Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Vintage Carnations

Hello!  I'm so glad to see you!  It's been a while since I sat down at the computer due to all the attention we've been focusing on the house and LuLu.  There's more to tell, but everything is fine and today I'm just going to share about card making.

Before I took my stamp room apart for the new floor I looked through my digi box to see what I might color while the room was inaccessible.  As it turns out, I've been too busy to color anything since I finished this card on July 2.  It is a free Carnations digital stamp from the Digital Two for Tuesday blog.  Post also includes a mum.  The illustration is from an 1893 book -- very vintage and yet as beautiful as ever.




I've always been fascinated with the transformation of this type of image.  You wouldn't expect it when you see the beginning.  The black disappears when it's done, and it looks like no-line coloring.  I used Copics for the coloring.




I covered the card base with some nearly vintage designer paper -- Scarlett's Letter by BasicGrey.  I loved this paper pack so much I bought two and have mostly hoarded it.  All covered up with a large image, you can't really see how pretty it is, but I hope to be showing more of it soonish.  I love the write up on the BasicGrey cover:  "Cause a scandal.  Get into some trouble.  Scarlett's Letter is a risque color combination of red, black, cream, and a touch of green blended into bold, courageous patterns.  Totally unique."
 



It will be difficult for me to create any new cards until I get my room in order.  Rich had a problem with the Stamping Command Center.  The large L-shaped desk had to be taken apart to remove it from the room but, alas, it broke in several spots and could not be saved.  I salvaged the two desk tops and hope to fashion some sort of work space with them.  Pictured below is the area where the desk used to be.




I know I'm going to go on another sorting and purging spree.  There's too much of something here, but I'm not sure yet what that is.

It won't be so long till I come back to visit again.  I have cards previously made, but afraid I'm falling short on some of my DT duties.  I know you all understand.  Sending good wishes full of love and happy to everyone!


Stamps:  Free digital stamp from Digital Two for Tuesday, Hero Arts Small Greetings, SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80#, black, BasicGrey Scarlett's Letter designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Going Gray  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Sequins, stitching

27 comments:

Glenda said...

I do know exactly what you guys are going through. We pulled up carpet and did hardwood in two different times. It was like literally moving twice. You move everything and pull up carpet; lay hardwood then put it all back. I was sotired I couldn't speak so I don't envy you that but you will be glad you did it when you recover. Your card is lovely...I've never been a huge fan of carnations but these are just gorgeous and of course your coloring is poerfection! Hope to hear more of LuLu soon!

Diane said...

Both cards are just gorgeous, the colors are amazing and I know what you mean not only about hoarding paper but also about covering it up, I seem to do that a lot!! It will be nice when you get you room back together and you are all settled in again, Like you I need to purge but just can't make myself do it, I had gotten rid of about 100 SU stamp sets long ago and now wish I had some of them back, sigh! It's been a crazy busy summer here and yours sounds like it has been too, take care my friend and glad you liked the card I sent, thanks for the nice and thoughtful email!!

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful cards and looks like you are roughing it. xx

Ros Crawford said...

Oh Leslie... I don't know how you do it... Those flowers are incredible! Such a beautiful card! I had that same Basic Grey pad and I loved it!
Sorry things are going a little awry for you in the renovation work but hopefully all will be sorted soon. I hope Lulu is doing okay... still thinking about her

Amelia Breytenbach said...

This is so pretty Leslie and your colouring is amazing. Praying for Lulu.

Yogi said...

lovely coloring and card. Surprising about what happens to the black image. Live and learn... Purging is something I have the most difficulty with. I'll let someone else do that when I'm 6' under... bummer about your desk. Have a great day

crafty-stamper said...

Love the beautiful carnations image I absolutely love carnations and have quite a few in the garden-fabulous colouring,hope you get your craft room sorted soon and hope all is well with LuLu
Carol x

Loll said...

Your card is so beautiful Leslie. I wish I could colour like you. You have brought those flowers to life with your talent, my friend! I know what you mean about finding the perfect papers and then buying multiples. I have done that too, but don't use the papers much so there is a lot of supply in my closet! :)

LOVE the new floor in your craft room .. it's beautiful. Hope you find time to sort through and get your room back up and running in not too long. xx

Darlene said...

This is absolutely beautiful and your coloring always amazes me! I can only imagine how crazy it must be to try to do anything in the midst of a huge renovation like you have going on. Hang in there ... it's going to be AMAZING when complete!

Kathy Krug said...

Gorgeous card and paper. Your coloring still amazes me. I am sorry about your desk. I have one of those too and I am afraid to move it for the same reason. I'll be interested in how you salvage it.

