Maura's Musings

Monday, June 17

Hello Monday my friends, and welcome back for this week's challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - TRANSPORT IT.

Wouldn't it be fun to explore Paris on a Vespa? My gal is transporting herself in style, stopping at the Eiffel Tower as she explores the "City of Light."

I stamped my images on watercolor paper, using the stamp platform, then began to watercolor the image. I usually put a bit of color on my mat, then dilute it with a water brush before adding it.

Working on adding in some shading and variation in color.

I'd created some backgrounds previously with the alcohol pearl inks, and stapled this into the Dina Wakley Media Journal. I framed a photo I took of the Eiffel Tower a few years ago on black, and layered it on top.

I added in my stamped images. Then I decided to stamp the fleur de lis and Paris onto the burlap with ground espresso.

Details...

I added some dimension with Nuvo drops.

Life's too short, enjoy the ride...no matter what you are riding!

Are you ready to join our Transport It challenge? I'm looking forward to seeing your creation. One participant is drawn at random for a $50 shopping voucher from our generous friends at Simon Says Stamp!

SUPPLIES:

Stamping Bella UPTOWN GIRL VIENNA AND HER VESPA

Stamper′s Anonymous Tim Holtz Paris Memoir Stamp Set

Ranger Dina Wakley Media Journal

Tim Holtz Alcohol Pearls ink Ranger set 2

Simon Says Stamp WHITE ALCOHOL INK YUPO PAPER 3 pack

Simon Says Stamp Premium Dye Ink Black

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad GROUND ESPRESSO Ranger TIM43270

Nuvo BUBBLEGUM BLUSH GLOSS Crystal Drops

Nuvo COPPER PENNY Crystal Drops

Nuvo BOHEMIAN TEAL Vintage Drops

Tim Holtz Ranger ALCOHOL BLENDING SOLUTION

Alcohol Ink Applicator

Tim Holtz Idea-ology TINY ATTACHER Stapler Tool Mini Staples

Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100# BLACK Black8

Canson XL WATERCOLOR PAPER

Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers

Tim Holtz Tonic Craft Stamp Platform

Fiskars Reinforced Paper Trimmer 12 inches

Craft Scissors - Tim Holtz

3M Scotch PINK ATG ADVANCED TAPE GLIDER

3M Scotch DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE Permanent

Prima Watercolor Brush Pen

A GREAT place to shop!

Simon is on Instagram - use #sssmchallenge

Be sure to head on over to see how the design team is interpreting this week's challenge!

Monday, June 10

Hello friends and welcome to this week's challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - VACATION!

What do you think about when you hear the word vacation? Many things come to mind for me, but one constant is books. I always have to take a book (or several) with me on vacation, and I will find time to read them, whether it is while traveling, sitting on the beach, around the campsite, wherever I am, I feel like I am on vacation when I am reading a good book!

So, I decided to make two little books for this week. They are perfect for sketching, watercolor, taking notes, or even writing a little story into them. I love to take a small notebook with me on vacation and jot down what I am doing, and sketch in a few scenes.

I couldn't wait to try out the new Boho Blends by Gwen LaFleur. I'm using the new Spiced Market set here, and this took me right back to the spice markets in India. I sprinkled them on randomly with a small spoon, then heat set them. I gathered up the leftovers and used those too.

I used embossing ink on a texture plate and stencils in a variety of designs.

Next step was to begin to build in another layer of color with the watercolors.

Page one

Page two

I stamped some background words in on some pages with the Good Reading Background stamp by Simon Says Stamp...it seemed appropriate.

I stamped titles on the fronts with Seth Apter's Journal Jargon words.

After I folded the papers into the mini books, I punched two holes and tied all the pages together with sari ribbon, and added a clip to close them.

As you can see, some pages are blank, and some have designs.

Detail photos...

Gypsy Wanderer

Bohemian Voyager

I hope I've inspired you to join us this week with my spin on vacation. One lucky participant is drawn at random to win a $50 shopping voucher from our generous friends at Simon Says Stamp!