Monday, May 20, 2019

Framed Dahlia

I have a card for The Flower Challenge today.  My big purple flower is Power Poppy's Dahlia XL clear stamp set.  I started coloring the flower a while back, then I saw the challenge -- "Embossing (Heat or Dry)" -- and thought I'd see what I could do to make it fit.  I ended up with a frame and sentiment that were heat embossed with a special EP concoction, plus an image panel that was dry embossed after coloring.






I recently found a tablet of student grade drawing paper in my closet and thought I'd give it a try with Prismacolor pencils, no Gamsol.  Maybe next time I'll try it with Gamsol as there were some imperfections in this paper which made it difficult to fill in all the nooks and crannies.  The dotty background was done with Copic markers.


I am trying to get better with pencil coloring as I think they may be a good travel medium.  I fixed up a tote bag -- lightweight yet roomy.  No concerns about a Copic marker running dry or going gummy in the middle of coloring.  Just sharpen the pencil and continue on.





To sweeten things up I mounted the framed Dahlia on a card base covered with Mintay Lovely Day designer paper.  You know I love my Mintay.  It's art that can make itself useful.  So beautiful.  I've added four new pads to my collection, sigh... 

Once more... The Flower Challenge #32 -- Embossing (heat or dry).  As mentioned earlier, I heat embossed the frame and sentiment, and dry embossed the image panel.




Supply list below my signature.  I hope you're having a lovely spring day!



Stamps:  Power Poppy Dahlia XL  Paper:  Mead student grade drawing paper, Neenah for frame, sentiment, and card base, SU Pool Party, Mintay Lovely Day designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark  Coloring:  Prismacolor pencils, Copics for background  Accessories:  Mix of Ranger Enchanted Gold and Queen's Gold embossing powder, iridescent sequins, Impression Obsession Rectangle 6-in-1 Frames, Cuttlebug Heritage Collection embossing folder

21 comments:

kotanopan.com said...

beautiful purple, looks alive.

Glenda said...

Your flower is quite lovely! I love the bright pop of color it adds to your card. I've purchased many pencils through the years and love to color with them but I always use Gamsol. It just works better for me! I also think the frame you used is lovely! Well done my friend!

Marilyn said...

Hi Leslie, No matter what medium you use, your coloring is always beautiful. I have learned to carry my pencils with on vacation. They color up quite well when you don't have room for anything else.

aussie aNNie said...

This is gorgeous, love the very cute design and lovely colours.xx

ChristineCreations said...

Woweee Leslie! That’s a beauty! I’m loving that gold framing. Such a pretty colour combination. So true, pencils are very portable and non-messy (except for the shavings!). You do beautiful work with any medium!

Christine Alexander said...

Beautiful Leslie, I love all the shading in your pencil work, I'm also trying to improve my colouring skills. I also love that frame, the pop of gold is perfect :)
I'm enjoying myself at the week long retreat with the gang. 9 of us here at a house we've rented, so many techniques to learn :)

Cindy Beach said...

Your use of the colored pencils is fabulous, Leslie! Such vibrant color and shading. A great idea to pack them for your trips. Even more beautiful are the elements you added to the card - the dry embossing and blue added to the image panel, and the brightness of the heat embossing. Lovely!

Yogi said...

pretty. have a great day

pam said...

Stunning work again Leslie, your colouring is amazing, beautiful colours on this gorgeous card
Hugs Pam x

Donna Ellis said...

Hi, Leslie! What an incredibly luscious card! I'm glad you didn't use gamsol with the PC pencils - it's a pleasure seeing the technique demonstrated as they were originally intended. I marvel at the strokes of each pencil on every petal, bringing out depths and highlights only a pollinator can enjoy up close in real life. But you gift us with the beauty with magical colors! I also love the oval shape in the background with dry embossing, and your lovely gold frame with just a hint of petals in the top corner. Such an interesting combination of elements! I LOVE EVERY PART! You're an amazing artist! hugs, de

Pauline said...

Leslie, this is beautiful! Love the richness of the purples for your Dahlia, which is beautifully framed (great concoction btw!). Great dotty background, so soft and pretty, which pulls in some of the same tones as your background paper. I love the Mintay papers as well. I have a hard time using them (so silly I know)! I think you are doing a fantastic job with the pencils, as you always do using any medium. Another beauty Leslie. Wishing you a wonderful day, and thanks for inspiring me today!

Verna Angerhofer said...

This is so very gorgeous. A great colored pencil art piece.

Conniecrafter said...

That's great that you were able to figure out how to make this beauty work for the challenge. I think I have some old pads that my daughter had for drawing, I should get them out and see how they will work, love your results, and that paper is just gorgeous with it, great way to frame it all with that pretty sparkle!

Traci M said...

Oh my goodness, your colored Dahlia just glows!! I can see why pencils would be easier to travel with. You have certainly done amazingly well with this medium! And I love the design with the framing and embossing. I really adore your card,Leslie. Beautiful work!

Diane said...

Gorgeous card and pencil coloring...WOW!! You give each and every flower you color such beauty that I can almost smell the fragrance!! A beautiful design as well, and I a great use of the Mintay papers, I struggle to use them as I never want to cover them up ! A wonderful idea to take the pencils on your travels, I need to maybe do something like that myself, we will be gone Thursday thru Tuesday over the holiday and I need to take a few things to work with...have a great day!!

Sherri said...

Proof positive that you are the undisputed queen of coloring flowers!! It makes no difference which medium you use either! They are all fabulous!!

laurie said...

Your pencil coloring is gorgeous too...that would work well for travel. great idea!!!

crafty-stamper said...

Absolutely beautiful and fabulous colouring love the rich colour and beautiful embossed frame
Carol x

TaeEun said...

Your coloring on that dahlia is stunning! The blending looks fabulous to me even without gamsol!
Thank you so much for joining us at The Flower Challenge!

Lynette said...

So delightfully pretty, Leslie!

Stacy Morgan said...

Leslie this is beautiful. The depth you got in the color is beautiful and the layered frame look is wonderful. What a good find in the paper, I think it turned out beautifully!