Water Colour Doodle

Hi Everybody,

Once again I have been playing with water colours and this is an idea that I found on YouTube. I have found two artists that I particularly like and I have started to follow them  both.

One is Creations CeeCee and her idea was to do some loose water colouring and then doodle out of it anything that you can see. She also uses a lot of gold if that interests you

The other artist is Emma Jane Lefebvre and she does the most amazing flowers and cuteness. Have a look at both and maybe you will be inspired to have a try just like I was

So this was the first piece that I created and it was very "Loose" to say the least. I used my Arteza Paints and a #8 brush and nothing else

But I went ahead and followed Amber Rain Davis's instructions and took up the black Micron pen.

I started looking for the flowers and they just seemed to show me where they were. Once I had the basic shapes I drew in the finer lined detail 

Having got to this stage there seemed no reason to stop . So I cut out the main group of flowers and flipped it round 

And here is the first card. I added these with foam pads, to the top of an embossed background panel, with a die cut sentiment and then dotted the sequins around.

I started to add some sparkle with a clear glitter pen … but that is also water based and started to lift my water colouring so I gave that up as a bad idea.

The flower that stood outside the group I added to a smaller card and the background is embossed with one of the new Altenew folders.

I put some gold twine behind the flowers and scattered some gold hearts onto the front.

I am very happy with the way these turned out and very grateful to CeeCee for her expert guidance in helping me to achieve these cards.

When I have made a card using ideas from Emma Jane I will be sure to show you those too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Quilted Illusion ....

 Hi Everybody,

This card is created from another of the 3-D embossing folders from Altenew and it is called Ranunculus.

It is so pretty and I have water coloured mine. But I found that as I added the water and coloured the flower  the paper stretched and warped in the centre.

I continued with the job though and once it was dry the problem didn’t resolve.

So I added foam pads under the flowers centre and added it to the base.

The rest of the image stayed flat but the foam pads supported the flower and it looked and felt as if it was quilted.

It was a very pleasing look and the finished card is lovely. So rather than panic or even throw it away I made the best of a bad job and turned it into a good card that would suit many occasions. 

Well done me and a pat on the back !!!

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Water Coloured Cards

Hi Everybody,

I have recently found joy in water colouring again and over the weekend I have created these two cards using my Gansai Tambi paint set.

I used the Spring Summer die and stamp set from Card Making Magic and I embossed the stamped flowers in gold powder, and cut and coloured more than enough for these two cards.

On this top card I used the Trellis A5 embossing folder after sketching a black line around the edges.

I arranged the flowers and leaves with foam pads under some of them and then dotted the card with pale aqua ink and sequins.

The sentiment is from the Sentiments stamp & die set from CMM

For the second card I used the new Whimsical Herringbone stamp from Altenew and stamped it with clear ink and embossed it in gold.

I decided to paint in some of the stamped pattern in the aqua paint and offset it on my card base with foam under it for dimension

The sentiment stamp on this card is from an old set that I have and I used black ink to add it under the panel to follow the shape.

I am more than happy with both cards and I think they have a fresh clean look to them .

I love the new stamp from Altenew and will be using it often.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Arteza 36 Half Pan Set Water Colours

Hi Everybody,

Today I am adding a video to share with you the beautiful water colours from Arteza that I have so been enjoying over the last few days.

This card I have created using the Spring/Summer Stamp & Die Set from

 Card Making Magic

With the card to the right I have created a background that is bright and vibrant and for the other I show you how in the video

I am adding the links at the bottom of the post so that you can see what I have used.

 Arteza are offering you a 10% discount when you add ChristinaGriffiths 1. at the checkout

My collections are available at Craft Stash and they are offering you a 20% discount on your first order with them ... so savings all round.

Both companies are affiliate links which means a small payment for me, at no extra cost to you if you use the links

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sketched Elephants with Arteza

Hi Everybody,

Here is another card coloured with Arteza Water Colours using the Sketched Elephants from Whimsy Stamps

The water colours are so easy to work with. They blend really well and the colours are beautiful.

I used the lid as my palette to mix some of my own shades and I am more than happy with the result.

I fell in love with these really cute little characters the first time I saw them  and they have other images in the set to decorate your card, as well as sentiments too.

I have so many stamps in my personal collection that I sometimes forget what I do have and so it is time to start going through them and putting them to good use again ... especially for children's cards

Don't forget that Arteza are offering you a 10% discount if you add the code Christina Griffiths1. at the checkout  until the 25th September. They are affiliate links which means I get paid a small commission if you buy through the links at no extra cost to you 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Play Day with Arteza

Hi Everybody,

Over the weekend I have had a little bit of time to play with some water colours and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself 

I have used stamp images that I have had for a long time and I thought it would be good to get them out again

I used the new Water Colours paints that have been gifted to me by Arteza and they are lovely to work with

I have added links to the bottom of the page for you to see what I have used and some of them are affiliate links.

This just means that I get a small payment if you buy through the links, at no extra cost to you ...
but means a lot to me.

