Hello, sweet friends! Can you believe that April is nearly over? Before we know it, school will be out. My eyes continue to heal, but my vision is still not completely clear...so I blink to refocus a fair amount and will see my regular eye doctor for a checkup next week. But I see progress each day. How thankful I am to God for His healing hand.
Today I am sharing a card with you using Tree Peony, and what a delight to see yet another gorgeous example of God's creation. I always love reading what Marcella Hawley shares. Here's what she said about this beauty, and it touched me to read about her precious mom:
Well, this giant beauty definitely wanted to be center stage on my card! With all the amazing detail in this flower, I could not size this down too much. Then I bravely decided to try my hand again at no-line coloring. No pressure, eh? I finally watched the Kit and Clowder video class I signed up for in March using Power Poppy images. I learned a lot, but I still need more practice (but that's the fun part, right?). As I was coloring, I remembered some of what Kathy Racoosin said in a recent video. She is so real, and I love listening to what she says about coloring and enjoying what you do. She quoted something Jennifer McGuire said and shared some thoughts of her own. I hope you'll check out her blog post using one of Power Poppy stamp sets, watch the video, and listen to what she says as she enjoys her coloring experience. So I colored and really enjoyed it, and I need to do more of it. Sure, I can see areas I need to work on, but like everything else, we learn from practice...and more practice.
This time I decided what my layout was going to be ahead of time...surprise! It helped me a lot. So I opened my flower image in GIMP, lightened it to a pale gray, and printed it on X-Press It Blending Card. I worked hard to achieve more depth and contrast. After I finished coloring, I decided to fussy cut it and use a couple of tools to burnish the back to give it some dimension. Then I die cut two of the split chevron dies, adhered them together, and added it to the pink card base. I stamped a sweet sentiment from Natural Beauties on a cute ragged-edge die cut and curled it a bit before adding it to the "lattice" for my flower. I added some thin foam squares in the outer areas of the flower and leaves and some thicker foam to the inside and placed the flower onto the "lattice." And...it was done! I was going to add some sequins or something and decided not to. So ready or not, here she is! Hehe!
When I saw this large peony and read that it was a favorite of Marcy's mom, I was so touched knowing that this is the first year that her mom Susan is not there to celebrate with...and I personally know how hard that is. But I thought of how gracious God is to give us parents who pass along their gifts and talents. Certainly, I know both my parents and grandparents passed along many precious gifts to me that I cherish to this day...and acknowledge that they are ultimately from God. Paul talks about this concept of passing down a legacy in his letter to Timothy, one of his protégés (sons in the faith):
I am reminded of your sincere faith,
a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois
and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure,
dwells in you as well.
2 Timothy 1:5
Today I am sharing a card with you using Tree Peony, and what a delight to see yet another gorgeous example of God's creation. I always love reading what Marcella Hawley shares. Here's what she said about this beauty, and it touched me to read about her precious mom:
"If you think peonies are frilly and fantastic, have you ever seen a TREE peony? The woody cousin of herbaceous peonies, the ones that most everyone is familiar with, have much larger blooms, more exotic coloration, and dazzling centers. The foliage is beautifully cut and is a lighter green than regular peonies, and they grow on large shrubs. Flowers can be 8" across when fully open! This is my homage to the Tree Peony, re-freshed and re-newed for spring release, and a favorite of my mother, Susan. (Her birthday would have been April 29)."
Well, this giant beauty definitely wanted to be center stage on my card! With all the amazing detail in this flower, I could not size this down too much. Then I bravely decided to try my hand again at no-line coloring. No pressure, eh? I finally watched the Kit and Clowder video class I signed up for in March using Power Poppy images. I learned a lot, but I still need more practice (but that's the fun part, right?). As I was coloring, I remembered some of what Kathy Racoosin said in a recent video. She is so real, and I love listening to what she says about coloring and enjoying what you do. She quoted something Jennifer McGuire said and shared some thoughts of her own. I hope you'll check out her blog post using one of Power Poppy stamp sets, watch the video, and listen to what she says as she enjoys her coloring experience. So I colored and really enjoyed it, and I need to do more of it. Sure, I can see areas I need to work on, but like everything else, we learn from practice...and more practice.
