Poppies

I keep challenging myself to improve my coloring... I tend not to leave lighter areas when I watercolor, so that was something I kept in mind when painting this image. This is one of the new unmounted House Mouse stamps available through Joanna Sheen. I watercolored using reinkers and Derwent pencils. The main color I used is a Vermillion ink by Impress - isn't that a fun color? So weird how my tastes are always changing.

Here's a close-up on the background panel - it was made by inking the paper with the Vermillion ink pad, then layering Cover-a-Card stamps (Distressed Lines and Flourishes)

I used narrow strips of paper to 'thread' my buttons too - less hassle than sewing them on, and the paper helps anchor the glue too.

Also - see that embossed stitching there on the black panel? I did that by lining up the panel diagonally on plastic canvas, then running a stylus along a ruler next to the edge of the paper, across the squares.

Hope those tips are helpful!