Hi everyone! Happy Monday! (At least it's a holiday!) How was your weekend? We spent most (all) of the weekend at home. I was working on some cool photography assignments and my husband was studying and preparing for some re-certification classes for his job. We watched a lot of Olympics too! It was a mellow weekend and that's fine with me. We are having really nice weather during the day and we got some of our Spring yard work started. Pruning things and fertilizing things... And I did some crafting!
We had a wonderful Valentine's Day at the beach last week and I edited some photos to share with you - later in my post. It was a glorious day! Much better than a fancy and crowded dinner out. We both love the ocean and it's just so close, so off we went. Nothing makes me happier than fresh clean ocean air. It's like I come back to life or something. I've always been like that. I was born by the ocean and most of my happy memories involving my family were by the ocean... I've been so sad since Buddy passed away that I really needed a change of scenery and to spend time alone with my husband doing something positive and happy. What makes you happy like that? The Ocean? The Lake? The Mountains? If I win lotto, you can bet the first thing we're doing is moving to the sea! Anyhooo.... I digressed here!
I am SOOOOOO excited to share this card today! Remember when I told you about all my favorite things from Creativation? Well, the products I used today were at the TOP of that list! I ordered right on release day so I had them ASAP! I literally couldn't wait to stamp with the adorable Avery Elle Splash stamps and dies. YAY! And, now I can share with you! I also used the new Avery Elle Liquid Watercolors on this card today... And my MIjello watercolors too. I had ALLLL my supplies out! I guess liquid watercolors are a thing now! I like them very much...both the Hero Arts ones I used last week and these new Avery Elle ones today. They are so easy to use - they flow so nicely. Wait until you see the colors for today! YUM.
Can you even stand it??? OMG those cuties are so fabulous in their pool floaties! Everything is soooo FUN. Kind of a modern retro cool vibe to these stamps. I love them so much. I saw this set at Creativation and was hooked. The matching dies include the big swimming pool, diving board and ladder! EEEK. So much fun to mix and match and color. I used the Avery Elle water colors for the green grass background and the pool, and most of the images. I used my new (AND AWESOME) Mijello water colors for the grey, brown and yellows since the liquids didn't come in those colors. I used watercolor paper for all the pieces and the background. My card base is white A2 cardstock.
Here's a close up of the colors and the images! Everything was attached to the card with foam tape for more dimension. I also added some Diamond Stickles and some clear droplets at the end to add shimmer and to look like water. The flamingo was colored with the Cherry Liquid watercolor.... OH MY.
The new Avery Elle watercolors come in 10 colors. Here is a swatch sheet with all the colors! SO PRETTTTYYYY.
To make the green grass background I used only the Lemon Grass water color. I got my paper wet first with clear water. Then I used a flat brush and swept back and forth over the wet paper and let the watercolor soak in. When it was about half way dry, I sprinkled some more green flecks and splatters with the undiluted paint. I love how it came out. Such a gorgeous color.
To make the swimming pool, I used the Mint To Be and the Aquamarine liquid water colors. I also got the paper wet first. Then I layered the two colors to make an ombre effect for the pool. These two colors together are perfection! I think it really looks like a pool!!!
Awesome sentiment! Good reminder....
Here are the ocean and beach photos. We were in Pacifica, which is just south of San Francisco. I used to live just down the highway (in Half Moon Bay) when I first graduated from college. So this is a place that feels comfortable and familiar to me. It was a beautiful day, not too cold, with just the right amount of clouds... And we had the entire beach to ourselves practically!
Okay, that's it for me today! (That was a lot)! Hope you have a wonderful week. I have a busy week ahead with a good mix of work and fun. I will be back here on Thursday with some cards for a super awesome blog hop with one of my favorite companies - and their new release! Hope to see you soon. Be well and take care. XOXO
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Cute card and wonderful beach shots! Love the one with a bunch of birds and the crashing wave.
Posted by: Karen L K | 03/01/2018 at 08:32 PM
What a fun card, Wanda, and beautifully done! You are so on trend with all those new Creativation products. Love, love, love your photographs from your day at the ocean! There is nothing more peaceful than the movement of water in my opinion.
Posted by: Kathy Mc | 02/20/2018 at 07:17 PM
Fun card, but your photos knocked me out! I'm not an ocean person, but these make me want to walk on the shore. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Rosa M. Vasquez | 02/19/2018 at 03:55 PM
Beautiful pics—I need Vit Sea!
Posted by: Julie | 02/19/2018 at 12:14 PM
Great card and pictures- Your photos are always just perfect!!
Posted by: Nancy | 02/19/2018 at 07:44 AM
Love the card--it actually reminds me of our pool right now, wish it was warm enough to use at the moment! The beach pictures make me happy, I do miss the ocean now that I am in the desert... But, if I won the lottery (ha), I would live on a lake. Growing up, Lake Nacimiento was my happy place (near Paso Robles, CA). Haven't been there in far too long. Thanks again for sharing your talent.
Vicki
Posted by: Vicki M. | 02/19/2018 at 07:37 AM
What an adorable scene. It reminds me of being on deck of our cruise ship. The pool is so wonderful and that flamingos floatie, omg, so cute. Great endorsement for the Avery Elle watercolors. Of coarse your photos always amaze me. Thanks for sharing and see you Thursday.
Posted by: Anne Sturgeon | 02/19/2018 at 07:32 AM
Wanda, what a precious card! Love the colors! And your photography is absolutely amazing! Gotta a lot of talent there girl! Enjoy your week! Julie L
Posted by: Julie L | 02/19/2018 at 04:09 AM