A Handy Use for Scrap Cardstock Strips!

Hi friends! You know you have them, those strips of cardstock that collect next to your paper trimmer. Once a nuisance, these leftover strips of cardstock can be turned into your dies best friend in the craft room!

You can find the 2″ double-sided tape on Amazon. I have another fun tutorial using that tape here. Happy crafting!

Let’s Paint a Serene Landscape in Watercolors!

Hi friends! Today I have a rather lengthy watercolor lesson for you. Feel free to break it up into a couple of parts (it will be a nice and relaxing weekend project!)

When I saw this reference photo I thought it would be fun to showcase a few landscape techniques that anyone can learn. I had a few people on YouTube and Instagram doubt that they could paint this but I know you can. This video goes at a relaxed pace but if that’s too slow for you you can click on the gear on the YouTube player and speed me up (I don’t mind) or even slow me down or pause me if you want more time to practice a technique. If you like this painting please give it a try. You can do it! A viewer asked me “What is the difference between a beginner and advanced tutorial?” and for me it is about how it’s broken down and explained. If I did an advanced tutorial for this the pace would be quicker and probably involve more detail at the end.  It reminds me of the question I get a lot “What subject is the easiest to paint?” I think the subject you are interested in is the best one to start with. If figures interest you paint people if flowers interest you paint poises!  You will learn quicker if the subject of your painting interests you. Nothing is harder than anything else subject wise and you can see all subjects painted effectively by artists of all levels so grab your paint and get started!

Supplies:

• Watercolor paper: Hahnemühle Cezanne 140# CP paper *Also available at Cheap Joes, Hyatts and other art retailers. You can use whatever paper you like but a 100% cotton watercolor paper will be easier to manage. Bee Watercolor Paper is a budget friendly option and I use it a lot for studies and sketches.
• Watercolor paint: Prussian blue, Ultramarine, Sap green, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Lemon yellow, Cadmium Red. The majority or my paints in this painting are Winsor & Newton. Again, use what you like any decent paint will work fine:)
• The is the large palette I have is a PIKE palette.
• Brushes (Royal Majestic) 1″ flat, 1/2″ angle, #5 round and liner
• Stiff fan brush
• Other: towel, 2 water buckets, pencil, cut up credit card scraper, salt
• Reference photo

If you would like to lean more about watercolor consider enrolling in one of my online classes.  *Use coupon code TRYME for 20% off. I will soon be starting on my next course and I am trying to decide between landscapes or animals so if you have a preference let me know in the comments below. Thank for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Layered Watercolor Resist Technique & A Chance to Win!

Edit: The winner of the $15 gift certificate to Top Flight Stamps is Vicki Kroll!

Hi friends! I have a super fun technique to share with you using stamps, a wax crayon and watercolors! Also at the end of the post I’ll tell you about a great giveaway!

You can create some beautiful batik like images to use on your next card!

The technique is simple and fun, Watch the tutorial to see how!

This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps!  *USA orders of $50+ ship free!
Discount code in celebration of Top Flight Stamps 2nd Anniversary celebration: SAVE20 for 20% off all orders over $20 through the end of the month Sunday 31 March.

Supplies:

• Darkroom Door Floral Collage Stamps
• White Crayon
• Watercolor paper (use the smooth back side)
• Archival ink (black)
• Stamp mount
• Watercolor paints (Paul Rubens 24 set)
• Watercolor brush #6 round

Blog Hop & Giveaway!

It’s Topflight Stamps 2nd birthday!  To celebrate, we’ve teamed up with up some of our favorite crafters to bring you a blog hop showcasing some of the fabulous products available from Topflight Stamps.   Please hop along with us all and show all of the crafters some love!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday celebration without prizes!  Topflight Stamps is giving one lucky winner a $50 Gift Certificate, and each stop on the hop has an additional $15 Gift Certificate up for grabs.  To be in with a chance to win, make sure to visit every stop on the hop and leave a comment by April 8th.

Winners will be announced on the Topflight Stamps blog on April 9th.  Good Luck!

1 Topflight Stamps Blog (DONNA) 

2 Sandy Allnock 

3 Jenny Colacicco 

4 Justine Hovey 

5 Toni M Maddox 

6 Kelly Martin 

7 Annette Allen

8 Kymona Tracey 

9 Ashlea Cornell 

10 Josefine Fouarge 

11 Lisa Hoel 

12 Laurel Beard 

13 Ericka Strange 

14 Ingrid Blackburn 

15 Dana Joy 

16 Amy Tsuruta  

17 – Lindsay Weirich (You are here!)

Make sure you visit all of the talented designers on the blog hop for inspiration and leave a comment on each post for many chances to win a gift certificate to Top Flight Stamps! Til next time happy crafting!

Don’t be Confused by Color! Try These Tips Instead!

Hi friends! Today I am going to share ways to make coloring with alcohol markers so much easier no matter what brand or mix of brands you have!

I will be demonstrating my technique with my 120 color Ohuhu alcohol marker set. They are probably the most affordable brand of alcohol markers on the market so you do not need expensive pens for this to work. I reviewed the Ohuhu Markers in the past and was very impressed with them, especially when they swatched over to the new style, you can see a comparison here if you want more information. In today’s video, I am going to share a grouping technique that will work with any brand of alcohol marker tho.  The first 13 minutes of this video shows my swatch guide method. The remainder of the video is a coloring demo.

Supplies & Resources (affiliate links used)

• You can find the swatch stamps I used here for the large sheet and here for the color bundles.
• The set of alcohol markers can be found here (120 color Ohuhu)
• Stamps used on colored samples: Animals from Pawsome set, Daffodils from Darkroom Door, Space set from AC Moore (Love Nicole)
• Paper: I use Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth 80# in color Solar White. Simon Says Stamp sells a 25 sheet pack for $6, if you love it then you can order it by the ream of 250 sheets on Amazon for around $40 (it is actually $36 right now!)

Here’s what to do (as explained in the video)
1. Swatch out all of your markers noting the brand and color number on your swatch.

2. Sort your markers in groups by their color and undertones. For instance, you would have pinks, pinkish reds, neutral reads, coral/orange reds, warm (orange) yellows, cool (green-leaning) yellows, yellow-greens, teals, blues, purples, cool grays, warm grays, neutrals etc.

*Sort them as specifically as you like. If you are new to coloring with alcohol markers keep groups smaller (less than 6 colors) but no more than 12. *If you have more than 12 break them into two groups that are more specific. Secure each group with a rubber band.

3. Swatch the colors on a strip of cardstock. *Always swatch on the paper you normally use for markers.

4. Punch a circle in the center of each swatch. *You can peek through the circle to help choose colors for projects or when shopping for new markers.

***Bring this swatch with you when you shop to avoid buying duplicate color and to make sure you are purchasing colors that will work with what you have. Update your swatch when you get new markers.

Coloring tips:

• Choose a light, medium and dark version of a color for blending. I like to work dark to light but if your paper doesn’t blend well prime an area with the lightest color first and then work dark to light.
• If you have limited colors or you are not happy with your marker colors you can enhance with darker or lighter colored pencils.
• A white pen is handy for bright highlights and shine.

One more thing!

The Ohuhu markers I mention above are a great value at about 50 cents a marker but I know many of you are looking for brush tip markers because they are softer and make blending large areas easier and I just saw that Consumer Crafts has their Studio 71 alcohol markers that feature a brush tip on one end and chisel on the other on sale this week! I have a review of that brand with swatched and blending recipes here if interested.

Prices on the Studio 71 brush tip alcohol marker sets are good through April 1st while supplies last. You really can’t beat it for $1 per marker or less! I have the 48 pack and it is really comprehensive.

Sketchbook Sunday // Crystal Studies

Hi friends! Today’s video is a bit shorter than a typical sketchbook Sunday, in fact I only worked on this for about 35 minutes before my eye strain got the best of me and I decided to give the old peepers a rest.

Rest is good, it’s hard to take a break when you are enjoying the art but be sure to take care of yourself as well. Speaking of that we are having a fairly warm (40F) sunny day and I think I will go out for a walk. I hope you are enjoying your Sunday as well!

Supplies available at sponsor Jerry’s Artarama! Use coupon code: frugal20FS49 for 20% off $49 + Free Shipping (Excludes: Sale, Super Sale, Egift Cards, Buy It Try It’s and Vendor restricted items. Look for the green coupon eligible icon on the product listing.

Supplies:

• Turner watercolors (rose red, gamboge, ultramarine, phthalo blue, burnt sienna)
• Watercolor brushes: #10 & #6 round
• Watercolor sketchbook
• White pen

Enjoy your Sunday and til next time happy crafting!

Best Fishes!

Hi friends! Today we will make a sweet little card you can send anytime!

Watch the video to see how!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry  Use coupon code: LINDSAY and receive 15% off your retail order of $10 or more of peg stamps, peg stamp sets, and unmounted stamps! Coupon expires a week from this video publication. Continue to receive great deals by becoming a PegStamp VIP here. As a PegStamp VIP you’ll get a weekly deal via email plus links to fabulous tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers
Supplies:

• Snowglobe from Let it Snow Set
• Lotus Pond peg stamp set
• Friendly little fish bitty stamp
• White cardstock
• Blue marble patterned paper
• Dye inks
• Square and banner dies or paper trimmer
• Novelty yarn
• Quickie Glue Pen
• Microfine glitter
• Foam tape
• Flat back pearl

Directions:

1. Make a 4 1/4” Square top fold card. Cut marble paper to 4” square and a panel of white at 3” square. Cut a banner shape from white and set aside.
2. Stamp the globe from “let it snow” upside down on the 3” white panel. Stamp fish inside the globe. Add accents with markers.
3. Place a post-it note across the scene to represent a table top and ink below.
4. Apply a glue pen here and there when you want glitter accents. Sprinkle on glitter.
5. Adhere the marble panel to the card base and wrap novelty yarn around 3-5 times. Adhere stamped panel with foam tape.
6. Stamp or write “best fishes” on banner and accent with little fish stamps, Ink edges and add to card with foam tape. Add pearls to corners.

