My NBUS baskets are full of the most wonderful things, many of which I've looked at so often they hardly seem new anymore. However, the moment I start to play with an item its wonderful newness all comes back to me and I have the best time. Such is the case with this Flowery Gnome from Stamping Bella.
Just a mention: The little gnome I included in the photo was given to me by a friend on Valentine's Day. She made it from a baby or toddler sock and fake fur. So cute!
My paper gnome was stamped on watercolor paper and colored with Tombow markers -- no water, and only minimal use of the blender pen. I hand cut my gnome and the sentiment, then arranged with sequins on the embossed card base. Gnome is popped up on foam tape. The sentiment, BTW, is an oldie from Stampin' Up.
Now, about that pink embossed card... I was inspired by a brand new challenge called Can You Handle the Pressure? It requires the use of an embossing folder and there will always be an optional twist. This time pink is the twist. Those two prompts helped me make quick decisions on the design.
The embossing folder is one I've had for years -- Elegant Bouquet from SU. I brushed the raised pattern with white pigment ink, directly from pad to paper -- always a soft look whatever the color you apply the white to. Gnome looks right at home, doesn't he?
All tolled I'm playing in three challenges today:My card is a Valentine for next year. Maybe I won't get caught empty handed if I make a few ahead.
Have a happy day!
Stamps: Stamping Bella Flowery Gnome, SU Simple Sayings II (2003) Paper: Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, Neenah white, SU Pretty In Pink Ink: Palette Noir for image, Memento Tuxedo Black for sentiment, white pigment ink for highlighting the embossing Coloring: Tombow markers, no water, some blender pen Other: SU Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, sequins, foam mounting tape
A most adorable image, great colouring of it too... ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks for entering your gorgeous card Leslie into our challenge at
Can you Handle the Pressure challenge.xx
This is the most adorable sweetest card I've seen in a long time. Leslie, you do such amazing work in creating your cards. Love it all. You always inspire me! Beautiful water colouring as always, love the embossed background as well. Your card made me smile! I'm off until Tuesday, I am going to buckle down and work on Easter cards, have a few orders, so best get at it. Enjoy the rest of your week Leslie!
ReplyDeleteAn adorably cute cute gnome and colored so beautifully and the flowers, sigh, male me want for Spring as we are having weather issues today. I have never gotten MY Tombow markers to look so GOOD!! You always have such a beautiful way with your cards! Thank you so much for joining our challenges at Double D AND Can You Handle The Pressure.
ReplyDeleteDiane {Nellies Nest}
{Double D}
This is so cute. Gnomes really are the thing right now aren't they. I don't think they are going to go away. Love your background ef. what a challenge to use pink as the base for this, but you are always up for any challenge.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely ADORE this card!!! I have that stamp, so I'm going to pin for future reference. The way you colored his bead is GENIUS!!! Thanks for the great inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteLove the cute flower Gnome and beautifully coloured-great embossed background
ReplyDeleteCarol x
Your gnome is so at home - actually a beautiful home for him!!! I never thought to try these on watercolor paper. Inspiration #154 from you!! Thank you - now I have to live long enough to try all the inspirations I get from all my blogging friends and their incredible creations! I do not have this stamp - but have been eye balling it for some time now - so maybe! LOL Big hugs
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I love the ef you used and the white ink does add just a touch of magic. I love that you anchored your gnome on the long sentiment strip and I adore your coloring. Fabulous card.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adorable! I love gnomes. It's also very pretty how that white just pops off of that embossing folder. Beautiful, sweet card!
ReplyDeleteAaahhh...TFS your sweet colorful gnome, Leslie. I love your dry EB pink background for your beautifully colored gnome and perfect sentiment. Wishing you a fun creative day, my friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy
ReplyDeleteExquisite coloring on that adorable Gnome. Paring it with that embossing folder is just perfect. You make me smile!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I had to come back and tell you that you are really a great enabler. I took a peek at the Stamping Bella website. My order is done! YIKES! Cute place! XO
ReplyDeletethis is such a wonderful card. I think it's one of my favorites. LOVE that gnome. He makes me smile. Lovely job of coloring. Have a great day
ReplyDeleteThis card is so elegant, what a beauty. I love that soft embossed background which is beautifully enhance by the white ink. I am marvelling at how perfect it looks, not a drop of ink where it doesn't belong. Your colouring of the little gnome is just brilliant too so fresh and clean, who wouldn't smile when seeing this. What a clever friend to have made that little sock gnome, so clever xx
ReplyDeleteThe gnome with blowers is so cute and I love the dimension you achieved with your coloring... a true art form. I forgot about the white ink technique. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteYAY (jumping up & down in happiness) ... it's so nice to see you joining us again and OMG this is TOTALLY ADORABLE! Your coloring/design are as beautiful as always and OMG that little gnome gift is so, so sweet! ADORABLE! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Shades of Pink’ & our Can You Handle the Pressure 'pink' challenges! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often. We truly appreciate your support!
ReplyDeleteDarlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
CAN YOU HANDLE THE PRESSURE
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Seriously Leslie, this card couldn't be more adorable if you tried, what a sweet, sweet Gnome image, the flowers and the colors bring a smile to my face.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous reminder that Spring will arrive soon, even if it doesn't look like that right now, sheeeesh!! it's been snowing all darn day long, white-out conditions with the fierce winds, cold and dreary, ughhhh!!
Thank you for warming my heart with this beautiful card.
Stay healthy and safe.
XO
Maria.
Oh, you can't even guess how many times I've wanted to put this guy into my basket, Leslie!! I'm just as happy that you DID!! Perfectly wonderful in your talented hands!
ReplyDeleteI hope you also bought some of his brothers, and cousins?
Just the cutest!
=]
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how you've done this sweet guy up, Leslie! He sure makes me smile! Love these colors and think I may need to get my friend Nance to share this stamp with me again!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness he is a cutie, I love how he is surrounded by those beautiful flowers, your coloring is just gorgeous, that embossing folder is a perfect choice with your stamp.
ReplyDeleteLove that little gnome your friend set, too cute!
Love both of your Gnomes, how sweet! Your card is just the cutest! He is adorable and perfect coloring (as always!). Great sentiment too, as it made me smile! Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Double D, Shades Of Pink Challenge. Donna, DT Member.
ReplyDeleteYes the adorable gnome sure does look right at home on his pink fabulous card. The pink dry embossing on the background shows off the cutie to perfection Leslie x. Thanks for the Smile x.
ReplyDeleteYour gnome is so cute, Leslie, and he really looks 3D in that first photo - like he's popping right off the card! Amazing coloring, of course. That challenge seems like it would be a good fit for me, since I've been known to have an embossing folder or two - or a hundred! LOL!
ReplyDeleteoooo! What pretty colouring! So cheerful for this little guy!
ReplyDeleteyour spring gnomes are so cute and wonderfully coloured ♥
ReplyDeleteI almost squealed..I LOVE gnomes and this card is just the best!!!
ReplyDeleteYour flowery gnome is sensational, Leslie! I love his strawberry colored hat, so perfect sitting under the strawberry blossoms. And the pink embossed card brings it all together! Thanks for spreading the word about DnD's new challenge and thank you for inspiring everyone again at NBUS! Hugs, Darnell
ReplyDeleteJust saw your card over at the NBUS gallery and had to stop by and check it out...it is SO dang CUTE Leslie!! Love your pink embossed background (I have that embossing folder in my stash too!) and that sweet little gnome looks right at home amidst all the beautifully colored flowers and pink background!! Hugs. :0)
ReplyDeleteYes, your card did make me smile! I love everything about his card especially the pink! I have this embossing folder as well and never tried to brush it with the white pigment ink. Looks great! Your friend did such a nice job on the little gnome! So cute!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, this card is phe-gnome-inal in every way!! This gnome wrapped up in flowers and popped up on pink is irresistible! Such a great card, you know I love this one!
ReplyDeleteWow-this is the cutest card I've seen all week! Beautifully colored with your Tombows! And Lovin your touches of SU! goodies. I need to get mine out too! They are classics for sure! I just got me some TBs but being it's tax time and I have work to do, they will have to wait. This card is just super dooper cute. ♥ Sue Kment
ReplyDeleteSo pretty and so cute. Normally I'm not a big fan of Gnomes but this little guy is adorable and the flowers are so pretty. Made me think of strawberry blossoms.
ReplyDeleteAdorable! Thank you for sharing with us at Can You Handle the Pressure Challenge.
ReplyDeleteLeslie this is adorable. That little guy is super cute. Love your coloring, so fresh and springy.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely adorable! You've colored this little gnome up perfectly and the embossed background just adds to the sweetness of this card. I love everything about it. This is brilliant! Thanks for linking up to the Double D Challenges. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS coloring and the sweet soft background is perfect by being just enough and not to distract. LOVE your card!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say on my previous comment congrats on winning with this card. I am not at all surprised, it is just perfect. Well done xx
ReplyDeleteThat little fellow is soooo cute -enough to make anyone smile!! Gorgeous colouring and embossed panel!
ReplyDelete