Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Cardinals

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a watercoloured card of some cardinals as the reminder card for the CAS Christmas October Challenge - Bird.  I received this beautiful image from my dear friend MaryH, a long time ago.  So happy to finally have inked it up.

Susan is hosting ...

I stamped the image and heat embossed in liquid platinum and then watercoloured with dye ink markers.  I thought it needed some snow, so heat embossed with Shabby White Frantage which has a bit of texture.  I die-cut an oval on my card front and lined up part of the stamp behind.  The sentiment is also heat embossed in liquid platinum.  This image makes for a very elegant card.  I looked up the stamp from the manufacturer after I finished watercolouring and found out that the top bird is a blue jay. :)  Oh well, let's just say it's a different shaped cardinal instead. :)

Here's the close-up ...
Please check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from our amazing Designers, and from our wonderful Guest Designer, Sue (Sue's Card Craft).  Then come play along.  Time is ticking down to get all the Christmas cards finished and ready to mail out before the big day!






Stamps:  Cardinals (Northwood Rubber Stamps); Banner Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card front and base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock)
Ink:  Stampin' Write Markers:  Real Red, Sky Blue, Cherry Cobbler (SU!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Liquid Platinum embossing powder (Ranger), water brush, Shabby White Frantage (Stampendous), Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinder)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas October Challenge - Bird

26 comments:

Jason Alden said...

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful pics of reminder cards. I have read your blog it is very interesting information.

Susan said...

Such a beautiful image, Loll, and so perfectly water coloured. No one but a real bird watcher will notice it should be a jay! Love the Frantage snow and the oval framing.

nancy littrell said...

Aren't Blue Jays and Cardinals from the same bird family? Either way, your birds are Gorgeous, Loll. TFS Hugs..

Nstiz said...

This sure looks sharp embossed in liquid platinum. Don't know why when I use that stuff mine looks so dull. Yours looks so brilliant. Beautiful coloring on the birds too. Had you not mentioned the blue jay I doubt any of us would have noticed. It's pretty just as it is.

Bonnie said...

Blue Jays and Cardinals are so similarly shaped and the red of the cardinal is so perfect for Christmas cards! I love this image embossed! It gives wonderful texture and dimension along with the Frantage snow! Love that soft blue sky in the background too!

Jan said...

ELEGANT card Loll!!!!
Paper Hugs,
Jan

Colleen said...

Beautiful card Loll, I would have assumed one was a Male the other a female! As always a stunning card!

Christine Alexander said...

Loll, the platinum embossing gives so much depth for your cardinals and that red is stunning. Beautiful finishing with the watercolour wash background and the speckles of white frantage :)

Maria said...

Very pretty card with the cardinals! It is such a delight when we see cardinals in our back yard! Wonderful embossing and lovely background! Stunning as always, Loll!!

scrappymo! said...

This liquid platinum embossing is beautiful. It so suits these stately birds.

Beautiful card, Loll.

Julie B said...

We don't have cardinals here but I bet they look stunning against the white snow, just as these do! Fab. :)

Sue said...

Gorgeous embossing and colouring on the beautiful bird image, Loll.

Brenda in IN said...

The liquid platinum is so elegant and makes this scene just gorgeous. The snow is a wonderful added touch.

Trina P. said...

Definitely elegant, Loll! Your watercolouring is gorgeous. Wonderful texture with the frantage. The oval aperture works perfectly with this image. For some reason I struggle with incorporating ovals into my designs. Funny with the blue jay/cardinal, but they look the same to me until they are coloured so I would have never known. 😉xx

Barb Ghig said...

Oooh, how I love all the texture and sparkle on this card, Loll! The watercolored Cardinals are so pretty and I love your soft blue sky and snow...such an elegant Christmas card...WOW!

Marcia Hill said...

Stunning AND elegant Loll!! The platinum sure makes a statement and your coloring is just beautiful!! Had to chuckle about your red bluejay...he just put on a red suit for Christmas!! Lovely, lovely card my friend!! :0)

Robyn Oliver said...

I'm pretty sure we don't have cardinals in Australia, but I love to see them on Christmas cards... gorgeous red makes a statement.... and your card Loll is just beautiful... love the colours you've chosen, the light blue and silver against the red and then set behind the oval - so much depth, love it - red blue jay too

Linda said...

Your birds look stunning Loll, so festive. I love the added snow too xx

Bobby said...

Elegant is definitely the word to describe your card, Loll. The snow adds a great feel to it.

MaryH said...

Oh my! No wonder this image seemed familiar. I scrolled down just because I saw these awesome birds, and does the image look gorgeous with the embossing and then the watercoloring. I really like the additional falling snow. Their feathers show up just marvelously well with the embossing too! So good to see you got to use this one! TFS & Hugs. Happy wkend.

Jo said...

My goodness such an intricate unique piece. Yay for red blue jays, they'd be jealous hihihi
You definitely have combined a winning formula here. The richness is just totally stunning, BRAVO! xx

Anita in France said...

Wonderfully wintery and frosty, Loll ... cardinal or blue jay, both are just lovely! Hugs, Anita :)

Linda said...

Fabulous and elegant card, Loll. Have a great weekend.

Mac Mable said...

Such an elegant card. So glad you got to colour up the fabulous image from Mary H. Love the 'both' cardinals and what a stunning card Loll x.

Julia Aston said...

This is just so beautiful Loll - with the coloring inside the wonderful gold embossing! The light blue sky is the perfect background for the right red birds (you shouldn't have mentioned the Blue Jay - we might not have noticed!! ;) xx

BożenA said...

I love the combination of deep red and gold. Your birds look amazing. Great design, I love the central oval hole in the card panel.
Hugs,
BożenA