Day #8: Re-Cap ~ Blue Knight Rubber Stamps New Release stamps, card and Giveaway Winner!

Hello again...
Welcome back to Blue Knight Rubber Stamps July New Release Re-Cap Day!
I've got lots of cards to share with you, so that you can take another peek at the July new release stamps in action.

I've also got a give away winner to announce!

First...the July new release stamp/card re-cap
(If you click on the name of each stamp set it will link you to the Blue Knight web store where you can see the stamp/stamp set)

HONEY BEE AND SUNFLOWER

                                                                     CHICKADEE

HALF BOUQUET

HALF BOUQUET

HALF BOUQUET 

TITUS, THE GREAT ADVENTURER

 DAISIES AND ROSES

PRAYER FLOWER

THANK YOU WREATH

There they are...the cards that I created this past week with Blue Knight's July New release stamps!
I look at each of the cards and I'm thinking that I TRULY enjoyed creating each and every card...

Do you have a favorite stamp from this July New release?
Which stamps are on your Blue Knight Stamps Wish List?

Thanks so much for following along this week for Blue Knight new release Week...
I've enjoyed creating and sharing this collection of cards and I  appreciate each of the comments that you shared throughout the week!

Now....I need to announce the GIVEAWAY winner!

CONGRATULATIONS
DEBBIE M

YOU ARE THE WINNER 

OF THE HALF BOUQUET STAMP

GIVEAWAY!

PLEASE SEND YOUR MAILING INFO TO ME AT

BKRSDT@GMAIL.COM

NO LATER THAN AUGUST 4TH

(IF THIS WINNER DOESN'T NOT RESPOND BY AUGUST 4TH, 

A NEW WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN)

Have a great day everyone!
I'll see you here at my blog again soon when we (the Blue Knight Design Team) begin creating our August projects..and I'll be having some Winter/Holiday/Christmas themed cards to share with you!

Michelle

Day #7: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps New Release Week & Giveaway

I can't believe that my week of sharing Blue Knight Rubber Stamps July new release stamps is coming to an end!
I have a new stamp set and card to share with you today...
Tomorrow, here at the blog......I'll share a re-cap of all 7 new release stamps and the cards that I created with them.,,,and I'll announce the giveaway winner!
(*Giveaway details shared below)

I love the THANK YOU WREATH stamp set that I'm sharing with you today...and that means that I loved creating this card...

Here's what my love-fest with the THANK YOU WREATH stamp set is all about:

1. It's a great size for a card front.
2. The stamped image has lots of detail
3. The lined image is delicate...no thick chunky stamped image lines (If you know me...you know that I have an "issue" with thick lines on a stamped image)
4.  It's floral (I LOVE floral and botanical images)
5. I like the sentiment's font style
6. It's great for CAS card making (My true style of card making)
7. This image is a cinch to color
8. And ...because it's a cinch to color...it makes a quick, non labor-intensive card

And...Here's how I created this card
1. I stamped the image on Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Card Stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink
2. I added color to the bloom and leaves with Blue Knight's PanPastel Palettes.
3. I used a deep purple Copic Marker to add definition to the petals of the bloom
4. Next...I created the rich parchment toned background by blending colors from the Blue Knight Select PanPastel SUNRISE and SUNSET and the DAY and NIGHT color Palettes.
5. Then...I stamped the sentiment  (Yes, you can stamp on/over PanPastel coloring!)
6. I measured and cut a length of dotted pink satin ribbon from TheRibbonPlace and used a Copic Marker to create a deep purple colored ribbon that I positioned behind the matted image piece. (Yes, you can "color" ribbon with a Copic marker)
7. I chose LCI Metallic Card Stock for both mat layers...trimmed everything to size and secured the mat layers.
8. I assembled the card, using fun foam when positioning the matted image piece, for added dimension.

This card came together in a flash!
I already have plans for creating more of this card in an assortment of image colors and background colors.

You'll find the THANK YOU WREATH stamp set and the BLUE KNIGHT SELECT PanPastel Palettes HERE, at the Blue Knight web store, along with all of the July new release stamps.
TheRibbonPlace ribbon can be found HERE
and...The LCI Metallic Card Stock can be found HERE

I hope that you've enjoyed this week of Blue Knight's July new release stamps and cards....and I also hope that you've found some inspiration here at my blog.

