Apothecary Art Birthday

Happy February!  I have a few more birthday cards to show off this week.  This one is very different than most cards I make, but still lovely. 

Tips & Tricks

• Aquapainters are always my tool of choice when water coloring.  They just make it so easy.  Squeeze the lid of a closed ink pad, then dip the Aquapainter in the ink that transfers to the inside of the lid.  It makes painting so easy!

• Don't forget to distress!  I think that's what gives this card just the right finishing touch.  I used Crumb Cake ink to lightly sponge around the edges of the center element.  When ordering sponges, they come in a pack of three.  You should then cut each one into four quarters.  They will be much easier to manage and you'll actually end up with 12 sponges!

Supplies

Stamps:  Apothecary Art
Ink:  Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, and Crumb Cake Classic Ink, StazOn Black Ink
Paper:  Calypso Coral and Naturals White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Aquapainters, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Sponge

Pretty Buttlerflies

One of the sets I got during Sale-a-Bration was Kindness Matters.  I'm not sure how I passed by it so many times, and I'm stunned that it didn't retire.  These little butterflies are perfect for watercoloring, so I got out my aquapainters and went to town.  I used Crumb Cake, Perfect Plum, and Elegant Eggplant for the butterflies, and added in some Always Artichoke on the flowers.  I kind of wish I had worked in some Elegant Eggplant card stock somewhere...I think that one extra color is what this card is missing.  And I should have sponged over the embossed flowers a bit, too (and yes, that's a retired embossing folder I used here...oops!)  Can you tell I'm not crazy about this card?  I think it has potential, but it just missed the mark.  I might have to try again on this one, but I at least wanted to share it!

Stamps:  Kindness Matters, Apothecary Art

Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink, Staz-On Black Ink, Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Crumb Cake, and Always Artichoke Classic Ink Pads

Paper:  Perfect Plum, Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, and Very Vanilla card stock

Accessories:  Labels Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Aquapainters, Stampin' Dimensionals, Crumb Cake and Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon, Pearls, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool