Well Read Dragon

I've always loved books. I not only love a good story but I also have read many tomes of history, art, computers, science, cooking, and other non-fiction subjects. I've collected books in every place I've lived, mostly in English, but a few other languages as well (though, truth be told, I can't easily read the non-English ones). I also have a love of the colour red, so I decided to combine these two loves for a Well Read Dragon. (I also like homophones and puns, too *laugh*)

Challenges

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Saturday challenge: Fave Colour (red)
Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge: Start Afresh
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge: New Something
Craft Gals Corner: Use Something New
The Crafter's Cafe: Monochromatic
Emerald Creek Dares: Bring On the New
Through the Craftroom Door: Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty: Anything Goes

Supplies

InLinkz.com

Putting It Together

For Christmas my dear friend gave me some crafting tools. She said she was thrilled to have a crafty friend and so spoiled me with brushes and a die set. For this card, I put the brushes to use. 

I also used a new stencil I bought a few weeks ago but hadn't yet tried. The stamp set I used for the sentiments was also new. The black embossing powder was new, part of the items I got from Emerald Creek for winning a "Dare" a few months ago for my Autumn masque. The bristle dome brush was one of a set I got as a door prize at my local scrapbooking shop, Country Lane and my first time using it. This was also the first time I used the pink stamp pad and the Tim Holtz watercolour cardstock. I even used a a Distress Stain for the first time. Lots of items in their first use *laugh*

I wanted to start with making the background. I decided to try one of the panels of Tim Holtz watercolour cardstock I got in the Watercolor Kit. I put some repositional adhesive on the bottom of the panel to attach it to my work surface.

I positioned the stencil and taped it down.

I pounced Spun Sugar Distress Stain over the entire surface then used a coffee filter to lift some of it back off.

I used one of the new stenciling brushes from the set my friend gave me to add Distress Ink to the panel: Worn Lipstick, Barn Door, Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, and Picked Raspberry. While I have done similar technique with a blending tool, this was my first time using a stenciling brush.

After adding on the Distress Ink, I wanted some shine.

I used the bristle dome brush to add Perfect Pearls Pearl to the whole panel.

I added a bit more Distress Ink.

Then I took off the stencil.

I brushed Aged Mahogany to the edges.

With the background done, I turned to the stamping.

I first tried stamping and painting on another Tim Holtz watercolour cardstock panel. I didn't like the absorption of the wet ink into the paper. It's great for background techniques but not for my type of painting and controlling the blending. So, I went back to the Canson paper. Speaking of, I'm starting to run low.

I stamped the image with Angel Pink to do a 'no lines' colouring. I used the light pink since I would be painting in reds.

I painted the image in a variety of reds with greys for the belly. I added Perfect Pearls Pearl to wet ink on his belly to give it a bit of a leathery sheen. I used red glittery embossing powder for his glasses. 

I fussy cut the dragon and then added colour to the cut edges. 

The sentiment on the front is done with black embossing powder to give it a little dimension and better clarity on the background. The dragon was added with foam mounting tape.

I stamped a sentiment inside with Black Archival ink.