Don't forget to leave a fast comment below for one final entry in the new release HALF BOUQUET stamp giveaway!

(*Giveaway is opened to blog visitors with USA mailing addresses. The winner will be announced here at my blog tomorrow...July 31st)

Have a great day everyone...
See you tomorrow!
Michelle

Day #6: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps New Release Week & Giveaway!

It's day #6 of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps new Release Week & Giveaway here at my blog and I've got a beautiful stamp set to share with you today!
(*Giveaway details shared at the end of this blog post)

I'm  a lover of floral images and so it's no surprise that I was loving today's new release PRAYER FLOWER stamp set as soon as I saw it! (As well as the other July new release stamps!)
The image is large and a dream for those of us who love to color images either with pencils...markers...water coloring...

Or... with PanPastels....as I chose to to do.

I started out by stamping the image onto Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Card Stock with a stamp positioning tool, with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I used Blue Knight's Select PanPastel Sunrise and Sunset and Day and Night Palettes to add color to the image....blending multiple colors to create the colors that I wanted for this image.

Something great about PanPastels:
Mixing and blending of colors to create new colors is fun...and a cinch... 
This is a really fun thing about PanPastels! (and it means that the 7 colors in each palette translate to having vast possibilities for creating colors and shading.

After the image was colored...I began adding color to the background.
I wanted to create an opaque, aged, parchment-like, Tuscan-toned background...
As I was creating the background..I used darker PanPastel colors to add shadowing and shading around the floral image.

When the background was complete I put the image piece back into my stamp positioning tool and stamped the image again with Memento Versafine Ink.
*This is my little trick for making the colored image pop and to redefine the stamped image that may have lost it's crispness while being colored.

I trimmed the image piece to the size that I wanted...and stamped the sentiment. (Yes, you can stamp over/on PanPastels)
I chose LCI metallic card stock for the largest mat layer...and matte black matting for matting the image piece.
I put the card together and positioned the image piece with craft foam for added dimension and finished the card with a few dew drops.

 Here's another look at this beautiful stamp and PanPastel coloring.

Creating this card with the PRAYER FLOWER stamp set and PanPastels was lots of fun.
I love blending and creating new color...and this card gave me an opportunity to do that.
The image has lots of large opened color-friendly spaces which are great is you enjoy shading and blending when coloring.

You'll find this PRAYER FLOWER new release stamp set HERE, along with all of the July new release stamps.
The LCI Metallic Card Stock can be found HERE

Thanks for visiting today!
I'll see you tomorrow for one more day of Blue Knight New release Week here at my blog.

Before you leave...take a moment to comment below, to be in on the giveaway
(*This giveaway is opened to blog visitors with USA mailing addresses. The winner will be announced here at my blog on July 31st)

Have a great day!
Michelle.

Day #5: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps New Release Week & Giveaway

Hello, and welcome back to Day #5 of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps new release week and giveaway, here at my blog.

(The giveaway is opened to blog visitors with USA mailing addresses....details shared at the end of this blog post)

I'm happy you share another new release stamp and card with you today...
One that I think will inspire you and guide you to creating cards that are beautifully colored, yet aren't labor intensive!

As always...my objective is to share wonderful stamps with you...and show you how easy it is to create cards with them....
Card that are do-able for card makers who create at all levels...and above all...cards that are enjoyable to create!

If you ordinarily shy away from creating cards with images that require coloring...you'll like today's new release DAISIES and ROSES stamp set and the card I've created with it.
The large floral image has areas that look lovely when colored....and some areas (the daisies) that require just a little bit of coloring and light shading.

To create this very CAS card I stamped the image onto Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Card Stock using a stamp positioning tool and Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (this ink is Copic/alcohol marker compatible)
I colored the image and added a light green inked background around the edges of the image piece.
Next I stamped the HAPPY BIRTHDAY part of a stamp from one of the sentiment stamps in the BIRTHDAY WISHES stamp set (I love that stamp set!) ...then I hand cut the sentiment banner shape.
After the image was trimmed to size...I chose the mat layers (a matte orange tone card stock and LCI gold metallic card stock)
I also chose LCI's gold metallic card stock for matting the sentiment banner.
I positioned the matted image piece and the sentiment banner with foam for added dimension.

