WWC323 - Cathy's Challenge: All Things Feminine

 I'm really excited about this card!  It "grew like Topsy".  I had a plan which, bit by bit, I discarded as the card evolved and became what it had decided to be.  Does that ever happen to you?

My mail arrived with a new stamp by Ellen Jareckie.  You know how much I absolutely love her House-Mouse images.  Well, this one was just released this year and spoke to the plant-lover in me.  I immediately stamped the image twice, once on Coloured Pencil paper and once on Mixed Media paper.  I wasn't entirely certain which way I would go.  You see, I have a new set of General's Pastel Chalk Pencils and was anxious to try that media for a change.  My "insurance", in case I absolutely hated the look, was the image on the Mixed Media paper, for which I would use my watercolours.

Well, the pastel chalk pencils worked out beautifully and I was all set to use the image for the front of my card.  Somehow, despite my plans, I prepared my Base of Heavy Whisper White for a gatefold.  Fine, I hadn't made a gatefold in a while and so was willing to see where this would lead.  It led to my using several dies which I hadn't yet used as well as some silver foil paper which I hadn't thought to use for quite a long time.  I also found and used some retired designer paper and used that.

When the gate opens, the grid and leaves come up and reveal the little mouse, happily napping in its scented "bed".  

Opening the other side of the gate reveals the full scene.  Doesn't the colour of the chalk pastel pencils simply "pop"?  I love it and will likely use this medium quite often.

The close up of the inside shows the subtle blending possible with the pencils.  It's a completely different look from the watercolours.  This "something new" is definitely a happy surprise.

Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, September 6th, 2021.

I've also entered my card at the following challenges:

House Mouse & Friends Challenge #347 - Anything Goes or option Water Play

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #153 - Anything Goes

Unicorn Challenge #68 - Anything Goes

WWC322 - Marsha's Challenge: All About Occasions

I love so many of the images brought out by Penny Black, don't you?  I just got this sweet little acrylic stamp set called ...so tweet.  It could be used  for many different occasions, but I decided to use the sweet image for a thank-you card.

I used the Heavy Whisper White for my base and a piece of Mixed Media paper for my stamping.  I kept it simple, stamping the image with Versafine Onyx Black, adding a couple of blooms from an old set, and then stamping my sentiment using the Versafine Onyx Black as well.  For a change I didn't use my watercolour pencils but, instead, used my Daler-Rowney Aquafine watercolour paints.   I love the softer finish this gave to my images, don't you?

Instead of using a matte which was just slightly larger than the  Mixed Media paper, I chose to cut an eight-sided matte which allowed just portions of the colour to peek out.  It was fun and I like it for this particular card.  It's fun to try something new at times, isn't it?

Have fun checking out our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and I hope you'll link your creation before the deadline on Monday, August 23rd, 2021.

I've also entered my card at the following challenges:

Lemon Shortbread Challenge #152 - Anything Goes

Unicorn Challenge #68 - Anything Goes