Day One -- Watercolors for Cardmakers!!

...Today is Day One in the brand new "Watercolors for Cardmakers - Intermediate Techniques" class, which is hosted over at the fabulous "Online Card Classroom".  I absolutely LOVE the classes that Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner offer in their classroom, and I am very honored and proud to have had the opportunity to take EVERY class!  I have loved them all!   The watercolor classes are my all time favorites, and this class is the third the the series.  You can head over to the main site for information on any and all the classes offered and you can take any of them now! 

   I, personally love to take the classes, when they are "Live" or "Interactive" as is this class now.   But, all classes are offered at Lifetime classes, and while you can not "Interact" in the past classes you can enroll and take any of them at anytime!  For more on that and all the details on all the classes that are offered and how they work -- please visit the Online Card Classroom.   

   Today's first class and the "before class homework", was taught by Dawn Woleslagle, the owner and creator of WPlus 9, and Dawn is an amazing designer and watercolor artist.  She has been part of every one of the Watercolor classes and is also a fabulous teacher.  There are several other superb teachers, in addition to Jennifer an Kristina, who will be part of this class, here is the list for you along with links to theirs blogs.  (Info courtesy of the "Online Card Classroom")

  The wonderful Guest Artists for this class are:

Dawn Woleslagle, Debby Hughes, Laura Bassen, 

Lydia Fiedler and Shari Carroll

    In today's class we focused on learning some really fun techniques, including how we can use certain brushes to create really fun and somewhat easy designs.  Here are two pics of my "brush stroke" and practice sheets.

   I created my card with a fun technique using "dies", which as based on one of Dawn's lessons today!   Please keep in mind that "water-coloring" is very new to me and I have a lot to learn, but I am totally enjoying it!   

   Supplies used:   Strathmore Watercolor Paper - Cold Press, Heart and Hug Dies  from Simon Says Stamp, Bazzill "Red" Cardstock, Silver Brush Black Velvet Brushes, (they are awesome, pricey by worth every penny), Kuretake Watercolors,  Black Copic Multiliners, the basic black cardstock and gems are all from my stash.

    This card is also being submitted to today's new "Love is in the Air" challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp - Monday Challenge Blog.

      I have three cards to share, both were created for challenges over at "The Outlawz Challenges", where I am currently a new member of their "Festive Friday" challenge -- Design Team.

  

     This first card was created for this week's Wednesday Sketch Challenge and was inspired by this sketch.

 

   A super fun and easy card that started with this cute little "Penguin" which is a Pre-Colored digital image I bought from DigiStamp Boutique!    I added some additional details to the him with a white Signo Gel pen and a Wink of Stella Marker.  The sentiment and "die cut" hearts are both Simon Says Stamp exclusives and the gems are from Hero Arts.    

  This next card was created for Sunday's CAS Challenge, where the theme this week is a Birthday Card and the color Red.   My image for this card, comes from this fun "Doodle Buds" stamp set by WPlus 9, and it was colored with my Copics and highlighted with 3D Crystal Lacquer.  The sentiment came from this sweet set by, Reverse Confetti!  A fun, yet, SUPER easy card!!

  And that brings me to my last card for today, which was created last night for the "Twisted Thursday" challenge over that The Outlawz.   In this challenge the main theme is always "Anything Goes", and there is also a "Twist" thrown in, this week's Twist is "Baby" and I created my card with this adorable baby digi image, from "By Lori Designs", which I adore.  The image is actually two babies and was part of special fundraiser for the two sweet babies, "In Memory of Jakin Isaac and Shyla Joy", who now, as Lori's says - live in Heaven.   I have owned these for a few years and was so touched by their meaning!   

   For this card, I edited the image and used sweet little "Shyla" for my card.   I Love Lori's wonderful talent and hope in time, she'll add some new digis to her store! 

  

"Love" was printed directly onto "Copic Ready" cardstock, this is my favorite "Cryogen White", which is a subtle hint of shimmer!  I buy mine (and all my Copic Cardstock) from "The Paper Temptress"...a wonderful online store, owned by my friend, Patricia!  

  Phew!  Long post and now this girl is VERY tired....it takes me a long time and several breaks to type a post this long (darn Fibro), but I had a lot of share and really wanted to inspire you to join th class, shop at all of my favorite crafty stores and also join me in some of my favorite challenges!  

   I can't begin to express the JOY of being able to create again .....battling cancer sure made it hard for awhile, but now I'm doing so much better and so happy to be back!  Woohoo!!