CAS Mix Up January Challenge - many thanks

We're halfway through this month and it's time for more inspiration for CAS Mix Up. The challenge for January is Bokeh.

Here's my card:

Using Bokeh Technique, Stenciling, Sponging, Watercoloring, Die-cutting, 
Heat-embossing, and Stamping

[How I made the card]
1. Die-cut circles in different sizes from a piece of acetate to make a DIY stencil.
2. Colored the watercolor paper with paints (Gansai Tambi) using the wet-on-wet technique.
3. Made sure the watercolored paper was completely dry and sponged the circles with white pigment ink using the DIY stencil to create a Bokeh effect. I made the smaller circles whiter. (*1)
4. Heat-embossed the sentiment in gold.
5. Die-cut a reef frame and layered it on the Bokeh panel.

*1. Contrasting both the size and the translucence/density of the bubbles seems to work well. This was a tip I got from Dawn's tutorial video on the challenge site.


I used Stenciling/Sponging as a technique, so I'm entering the card to the new CAS Stencil Card Challenge.

The CAS Mix Up Challenge is open until January 24th. Check out the wonderful samples our Designers and Viv made, and play along with us!

Stamp: Geometric Greenery (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Watercolor Paper (Arches Hot Press - 140 lb), Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Craft Ink (Whisper White - Stampin' Up!), VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Paints: Gansai Tambi (#57 Turquoise Green, #62 Cobalt Blue, #67 Deep Blue, #39 Purple - Kuretake)
Accessories: Dies (Reef Border and Frame - Hero Arts), Embossing Powder (Gold - Hero Arts), Connect Glue (Gina K)