Thursday, January 1, 2015

January Mixed Media Card Challenge

Happy New Year-2015!

Wow, it feels like December was the shortest month ever! I do hope it was a wonderful one for you. Now it is time for somethin' new--Yes, new is the challenge theme this month at the Mixed Media Card Challenge and tissue is the optional item.

Here is my card for this month:


My first step was penciling in the rocks onto watercolor paper. I adapted a sea foam stencil  to create a perch for the bird. I used a extra fine black calligraphy marker (new to me) called Elegant Writer by Speedball and followed a few new techniques Karlyn Holman teaches on this You Tube video.  I outlined the stones with the marker. Wetting the black circles causes the ink to bleed and so I brushed the ink onto the background.  When it became too wet I gently tapped it dry with a tissue. Moving the water changes the colors to shades of pink. The ink becomes permanent when dry and then other watercolors can be added. It is a fun process and I hope to try it again in other applications. 

Magenta bird stamp is water-colored and added white accents with a Signo pen and stamped the sentiment in archival black ink. The card with the Hampton Arts sentiment "spread your wings and fly " is appropriate for a wide variety of occasions where one is making a new beginning.

You can find all the details for the Mixed Media Card Challenge here.

Hope you have fun playing along with the MMCC this month!


Thanks for stopping by!
...Jan

14 comments:

  1. this is such a cool card! loving the rocks!!! wishing you a fabulous 2015!!!!!

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  2. What a beautiful card Jan! love the stones the bird is perched on - got to check out that video to see the technique you used on this! Looking forward to working with you in 2015 on the MMCC DT!

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  3. Gorgeous card Jan. The rocky perch for the bird is amazing ... love this technique and thanks for the link to the video. Happy New Year! Loll xx

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  4. Beautiful card,really elegant with wonderful colouring Jan

    Big hugs
    Donna xxx

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  5. I love the effect that you've achieved on the rocks, Jan, I'll have to watch that video. Happy New Year to you!

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  6. The effect that the rocks create is out of this world :) this looks like a painting, awesome work!

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  7. This is just fabulous. I love the sentiment and the pebbles rock!! I hope there is atorial coming to explain how to do it!!

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  8. LOVE the rocks, very cool looking!! Happy New Year Jan!

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  9. What did you put on to make the stomes shiny. I watched the U tube video and want to try this.


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    1. I only water colored the stones with the Elegant Writer. My blog photo was made on a scanner and is a bit brighter in color than my original card. I too see the brightness which might be thought of as shiny. If you like that look you may want to try a glossy medium after the card is totally dry. PS. I was able to find the Elegant Writer at the local JoAnn store.
      I look forward to seeing what you create!...Jan

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  10. Fabulous effect on the stones, Jan. Happy 2015 to you.

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  11. Jan, picked up my elegant writer today at Joanne's. I am going to practice with them and will work on a project. You will probably see it on MMCB. Thank you so much for helping me.

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  12. I just love your work, I am very inspired by it.

    Thank you
    Jessica

    be sure to visit my blog too:
    http://jessicalynnoriginalstamps.blogspot.com/

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  13. This is one outstanding card. The rocks are beautiful. Love the whole layout.

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