The blooms in the image are big and beautiful...and fun to color.
I chose to use Copics on this card...but this image is ideal for pencil coloring..PanPastels and water coloring as well.

I am enjoying each card that I've created this week with Blue Knight's new release stamps...and I'm excited to bring you another cared tomorrow, as new release week continues here at my blog.

About the supplies used to create today's card:
You'll find the DAISIES and ROSES stamp set HERE
The BIRTHDAY WISHES sentiment stamp set is HERE
and ... You'll find the LCI METALLIC CARD STOCK.. HERE

Don't forget to leave a comment below, to be in on the giveaway!
(Giveaway is opened to blog visitors with USA mailing addresses The winner will be chosen and announced here, at my blog on July 31st)
Here's the gorgeous Giveaway stamp:
Half Bouquet

Thanks for visiting today!
Have a wonderful and creative day!
Michelle.

Day #4: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps New Release Week & Giveaway!

Hello my crafty and creative friends!

It's day #4 of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps New Release & Giveaway Week here at my blog, and I have THE sweetest card to share with you today!

But first...I waned to remind you to share a fast comment below for your daily giveaway entry
(*Giveaway details below)

Now...it's time to share today's sweet card...created with the TITUS, THE GREAT ADVENTURER new release stamp set.

I loved this wonderful and sweet image as soon as I saw it...and was looking really forward to inking it up and coloring it.
I colored the detailed image with Copic markers.
All of the details in the image (like the wood grained fence, grassy areas and walkway/path)  made it easy to color and blend and achieve the look that I was going for.
I added a cloudy sky with Blue Knight's Heidi Pettie Cloud Stencil and light blue ink.
I wanted Titus to have a paper pieced dinosaur shirt...so I stamped the image onto a dinosaur print and cut the shirt out with detail scissors.
To complete the card I chose orange and brown metallic card stock.
I positioned the matted image piece with foam to add dimension to the card

The TITUS, THE GREAT ADVENTURER stamp set includes a  large card front sized image and a sentiment (not used on this card)

This is such a sweet image....
I enjoyed coloring the image and creating this card...and love that the image is large and fills a card front.

You can find the TITUS, THE GREAT ADVENTURER  HERE, at the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web store, along with all of the July new release stamp sets.

The HEIDI PETTIE CLOUD STENCIL can be found HERE

The metallic card stock can be found HERE, at the LCI web site


Don't forget to post a fast comment below to be in on this weeks giveaway of the new release HALF BOUQUET stamp

(*Giveaway is opened to blog visitors with USA mailing addresses. The winner will be announced, here at my blog, on July 31st)

Thanks for visiting today...
Have a wonderful and creative day!
Michelle
P.S. ...I'm guessing that you are as smitten with Titus as I am...  💙

DAY #3: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps New Release Week and Giveaway!

Hello again, and welcome to Day #3 of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps New Release Week and Giveaway!

The Blue Knight Design Team has a great time creating new release projects throughout the month, and I'm happy to end the month with a full week of new release inspiration by featuring each of the 7 new release stamps this week, here at my blog!

And...the gorgeous new release HALF BOUQUET stamps that I used to create today's cards is the GIVEAWAY!
(*Giveaway details shared at the end of this blog post)

Today I've got 3 cards to share...each created with the wonderful new release HALF BOUQUET stamp.

If you follow my blog, you already know that I love creating cards with big beautiful detailed large floral stamped images.
For me, HALF BOUQUET stamp is one of those stamps!

I enjoyed creating with this stamp  A LOT... so after I inked up this stamp for the first time...I just kept creating...and in the end, I had created the 3 cards that I'm sharing with you today!

I'll share a few photos and will tell you a little bit about each card.

