It's a Watercolor Friday for Friends With Flair

Happy, happy Friday, everyone!  I'm going with the assumption that FWF is up and running this week.  I went through withdrawal last week, checking the Unity blog about 20 times to see if the link was up and ready yet.  My new year's resolution to link up every Friday in 2013 has now been broken.  Or has it?  My post can be found here from last Friday, if you missed it.  It was a farewell post to my favorite online retailer that closed their doors that day, and to design team members I had worked with for nearly a year.  Sad day -- company closing, no FWF.

But, it's a new Friday, and I have Unity to share.  I used the April Sentiment Kit from Unity for both the roses and the sentiment on both these card.  I made this card first:

I used distress inks on the flowers, rolling a second color on the outside of the blossoms, then a spritzed them with water to get the watercolor effect and stamped on watercolor paper. I used Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6x6 papers, and some 3 Girl Jam crinkle ribbon.  I got the card done, stepped back, and decided I didn't like it.  Do you ever do that? So, I started over.  Here's the second card.

I based it on this sketch by Sunday Sketch and Stamp:

And, with a little tweaking, here is what I created:

I used the same watercolor technique, but just layered things up a little differently.  I used the same Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6x6 papers, some Timeless Twine, bling by CTMH, and some heart sequins I found in my stash.  But, for some reason, I like this card much better.  Funny how that happens.

I'm sending the first card to my 93 year old friend who loves everything I make for him.  He thinks I'm a card making super star.  The second one will most likely be this week's card to my BFF.

I'm entering these cards in the following challenges:

Sunday Sketch and Stamp -- challenge #156, Francesca's sketch
Ribbon Carousel -- Celebrations (spring)
Simon Says Stamp -- flower power
Crafty Creations Challenges -- KISS (keep it sweet and simple)
Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes
Marker Pop -- May flowers
D.L.Art Thankful Thursday -- #109 Flowers