Be Brave

Happy Tuesday!  This week's mantra is be brave!  Be brave in trying new techniques, be brave in trying new products, and be brave is stepping out and doing some things that you may not be all that comfortable doing...like recording weekly videos!  Yup...I've taken the plunge and am going to be doing my best to post weekly videos on the new eclectic Paperie You Tube channel!  Glup!  I'm a bit nervous as I tend to get too tense when I know the camera is rolling and then I'm full of  "ums...." as I try to remember what I wanted to say! LOL!

However, I have two new videos posted...one showing how I used Faber Castell Big Brush Markers to create the shading on today's flowers, and another (which I posted last week) demonstrating a gesso resist technique. 

So...Big Brush Markers...they're a blast!  I've been having so much fun playing with them again...I bought them about two years ago and they've been sitting in my studio ever since, mostly because I didn't know what to do with them!  I'm just learning, hence the simple video, but am hoping that as I learn I'll be able to share my ideas and techniques with you!

 

As for today's card, it was actually created for last week's Mix-ability challenge on Splitcoast.  The challenge was to use pen in some way on your project.  I started by using Dylusions Ink Sprays on a piece of cardstock and then stamping the Poppy Background stamp (a Donna Downey design) onto the sprayed paper.  (Oh, I also used the new Quartrefoil stencil with the White Linen spray on the background, before the stamp!)  Then I got to work with the Big Brush Markers, coloring in those beautiful flowers.  Once my coloring was done, I went back with a fine tip marker and re-sketched the outline of the stamps and added some sketch lines to the insdie of the flowers...to give it that hand drawn look.  I also added some doodles around the edge of the card and traced the sentiment (from teh She Sprouted Wings stamp set) onto a piece of vellum.  I then mounted this big 'ol card (it's almost 7" x 4") onto a piece of white corrugated cardstock (from Fancy Pants) and added some pick buttons to finish everything off!

 

I hope you have a moment to stop by and follow the eP You Tube channel and let me know what you think of the videos.

 

Enjoy!

Be Brave

I think it's time to get back to the real world today...We had a windy, snowy day yesterday and it was a delightful excuse to spend the day in PJs, with a big mug full of coffee and my abundance of Girl Scout cookies!  Whew...talk about laziness!  Honestly, it felt great to really relax for a day, which is perfect for recharging one's batteries.  Welcome to Monday!

 

Today's card is one that I created last week for the new mixed media challenge on Splitcoast.  Love that they've created a mixed media challenge, a great way to get folks interested in this type of creating.  I'm having such a great time exploring all the new techniques and products that come along with this art form.  And journaling...seriously, you need to try your hand at journaling.  It's so much fun!  I'm sharing one of my pages at the eP blog this weekend so be sure to check it out!

 

OK, today's card...The challenge was to use resist embossing on your project.  On the day that the challenge was posted I saw a card where someone embossed with white embossing powder on kraft cardstock and then colored in the image.  I loved the look so I did the same thing on my card! 

 

First, I used the Be Brave stamp from the She Sprouted Wings stamp set to stamp all over a piece of cardstock.  The words were embossing in white embossing powder and then I used Dylusions Ink Sprays (Crushed Grape and Lemon Zest) on cover the piece of cardstock.  (Use paper towels to remove excess ink)  Next, I stamped and embossed the bird cage image, from the same stamp set, and colored in the picture with Distress Markers (Copics would remove the embossed edges).  Then, I assembled!  Embossed the card base with the Elite embossing folder from Spellbinders, die cut the fancy square, layered on my be brave panel, bird house, sentiment, and a few tiny gold pearls.

 

Have you checked out the Mixed Media Challenge on Splitcoast?  If not, why not check it out today...there's a new challenge posted each Friday!

 

Enjoy!