I decided to do partial coloring when creating this first card.
At first, I actually thought of making a black & white card, but the beautiful blooms in this image shouted COLOR ME....so I did!
I used Copic markers to color the blooms and to add the light green shadowing around the edge of the image. I used a small paint brush to add some Ink On 3 Liquid Pixie Dust to all of the leaves for some shimmery sparkle.
To finished the card I added the sentiment from the THANK YOU WREATH stamp set (Another July new release stamp set.
I chose matte coral card stock and LCI's black metallic card stock for matting.

To create the coral/persimmon colored ribbon tab...I used a Copic marker to create a length of dotted satin English ribbon in the color that I needed, (The ribbon is from TheRibbonPlace.)

This ribbon was originally yellow....and after a quick Copic coloring...it was the exact color that I needed.
(Coloring ribbon with Copics is always a good option when you are having a difficult time matching ribbon to a card or project)

The lighting is a bit different in this photo...I think it captures the colors that I used to create this card, much better (than the photo above)

You can also see the shimmer on the leaves nicely, in this photo.
You can see the Copic colored ribbon in this photo

 The second card was also colored with Copic markers....but this time, I colored the entire image.
I finished the card with a sentiment stamp from the BIRTHDAY WISHES stamp set, some crystal dew drops, LCI's black and bright pink metallic card stock for matting ...and a pink polka dot ribbon tab, created with ribbon from TheRibbonPlace.
I love that big polka dot ribbon tab peeking out from behind the matted image layer.
(*This time I had ribbon that was a perfect match for the card I was creating...so no Copic ribbon coloring needed!)

If you love floral images...and enjoy coloring with pencils...markers...water color paints...or PanPastels....the HALF BOUQUET stamp is THE stamp for you!
There's lots of large opened image space to enjoy applying and blending color.

The third and final HALF BOUQUET card that I'm sharing today has a very different look than the first 2 cards above.

To create this card I stamped with Versamark and heat embossed the stamped image with gold fine detail embossing powder.
I colored the blooms with various monochromatic shades of blue Copic markers.
I used a small paint brush to add Ink oOn 3 Liquid Pixie Dust to the leaves for a subtle silvery shimmer.
I chose a sentiment from the the BIRTHDAY WISHES stamp set and stamped it with blue ink that coordinated nicely with the image.
For matting I chose LCI's gold and deep navy metallic card stock.
The image piece was positioned with foam for added dimension.

It's no secret that I love CAS cards...heat embossing...monochromatic coloring...and the gold/silver combination when creating cards...which means that this card is very...me!
I'm  really happy that this card turned out exactly as I had envisioned it...planned it...and had hoped that it would be when it was complete!

Here's one more look at this today's 3rd HALF BOUQUET card.

Did you know that I've got a new release giveaway happening here at my blog this week?
Take a moment to comment below...for your daily giveaway entry.
I'll announce the winner at the end of Blue Knight New Release Week on July 31st!

(*Giveaway is opened to blog visitors with USA mailing addresses.)

Thanks for visiting today, my crafty and creative friends!
I'll see you tomorrow when I share another Blue Knight New Release stamp.

Until then...
You'll find the HALF BOUQUET stamp set HERE, along with all of the July new release stamp sets
The BIRTHDAY WISHES stamp set is HERE
The dotted satin English ribbons HERE, at TheRibbonPlace
and the Metallic card stock can be found HERE, at the LCI web site.

Have a fabulous Friday!
Michelle

Day #2: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps NewRelease Week and Giveaway!

 Hello and welcome back to Day #2 of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps new release and Giveaway Week, here at my blog!

(*Giveaway details shared below, at the end of this blog post)

Today I'm sharing a card that I'm thinking you'll think about creating your Holiday cards with!

The new release CHICKADEE stamp is beautifully details and is ideal for creating quick and easy cards that require minimal coloring because this stamp has lots of shading and details built right in to the stamped image.
This is a super stamp if you enjoy or need to create multiples...like most of us do when it comes to our Holiday/Winter/Christmas themed cards.