Arteza are offering you a 10% discount if you add the code
ChristinaGriffiths1.
and it is valid until the 25th September

The water colour pads from Arteza are really large with 60 sheets in each and it is good quality paper with a smooth side and rougher side.

I got all my images and more from one sheet just leave enough space around each image to be able to cut it out with the matching dies

Then all you need to do is have fun and enjoy working with your favourite medium.

More tomorrow ...

 Hugs xx

Arteza Water Colours

Hi Everybody,

A little while ago I was asked if I would like to try some new products from Arteza and of course I readily accepted.

I have heard only good things about the quality of these pencils that made me want to try them for myself.

So as soon as the box arrived I wanted to share it with you and start using them straight away.

The pretty rose card is the one made in the video using the water colour pencils and they are lovely to work with.

I will be using the real Brush Pens in another video coming soon and the links at the bottom of the page will take you to Artezas website 

Happy colouring 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Father Christmas ...

Hello Everybody,

Today I am sharing some Christmas Cards with you that are from  magazine that was on sale on the 15th November. 

I made the cards for the video but sadly I didn't get to film it for you. But here are the cards.

The magazine had a lovely stamp set with it and a luxury set of foiled papers and toppers.

This is the Father Christmas from the set stamped direct to the card and I coloured him with water colours.

I used some of the stickers from the pack also for extra decoration and the foiled sentiment at the top of the card.

For this one I stamped the same image and coloured this one with Copics and again used some of the extras from the paper pack

I like the rich colours of the Copics.

I fussy cut the figure then added it with foam pads underneath to raise it up from the rest of the card.

For this card I used one of the stamps to create my background and heat embossed it in white on Navy Blue card 

I used Zig Real Brush Pens to colour this one.

I did some partial die cutting around the image to leave his hat and the dog outside the circle.

For this one I added some glue and glitter to the hat and jacket.

The dog and the cat on each card is different.

So three cards done with the same stamp set but all looking different with the colouring and additions to them.

I still think the Copics one is my favourite 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Coloured Butterflies

Hi Everybody,

So I thought I would put my new pink handled water colour brushes to good use and this is the little card I came up with.

I used the Layered Butterflies  from my own Christina Collection which is available only from Craft Stash and I coloured them with Gansai Tambi water colours

The brushes are from Rosemary & Co  and of course you can get all different qualities.

Mine are synthetic and some that the stall holder at the craft show recommended

The stamps is one of Sheena Douglass's and is called True Colours. But I have had it a long time and it may no longer be available

The card itself is made with the dies also from my set and I used the card element and the stitched border. There was no need to make a box as this one fits neatly into a standard sized envelope

I added some Gold to the body and wings using the Starry Colours also from Gansai Tambi and  dotted small sequins around the front

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creative Stamping 48 - Christmas Stamps

Hi Everybody,

Everything is gearing up for Christmas now and for card makers there is never a wrong time to start the cards that you may need.

This months Creative Stamping is no exception.

They have an A4 stamp set called Away In A Manger and the featured designer this month is Wild Rose Studios

On the sheet there are lots of other designs and I have used water colours on mine for a soft and gentle look.

The video

Creative Stamping 48 - Away In A Manger  

is using water colours and I have my favourite Gansai Tambi and a number 4 brush.

I like this size brush because it is fine and has a really good point to it which is ideal for getting into small areas on the image.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colour Wednesday - Sun Kissed Fluer

Hi Everybody,

For this A2 sized card I have used the matching die and stamp set from Heartfelt Creations called Sun Kissed Fluer

The stamp set has two different patterns for you to choose from for the flowers

This one is the the plain set and the other gives a stripy appearance to the flowers.

I have used Peerless Water Colours and a #2 round brush to paint these onto water colour card.  I have used the wet in wet technique as this helps my colours to blend.

I cut them out with the die once they are dry and added them to the card with foam pads.

A small pearl has been added to each of the flower centres and the leaves tucked underneath

The sentiment is from Sevenhills Crafts  and it called Painted Inspirations by Altenew

I have stamped it in black and then clear embossed over the top of it.  The uneven edge has been hand drawn with a black fine liner pen and then I have layered it all onto black card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Love those Birds !!

Hi Everybody,

These cards have all been made with the  Bird Crazy stamp from Tim Holtz and I have had so much fun with them.

They are not gender specific and so you can turn them into male or female cards with the flick of your pen.

 I have added stripes and spots to some of mine to make them look different

I also bought the sets called  Crazy Things  which creates items that you can add to the birds like ties and hats, and  Crazy Talk  for sentiments to go with them.

I also bought the matching dies too.

 I water coloured mine with Gansai Tambi  water color paints

I used Glossy Accents on the balloons and eyes and left them to dry overnight.

The base cards are all the same design in different colours and  the birds die cut and added to the front

This fabulous stamp set is sure to keep you amused for months on end and I will certainly be playing with them again

You can ring the changes for so many occasions with these and you will never be bored once the imagination gets fired up.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Coloured Peonies ...

