Itty Bitty Surprises... "Peared" with Watercolor Tutorial (9)

ETA: I'm bumping this message to the top so that you all will remember to enter your comments before midnight on April 12th to enter in our "Friday the 13th is Your Lucky Day!" drawing. Please be certain to leave your comment on this thread! Good luck to EVERYONE!

"Never miss a chance to celebrate!" Life brings all kinds of things and when the opportunity to celebrate presents itself we should truly take advantage of those occasions and have a wonderful time! SO with that the countdown continues! Be certain to read to the very end of this post to find out why Friday the 13th might just be YOUR LUCKY DAY!!!

I would like to start this post off with a huge THANK YOU to those who support my little business. You have no idea how much your support means to me and my family. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Many of you have requested information as to how it is that I do my thank you notes that are included in with the orders you receive. I started by hand coloring each note with color pencils, but then realized I needed to step-it-up a notch when it comes to speed. So following are my little secrets :D I guess they won't be secrets much longer - LOL!

Products used: Palette Noir Ink (sometimes I use Burnt Umber - depending on whether or not I think that brown would be better then black), Stamp, Adirondack Reinkers, Lyra or Stampin' Up! Watercolor Crayon, Stardust Glitter Pen, Arturo Note Card (Buttercream shown), Watercolor Brush with fine tip, tray. (items noted in blue are in stock, but not yet added to my webstore - sorry - I wish I had more time in the day and night :D. If perchance you do not want to wait any longer for these items just pop me an email when you place an order and I will add them in to your current order).

For this project I decided to use a colored Arturo note card so that you could see what it looks like to lay color on top of an already colored card. As you will see - it can create an AWESOME look!

Begin by dropping one little drop of each color in to your palette. I kid you not when I tell you that one drop can last for between 50-100 thank you notes! Depending on area colored in and intensity of color. I do not clean this palette between sittings. You can easily rehydrate the color with a droplet of water from your waterbrush if it happens to dissipate on you.

Lay down a wash of the color Carmel to all of your pears - it will appear uniform as shown in the pear on the left. Make certain that the depth of the color on your waterbrush is not too intense. This is the reason for all the little scribbles all over my scrap paper - LOL. I typically will "test" the brush before placing it on my image to see what the intensity of the color is. If the color is too intense I will add a droplet of water to the little "bowl" to lighten the color. I work quickly, so that when I lay down the second layer of color the first is still quite wet. This allows the more intense color to bleed into the first layer. You will see a little more pooling in these pictures then is typical just because I was snapping pictures and therefore not working quite as quickly. So if you like this look just allow your image to dry slightly. I also added a tiny hint of watered down Red Pepper to this image.

Next I colored the bowl celery, and added a hint of celery to the right side of a few pears. As you can see from this picture I usually have my dark side on the left (and no I'm not referring to my Star Wars dark side - ha, ha). It is just easier for me to color my "dark side" on the left at all times. With the bowl you will see the color darken some on the right as well, just to try and create a somewhat rounded shape to the bowl. I have no technical watercolor training, in fact a lot of what I do is by the seat of my pants - LOL! I keep falling back on to my interior design training and thinking in terms of overall balance, focal point, interest, etc. You will see a watercolor crayon now laying in the picture. I take the tip of my watercolor brush and just touch it to the crayon to add highlights to my green. Being that I typically only use three reinker colors I sometimes add in watercolor crayons for that little added umph.

Last but by no means least I use the glitter pen to add little hints of color to the image - just to make it shimmer. I use a VERY light hand to add this detail so that I don't end up with a streak down my work. It is odd how when I captured these pictures my lighting and the camera lens REALLY picked it up. It is not nearly as noticeable IRL - go figure.

SO - if you read all the way here to the bottom I'd like to share how you can participate in the little celebration that I will be holding on Friday, April 13th. There will be a drawing for a pair of pears, and a few other fun items that I carry in my store. I'll tell you a little more about this itty bitty surprise tomorrow. Many of you are so observant that I think you will spot one of the little surprises that will be unveiled over the next few days, but I guess we'll see now won't we? I know I'm such a tease - just ask my kids - LOL!

