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Thursday, May 05, 2016

Peony Love

Hello, dear friends! Did you have a wonderful May Day? It was a beautiful day here in South Florida, and I know everyone is looking forward to seeing more beautiful flowers grow, even up north. Today I'm sharing a card using the remixed digital set from Power Poppy called Peony Love, and it's just in time for Mother's Day.
"By now most folks know that I am a peony lover from way back. This myriad of peonies in this halo was inspired by those hybridized by the Klehm family. I designed and illustrated mail order catalogs staring in the early '90s for these renowned plantsmen, Klehm's Song Sparrow Farm & Nursery, and learned so much from rare and wonderful plants from this experience! This circle of peonies includes various forms you might find in an heirloom garden: single and Japanese types, bobs and doubles. This image is rather large at 4.125" and can be sized down, but I wanted to leave it pretty large so all petals could get some coloring love! Complete with two sentiments and a small accent peony. Also there is an alternate version of "World's Most Awesome Mom" -- using "Mum" for our friends up north, across the pond, and way over on the other side of the world!"
Power Poppy, Marcella Hawley, Peony Love, Remixed Digital Release, May 2016

When you see my card, you are going to wonder: "Where is the wreath?" Wanting to show my stamping friends that you can watercolor using digital images (easily), I decided to use the small accent peony. I enlarged the single peony and added my sentiment (in Microsoft Word). If you want to move the sentiment closer to the image, you will have to use a photo-editing program to remove the backgrounds (as I did by using GIMP). Once I was happy with the size and placement, I printed it on watercolor paper. I used yellow FrogTape to secure all the sides to my cutting mat, gently rubbed a Sanford Magic Rub eraser across the entire image, sweeping away the eraser crumbs. (Before you apply the FrogTape, press it on your clothes a couple of times to reduce the amount of adhesive to keep it from tearing your paper when removed.) Then I started to color, doing one section at a time. Since this is only the second watercolor card I've posted, it's clearly not my best work (and I'm not a watercolorist by any stretch). However, I love watercoloring, and this was an experiment on how the watercolors worked using my HP PhotoSmart 7510 inkjet printer. I would encourage you to try yours. So here she is with sequins and all -- hehe!


Power Poppy, Marcella Hawley, Peony Love, Digital Remixed Image, CherylQuilts, Designed by Cheryl Scrivens, May 2016

Sunday is Mother's Day, and I remember how much my mom loved flowers! Each spring on hands and knees she would prepare the flower beds and plant lots of beautiful flowers. She loved to make her house beautiful inside and outside -- and I miss her and have deep, loving memories of her. But she is with Jesus now, and I have the assurance from God's Word that I will see her again because of her faith in Jesus. I know that in the same way a beautiful flower springs from a seed, we will be given new, perfect bodies when united with Jesus in Heaven.

Every time you plant seed, you sow something that does not come to life
[germinating, springing up, and growing] unless it first dies.
1 Corinthians 15:36 (Amplified Bible)

Be sure to visit Power Poppy blog to see some of my other teammates have in store for you. For my stamping friends, you might want to hop over to Power Poppy to purchase this new digital set to use today -- just in time for Mother's Day or for that special friend in your life. And it's so exciting to see the digital collection continue to grow -- such fun!

As always, thank you so much for visiting with me. You always delight my heart with your precious comments. I am always happy to answer questions -- especially since you may have questions about watercoloring using digital images. Please don't hesitate to email me. (I am entering this card in the current Word Art Wednesday challenge.) 

Blessings,


Card One:
Stamps:  Peony Love (Power Poppy) 
Paper: Watercolor paper, White (PTI), Cool Caribbean (SU)
Ink: None (printer)
Tools/Accessories: Distress Inks (Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint, and Broken China), aqua brush, FrogTape (yellow), Sanford Magic Rub eraser, Sweetheart Mix sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), Perfect Layers tool, Irresistible Pico Embellisher adhesive
Techniques: Digital images using GIMP and Microsoft Word
Card Size:  A-2

35 comments:

Lin said...

Lovely, Cheryl! We have a peony just about that color - won't be long until it's blooming! Love the soft blues you washed around yours!

