Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Watercolored Pleasant Perch

Hello, friends!  I've been playing around with dies and embossing folders for the last few cards, but now it's time to get back to coloring as I have so many wonderful stamps yet to see ink.  Today it's Penny Black's Pleasant Perch.  This was a birthday gift (October) from a friend who knew exactly how much I would love it.  I think you know I have a great fondness for the outdoors, particularly if there's a forest or fur or feathers involved.



I stamped in Ranger Archival Watering Can and watercolored the bird and branch with only three Tombow markers:  Green 177, blueish-green 249, and brown 969.  I used a black permanent marker on the eye, and white acrylic paint for the eye glint

The background was watercolored with smooshes and splatters of Stampin' Up inks from reinkers -- Creamy Caramel and Brocade Blue.

The sentiment is from another Penny Black set, Thinking of You.



It's not flowery or flamboyant, but this little bird on her piney perch imparts a sense of peace and comfort.  In my real life world I appreciate that.

Pictured below is one of my most appreciated local spots where I can walk for miles and Sophie can run off leash.  This is a winter pond -- dry in the summer, but good for Sophie's splashing and swimming in the winter.



I'll send my card along to the following challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Anything goes or optional "something new".  I'm calling my Pleasant Perch stamp new because this is its first use.
Triple B Challenge -- Anything goes with birds, blooms, or butterflies.  Mood board optional.
NBUS Challenge #70 -- Never before used schtuff.


 



Thank you for visiting!  Wishing you a happy day.



Stamps:  Penny Black Pleasant Perch and Thinking of You  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, grocer's kraft  Ink:  Ranger Archival Watering Can  Coloring:  Watercolor with Tombow markers plus Stampin' Up reinkers for background and splatters, black permanent marker for eye, white acrylic paint for eye dot  Die:  Hero Arts Wood Frame

23 comments:

Birgit said...

Your painted bird is darling Leslie! It looks very peaceful and perfectly done. Our birds are sleeping in this morning as it's near zero degrees. I put fresh food out for them every morning before the sun comes up and here it is quarter past seven and they're still not here. I'm glad I could enjoy your sweet bird this morning and your beautiful Sophie.

Yogi said...

Love the card and sentiment. I'm going to have to use that one... The coloring is so pretty and love that frame. The whole card is put together beautifully. Have a great day

Marcia Hill said...

Your card is absolutely BEAUTIFUL Leslie! That sweet little birdie is so realistic looking all nestled into that lovely greenery, and I'm loving all the background splatters too! Lovely, lovely card my friend, although once again, Sophie steals the show for me! How wonderful you have such a sanctuary close by for the both of you!! Hugs. :0)

Lynette said...

Oh, Leslie - this is so calming and peaceful. And so beautifully colored, of course. :-) I love the sentiment, too. What a wonderful card.

I Card Everyone said...

That friend really does know you, Leslie! Such a beautiful gift and resulting card!
Sophie is all grown up and looking fabulous in these beautiful surroundings!
=]

Cindy Beach said...

How I love this serene scene, Leslie, and the real life one from your photo. I can't get over your amazing results with the Tombos, the ones I got seem too dry to do much with. Your card is beautiful!

Cat Craig said...

Fabulous card, coloring, design and sentiment pairing. Beautiful.

Darlene said...

OH my friend... you certainly have NOT lost your coloring touch! This is just beautiful and LOVE your design! That cute birdie really POPS! Nicely done ... awesome inspiration! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Triple B challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Triple B Challenge Co-Owner

crafty-stamper said...

Beautiful card and love the little bird and lovely sentiment. What a beautiful location and Winter pool.
Carol x

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful card. Penny Black has such a gorgeous collection of stamps. Love this little bird looking so sweet hanging out of a branch with such a lovey sentiment. Love your coloring! Have a great week!

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

What a beautiful card! I love Penny Black stamps. Your coloring of a little bird looks so pretty sitting on a branch with a lovely sentiment. Sophie is getting so big. Have a great week!

Loll said...

You brought that sweet little bird to life Leslie. Your colouring is spot-on ... and I love the smooshes and splatters in the background. Lovely, sweet card, my friend. xx

Diane said...

Your peaceful card is fabulous with the plump birdie, looks like he just had a fill of bird seed. I was thinking of you today as I was going thru mu 'critter and furry friends stamps" thinking Leslie would go nuts if she saw all these yet to be used stamps LOL! It' was below zero this morning and I filled the bird feeder only to have every morsel flung out by those pesky bluejays, reminds me of your plump bird!!!!

Christine Alexander said...

The Penny Black bird stamps are wonderful, you coloured them so beautifully ♥
Sophie looks like she has so much fun swimming ♥

Lisa Elton said...

I don't know which I like more your pretty card with the marvelous coloring or that photo of your sweet Sophie! They both brought smiles this morning, Leslie!

Glenda said...

What a beauty and I love the sweet bird! So good to see Sophie too...she is a gorgeous girl!

HilaryJane said...

I can feel that sense of peace and comfort. your card is beautiful. I am so pleased that you are finding some time to craft and use some of your new stuff. I always love to see your colouring. Thank you xx

Bonnie said...

Such a sweet bird and a vibrant fern to perch on, Leslie! I love the splatter in the background! Your pond looks so peaceful and pretty! It looks like Sophie is asking if she can jump in.

Conniecrafter said...

It is certainly a beauty and so lovely with your coloring, so surprising you used minimal colors to achieve it, very soft and peaceful! So nice to have a great place close to home to get away and have some fun!

pam said...

Beautiful card as always Leslie, what a beautiful place you have to walk your gorgeous Sophie.. brrr to cold for swimming here, Grace (our Labrador ) has her coat on xxx

Pauline said...

So beautiful Leslie, love your card! Your amazing watercolouring just makes this so realistic! love the splaters, really adds well to your image. Love seeing Sophie, I can't believe how much she has grown, such a beautiful girl!

Helen said...

What a beautiful card Leslie! I love this sweet image and your lovely colouring! Like you I love little bird images! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Penny Black Saturday Challenge. :)

Karen M said...

Your card is beautiful - I love the little bird and the frame looks great too x