Friday, February 7, 2020

Congrats and Condolences

Hello there, Lovelies and Happy FriYay to all! Honey and I are back from the most wonderful wedding weekend ever! 


No official pictures yet until the Bride and Groom return from their Hawaiian honeymoon, but here are two their friends took that I love, from when they were walking back up the aisle at the close of the ceremony.  There were little jars of bubbles on each chair and everyone had fun with them. And yes, our Katy was stunningly gorgeous, as was her groom, Charles! The weather could not have been better and the huge affair was carried out without a hitch. So proud of them both for creating such a sweet celebration AND for managing to buy their first home, too! They make such a fab team.

So... onto the card I wanted to share today. I do wish it could be a happy card to go with my happy wedding photos, but such are the highs and lows of Life. Another one of my sweet girlfriends lost a loved one to cancer last week, so my first task upon returning home was to make this and get it off in the mail to her.

And I was having trouble figuring out what to create, so when I realized I felt like water coloring, I reached for a scenery stamp. This one by Deep Red Stamps looked serene and calming. First time to use, too.

I have been wanting to paint with my Inktense Blocks for a while and decided now was a good time. It's pretty cool to just leave the blocks in their plastic formed containers and use them like palette paints.

  
I took Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch #442 and turned it 90 degrees to the right.

Now, don't ask me why, but I still had the mulberry paper out from the wedding card. So I thought, let's see if I can stamp on this mulberry paper and watercolor on it! So, I tried and found out, yes and yes I definitely can do that! In fact, what made me decide to go with the Inktenses was my thinking they would bleed less, as I feared the mulberry would bleed horribly. But it didn't... unless I doused the paper with water and then not that much, still controllable. Who knew? :-)

I cut out the mulberry paper with the largest Spellbinders Torn Edges Nestie die and then I stamped in VersaFine Clair Fallen Leaves (darkest brown) , which was the only stamping ink I used throughout. I decided not to heat-emboss it. Just let it dry over night. When dry, I painted with the Inktenses. Here's where it got weird. I thought to back the mulberry paper with white card stock so the picture could be seen (the mulberry paper's very transparent). So I cut some white card stock with the same Spellbinders die, except I used the next smaller Nestie, thinking the edges of the mulberry paper could lay un-adhered. But then -- what did I do? Glued it down with glue stick. Brain Fart!

Of course, the edge un-backed by white card stock stood out like a sore thumb. So when I added Wink of Stella glitter to the image's waterway, I went ahead and glittered the edges of the mulberry, too. It looks pretty okay, I think. (A do-over would have me making sure the white card stock backing was cut with the same size Nestie, though.) I used Avery Elle Signature die and Spellbinders Classic Circles Nestie for the round Pink By Design and Sweet n Sassy stamped sentiments element made from scraps of mulberry and kraft. I used a scrap of brown satin ribbon I found in my Stash (that's the entire scrap - just barely enough). The bottom base mat was cut using Avery Elle Dotted Ellements die out of a scrap of kraft.

For the inside of my card, an assortment of sentiments from Skipping Stones, The Paper Company and Clear Dollar. The light gray card base is Stampin' Up card stock.

For the back of the card, I combined a scrap of the thick pulp paper leftover from the wedding card with some brown paper stash scraps, stamping an EKSuccess siggie on one scrap and using my round circle punches to cut out..

 A close-up of the front sentiment and the yummy texture of the mulberry paper...

For just wanting something peaceful-looking, and for wanting to watercolor, on mulberry paper, this was a quite enjoyable card to make. It looks organic, loose and raw to me. I could say I was going for that the whole time, but it would be a lie. It's pretty much always a crap shoot with me. Me and my art subconscious are not on the best of terms, which is why I enjoy it when I discover I've loosened up, even if it is after the fact. :-)  Thank you for visiting me and have a great weekend! XXO

CHALLENGES:
1.   Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch 442 -- See Sketch, above
2.    Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Feb. Challenge: AG + Opt. Bling --  I played the option of adding Bling via Wink of Stella...the most I felt I could pull off on a sympathy card I had to mail.  

3.   Paint Party Friday: Week 49, Year 9 Check-In
4.   Outlawz Color Tuesdays Jan. 28-Feb.11: Photo Inspiration -- I used the same colors as in the photo.
5.   Stamping Sensations February Challenge: Feminine -- my card is for a dear girlfriend who lost her sister to cancer, see post above for details on stamp used and process.
6.   Colour Crazy Week 4: AG with Colouring -- I have water colored my focal image
7.   Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #tttc050 -- I chose  middle column Die Cut / Spring / Blue

27 comments:

Rain said...

Hi Aimeslee! :) Oh you look like Jane Curtin! :) What a smile :) Congrats to your daughter and son in law! I love those bubbles, she really does look pretty! I'm so sorry about your friend's loss, but my gosh what a creative and beautiful card you put together. What is a "scenery stamp"? I'm not familiar with that at all!

Donna Scholz said...

Congratulations on Katy & Charles' wedding, Ameslee!!! She is indeed beautiful! Your card is so creative! I would NEVER have thought to stamp on mulberry paper! I have some in my stash, so will have to try it. I hope your friend finds comfort in such a thoughtful card. Thank you for sharing the details of your creativity with us at Try Stampin' on Tuesday!!! -Donna

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

I’m so glad you had a wonderful trip away for the wedding.