SewPaperPaint said...

Woo wee! Love the bright color mix here! Super card, Cheryl! Hugs, Autumn

Leslie Miller said...

I'm glad you mentioned the name of the printer so I'll know what to switch to one of these days. Mine won't take even the hot press paper, which is a lighter texture than cold press. Your watercoloring is absolutely beautiful, Cheryl! There's something very relaxing about watercoloring. It's wonderful how you printed this so large and the flower has all those big, open spaces for coloring. It makes for a stunning card! Your blue aura came out just perfect, too. I got my love of flowers from my mom, too. Just one of many things she passed on to me for which I'm so grateful. Happy Mother's Day this Sunday, Cheryl!

Conniecrafter said...

Oh Cheryl, I will have to say that you did a most Beautiful job of coloring this lovely Peony, that is the great thing about digital is you can get so many different type looking cards out of one image. I would say you about mastered watercoloring already :) love the addition of the sequins..
I too miss my mother so much, just sitting and talking about life in general, so wonderful to have that assurance that we will see them again one day!!

Caly Person said...

Your watercoloring is beautiful, Cheryl! I honestly thought you used Copics! It's gorgeous. Peony stamps have been everywhere lately and are all so similar-it's truly the coloring and everyone's unique styles in cards that make it special. Happy Mother's Day to you and may happy memories of your mom bring smiles to your face! XOXO, Caly

Unknown said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Your peony is beautifully colored and that sentiment is so lovely! I also enjoy those randomly placed sequins. That was nice reading about your background too, how fabulous for you! I have a client who has a huge plot of peonies they are magnificent and she has a party for the previewing of them....sigh....mine don't do so well, but there are definitely more shoots coming up this year, hopefully I will have several blooms! TFS!!!

Barb said...

Cheryl, your watercolored peony turned out beautifully and your card is lovely!

Anonymous said...

Hello my sweet friend. I am stunned by what you've done to the new PP digi. Please don't say you're not a watercolorist because you are. This may be your 2nd watercolored digital image, but it's way beyond what most (including myself) are able to create with WCs. Cheryl, your coloring brings life to your beautiful image. It's soft, gentle and, most importantly, conveys such a wonderful sense of comfort with the colors you've selected. I do hope you're health issues are a thing of the past. I'm elated to see you both here and in the SCS gallery. I still prayer every evening for you to have restored health. I place all my trust in our Lord. Hugs and love my sweet friend, Anne Ryan

Barbara said...

Everything about this is amazing. It large peony in the middle colored so beautifully and the sentiment off to the side. Love the sprinkle of sequins, a breath of summer with the shading behind the flower. I loved your card last month and bought the digi, but still have not used it. Not enough time.

Helen F. said...

Hi Cheryl! Your card is simply beautiful and the Peony is colored to perfection! Love the sweet memories you have of your Mom in her garden. Thank you so much for stopping by my Blog and leaving a lovely comment.
PS: I am still 'learning' new techy tricks, hope to get more SCS photos up :-)

Lisa Lara said...

Smart girl enlarging the small single flower. I love it on your card with that lovely sentiment. Your card just makes me smile. Love it sweet Cheryl.

ChristineCreations said...

I just love how you enlarged that bloom Cheryl! It’s a showstopper! :) Such a pretty design and so beautifully coloured!

Jerri Jimenez said...

Cheryl, your card is so precious! I love peonies, I wish we could grow them here in Florida. You did a fabulous job with the painting and the sequins are so adorable.

Misti said...

This is gorgeous, Cheryl!!! I love the way you enlarged the single bloom. Love it!!

Robin Clendenning said...

Beautiful dear friend!! Love your single flower and your water coloring!! Love those beautiful colors you chose and the sweet sequins added!
Gorgeous card!!

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Greetings.

God bless.

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Cheryl, this is a very lovely card. I did not know this trick about watercoloring on digital images. Thank you for sharing that. I really like your coloring, especially the loose watercoloring of blue around the image. :)

Donna Ellis said...

