Watercolor wishes for warmer days

It's ridiculously cold right now -- about -24ºF air temperature, but it feels even colder when you factor in the wind. Schools and some businesses are closed, and mail delivery has been cancelled for tomorrow. It's hard to describe, but just trust me. It's cold.

So to combat this so-called polar vortex, I'm going to share some watercolor-style cards with images of pretty flowers and cute scenes. Things to remind myself that warmer temperatures will come again. Someday.

Supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Small Container set, Mini Flower set (both Art Impressions)
Paper: Cajun Craze card stock, water color paper (Strathmore)
Ink: Marvy LePlume II markers: 17, 13, 28, 5, 86, 6, 15, 45, 18; Stardust Gelly Roll pen (Sakura)
Accessories: Stitched Rectangle Thinlits (Sizzix - TIm Holtz), braided linen trim, Tiny Attacher (Tim Holtz), Subtle embossing folder

All of these cards are made with Art Impressions stamps. I am still developing my skills with this watercolor stamping technique, but it's fun, and it forces me to be patient and to worry less about perfection. If you're looking for more information, Art Impressions has many YouTube videos featuring amazing projects as well as tips and instructions.

Here is a close-up so you can see the sparkle I added to these flowers.

Supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Small Container Set, Mini Flower Set (both Art Impressions)
Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Black card stock, water color paper (Strathmore)
Ink: Marvy LePlume II markers: 17, 86, 15, 45, 18
Accessories: Tin Tile embossing folder, linen thread, Dimensionals

So far I'm most comfortable making little scenes with containers and some sort of flowers or greenery. And who doesn't like flowers? In this scene, there was a spot on the right-hand pot that I didn't like -- the perfect opportunity to add a little bow!

Supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Bird Bath Set, Foliage Set, Clay Pot Set, Flower Set 2 (all Art Impressions)
Paper: Basic Gray card stock, watercolor paper (Strathmore)
Ink: Marvy LePlume II markers: 86, 45, 15, 20, 17, 6, 46; Stardust Gelly Roll pen (Sakura)
Accessories: Brick embossing folder (Taylored Expressions), sequins (Paper Pumpkin leftovers), Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)

For this card I ventured out of my comfort zone a bit and created a slightly more elaborate scene with a tree branch, bird bath, and two little robins. They look like they might be having a little conversation on a nice spring day.

I didn't get a close-up, but I colored over the water in the bird bath with a Stardust Gelly Roll pen so it looks like the water is sparkling in the sunlight. Overall I think this scene turned out pretty well. To finish the card, I mounted the focal layer on a gray card base embossed with a brick texture. It makes me think of a beautiful garden surrounded be a brick wall. Maybe something from The Secret Garden.

For the last four cards, I created the focal images at an Art Impressions class at the Stamp and Scrapbook Expo last summer. I don't have a list handy of the specific stamp sets and colors used, but I will identify the other products I used to make the cards.

Additional supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Paper:Thick Very Vanilla, Berry Burst card stock; Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP)
Accessories: Crochet trim, Champagne sequins (The Makery), Stardust Gelly Roll pen (Sakura), Dimensionals

Additional supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Blueberry Bushel, Berry Burst card stock; card base (Art Impressions)
Accessories: Sparkling Clear sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), clear Wink of Stella glitter brush pen

Additional supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Card base (Art Impressions)
Accessories: Ovals Collection Framelits dies, velvet ribbon, Dimensionals

Additional supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Night of Navy card stock
Accessories: Braided linen trim, rhinestones, Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), Tiny Attacher (Tim Holtz), clear Wink of Stella glitter brush pen

Here's to watercolor wishes for warmer days ahead. Thanks for stopping by!