Friday, February 17, 2023

Folk Art Flowers and Bird

Hi!  Checking in today with a card that happened while I was busy doing other things.  I had embossed a panel and set it aside for another day, and the next thing you know I was coloring it.  As I went along I realized how folk artsy it looked in these colors, so I continued along those lines the best I could as I finished the card.



The embossing folder is a 3D by Creative Expressions called Fanciful Flowers.  I used Copics for coloring.  No extra skills needed other than a relatively steady hand and a strong pair of glasses.  I made a point of using hearts because they seem to show up a lot in folk art.  The particular bird die I used is the most folk artsy one I own.  It's years old and I still love it -- Elizabeth Craft Birds.

I embossed the card base and the hearts with the retired SU Subtle embossing folder.  It shows up a lot more in real life.  To avoid excess busyness I did not add color to the branch, but there is a layer of black underneath to help it stand out.  By the way, all the white is actually a gentle vanilla shade, including the embossed sentiment.



One of my favorite challenges is celebrating their first birthday/anniversary this month:

Can You Handle the Pressure?  It's all about using embossing folders.  Anything goes with an optional twist of hearts and, as you can see, I did use the twist.  What fun when it all works out like this!




Now, back to being busy doing other things... but I'll see you again soon.  Take care and have a happy weekend!



Stamps:  Hero Arts Small Greetings  Paper:  Cougar Vanilla, SU Wild Wasabi and Poppy Parade, other black & yellow  Ink:  Versamark, Copics for coloring  Dies:  Elizabeth Craft Birds, Tutti Stitched Nesting Hearts, Poppystamps Sylvan Sprig  Other:  Vanilla embossing powder, Doodlebug Matte Sprinkles, Creative Expressions Fanciful Flowers 3D embossing folder, SU Subtle 3D embossing folder

26 comments:

Glenda said...

I love this! I'm learning to color embossed cardstock and find I'm sort of sloppy so I must practice more. You seem to have a very steady hand for this. Very beautiful card!

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous coloured embossing -very neat and love the little die-cut bird
carol x

Cat Craig said...

wow that coloring must have taken quite a patient hand. Lovely.

Marcia Hill said...

This card totally makes me smile and feel warm all over Leslie! Your coloring over the embossing is FABULOUS and makes such a wonderful background for your hearts and sweet birdie and branch! Lovely, lovely card my friend!! Hugs. :0)

Yogi said...

Yes, very folksy... you did a great job with it and the coloring. Very pretty. Have a great day

Evelyn S. said...

Folk art is Leslie Art! I don't believe I've ever seen dry embossing colored. It is perfect! The heart and bird are wonderful.

Barbara said...

I am sure that it takes a very steady hand to color the 3D embossed folder and you have mastered that. I would probably not even think of that, but you have inspired me. I love the colors and the hearts with that bird. Totally Folk art.

HilaryJane said...

I am very impressed with your colouring of that embossing as I know it is not as easy as it looks, plus alcohol markers have a tendency to bleed into the paper spreading the ink where you don't want it. You have made it work brilliantly and have made me want to give it a go too. Love the little bird and heats and the black accents too. Such a classy card. Colouring often distracts me too xx

Liz said...

Beautiful card Leslie, such a striking design in the colours you've used. xx

Pauline said...

Excellent colouring on this embossing folder piece. Steady hand for sure! Love how you finished your card with the hearts, leaves and of course that little bird, how sweet! This makes me smile! Beautiful card Leslie. Thank you for sharing today.

Bonnie said...

You always amaze me Leslie! Your Copic coloring on the embossing is brilliant and you definitely have a steady hand! It's a perfect background for these pretty textured hearts and this delightful bird! It's hard to believe it's been a year since this challenge started. Time does fly!

Margaret said...

Gorgeous. Your creativity just amazes me sometimes. I love all the different textures and things you added to the beautiful background to create this lovely piece of art. It is not just a card but a work of art.

Lynette said...

Don't you just love it when cards "happen?" I know that I sure do! This one is, once again, so awesome!! I love the way you colored the embossed images. And the little bird is so cute.

Sue from Oregon said...

You are right...this is very folksy. I love this adventure over several days as you get to it-gives you time to think it over! Lovely indeed! ♥ Sue Kment

I Card Everyone said...

Leslie, this fabulous stencil does lend itself to the Folk Art style! Especially the way you have colored it with these bright primary greens and reds - those little bits of yellow I'm sure were the cue to make this sweet bird a canary! So sweet - he's a keeper for sure! AND a sender!
=]

Diane said...

Wow, you did an amazing job of coloring in the embossed panel, you must really have a steady hand, if I did that my hand would be shaking all over! A gorgeous card, what an adorable birdie he is, I can see why he is a favorite!! Thanks too for joining and supporting us at Can You Handle The Pressure!

Melanie Hungerford said...

So pretty, I love that look of the raised colored areas, although yours is so perfect it makes it look easier to do than it is (at least for me!). Love how you tied that yellow bird in with the tiny yellow dots too, gorgeous card! Thanks for joining us at Can You Handle the Pressure.

Conniecrafter said...

You did a fabulous job of coloring that embossing, I always end up making a mistake and going over, guess I need more practice, or better eye hand coordination :) Yes there is a lot of hearts in folk art stuff and I love the subtle texture that embossing gave to the hearts, I love the style of the bird you found to go with it all too, so cute in yellow and black, lovely thinking of you card!

Donna Ellis said...

I learn something new every time I visit your blog, Leslie! DARLING little folk art birdie, nestled in the perfect folk art background! Sweetness all the way around, and so unique. I really appreciate the number of die cuts you placed along the way. Beautiful card, Leslie!
hugs,
de

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Hello Leslie: I just love the bright and beautiful primary colors on your card, you have a marvelous steady hand to color the small and intricate design on this beautiful embossing folder.
This little bird looks right at home perched on those pretty branches.
Sweet and adorable card!!
Thank you for sharing.
XO
Maria.

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

What a great card! You must have a very steady hand! You did such a great job! Love the hearts and little bird! Hope you had a great weekend!

Carol L said...

The way you colored this embossed background is simply amazing! I love that the layered hearts match perfectly too and that little bird is just fantastic! What a fabulous way to use your embossing folder!

aussie aNNie said...

Sensational colours and fabulous post, adore the folk art look.. xx

Darlene said...

Oh sweet friend this is BEAUTIFUL! Yes, I see the folk-art appeal those colors have on that embossed panel and you're finishing touches with hearts & birdie are just perfect! The folk art style would have never come to mind for me but you have certainly given it the life it deserves! Well done as always ... thanks for your continued inspiration! And, thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Can You Handle the Pressure challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often. We appreciate your support!

Darlene
Can You Handle the Pressure
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS

P.S. Did you hear the news? We have another new challenge blog we'd love to have you come check out and play along in. It all begins on March 3, 2023. It's called Triple B. Fun with Birds, Butterflies & Blooms. Would love to have you pop over! Appreciate your support!

Loll said...

Beautiful card Leslie. Love how you've created the folk art look with your bold colours. Steady had needed for sure!! Great colouring of the embossed design. And lovely layered images on top of create an artistic masterpiece. xx

Cindy Beach said...

All that embossing is beautiful and I love the folksy vibe! The details on the bird make hiim perfect for your lovely focal point. I haven't tried coloring the deep embossing folders but I should do it soon! I love how this turned out, Leslie. Glad you had a happy play day.