Sunday, April 8, 2018

April CAS Watercolor & CAS Christmas

Hi there, blog friends! Once again, I'm playing along with Loll &  Bonnie's challenges ~ First up is the CAS Watercolor Challenge and the theme is 'Bird'.


Here is my take on the challenge:


I have several bird dies, but I think this Concord & 9th set works best for watercoloring. I used Peerless watercolors using the same colors, but different 'markings' on each bird. There is a removable border around the branch and birds, which I peeled off to expose the blue watercoloring on the card base. Also, I used gold gems from an old Prima set for the eyes and placed everything onto a white woodgrain panel.

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 Last month, Loll &  Bonnie started a new challenge ~ CAS Christmas and the theme for this month is Ornament!


And, my card...


I had alcohol inks in my stash for years, used them twice and finally gave them away about 3 years ago to a dear friend...then, when I saw all of the gorgeous cards using them in blogland, I bought them again :)
I used 3 shades of blue/teal and once dry, I die cut the ornaments. To create the faux string, I used my Versamark pen to draw a line and embossed them (and the sentiment) with Altenew Rose Gold, which is gorgeous in person! For both cards, I deliberately left off any gems or enamel dots to keep the focus on the birds and ornaments...very clean and very simple!

Stay tuned for the May CAS Christmas Challenge...as the winner of their first challenge, I will be their Guest Designer ~ Woot!!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and especially for your lovely comments...I read every one, and appreciate them very much ~ Have a great week!






Supplies:
Card #1
Stamps: SSS - All My Love (sentiment)
Dies: Concord & 9th - By Your Side; Mama Elephant - XOXO
Ink: Peerless Watercolors
Cardstock: Tim Holtz - Watercolor cardstock; SSS - Woodgrain; MFT - Gold Foil Cardstock
Misc: WOW - Fine Gold E/P; Mama Elephant - Confetti (heart)

Card #2
Stamps: PTI - Think Big Favorites # 9
Dies: Memory Box - Classic Ornament
Inks: Ranger - Alcohol Inks; Versamark
Cardstock: Tim Holtz - Yupo
Misc: Altenew - Rose Gold E/P; MFT - Gold Foil Cardstock

18 comments:

Betty said...

Oh these are both so lovely, Barb - I never gave away my alcohol inks and am glad I didn't as I've been having fun with them since their revival! looking forward to you GD spot for the Christmas challenge.

lostinpaper said...

Those little birds are just so sweet Barb, love the outline of the cardstock underneath!

Trina P. said...

Two beautiful cards, Barb. Love the colours of your AI ornaments. I just invested in some AIs for the first time... and now I I know to hang onto them. 😉 I agree the rose gold ep looks gorgeous... it’s on my wish list. Thank you for joining us at CAS Christmas. xx

Cat Craig said...

Barb, both cards are fabulous. I love the ornaments especially. The AI are simply gorgeous and the embossed rose gold is a wonderful compliment to those wonderful blues. I agree with the embellishments, lately I am liking designs more without the added bits.

Karren said...

Beautiful cards, Barb! The little birds are just so cute and you've showcased them perfectly. And the alcohol ink ornaments are fabulous!

Dawn T said...

two beautiful cards Barb. Really love the colour on the ornament card.

Anita in France said...

Completely CASilicious, Barb ... both of them! Those little birds are so dainty, perfect with the soft watercolouring and delicate markings! Your ornaments are fantastic ... such delicious blended AI colours with a wonderful glow ... eyecatching and lovely! Yay for being the May CASCC GD ... looking forward to seeing what you've created! Hugs, Anita :)

Susan said...

Two absolutely lovely cards! Such sweet little birds in the first one! And gorgeous shades of blue in your ornaments - beautiful layout and embossed sentiment. Thanks so much for joining us at CAS Watercolour and CAS Christmas!

I Card Everyone said...

Very clean, and simply gorgeous, Barb! Your embossing powders melt so well - really gorgeous - they don't need a thing! I am happy that you re-purchased those alcohol inks - a wonderful pearly blue!
I missed seeing your beautiful cards, my friend... off to catch up!
=]

Bonnie said...

I love these sweet birds, Barb! They are beautiful watercolored with their individual markings! These are some of my favorite bird dies! And your ornaments are beautiful! The alcohol ink gives them wonderful shine and variations of color! Thanks so much for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour and CAS Christmas!

Loll said...

Those love birds are adorable, Barb! Love the soft watercolouring and the heat embossed heart and sentiment! And your ornaments are gorgeous. Beautiful combination of colours. Wow! The rose gold embossing powder is beautiful and now I have to go buy some!! :) Thanks for sharing your cards with us at CAS Watercolour and CAS Christmas! xx

Christine Alexander said...

Barb both cards are gorgeous, Great watercolouring with the birds and OMG stunning colours from the AI's with your ornaments. Thanks for joining us at CAS Christmas

Darnell said...

Two really awesome entries for the CAS challenges, Barb! Your love birds are heartbreakingly sweet in their pastel colors! And your sky blue ornaments adorned with platinum are spectacular!! Hugs, Darnell

Nora Noll said...

Both of these cards are STUNNING!! I love the delicate way you painted the birds on the first card. The alcohol ink ornaments are awesome!! GREAT cards.

Bobby said...

Those are sweet little birds, Barb, and those eyes are so realistic, at least on screen. Your ornaments are gorgeous. The colors blended beautifully and the gold embossing is so elegant.

Papercraft Boutique said...

Two gorgeous CAS cards, Barb! I love that you let the blue watercoloring peek from the outlines of the birds and the branch. The blend of the alcohol inks of the baubles is stunning. The Rose Gold embossing powder is so shiny and beautiful. Great choice!
Thank you for sharing with us at CAS Christmas. Hideko xx

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Stunning trio of blue ornaments, Barb! Just love the effects you achieved with the alcohol inks!!

Bobby said...

Thanks for letting me know about my win, Barb, and congratulations to you for having your card chosen as an outstanding design.