Hopefully you arrived here from Lisa Arana's blog, but if not, no worries. I'm glad you made it, and the whole blog hop list is posted at the end of this post.
I'm thrilled to be invited to participate in this hop with so many amazing artists and to celebrate and feature Unity Stamps and the MISTI.
The MISTI and I have have been friends longer than I have been friends with Unity Stamps. I met MISTI in 2014, and have been in love ever since. Since my purchase of the Original MISTI from My Sweet Petunia, I have added a few more MISTIs to the family. I now own all three sizes: The Mini, The Original and the 12x12 Memory MISTI. And I love them all.
I just met Unity Stamp Company last summer. And Unity Stamps has been in close and frequent contact with my wallet and I ever since. LOL I can't help it. Their stamps have amazing designs and quality and there's so many of them. Since I was so late to the party, I have a lot of catching up to do, right?
Now put the MISTI and Unity Stamps together? That's a whole lot of love.
Unity Stamps has fabulous quality red rubber stamps to start with, but you know how it's sometimes difficult to get a nice even impression on a larger stamp on textured watercolored paper?
No problem with MISTI.
Look how nicely these images from Happy Snail Mail stamped on 140# paper with Versafine Black Onyx ink!
I love to watercolor with all kinds of mediums. But one of my favorite techniques is to do no-line painting. Here's how the MISTI helps me do that.
I'm using the stamp from the Phyllis Harris kit Realize here. Since my watercolor paper stays tucked in the top corner of my MISTI and my stamp doesn't shift, I am able to selectively ink areas of the stamp with Distress Inks.
I can easily blur out the sharper lines of Distress ink with a wet brush to begin painting. I continue to add more color back in, by picking up more Distress Ink from a palette with my paintbrush.
When I am finished with my painting, I trimmed my watercolor paper down using a stitched rectangle die. I have cut it just so I can mat it with black cardstock and it will go on a colored card base.
I place it back into my MISTI to add a perfectly straight sentiment.
I've placed a sheet of gridded plastic over my card front. This is a perfect way to make sure your stamps are aligned properly and are perfectly straight.
I have stamped the sentiment that comes with the Realize stamp kit. But I feel like the girl is searching the horizon for, or waiting for someone, so I want to find a sentiment that is a bit more "thinking of you". So I wipe it off my plastic and try again.
Now I am trying the sentiment from Present in My Heart. I love the sentiment, but I've decided that this sentiment is a bit too large, and my girl that I've painted, since she is quite centered, is competing for space. So I again, clean off the plastic and try a different one.
This sentiment is also from Present in My Heart, and this is the winner for this image.
Since I've stamped her right in the middle, I needed to find a smaller, simple sentiment.
And I this is it. And since I like where I'd placed and tested the stamp, all I have to do is remove the plastic grid, make sure my card front is tucked in the top corner and re-ink the stamp and close the lid. I already know it's in the right spot!
And there it is. So now I can assemble.
This watercolor uses the sentiment kit Girl Truly. I love these kits. There is a large selection of sentiments and the fonts are always so pretty. And these Peonies... I love Peonies. For this card, I used my Misti to selectively ink my image, avoiding stamping the scattering of dots that surrounded the flowers on the large stamp. This allowed me to have just a crisp black image to watercolor. I was able to ink it twice easily to make sure the image was perfectly and evenly stamped. This watercolor was done with Zig markers on Bristol smooth card stock.
And my final card for today is another peony. This is one of my favorite florals from Unity Stamps. It's from the kit Rebuild Your Life. This one is also selectively inked; the bloom separately from the stem. After inking the two colors, I re-inked the whole stamp with Versamark ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I love to be able to stamp in any color and clear emboss so much that I hardly ever use any of my colored embossing powders anymore. Since this image was on kraft card stock, I chose Prismacolor pencils and colored the bloom with french grays and white.
That's it from me today, but theres SOOOO much more to see. Your next stop on the hop should be Maria Levine's blog.
Make sure you hop the whole amazing list of participants today and leave them a little love. It will make their day to hear from you.
And speaking of making someone day... here's the nitty gritty on some amazing prize opportunities for you!
The name of everyone who leaves a comment on all the blogs in the hop will go into a drawing for some amazing prizes. THREE lucky winners will receive both a prize pack from Unity Stamp Company AND their choice of an Original or Mini MISTI from My Sweet Petunia. Comments must be posted before 12:00 noon central time on May 30th to be eligible. Winners will be posted on both the Unity Blog and the My Sweet Petunia blogs on May 31st.
