Friday, August 31, 2018

Still Life

Doesn't it feel good to get back to your stamping when you've been missing it for a while?  I've been popping into my room little bits at a time.  It may take a while to finish a card or two, but they eventually get done, and then one day they get photographed and up on the blog to share with all my stamping friends.  No pressure.  Just having fun.

Today I have an arrangement of watercolored and fussy cut vases.




I'm not sure how I feel about this card.  It's flowers, but somewhat different.  I like the layout, the semi-tall shape, the wood grain, but there were a few foibles and challenges.

First, I'll tell you it's a digital stamp set from DotBStamp called Floral Vase Fussy Cut.  I took that name literally and printed the whole sheet and fussy cut.  There are two more images waiting to be colored.  Another thing I'll tell you is, good heavens, the artist's samples are gorgeous.  Maybe if it was printed no-line style... I don't know... she's pretty amazing.  I almost wish I'd never seen her samples.

Okay, let's talk...  I used Gansai Tambi paints for the watercoloring.  Sometimes I like them, sometimes I don't.  I was not having an easy time with them in this instance, but I persevered.  I think the part that turned out best is the brown flower centers of the teacup flowers, and I did that with Tombow markers.  I was so ready to be done with this in the end!

See the next photo and then we'll talk some more.




Hmmm... the digital illustration of the tall vase had no water line, so I was left to paint it in on my own.  Hahahaha!  Well, you can see how that turned out.  Looks like there was an earthquake in progress.  Also, the glass vase is obviously transparent, and that posed another challenge.  Am I making this too hard?  Getting everything arranged to fit, tucked in, and glued down was much trickier than it sounds in the retelling, and then I still had to paint over the vase so the table top showed through, but diffused by the water.  Oh, and I added shading around the images after they were glued down.

All that said, I like this digi set and I love some of her other flowers even more.  I do plan to shop there again.  As I mentioned, I have two more images from this set already printed and will color them later, probably with inks next time.  Stamping is an adventure and I hope you enjoyed going along on this one with me.  Take care!


21 comments:

Glenda said...

This, in my view, is an amazing card! First your water coloring is very special indeed...I always have a terrible time trying to color something see through. You definitely accomplished that and if you want an earthquake you can have an earthquake! Your flowers are so pretty and everything just bundles in to make a very lovely creation. I can't wait to see what you do next! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Pauline said...

Leslie, you are too hard on yourself, as I guess we all are! This is gorgeous - lovely composition. Your water colouring is wonderful, I didn't even notice the the clear vase 'earthquake' happening, until you pointed it out. And to fussy cut this, you did a fantastic job! All in all I love it, it's unique which makes it special! Have a wonderful long weekend. I took today off to make it a 4 day weekend ( I really need it). Some household chores to do first, then hopefully I can get to my stamping place! Again, it was wonderful to see your post today Leslie! Hugs,

aussie aNNie said...

Wow Leslie, this is stunning, the flower looks real in the vase and your vase, well I love the effect, stunning in every way...love your cards and in real life they are absolutely beautiful.xxx

Darlene said...

LOL ... Oh my friend, you are WAY TOO HARD on yourself! Your creation is AMAZING and just perfect! Your attention to detail really shows what a true artist you are!! I can only 'imagine' what this design would look like if I tried doing exactly what you did ... It would be no where's close to this good! Really ... I'm crafty but NOT artistic!! LOL I enjoyed reading your little tips & tricks ... I ALWAYS learn from you! So glad you're finding HAPPINESS in your new travels and designs ... life is too short not to enjoy every moment we can! HUGS

nancy littrell said...

I can just imagine all the difficulty you had in watercoloring all the different images and then having to fussy cut and arrange, but you did persevere and ended up with a work of art, my friend. All your shading and highlights turned out beautifully. Can't wait to see more of the flowers from this digi set. TFS Hugs...

Yogi said...

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS ONE... Yes you are definitely too hard on yourself. Thanks for the link. Will go browse. Have a great day

Darnell said...

You goofball! Most of us can't paint one-hundredth as well as you, Leslie, so we think you're too hard on this stunning card! (Notice how I speak for legions, lol) But it was a fun read and it IS a stunning card! Hugs, Darnell

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

I love your card! Sometimes we are our own worst enemy! I didn't even notice your "earthquake". I love your teacup with the flowers. Great job! Have a great weekend!

Verna Angerhofer said...

I don't see a thing wrong with it. I think it is amazingly beautiful and so well designed. I love your water coloring and that water line in the vase is awesome.

Donna Ellis said...

Fantastically eclectic, Leslie! I love the different sizes and shapes of your vases, and the way you have grouped them on a tape, with the largest (tea cup) being closest. The watercoloring lines, shading and color choices are soft and vibrant both! It's a lovely card, and I enjoyed seeing something so diverse in its nature. Thank you for sharing your inspiration.

crafty-stamper said...

Well I thinks it's absolutely beautiful -great B.paper and i really love the flowers and wow you fussy cut them!!!I like the tall vase too--we all know what we didn't do right or thought we didn't but the viewer doesn't see the "faults" we think are there-omg I should know that lol -it's beautiful no question
Carol x

Margaret said...

Wow! You are so amazing. Yes, I see the little hiccup on the vase, but it just adds character to the whole display. Your coloring, no matter what medium you use, is always beautiful and this is no exception. I think you did a great job in your layout with layering all the different pieces and your fussy cutting. . . ! It's all just amazing!

Conniecrafter said...

OH WOW!!! that is just stunning, I love how you have the table showing through the vase and the water coloring is wonderful, I love this table top scene, you have done a lovely job with the arranging and shadows ect. Love it!!

Christine Alexander said...

Leslie, I know what you mean when you say "sometimes I like them sometimes I don't. That happens to me with most of my colouring stuff.
I love the oversized vase and flowers such an artsy layout. Love the card and the wood background :)

ChristineCreations said...

Well I think it’s lovely! The scene is so pretty, the water in the vase is such a fun story. It has beauty and character!

Pam Sparks said...

A work of art...that's how I feel about this card! Gorgeous Leslie!

laurie said...

So pretty, and I LOVE that wood background. You have the best ideas!!

Ros Crawford said...

You are really hard on yourself... This is amazing!! I adore the vase and think your painting is incredible!I love how you put colours and elements together to create wonderful designs and always so unique!

Cindy Beach said...

I agree with everyone about you being too hard on yourself. I love this card and it's OK that you shared your version of the difficulties you had with it. I really learn from your thought process, and I am glad to agree with you about the Gansai watercolors. I have a hard time getting shades I like with them!
Now as for the card itself - it is beautiful, Leslie! I love the simple coloring that is so vibrant and the tall layout, and the woodgrain. Put them all together and you've got a stunning work of art a la Leslie.

Diane said...

Wonderfully created card and fussy cut, WOW!! The coloring is amazing and you are way too hard on yourself (which I see you have been told many times lol)...but really if I were anywhere near as good as you are at coloring and designing I would be happy!! My downfall is I never have things centered (or straight), but my old eye sight isn't half as good as it used to be and I mis-judge, a lot, but, I gave up trying to get it perfect, cuz 'it just isn't going to happen!! A lovely, lovely card!!

Stacy Morgan said...

I think its charming and sweet. Different type of flowers but they look great and I do like the wood panel background. Very pretty and springy like feel.