Here, Kitty Kitty!

I got the stamp I'm using today as a gift not too long ago, and I wanted to pair it up with some experimentation with a new-to-me product - these Graphitint pencils.

I've brought you many water-soluble graphite projects before, because I love that medium, but I had only tried Viarco, (blog post here and here and here and here) not a wider color range of tinted graphite, so I wanted to see what that was all about, and this great stamp was perfect for it.

Now I only have this one in wood, so after I stamped it with India Ink, I outlined it with my teeny sharpie to bring the crispness back, and make up for any ink irregularities from not having a MISTI-perfect image. However, I've linked you to the cling version of this stamp below - so never fear! I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Clair Nocturne.

The pencils are super interesting - you can layer than as you'll see me do in the video, for deeper tones, and mixed colors (like the purple shadows in the blue cat). I guess when I think of water-soluble graphite, I don't think of this much color - it's really nice, but it has that black of graphite, and is similar to an 8B pencil. So when you sketch with them, the color is very subtle, and you see a lot of the graphite, but when you add water, the color pops out. Really different and fun. Because it's graphite, you won't get the darkest of colors like you'd get with traditional watercolor - but you can see the shadow under the bird - it's pretty dark.

I think these will be going with me when I sketch. They behave really differently from a traditional watercolor pencil, which can grab the paper a bit and be slightly harder to move than these are. These are extremely blendable, and I use them like I do Inktense or traditional watercolor pencils - I grab the color right from the lead with my paintbrush. If you want to sketch first and then activate with water, please note that before you add water, it erases beautifully - something I require in a sketching medium.

But anyway - all that to day I have a cat with a bird sitting on it for you today! The adorable sentiment is from this stamp set.

Stampendous Cling Rubber Stamp -... [ CST | JGG ] Stamp and Die Bundle- Frisky Felines [ GNK ] Derwent Graphitint Pencils [ BLIC | ART ] Da Vinci Cosmotop Sable Mix F Brushes... [ BLIC | ELH ] VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne [ ELH | SSS ] Stewart Superior Memories India Ink... [ AMZUS ] Sharpie Pen Stylo, Fine Point Pen, 2... [ AMZUS ] Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. Cold Press... [ AMZUS ] Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock by... [ SUP ] Whisper White Cardstock - Thick [ SUP ] MISTI Stamping Tool [ MSW | HA | SSS | ELH | MFT | SBC ] Lawn Fawn STAMP SHAMMY Cleaner LF1045 [ SSS | ELH | CST | ART | SBC ] Rotatrim Professional Series Cutter -... [ BLIC ] Multipurpose Liquid Glue by Stampin' Up! [ SUP ] Nesting Porcelain Bowls - BLICK art... [ BLIC ] Aqua Painters by Stampin' Up! [ SUP ]

Isn't that the cutest? I can never resist a Burch or Kliban cat.

Now on the topic of cats and birds - I have noticed a real difference in perceived deliciousness of birds in our yard. There are some birds that must taste TERRIBLE - like mockingbirds and blue jays. This fits their personality, because they are such bad birds.

However, we have white wing doves, which are like little avian truffles wandering around the yard, that set both cats off in a frenzy of hangry. There are also teeny birds inhabiting our bushes out front that we call "bird poppers" because the cats will throw themselves at the window trying to eat them. Goldfinches, on the other hand, must be like the beets of the backyard bird world, because they get zero interest from my felines.

I don't know how two little kittens who were tossed out at the age of 21 days, rescued, and lived a life of indoor-only luxury for the ensuing ten years know the difference between delicious birds and bad-tasting birds - I'm just telling you that they do.

You're welcome for this knowledge bomb.

Here's the video of the process - click here to view in HD on YouTube.

I'm off to experience all the wonders Monday has to bring.

Loveyameanitbye.