A Tropical Explosion with WPlus9!

Hey there party people! It's MONDAY again already!? Wow! That was a fast weekend. Before I get too far into today's post, I want to say a giant thank you to everyone who left a comment on my last blog post! I loved reading everyone's love stories. It was so fun! Thank you for that - and for saying cheers to love with me! I appreciate all of you so much and your support and kindness. I hope you had a great weekend. It was super strange (in a good way) weather here this weekend. Cool and breezy and beautiful. Saturday we worked in the yard all day and we planted our anniversary tree! It looks so pretty! I can't wait for it to grow in some. Sunday I edited photos most of the day and wrote some invoices. A nice peaceful day in the studio. This coming week has lots of fun things happening and I'm looking forward to it. One of my blogging/crafty friends is coming to visit family and we're meeting up in Napa for lunch and wine tasting! CANNOT wait. Yippeee! 

Today I'm sharing a card that can only be described as a tropical EXPLOSION! I finished this card and I was like "wow, you sure put a lot on that one, girlfriend." But, sometimes more is more I guess. My card features the new release from WPlus9. When I first started seeing the sneak peeks for this release I kinda FA-REAKED out a bit. Everything that I love about Summer. YES. I ordered all of it. LOL. Couldn't wait to ink it up and play. On a side note, I'm super happy to be sharing Summer cards in, well, Summer! Last year at this time I was knee deep in Christmas cards already! I am loving the creative freedom that has come from not being on any design teams right now. I really love to be in the moment with my crafting.... Can anyone else relate? 

Okay, so put on your sunglasses, cuz here it comes....

 

I started with an A2 bright white card base. I didn't decide on the pretty aqua background until the end of the process... This cool stitched rays die is from Reverse Confetti and I think it makes a gorgeous subtle background for all those florals! SO pretty. I stamped all of the flowers and leaves using Versafine Ink and Prima Watercolor Paper (Supplies at the bottom of my post). I usually take a heat tool and set the ink before water coloring since I use a lot of water! I used matching dies to die cut the smaller leaves and florals after coloring. The large main image does not have a matching die, but it was super easy to cut with my detail scissors. 

 

Here is a close up of the water coloring of the different elements. I used my go-to palette of Mijello Mission Gold watercolors. Ever since I bought my set I haven't been wanting to use anything else! I love the colors and how vivid they are. I used tropical shades of green, orange and hot pink. I never met a tropical anything that I didn't like! LOL. 

 

The 'happy' and 'birthday' dies are both part of the same new die set, also from WPlus9. I die cut them both out of black paper to contrast all that color. For the birthday word I die cut it three times and stacked the die cuts so they would pop right off the page. In this photo you can see the stacked die cuts, and also the tiny sequins I used for the accents. 

 

In process and in progress....

 

The larger stamp is so pretty and the smaller stamps coordinate perfectly!! I layered two more hibiscus blooms over the one in the center of the large image. Lots of foam tape! Yeah!

 

 

 

 

Here is a side view so you can see how it was all layered together. There's A LOT going on here! KAPOW! I used foam tape to attach everything to the card. I went back and forth on what color to use as a background... I tried white, lime green, soft yellow... And finally decided to use the aqua. Aqua is definitely my most used crafty color.

 

Doesn't this card scream ALOHA!? Makes me want to get on a plane for the islands right now! Want to come with me? Until then, we will just create tropical cards and crafts.... Sigh...

Thank you for coming along with me today on this tropical getaway! I hope you have a fabulous week! I'll be back soon with another Summer card! XOXO

 

SUPPLIES FOR TODAY!

(Affiliate Links Used) 

Comments

[Sarah Morgan]

I love this card Wanda. I love how you have watercoloured it's fabulous.

[Rosa M. Vasquez]

Very pretty and so cheerful!

[Stacey Kowbel]

I love this card! So bright and cheery!

[Anne Sturgeon]

Wow, I am feeling like I am back in Hawaii again. Hibiscus, so beautiful.... your photos are scrumptious as always my friend. Wplus9 is such a great company. Enjoy your wine tasting, I will be with you in spirit.....

[Teresa Doyle]

A beautiful card Wanda. You did a fabulous job w/c'ing. That is what I am playing around with at the moment. I am trying to master this and Copics and go back and forth as I feel like it. LOL (Not sure that is the best way but I like the freedom, just as you said.) Have a great week Wanda.

[Julie L]

SO pretty! Love the colors! Your enthusiasm is always inspiring too! “Christmas cards” ?? WOW! Impressive!! Looking forward to some Christmas in July from you to get motivated too!

[~amy~]

oh how pretty! Love your pretty watercoloring!