us at Creative With Stamps!
    Lilian
    The Leaf Studio

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  17. Janis, these are all so gorgeous. Love the soft, dreamy effects you achieved. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the sweet email. :)

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  18. hello! so pretty, luv the gorgeous flowers and the design! I am so glad you played along with us at simon says stamp wednesday challenge!

    blog-paperie blooms
    ig-2klines

    sparkle & shine, kindness *~*

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THANK YOU so much for taking the time to leave a comment. Your kind words encourage me so very much!!!

Have a lovely day!
<3
Janis