Roses and more roses

I've been playing around with the technique Patty Bennett showed on her blog a little while ago - making those awesome 3-D looking roses from Fifth Avenue Floral. They are addicting!

This one is done with Apricot Appeal and Pumpkin Pie re-inkers on Shimmery White cardstock, Taste of Textiles, Walk in the Park DSP, and Apricot Appeal and Certainly Celery cardstock.

This next one is also done with the Apricot Appeal and Pumpkin Pie re-linkers. I used Really Rust CS for the card base and made the leaves from Certainly Celery. I really liked the orange combination, since these roses look so much like my favorite rose in the backyard, Rio Samba.
The technique is water coloring. Years ago, before I found rubber stamps, I wanted to learn how to water color. Now, at the time, I didn't KNOW that water coloring is much more difficult than, say, oils or pastels.

So, I putzed around with the technique, never quite getting it before I moved on to colored pencils. I could control colored pencils. Control with water coloring, until you understand the techniques, is pretty difficult to achieve and be happy with.

Since Stampin' Up! started carrying the water color crayons, I've had a lot of time to practice and slowly learn the proper ways to water color. I'd like to think I've finally got it mastered, but I'm sure there is still a lot for me to learn!

The technique for these roses is really pretty basic: stamp with white craft ink, cover with white embossing powder, heat emboss, and then water color!

I tried it on watercolor paper, as well, and while they were still beautiful, they didn't give that subtle shimmer you get when you use the Shimmery card stock.

I also tried other color combinations: Rose red, Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie, Lavendar Lace, and yes, even Orchid Opulence! Have to say, though, the orange and red roses were my favorites.

I hope you've enjoyed a few of my latest creations. The next time I post, I'll try to remember to show you those rascally cats of mine.

In the meantime, enjoy whatever it is that makes YOU happy!

Sam