Gorgeousness, Cheryl! Your highlighting is always beautiful, and makes me feel "Light" has come to my heart. Breathtaking! And I love that you used the single peony! Wonderful creation. hugs, de

Donna Ellis said...

Gorgeousness, Cheryl! Your highlighting is always beautiful, and makes me feel "Light" has come to my heart. Breathtaking! And I love that you used the single peony! Wonderful creation. hugs, de

Pretty Paper Junkie said...

Only your second watercolor card??? Wow! Your card is a 1st class beauty! Happy Mother's Day, Cheryl.

Davi said...

Cheryl Your card is BEAUtiful!! I love the way you colored that lovely peony and the little sequins! The aqua shading really makes it pop too. My mom loves flowers and passed that passion on to me. She owned a florist for years and I had the privilege of being able to design along side of her. Your scriptures always inspire me Cheryl, thank you for sharing them! Wishing you a Fabulous Happy Happy Mother's Day my friend :)

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Your card is absolutely beautiful, Cheryl!! I just love the scent of Peonies! It reminds me of when we had peonies growing up! It sounds like you have wonderful memories also. Your coloring is stunning and so realistic my friend!! Gorgeous design!!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!! Praying for you!
hugs,
Chris

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

How strange Cheryl, I was sure I had commented on this gorgeous peony card...in my dreams perhaps. :)
Your watercolour is beautiful dear friend, and your card is magnificent...I love the glorious shades as they truly showcase this wonderful image.
Thanks so much for the inspiration,
Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Irish Cherokee said...

Water cplors can be very tricky to use. You did a fabulous job on the peony.

Love, Hugs and Blessings

Jim

Susan Lankford said...

Hi Cheryl...I'm a bit late to the table, but wanted to comment on the beauty of your coloring and how much I loved the touching story of your mom!

Lauren at Wonderfully Made said...

What a work of art!! I've not tried the digital stamps yet -- but I love seeing how they work. Hope your Mother's Day was a beautiful one.

Tracy said...

Who says you're not a water colorists! The colors are so vibrant and alive. Hope you had a beautiful Mother's Day. Hugs!

Traci M said...

Cheryl, sorry I'm late...I somehow missed this post with the beautiful watercolored peony!!! You did a wonderful job with it...beautiful shading and colors! I love the dreamy effect you achieved. My Mom was a gardener too...and loved digging in the dirt!! Blessings on your day!!

Monika/Buzsy said...

Beautiful card Cheryl. The coloring looks great to me! Love the touch of white on the end of the petals... and the soft blue framing the image. :)

Vicki Burdick said...

Cheryl, your card and your sweet heart always makes me smile. I love you my dear friend!

Christina Hor said...

Oh love the pink peony Cheryl! I was looking to see if you might have list the copic combination you've used because I just adore this shade. Did I ever tell you you are my "go-to" online copic instructor? Haahaa.

Oh thanks for sharing a piece of your sweet mom with us Cheryl. I think she might have "planted" her loved for flowers and garden into you dear friend because I see so much love in all your flower cards! And each new card is just as equally stunning as the previous ones.

This card I just love how you blown up the image, filling up most of the card. It amazing how a single image can make such a big bold statement and bring so much beauty and happiness to the day of the recipient as well to all of us viewers of your beautiful blog.

Wishing you and your hubby a lovely Wednesday ahead Cheryl. Hugs xoxo.

Christina Hor said...

Hi Cheryl! I have to pop back and check out your post again on this gorgeous peony card! I'm so used to seeing you color with Copic. But your watercoloring is stunning. Thanks so much for sharing the steps. You make it look too easy, as always. I do have a question. Does your printer take heavyweight cardstock...say 80 lb or even higher? Mine only take up to 65lb. Thanks. Have a lovely weekend Cheryl. Hugs.

stampingbowd said...

Cheryl, I found this beauty on SCS but I forgot to come here! Great post!! Love the experiment, it's simply gorgeous!!!! Fabulous coloring!!!

Allison Cope said...

So simply and yet so striking Cheryl! I love the simplicity and your use of colour - it just pops! Awesome CAS card!

Shirley N said...

Beautiful watercoloring! TFS that you can print digitally and still watercolor!