Hello everyone! Christmas is almost here and the past months have really flown by. At the same time, if I look back at something specific we did just two weeks ago, it already feels like it was long ago. Time is funny that way.
This is our last Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge of the year, and we will be back again on January the first. So this challenge runs for two weeks. Our theme is Party!
Thank you so much for everyone who has joined us and posted project during the year. It is such fun to check out all the creative projects that are made for each challenge.
I was first planning to do an art journal page, but then remembered that I needed a birthday card for a special friend, and I wanted her to have something newly made. She shares my love for Baobab trees, and I was lucky to find one on the Darkroom Door African Trees set. The watercolored background was in my scrap box, and was one of the backgrounds I did for my Versatile Watercolor Stamping class on Skillshare. I also did a similar background on this Watercolor Tree Journal page.
The clouds were done by smearing a tiny bit of Distress Micro Glaze in the sky, which resist the watercolor paint.
I lost focus for a while when stamping the sentiments and messed up. Normally, I would cover it up by stamping on a strip of paper, but I didn't want anything extra in the sky, so I decided to leave it as it was. The sentiments were done with the SSS Friendship Blooms and Thoughtful Messages sets.
The trees and animals were inked with Distress Inks and misted with water before stamping, for a watercolor effect, similar to my Winter Watercolor Notebooks from last week. I used Forest Moss and Peeled Paint for the trees. Forest Moss is a really nice brownish green color, which I don't use often enough.
The elephant stamped a little too light at first, so I redid it with darker colours, so that it would stand out as a silhouette instead. Shadows were painted under the animals and trees. My almost favorite part of the whole scene is that little blue spot in the foreground.
I also added a Clippings Sticker. The edges of the watercolor paper were distressed, and I layered the panel on white cardstock and a piece of vellum before mounting it to the card.
On the inside of the card, I stamped this sentiment, from the Darkroom Door Wilderness Vol. 1 set, which is one of my favorite quotes, and I am pretty sure my friend will like it too.
I hope you will join us this week in our Party! challenge. As always, you have a chance to win a $50 gift voucher to do some fun shopping at Simon Says Stamp. You have two weeks for this challenge until Monday 1 January 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in.
Do you use Instagram? If so please add #sssmchallenge so we can see your entries there too.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog today! I will be back again before Christmas.
Happy crafting!
Anna-Karin
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Oh, another great scene of yours. I really love them, you do that so good! Love the summery feel of this one and all the earth colors. Wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year! Hugs, Marzena
ReplyDeleteLove the African savannah scene here, one day I would love to go on a safari! :-) I am sure your friend will love this! I would frame it and hang it on my wall, this is absolutely fabulous! :-)
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Very Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a fabulous 2018!! :-)
luv
Lols x x x
What a wonderful scenic card, I am sure the recipient will love it! Have a great week, a merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy new year 2018. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI love your card and the beautiful colors and scene, Anna-Karin. Your friend will love it. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteCathie ♥
such a beautiful and personalized card-love it! Best wishes for a beautiful holiday season, and thank you for all your DT inspirations!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have never been to Africa I can imagine it by looking at this beautiful creation Anna-Karin, the colours are wonderful and I love those trees! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas season! Anne xx
ReplyDeleteStunning scene, Anna-Karin! You are so wonderful at watercoloring. You make it so effortless : )
ReplyDelete*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!
Beautiful birthday card for your friend, Anna-Karin! Love your wonderful watercolor scene, and the words you chose to celebrate your friend! Wishing you and your family a wonderful and joyous Christmas and many blessings in the new year! Merry Christmas! hugs, Maura
ReplyDeletePS - the beautiful Christmas photo of Anton and Leo arrived in the post today! I love your photo of them! Wonderful and sweet!!
DeleteLove the wonderful watercolor effect on this birthday card, Anna-Karin. The colors and the layout are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI've received your adorable photo of Anton and Leo. They are super cute! Thank you!!! I wish you and your family happy holidays and a wonderful new year, my lovely and talented friend :)
What a fantastic piece! I would've never thought of a safari/animal theme to represent the party vibe, but it works so perfectly! I love the fuzzy/dreamy look of your animals. So lovely and I enjoyed the photo of your boys so much, too! Thanks for making my holidays bright and I wish you every good thing in 2018!
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful scene Anna-Karin!!!! your ability to use watercolors is stunning! fantastic! Barbara
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful serene card Anna-Karin, I know your friend will have loved it...hugs kath xxx
ReplyDeleteI agree with kath, this is such a beautiful, calm and serene card!
ReplyDeleteMakes my heart warmer!
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