New Release Friday!

Hello Friends! It's Friday and yes, there are new digital stamps in the MelJen's Shop today! Two cuties for you...

I decided to work with both of these guys. I wanted to use two different coloring media, so that is what I did. First up, is Bumble Bear Buzz...

click to enlarge

 On Bumble Bear Buzz, I used InkTense pencils. Let me just say, I am in LOVE with my InkTense pencils. Again, they can be used wet or dry. I printed the image on watercolor paper but that is really not necessary with these pencils because so little water is needed to activate the ink. I did heat set the image and let it sit over night before coloring it. I don't know if that keeps the image from smearing, but...it's just what I do. The key with InkTense is to use a very light hand. I applied a little color and then went over it with a waterbrush. I don't use a real wet brush, just damp enough to move the ink around on the paper. I worked on one section at a time, laying down a light layer of color. Then while that section dried, I moved on to other sections and repeated the same process. Then I went back and forth with this until I have the color I desire. Some of you have expressed a 'fear' of water coloring, but I tell you, with these pencils, you really can't go wrong...a little color and the smallest amount of water go a long way.  I added Crystal Effects to the hearts and he has a bit of sparkle from both loose glitter and a glitter pen. Now on to Bumble Bear Smile...

click to enlarge

I used Distress Inks on Bumble Bear Smile.  Those were really fun to use also. This process was a lot faster than the InkTense pencils. I printed this guy on water color paper, heat set and let it sit overnight, too.  The key with Distress Inks is to move very quickly, so the colors remain blendable-is that a word? I used a water brush for this technique. And I also used a Ranger craft sheet, where I "stamped out" a bit of color from each of the inks I wanted to use. What's neat about that, is that the inks stay wet and you can blend right on the sheet. Again, I applied my colors in layers and with the 'wet' ink, it's important to remember that where ever your brush touches first, will be the darkest and most intense color. With that in mind, I dipped my water brush into the ink, swiped off a bit of the excess onto scratch paper and then laid the color where I wanted the most shadow to appear. Then, I just pulled color from that and it gets lighter and lighter the more color you pull. So, it creates its own shadow. REALLY cool effect. Once my image was completely dry, I went back in with a dry paint brush and added a darker ink to deepen the shadows even more. I added glitter, glitter pen and Crystal Effects to this image, as well.

Here is a peek at the inside of this one...

I stamped the bitty bees and the skep in chocolate ink and added glitter pen to their wings. I'm a big bee lover, so when I see paper or stamps that feature bees, I try to snag them for my collection. I can't say that I have a favorite between the two cards...I like them both! The images are just the cutest!

**I am also entering this card into the ANYTHING GOES challenge at Simon Says Stamp.**

These guys are ready and waiting for you in the Shop today. As always, please visit the Design Team blog to see the projects the other Team Members have for you.

That's all for me today! Thanks for dropping in. Have a great weekend.


Blessings~


materials used~
digital stamps: Bumble Bear Buzz, Bumble Bear Smile(MelJen's Designs)
stamp set: Honey Bees(Papertrey Ink) bitty bees, skep, 'Bee Yourself' are from a CTMH incentive set, it had no name.
card stock: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip(Stampin' Up!)  Sweet Corn(GinaK Designs)
patterned paper: Sun Kiss Collection(Prima)
ink: Chocolate Chip(Stampin' Up!)  Chocolate, Honey(Close to My Heart)  Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Wild Honey, Scattered Straw, Forest Moss, Tattered Rose, Barn Door, Broken China, Pumice Stone Distress Inks(Ranger)
dies: Classic Oval, Oval Scallops Nestabilities(Spellbinders)
punches: Mini Scallop Circle(Martha Stewart Crafts)
other: Sugar Cube glitter(Martha Stewart Crafts)  Crystal Effects(Stampin' Up!)  chocolate pearls(Michael's)  InkTense Water Soluble Pencils(Derwent)  Clear Stardust glitter pen(Sakura)  Cappuccino Baker's Twine(The Twinery)