Day 5

Hi there! Today is my final day as a featured GIU Girl. I'm a little sad, and I am already looking forward to next year. :)
Today, I'm sharing something special, a framed piece, created with stamps from my favorite Unity Stamp Co. Illustrators, Donna Downey & Phyllis Harris

The Poppy stamp's from Donna's Wild & Free kit are simply incredible. And Huge!
Pictured below, is a standard, composition sized Art Journal cover I created using both Poppies in the kit. The card is a standard size 4.25x5.5in card. I'm pretty sure its the biggest stamp I own.
My framed art measures 8.5x6.5 inches outside the frame.

Phyllis Harris creates the most adorable children images. I'm so drawn to them, because they resonate with my own inner child. Her Happiness is... kit is just irresistible! I wanted to use the girl in the swing in an unusual setting and the big, open poppy just seemed perfect. I masked the main images and arranged them into the scene I wanted to depict. Then I stamped them all using black Archival ink. In hindsight, I think I would have liked the outcome even more if I had used colored inks. I'll just have to make another one! I used Gesso on the flower petals to give them a visible texture, then painted it with neon paints. I colored the girl with Inktense pencils, and accented everywhere else with gel pens, chalk and glitter glue.
I took photos outside before framing it. Hopefully, you can see the glittery bits. Its so pretty, much brighter and eye catching in person. The wild flowers at the bottom are also from Donna's kits called, Create Today and Insightful Meadows. They were stamped at half strength with grey ink.

Here are a couple more cards using Happiness is...  (I didn't even realize I colored her clothing the same colors! HA!) and another favorite Phyllis Harris kit called, Every Breath.
(The sentiment on those cards are from a different company)

The backgrounds on the Journal cover, and the two wishing cards is the, "Salted Watercolor" technique. It creates beautiful backgrounds! The secret is to use a lot of color, Ice Cream Salt, and do not move it until it is completely dry. The rock salt leaves bits of crystallization behind on the paper and it shimmers in the light. Here is a short video I made a while back for it.  

I hope you've all enjoyed the projects I created this week. I loved my GIU experience & reading your kind comments. I swear, the stamping and crafting community are always the kindest people I encounter! Truly!
Now,  Go comment & Good Luck in the drawing for the 25 piece Grab Bag!

P. S. I saw a photo of a winners grab bag the other day, and she was over-the-moon, happy with the selection she received. :) Don't miss out! Remember to comment on each post this week.