Author Archive: Vicki Achard

Making Handcrafted Father’s Day Cards

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I love turning my left over watercolor paint from a painting into cards.

I will use these papers that I put my left over watercolor paint on for my Father’s day cards I will make.
I love the banner, made with baker’s twine and this flag stamp (didn’t have a name on it). I made a seascape with my Derwent Inktense Watercolor pencils.
I made a landscape using my Derwent Inktense Watercolor pencils. If this was a large painting I would have brought the water up to cover 1/3rd of the paper (rule of 3rds), but since this was only a card, I thought it would be o.k. to leave the existing line created when I originally put paint on the paper months ago.
I love creating and using stamps, paints, baker’s twine, etc. to make fun cards. Color, paper, so much fun!
These are all the materials I used to make these cards. I used Winsor Newton Cotman Chinese white watercolor to make reflections in the water. I also used my white posco pen for the sails a little. I love using my Derwent Inktense Watercolor pencils to make cards, how fun!
Every time I use my Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils, I try to use a dark and lighter color for each area. I love the contrast of light and dark. A light colored thin paper was inserted and adhered to the inside of the the black paper for someone’s message.
I love using my eyelets and anytime I can I will pull out my We R Memory Keepers cropadile to put my eyelets on. The Father’s Day stamp is from Recolletions and the Blessing’s stamp is from Stampabilities. I love the color of the Memento Dye Ink, Bahama Blue.

These three cards are available in my SHOP page on my website.

I hope all of the Dads, favorite Uncles, Grandpas, special friends, have a special Father’s Day!

Stay well, stay cool, and enjoy your Father’s Day,

Vicki

Glass Bottles in Watercolor / Painting In Progress

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Painting glass is fun and challenging at the same time. Painting in steps is key. I set up a still life, changed the colors of two of my bottles, added masking fluid to keep some of the highlights, put my first glaze on, added the shadows, then painted deeper darker colors of the bottles, took the masking fluid off, and put in a few more highlights – that’s it! This is my second painting using my new Winsor/Newton Cotman student grade paints. They did well, however it was my first time using my “hot” press paper (not rough, but smooth) and couldn’t quite figure out at first if it was the paints or paper that didn’t like a lot of lifting. I came to the conclusion that it was the paper. I plan on painting a lot more glass now and then. Maybe I’ll try my cold press paper instead to see if I like painting the look of glass on that better.

Final painting – “Glass Bottles”
My sketch is finished, I painted the furthest bottle with the first glaze, put masking fluid on the bottles to save highlights, and added some green on the two bottles to have the look of a reflection.

Until next time,

Happy Creating,

Vicki

Paints, Palettes, Brushes, & Paper I Use in Watercolor

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I’ve looked forward to this video, sharing these important supplies I use and have learned about since I started learning how to paint in Watercolor six years ago. I will be talking about M. Graham professional paints, my new Winsor & Newton Cotman student grade paints, my favorite brushes, paper and two palettes I have loved using. I hope this helps you start on your watercolor journey. Also I hope you can watch my next video when I will talk about all other materials and supplies I use to help make beautiful watercolor paintings.

Happy Creating,

Vicki

Speed Paint in Watercolor / “Gathering Flowers”

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I am painting with my new Winsor & Newton Cotman student grade tube watercolor paints to see how they act. After painting with them I am happy to say I did enjoy painting with them. I think they are very vibrant in color and I would recommend them for someone just learning how to paint. M. Graham professional watercolor paints are my favorite. I’m happy to have both to paint with. In the near future I will make a video on the materials I use and talk more about paints in that video. Also in the future I would like to teach everything I’ve learned about painting in Watercolor.

Happy Creating,

Vicki

“How to Make a Color Chart with Your Watercolor Paints”

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Color is an awesome thing. I love making my paintings with brilliant, rich color. Making color charts with my paints helps get rid of the guess work knowing what two colors would mix well for the color I am looking for while I’m painting a design. In this video I show you how to make a color chart with Winsor & Newton Cotman student grade watercolors. I mention organization of your designs and other tips, as well as talk about other color charts I have made.

Happy Creating,

Vicki

How I Cut My Hair/What I Use to Cut My Husband’s Hair

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This is my third haircut I’ve given myself since the Pandemic hit last March. I wanted to share this with all of you and wanted to put this up about three weeks ago. However, we are recent new grandparents; our 8th beautiful grandchild was born, (a girl), and every time our grandchildren are born we try to help out in any way we can. I hope this helps anyone who is still needing to cut their hair at home.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Vicki

“Make a Card with Vicki / Birthday & Mother’s Day Card & Ideas For Valentine’s Day Cards”

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I am excited to share with you this card making video. If you love color, design, and a reason to send a card to lift someone’s spirits, this video is for you. I love making cards knowing someone will be happy receiving a card.

Happy Creating and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Vicki

“Workout With Vicki Achard / My Fitness Journey” – Part 3

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So happy to share my 25 minute total body workout with you. I feel so loosened up and ready for the day after I do this. Exercise is so important for the mind, mood, and body. So happy I started exercising fifteen years ago.

Please check with your Doctor if you are going to do these exercises.

I wish you much success with your fitness journey!

Happy Healthy Heart and Happy Exercising,

Vicki

“How I lost 57 lbs. & Foods I Eat to Lower Cholesterol” – Part 2

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So happy to take the time to share with you how I lost 57 lbs. and ways I’ve tried to reduce my cholesterol for the last 15 years. I go into a lot of detail, share a few recipes with you and have a good “chat” about other stuff happening in my life. Come join me in my kitchen and have fun while trying to loose a few pounds.

“How I Reduced My Cholesterol, Lost 57 lbs., and Dropped 5 Pant Sizes”

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I’m so excited to share with you my Fitness Journey. This is the first video of a three part series. Jan 20, 2020 I reached my goal weight. Covid hit last March and from then on I gained 5 lbs., (who didn’t?) however I lost those 5 lbs. and hit my goal weight Dec 19, 2020. I’m encouraged, inspired, and enthused to encourage all who are struggling with those cholesterol numbers. Please share this with a friend if they are struggling also. Because of Covid, I also couldn’t share these videos with you due to my oldest daughter and I not being able to get together to film my last video, sharing my exercise total body work out with you. I have decided it’s time to do these videos and Tom, my husband and I will film that video. Besides loving art, crafting, nature, cooking, God and family, I love thinking of all things healthy and sharing this with you is a long time coming.