Here is the whole list of blog hop participants:
Chris Dayton - you are here
these are gorgeous! your coloring is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful cards of great variety but the lighthouse/girl one was STUNNING!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards!
ReplyDeleteI am so going to try that girl technique!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteO, wow that no line technique is beautiful. I need to try it.
ReplyDeletemy favourite one is rebuild your life...gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful cards, Chris!! Your colouring is Amazing as always!!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. I love what you did and thanks for the details on how to do that.
ReplyDeleteI need to try this technique.
ReplyDeleteThank you for helping me with the coloring.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful watercoloring tips.
ReplyDeleteOH MY! SUCH WONDERFUL WORK HERE! I LOOOVE the snail image! SO CUTE & the second image is BEAUTIFUL with your water coloring & layout! SUPER IDEA too for adding the sentiment! AND your floral cards... well, I SWOOON when it comes to florals! LOL BEAUTIFUL JOB on ALL of your cards!!!!!!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the watercolor look! Beautiful cards!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteNice tips, thanks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing details of your creative process. I always love your work. So beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards Chris! You are a talented artist. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletewow... Love it all so much!
ReplyDeleteYour coloring is always amazing!!
ReplyDeleteStunning no-line painting!
ReplyDeleteJaw dropping, gorgeous cards. Love your coloring on them and how-to you provided.
ReplyDeleteAll your cards are beautifully coloured, but the one using Realize made my eyes pop out! So amazing! That stamp is in my wish list and no line coloring is on my to attempt list! 😊Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour water coloring is just gorgeous. Such a neat way to stamp it out.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! Love my Misti and Unity Rubber Stamps
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeletemy favorite was the Realize kit. oh how stunning that was when you finished.. thanks for sharing all the wonderful cards you made as well.
ReplyDeletePaula Driver
Such beautiful cards. You do such an amazing job of coloring images. Loved seeing the process on the girl with the lighthouse card.
ReplyDeletelovely cards!!
ReplyDeleteI love the stamp Realize❣
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards!
ReplyDeleteAll of these are beautiful, but I especially like you GIRL TRULY card and that beautiful flow of her skirt in the wind. You captured it so beautifully with you technique you used.
ReplyDeleteAll of these cards are amazing. I love that you can add a sentiment, wipe it off because it does not work and then use another one before choosing the final sentiment for stamping. Great no line coloring on that unity image also.
ReplyDeleteTotally beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous cards. I love them!!!! You are so talented.
ReplyDeleteyou are so talented.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say what card I liked best, but I can't - I love all your cards! Great job!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job on all your cards they are adorable!
ReplyDeletenatgodfrey4@gmail.com
Oh my - I love every one of them! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou have mad coloring skills (of all forms!). The Phyllis Harris no line watercolor is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteGreat cards - love your watercolour and that beautiful flower on kraft
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. I love your watercoloring
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as always Chris. I love the detail you added to Realize. You did a great Misti tutorial too.
ReplyDeleteFabulous and beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove these. I have been wanting to try no-line water coloring
ReplyDeleteYour coloring skills are out of this world!!
ReplyDeleteLove them all!
ReplyDeleteamazingly gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteThe girl is so beautiful. I am also glad you shared the tip of trying out different sentiments on a clear sheet to see how they would work before actually stamping on the paper. That is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful cards Chris ...
ReplyDeleteWow! your "no-line" water coloring is amazing! Beautiful card! Great idea too to see how a sentiment will look before you stamp! All your cards are beautiful and you've given me some ideas for using these stamp sets which I have them all :). It was fun to watch you when you were at Unity. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the water colored Phyllis Harris stamp. It is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove the use of The gridded plastic sheet to line up the sentiments
ReplyDeletejust love the images and your watercoloring. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Great cards!
ReplyDeleteYour creations always impress me. Especially your gorgeous coloring! I use clear sheets over mine too before placing permanently. Such a great time saver.
ReplyDeleteSoft colors are so pretty
ReplyDeleteChris, your cards are fantastic. Thanks for the great tutorial on no line WC as I am trying to learn that right now so this helped!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards Chris! :)
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try no-line coloring. What beautiful inspiration you've give me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cards!
