Monday, November 16, 2015

Share Handmade Kindness - Sunflower Power

Hello Friends! I took a little break, but I'm back now and ready to roll! I decided to play along with the monthly challenge at Power Poppy. This month the challenge is EMBELLISH THIS.

Here's my card...click on any photo to enlarge it.


I am in love with this sunflower image. I've used it a few times already and I had no problem coloring it up again. I recently purchased a set of Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils and I was eager to use them. This lovely image was my first go with the pencils and I can say that they are definitely worth every penny I paid for them! I absolutely love them. They blend beautifully and because they are oil based, they don't get that shiny wax build-up that sometimes happens with other colored pencils.



The image is printed onto smooth white card stock that has been die cut with a Stitched Rectangle die. After I finished coloring the image, I inked the edges of the focal panel with Antique Linen Distress Ink. The challenge is all about the embellishments so I really piled them on; I tied on some Linen Thread and added a bow and a button. I used two Mossy Green Pretty Pink Posh sequins to highlight the greeting. And I used seed beads on the center of the sunflower. And because I just couldn't stop myself, I went over each of the flower petals with a Clear Wink of Stella glitter brush. Then, I mounted the focal panel onto my card base. And my card was finished!


I decided to make my own envelope. I have the punch board and it rarely gets used, so I pulled it out and made a nice stack of pretty envelopes. For this card, I used a long retired, Close to My Heart paper pack. Making envelopes is the perfect way to use up old patterned papers.


Are any of you participating in the Share Handmade Kindness Challenge that Jennifer McGuire is hosting? What about Creations for Kindness hosted by the very sweet and talented Tracie Pond? I am participating in both, and this card is being mailed off to one very special lady.

That is it for me today. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate the visit.

Blessings~



supplies~
digital stamp set: Sunflower Power, sentiment from Easy Breezy Coneflower(Power Poppy)
card stock: 80# Neenah Solar White   Fresh Asparagus(GinaK Designs)
patterned paper: Curio Collection(BasicGrey)   envelope made with Summer Harvest(Close to My Heart)
ink: Antique Linen Distress(Ranger)
dies: Stitched Rectangle(Simon Says Stamp)
bling: 4mm Mossy Green sequins(Pretty Pink Posh)   Clear Wink of Stella(Zig)
coloring medium: Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils
other: button and Linen Thread(Stampin' Up!)  seed beads(Michael's)  envelope punch board(WeRMemory Keepers)

6 comments:

Jeanne said...

Oh my, Barb! This is stunning! I adore every detail you added to make this shine. From the twine, to the button, to the seed beads, this is so pretty. How fun that you got some new pencils that you like so well. I am hoping to participate, but so far, life keeps getting in the way. I'm so glad you are, though! :) Have a wonderful week. Hugs!!

stampmonkey said...

So glad you're back, Barb! You and your gorgeous artwork have been missed. ;) This card is soooo beautiful --everything from your coloring of that lovely image with your new pencils {yay for getting to play with new toys!}, the pretty green accents, the linen thread, to the handmade envie...and I especially love the seed beads center! And the threads across the bottom of the image almost make it look like the flower is in a vase and the thread is at the water level. Just beautiful! Looks like you're definitely back and ready for action! ;) I've been MIA too, but don't have a good excuse other than "life" is keeping me a bit too busy lately.

blessings to you!

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Barb, this is gorgeous! I just love this sunflower and will never tire of it nor tire of seeing another card with it! Your coloring is beautiful, and I just love the seed beads for the center. Real sunflowers have such texture that they are perfect. And I love the simply elegant layout! And I have to tell you that I too have that same CTMH DP! Haha! That's how I got started with stamping years ago, and it's so funny that we both have some left (well, a lot). Beautifully done, as always, sweet friend. And I would be interested more in some answers I have about your new pencils. Perhaps could you email me (found on my blog). Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous design Barb! It feels so warm and inviting! And I LOVE that little button/twine combination too! So pretty! Thanks so much for joining us at Power Poppy!

Kathy Jones said...

SQUEEEE!!!! Loook at all those embellies in the middle of that flower!! *LOVE* You've done a fabulous job with the challenge!! Thanks so much for playing along with us at Power Poppy!!!

Debbie Olson said...

Barb, this is absolutely gorgeous! Beautifully and simply embellished, and a coordinating envelope too--it's the whole package!