Spotlight on "The Book Marks"...Answers to Your Questions

I wasn't going to post about "The Book marks" here on my blog...

simply because they are similar to the book marks that I posted about a few days ago...

But..

when I posted a photo on Facebook of the book marks in the painted stage 

unfinished...while they were drying on my studio work table..

The responses,  and interest in the book marks was huge...

and with lots of questions...

it was almost overwhelming...

and...

Your words were so kind...

THANK YOU!

So...being that I was asked so many questions

I am dedicating this blog post 

to the few tid bits of info that you need to know 

if you'd like to create book marks of your own...

Also...Many of you have emailed or messaged me asking f I will be doing a water coloring video...

The answer is YES

In the near future.

If this interests you...sign up for the blog's email updates...(on the right of this page)

so that you'll know when the video is posted.

Here are the answers to the questions that were most asked yesterday on FB about the book marks.

**All of the info below is also applicable to creating water color cards.

1. Paper

I ALWAYS use Crafters Companion Water Color card stock (ordered via their web site)

2. Background Painting:

When I am water coloring....and creating in multiples..or in bulk...I water color entire sheets of 8 1/2  x 11 water color paper and let them air dry. 

I choose a range of certain color palettes for the sheets of card stock..so that I have a variety of "looks" when the card stock is dry and ready to be used..This works out nicely for  book marks in particular..because I then have multiple strips of painted, dried card stock to work with...

NOTE: When creating cards..I don't always pre-paint the 8 1/2 x 11...because sometimes I like to use specific color for the background...based on the main image.

3.. Heat Embossing

Yes..I almost always heat emboss floral images...I stamp with Versamark Ink...

and I use Sparkle and Sprinkle Gold Fine Detail EP...found at their web site. I purchase the large jar...it's approx $29...and last a LONG time.

I Like the Stampin Up heat Gun. It's comfortable to hold..and does the job/heats up quickly

4. Flower Colors/Source of Color

I like to use a variety of sources for color from Ink pads and/or markers. The flowers on the book marks that I shared yesterday...in their incomplete form (and shown here again today...completed) ...were painted with Altenew Crisp Ink (I also have used ZIG Pure Color Markers....TH Distress Ink Pads...Stampin Up markers...and Ink Pads....The Ton Ink Pads....Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers and Water Color Pencils  however.....I did not use any of these on the book marks shown yesterday/today...The book marks in the accompanying photos were created with Altenew Ink only)

5. Do I mist/wet the card stock prior to painting?

Yes...I mist the card stock prior to painting....and also keep it wet with my paint brush...while working.

6. Do I ever speed up drying time with a heat gun when the work is complete.

NO...NEVER...

Using a heat gun will change the way in which the ink migrates and dries.

Personally...I prefer letting the ink and water  "do their thing"...without me helping them along.

So NO...I never use a heat gun to speed up drying time

I always let my pieces air dry...

7. Ink for Stamping when I am water coloring but not heat embossing:

I use Ranger Archival

I hope that this answers everyone's questions...

I tried my best to keep up with the flow of question son FB..as well as my personal email...and private message inbox on FB...

but..I'm sure that I missed some ...

So I thought that this wold be a good way to answer all of the questions and make the info available to those who are interested.

Before I post a few photos of the completed book marks...and sign off...

I want to add...

The big question was about the stamp set used on the floral book marks...

I am TERRIBLE about remembering that sort of thing....

so I wasn't able to respond to the countless questions about the stamp set...

so..

here it is...

The stamp set used on the book marks is:

PENNY BLACK...DAHLIAS

Now how easy was that!!

How could I not remember that!

I think that it's gorgeous...

even in this photo!

Look at those gorgeous blooms!

WOWZER!

Okay...and finally...

for those of you who asked to see the completed book marks

*by the way..the key for a nice sturdy book mark is the backing

I always use LCI Metallic Card Stock

(available via the LCI web site)

I'll share the Dahlia book marks that you all loved on FB...

as well as the Golfer book marks...

Pardon the photography...

I didn't fuss with taking photos...

Here's a close up of the gold embossing...

and the Golfer

(no heat embossing)

(Colored with ZIG Markers...NOT direct to paper...

I picked the color up from an acrylic palette...using a paint brush...)
and also a Penny Black stamp set...
called...ABOVE PAR

So there ya go!

Everything that you need to know to create your own water color book marks

I hope that this answered all of the questions that I was asked yesterday.

I'm planning on doing a video ...soon

So stay tuned!

Have a great Sunday, my friends...

Michelle.