Let's Get Hopping - Favorite Technique

You have just hopped over from the sweet and talented Nina McMillan. I always love her projects!!

In case you're starting here, the theme for this month's hop is My Favorite Technique. I have to say... my favorite technique has always been - and will always be heat embossing - it's the reason I fell in love with cardmaking. But... it's hard to show just how amazing it is to have a raised image on a piece of paper when looking at a picture on a computer (or phone), so I decided to go with my second favorite: watercoloring. Why is watercoloring my favorite? Because it is SO relaxing! You know me... I love quick and easy cards, but when I actually have time to sit down and do something "not so quick," I turn to watercoloring. In fact, I decided to take the time to make two cards using two different watercoloring techniques - just watercoloring and (new-to-me) no-line watercoloring.

What's the difference? Just look!

The above card is watercolored. I stamped the outline with Soft Suede and used ink and an aqua painter on shimmery white cardstock - which is nice and heavy and can withstand water saturation. The Designer Series Paper is from Garden Impressions. I think it adds such a nice touch behind the watercolored truck. Who knew such a beautiful paper could be used on a handsome card? (wink)

This card uses the same tools, colors, and technique... except you may notice the colors look a bit more muddled or muted. This is because the line disappears when it's watercolored - hence the name no-line watercoloring. To achieve this effect, just stamp off your outline image twice before stamping on your shimmery white cardstock.

Pretty cool, right? I love that they are SO different! And of course, I had to change each slightly and chose different ribbons for each card. I also decided to not have a greeting... it's not often I design a masculine card, so I wanted to be able to add a sentiment for a specific occasion - when it happens.

Which version do you like best? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Thanks for stopping by! Now hop on over to my creative friend Tracy Bish and see what she's created with her favorite technique.

Country Livin' Clear-Mount Stamp Set [141925] $15.00	Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119684] $8.50	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686] $8.50	Garden Impressions 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146289] $11.00	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00
Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [147115] $7.50	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [147085] $7.50	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad [147111] $7.50	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105] $7.50	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [147087] $7.50
Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad [147118] $7.50	Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad [149165] $7.50	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [147116] $7.50	Copper Metallic Thread [141696] $3.50	1/4" Copper Trim [144179] $6.00
Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332] $7.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00

The Three Cs of Swapping

There's a group of sweet gals in Colorado and Canada who swap with me here in California (hence, the three Cs)... well, I'm in California... they don't come to California (but that would be super fun!). Some of us, however, will meet up in Salt Lake City next month for Stampin' Up!'s OnStage (convention) and I'm sure we'll swap in person there. Until then, since we are all in different areas of North America, we swap by mail. It's such fun to see how different our styles are, but that each of us creates such beautiful cards.

If you don't know me personally, then you may not know about my love for the beach. It takes me back to my childhood, when I grew up not far from the Pacific Ocean. When I saw Beachy Little Christmas in Stampin' Up!'s holiday catalog, I knew I HAD to have it and HAD to use it for my swap! But creating something for a swap was a bit of a challenge. Luckily, there are only eight of us, so putting more into the card was easy - especially for this group.

Yes, I fussy-cut the palm tree and beach hut... and yes, I had to add Wink of Stella to add a bit of sparkle to the water and the hut. If I close my eyes, I can almost feel the warmth of the sun and the spray of the ocean. Almost.

Be prepared for me to CASE (Copy And Share Everything) the others' cards and post them here over the coming weeks. I may even use their designs in my classes! I tell you... they are some awesome cards! I can't wait to show you.

Beachy Little Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set [144857] $20.00	Soft Suede 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115318] $8.00	Marina Mist 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119682] $8.00	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101910] $8.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00
Seaside Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [141481] $8.50	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [126975] $6.50	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [126978] $6.50	Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad [126962] $6.50	Dapper Denim Classic Stampin' Pad [141394] $6.50
Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [126982] $6.50	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [126973] $6.50	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad [126983] $6.50	Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad [131180] $6.50	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00
Brights Stampin' Write Markers [131259] $29.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00	Fast Fuse Adhesive [129026] $10.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00
Glue Dots [103683] $5.25