More "Hope for Japan" Artwork

As you know, Close To My Heart has designed a special set (Hope for Japan, pictured below) that is available until April 30 in which 100% of the profits go to the American Red Cross efforts in Japan. It's only $5 too. What a great way for you to help Japan, and at the same time get a beautiful stamp set. As soon as I saw it, I had to order mine. It came a couple of days ago and last night I had a minute to play with it a bit.

These cards (click on the photo to see it larger and in more detail) were inspired by a card done by the CTMH Art Department that you can see here. Our art department is amazing! Why re-invent the wheel when they had already come up with something I liked so much? I just made the card a little bigger (6" x 6") and added a little different colors and background to make it mine.

From left to right in the photo, these are the CTMH exclusive colors featured: Hollyhock, Smoothie, Cotton Candy and Tulip. Isn't this rainbow of pinks and reds GORGEOUS? Here is a little close-up of the focal point so you can see that I popped up the main square and also the heart. I shaded the hearts with watercolor pencils, but didn't use water. I love using watercolor pencils like regular colored pencils because they are so soft and blend so beautifully. Have you ever thought to shade on top of a solid stamp with colored pencils? Well, if you haven't, give it a try. You'll love the effect! You can read a little bit about shading with colored pencils on this post.

CTMH products used: Hope For Japan Stamp Set, Wings Workshop on the Go Stamp Set, Colonial White Cardstock, Cocoa Cardstock, Cocoa Stamp Pad, Hollyhock Cardstock, Hollyhock Stamp Pad, Smoothie Cardstock, Smoothie Stamp Pad, Cotton Candy Cardstock, Cotton Candy Stamp Pad, Tulip Cardstock, Tulip Stamp Pad, Chocolate Stamp Pad, Round Sponge, Mocha Opaques, 2" Scallop Punch, 3D Foam Tape.

Click here to order the "Hope for Japan" stamp set and other wonderful CTMH products on my website...24/7!