ReplyDeleteLovely cards.
ReplyDeleteWow, lovely cards. Beautiful coloring.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! Love the beach scene!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip with the plastic!
ReplyDeleteI love your cards, water coloring is one of my favorite mediums.
ReplyDeleteI would love to try that coloring like with the girl at the ocean. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow! Gorgeous cards and colors!!! <3
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards Chris! Love your watercoloring
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards!!! ❤️
ReplyDeleteOmigosh, the girl card is stunning, and your step by step was amazing! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat cards!
ReplyDeleteYou are a coloring extraordinaire! The Realize card is one of the prettiest cards that I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful creations.
ReplyDeleteChris, your talent never ceases to amaze me. Lovely work all around. I especially love how you showcased the decision making process and how the MISTI helps you see things ahead of time before stamping on an almost finished project!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. Thanks for sharing how the Misti helped you create them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI just love how you colour beautiful
ReplyDeleteLost for words...simply stunning!
ReplyDeleteGreat cards! I especially like the fun snail stamp; your coloring is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteFantastic cards.
ReplyDeleteThe water scene is so poignant.
the peony is beautiful.
thanks for sharing.
Your no line watercoloring is simply amazing. I love your talent!
ReplyDeleteI love the colors of your mushroom card.
ReplyDeleteThis technique no-line painting is perfect for the MISTI would love to see a video. Your cards are stunning !
ReplyDeleteOOOOh, such pretty cards. The Realize one is gorgeous. You really have talent. Wish I did. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteChris, your creations are so beautiful. I especially like your no line coloring. Stunning every time.
ReplyDeleteChris, your cards are pretty. Thank you for the tip of using a plastic grid to line up the sentiments and a visual of the size. Great tip.
ReplyDeleteYes, Unity has emptied my wallet as well!!! Great cards-thanks!
ReplyDeleteChris, you are a fabulous artist! I agree with you that the girl looking out is looking or thinking of someone gone. I love the way you used the MISTI to get the image just perfect, and OMG, THE PEONIES ARE GORGEOUS. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try your techniques! Love the peonies!
ReplyDeleteThose florals...wow. Thanks for sharing these techniques.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful cards. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous peonies - the one on Kraft is my favorite - finished so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work. Love the peonies. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI love that! I really want to get a Misti!
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting to try the no line watercoloring...thx for the inspiration! Can't wait to finally try it now!
ReplyDeleteThey're all beautiful
ReplyDeleteThey are spot on and gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards! I love your work...
ReplyDeleteAll your cards are beautiful but my favorite is the no line watercoloring. Gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your cards are so gorgeous! I love your no line watercoloring and the mushroom colors are amazing! Beautiful projects!
ReplyDeleteLove the second card, it looks like a painting.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely
ReplyDeleteI LOVED EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOUR CARDS. MY FAVORITE IS THE GIRL ON THE BEACH.:)
ReplyDeleteAll of your cards are gorgeous, but I especially love the girl and lighthouse card! Thanks for showing us your no line technique! It's awesome!
ReplyDeletegosh - can't pick a fav :-) Debi x
ReplyDeletePretty cards. Thanks too for sharing your tips on no line coloring and MISTI. :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome watercoloring!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!!! That's all I can say! ♡♡♡
ReplyDeletebeautiful work!
ReplyDeleteAll of your cards are fantastic! Loving them all!
ReplyDeleteUnity stamps is new to me. This hop maybe dangerous. I already have three things on my wishlist
ReplyDeleteI loved all your cards...but, I have to say the 'I miss you' Watercolor was beautiful and a technique I have never seen before! I love it!!! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRobinfromFL
Robin Bissland
Beautiful cards. Thank you for sharing. Marcie
ReplyDeleteLoved them all liked seeing how you use the Misti.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful cards, I particularly like the one with the girl and lighthouse. So ethereal. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. Love the no line watercoloring. Thanks for the tutorial
ReplyDeleteYour cards are stunning and I agree Unity Stamp Co is an addiction ❣️
ReplyDeletegorgeous cards!
ReplyDeleteWow Chris...such beautiful cards and fantastic coloring! Love them all!
ReplyDeleteStunning cards. I love your colouring.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful water coloring!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of trying out the
sentiments on the MISTI cover.