Monday, February 16, 2015

Watch The Birdie


When I grow up I want to be able to watercolour like Dawn Woleslagle.  I'd also like to be able to sketch like her too!  I love how she let the colours bleed away from the bird into the background on this YouTube video, and I wanted to attempt something similar - attempt being the operative word, mine looks like a real bruiser compared to Dawn's delicate painting.

I used my homemade kingfisher stamp - the good news is that a slightly smaller version of the kingfisher (and a few of his friends) will be released under the Bee's Knees line in the STAMPlorations April release, so watch this (birdie) space.

I stamped the kingfisher with Versamark and white-embossed it, then sloshed on some Distress Inks.  I decided that I would iron off the embossing.  I can tell you from experience that ironed-off white embossing is nowhere neat as good as ironed-off clear embossing, but hey-ho.

I'm entering this into The Paper Players - CAS - Feathered Friends (feature a bird on your card),


and also into Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - All Creatures Great and Small,


and Simon Says Monday Challenge - Paradise.  I always think kingfishers look exotic with their colourful plumage.  A kingfisher family lives on the river near us and DH is lucky enough to see one now and again on his dog walks.


20 comments:

  1. Your water color looks quite good to me Shirley. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. - Jim

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  2. I LOVE THIS!!! That bird is fantastic and your watercoloring is beautiful!

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  3. This is gorgeous, Shirley! I love your watercoloring, and then to find out you MADE the stamp?! Very impressive! So glad you could join us this week at The Paper Players!

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  4. SHIRLEY! *waving wildly* My sweet friend, mega apologies for having fallen 13 (yes,thirteen) posts behind in commenting *hanging head in shame*! I have, however, gazed at, admired and oohed and ahhed over each and every one of your fabulous creations as they appear in my Feedly. Always, your innovative, thinking-out-side-the-box cards and engaging posts dazzle and delight. So much to marvel at; so much to lift my spirits, spark ideas, brighten my day. I'm going to stand myself in the corner for a bit, then hopefully, get my act together to stay on top of your creations (blaming my tardiness on new work duties, travel, more travel, more work and overall scatteredness, as I try to adjust to life with a piece missing...). Thank you for understanding and for being such an AMAZING friend! Your watercolouring here is gorgeous and I am blown away that you've made this stamp. Your talents are unlimited. A 'bruiser' in comparison to Dawn's...no way, my friend. This is utterly awesome! As in WOW awesome!
    Hugs galore~c

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  5. THis is just lovely! I can't believe you made this stamp yourself?! What gorgeous colors you used as well! Thanks for sharing this with us at the PP this week!

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  6. Wow! What an absolutely stunning card! Just gorgeous! Fab work!

    Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

    hugs...
    Melissa

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  7. I Love birds and watercoloring and your fun artistic card. I will be watching for your new bird sets. TFS Shirley.

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  8. Yep, happy he's coming to STAMPlorations. And no kidding Dawn rules!

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  9. Yay! Can't wait to get him! Dawn is amazing, but you are uber talented too!

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  10. What a fantastic kingfisher, gorgeous. Can't wait to see the new set in April. :)

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  11. Awesome card! Your water coloring is perfect! And I'm sure Dawn Woleslagle would agree with me! Love the background.

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  12. I LOVE the soft dreamy feel created by the water colouring Shirley!

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  13. Gorgeous water colour painting, love it ! also love your donuts in the next post! Have a great weekend, Shirleyxx

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  14. I love your artsy watercolor card. It's very on-trend and your colors are beautiful. And I think it's so neat that the stamp is your own design...that's just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your talent with The Paper Players this week!

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  15. I just love your watercoloured kingfisher - I think you did a great job, it truly is stunning whilst still perfectly CAS! And then I read it's your own stamp too - amazing!!! Thanks so much for joining my CAS bird challenge over at The Paper Players this week!

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  16. Shirley, I just keep coming back to look at this beautiful creation! Your homemade stamp and watercoloring is just amazing! Thank you for joining us at The Paper Players this week! XX

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  17. Beautifully soft and delicate, Shirley ... your kingfisher captures the real thing wonderfully! Waiting for April! Anita :)

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  18. What a beautiful watercolor-effect card! Love the bird and the colors you used are great.

    My Card Blog: Creative Heart Designs

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  19. Gorgeous card! Your bird looks amazing! Thanks so much for joining along with the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge!

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  20. Having not seen the original, this looks absolutely stunning to me, beautiful colours, a simply gorgeous card. Ruth x

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