A Watercolor and Bokeh

Yay!  It's time for a new 2-week challenge at Seize The Birthday.  This time there is no Toppings option.  So...anything goes.  Well, as long as it's a Birthday card, of course.

It wasn't easy to decide what technique I wanted to use for this No Toppings challenge.  I'm seeing so many fun video tutorials lately.  When I came across Dawn Woleslagle's video on the Bokeh technique...that made my decision easy!  HERE is the link to her video, if you want to check it out.

I made 2 cards using this technique.  I'll show you my second attempt first.  I love how this one turned out!  The first one...not so much.  I'll include a photo of it at the bottom of this post though, so you can see what I mean.

This was SO much fun.  I love playing with watercolors, as you've probably noticed.  Then add to that some circle stenciling, some Wink of Stella and a few sequins.  Oh. And a heat embossed sentiment, too. 
Well.  Good times!

Um...here is my first attempt at Dawn's Bokeh technique.

I added some white splatter to this card, and it just doesn't look right.  THEN when I stamped "birthday" under the Happy sentiment it just looked wonky.  So, I stamped it on a scrap that I had trimmed off the main panel. I attached that with foam tape.  Hmmm, it just doesn't look right.
But I figured it was only fair to show you my experimental card!

Anyway, thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you'll leave a comment.  I lvve reading them!
Susie

Supplies for "It's Your Day" ~
Card stock: white (Recollections from Michael'), watercolor paper (Artist's Loft from Michael's)
Stamps: think big favorites #2 (PTI)
Ink: versamark, unicorn white
Other: white ep (SU), watercolores and brushes (Michael''s), sponge dauber (SU), clear wink of stella (Kuretake), in color sequins (SU)

Supplies for the "Happy Birthday" ~
Same as for the card above, just different watercolors and the sentiment is from Wet Paint by PTI.