Monday, November 25, 2013

Watercolor Christmas Tree

Hi! I have one last card to share today.  Let me preface this post by saying that I know next to nothing about watercoloring.  Okay, now I'll tell you how this card came to be.  I had one idea for Curtain Call's CAS-ual Christmas challenge that never came to fruition.  I loved that tree offset to the right in the photo.  
When I went to the source of the inspiration photo I saw that the picture in its entirety reveals a beautiful burlap bow atop the tree (if you're curious, go here to see it).  I received my Clearly Besotted stamps Saturday and I knew immediately that the bow in their Make a Wish set would make the perfect tree topper.  And that was the last straw.  I had to try to make a tree.  I got out some watercolor brushes, ink pads, and a squirt bottle and got to work.  I tried super hard to channel my mom (who is amazing at watercoloring), and this is what I came up with.
I sprayed the watercolor paper with water and then I watercolored the tree using ink from three ink pads that I had rubbed onto a sheet of acetate.  Next I inked up the bow from CB's Make a Wish and sprayed it with water before stamping it on.  I did the same method (ink, spray, stamp) with the small and large buttons in CB's In Stitches: Christmas set to create the Christmas ornaments.  (Random side note: My color scheme was based on darker shades of the colors on our Christmas tree last year.)  Last I stamped on the Merry Christmas Sentiment (also from In Stitches: Christmas).  I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out.  I hope my mom likes it...it's going to her. :)
Unfortunately I didn't have time to post this card until now and Curtain Call's Challenge is closed, but I'm happy that I still get to link this card up at Clearly Besotted Challenge #6: Christmas.
Supplies
Stamps: In Stitches: Christmas, Make a Wish (Clearly Besotted)
Ink: Always Artichoke, Old Olive (SU!), Cranberry (CTMH), Dark Chocolate, Hawaiian Shores, Ocean Tides, Tea Dye Duo (PTI)
Paper: kraft (PTI), kraft (recollections), watercolor paper, watercolor brush

10 comments:

  1. What a sweet creation! Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  2. oh my gorgeousness, Lindsey! this is one incredible card, dear! love that you viewed the entire photo on the source page! thanks for being one of our best curtain call fans! we adore you right back!

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  3. This turned out beautiful...I've been really smitten with the watercolor trend.

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  4. Such a pretty effect, Lindsey! The ornaments have a bokeh look to them. So pretty!

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  5. Beautiful watercolored Christmas tree! The ornaments are awesome!

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  6. Too bad you missed the time to get this one in. I love this water colored tree with this red bow. It's has such a beautiful soft glow to it! Nice work !

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  7. this is like a beautiful work of art matted on a little frame. :)

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