Tuesday, July 24, 2012

a Happy Secret: a Tutorial on SCS! :-)

So, there's this happy secret I can finally share with You!

distress watercolour dry embossing collage
(Butterflies: K & Co. "Hello Friend" sentiment: Hero Arts "Just for You" digi kit.
"happy birthday" sentiment SRM Stickers "Happy" set)



First things first, Thank You! There are no words for how much your kindness means to me. I am always astounded anew by how incredibly supportive You lovely Crafty Kindred spirits are. How lucky for me that you take the time to share your wise thoughts and beautiful way of thinking. A thousand happy thank yous & I'll keep you posted on my journey to healthiness. OXO

offered me the chance to do a tutorial on SCS. Of course, I jumped at
the opportunity & today is finally the day it goes live!
giggle giggle giggle











Here's a version of the technique that uses another image style of folder, a tree
pattern in a Spellbinders M-Bossabilities embossing folder called Flora:

Flora - Distress Watercolour Embossing card
(Butterflies: Hero Arts "Flutterbies" digi kit. Sentiment: Hero Arts "Just for You" digi kit)


This background is really quick and easy to do. I tried to get an ombre effect with the shades of green. Distress Ink colours used: old paper mixed with crushed olive & shabby shutters.
All the details are on SCS here, for this card.

If you like the graph paper,
it's a freebie that you can find here:
11-plum_BRIGHT_subtle_GRAPH_12_and_a_half_inch_SQ_350dpi_melstampz
(I lightened the plum colour in photoshop by selecting the
following: image - adjustments - hue/saturation - lightness +)


To save this file:
In Firefox/Chrome: right click on the image & choose "save link as"
In Explorer: right click on the image & choose "save target as"
(or you can see the whole set here on Flickr)





And here's a version that's my attempt at that modern casual style:

Regal Flourishes - Distress Watercolour Embossing card
("happy birthday" sentiment from SRM Stickers "Happy" set.)


It uses just a piece of watercoloured embossing &
a Tim Holtz Texture Fades embossing folder called Regal Flourishes.
Distress Ink colours used: tumbled glass; broken china; crushed olive
and all the other details are here on SCS.

If you like the papers, they are digital paper freebies
that you can find...

... here:
19-barely_there_cream_NEUTRAL_pomegranate_and_flowers_solid_12_and_a_half_inches_SQ_350dpi_melstampz

To save this file:
In Firefox/Chrome: right click on the image & choose "save link as"
In Explorer: right click on the image & choose "save target as"
(or you can see the whole set here on Flickr)


...and here:
9-blue_raspberry_BRIGHT_subtle_random_STRIPE_12_and_a_half_inch_SQ_350dpi_melstampz

To save this file:
In Firefox/Chrome: right click on the image & choose "save link as"
In Explorer: right click on the image & choose "save target as"
(or you can see the whole set here on Flickr)






This last example is a soft version that uses a more abstract watercolour
style and an embossing folder from Sizzix called Tropical Paisley:

Tropical Paisley - Distress Watercolour Embossing card
(Baby T-shirts and Sentiment: Hero Arts "Special Delivery" digi kit.)


By the by, it's actually easier to do this type of folder than the rose outline one,
since there is less chance of getting embossing powder where you don't want it.
Distress Ink colours used here watered down to make pastel shades:
broken china; wild honey; crushed olive; spun sugar
And you can find all of the other supplies & details on SCS here.


If you like the papers, they are digital paper freebies
that you can find...

... here:
20-cool_grey_light_NEUTRAL_medium_DOTS_outline_12_and_a_half_inch_SQ_350dpi_melstampz


To save this file:
In Firefox/Chrome: right click on the image & choose "save link as"
In Explorer: right click on the image & choose "save target as"
(or you can see the whole set here on Flickr)

...and here:
11-plum_BRIGHT_subtle_random_STRIPE_12_and_a_half_inch_SQ_350dpi_melstampz
(I lightened the plum colour in photoshop by selecting the
following: image - adjustments - hue/saturation - lightness +)


To save this file:
In Firefox/Chrome: right click on the image & choose "save link as"
In Explorer: right click on the image & choose "save target as"
(or you can see the whole set here on Flickr)



Thanks ever ever so much
for being You!

42 comments:

Maureen said...

Congrats! And thanks for another awesome tutorial - I can't wait to try it!

Crafting Aberrigines said...

Gracious Me !!
Is there anything more gorgeous than this in this whole wide world ?? I mean this is what defines creativity ...
you have surpassed it all.
hats off to you..Mel :)

Margie said...

This looks fantastic Mel! Got to go and have a look at the whole tutorial but just to let you know I've been here.

Beth Norman said...

Your work is so beautiful. I loved your tutorial. Congratulations on being published on SCS, You rock!

Anonymous said...

EEEEKKKKKKKK! Congratulations!! So excited for you!! Fabulous creativity as always!!! Happy Hugs to you.
Beth Greco

Chris said...

I was so thrilled to see this pop up! You always do things top-notch, first rate. Where others make one card, you make several - all equally lovely. It's always well worth the wait Mel so take care of yourself. We'll be here waiting :)

MichelleMyBelle said...

