Greens n' Blues

Wotcha!

We've just returned from a weeks holiday in Looe, Cornwall where the sea was the most beautiful shades of greens and blues. I'm now taking this week off to catch up on family life, enjoy some crafting time and to potter in our own garden.

Today I've used a stamp set called 'Doodle Buds' from WPlus9.

 I've embossed in WOW Pearl Gold Sparkle which leaves a fabulous glittery outline. 

I embossed as I wanted to watercolour with my Zig brush markers and, as I'm using water, the embossing holds the colour within the image rather than bleeding across over the lines.

I used 4 colours, Light Blue, Cobalt Blue, Turqouise Green and Persian Green and let the water dropped from my tiny paintbrush move & blend the colours.

Have a great week everyone x

Girlie Magnolias

After blinding you with zingy 'Zig-a-zig-ahhh' Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers in my last post here, I thought I'd calm it down today with some soft, girlie pink.

This is Altenew's stamp set 'Magnolias For Her' again. Last time here, I coloured in using lemony Zig Clean Color markers. 

On this card I've used my Faber Castell Albrecht Durer watercolour pencils.

As before, I've embossed on watercolour card with clear embossing powder.

Instead of colouring the image and then adding water, this time I wet the pencil nib to grab colour, created puddles of colour on my craft sheet, then applied to my stamped images and added just clean water to fade out the colour.

I found using a teeny paint brush easier than a water-pen brush. I think I tend to squeeeeeeeze too much water out.

I then got all arty-farty and flicked some of the pink across my card blank, fussy cut the coloured images and added to my card.

 A few randomly scattered pink pearl gems, this is the hardest part...lol... et voila!

Rainbow Elements

Today was a rainy ol' day here in Blighty so I thought I'd make a card of rainbow flowers.
I've used Altenew's 'Hennah Elements' stamp set and coloured with Zig Brush Markers, using them simply as markers rather than as watercolours. If you're a lover of bright, zingy colours then you'll love these pens/brushes/markers (whatever you want to call them).
I simply embossed the images on watercolor card, coloured and fussy cut them before adding them to my card base. I also added some coordinating mini pearls.
I have more rainbow ideas floating about in my head...trust me, there's enough space for a LOT of floating...lol.

A Tinkle of Twinkle

 

Greetings all, I hope you’ve had a good week.
Today I have a couple of cards I made a few weeks ago using Brushos, Liquitex Super Heavy Gel & a stencil from Crafters Workshop called Mini Daisy Cluster.

I love this Liquitex stuff and the Brusho powders create such a lovely effect on top.

I added gem stones to the flower centres on this one….

….and a tinkle of twinkle before the gel dried.

Have a great weekend!

Zig-A-Zig-Ah

Here's my first card using my new Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens.

I've used an Altenew stamp set 'Magnolias For Her'. A neighbour of one my gardening clients has the most beautiful yellow magnolia tree in their front garden. We've got 2 different pink magnolias in our garden, but the yellow varieties are a tad special.

Anyway, I digress.... having embossed the images on watercolour card, I used the yellow & lemon yellow 'Zigs' to colour the flowers and....

.... blue, pale green & light green for the leaves.

A spot of fussy cutting...

... some definition using a Faber Castell Albrecht Durer pencil, shimmery Perfect Pearl highlights...

.... a few wee pearls...

...et voila!

Prepare to be bored senseless with more 'Zig-A-Zig-Ahring'.

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens Review

Ok, so it seems the latest 'must have' item in the crazy world of crafting are the Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens. Now if you want my honest opinion then it would be to stop reading this drivel and GO BUY SOME NOW!!!!!

Then, and only then, come back & read my review.

There are loads of reviews about, lots of colour chart samples and more 'ravings' than you can shake a stick at.

I've spent countless evenings reading everything there is to know about these bad boys and sat in a dribbling mess as I've drooled watching demonstration videos.

So, first up, as I live in Blighty, I got my wee collection (ahem) from Cult Pens. Please note I am in no way in cahoots with this company or Kuretake for that matter, but if you've got something great to shout about then why not give 'em a plug.

I decided to choose my own individual pens rather than go for the pre-made sets as there were quite a few colours in each collection that I thought I'd never use....plus....it didn't really work out any more expensive choosing colors that I like.

The expense really comes when you need to buy a whole new set of nails or a posh manicure when you've FINALLY got the flamin' wrappers off each individually wrapped pen.

So here are the colours that I bought. Each pen is actually a fine brush and I reckon these will last years (providing offspring don't get their grubby mitts on them or leave the lids off!!) as you only need a tiny amount if you're using them with a paint brush.

Here's a link to Jennifer Mcguire, who is a sickeningly talented and inspirational crafter, with more details on how to use these babies. I've already sent her a request to adopt me so join the queue!! ☺ 

I've literally brushed about 1/2 inch of each colour onto watercolour paper and then swiped a wet paintbrush through so that you can see the true & watercoloured colour (Hope that makes sense?!)

I haven't enhanced the lighting or edited the colours either, so what you see is what you'll get.

The colours are vibrant, beautifully fresh and dead, dead, dead easy to use. You get MANY shades of colour from just one pen, they can be used as a marker as well as for watercolouring and you DO NEED THEM....honest Guv'.

What's that 'sniffing', 'sobbing' sound?

That'll be my Promarkers heading off on their LONG vacation....Bon Voyage fellas.

So....to summarize.

YOU NEED ZIG CLEAN COLOR REAL BRUSH PENS!!!

Happy High

Thank you to all those who, after my last post, offered to adopt me.
I was spoilt for choice…. a home in New Zealand, Georgia USA (just round the corner from The Walking Dead set!!) or living with a pal who fosters cats n’ kittens. I may do 4 months per year with each….lol.

My card today features flowery stamps from Altenew’s ‘Doodle Flowers’ set & a sentiment from Winnie & Walter’s ‘The Big, The Bold & Party’ set.

Don’t ask me why I reached for my Sharpie pens to colour in the image (random choice)….I must have been high on their fumes. Anyway, just before I floated off on some toxic trip I managed to colour & fussy cut the flowers & stuck them on with foam pads for a bit of dimension. I also added a white card candi to the centres.

Job done!