The Make it Work Challenge was a great one for me....I kind of chose to focus on a technique that I needed to work on and improve, which is the watercolor effect. I created this first card, which we can call "The Beast", over a year ago, and have hated it ever since :).
It's not the layout and arrangement of my stamps that bugs me, but how the watercolor technique went bad...very bad :).
I learned that I'm really not too fond of the way the red looks...not my favorite color to use with the watercolor technique. I learned that I used too much water in places, and not enough in others, so it's a little uneven, but in a bad, obvious way. And, I learned that I wanted to try again instead of give it up, so today was the day!
I went with a much lighter color scheme on my second card, and really love these colors blended with water....they just work better for me.
I learned that instead of applying water to directly to my stamp (after inking) and then stamping, I like stamping first, and then applying water...a spray bottle is my method of choice.
This just seemed to make me happier and the results made me happier too.
I used the Love Lives Here stamp set along with Choose Joy for my second card, and the Love Lives Here: Holiday stamp set for my first card.
Enjoy this challenge!
Melis
I am sorry, but I LOVE the rejected card! LOL! They are both gorgeous and look amazing!
Posted by: Colleen Kirchberg | August 29, 2015 at 07:09 PM
Very beautiful cards. The color scheme on both is just stunning. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Shari Arbogast | August 30, 2015 at 12:20 AM
So easy to toss one we don't like. So hard to learn from it and do over. Congrats!
Posted by: Mary W | August 30, 2015 at 06:00 AM
you're so funny - the first card is beautiful. But if it doesn't speak to you, it's not right. I think both cards are very pretty. It's a good exercise to take a second look at our rejects.
Posted by: Donna K | August 30, 2015 at 08:34 AM
I like these both very much Melissa but I can also identify with having watercolor projects not turn out the way I have envisioned!! Lol! It is definitely trial and error for me!!!
Posted by: Jill Norwood | August 30, 2015 at 09:03 AM
I just love the Choose Joy set you designed! Not just the words but the embellishments are so lovely too. I hope to see more designs from you at PTI!
Posted by: Lani | August 30, 2015 at 10:03 AM
Bless you for sharing what you didn't like along with a new attempts I do like both cards and fully relate to something turning out unlike what we want.
Posted by: Annie Dill | August 30, 2015 at 10:51 AM
I think both cards are lovely, Melis!
Posted by: Patty O'Malley | August 30, 2015 at 12:19 PM
Ummmm, what's wrong with the 'beast'? Looks pretty to me. But your 2nd is a 'Melissa pastel' for sure. And I love the addition of the bling bow, which I've come to adore about your creations. If I forgot to tell you, really like the 1st one too!
Posted by: Nancy Penir | August 30, 2015 at 02:09 PM
I also really like your first card, even though I like your second card too. I understand redoing a technique though because throughout these challenges I have had some nice cards made with some techniques that I wasn't proud of and need to work more on.
Posted by: Terri | August 30, 2015 at 02:46 PM
Hi Melissa! I LOOOOVE that first card! I didn't even notice anything wrong with it! ALL of your cards are FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
Posted by: Becky Green | August 30, 2015 at 05:56 PM
I have a hard time with watercoloring too. I will definitely try your way. I would love to have the 'choose joy' sentiment as a separate die cut. Thanks!
Posted by: Dorothy C. | August 31, 2015 at 09:36 AM