I actually set my iPhone stop watch to see how long it took me to create this card...
9 minutes 12 seconds...start to finish....from stamping the image to making the bow...to putting the card together.
No...I do not do this when I make cards...I really don't care how long it might take me to crate a card...
So...Me and the stop watch...CRAZY...I know...but I had a feeling, when I first saw this stamp...that it was going to allow me to make a quick card....so I wanted to see if my suspicions were correct!
Not to worry...I have not gone off of the card-making-deep-end...
I WILL NOT be using a stop watch again in my foreseeable card-making-future.
This was an isolated episode of creative lunacy.

So here we go...
Today's 9 minute 12 second CHICKADEE card!

After stamping the image I added color to the image  and background with an assortment of colors from the BLUE NIGHT SELECT PanPastel PALETTES using a few different PanPastel lending tool (sponges).
PanPastels are a conch to use...they blend beautifully...and with just a handful of colors...you can create a vast color palette of your own blended colors.
After the image was colored, I sealed it with my fave PanPastel sealant.....Nexxxus Comb Thru Hairspray.
I added some snowflake glitter to the pine cone and a little bit of Ink On 3 Liquid Pixie Dust to each pine needle for a little bit of soft wintry shimmer.
(*More info about sealing a PanPastel image with Nexxus hairspray HERE, at my July 24th blog post)

Next...I cut the image piece to size...and chose LCI's deep blue and antique gold metallic card stock for matting.
I created the 4 loop bow with this beautiful gold English ribbon from TheRibbonPlace.
Then...I assembled the card as shown below.
(I used fun foam to position the matted image piece, for added dimension)

Done...finished...and wha-la!!
A CHICKADEE card in 9 minutes 12 seconds.

Creating cards with the CHICKADEE stamp and PanPastels is on my list for Holiday card making.
I'll add sentiments to some..and will create some without a sentiment, as I did this one...for using as general winter cards for assorted reasons and occasions.
I'm also thinking that I'll use different sketches...and will create some with ribbon and some without.
And...an assortment of skies...(sunny...blue...cloudy)
From one stamp...I can create multiple card looks!

I hope that this card has inspired you to start creating some Holiday...Winter...and Christmas themed cards of your own.

You'll find the CHICKADEE stamp HERE, along with all of July new release stamps.
The BLUE KNIGHT PanPastel SELECT COLOR PALETTES are HERE
and the Gold satin ribbon from TheRibbonPlace can be found HERE.
The LCI Metallic card stock can be found HERE

I'll be giving away a new release stamp set at the end of the week...so don't forget to leave a comment below to be in on the Giveaway and for a chance to win the new release HALF BOUQUET stamp.
(*Giveaway is opened to blog visitors with USA mailing addresses...winner will be announced here at  my blog on July 31st))

Thanks for visiting today ...I'll see you tomorrow, when I'll be sharing another fantastic new release stamp with you!
Have a terrific Thursday!
Michelle.

Day #1: Blue Knight Rubber Stamps New Release Week and Giveaway!

Hello my crafty and creative friends!

I'm always excited when I have the opportunity to dedicate a week, here at my blog, to a Blue Knight Rubber Stamps New Release! ...And this week, is one of those weeks!
Plus...at the end of the week... I've got a Blue Knight New Release Giveaway for blog visitors with USA mailing addresses who share a comment here at my blog!

(*Giveaway details shared at the end of this blog post)

I am LOVING the Blue Knight July release and am looking forward to sharing  a week's worth of cards with you. This new release is very much about floral images which kicked up my card-making-joy-factor a million+ notches!

I'm kicking off Blue Knight New Release Week today with a card created with the HONEY BEE and SUNFLOWER stamp set!

I really love large floral images that fill up a card front...and the HONEY BEE and SUNFLOWER stamp is one of those stamps!

I started by stamping the image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Spectrum Noir Ultra Sooth card stock using a stamp positioning tool. I left the stamp in position...because I would be using it again while creating this card.

Then the fun began!
I got out both of my Blue Knight Select PanPastel Palettes, and began coloring his image.
I started with the image first...choosing colors from the SUNRISE and SUNSET palette for the sunflower petals.
I blended colors from both the SUNRISE and SUNSET Palette and the DAY and NIGHT Palette for the remainder for the image.
I used multiple colors to create the Tuscan colored background.

