Hello there! I believe I'm done making Christmas cards for this year, but it will take me the rest of the month to share the cards I've made. That's plenty of festivity to see me through. Today I'm spreading joy and warmth with Penny Black.
In the rush to finish Christmas cards it was easy to forget how restful watercoloring is for me. This was done with Stampin' Up inks. The background was brushed on after coloring, and I drew the border with a skinny gray marker.
In the end I decided to spray with sheer shimmer sparkle which doesn't show so much in the photo, but it's pretty amazing in real life.
I'll be sending my card to two challenges today:
NBUS Challenge #81 -- My never before used schtuff is the Penny Black Holly Berry Bird, a gift from a dear local friend.
My apologies if I'm not keeping up with visits and comments as I'd like. Regular life stuff on top of Christmas can be a little much. It will all smooth out soon.
Happy holidays!
Stamps: Penny Black Holly Berry Bird, Joy & Warmth Paper: Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah white card base not visible Ink: Ranger Archival Watering Can for image, Jet Black for sentiment, various SU inks for watercoloring Other: Imagine Sheer Shimmer Sparkle Spray, white acrylic paint for eye dot
This is gorgeous , I love your image and design.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card and image-so beautifully coloured-always a stressful time of year-take care.
ReplyDeleteCarol x
I wish I could say water coloring was relaxing for me, but it so obviously works for you Leslie as your card is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! So much lovely detail and the framing with the simple gray lines is wonderful! And I know just how awesome the sheer shimmer mist spray is, so I can imagine how lovely this card is in real life! Beautifully done my friend!! Hugs. :0)
ReplyDeleteBeautifull card and coloring. Love the image. I think I might play with it… have a great day
ReplyDeleteThe PB images are some of my favorites and of course anything with a bird rates right up there too, such pretty water coloring with your inks, a perfect blend of colors for your beautiful image!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Leslie! I just adore these two tweet friends! You do have a way with watercolors that brings them to life so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteI will be looking forward to seeing all of your Christmas creations!
=]
So beautiful, Leslie! Just simply lovely. Yep - it's a very busy time of year! Glad you had some time to relax with your watercoloring.
ReplyDeleteHow I love it when you watercolor, Leslie! Your birds are beautiful sharing the branch together. Such a festive and pretty card you've made! The holly is gorgeous, rich with color and detail. The sponged background looks fabulous! I'm glad you're not finished posting but good for you that the Christmas cards are made.
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely. I am glad you found the space for a little watercolouring. Your little birds are so cute and that was a great idea to draw the frame. I never think of doing that. The shimmer spray is the perfect finishing touch xx
ReplyDeleteThey are the sweetest pair and I just know they're having a wonderful conversation here! What a darling card, Leslie!
ReplyDeleteI love these sweet images you decided to watercolor. Just looking at it made me relax and think about how fun it is to just do coloring. I have done a lot of purchasing in the last month therefore I will be able to enter some of these NBUS challenges along with you. Also I got your lovely Christmas card today. Thank you1
ReplyDeleteI agree that watercoloring can be so relaxing, Leslie! What a sweet scene with the pretty robins and holly! And you've added just the right amount of inking around the edges! Just beautiful, my friend, as is that gorgeous poinsettia card you sent me for Christmas. Thank you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteSweetest EVER! Everything you make has that "Leslie Essence" of being darling, loving, beautiful, and so full of kindness and fun. I don't know how you do it, Leslie, but your artwork definitely exudes your dear soul. I especially like the simple line frame capturing the scene. Oh so Loverly! Sending hugs, de
ReplyDeleteThis is such a pretty card. Anything with birds I love. Your coloring is perfect. The little chests look like hearts upside down! So cute! Not too many Christmas goodies from me this year. Joe is home recovering from his last surgery which keeps me busy but as long as he is home and well!
ReplyDeleteAwww they are just precious, beautiful coloring of them too, I like the blue's and greens around the edges to frame them too, sweet sentiment! In the close up I can see the shimmer, it is always so much better in real life! Yes it can be a little much this time of year, take care!
ReplyDeleteYour cards always show the thought you put into them. The water coloring, the blending the line drawn. Makes for a fantastic card.
ReplyDelete