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Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Olive and Oak

Hello, dear friends. School has begun, and I've heard that up north some of the leaves are starting to change - hard for me to remember those days.

Well, it's the 15th of the month and time for a brand new Instant Garden digital image from Power Poppy by Marcella Hawley called Olive and Oak. It's a beautiful image with an encouraging sentiment.


Power Poppy, Marcella Hawley, Olive and Oak, Instant Garden Digital, September 2015

It's been more than 25 years since we've seen fall, so I had to search for some inspiration and decided to make my oak leaves orange (and also discovered that the veins are the last part of the leaf to change color). And I found some ideas for olives (all sorts of olives in various colors).

Using GIMP, I removed the backgrounds and "recolored" the image and sentiment from black to brown. Then in Microsoft Word I dragged in the focal image, resized it, and then dragged in my sentiment. However, I decided to split the sentiment to "nest" it around the image. So I made a copy of the sentiment in Word and cropped each one (cropping off the bottom of one and the top of the other), and then I moved them. 

This is my first (feeble) attempt at no-line coloring, and it was a challenge (for me anyway). But we have to start somewhere, right (half smiling)? After coloring, I added a narrow mat and used the out-of-the-box technique again. And of course I thought piercing added some interest. I used a striped embossing folder to give the background some texture and mounted it on the soft brown card base. I popped the focal image with dimensional tape...and was done.


Power Poppy, Instant Garden Release, Olive and Oak, Digital Image, CherylQuilts, Designed by Cheryl Scrivens

Since this month's Poppy Power challenge is "Gifts from the Heart," I decided to make a gift set of cards for our middle son who is a pastor. Unlike so many people today, he actually likes to hand write notes (and prints beautifully). I made the focal image brown to match my card stock, dragged it into Word, copied and positioned four of them, and printed a sheet. I die cut them and matted them, and then I adhered each one to a square card base. I will use various sentiments, but for this first card I used my MISTI and a sentiment from So Grateful. I will see what other sentiments will work and probably tie them together with some jute or perhaps put them in a clear gift box. I may even try Allison Cope's great tutorial for coloring in sepia tones. So how's that for easy to make some quick Thanksgiving cards too, eh? So many ways to use digis!


Power Poppy, Instant Garden Release, Olive and Oak, Digital Image, So Grateful, CherylQuilts, Designed by Cheryl Scrivens

Now it's time to visit the rest of the Instant Gardeners and also visit with Marcy...I always love reading how she was inspired! Be sure to visit Power Poppy to get this new digital release to use today. While you are there, check out the entire digital collection...it keeps growing! 

I love how Marcy has used the olive as a symbol of peace and the oak as a symbol of strength. It makes a beautiful image and perfect with the encouraging sentiment. God made the oak tree to be strong, and I am so thankful that He is my strength and peace in every situation that comes into my life. There is no greater peace than knowing He has me in the palm of His hand.

God is my strength and refuge,
a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

Thanks so much for "stopping by" and sharing a comment, thought or question. I am always happy to answer questions, so don't hesitate to email me. I am entering this card for this week's challenge at Word Art Wednesday, and it also works for today's Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!

Blessings,

Card One: 
Stamps:  Olive and Oak (Power Poppy) 
Paper: Classic White (Neenah), Soft Suede (SU)
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Squares dies (Spellbinders), Perfect Layers, Stripes embossing folder (Darice), piercing tool, 3M dimensional tape
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word and GIMP, out-of-the-box technique
Card Size:  4¾”


Card Two: 
Stamps:  Olive and Oak, So Grateful (Power Poppy) 
Paper: Classic White (Neenah), Soft Suede (SU), Vintage Cream (PTI) 
Ink:  Chocolate Chip (SU)
Tools/Accessories: Grand Squares dies (Spellbinders), Perfect Layers, MISTI
Techniques: Digital images using Microsoft Word and GIMP
Card Size:  4½”

31 comments:

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh, what wonderful autumn inspiration! Such a great stamp and amazing detail in your coloring! Simply beautiful!

Allison Cope said...

Wowsers Cheryl! I am in love with your coloring on the Autumn cluster. I wish I had half your coloring talent!!!! Stunnning creation my friend!

Unknown said...

Cheryl, Today my grandmother would have been 131, she left for Heaven at 109. We always went out in the bush and picked fall bouquets. Yours looks like our. Your coloring is quite amazing. Thank you so much for taking time to post your very creative art with us this week at Word Art Wednesday in our 200th Celebration Week’ challenge!
Blessings and Hugs, Carole

Misti said...

WOWZA!!! Cheryl, this is stunning!!!

Barbara said...

Wonderful images that you colored beautifully. I think that you remember "fall" very well. I also enjoyed the ones that you printed in brown for the note cards.

Susie said...

Cheryl, I so love this new digi! This is one I definitely will purchase. And boy oh boy do I like the sepia design - that my friend is a class act - love it! Did you use your Copics for your no-line coloring or did you use pencils? You did a fabulous job - fabulous. Happy Fall. One of my favorite times of the year.

Hugs and love,
Susie ~

Susan (rainy) said...

THUD!!! Oh my, Cheryl, I'm picking my jaw up off the floor! Your no line coloring looks A-MAZ-ING! What a joy to see your creations. Love them both.

