Monday, October 10, 2016

Dahlias for a Lovely Birthday

How about some dahlias for a fall birthday?  I colored these up for a former coworker, thinking she might enjoy these flowers which are still blooming this time of year.  The stamp is a pretty Power Poppy digi -- Well, Hello Dahlia.  I printed it with a sentiment from the Cuppa Buttercups digi set.
 
 
Shoot, forgot to photograph the Copics before I put them away, but maybe you can see the reds there...  RV34, R39, R59, R89.  I used BV's for the other blooms.  All colors were selected to match the designer paper which covers the card base.  It's always fun to choose the paper first, then color to match.  It sometimes makes for color combos I might not have considered otherwise.
 
It's a simple design for easy mailing.  Popped up the image panel and added a length of stitched ribbon and die cuts from an old favorite Spellbinders Floral Flourishes set.  I brushed Wink of Stella onto the die cuts.  She's so pretty, but very shy about having her photo taken.  Maybe you can see Stella winking at you here:
 
 
 
I have so many October birthdays to celebrate, but I think I'm caught up now and ready to start on November.  I do love making and sending birthday cards!
 
Before I go I'd like to mention a brand new challenge blog. It's called The Flower Challenge.  The idea is to have flowers the focal point of your card.  Sounds right up my alley, doesn't it?
 
 
 
Their first and current challenge is Anything Goes with Florals, and that's where I'm linking my card today.  Can't wait to see their upcoming themes! 
 
Wishing you a lovely day!
 
 
Stamps:  Power Poppy Well, Hello Dahlia digi and Cuppa Buttercups digi  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card, kraft, Purely Pomegranate (small leaf plus card base), designer paper of forgotten origin  Ink:  Printer, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, Wink of Stella glitter pen, Memory Box Cross Stitched Frames, Spellbinders Floral Flourishes, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

24 comments:

Hannelie said...

Your coloring looks amazing! Shaded to perfection!
Stunning card Leslie!

Glenda said...

Your card is amazing; your flowers are glorious and the colors are just perfect! Well done you!

Ros Crawford said...

Oh it's so beautiful ... Your amazing talent at colouring has brought these flowers to life ... Wonderful Leslie!

Donna Ellis said...

And we all know your birthday is one of the October dates! Hope your card arrives in time - I forgot about Columbus Day. BEAUTIFUL shading - always melts my heart the way your highlights in each petal bring out the sunlight I imagine surrounding the images! Gorgeous colors, and such a sweet little flourish with stella winking! And your background paper looks very textured! It is perfect with these lovely colors! hoping your week is extra special! hugs, de

Darlene said...

GORGEOUS and your (ex) coworker will LOVE IT! How thoughtful of you! Some really good pointers you've shared today too and thanks for enabling me to yet ANOTHER challenge! LOL Yes it sounds fun and I just might have to join in that fun time!! Have a fabulous week ahead Leslie and keep those beautifully colored creations comin' ... hugs!

Yogi said...

beautiful. love the way the stitching peeks through the die cut. Have a great day

Kathy Krug said...

Every time I see your coloring I swoon. Just fabulous,Leslie. Love the vibrant colors and how you matched to the background paper.

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

What a great card! I love those bright burgundy colors! I too like the Wink of Stella. Have a great week!

pam said...

Stunning card yet again Leslie, gorgeous colours on this beautiful image.. love your flourish with wink of stella.. I too love to use this..
Pam x

Evelyn S. said...

Love that you're linking up with The Flower Challenge! Your flowers are fabulous, as is this dahlia. (Wish dahlias were still blooming here; we had an early frost in September, which zapped the dahlias that were budding. Tomorrow night, it's supposed to be down in the 20's.)

Viv said...

Wow Leslie what a stunning creation here !I have been a fan of yours for a long time.Your pretty flowers and awesome colouring are just amazing.Thank you so much for playing with us over at The Flower Challenge and we hope to see you again soon ;) Viv DT xx

Pam Sparks said...

Gorgeous coloring and designing Leslie! I love how you brought in the die with the ribbon and the small floral embellishing at the bottom!

Karen W said...

Wow your coloring on this is astounding!! Gorgeous card

Sherri said...

Drop dead gorgeous! Love your color choices and your coloring is perfection! Awesome job!

Diane said...

Beautiful Dahlia, it pops right off the card!! How fun to pick the paper and go from there, I have so much paper I should try that myself! My flower pots are slowly 'declining' and one has orange Dahlias in it, still blooming, I really need to clean them out for winter, but will wait until the first hard frost I guess, good thing we have these beautiful flower stamps to get us through the winters!

KimCreate said...

Very pretty. I just saw the new flower challenge, looks like fun.

Ruth said...

Beautifully coloured and such a gorgeous bouquet. I love a nice patterned paper background to. Thank you so much for playing along in our first Flower Challenge! xx

Conniecrafter said...

Outstanding coloring once again, you just bring those flowers to life, look so dimensional! Love the die cut you used with it, it is hard to capture that wink of stella isn't it!

Lynette said...

So, so beautiful, Leslie! Love the pretty flowers and great dies. I also love the way you write - this time about bashful Stella:)

SewPaperPaint said...

I love the contrast of the subtle paper with the boldly colored flowers! And the dies are a great addition. Super beautiful card. Hugs, Autumn

Stacy Morgan said...

Thud... now this is gorgeous Leslie. The Dahlia's look so rich and inviting. I like the die cut flourished sprig you added as an accent. Gorgeous... and what... a flower challenge? Oh man... I will have to check that out when I can. ;-)

Pauline said...

I can't believe I didn't see this post! AMAZING!! gorgeous colouring as always, you can always make your flowers look so real, something I struggle with, with using copics. Love the richness of the flowers, and the flourish along the bottom is perfect. I'm sure the recipient absolutely loved this. I have printed this off a couple of times, but just haven't found the time to colour it up - hopefully soon. Thanks for inspiring us once again. :)

CherylQuilts said...

Wow! I'm with Pauline that I didn't realize I hadn't visited this post yet! But what an amazing card, Leslie! Your coloring is out of this world!!! The dahlias (in two colors) are so gorgeous and have so much depth...they look real and like they are popping off that flat card...stunning. And I love the sentiment...one of my favorites! Beautifully done with the DP, the ribbon, and that sweet die! And she did wink at me...haha! I love WInk of Stella, and sometimes she shows and sometimes not. But either way, this is fabulous...but you always delight me!!! Hugs, sweet friend! P. S. I hope your birthday was wonderful...I was thinking about you...so behind myself...:( Ah, well...that's life. xoxo

Shona Chambers said...

Wow, your Copic colouring skills are absolutely amazing!! I'm in love with the colours you used on your flowers, its so deep and detailed. They really are the star of the card, so I'm so glad you shared it with us at The Flower Challenge!!