Friday, August 7, 2015

Watercolored bird card - STAMPlorations August Challenge + WINNERS!

 
It's Friday!!! The sun is shining, the weekend is coming, the birds are.... sitting in watercolor on card stock?

At least in my card that is! 



That's because the new challenge is up and running at STAMPlorations. This month, we're making a few changes to how the STAMPlorations challenges are happening. We're giving you OPTIONS! You can EITHER use our sketch, use our theme OR both! 

The theme this month is Stamps and Watercoloring and here's what the sketch looks like:


I chose to just use the theme this time and save the sketch for later in the month. Honestly, I've never really set out to watercolor an image. Sure, I've done the watercolor wash backgrounds but photorealism has not been attempted.

So, thought I, why the heck not? 

Intimidation probably. 

So I busted out my gelatos and used them on a clear block like watercolors. I chose the cardinal from the Birds and Blooms set as my first test subject.


Here's how he turned out!



It turns out that watercoloring is a TON of fun and I really look forward to exploring this medium further! I didn't want to do too much to detract from his beauty, so I used some gold filigree vellum for the background and embossed a golden happy birthday from the VIGNETTE: Chevron and Arrows set

My cardinal is going to fly over to the following challenges:
Seize the Birthday - ATG Birthday with Embossing option
613 Ave Create - ATG with optional birthday theme 
Addicted to Stamps & More - ATG
Crafty Gals Corner - Let's Celebrate

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Now - I'd been hoping to blog every single day this week and announce my 7 winners that way, but as you all know that hasn't happened. Woops! This weekend I'm going to be doing my first craft fair (cross your fingers for me!) AND I'm going to be RUNNING that craft fair (keep your legs, arms, eyes, and everything else crossed for me, too!) Needless to say, life has gotten in the way of my master plan.


So I am going to announce TWO winners today! 

The winner of the VIGNETTE: Chevron and Arrows set is:


 Number 46 - Lizzy Hill!!!

And the winner of the SKETCHED: Cupcake set is:




Number 24 - Jenny Martin


Kindly email me your addresses ladies! I still have two prizes left to draw for, which will probably be posted this weekend! 

Thanks for popping by!









52 comments:

  1. holy moly that is ONE HECK of a first go at watercolor stamping!!!!!! yowza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ps: consider fingers etc crossed but there is NO WAY you need any help running/selling out at a crafty fair b/c you are THE becca cruger!!!!!!!!) <3 <3 <3

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  2. What fantastic first attempt Becca, you should be v proud. :)

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  3. fantastic watercolored bird - looks like you've nailed that technique on your first try!!

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  4. Really unique and lovely card Becca!

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  5. oh, this card is so beautiful! first try? you're amazing! good luck with the craft fair. wishing you and the whole event much success!

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  6. Your watercolor bird is gorgeous. Good luck with the craft fair. It is Friday night in my neck of the woods and the start of a long weekend...bliss xx

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  7. Whoa. Brilliance alert...knew you were and artist...but what an artist. That bird is amazing, as is the card it's on. So lovely. Congrats to both your winners and to you, as well, running your first craft show. What an undertaking. Sending wishes for all the luck in the world. I know it will be a huge success...with you running the show, it can't miss.

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  8. Whoa. Brilliance alert...knew you were and artist...but what an artist. That bird is amazing, as is the card it's on. So lovely. Congrats to both your winners and to you, as well, running your first craft show. What an undertaking. Sending wishes for all the luck in the world. I know it will be a huge success...with you running the show, it can't miss.

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  9. What a gorgeous card, Becca!! The watercolored cardinal looks amazing!! I love the design!! Good luck with the craft fair!! I hope you have a wonderful time!! Have a great weekend :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  10. Super job with the NO-LINE coloring! Thanks for the new title of MASKter...I'm honored:)

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  11. You did a marvelous job on the cardinal Becca, this is fabulous!!

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  12. Good luck with your craft fair. Look forward to hearing how it went. Deep breath...... Love the bird. Must try. Congrats to the lucky winners and a special hug to Lizzy. Hugz

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  13. Wow!! Your cardinal looks beautiful!! You rock with the watercolor girl-you need to use it more often!! LOVE the mixture of papers you used for the layering. That told is so pretty!! Beautiful card.

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  14. Your watercolouring looks fabulous Becca...a brilliant first try. Have fun at the fair, hope all goes well. Carol x

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  15. Oh, I love cardinals! We get a few here in So. FL and I always look forward to their short visit (they prefer colder weather!). So I love your card. Wish I could come to your craft fair - I love them. Lots of luck!!!

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  16. Oh wow Becca-What a great colouring of the cardinal. I love it! Really well done and just is the highlight of the card

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  17. Wow - are you sure you have not been practicing?? - this looks amazing Becca!! Love the gold vellum layer - it's perfect.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  18. Oh! YAY!!! So lucky to be a winner...hope that luck passes onto you this BUSY weekend as you 'do' your fair.....fingers and toes crossed for you:) THANKYOU.....will email you straight away.....& your birdy is super cute. And Um. Me too. Intimidated by the idea of water-colouring images....but if YOU can....might just get me motivated to give it a try!!!!