To participate in this fun little drawing all you have to do is leave me a message in this post telling me:

• what state or province you are from (and if you are some place else in the world you are welcome to leave me a message as well),
• how much time you spend stamping each week (or month, or year for those of you who spend too much time reading blogs and not enough time stamping - LOL!)
• and if you usually stamp with a group or by yourself.

That's it - do it all before midnight on April 12th and on April 13th a random number will be drawn and the announcement made. So start your engines ladies and post away. I hope to share more goodies and snippets in each of the upcoming days, so stop in whenever you get a minute.

Comments

[Sheila A]

I am from Southern California and as my stamping friends and I claim we have SSD (Severe Stamping Disorder)lol!!! We have a group of 12 that meets once a month and I spend about 5-10 hours a week on my own depending on how much homework or commimtents my 8 year old daughter has. She has taken a liking to stamping and creates cards with me as well.

[Laura]

I am from Southern California and spend about 15 hours a week stamping. I spend about half my time with two different groups, one of which I run, and then do some at home also. My 14 yr. old daughter has learned the joys of stamping so it is a great thing for us to do together.

[Elaine Case]

Good Morning! I am from beautiful Northeastern Oregon! I stamp at least 1 hour a day, sometimes 2. I have a card making class on Monday evenings that I teach, card swap group that meets once a month and a stamping club once a month. I might have to say that I stamp more with others than by myself just because of the different groups I have going. Thank you and do have a wonderful day.

[Tinla]

Hi Ellen;
I'm in Ontario, Canada. I spend about 1 -10 hours stamping a week...depends on the schedule and how my little girls are doing...lol!! I usually stamp alone, after the girls have gone to bed. Always enjoy your blog!
Thanks;
Tinla

[Carol Ries]

Hi Ellen,I was luck enough to "find" you through Debbie Olson... Yup I'm from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan too! I enjoy all the new ideas and the terrific products. I stamp whenever I can; according to me that's not nearly often enough and according to my family it might be too much.

[Daun Talbott]

I live in Verona Wisconsin, just outside of Madison. I go in streaks with stamping. I try to stamp at least one day a week. I get together with friends once a month to stamp. I love reading blogs and making copies of the great cards you and many other talented ladies make and then telling myself I'm going to stamp them "tomorrow". You know about "tomorrow" though, it never comes!!!!

[mcbetty]

in Tennessee - in the foothills of the Smokies,
just before midnight Eastern time --- my first time to this blog, couldn't get through earlier.
I stamp aboutt 5 hours a week, this week more because we're on Spring Break.
Prefer stamping with friends, but work on swap projects alone.

[Nancy Wallin]

I live in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. I spend way too much time on SCS and reading blogs but try to either stamp or scrapbook at least 4-6 hours per week. I often stamp with friends, but do like to spend time in my own little space by myself as well.

Thanks for all that you do!

Nancy

[Lila]

Ellen, I just love your blog and visit it almost daily. I appreciate all your insight to rubber stamping. I live in Idaho, stamp daily usually at least a couple hours a day. I find the most creative time of day is morning - early! I think it really sets the mood for my day. I usually stamp alone. Every once in a while I get to stamp with my best stamp buddy, Kim. We play really well together and help each other with our "game" - can provide inspiration, criticism, and accolades for each other.

Again, thanks for all the inspiration you provide. Lila

[hb]

Hi Ellen!
I live in central Minnesota, usually stamp my Saturday's away (dang work gets in the way during the week) and although I LOVE stamping with my friends, I tend to get more done when I stamp alone. LOL
Hugs to you darlin!
Carol

[Elena Lin]

Hi Ellen, I live in Freehold, New Jersey. I try to get in 1-2 hours at night after the kiddies go to bed I think I end up browsing through blogs and SCS for ideas and inspiration! I usually stamp alone but occasionally I'll stamp with my friend/upline and my kids. My kids (5 & 6yo) enjoy it very much, too!
Elena Lin

[Linda Webb]

I live in North Eastern Maryland, I wish I could stamp more than I do, about 4 hours a week. Love going to stamp camps and stamping with friends. I have about 8 girls were I work who also stamp, we try to get together once a week and make something.

