Right as Rain - Cardmaking and Scrapbooking with Jean Manis

Father’s Day Inspiration | Penny Black Blissful Bears

Hello! Today, I am delighted to showcase the enchanting Blissful Bears stamp set by Penny Black. While I plan to use the card for Father’s Day, the image and sentiment can be used for a variety of occasions.

I brought the peaceful image of a bear napping in a rowboat to life with watercoloring. The bear exudes a sense of calm and contentment, inviting us to pause and appreciate life’s simple pleasures.

I stamped the Blissful Bears stamp set image and sentiment on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper with VersaFine ink and heat set it. I colored the image with Tombow markers, Zig markers, and an Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencil.

Once the watercolored image was dry, I trimmed the image and matted it with black cardstock. I added the assembly to a dry-embossed orange cardstock background (which was added to a card base).

You can see more of the Penny Black Cherished Collection in this post.

Friendship Blooms in Miniature | Art Impressions Matchbook Garden Shed

Hello! Today, I am sharing a project created with the Art Impressions matchbook set – Garden. I enjoyed watercoloring a scene straight out of a gardener’s paradise – a dedicated gardening shed! Continue reading to learn how I created the card.

The Art Impressions Matchbook series has many different options. You can see an intro video here. For more inspiration, see my other matchbook creations here and here.

- Stamp Garden images in VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.
- Watercolor the images with watercolor markers using the No. 4 and No. 1 brushes and palette. I used a combination of Tombow markers, Zig markers, and Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images here.
- Once dry, cut the images with the coordinating dies included with the Garden set.
- Cut matchbook from patterned paper with the MB Template. Add watercolored Garden elements.
- Stamp Garden sentiment on white cardstock, trim, and add to scene.

It just so happens that there is currently a challenge at Art Impressions called Fabulous Flowers, in which I am entering the project.

The Enchanting World of “A Little Hello” | Spellbinders Quick and Easy Card Kit

Hello! This month’s Spellbinders Quick & Easy Card Kit “A Little Hello” features charming fairy tale, neighborhood, floral, and tea party themes. I created four unique cards that showcase the kit’s versatility. The Quick & Easy Card Kit provides everything you need to create handmade cards including sentiments, chipboard and die-cut elements, patterned paper, colored cardstock, and card bases. The best part is that everything is perfectly coordinated, making it easy to mix and match elements to create a cohesive and polished look.

Head to the Spellbinders blog for more inspiration and a tutorial.

Sending Hugs from the Sea | Spellbinders Small Die Kit Club

Hello! Today I am sharing a mini-slimline, underwater scene card created with the Spellbinders June 2023 Small Die Kit Club – “Dancin’ Octopus & Friends”- with which I paired the sentiment of “Hey” (included in the kit) and “Sending Hugs.” Octopuses are visually interesting creatures with their distinctive and otherworldly appearance, tentacles, and vibrant coloration. This card would work for a number of occasions, whether to connect with a friend, brighten the day of someone feeling under the weather, or “just because.” Keep reading to learn how I created the card.

- Create background by applying Distress inks – Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon, and Blueprint Sketch – on Distress Watercolor cardstock. Trim to mini-slimline size of 6 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches and add to card base.
- Glimmer foil the Sending Hugs sentiment from the Mini Sincere Sentiments set in black on Snowdrift cardstock. Trim.
- Cut June 2023 Small Die Kit Club pieces – octopuses and jellyfish – from light gray cardstock and cardstock to which Distress Oxide inks have been applied. Assemble. Note: The bottom layers of the octopus and jellyfish can move, hence the name “Dancin’ Octopus & Friends.” For my design, I did not leave that layer free to move.

- Add octopuses to card, trim edges as necessary. Add jellyfish and sentiment.

Head to the Spellbinders blog for a tutorial with the Small Die Kit Club – “Dancin’ Octopus & Friends.”

Cruising with Cuteness | Lawn Fawn

Hello! I am delighted to share a card featuring the Lawn Fawn Car Critters stamp set that works for a variety of occasions including anniversaries and friendship. A single-layer background with a road and a cloud-filled sky sets the stage for the bears’ adventure.

- - Stamp Car Critters car and bear images on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set. Color with watercolor mediums. When dry, cut with coordinating dies. Note: I used Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencils to color some of the images. This is a watercoloring medium with which I am experimenting. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images HERE.
  - Mask white cardstock with vellum and apply Distress Oxide inks for sky, road, and grass. Add white pigment ink clouds with the Cloud Background Stencils. Trim stenciled panel to 5 x 3 3/4 inches. Add to textured white cardstock base.
  - Stamp Car Critters sentiment, trim. Note: The two-line sentiment is two stamps. I wanted to ensure that the sentiments stamped straight. I left the stamps on the acetate sheet and taped the sheet with the stamps on my stamp positioner.
  - Adhere sentiment panel and car to card front.