A blog devoted to the cards I make in my tiny upstairs space. When my sister stays there, she calls it an "artist's garret". I'm not an artist, but am an enthusiastic cardmaker - hence the title "Cardmaker's Garret".
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Monday, 16 April 2018

Elegantly Written Bird

Time for a reminder about CAS Watercolour's "Bird" challenge!


I was inspired to make my reminder card by the latest Technique Lover's Challenge at SCS - "Pen Painting" - to use the Elegant Writer pen to watercolour.  More about that after I show you my card:


The Elegant Writer is a calligraphy pen that has a pigment that will separate out with water into tones of grey, teal green, and a pinky mauve.  Lydia (Understand Blue on SCS) did a great video on using it (see it here) and I followed her technique.

I stamped the bird in Distress Vintage Photo on mixed media cs, then added some thin lines with the Elegant Writer here and there around the edges.  With a small brush and water, I pulled the colour out of the Elegant Writer lines and out of the Vintage Photo stamping.  The browns are from the Vintage Photo ink and the greys, greens and mauves are from the Elegant Writer.  When dry, I fussy cut the bird.

I used an embossing folder for my background, trimming it down to leave space on one side for my vertical sentiment and to keep my card CAS.  I topped it with a leafy die cut made from a piece of watercolour paper and brushos.  I glued down the bird's feet, legs, and tummy, and used foam tape to pop up his back and head.

Don't forget to come and join us at CAS Watercolour with your clean and simple cards featuring birds and watercolouring.  You have until April 24th to link up.  There's lots of inspiration over at our reminder post from the Design Team and our Guest Designer, Stef of Perry Papercrafts.






Supplies:
Stamps - SU Best Birds, Technique Junkies sentiment
Ink - Distress Vintage Photo, Memento Cottage Ivy
Paper - white cs, watercolour cs, mixed media cs
Size - A2
Accessories - Elegant Writer pen, leafy embossing folder, green Brushos



12 comments:

  1. That's a cool technique that I'd forgotten about, Susan! I love the different colors that you pulled out from the Elegant Writer. The embossed background of leaves is perfect for this handsome fellow!

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  2. You did an outstanding job coloring that bird in your muted and realistic colors, Susan! I admire your incredibly accurate fussy cutting too- down to those itty bitty feet! WOW, this is fantastic and love that you mounted him on an embossed, white background showing off your artwork.

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  3. WOW...this is a beautiful card Susan! Your bird is just AWESOME and looks fabulous against your dry embossed background and little sprig of colored leaves!! I've never heard of an Elegant Writer pen, but I'm definitely going to check out the link you provided! Sweet, sweet card!! :0)

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  4. what an amazing array of colours you got with the elegant writer. So pretty. I'm also in awe of your fussycutting wow!! :)

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  5. Your bird is so beautifully watercoloured Susan. I love the look of this elegant writer and need to buy one for myself! :) Beautifully designed card. Love the dry embossed background and matching leaf sprig. xx

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  6. What a beautifully watercoloured bird, Susan! I didn’t know that you can do this kind of magic with the Elegant Writer pen and the Vintage Photo ink. Thanks for the video link! The dry embossed white background shows off the pretty bird so well. Hideko xx

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  7. how pretty...your bird is coloured so realistic looking...well done.
    xx Karen

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  8. Wow Susan! beautiful coloring on your bird! I've got to get an Elegant writer and try this out! Julia xx

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  9. Fabulous colouring on that cute bird. Love the pop of colours from the twig branch and the dry embossing looks amazing x

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  10. What a great coloring job on your bird. The embossing folder is perfect with the varied colored leaves.

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  11. That Elegant Writer looks so cool. You pulled the colors from it to watercolor your bird beautifully. Love the embossed background. xx

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  12. I saw that TLC challenge on SCS but wasn't familiar with the elegant writer pen. I especially love how you used the inks to subtly color the bird. This is a gorgeous card Susan!

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