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! 

Forgotten Card......

I didn't mean to forget. But sometimes when there is a new release, I make multiple cards. and I simply forget to post all of them! This was one of them.  I actually saw it in the CHA booth and realized then, that I had never posted it here! ; )  It is part of July's new JustRite release called, Ever After Antique Labels.  A beautiful set dedicated to weddings and anything lovey dovey! I stamped the sentiment and frame and cut everything out using various Spellbinder's dies.  (Antique Labels One, Classic Edges Two,  and Fancy Tags Three)

A little bit of ribbon, twine, rhinestones, and flower were added as finishing touches on my card. 

This past Saturday I walked for The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Our team raised over $5,000!  I am proud and honored to work with such beautiful women....inside and out. Many of their burdens have been great.....but they have never stopped caring about others. 

And remember the other day, when I said I would get my kid a haircut and do a photo shoot? Well.....he got the haircut (After this picture was taken) and no photo shoot. This is our photo shoot. 15 year olds are not known to be cooperative.....especially this 15 year old.  ; )

Poor kid has to have all 4 of his wisdom teeth out on Monday. I will be playing nurse for a few days.....

Off to hang out with my girlfriends today! A bit of shopping, eating, and celebrating!  : D

Have a great day!!

Top Dog!

Good morning to you! It is an exciting day in the Kovack household.....Kyle gets his braces off! 2 1/2 years later, and he finally gets to see his teeth again! I think a haircut, a good lunch, and a photo session are in order today! ; ) 

 Crafty Secrets has come out with several new darling sets that I couldn't wait to color! This darling set is called, Top Dog! I used my Copics to color this cutie pie pup and bunny!  I paired it up with papers by Basic Grey for a fun party look.  

I had some of this scrunchy, elastic ribbon that matched perfectly and paired that with a tag and button.

Off to start my day!  Hope yours is a great one!!!!