Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Tropical Hello


Hi everyone.  Have been busy for a few days, but managed to find some time to create this card.  I started it last night ... and struggled and struggled ... nighttime is NOT my creative time!  Back at it this afternoon and still struggled.  Decided I needed to put everything away and forget about it.  I will move on to something else.  But I am stubborn :) ... so I pulled it back out and it finally came together.

You have probably noticed that I am totally "in love" with this layout ... have used it a lot lately - so that was the starting part that was easy.  And I knew I wanted to use coral and yellow - so I had my layout and colors.  The trouble I had was with the backing for the flower ... what to use.  Tried all kinds of leaf sizes and shapes along with some flourishes.  The leaves should be green, right??!!  It all looked so wrong.  As soon as I added the white leaves, I felt at peace :)  Struggling over - yay! :)

This is going to be a card for a class I'm holding this coming Saturday for my two cousins (sisters Joanne and Colleen) ... and Joanne's daughter Demi.  I am so looking forward to spending a crafty afternoon with them.  I wanted to show them how to make this beautiful (and easy) background.  This is the same background technique (faux mother-of-pearl), I used for the Peace Dove card shown here.  I just randomly pounced a squished up piece of Saran Wrap with some white enamel shimmer paint on my card stock (leaving lots of open space) and after it dried, sponged on yellow and coral inks.  So easy, so pretty and a great backdrop for this pretty 3-D hibiscus flower.

The two other things we will be covering in the class is how to add dimension to die-cuts.  Taking a flat die-cut and using a stylus and mat to add shape ... as I did with the leaf sprigs above.  It adds a lot to the overall look, without a lot of extra work - simple.  And the third thing I'm going to cover is how to add details to a flower to bring it to life, including layering (paper tole), sponging edges and shaping for dimension, and adding finishing details (veins and dots).

Now I just need to come up with two more designs to fit the course. :)  Here's hoping I'll be back soon with more cards.  :)

Edited to Add:  I'm entering this into the latest challenge at Curtain Call - Perfectly Peach.  Thanks for letting me know Lee-Anne! :)










Stamps:  Where Your Heart Is (hello sentiment) - Simon Says
Paper:  White (Neenah); Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Ink:  Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Fresh Foliage and Hibiscus Flower dies (Memory Box), Frost White shimmer paint (SU!), saran wrap, sponges, white gel pen, stylus and mat




24 comments:

Lee-Anne said...

Must try that background technique...love it in the peach/coral tones. That hibiscus die is gorgeous and I love the white leaves. The dimension from your stylus is fab. BTW this qualifies for the Curtain Call challenge, Loll...Perfectly Peach.

Darlene DeVries said...

The white leaves are perfect Loll, and I absolutely love the background. The whole card is gorgeous!! :)

Aileen said...

The white leaves are absolutely perfect. This card is just beautiful, love every detail, especially the background. It looks glossy and pearly all in one. Appears to give a gloss to the flower!!

Cathy said...

Love this card Loll, the colours are gorgeous, the background looks amazing. I have to get some white shimmer paint and try it. It looks a bit like marbling which I used to do years ago with oil paints, Sounds like your crafty get together will be a lot of fun, Cathy x

Petra Swart said...

This is GORGEOUS, Loll!! Your bg is absolutely beautiful and the hibiscus and leaves are so lovely!! Love this card!!
Regards from SA and have a lovely day!

Karren said...

Beautiful card, beautiful background and the leaves are just perfect, Loll!

shirley-bee said...

This is beautiful, Loll! I have a similar die to that and haven't used it since I first got it. Can I join your class please?

Kylie said...

Wow!! I love Hibiscus flowers. They are everywhere in QLD but the mostly remind me of my holiday in Hawaii. Gorgeous colours, Loll. I wish I was coming to your class xx

Canonbury creations said...

Stunning card Loll, beautiful colour way and I love that hibiscus die:)
Val x

Stamps and Paper said...

Beautiful card L and love those fabulous colours Loll, It is a lovely design...wish I lived nearer would love to come to one of your classes.

Anne

Carole said...

Exquisite Loll, and thanks for explain your struggle and the technique for the fabulous back ground. I wish I could come and take a class. Be well and keep inspiring us your beautiful work. Carole

Nancy Seed said...

Well worth the struggle! Love what you have come up with and the colours just pop off the card. There is a little bit of stubbornness in all of us and sometimes it pays off. TFS

JJ said...

This is gorgeous Loll, well worth to keep trying. Love the colours and I love Hibiscus fowers.

Love & Hugs

Jacquie J xxx
http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Becky said...

wow. This is gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Hi Loll: I hope this isn't a duplicate post! Not sure the other one took. I just wanted to say this is an absolutely GORGEOUS card and I sure wish I could be at that class of yours :). I've never been able to 'get' the faux mother-of-pearl for some reason and I'd love to learn how to do the added dimensions to die-cuts (and i'm assuming it'd work for punched items, too). TFS!

Unknown said...

Wow Loll - this made me so happy when I saw it. Such gorgeous colours and the hibiscus flower with the white leaves are perfect. My Peace dove die has just arrived so am going to have a go at this faux mother of pearl technique soon.

Karen x

Susan said...

What a wonderful tropical look - the white leaves are perfect! Have fun with your cousins!

Julia Aston said...

You need to frame this and put it on your wall Loll!! LOVE that background - the peachy loveliness of it all - can I come to the class too!?!?!

Bonnie said...

Wish I could join you! I can never get the sponging right and sometimes not the dimension. Hands on instruction works best! This card is gorgeous and I'm going to try that Mother of Pearl technique. My group is so large that smoosh isn't the best idea. This might go easier. Thanks for the inspiration and sharing this beautiful, tropical flower. Love these colors!

Deepti said...

What an amazing technique and the card is awesome !! Love love love the BG n ur layout is simply stunning :)

Karen M said...

Stunning card Loll and another amazing flower - Love them! Hugs xx

Anita in France said...

This is simply stunning, Loll ... fabulous shimmery background and yes, the leaves in white are absolutely perfect! Anita :)

OH Babs said...

This card is very elegant Loll.

Barb Ghig said...

This is so gorgeous, Loll! Your hibiscus really pops against your stunning backgroound!