Mel, this is a wonderful tutorial, one I'm going to try. Please take care of yourself. Your health comes first. So appreciative of all your work!! Thank you for sharing your talent.

Dawn said...

Woohoo..yes, I saw it on SCS!! Awesome and of course it's
Mel-icious!!
You da bomb!!!!! xxx

Unknown said...

Congratulations! I saw this just today!

Alayna's Creations said...

Very color. Love the affect. And congrats on the feature!

paperpapier said...

I saw your beautiful card on SCS and immediately love it!
Heaney xx

kellystar said...

Just had to post a comment over here too...my call for Graffiti for Scrapstreet this issue is for watercolors---will you send one of your creations in please, please, please? thanks,

Esther Asbury said...

I love all your beautiful cards using the watercolor technique! Lots of variety and all of it so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I was so excited to see your tutorial in my email from SCS! Your work is always inspiring! I am going to have to give this a try!

Unknown said...

You never cease to completely blow me away!!! What incredibly GORGEOUS cards! Off to read the tutorial! CONGRATS! You so deserve it!

Debbie J said...

Mel, I was so happy when I got my SCS Inkling and saw your name! Congrats. I knew it would be something special, and I'm on my way to try out the technique. You're the best.

BSI said...

Beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial and other great freebies!!!

Erum Tasneem said...

All hail Queen Mel!!! Again with your awesomeness! you just keep stunning and shocking our creative neurons! Gorgeous work as always and a big big big hearty congratulations to get a tutorial place on SCS!

Omega said...

You are awesome! I was just on SCS and saw your tutorials. Congratulations! They are beautiful and I can't wait to try it out. Thanks for all you share and all you do!

Priscilla said...

Caught it on SCS this morning. Gorgeous. Congratulations, great tut and card. I am sure they will invite you back time and time again as your projects are always top notch!

Miriam Prantner said...

Totally stunning! I have pinned this. Must try!

Noreen said...

How very exciting! It's so especially to have your work recognized by your fellow crafters! Congratulations! Hope you're soon feeling tiptop again!

Unknown said...

Wonderful tutorial, I can't believe that it is only your first on SCS. Hope that there are many more to come!! (when your feeling better :)

linda from arizona said...

Welcome back and a big thank you for this tutorial. You cards a beautiful!

Suzi said...

It's on my to-do-list, saved in my inbox! Understanding your battle. Loving life, but that dark cloud keeps raining on my head! I think it goes hand in hand with chronic pain, and you have your share! Thanks for taking time for your fans/friends!

Karen B. said...

Your cards are amazing, and I can't wait to try this tutorial!

Debra said...

I am absolutely thrilled for you! Great that you're putting your amazing talent to use! Enjoy!

Tracey said...

WOW oh WOW!!! LOVE them all!! Big Congrats on your SCS gig :)

Patti P. said...

Congrats Mel! What a great job you did on the tutorial and love all of your cards, such a beautiful technique. Can't wait to give this a try.

cal8007 said...

You are amazing! I can repeat it over and over and it's always true!

Thanks for sharing your tutorial, Mel!

Hugs,

Carmen L

cal8007 said...

You are amazing! I can repeat it over and over and it's always true!

Thanks for sharing your tutorial, Mel!

Hugs,

Carmen L

Chick Challenges {with ippity} said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

CONGRATS on your tutorial! This technique gives an absolutely STUNNING effect and your masterpieces are brilliant! I was totally blown away when I saw how easy you make it look! Thank you for sharing such a fantastic technique and every single one of your cards is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!

My Paper Epiphany said...

This is such I coincidence! I just recently discovered your inspiring blog and yesterday I looked at splitcoast stampers for the 1st time in weeks and saw the tutorial.
It is such a wonderful and original technique, thanks so much for sharing!

JennyH. said...

What a gorgeous card and a wonderful tutorial - but then I love your blog and also SCS so put the two together and it is a sure winner. Well done.

Kelly O said...

Hey we all love ya Mel, you are so creative, glad you are feeling better...it takes time. Like I said, get out every day!!!!!

Carolyn said...

WAY TO GO! Your talents have been recognized by the craft world and I, for one, am very pleased you shared your technique.

CONGRATULATIONS.

alexandra s.m. said...

Fantastic Tut' and projects Mel!!
Thank You so much <3

Danielle Daws said...

Wow! This is so fabulous! You always create the most stunning projects! :-)

jenn* said...

Thanks for getting ahold of me via pinterest, I emailed you :)
I'm not sure if you remember or not, but we were SBS2 on SCS years ago. I linked your tutorial on my blog where I posted my take on this. You're doing absolutely super, keep it up!

Anonymous said...

Hi Mel, I have just found your site... I was desperately seeking a damask background for a project and found you through google images.... what a fantastic site you have... I have spent a little while looking through and look forward to discovering more.... I too suffer from severe depression and like you, I know that this is a chemical imbalance but I feel that people are too quick to judge and so I keep this to myself. The bad days do pass and my only advice is to go with them. Thanks for the inspiration... Losh

Anonymous said...

Mel- Just found your tutorial on SCS. Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your talent & your unending generosity.