Distress Marker Tutorial!

It is hard for me to believe that it is already the last Friday in July. August means "back to school" and I need to start getting my mind set in that direction! I have lots to do before my students walk in that 5th grade door! : )

 I am really enjoying Tim Holtz' Distress Markers and have a little tutorial on how I used them for this card.I used Crafty Secret's Dahlia set.  The flower is just so big and gorgeous! 

The image didn't need much to dress it up....just a simple bow, tag, and a couple of stick pins. 

Now I hope you will forgive my rather dark photos....my couple of missing steps....that is what happens when you have this "bright" idea to create a tutorial at midnight! ; )  For my card above you will need the stamp, Versamark, watercolor paper, and white embossing powder.  (And a heat gun!) 

Once heated, I used these 3 markers to color the flower in: Barn Door, Worn Lipstick, and Spun Sugar.  I colored like you would using any marker, working dark to light. 

Take your water brush and work the colors so they blend and fade into each other. 

Mop up the excess water with a Kleenex or towel.....

Once the flower is colored in, use the blue around the flowers and leaves to help define it.  It will make the flower pop a bit more.

I could have stopped here....it is certainly pretty and has a soft quality to it. But if you know me, I can't ever keep it simple. ; )

So I grabbed two colors of Distress Ink. The first one I used was Antique Linen. Swipe the edges to give it a distressed aged look.

Then to soften it a bit, I used a bit of Spun Sugar to give it a hint of pink.

Because these are all waterbased inks, you need a water mister to spray your finished product! Why?

Because when you spray it, it gives it this beautiful mottled look. : )

And why stop there?  Grab some Goosebumps spray  and add "water" droplets to the flower! 

Now it looks a bit like my Dahlia was out in the rain! 

This past weekend we celebrated my niece and nephew's birthdays.....7 and 5. I love these pics of them....complete with goggles and nose clip! ; ) Can you tell we are related? ; ) 

Have a great weekend my friends!  Thank you for supporting me, encouraging me, and making this hobby 100 % more enjoyable!