That’s all there is to it! Try any of these techniques on your next card for a friendly greeting! Happy crafting!

Draw & Paint Crocuses! Easy Real Time Tutorial!

Hi friends! Today we will draw and paint some crocus flowers! This would be pretty to paint on a greeting card to send someone a springtime greeting. Crocuses are often the first flowers of spring and they even pop up through the snow! Talk about optimism!

In this beginner watercolor tutorial you will learn how to paint translucent flower petals and add details.

Supplies (Affiliate links to Arteza and Amazon used, if shopping on the Arteza website use coupon code FRUGAL10 for 10% off)

• Arteza 36 half pan watercolor set or on Amazon
• Arteza 12 color watercolor tube set or on Amazon
• Arteza 5″x8″ watercolor sketchbook (comes in a 2 pack)  or on Amazon
• Watercolor brushes: #10 & #2 round
• Reference photos: Crocus 1, Crocus 2, Crocus 3

If you would like more flower painting watercolor tutorials check out my Watercolor Flower Workshop! I hope your first full day of spring is a good one and til next time happy crafting!

 

FUN Treats & A Swing Card!

Hi friends! Today I have lots of fun projects to make!

I love to make crafted treats and favors. I love combining scraps of paper with a little sweet or gift to brighten someones day.

I also love non candy treats too. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth myself but I am a big fan of lip balms and hand creams (I keep one in every coat pocket, in my car on my desk and next to each sink) probably because I need to constantly combat the dry Maine winter LOL! So of course I love to gift lip balms and stuff like that too. I think they are wonderful gifts year round from stocking suffers, to classroom valentines, Easter Basket fillers and bridesmaid favors. Just change up the paper and you have a treat for many occasions!

One year at a craft fair I made little paper purses with lip balms inside and I sold out in the first 10 minutes and got a special order for 20 more! I am going to make sure to have some of these on hand for my next craft fair! They are so lovely and quick to make! Do you want the instructions for these sweet treats and the whimsical interactive swing card? Well, watch the video and see how to make them!

This tutorial is sponsored by My Favorite Things where you will find the most creative selection of stamps, dies and accessories for your next card making or craft project. Save 15% on your next order at My Favorite Things with Code: FRUGALMFT from March 19-23 *not valid on gift cards or products in the “New” category

Supplies:

• Lip Balm Pouches 
• Lip Balm Window & Frame Die-namics
• Sending Smooches Stamp Set
• Treat Tag Die-namics
• Nugget Label, Window, & Frame Die-namics
• Nugget Trio Shaker Pouches
• LLD Circle Shaker Window & Frame Die-namics
• Circle Shaker Treat Pouches
• Gift Card Greetings Stamp Set
• Interactive Swing Die-namics
• MFT-1492 PI Start Each Day with a “Whee” Die-namics 
• Start Each Day with a “Whee” Stamp
• *Also shown: Tall Tag Duo Die-namics

Other Supplies:

• Double sided tape
• Wet glue in a fine tip applicator
• Ribbon
• Clear Blocks
• Cardstock & Patterned paper of your choice
• Manual Die Cut Machine
• Brads, pins or other embellishments
• Hershey Nuggets
• Lip Balm
• Jelly Beans

I think these projects are perfect for the first day of s! The store have all of their seasonal pastel candy on display there is something so beautiful about the sparkly foil wrappers and translucent jelly beans that make me smile.  I just love the colors of spring and the signal that the long cold winter is finally coming to an end. Maybe it’s a temperate climate thing. I hope you apply some of these ideas to your next stamping project and as always happy crafting!

Lilac Breasted Roller Sketchbook Sunday & Last Day for 40% Off!

Hi friends, this week I painted a very colorful bird called a Lilac Breasted Roller. When I saw a photo of this beautiful vibrant bird I was inspired! You can find the 90 minute real-time live narrated tutorial in Critique Club now.

Watch the video to see how this painting came together!

Supplies:

• Watercolors: Ultramarine, phthalo blue, aureolin, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, mauve
• Paper: Hahnemule Cezanne
• Brushes: 1″ flat, #6, #10, #2 round
• Reference Photo

LAST DAY! Save 40% on any art class in my school with coupon code LUCKY OR click on a discount link below. Deal Expires 3/18/19

• Essential Tools & Techniques for Watercolor
• Texture Toolbox: Feathers & Fowl
• Learn to Draw with Lindsay
• Watercolor Flower Workshop
• Soft Pastel for Beginners

I hope you have a happy Saint Patrick’s Day and til next time happy crafting!