PPA147: Nothing with You

Perhaps my favorite sentiment in the current Annual Catalog is found in From My Heart. It’s not the most popular sentiment in the set (maybe because it’s not accompanied by a cool shape or image). It’s just a simple statement that really says it all: I’d rather do NOTHING with you that SOMETHING with anyone else. I love it, but until today, I had yet to use it.

I wanted to incorporate this sentiment in my PPA sketch challenge this week – even before I saw the layout. Turns out it worked just fine. Margaret Moody’s done it again! She’s created a great sketch for another great Pals Paper Arts Challenge. Although this card sketch has many, many elements, it’s still a perfect sketch for a clean and simple card. Here’s my design: stampwithbrian.com - Nothing with You.jpg

Here’s Margaret’s sketch:stampwithbrian.com - PPA147.jpg

Tips, Tricks and Reminders:

  • Don’t be afraid of your blender pen. So many people are afraid of watercoloring and painting with their blender pens. Why? It’s so easy! Here’s how I colored the flowers in this project:

1. I stamped the flower in Basic Gray.

2. With the stamp pad closed, I pressed the back of the stamp pad lid in the center with my thumb. This presses the inside of the lid onto the pad so that a little bit of ink gathers in the lid.

3. I opened the stamp pad and dipped my blender pen into the pooled ink. Pulling from the center of the flower to the outside with every stroke, I painted all the flowers. Completely fill each flower with a light color.stampwithbrian.com - blender pen painting0121117-203627.jpg

4. Repeat the above steps with a slightly darker ink. Again, start from the center of the flower, but don’t paint in the entire flower. I used Primrose Petals for the inside layer.stampwithbrian.com - painting with blender pen.jpg

Note: Be careful to limit the number of times you color over an image with the Blender Pen. It’s very easy to saturate the Whisper White or Very Vanilla card stock, creating a “pilled” effect that’s not very pretty.

Stamp sets: Bordering on Romance, From my Heart Inks: Basic Gray, Primrose Petals, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi Papers: Basic Gray, Primrose Petals, Pink Pirouette, Pool Party Accessories: 1/4″ Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon,Stripes Embossing Folder, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Pearl Basic Jewels, 1-3/8″ Circle punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Thanks for joining me today!

Brian

Don’t forget!  I’m hosting a Ribbon Share right now, and I’d love for you to reserve a seat.  See the options here.  I’ll be hosting a Spring Catalog product share when the catalog is available in January.  Please keep me in mind!

16 Comments

  1. Shall I be the first to comment today? It’s 3:18 a.m. in my neck of the woods! Refreshing color combo Brian…pretty cool!

    • Thanks, Colleen! As a demo, I get a sneak peek at the Spring Catalog. I was inspired by some of the color combinations you’ll see there. Skipped Thanksgiving and Christmas – went straight to Valentine’s Day. 🙂

  2. Good morning! I love this color combination and Margaret’s Sketch is fantastic! I’ve never in a hundred years (yes I’m that old!) mixed three different embossed images side by side like that. Tricky! They look fantastic!

    • It was all for you, Patti! Everytime I make a card, I have to remember, “Patti wants me to use embossing folders.” I sandwiched a fine print image between two bold ones so that they wouldn’t compete for your attention.

  3. love the card…love the three embossed sections ….and I saw this layout by Margaret and loved it ..It reminds me of several cards that were featured in Take Ten magazine as their challenge back in 2010..(I have the issue because I consider it a treasure) this layout is so versatile and I love the sentiment…You could have this cross stitched on Bandit`s pillow !!!! ….

  4. Good morning Brian, I love how you mixed those 3 different embossing folders and the colors are so pretty together. Simple and fabulous!!
    How’s the card swap going? Are you getting lots of cards? I can’t wait till you start mailing them and I get mine.

  5. Oh wow! I LOVE the three panels of embossed patterns together! Great design, great colors, and you did such a nice job on the coloring tutorial and pictures 😉 Have a great day, Brian.

  6. Good morning, Brian! This card is very cool. I love the 3 embossing folders and I would never have thought of that either. I love using the blender pens, and I’m glad you mentioned “over coloring” on vanilla and white; I didn’t know that. I suppose for those of us who have a heavy hand, we could use watercolor paper? Thanks again for all you do for us. I too, am waiting anxiously for the card swaps. Did you get my cards? Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Bobbi

  7. What an interestiing use of color and technique combined! I love it, and the sentiment is all that!

  8. This is so beautiful Brian! I love it!

  9. I love how you used your embossed images on this card.

  10. Beautiful card…anyone would love receiving it! Thank you for the painting tips…I am one of those who is fearful of making a mess….thank you! Happy Thanksgiving, Brian!

  11. Your card is lovely – but I am still afraid of my blender pens………………

  12. Pingback: For My Wonderful Mother | stampwithbrian.com

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