Your card is so pretty. I am glad your experiment with mulberry paper and water color worked well. I have a small set of intense pencils and I almost never use them! I should get them out again sometime.

I really like the Remembering With You sentiment for a sympathy card. I will have to look out for that one because I think I would like to use it. Thanks for sharing!

Heather said...

Such a beautiful serene scene you've created for your friend, I'm sure she'll be uplifted. Great materials - I'll have to try the mulberry paper! Thanks so much for playing at TSOT!

Elkes Lebensglück said...

a wonderful card full of ideas i love it and it is so fantastic. The wedding was so beautiful, it's wonderful!
Happy PPF, Elke

Linda Kunsman said...

congratulations on the joyous occasion of your daughter's wedding Aimeslee!! Beautiful couple and wedding party. Your daughter has your gorgeous smile.
Your sympathy card is soft and beautiful and conveys the caring and love.
Happy PPF!

Jacq said...

Congratulations to Katy and Charles on their wedding! I can see why you love those pictures, they are so natural and happy.

Your sympathy card is beautiful and serene, just the look you were going for! I would never have thought in a million years to stamp on mulberry paper, my one attempt at printing on it was a disaster! Your image came out beautifully, I'm sure your friend will appreciate, not just your thoughts, but how much love you've put into the card.

Thanks for joining us over at The Outlawz Colour Challenge, missed seeing you there!

Jacqui
DT for The Outlawz

Sue (this n that) said...

Hello Aimeslee, nice to meet you and Happy PPF!
Your post is lovely and how sweet to see that great big smile from the happy bride.
I'm sure your beautiful and loving card will be so appreciated. Sue

DVArtist said...

Looks like a beautiful wedding. The art is lovely as well. Have a great weekend.

Viv said...

A lovely card which am sure will bring comfort to your friend at this sad time. Thanks for sharing with us at Stamping Sensations.
PS - The wedding pics look such fun!

Christine said...

Congrats to your daughter. The sympathy card is beautiful, so sorry for this news.

Meggymay said...

Lovely photos of the Happy Couple on their wedding day, you must have stored lovely memories of this special day.
The card you made for your friend is lovely, a card made with love.
Yvonne xx

crafty-stamper said...

Great pics and your daughter does look beautiful and any age loves bubbles lol.Sorry to hear about your friend but a beautiful sympathy card love the scene and would never have thought about stamping and colouring on mulberry paper
carol x

Leslie said...

Beautiful pics of daughter and son-in-law... can't wait to see more! And your sympathy card is gorgeous. They are not easy to make, even in the best circumstances. Beautiful image.

Words and Pictures said...

Well, that was a rollercoaster post. Lovely to see the joy and celebrations of the wedding, and then to see such a serene, thoughtful card in memory of your dear friend... you've done a wonderful job with the watercolouring, and the mulberry paper gives it a lovely depth and texture.
Alison x

Tammy said...

Fabulous wedding pictures Aimeslee, your daughter is beautiful! Gorgeous card and image, I love the peaceful scene!
Tammy x

sarascloset said...

What a lovely card for such a sad occasion. It is indeed a serene scene. And thank you for sharing your daughter's and new son in law's wedding day photos! She's just gorgeous and he's a handsome groom! I bet you are so proud! Big hugs! Sara Emily

LeAnne said...

Your friend will certainly feel comforted by this lovely scene, richly colored and embellished! We're so happy you shared it with us at Tic Tac Toe this week!

Sally H said...

What a beautiful and serene card for our feminine challenge at Stamping Sensations! Thanks for joining in this month and good luck!

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Beautiful shared photo's what a wonderful day it must have been, lots of happy memories. Your scenery card is a wonderful way to celebrate the life of one lost, such a peaceful view. Thank you for sharing Sunday Hugs Tracey x

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

Congratulations to your daughter and her husband. Your daughter looks stunning. Those bubbles look so cool in the photo.

Your card is so beautiful. I really like the look you achieved.

Chana Malkah said...

WOW! This is so pretty! You did a fabulous job with the watercolors! Very beautifully crafted!
Hugz,
Chana Malkah

Alyson Mayo said...

Love this design as it is such a soothing scene. It makes a fabulous sympathy card. On a happier note, your daughter looked stunning on her wedding day - I’m sure it was an event to remember! Congratulations!

Anna M. said...

What a beautiful scene! I love that you used mulberry paper - it gives it so much character!
Thank you for participating in the Happy Little Stampers watercolor challenge & we hope you will join us again in the next HLS Challenge!.

Anna – Design Team member at Happy Little Stampers

Visit my blog - Crafty Anna Studio.
You can also find me on Instagram - CraftyAnna Studio
Thank you!

cohenna said...

Beautiful! Thanks so much for participating in the Try Stampin' On Tuestday
Challenge this time and good luck :)

Michele said...

it is terrible to lose a friend. your card is perfectly lovely though, and i know it will bring comfort. xo

Paper Therapy Ponderings said...

beautiful card, I am sure your friend appreciated the card and all the care that went into making it
thanks for joining us at Happy Little Stampers
Barb Housner