Sunday, September 10, 2023

Fall Colours

Hi everyone.  I'm back with another sunflower card to celebrate that fall is almost here.  And thank goodness for that.  We've had the worst summer on record for fires burning in B.C. with about 2M hectares of land distroyed and over 400 structures, many of those people's homes.  The cooler weather that we've had this week has helped a lot, but what we really need is rain.  But not too much rain ... with the current drought conditions, lots of rain will most likely cause excessive flooding.  We are so thankful to all the hard working firefighters and to those firefighters that have come from all over the world to help us.

On to the card.  I LOVE this stencil from Magenta and was happy to pull it out and make a card with it.  I was inspired by the mood board at Triple B September Challenge ... the flowers and the colours.


... and then I saw the mood board at Double D challenge - beautiful Fall Plaids.  A great combo for a card. :)  The plaid paper I found is long retired from SU! ... and it was a bit dull, so I sponged over top with Mustard Seed DI to brighten it up.

... and one more challenge

The stencil is done with Distress Inks as well:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Rusty Hinge, Gather Twigs, Walnut Stain, Mowed Lawn, and Rustic Wilderness.  I just kept adding layers of colours until I was happy with the look. :)

I thought it needed something more, so took the Textured Mesh stencil (retired - Memory Box) and sponged over top of the centers of the flowers.  The final step, stamp the sentiment in black ink and heat emboss with clear embossing powder --- helps it to stand out more against the sunflower background.

Close-up ...

Thanks for stopping by!


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Stamps:  Sending Hugs (Impression Obsession)
Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Patterned paper (SU! retired)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Rusty Hinge, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories:   Three Flowers Sunflower Stencil (Magenta), sponge brushes, Clear Embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

23 comments:

I Card Everyone said...

I love the over-stenciling on your sunflower's centers, Loll! well, what's not to love about every single bit of this darling happy card!
I think about you while watching Virgin River - they even worked those wildfires into the show this season. I'll pray for just the right amount of rain.
=]

Julie B said...

The little strip of plaid DP really makes this card Loll. The weather here has been crazy too, cool, damp August followed this last week by temps in the high 20s and shocking humidity! Hopefully the Saharan plume will drift of by the middle of the week. I've seen the fires on TV, not something you want to experience, even from a distance.:)

Brenda said...

Your country has had a lot going on with all the fires Loll, my heart and prayers continue to go out to all who have lost their homes and for the animals that lost their habitat. We were very dry too, but we had nasty storms come through. And even though it rained well, it was a sideways rain, so most of it ran off. Which is sad. More storms came, not nasty ones this go round thankfully. So rain all weekend, but it is welcomed! I pray you all get some nice steady rain too. Your card is gorgeous! Love the fall colors and of course love sunflowers, which just scream fall to me. Hugs, Brenda

nancy littrell said...

I have the same Magenta sunflower stencil and have been thinking of using it for a Fall card...seeing your card really, really inspired me, Lolly. I LOVE your added plaid PP and love how you added a bit of ink to brighten up the paper. Your sunflower stenciling with the added stenciling in the center of the flowers are Gorgeous. Love your heat embossed stamped "Sending Hugs" sentiment is an awesome final touch, my friend. TFS and it is wonderful having Fall in the air with the cooler nights and daytime temperatures too. Love and Hugs...Nancy

TK said...

Gorgeous sunflowers to usher in Fall. Your colors and plaid are so pretty, it's too bad it means the end of summer except those pesky fires! Groups from our area came up your way, it was wonderful they could help and so grateful that it means we didn't have a bunch of out-of-control fires too

Bonnie said...

A brilliant idea to ink over the plaid paper to brighten it up, Lolly! And stenciling over the centers of the flowers was another brilliant idea! Such beautiful sunflowers, my dear friend!

Christine Alexander said...

that's also one of my favourite sunflower stencils. Such gorgeous colours ♥
Yes lets hope the fall brings some rain both for the reservoirs and the fires xx

Lisa Elton said...

This is sunny, happy and just a pretty as it can be! Prayers that you get just the weather you need in BC.

Susan said...

Perfect autumn colours, lovely sunflowers, great border of patterned paper!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Sunflowers make for a sunny happy card I think, and this is certainly that. It's fabulous Loll.

Marcia Hill said...

What a happy and cheerful card Loll!! I love sunflowers and yours are beautifully stenciled, and then add in that cheery plaid, and this card just couldn't be any sweeter...LOVE it!! Hugs. :0)

Brenda in IN said...

This is so vibrant, Loll. Your coloring and that plaid are awesome. I have a paper pad that looks exactly like the plaid in the mood board and I love it.

Bobby said...

Your sunflowers are beautiful, Loll, and I love the stenciling in the centers. Amping up the plaid with some ink really adds to your colorful, cheerful card.

Leslie Miller said...

Wow! Every step along the way made it better and better! Your sunflowers are amazing, and the plaid trim across the top is the perfect finish. Your card looks fantastic sitting in our gallery at Double D. Thanks, Loll!

Cat Craig said...

Fab plaid and that stenciled image is gorgeous.

Pat said...

Wow, love those sunflowers Loll, and the bit of added Textured Mesh stencilling in the centre of each of the flowers looks great, and the plaid paper enhanced with the Mustard Seed ink is perfect at the top of the card. x

Darnell said...

What a jolly sunflower design, Lolly! I love your shading and I think using the waffle stencil to shade and add interest to the centers of the flowers was genius! I also love the addition of the fall plaid and the excellent tip about adding ink to brighten it. That never would have occurred to me! Hugs, Dolly

Donna said...

Stunning card!

kiwimeskreations said...

I had heard you were having fires, but did not realise the extent of them - that is rather scary, Loll - and you are so right in not wanting 'too much' rain!!
Loving your card - that is stunning, and I lobe the way you brightened up the paper :)
Blessings
Maxine

Darlene said...

WOW! You hit the TRIfecta on this one! What a BEAUTIFUL design ... those sunflowers are gorgeous! And fit the colors in the plaid perfectly! WELL DONE my friend! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D, Triple B and Stencil Fun challenges! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Co-Owner … Can You Handle the Pressure, Double D, Four Seasons, Peace On Earth, Stencil Fun, Simply Clean & Simple, Two Old Bats, Triple B

Trina P. said...

Beautiful and bright stencilled sunflowers. Great way to incorporate the plaid.

Bonnie said...

It's a winner at Double D! Well deserved my talented friend!

BożenA said...

It's scary to hear about such a large fire in British Columbia. I'm glad you're safe, but at the same time I feel sorry for the people who lost all their property as a result of the fire. May autumn bring the much-needed rains.
Your gratitude card is beautiful and you used the grid so cleverly to add elements from the challenge. Great project, Loll.
xx