happy watercolor

Although this stamp set (Happy Watercolor...the poppy) was a seasonal set from last year (I can say that now, can't I?! It's 2015 as of today!) I still love it and use it a lot. Both of these cards were made today using just the background card stock (early espresso) and the one I inked and embossed on (very vanilla). I didn't cut anything else out. (What is that technique called again? "Direct to paper"? I think so.)

What I was trying here, was a bit of an experiment to see if I could use Stampin' Blendabilities differently than they are designed for. They come in a package of three different shades of one color per package. And I think they are meant to use like that, as sets. Well, to me that's a little stifling and claustrophobic so I tried both ways and found I loved the second much MUCH better than the first. I used only calypso coral on the top card, while the bottom one I used the medium shade of cherry cobbler and the lightest of calypso coral. And THEN, I lightened both of them up with the color lifter. Then I embossed those gorgeous poppies twice with clear embossing powder.

The only thing left was a little masking and shading (and background stamping on the last card) and they were mostly finished.

If I were to vote, I'd say the second one turned out much better than the first. And, when you decide to order those markers from Stampin' Up, please order that color lifter as well. It MAKES the card, don't you think?!