Monday, January 8, 2018

I Challenged Myself to a Challenge

Since I'm having such a struggle getting in the stamping groove this year I thought I'd give myself a jump start with a challenge.  I always mean to do the CAS Watercolor Challenge, so now is the time.  Their theme this month is "birthday" and, of course, clean and simple and watercolor.




Due to a goof, the embossed border is wider and further up than intended, but that's seems to be the way it's going for me lately.  Try to picture it with a narrower border at the very bottom edge.  Got it?  Much better, right?  Nevertheless, I think it's usable and I had great fun with the watercolor.

Now, here's a shock -- it's a one layer card.  I used Strathmore Mixed Media Vellum Surface paper, which is plenty heavy enough for a one layer card and, as with all watercolor paper, the color does not bleed through to the other side.  The painting is done very loose style, not my usual way, but it sure was quick and I actually like it a lot.  Ink moves like crazy on this paper.  That can be good or bad when it comes to watercolor, but I'm finding it a good thing now that I know what to expect.




One handy dandy tip I'll point out:  See the card edges where the gold cord wraps around.  There are tiny notches there, barely noticeable at first.  I did that with a 16th" hole punch.  It helps hold the cord in place so it doesn't slip around all cockeyed on the one-layer card.  Also, there is a dab of Aleene's Tacky Glue under the cord knot. 

The stamps are Power Poppy -- Vibrant Thanks for the flowers, and Party Time for the sentiment.  Watercoloring was done with Tombow markers.

So, here's that challenge link:  CAS Watercolor Challenge -- Birthday




Thanks for dropping by today!

34 comments:

Joan B said...

beautiful job. i had no idea that bristol vellum would work this way. awesome

Donna Ellis said...

Happy New Year, Leslie! The golden splatters and shading surrounding your lovely pink zinnias looks fabulous, Leslie. I especially like the continued golden highlighting across the bottom of the card. I reread your border "mistake" a few times and kept looking at it, but cannot see any sign of boo-boo, so maybe it's just that it didn't turn out the way you had expected? It's flawless in my estimation. THANK YOU for the really great tip regarding the cording - it's kind of DUHHH! But a duhhh I hadn't thought of LOL beautifully done. I've been going through my craft room the past few days and doing a "purge of sorts". Among the cards I rediscovered here and there were yours, and I've put them back up to see them all the time now - not sure why I'd become a bit of an irrational pack rack as far as paper goodies go, but I'm grateful to be cleaning and sorting a bit! Wishing you all the best in 2018. xx

Pauline said...

SQUEEL!!! Oh my goodness Leslie, what a fabulous way to start my day! Your card is gorgoues. Beautiful watercolouring, I love the 'loose' look to this. I don't see anything wrong with your border, I love just where it is at and with that bit of golden yellow highlight underneath it compliments the golden yellow wash around your flower - done to pefection as always! Great idea for the punched edges for your twine, will have to try that next time. Well good thing I"m off today, you have just inspired me to colour something. I've been our of commission for most of this past week my PR (Palindromic Rheumatism) has flared up which means little use of my hands, very painful, but I'm good now. I love that you challenged yourself, you know we all need that push sometimes. Have a wonderful day Leslie!

Yogi said...

oh so pretty. I just can't get in to making single layer cards... Even CAS cards are hard for me... Have a great day

Verna Angerhofer said...

I think your card is gorgeous and you are off to a great start with your card making. I love CAS and single layer cards too. Your water coloring is perfect.

Traci M said...

Leslie, you've made a real gem of a card here!! Your card fits the composition of designing in thirds...I actually think that embossed strip being wider and higher is the way to go! Wonderful colors, and you may have inspired me to pull this one out and give it a try. I can't seem to get my Stamping enthusiasm back yet! Wishing you the best in 2018!

Colleen Dietrich said...

Oh, this is LOVELY, Leslie! I don't see anything wrong with it at all. Perfect as is. Your little trick about keeping the gold cord in place is a good one; will have to remember that when I try a similar ribbon on my cards!

nancy littrell said...

Gorgeous loose watercoloring of your beautiful zinnias, Leslie. Love our watercolor wash for added depth. Your one layer CAS design is perfect for our CAS Watercolour Birthday Challenge. So pleased you joined us this month, my friend:-) TFS your notch trick too. Your cord is such a pretty embellishment along with your dry embossed and watercolored border. All so creative. Hugs

KimCreate said...

Nice and simple Leslie, makes for a pretty birthday card that anyone would enjoy. Esp. with the bright colors!

Kathy Krug said...

Beautiful,Leslie. Raining and dreary here so seeing this is like a breath of spring.

Cindy Beach said...

Leslie, You have WOW'ed me with this beauty and inspired me to make a TRULY CAS watercolored card. Don't know if a one layer is achievable for me though, but you did it! Your coloring and color choices are gorgeous. I wonder what you used for the coloring medium? I LOVE zinnias and this one has sure brightened my day!

pam said...