After the entire image piece was colored, I used my stamp positioning tool to re-stamp the image one more time...this time with Versafine Black ink.
Doing this makes the image pop off of the page and adds definition that may have become muted or softened when adding color with the  PanPastels

This card was so much fun to create!
PanPastels are full of wonderful color blending possibilities and creating this background was a cinch...so quick...and easy.

I want to share a little bit with you about sealing a PanPastel colored piece:
To seal and finish the colored image piece, I misted it lightly , at an arms length, with Nexxus Comb Thru hairspray.
Yes...you read that right...Nexxus Comb Thru Hairspray
After visiting a local art store ...consulting with their PanPastel expert...and having her demonstrate multiple sealants...I went with hairspray. The sealants, except one, were toxic...and most left spotting on the colored piece.
I chose Nexxus for sealing my PanPastel pieces not just because it's been my fave hairspray since forever ago...(because when you use it...you never know there's hairspray in your hair)...but also because it has a great aerosol mister. It produces a very fine consistent mist...it leaves  a nice finish on my PanPastel pieces and it's not toxic ...dries quickly...and doesn't require spraying outdoors, as recommended by most of the art shop sealants.
(*Note...without sealing, PanPastel pieces will smudge and leave a residue behind.)

When the image piece was finished and sealed...I added some Ink on 3 Liquid Pixie Dust to the honey bee's wings for a little bit of subtle shimmer.
 I cropped it to size...saved the little strip of card stock that I had trimmed  off...and stamped part of a sentiment from one of the Birthday Wishes stamp set stamps to create the sentiment banner.
I matted the image and sentiment banner with LCI METALLIC CARD STOCK.
The matted image piece was positioned with craft foam for added dimension.

So there you have it...a PanPastel colored card created with the new HONEY BEE and SUNFLOWER stamp and BLUE KNIGHT SELECT PanPastel PALETTES!

Fun Fun Fun...from start to finish!

You'll find the HONEY BEE stamp and the PanPastel Palettes HERE,  at the BLUE NIGHT STAMPS web store.

The LCI metallic card stock can be found HERE, at the LCI web site.

Now it's time for you to leave a quickie comment below for a chance to be in on the Giveaway!
Thanks to Blue Knight Stamps...I have the beautiful HALF BOUQUET stamp to giveaway to one lucky winner who will be chosen at random!
(*Giveaway is opened to USA residents and the winner will be announced here at my blog at the end of Blue Knight New Release Week.)

Thanks for visiting today...
Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!
Michelle.

VIDEO TUTORIAL: Creating Easy, Beautiful & Fun Backgrounds with PanPastels

Hello Everyone!

Michelle here....Design Team Coordinator for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

The Blue Knight DT has had a great month of creating projects with the July New Release stamps and I'll be wrapping the month up with a full week of New release projects here at my blog...from July 24th thru July 31st.
I'd like to invite you to follow along each day, as I share a series of cards created with each of the July New Release stamps. As always, when I do a "Blue Knight Week" at my blog...I'll have a giveaway.
So be sure to follow along and leave a comment each day. You'll get one giveaway entry for each daily comment.
You can follow along, beginning on July 24th, HERE at my blog.

Right now though...and for the next few days... Blue Knight's owner Lynn and I...would like to share some info...projects and videos to introduce you to Blue Knight Select PanPastels.
(Yes, you guessed it...Lynn and I are totally smitten with PanPastels!)

Today, tomorrow and Tuesday  my blog...and the BK blog... will be dedicated to sharing information with you about creating...coloring and using PanPastels.

We hope that you'll be inspired to expand your coloring horizons after seeing what we have to share!
We think that you're going to love seeing PanPastels in action...seeing and learning a few tips and tricks...and learning about just how easily and wonderfully PanPastels are for adding color to your stamped images...and creating background color.

Today, in my video...I'll introduce you to both of Blue Knight's Select PanPastel Palettes....I've got a stack of samples to share of backgrounds that I created...I'll do some explaining... and some demonstrating...and I'm thinking that in the end...you'll be loving PanPastels as much as Lynn and do!