[Heather Stevens]

I live in Utah, I only get to stamp about once or twice a month for a few hours, and I stamp alone. It's a great way to stamp out frustrations.

Heather S.

[Lynne Hurlburt]

Hi Ellen: Just found your blog today and can't wait to read your archives. I live in Ontario, Canada, quite close to Niagara Falls. I spend way too much time on Splitcoast and on blogs but love reading them I get so many great ideas. A group of us get together every other week for workshops. Try to get one day a week for a get together with one of two girls. Also go to every new class I can take. Oh, lets not forget the shopping trips. Doesn't leave much time for anything else. Could this be beginners luck, as I am a newbie to these blog candies. Hugs n' Stuff, Lynne

[Sarah Williams]

I live in Geneva, Florida, a small town northeast of Orlando. I don't stamp as much as I would like but love to look at other peoples cards. Usually about an hour a week and I stamp alone unless my sisters come into town.

[Yvonne]

I live in Marquette, Michigan. I don't stamp nearly as much as I'd like to...maybe an hour a week (gasp). If I am lucky enough to set aside time to stamp it is usually away from my home with 4-8 of my friends. It is about the only time I can get anything accomplished. Unless there is a "reason" such a birthday or anniversary, I don't stamp at home because I'll be interrupted too often.

[Teri Flach]

Hi Ellen...I am from Marin County in beautiful northern California. I stamp at least 10 hours a week and much of the time I am alone. However, I have a wonderful sister-in-law who shares my passion and I know that we are closer than ever because of it! We are about 1 hour apart but that doesn't stop us. I am very busy and don't have much time to spend on the internet, but, I wouldn't miss your website and view it daily. I love Lockhart's artistic stamps and I think what you do with them is simply fabulous! Thanks for all the joy and creativity you have sent my way!

[Cheryl Hirzel]

Hi Ellen,
I live in Michigan's beautiful snow-covered Upper Peninsula. I spend alot of time in my stamping studio.
Not counting the class time where I am prepping and teaching more than stamping, I am lucky to spend a about 4-6 hours a week on cards & projects and once in a while scrapping, mostly alone, but I do meet with friends now and then too.

Loved your watercoloring tutorial - haven't tried using the re-inkers yet, but they'll be my next attempted technique.

Cheryl

[kathynruss]

I'm an AF brat, but called Spokane my home for 20 years. It'll be home until we find another one. Florida ain't it.

I don't get enough time to stamp, but I enjoy a few hours once in a while. Read too many blogs!

I stamp alone, mostly, but enjoy stamping with a friend when we can and with my stamp club once a month.

[Carolyn Sue Groves]

Howdy from Huffman,Texas, just outside Houston. I look at stamping far more that I stamp. I stamp alone some of the time and in a group some of the time. Just as Amy said, I'm much more productive when I stamp alone. I'm too much of a busybody when we stamp in a group. :0)

[salla wagner]

hi ellen,
i am from the east coast and now live in WA, but as long as i can be near the ocean i will be okay. i love stamping with other people, but most of my stamping is done by my lonesome... which is nice as well!

[Amy K.]

Hello!
I live in Nebraska, and spend 2-3 hours a week stamping. I have 2 young kids so it's a challenge sometimes, but a great sanity saver. :) I typically stamp alone, because if I am with others I am not near as productive...too many distractions.

[Tina]

Hello. I'm from Kentucky. Don't get to spend as much time as I would like stamping. I probably only get to spend about and hour a week.

Tina

[Cheryl]

Hi Ellen,
I am from Springfield, VA, but we are now stationed in Ontario, Canada. I spend at least an hour every day stamping, and for the most part, I stamp alone.
Thanks, Cheryl

[Sarah T.]

Missouri girl here. I spend approx 5-6 hrs/week. I'm actually working right now but would love to be stamping. I work full time and stamp in the evenings with my 3 year old girl Alexis who has to do everything mommy does. Thanks for everything you do to help us part-time stampers who love stamping.