Hi all,

So you guys remember when you first hear about a crafting thing and you think it’s new, only everyone else knew about it and had been using it for, a bazillion years or so?  Oh, it’s just me… OK! haha

Anyway – When the new Occasions Catalog came out for SU, they got me all excited about Brusho Crystals. Fun enough, most of my crafting friends already knew about them. You see, that’s what happens when you fall off the crafting face of the earth.

So, naturally when it was my turn to host Card Group, I was all excited to play with the brush crystals and design a couple cards with new stamps I have. AND showcase the cool things I learned from watching YouTube Videos.

First, I want to tell you that I had paint all over me, my office, my clothing, I was like a BAD Kindergarten movie. HA But I had so much fun.

First, I created these two card-fronts (no I haven’t made them into cards yet). I used the Dahlia Background Stamp, Versamark WaterMark Stamp Pad, and embossing powders.  They are fun, but I was looking for something different for the group.

So, I pulled out the Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps Hope Anchors Single and decided I was going to use green, yellow and blue Brusho Crystals.

In addition to your stamp, ink, embossing powder, Brusho Crystals and other card parts, what you will need is:

1) Watercolor Paper. You can order it from StampinUp, Amazon.com and about a zillion other places. I have to be honest with you, I ran out of SU’s Watercolor Paper, and happened to have a WaterColor Sketch Pad handy (we’re art people) and cut that accordingly. PERFECTO!  So, use what you have.  Watercolor paper is thicker and more absorbent than regular paper. Google the difference if you like, it’s kinda interesting.
2) Non-Stick Plastic Sheeting. I use THIS ONE from Amazon (not an affiliate link).
3) Paint Brushes and Aqua Painters (can buy at any craft store).
4) Paper Towels
5) Heating Tool (to blow the excess water around)
6) Spray Bottle or Spritzer

Basically what you do is first, emboss your image onto your paper. After heating the embossing powder, you are ready to add the Brusho.  VERY very lightly (very little goes a long way) sprinkle the crystals on your paper and add water… then you can move the paper around to let the color move OR you can blow it around with your heating tool.
After I got the center blue, I did yellow around the edges. I love it. it looks so artsy fartsy! ❤

The second card I designed for the group to make was this one:

I wanted to keep in the watercoloring theme, and used a set called WaterFront. I grew up around water, living around various Naval Bases. And I have to say, I miss it daily. But playing with stamp sets like this make me smile. ❤

I used the same stamp image for the sky and the sea. And in the sea, I added a variety of color. The cute little house could be any color you like, but I had the Berry Burst Ink and Ribbon handy, so I went with that. The palm trees I stamped a first in Wild Wasabi, and then the stamped slightly off in Lemon Lime Twist. One of my favorite colors.  I used a Stampability Die, and some scrap Design paper and tossed the card together. The ladies loved make it. ❤

Here is the stamp set I used. I’m looking forward to seeing what else I can create with this set.