This time I decided what my layout was going to be ahead of time...surprise! It helped me a lot. So I opened my flower image in GIMP, lightened it to a pale gray, and printed it on X-Press It Blending Card. I worked hard to achieve more depth and contrast. After I finished coloring, I decided to fussy cut it and use a couple of tools to burnish the back to give it some dimension. Then I die cut two of the split chevron dies, adhered them together, and added it to the pink card base. I stamped a sweet sentiment from Natural Beauties on a cute ragged-edge die cut and curled it a bit before adding it to the "lattice" for my flower. I added some thin foam squares in the outer areas of the flower and leaves and some thicker foam to the inside and placed the flower onto the "lattice." And...it was done! I was going to add some sequins or something and decided not to. So ready or not, here she is! Hehe!
When I saw this large peony and read that it was a favorite of Marcy's mom, I was so touched knowing that this is the first year that her mom Susan is not there to celebrate with...and I personally know how hard that is. But I thought of how gracious God is to give us parents who pass along their gifts and talents. Certainly, I know both my parents and grandparents passed along many precious gifts to me that I cherish to this day...and acknowledge that they are ultimately from God. Paul talks about this concept of passing down a legacy in his letter to Timothy, one of his protégés (sons in the faith):
I am reminded of your sincere faith,
a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois
and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure,
dwells in you as well.
2 Timothy 1:5
Now it's time for my stamping friends to hop on over to Power Poppy and purchase this beautiful digital image and use it today. And be sure to visit the Power Poppy blog today to see the beautiful images of tree peonies, and then be sure to visit my teammate Jessie Banks to see her beautiful card and video!
Precious friends, thank you for your visits and comments that I love reading. And remember that I am always happy to answer any questions you may have about using digital images. Your prayers and love continue to mean so much to me! Thank you, and may God bless you.
Blessings, dear friends,
Stamps: Tree Peony, Natural Beauties (Power Poppy)
Paper: X-Press It Blending Card, White (PTI), Blushing Bride (SU!)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), printer
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Split Chevron die and Blueprints #13 dies (My Favorite Things), Clear Double Sided Adhesive (Elizabeth Craft Designs), Irresistible Pico Embellisher adhesive, Empressor tool, stylus, Thin 3D Foam Squares (Scrapbook Adhesives), 3M dimensional tape, white tape
Techniques: Digital images using GIMP and Microsoft Word, fussy cutting, adding dimension
Tools/Accessories: Copic markers, Split Chevron die and Blueprints #13 dies (My Favorite Things), Clear Double Sided Adhesive (Elizabeth Craft Designs), Irresistible Pico Embellisher adhesive, Empressor tool, stylus, Thin 3D Foam Squares (Scrapbook Adhesives), 3M dimensional tape, white tape
Techniques: Digital images using GIMP and Microsoft Word, fussy cutting, adding dimension
Card Size: A2
Copic markers used: Petals - R30, RV10, R81, YR000, RV11, RV00; Leaves - G20, G40, G43, G94; Center - YG01, Y13, Y35, Y38, W3
Copic markers used: Petals - R30, RV10, R81, YR000, RV11, RV00; Leaves - G20, G40, G43, G94; Center - YG01, Y13, Y35, Y38, W3
30 comments:
Cheryl, this is a very beautiful flower. I really like that style of coloring with the "streaks" or brushstrokes (not sure what it is called), it is so striking! I have been on the fence about taking a coloring class, but I may have to save up some crafty dollars to do so. Your overall card is lovely. The bit of dimension with the foam tape adds a lot. Thanks for sharing!
Cheryl this is spectacular......beautiful site for my eyes this morning. Your shading is spot on, can feel the sun shining down on this beauty. Thanks to the best enabler I know.
WOW! I have never seen the tree version. Your card is gorgeous, from the pretty textured background die cut to that stunning and bold peony! Wow....just WOW!!! Be well!
OOH I love this one Cheryl, you have colored it so beautifully :)
It would be amazing to have one of these gorgeous shrubs in the garden! I don't think that's going to happen here, though. I can certainly admire this big bloom on your card, though! You did a beautiful job with your no-line coloring, Cheryl! I love the simple layout, too, which has style but not clutter. The sentiment panel looks like a great die to have. Love that one! You take care. As long as you're healing... patience is required in these things. Hugs!
Cheryl this is beautiful. I like that you enlarged the bloom and the soft shading is wonderful. Not to mention adore that die cut background. Beautiful indeed. So glad you are doing better too. Have one of the boys home sick today, will catch up on coffee later. Hugs...