Hi Everybody,

Water colouring is fast becoming my way to relax and I am thoroughly enjoying playing with the new Gansai Tambi set that Santa brought me

The image is from the stamp set Peony Scrolls from Altenew and it also has a matching die set.

I bought mine from Make the Day Special and at present they are upgrading their website so I will link to them for the stamp and die at a later date.

So tonight is New Years Eve and if you are out and about then take care and have a good time

Please come back to visit tomorrow as there is a really good prize of crafting "Goodies" on offer for you to start the New Year

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Water Coloured Peonies ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is back to water colouring and this is the Peonies Scrolls Stamp from Altenew.

I bought mine from Make the Day Special and they have many dies and stamps sets that match each other.

It was lovely to sit and relax as I coloured the flowers and I used the Aqua Tints from Spectrum Noir to get the look

The finished card is 5x7" and I layered the panel onto some pale pink card.

I have used the die set   Peony Scrolls Die   to cut out several flowers and leaves, after they have been coloured and allowed to dry

I have used foam pads to layer on them onto my card front and it gives them varied heights so that some overlap others

The leaves are just tucked underneath each of the flower heads and again I used foam pads.

The sentiment is a chipboard one from Want2Scrap but I wanted to make it more glamorous so I added some gold foil  to it with the Heidi Swapp Minc Machine 

I have only had the new Minc Machine a few days and I am still playing around with it to see what I can create but I will be sure to add some videos as soon as I can.  But it looks like a lot of fun to play with.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Playtime ...

Hi Everybody,

So on a wet Saturday ... which turned out to be quite nice in the end ... I played with watercolours and these are some of the things I did.

I used Brusho Crystals for some and Distress Inks for the others.  I varied the colours used but I stamped them all with the same sentiment stamp.

The stamp was Grand Greetings from My Favorite Things and there are  four really useful ones on the sheet


Here are the first three that I created with the Brusho Crystals and they have all been dressed with flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts 

For this one I have used Purple Lemon and Ultra Marine

The butterfly is velvet and just adds that final touch.

All three have the addition of a  Hat pin to the flowers

This one is created with just the Scarlet crystals from the 12 colour pack

The variations in the colours are achieved simply by adding water from a spray bottle

And last but not least a card with Yellow and Turquoise

I am really pleased with the way all these have turned out and the flowers are the crowning glory in all of them




Tomorrow is FF day so I will show you the ones created with Distress Inks next week

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Brusho Crystals

Hi Everybody,

You may rememberer me showing you some Brusho Crystals that I bought at the craft show last weekend ... well here is a card that I have made using them

They are very vibrant colors and a little goes a long way so use them very sparingly.

For this card I stamped and embossed in gold the Sketchy Rose from Altenew  onto some watercolor card

Then with a wet paintbrush and some clean water I have dampened the flower staying within the lines

Then with the red, orange and yellow crystals I have sprinkled on tiny amounts.  I evened out the color with my brush and allowed it to dry.

Once dry I have cut it out with scissors staying close to the embossed edge.  I did the leaves in the same way using the green from the pack

For the background I have sprinkled a very tiny amount of crystals and then spritzed it with clean water.  Trimmed it to size and layered it onto black card.  The sentiment is stamped onto the dry background and then all the layers added to my base

The flower has been added with foam pads underneath to give it height and the enamel dots have been randomly added for an extra effect.

I will be playing with these Brusho Crystals some more and I will make a video to show you what I do.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water colored Card ...

Hi Everybody,

So this little card is for all of  YOU to say many many Thanks for all your support.

From the cards that I make and the tutorials that I do you all seem to enjoy them and write to tell me often that you do

And also when ever I am on Create and Craft I know that many of you are there for me too.

I have really enjoyed setting up Tuesday Tutorials  and this is something else that you seem to enjoy. I have lots more to show you over the coming months

Many people are asking me for specific tutorials and I am happy to oblige.

But they may take me a little time to complete so I ask for your patience as I work my way through the list.

So please keep visiting and thanks again for all your good wishes.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Big'N Juicy...

I posted a while ago about  Water Colouring with Distress Inks  and I said that the "Big'N Juicy" inks could also give a good effect.  They are good value for your hard earned cash as there are about five different colurs in each pad.

But what ever you do  DO NOT  store them upside down .... or on their side ...  as all the colours will run into each other and you will just have one horrible mess.

Store them right side up and level ...

Because of the amoung of pigment in these pads you would need to take care,  and personally I feel that they are a little too vibrant to get a good skin look.

For this floral image I have used the inks to get the soft look in the petals  and I am quite happy with the result.... and I have used the Hydrangea ink pad. 

This beautiful Poppy stamp is from Clarity Stamp and who says poppies have to be red....

This is another style of flower and and is from  Inkylicous  and this has been coloured using the Waterfall  ink pad.

If you press the closed lid firmly down onto the inked pads then you will get some of the ink transferred to the inside of the lid and this can then be used as your palette.

Alternatively use a white tile so that you can see the true colours.

Hugs xx