Back to Basics!

Better late than never – right? I’ve had such a busy day today, switching bedrooms, new mattresses, tons of laundry (had to wash the new bed linens), etc. My mother came over to help this morning, but by the time she got here, half of the work was already done. Which is a good thing because she didn’t need to hauling and lugging mattresses around. Then my sister and aunt dropped by – just because they were out running. Whew! By the time they all left I was totally exhausted.

I did however, early this morning check in on the Splitcoast Color Challenge with that first cup of coffee. Before the chaos ensued, and while laundry was going, I started working on a card. I’ve been in a fall mood of sorts. We are in drought conditions here, the leaves have been falling for close to a month and it’s definitely not safe to sit outside with acorns dropping all around. Have you ever been hit in the head by an acorn? It really does smart! The colors for the Color Challenge today are Really Rust, Chocolate Chip and Sahara Sand. Definitely fall colors!

I decided to get back to basics today. No designer paper, no sewing, not many embellishments. I’ve had Falling for You from My Favorite Things for some time now, but have yet to finish a card with it. Today was the day. I loosely stamped a small scene, and then water colored with reinkers. I can’t remember the last time I pulled out the watercolor paper and the reinkers – and I have to say I got lost in the creative process. It’s basic water coloring – no stamps for enhancement, only a cup of water and a brush. The entire image was water colored on dry paper, until I came to the pile of leaves. I wanted a more blended look for the leaves. So I painted the pile of leaves with water first, then with my brush dabbed little drops of reinker into the water and let it bleed and run together. To soften the grassy area, I just lightly ran over the areas with a wet brush to make more shadows, etc. Instead of sewing the final layers together, I doodled dashes all around the panel and then made the photo corners. The photo corners and the sentiment are raised on mounting tape. Sometimes it’s inspiring to get back to what you loved so many years ago.

Stamps: Falling for You by My Favorite Things

Paper: Canson Watercolor Paper; SU River Rock, Chocolate Chip, and Really Rust

Ink: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, True Thyme, Old Olive, Really Rust, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Jet Black Stazon

Accessories: Reinkers, Watercolor Brush, Mounting Tape, American Crafts Ribbon. Chocolate Chip Marker