Hey friends! Checking in to say howdy and get caught up. How are you? How was your week? My week was very low key and quiet. Got some things done around the house and got some rest. It is warm here already - Summer is coming for sure. I've kind of been in a bit of a funk - just quiet and thoughtful...nothing wrong or anything. I feel like I have finally adjusted to my new life as a work at home person, but sometimes I get lonely and I miss having crazy co-workers and chit chat in my day! It is hard to find a routine, isn't it? For my entire life I was up and out the door in a flash every morning! I sure like having my coffee with Buddy each day. Sorry to ramble on! Hope everything is good with you!!
Well, something happened the other afternoon.... I stamped just for the heck of it! I didn't have any current commitments or assignments for anyone and Lord knows I have loads of uninked stamps laying about! So I put on some tunes in the studio and made this card to share today. Have you noticed that succulent stamps are H-O-T right now? All the big companies have super cool and fun succulents for us to stamp and make cards with! Who knew this would be a thing? I am liking it though! For this card today, I used two of the Succulent Stamps from Hero Arts and a sentiment stamp from Savvy Stamps (links at the bottom). I had a lot of fun water-coloring with my Distress Inks too!
Here's the finished card! I used a kraft card base (you know that's one of my fav things to do) and then layered watercolor paper with some pretty teal cardstock.
I started by stamping the two succulent stamps in Rusty Hinge Distress Ink onto a watercolor panel. Then I took a water brush and went around the images to soften the edges. Next I splattered some Crushed Olive Distress Ink onto the panel. Then I used a sponge dauber and Antique Linen Distress ink to gently ink the edges all the way around. I set that part aside to dry.
I stamped my two main images in Archival Black ink onto watercolor paper. I used my Mini Distress Inks and a water brush to color the pots and the plants. Turns out that Rusty Hinge ink and Walnut ink make the perfect terra cotta pot! I added some touches of Evergreen Bough Distress Ink for some blue tones. I cut the images out by hand since I do not have the matching dies. I adhered them to the main panel using foam squares.
The sentiment was stamped in Walnut Stain Distress Ink and then softened again with my water brush. Here's a close up!
Some pretty natural cord and a few enamel dots finished off the whole card!
SUPPLIES FOR TODAY!
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Succulents are so hard to grow! I either kill them with kindness (too much water) or they get all wonky/stringy. I think I could handle stamped succulents those! They are fabulous! Love the colors.
Posted by: Princess Judy | 05/23/2016 at 12:54 PM
So many things about this card just make me happy! I love the succulent stamps you used and how you used them to create the background and the fabulous focal point. Your watercolor techniques are so beautifully done. The pops of blue around the outer edge and in the center of your twine bow are perfect touches. I admire your great style and your amazing artistic talent!
Posted by: LC | 05/22/2016 at 11:13 AM
I love succulent stamps. Mark bought me the SSS set with matching dies, and they are so fun to stamp and color.
As for quitting the rat race, as you know it's the best decision I ever made. I'm so glad you've made a new beginning and have shared your talents with all of us.
Posted by: Julie | 05/21/2016 at 06:00 PM
Hope you find more days to just stamp for the heck of it! Beautiful card. Love that you made your own BG with the same stamp as your focal.
Posted by: Becca Yahrling | 05/21/2016 at 10:29 AM
LOVE! LOVE! Love the color combo. Teal and kraft. Who would have thought they look so good together? I have these very stamps and will get inky today to CASE your card. Thanks, Wanda❤️
Posted by: Veronica Fairbrother | 05/21/2016 at 08:54 AM
Love this awesome card Wanda! And how fun that you got to stamp just for the heck of it!
Posted by: Celeste Goff | 05/21/2016 at 07:30 AM
I found you via Pinterest while searching for cards using the Reverse Confetti cake stamp (love!). I was so enchanted with your card design using that stamp set that I pinned it and then had to peruse your blog. You are very talented and I like your card style. So naturally I had to become a follower on Instagram! (And so the social media network circle is intact! LOL.) I look forward to getting inspired by your crafting and artistic abilities. And to comment on the stay at home gig...I have often dreamed of quitting my 9-5 job and being a stay at home creative. The people interaction would be missed but then I could find ways to connect with people outside of home who like similar things. (Like you are doing with your workshops). God bless you and have a fabulous day. -Annie (annievee1977 on Instagram)
Posted by: Annie | 05/21/2016 at 07:20 AM
Very nice Wanda. The pots do look like terra cotta pots. It really is lovely.
Posted by: Teresa Doyle | 05/21/2016 at 04:58 AM
When you announced your new "work from home" life, Wanda, I admit I was wishing it were me. But after working most of my life (almost 40 years now!), it would be quite the adjustment. After the initial "loving it" phase, I think I, too, would miss a lot about the routine of a day job/co-workers, etc. I'm sure your new "routines" will become as comfy as a worn pair of slippers soon ...
In the meantime, we get to enjoy all your lovely card - and photography - posts, like this one! :-) I admit succulents are my favourite house plants (because they need so little care!!). Love how you used the images to produce the BG, and your lovely colouring of the focus plants.
Posted by: Susi | 05/21/2016 at 04:55 AM
Good to hear you are settling down in your routine of working at home...you always have your sweet pal Buddy around you..
You must her me talk to my hen and rabbits..sure would make you laugh...
Love your card..I don't have any stamps from this trend.....I think I am also a more flower stamp girl...I like these stamps saw other great ones from other companies too...and was tempted....but didn't buy them....
Have a great weekend!
Hugs Holly.
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 05/21/2016 at 02:01 AM