comfort zone

We all have a comfort zone when it comes to creating. I like a clean and simple look using my copic markers. As I was pulling out various stamp sets for consideration in creating my reminder card for the color challenge at Inky Paws, somehow  "cottage garden" was stuck in the middle of the 3 or 4 Newton sets I had pulled. 

It must have been devine providence. Because looking at the stamp set I immediately decided on the card I was going to make. I stamped the images with a very light gray ink and dusted off my colored pencils for a bit of very easy no line coloring. While it's not perfect I did like the softness of the images. 

The card turned out well enough that I will try this technique again soon. 

Head on over to Inky Paws and join in our super color challenge. We will chose a RANDOM entry to win a $20.00 Newton's Nook store gift certificate. Our favorite entries from each challenge will be highlighted the following Monday, so all entries have a chance to be featured on the blog.

The deadline to enter today's challenge is Friday, February 22, 2019 at MN CST. The winners will be announced on the following Monday at Inky Paws.

Chomp, chomp, chomp

Ahhhhh another day to enjoy before my weekend camping at work. I am always a day behind on the online card classes.  I have watched a number of videos on the no-line stamping but the videos by Kristina Werner were especially good. She said to start out simple and that critters were  a good way to begin. 

I just discovered an AWESOME new company- Reverse Confetti. Hey Jennifer, Kristina.... hey Simon Says Stamp, Ellen Hutson.... come on you guys ya gotta  promote and carry these awesome stamps and dies!!

The set I used my my first real foray into no-line stamping was "later alligator". How fun is this whimsical critter! I used my new Zig Kuretake Gansai watercolors. I got my set from Amazon and with Prime, I received them the day I ordered them!! Talk about instant gratification!!  

I will admit, my shading isn't perfect, but that is the great thing about using critters to start- they are forgiving.

Shopping Our Stash is having a very cute challenge this week- "show us your smile" Oh come on I couldn't not show off my grinning alligator, and well while this stamp set isn't the oldest in my stash, it has been lonely for the last week waiting for me to ink it up!

I am going out on a limb and enter a second card at Inkspirational. They want green and orange cards.

Pleeeeeeeeeease check out Reverse Confetti. You won't be disappointed!

Stretch your stamps 2 homework- 2nd post for the day

I have been watching all the videos at the new online card class Stretch you Stamps 2, but today they had another no-line coloring technique by Melania Deasy that totally intrigued me. There was no video just some quick instructions which I read carefully.

I like how the technique turned out, but can still see some lines. They don't distract from the finished work though. I think the next time I will stamp off first, so the image is lighter.

Being a bit nervous this first time around, I used the copic colors that Melania suggested.

Sooooooo, other then learning a great new technique, I learned I don't always need a video to learn from.

Can't wait to try some of the other techniques offered today. 

If you have never taken any of the online card classes, you should. They offer so many techniques and ideas for a great price point and the classes are always available.