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

I was so glad to see your post! Change seems to get harder the older we get whether it is good or bad! Moving things are always a challenge but your floors look beautiful! Speaking of beautiful - your card looks gorgeous and your coloring is amazing! They look so real! Hope all it well with Lulu and Wally! Take care!

HilaryJane said...

So lovely to see a post from you and this is a beauty. Your colouring skills always inspire. Thanks for taking the time to post this. Glad things are going OK xx

Conniecrafter said...

Oh it is just beautiful, nice to see it in different stages of coloring, I would love to be able to do that with a couple stamp sets that are like that. So nice you are breaking out that pretty paper to go with it.
Sorry to hear your desk gave you troubles taking it out, good luck figuring out what you will do next. The floor looks great!

Christine Alexander said...

beautiful carnations and your colouring is amazing, love the picks as you progressed :)
Your craft room is really coming along, the flooring looks great. I can't wait to see more pics XX

Donna Ellis said...

ohhhhh I hate that your L shape desk broke! YIKES! It's so hard finding a reasonably priced heavy duty work surface. Hoping when it is all put together, you have found something even better. As much time as you spend in that room, it should be full of things that bring back memories and make you feel delighted. Thanks for the link to the pretty vintage flowers. Your colored image certainly does look like a no-line technique, but that is the magic of Leslie that makes it that way. The highlights in your creations, and tiniest of hue details make my heart long to look forever at the masterpiece. The deep shades of green in the carnation are particularly incredible! Great idea using the sequins to cover up the numbers, and the stitching adds to the vintage feel. Thank you for showing a touch of your creative process with the partially colored photo. I always admire the way you use printed papers in the backgrounds to further draw out the colors. It's gorgeous, Leslie!

Margaret said...

Your card is gorgeous and I love those images from that website. I've got a few myself waiting to be used. There are just not enough hours in the day since I do need my 8 hours of rest. So sorry about your desk breaking up, but a good excuse to go shopping for a new one. It's great when you can get down to the bare bones and work up keeping what you really want and purging some that can go to a good home.

Cat Craig said...

Beautifully done as usual. This summer seems to be the time for things to depart from the norms of the pandemic. Getting things done that had to be put off etc. You'll be happy once your new space is set up, for sure. Hang in there. Hugs.

laurie said...

beautiful set of cards! I always love your coloring. You sound busy!

Ida said...

Wow your card is just stunning. I love Carnations and you've colored these so beautifully. Hope you get your craft room up and running again.

R's Rue said...

Love it.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Bonnie said...

Your coloring is amazing, Leslie! What a transformation from the printed flowers and I love what I can see of that fantastic paper! Something tells me you won't be hoarding it for long now that you've broken it out! Your floor is so pretty and I know you will enjoy your space when you get it all reorganized. I hope Lulu is improving.

nancy littrell said...

Gorgeous Digi Stamp flowers, Leslie. I LOVE your new laminated flooring in your craft room. I can't wait to see all your new redo in your home...when you are done and ready for a visitor:-) TFS your beauty, my friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy

pam said...

As always your colouring is perfect Leslie, beautiful card.
OMW looks like you had a busy time! dont envy you all the work and sorting!
Hugs Pam x

Pauline said...

I can't believe I have not seen this post, I know I've been super busy, but somehow I still missed this one. Beautiful card Leslie! I have a few of these digital images as well, but I think I got discouraged in colouring them as there was so much black on them, but now that I see how your copic colouring turned it into a gorgeous image I just might need to pull mine out. Great choice in paper as well, I seem to be hoarding some of this as well! Sorry to hear about your L-shaped desk, what a bummer, but I'm sure you will pull something together to make it all work. Love your new floor!! Your reno's must be getting close to being finished, so worth it in the end! So happy I stumbled across this post, I love when you create Leslie, have a wonderful day!

SewPaperPaint said...

Wow Leslie! It's hard to believe you added such vibrant color and dimension to this very dark image. It turned out beautifully and really pops off the paper. Hugs, Autumn

Darnell said...

So much going on for you, Leslie, so I really appreciate the visit yesterday. It was great to see you - if only it could have been in person! Your card is amazing! The colors are really magical and I love the pp and the write-up. Thank you for sharing the new craft room - so sorry about the desk, but it was meant to be and you will have something even better now. BTW, love the floors! I've been thinking about Lulu, hoping she continues to be a super star. Hugs, Darnell

Colleen Dietrich said...

I am a sucker for vintage images, vintage style, etc. These carnations are pretty even on their own, before coloring, but it's amazing what some color did for them! You'd never know they were so filled in and dark before.

So sorry to hear the Command Center broke. Ugh. How many times in life have our best laid plans fallen apart and we need to create new solutions? I hope your new solutions are just as good, if not better. And best wishes to you on the sorting and purging! What a task and undertaking that can be.

Sending love and hugs. xo