Gorgeous work my friend, I hope you are not putting to much strain on yourself Cheryl ...
Precious Cheryl, you have done an outstanding job on coloring this gorgeous image!! You are so skilled, my sister!! Hugs!
Hi Cheryl! Sorry to hear that your eyes have not healed a 100% yet but you could never tell by your gorgeous no-line coloring! Hope you're not straining your eyes! Your card design is beautiful! Thanks again for including your copic colors. Take good care, hugs!
Another beautiful creation, sweet friend! Thank you so much for sharing. I do trust Jesus to completely heal your vision. Praying for you and sending much love your way!
Cheryl this is absolutely gorgeous gorgeous!! Your coloring is amazing! Praying that your eyes continue to heal! hugs :)
Oh dear Cheryl, this is stunning!! I so love all the pink, the die cut background, and the coloring of the flower!! Gorgeous work!! You are always an inspiration!! I am continuing to pray for you! I am glad to hear your vision is improving and pray it continues to improve. I miss you and hope to talk to you soon!
hugs,
Chris
Cheryl,
Can't begin to tell you how much I love this card!!! It's one of my favorite of your many stunning florals! Gorgeous!!!! Keep healing and stay well, Essie
so beautiful my sweet friend! Ding the no-line coloring is never easy and this is a very detailed flower!! You are amazing!
Love your coloring, your colors and everything else about this card!
I think fondly of the many "gifts" endowed in me by my parents and grandparents, Cheryl, and am grateful for every person who contributed to my "DNA" as it presently is. To me, it's nothing short of a miracle that people from 5,000 years ago presented themselves in life in order to survive and bring forth descendants!
Your card is simply breathtaking! Beautiful monochromatic theme and a gorgeous backdrop instead of a common trellis. Wishing you a fantastic day, and one with lots of blessings and happinesses. hugs, de
You did a beautiful job with the no line coloring, I am still having a hard time getting it down but like you said it takes practice, I love your lattice behind it, just lovely!
So good to hear your seeing progress each day, but I can only imagine you are waiting that day when your vision is totally clear, hope to hear a good report after you have your doctor visit :)
What a sweet post, Cheryl...so glad you are "on the mend"...thank you, Lord. Your no-line coloring is smooth as silk! Take care!
Such a beautiful card, Cheryl. Sweet message on the blog today. Thank you so much for sharing it.
A stunner! Beautiful coloring Cheryl and the chevron background really brings the flower front and center. May God continue to place His healing hands on your eyes. With much love.
This so so pretty. Your no line coloring is just wonderful. The delicacy of each petrel is beautifully done. I know you say your eyes are completely not healed, but you would never know it with this masterpiece. Why do I always want Power Poppy's latest? Marcella knows how to market her product with fabulous designers.
Sorry to be so late in my comment - I was in VA hugging grandbabies when you posted this! What a beautiful card, Cheryl! Your coloring is such an inspiration to me. I bought a Power Poppy image yesterday, and can't wait to have time to color. Bereavement dinner at church today, maybe tomorrow afternoon after church and a Baptism! Thanks for sharing, and encouraging us with your wonderful words. So glad to hear that you are improving, my friend. I will continue to pray for you!
Cheryl, I am so glad to hear you are healing...a blessing for sure! Your card is beautiful, full of beauty that I believe exudes from what you carry deep inside...it just shines! You've done a wonderful write up as well, so encouraging! Blessings and hugs!
Love.
Oh my Cheryl! Your coloring on this gorgeous bloom is so detailed and perfect. What a beautiful card!!!
Such a beautiful flower, Cheryl! I have peonies in my yard but nothing this grand! Your coloring is amazing!
Wow this is exquisite Cheryl! Beautiful coloring and beautiful design! Thankful your eyes are getting better even slowly! Hugs big time!
Gorgeous peony and the bg is perfect to showcase it :)
Wowsers Cheryl! What a big bold beauty! I just love your coloring of the bloom! Gorgeous! Glad to hear your eyes are on the mend. I sure hope today that they're even better! Sending healing hugs your way!
There is something about petals of a flower and having the layers to color that make me smile. The peony gives fabulous petals to play with. You are truly gifted Cheryl and your cards always make me smile. SO pretty my dear
Oh, wow, this is perfectly stunning Cheryl, what a beautiful stamp and it's colored to perfection! I so love this card!
Post a Comment