Time out for a fall card. The stamped sunflower, the yellow polka dot piece, and the sentiment had been cut and set aside a few weeks ago. I hesitated to start the detailed coloring because there were too many other things to do at the time, and so it got pushed aside. Then along came two challenges that prompted me to finish it. I'll list them at the end.
It's been a long time since I used my Prismacolor pencils. A while back I was diagnosed with early carpal tunnel and I've been doing everything possible to avoid surgery. I'm much better now. Just a little bit of numbness in my fingertips. After spending two sit downs coloring this sunflower with pencils I remember why I've been avoiding it. It's the gripping action that gets me.
Each petal was colored first with a yellow that matched the designer paper, then one petal at a time was colored in red, pumpkin orange, deep purple, and indigo (not the actual color names) -- different degrees of each in order to achieve the color and shading I was going for. I did not use odorless mineral spirits on the stamp, but did use it for blending the background shading. This is a retired Power Poppy clear stamp set, but this same sunflower can be found in a Power Poppy digital stamp here.
The two challenges that prompted me to finish up my sunflower card are:
Double D Challenges: Sunflowers
Stamps: Power Poppy In Praise of Sunflowers Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 #, kraft wood grain 111 lb card base, retired SU designer paper, DCWV burlap paper Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black Coloring: Prismacolor pencils. Gamsol was used only in the background shading Other: Oval from Memory Box Oval Master Frame, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, miscellaneous small rectangle die, foam mounting tape to pop up oval
26 comments:
This is stunning my friend! I love sunflowers and you have given this one such love. I find as I age I have had to limit certain activities or totally give them up! My flower making sometimes can give my hands a fit.
Beautiful indeed Leslie! You sure have a talent with those prisma pencils, your tones and shading is exquisite! I have many sunflower stamps, but I must say this one is my favourite. You have a wonderful eye for detail, as everything on this card fits perfectly together. Love this Leslie! Glad to hear your hand is doing much better, but I hear you about the gripping action! Thanks for sharing an inspiring card today. Have a great weekend, hugs,
Wow, your coloring with those pencils is stunning! The colors of this sunflower are breath taking! A beautiful design and love the addition of the strip of burlap!! Thank you for joining our challenge at Double D! I had carpal tunnel done on my left hand along with a nerve moved from one side of my arm to the other, quite an operation, and neither worked, I still have 2 fingers and half my hand numb, they said next I could have the nerve cut in my neck or live with the numbness, I chose the latter. Have a happy Halloween!
Diane DD DT {Nellies Nest}
This is exquisite, Leslie! I love that you chose to highlight the purple/fuschia colors on the mood board. Beautiful coloring as always, even with a bum wrist! The burlap is a great touch of texture. Sure hope you wrist is healing on it's own. Rest is the best! Thanks for joining the Double D, "Sunflower" Challenge.
GORGEOUS (as always) Your coloring skills are above all others and I draw so much inspiration from your designs. I too love the touch of burlap texture ... the perfect addition to a sunflower card! I'm sorry you're dealing with carpal tunnel and I know they have made great strides in that surgery. My mother had both of hers done (in her 80s) and was so glad she did. Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Sunflowers’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!
It is just beautiful, you are so clever. I just love how you have done that colouring, everything about it shines, such wonderful background shading too. You have really given the image such wonderful dimension. I am so sorry to hear that colouring is no longer easy for you as you clearly have a great talent for it. That spotty background paper is perfect too and the added detail of the burlap is such a great finishing touch xx
Fabulous Autumn card,love the beautifulsunflower and your colouring/shading is amazing and love the burlap strip.Over here you can get pencil grips which are a triangular shape and used in schools to correct handwriting but I wonder if they would help and put less pressure on your grip?
Carol x
Pretty. I'm so glad it's still fall here i Calgary. Have a great day
You should get those pencils out more often. Your coloring is magical. Love.
Oh my your coloring is just beautiful, you give it such a look of dimension with your coloring. I was so glad to hear it is getting better until you colored again, hopefully it will bounce back after you give it a little rest. Love the touch of the burlap with it
Just beautiful Leslie, gorgeous colours using pencils and great design over all. xxx
Beautiful stamping and project, love the colours for our current challenge, SUNFLOWERS … Thanks for joining in at [aNNie Designer for Double D challenges
https://thejourneyisthestarthere.blogspot.com/{My Blog}
Stunning coloring - I'm so sorry that it's not good for your carpal tunnel. Bummer. I hope you'll be able to do this once in a while, but I'm glad you have other methods of coloring that are not painful. Gorgeous card!
What a beautifully colored, cheerful, delightfully Nature-laden creation, Leslie! That delicate band of burlap (is that even possible for burlap to be "delicate"?) and the layered "beautiful" sentiment are gorgeous together! I always enjoy when "strength" and "purpose" are aligned with beauty, and this woodsy, light-filled masterpiece says it all! love, de
Your card is stunning! I love using Prismacolor pencils and you are excellent with them. Love the use of the burlap too.
Also I had CT and had surgery on my right hand. Was going to need it on my left and then read that taking Vitamin B6 can help (takes about 2-3 months). I started taking it and the pain/burning all went away and I canceled the scheduled surgery for that hand.
Gorgeous coloring. You inspire me to try different things, but then I don't. Ugh! Sorry about the CT. I hope you can rest the hand and let the pain fade again.
I love that you keep the design simple and allow the gorgeous coloring and flower be the star. The bit of burlap adds so much texture and dimension.
What a beautiful card - Love the coloring! I like how you used the burlap. Sorry your CT acted up. I have been doing some sewing as well as crafting and cannot do it for long periods of time. My left hand is doing good but not completely healed yet so I don't want to overdue. Everyone is coming here tomorrow to celebrate Jennifer's birthday so we have had a busy day getting ready. It will be nice to have everyone together again. Take care!
OMG Leslie, your colouring skills just blow me away. I'd love a lesson on how to lay down colour like that ♥ Totally in Awe:)
So many have already said it and I am sure that I will not be the last. I am so envious of your coloring ability and the way that you introduce different colors as you did on this sunflower. You are amazing!
Oh, my! What a gorgeous sunflower! I love the color and the contrast with the yellow background!
YOu've been on a stamping roll, Leslie, I am here to catch up! I am sure glad I didn't miss seeing this gorgeous sunflower and all the fabulous layers of color you used. Happy that your prismacolors came out for this one. The flower mesmerizes me and steals the show, but I also love the added texture of the canvas and woodgrain embossing. This one was definitely worth the wait. And how could I forget two of my faves - yellow and polka dots!
Leslie, I absolutely love how you staged this gorgeous Sunflower, all the layers guide your eye to this beauty and your fabulous coloring.
The texture of the burlap ribbon is just the perfect finishing detail.
Thank you for playing along with us at RETRO RUBBER, I hope you come and play again next time.
Stay healthy and safe.
XO
Maria.
I love Sunflowers and this is amazing, your colouring is beautiful and I love the burlap strip. Thanks for joining us at Retro Rubber this time. Claire DT
Beautiful card! Live the sunflower and how you colored it. Thanks for sharing with Retro Rubber Challenge Blog!
Gorgeous fall card! I just love the colors on the sunflower and that matted like ribbon is fabulous with it. Gorgeous card!
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