Happy Birthday Shaker!

Hi Friends!  Today I have a sweet little shaker card using the adorable Bella Elephant stamp set from Gina K Designs.   I also used the ice cream cone from the So Cool set and the "Happy Birthday" sentiment from the latest incentive set called More Massive Messages (which is free with a $75 order).

I also have a coloring tutorial using the fabulous Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers.  Scroll on down to see how I colored this sweet little guy.

Step 1: Stamp the elephant image using black pigment ink and heat emboss with clear embossing powder on watercolor paper.  Note: For this card, I wanted to do this so I could contain my watercolors within certain areas so they wouldn't spread.

Step 2: Using the Pale Pink marker, I added color to the inside areas of each ear.

Step 3: Add Cool Gray 1 to the entire elephant. Note: I did not go over the pale pink.

Step 4: Add Light Gray to the left edges of the elephant and areas needing more shading.

Step 5: Using a waterbrush, gently blend the darker gray into the light gray.

Step 6:  Continue blending and add more color from the marker if needed.  Note:My photo below is shiny because of the water from my brush.  It didn't dry that way.

Step 7: Continue to use the waterbrush to blend the grays and add more color from the marker if needed or dab off color with a paper towel if too much color is added.  Note:  Watercoloring is very forgiving and can easily be corrected with the markers or some extra water... even after it dries.  Just keep playing with it until you achieve the desired results.

Step 8: Trim the elephant using scissors and add to the card.

Here is my sweet little guy and a fun little ice cream cone that I colored and popped on top of him.

Thanks for stopping by today!