Hugs and Happy Thoughts

 This is Hugs and Happy Thoughts. I am using a new to me stamp set, which I just love as it offers endless possibilities. 

To start, I first did my background so it would be dry when it came time to put my card together. Using oxide inks and Ranger Distress water colour paper I used Fossilized Amber and Spiced Marmalade, and did some smacking, for lack of a better description. I laid down the amber ink first, spritzing with water and smacked my Ranger Distress watercolour piece on to the ink, holding for a bit until it picked up some ink. I did this several times with the amber, dried with my heat gun and did it again with the marmalade, until I was happy with the look. I dried the piece, then flicked on some acrylic paints in orange and black. I made the orange, mixing red and yellow acrylics, then left it to dry.

For the flowers, on Fabriano Hot Press watercolour paper I stamped using jet black ink and used Altenew inks in oranges from the Warm and Cozy Mini cube set and greens from the Tropical Forest Mini cube set, to watercolour my flowers and leaves. So I can see the colours, I lay the colour down on my acrylic block that is set on top of a piece of white paper, and pick up with my watercolour brushes. I continued to add colour, again until I was happy with the outcome, then fussy cut the pieces out. A little tip when fussy cutting from watercolour paper ~ spritz the back of the paper just once, it will make the paper easier to handle and cut.

To put it all together, I attached the background piece to my card base. I die cut the arch piece from Neenah cardstock, added foam tape and attached. I then styled my flowers, arranging them in place and glued down, some with glue, others with foam dots. I then stamped the sentiment on the reverse side of Ranger Distress watercolour paper using jet black ink and sponged on the amber and marmalade lightly, then die cut with the label die, and finished with a few sequins. 

Thanks so much for joining me today ... I will see you next time.