Happy Little Stampers December Watercolor Challenge

Hi Everyone

It’s time for another watercolor challenge over at Happy Little Stampers. This month, as usual, anything goes, but there is the optional twist of Xmas! The winner of the challenge will receive a $20 voucher for Happy Little Stampers!  I am also sad to announce that this will be my last month on the Design Team for HLS.  I’ve loved my year on the team so much, but it has become time for me to move off.  I will definitely be playing along when I can though!

So for my card for this month, I went all traditional and went back to my clean and simple roots.   Using some Artistico Fabriano Hot Press Extra White paper and my MISTI, I stamped the Stampers Anonymous Doodle Greetings 2 in Versamark Ink and heat embossed in WOW! Primary Red Apple Superfine embossing powder.  This embosses perfectly and you get such a wonderful, crisp image on such a detailed stamp.

I then taped the paper down to a board with frog tape and created a watercolor wash. I used a wide flat brush and clean clear water to cover the piece.  I then used a half inch flat brush and Daniel Smith Primatek Green Apatite Genuine to create a wash, adding more paint at the top and gradually fading out towards the bottom (adding cleaner water). I love the way this particular paint color has some granulation, which really adds some pretty texture in real life.  Once dry I did another layer in Green Apatite. I then went over the top in Daniel Smith Green Pearl Duochrome. It’s hard to see in the photo but in real life it adds a nice shimmer.

For a last bit of glitz, I flicked on some Heidi Swapp spray in gold with a paintbrush.  When dry, I trimmed down the piece and adhered it to a white Neenah Solar White cardbase (110lb).  I finished the card with some green and red gems from my stash.

And that’s it! My last HLS post 🙁  Please please play along – ’tis the season!