Susan Lankford said...

Beautifully done, Cheryl! And Wow...what a great set of cards this will be ....

Pauline said...

Cheryl, these are both amazing cards. The first one is so beautifully coloured in fall tones and love the simplicity of the second card. I have never tried the no-line colouring yet, but I do want to try, and I think you have mastered this! Wow just amazing! Love the embossed stripes on the first card as well. Both are gorgeous Cheryl!! Hugs,

Davi said...

Both cards are Beautiful! I really like the diagonal embossing on the first and the cas sepia o the second is Very pretty!

Debbie Harris said...

What a wonderful card. I love the beauty of the oak mixed with the olives, great combination.
Both cards are quite stunning, although the one you printed in brown has such simplicity to it, I like that.

Yes, God is our ever present strength, and for that, I am very grateful.
Praising Jesus!
Debbie

Charity Morris-Chamberlain said...

Oh my these are absolutely beautiful! I love the colors in the first card and the simplistic color of the second one, both are fantastic! Thank you for playing along in the Word Art Wednesday Challenge! Have a blessed day!

Charity - DT Member - Word Art Wednesday
http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
http://collectivecreativity.blogspot.com (my personal blog)

Leslie Miller said...

You're getting mighty clever with those digis, Cheryl! And your first attempt at no-line coloring is fabulous! Looks like you've been doing it forever! I love your out of the box design and the beautiful shading on the olives and oak leaves. Masterful! The second card in sepia is stunning in its simplicity and really shows the amazing detail in the image. Marcy really has the best art out there!

Kat said...

Very pretty card, I love making them but I have not made any for a year and half since I moved to care for my mom. Your site title interested me because of the name ((about quilts)). I love quilting. I found your site through Connie's. Have a wonderful day!

Karen Dunbrook said...

stunning....love, love that image....so perfect for the Fall. I just love how you layered it, the pierced border, the shading, the colours.....I could just go on and on.
YOU are special and talented mf.
hugs,
Karen

Grace said...

Wow oh wow Cheryl!!! I am always amazed at your techie skills, AND your coloring skills! Love your version of the no line technique and love the split sentiment idea. Love the simple brown image as well.... your son will love it and put it to great use! So nice to hear of men who like to write notes!!! Love your beautiful cards and beautiful thoughts!!!
Hugs.... will try to catch up soon!
Grace

Shari Winterstein said...

Beautiful! I love the set that you made for your son. Blessings and joy! Shari

JD/ Jill said...

Amazing! Your coloring is just over the top...Fabulous!

Laura said...

Beautiful, it looks real. I love both cards and it's so nice your son will use them. Whoever receives these cards will feel very special!

Rosy Newlun said...

Oh my word, these are glorious. I love the square shapes and embossed background. Leaving the image uncolored is amazing too!

Gunilla/Nilla said...

I think your no line coloring is amazing and I love what you have created with this stamp. Both cards are beautiful.

Big hugs for you Cheryl and I hope you have a lovely day!

Robin Clendenning said...

Cheryl, you did a marvelous job on your image with the no line technique!! It really isn't easy! I love the colors you used and the beautiful realistic coloring job!! Beautiful my friend!

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Wow, Cheryl!! Both of your creations are stunning!! I so love your coloring of the leaves and all your shading!! Amazing!! The black and white is pretty also. You are so tech savy!! I envy or should I say admire your talent!! God has truly blessed you with talent and a heart of gold!! I treasure you my friend!!
hugs,
Chris

Marisa Job said...

Beautiful work!! Love the image and colors you used! Blessings!

Tracy said...

Oh you brave soul! I haven't attempted the no line coloring yet but I just love the look of it. You did an incredible job Cheryl. Your acorns make me think of the ones I just created for a baby shower tomorrow. Hershey kisses, mini peanut butter cookies and a chocolate morsel stem. So cute. Hugs!

Irish Cherokee said...

Excellent Cheryl. Love fall for the color and that great smell that leaves give off after they fall. You captured the essence of fall with your card. The color and arrangement are perfect.

Love, Hugs and Blessings
Jim

Christina Hor said...

Hi Cheryl! I should be in bed already but moonlight the only time I have to blog hop nowada and I can't miss any of your beautiful creations can't I? MY O MY! You really made my jaw drop with your no line technique Cheryl! This is incredible. You made it look so easy and yes! LOVE seeing this cut outside the frame technique here like you did in your prior card! Simply amazing Cheryl! And thank you so much for the lovely comment you've left over on my blog. Wishing you and your lovely DH a beautiful Sunday. Hugs.

Christina
memoriescrafter.blogspot.com

Conniecrafter said...

Oh my, your no line coloring is just beautiful, and I have tried that it isn't easy. I love this image so much that I am making a card that is along this line but using dies. Your piercing is just perfect!

Pretty Paper Junkie said...

Oh my! I just realized I hadn't commented on this beauty. Your no line coloring is something to be admired. That technique take a little longer, but the results are stunning. Awesome card, Cheryl.

Vicki Burdick said...

STUNNING!!!!!

Monika/Buzsy said...

Gorgeous card Cheryl. The coloring is amazing on the image... such rich and pretty colors.