Here we go....
Enjoy!



Here are a few helpful links:

You'll find the Blue Knight Select PanPastel Palettes HERE, at the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web store.
To subscribe to the Blue Knight Stamps blog, go HERE
To join the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps FAN GROUP on Facebook, go HERE

Thanks for visiting today!
I'll see you on July 24th , when I kick off Blue Knight Rubber Stamps July New Release Week and Giveaway, here at my blog

Michelle.

Lighthouse on the Beach: Creating a Set of Four Cards for a Friend

Hello my crafty and creative friends!

While I've been busy creating cards...it's been a while since I've shared a card here on my blog...so I thought that I'd check in...and share a set of four card that I created as a gift, for a friend.

I think that it's nice just to extend kindness to someone to let them know that they're appreciated...loved...and are being thought of.

My friend lives on the Long Island Sound, on the water...and so I wanted to create a set of lighthouse cards for her.

I knew that I wanted to use Blue Knight Rubber Stamps LIGHTHOUSE on the BEACH stamp.and I also knew that I wanted to use PanPastels to "paint" the images.
While I wanted to use the same image for all four cards...I knew that I didn't want the cards to be identical...I wanted slight variations in the skies that I created.

PanPastels blend, layer and apply like liquid paint....but they're dry...so they were ideal for creating the skies that I had in mind....and it just so happens that my favorite thing to do with PanPastels is blending colors to create beautiful skies

For each of the cards that I'm sharing today, I used Blue Knight Rubber Stamps Select PanPastel Palettes... The SUNRISE and SUNSET PALETTE and the DAY and NIGHT PALETTE.
I also used the COLORLESS BLENDER and a few other colors that Blue Knight sells separately.

I also used the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps BIRDS II stamp set to add the gulls to each card.

So here we go...
My little set of 4 LIGHTHOUSE on the BEACH cards....

For the first card, I wanted a dusk-like sky...with subtle blues and a hint of the end of day Summer sun

I used colors from both of the Blue Knight PanPastel Palettes to create the sky...as well as the water and coastal and rocky areas surrounding the lighthouse.

For the second card....I wanted to create an early evening sky with hints of Summer sun set colors.
I used a similar combination of blended colors...but I wanted the colors to be deeper...so I didn't blend and add a lot of the lighter PanPastel colors.

You can see the purple and coral like colors higher in the sky and the deeper blue tones closer to the water. The Sunrise and Sunset Palette and the Day and Night Palettes had all of the colors needed to complete this card. I used some of the colors "straight up" and others were used together to blend and create new colors.

After I created the end of day skies...I wanted to move on to creating 2 Summer sunset skies.
I combined yellows, orange and reds with some white and then blended the colors as I wanted with the colorless blender.
The colorless blender softens the differences in the colors and blends them together for a smooth  look.
The landscape areas of each card is colored in a very similar way...adding color to some sandy ground..some rocks...and a little bit of beach grass...

The seagulls show up nicely against the color of the sky

The second sunset sky is similar to the first, but this time, I added more red to create a deep coral like color to parts of the sky and I also added some white to add the suggestion of light to some areas of the sky.

I used LCI Metallic card stock for the largest mat layer on each card....and I matted each image piece with black matte card stock. The image pieces were positioned with fun foam, for added dimension.

In the end...I was really happy with this set of cards, and I am hoping that my friend will like them too.

Adding color to stamped images with PanPastels always opens the door to so many creative and "coloring"  possibilities, because they blend so beautifully.

While I enjoy creating water color and inked backgrounds...A LOT....
I'm really glad that I opted to go with PanPastels for this set of cards.

Before I thank you for visiting today...
I  also want to share that from July 24th -July 31st I'll be dedicating my blog to sharing all of my Design Team projects with you , created with the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps July new release stamps....
I'd love it if you followed along that week....
As always...I'll have a giveaway that week as well!

About the supplies used to for today's cards:
You'll find the LIGHTHOUSE on the BEACH stamp HERE
The BIRDS II stamp set HERE
and...the PanPastel PALETTES are HERE

Thanks for visiting today...
Wishing you a beautiful Sunday
Michelle.