Stunning beauty of a gorgeous card Leslie, love the pretty image and gorgeous colours, perfect to finish with our embossed border. Thank you for your great tip using the cord.
Happy New Year 2018.
Hugs Pam x

CaroleAnn said...

Wowza!!! Just beautiful and I see no mistakes just all successes - sometimes we are too critical on ourselves. Your mojo has to be back as this is just amazing!!!! Hugs

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

This card is so pretty! I love the coloring on the flowers - makes me think of SPRING!! I really didn't think much of your boo-boo. Looks fine to me. I think we are our own worst critics. What a great idea for the cording. Thanks. Have a good week!

Sherri said...

Wowza is right!! This is just gorgeous! Your water coloring just amazes me! I never have that success with it! Please tell me you are going to frame this and hang it as the art it is!

Conniecrafter said...

Oh my goodness Leslie, that is Gorgeous, such perfection on the watercoloring and I didn't for one minute think that embossed piece wasn't just perfect so it works good, it's just because you know you wanted it differently. Looks like you are off to a wonderful start!

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Leslie, I LOVE your card! Wow, your watercoloring is so beautiful, and we didn't know what you intended for the card, so the width of the embossing and the bottom are beautiful to me! But, yes, I know how we all struggle with starting out with an idea and things going awry. But I love it all, and thanks for the tips, and I love that it's one layer. Beautifully done!! Warm hugs!

Loll said...

WOW! Gorgeous card Leslie. And amazing that it is one layer. You've added so much depth with your watercolouring and embossing. Great idea for the small notch to hold the cording in place. So happy you joined us at CAS Watercolour!

Christine Alexander said...

Stunning, and OLC at that, I certainly wasn't expecting that. Your embossing gives so much texture and your flowers are gorgeous and watercoloured edge is spectacular. Thanks for joining us at CAS Watercolour :)

Lynette said...

Very cool you made a one-layer card! :) I love it. Your water coloring is fabulous. I like the border the way it is!

Christine Alexander said...

Leslie sorry I forgot to say I ♥ your 2 golden retrievers. I also have 2 little rascals, a 4yr old male and a 17mth female.
Christine

Karen Dunbrook said...

gorgeous card Leslie...I'd say you have found your mojo....we all feel that way sometimes.
xx Karen
and...Happy New Year!

Marcia Hill said...

Just had to stop by and tell you how BEAUTIFUL your card is! Your coloring is fabulous and I love the embossing at the lower edge too! And thanks for the tip about notching the card base for the cording...will definitely try that!! Lovely, lovely card Leslie!! :0)

Bonnie said...

This is BEAUTIFUL, Leslie! The zinnias are colored perfectly and I love the yellow wash that makes the pink flowers pop! I don't think your embossing is too high at all. I love how you've balance it with the bit of yellow at the bottom of the card! I always forget about putting little notches to hold the cord. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at CAS Watercolour!

laurie said...

Beautiful water coloring!I can't believe its only a one layer card...you have managed to give it so much texture and detail...gorgeous!

Darnell said...

You aced the self-embossed challenge to play in the CAS w/c challenge, Leslie! This is an utterly gorgeous watercolored birthday card! Whatever you planned doesn't matter when the results look this polished and intentional!! (Don't forget the Twofer challenge starts tomorrow if you need more help to kick-start your mojo!!) Hugs, Darnell

Diane said...

Your watercolor is gorgeous!! I love how you always add subtle highlights around the edges, I am trying to learn that, without very good results lol. Again, another card that could easily be framed!! Looks like you got your creativeness back, mine has slightly started in again...and just to kick start me, I did a little shopping here and there, I think it did the trick (because I didn't have much right?) Oh, and I wanted to ask, do Lulu and Wally chew up their toys?

Evelyn S. said...

This is such a beautiful card of zinnias! The watercoloring is wonderful.

Susie said...

I'm loving it! Leslie, it's beautiful!! You trusted yourself and said, hey, why not?! I love the loose wash of color, it's my favorite style of watercolor. Why? Because when I glaze I get to heavy handed and usually get "muddy." To me, florals and watercolor are a match made in heaven. They complete each other. And the amazing thing... we both created a watercolor piece around the same time! Beautiful work, Leslie. XO

ChristineCreations said...

Leslie, I love how this turned out. The watercolouring is beautiful and warm and it makes for a lovely design!

I Card Everyone said...

Looking for a Twofer, but so happy to see this one, very beautifully colored, wonder of a card! Leslie... I'll be back!!
=]

Anita in France said...

What a beauty, Leslie ... the watercolouring on this lovely bloom is fabulous ... and the textured border puts me in mind of a delicate trellis! Thanks so much for coming by ... and for your sweet words! Anita :)

Stacy Morgan said...

Beautiful water coloring Leslie and I do like that it is a one layer card. Very cool!

Karen Dunbrook said...

I'm back wearing my other hat to say...
Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Watercolour.
:) Karen