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  19. You've done an amazing job water coloring the bird and background, Becca! I'm so impressed! Thanks so much for playing along with us this week at ATSM...We always enjoy seeing your creations in the gallery!

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  20. WOw..Th eoved the way you have colored the brd..lovely and yes your card too ! All the best for your craft fair..
    Yay..Congrats to Lizzy !

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  21. This is so gorgeous Becca, I love the image and great colouring!Hugs Carole Z X

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  22. What a beautiful card - I love the hand painted bird!

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  23. Good luck with the craft fair hun x

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  24. He's the sweetest little bird Becca and I'd say you're doing pretty well with the watercolouring.

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  25. Your cardinal looks amazing, Becca!!! Well done with that waterclouring!!!!
    Have a great weekend and hope all goes well at the craft fair!!

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  26. love your watercolored bird and the textured background - thanks for sharing your card at ATSM

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  27. Beautiful card Becca. Your bird is amazing and I love that lace background! Stunning! hugs :)

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  28. Your bird is absolutely gorgeous! And the gold background is stunning as well. Great card!

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  29. I really like the yellow on her wing... warms up the image even more and makes me feel like sunshine is glinting off her wing! Nicely done Becca - we love that you shared your design & creativity at 613 Ave C – thank you!
    ~ginny,
    DT for 613 Ave Create – [ ATG / Happy Birthday]
    Owner: RubberMAD at [GettyCollection.com]

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  30. Really nice birthday card. Love the image. Thanks so much for joining us at Seize the Birthday.

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  31. Gorgeous card, Becca. Love the pretty gold papers, the fun sketch and the beautifully coloured bird. So great to have you join us for this challenge!
    ♥ Lena - DT
    Lena’s Creations

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  32. Oh. My. Gosh! He turned out beautifully. Never again shall you be intimidated by watercolors! Mr. Cardinal turned out absolutely perfectly, and your gelato watercoloring is pretty darn awesome. My eyes went right to him before moving onto the other parts of your design, so I think your plan worked. The other elements just make him take center stage. Glorious bird. Hope your craft fair went really well, and you'll have to let us all know how you did! I'm sure it was a whopping success! Happy Sunday. Bev

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  33. I just came over to check out your blog and saw your amazing watercolour and that this is your first attempt! Amazing! You have really mastered the technique! I also saw that I won a prize! Yay!

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  34. Seriously, your first attempt? You are obviously a natural. Gorgeous card!

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  35. Lovely card! The watercoloring looks amazing. Hope your craft fair went amazingly well and that you sold out!

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  36. Wow...you are so talented girl! That little birdie is just fabulous! ;-) I love water colouring and it's certainly my favourite medium! If I don't use watercolouring on a project...then it's really strange for me! LOL

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  37. My fav bird of all time - :) Awesome

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  38. The bird looks awesome and it definitely makes the card outstanding!

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  39. Congrats on being one of the Jenn Shurkus Blogiversary winners!

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  40. Gorgeous watercoloring on that beautiful cardinal Becca! Julia xx

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  41. Becca, your first 'foray' into water-colouring reveals that you've bypassed 'amateur' and headed straight to 'pro.' This. is. STUNNING! In awe of the magic you created with gelatos...Thank you for sharing this gem in the ATSM gallery!
    ~c

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  42. There is no WAY that is your first attempt at water coloring an image. This is gorgeous!!!!!

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  43. You made water coloring look easy...and gorgeous! I like the dab of color on the edge of the card while leaving the rest white. It gives just the right amount of contrast.

    Thank you for joining us at Crafty Gals Corner for our Let’s Celebrate challenge.

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  44. This is awesome work Becca and really well controlled watercolouring - in fact it looks like you've been doing this for years. Love that stamp! Karen xx

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  45. You have great watercoloring Becca and look that color so beautiful for a bird
    and again love your texture always on your card
    this is also have awesome LO
    beautifully made my friend
    hugs, Monika

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  46. You have done an incredible job with this watercoloring! Nice job Becca and I always look forward to seeing your work in the gallery at Seize the Birthday!

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  47. Love this watercolored bird! Gorgeous card! Thank you for sharing at ATSM.

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  48. Your watercoloring looks amazing Becca!! Love that cardinal image!! So happy to see your creation over at ATSM!! :) HUGS

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  49. Incredible, amazing and so super delightful!! Artistic in EVERY way - and I cannot believe this is your first try - you have magic in your fingers and you create works of Heart!! Congrats to all your winners - super fun the way you did your giveaway!! Have a wonderful day and keep happy!!

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  50. Awesome design! Fabulous coloring :)

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  51. CONGRATULATIONS Becca - the original winner from the Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #31 Let's Celebrate did not claim their prize, neither did the new winner, so YOU have just been announced as the NEW WINNER TODAY!!!
    Don't forget to head on over and claim your prize :)

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