Tuesday 4 August 2020

Merry and Bright- The Flower Challenge


Good Morning
Time for some more fun and a new theme at
The Flower Challenge



I decided to make a non-traditional card for the challenge.  Sometimes it is fun to try and create 'out of the box'. As much as I love the colours of Christmas, I went for something totally different.

Sadly, this is my final card as part of the DT's on The Flower Challenge team.  This pandemic has made me realize that I need to simplify my life as I get back to work and I want to be able to carve out time when I need it.  I will try and play along though when I can.


So here's what I did to create my card.
  • I began with a piece of heavy white cardstock panel and applied a layer of Gesso as if I was 'buttering my toast' using a palette knife.  I set that aside to dry.
  • While that dried, I took a piece of heavy cardstock that I had painted with some acrylic paints.  I did that using my brayer, rolling different colours in different directions all over the piece of cardstock.  I try and do a few at a time just to have them on hand.
  • I stamped the poinsettia from Penny Black called Christmas Pride twice onto the acrylic painted surface with some Versafine Clair Noir and clear heat embossed it.
  • I fussy cut out the large flower, then from the second stamped piece, I cut out just the center portion.
  • My Gesso piece was dry by now, so I applies Speckled Egg Distress Oxide inks over the panel.  I did that by rubbing the ink pad directly onto a piece of acetate, sprayed with water and pressed onto my panel.  I like how that colour matched areas of the flower.
  • I placed the panel into my Misti and stamped the sentiment from the Frosty Hello set.  I splattered using my black Posca pen to add interest.
  • Now to assemble my card.  I glued the small flower center to the larger one, leaving areas with no glue so I could bend and shape them and then glued it onto the DOX inked panel.  
  • I glued the panel onto a heavy white card base.
  • To add my sparkle, I glued a shiny black gem into the center of my flower, then small crystal gems all around the flower.


Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look.


Supplies
Stamps- Christmas Pride, Frosty Hello (PB)
Inks- Versafine Clair Noir; acrylic paint (Paper Artsy)
Paper- heavy white (Scribes Nook)
Accessories and Tools- brayer (Speedball); clear eb powder; heat tool; black and crystal gems;
black Posca pen; Gesso; palette knife, Misti (My Sweet Petunia)

23 comments:

Claire (Mrs H) said...

Love the colours they are so cool and wintery
Claire Mrs H's Crafty Corner

Darnell said...

This is gorgeous, Karen!! I love these colors, so I'm swooning over your brilliant poinsettia! I don't think I'll ever paint one red again after seeing this! You will be missed, but your decision is a wise one and the beautiful thing about this hobby and community is that you will always be a welcome part of it! Thank you for your amazing inspiration over the years. Keep well! Hugs, Darnell

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Hello Karen: First of all, I'll miss the atristry you always displayed on your cards, you have an unique ability to combine mediums and colors and the results are always impressive and beautiful, just like on this gorgeous card.
I love the non-traditional colors on your Poinsettia and that background is just amazing, I love the texture on it.
I've never worked with Gesso, only with modeling paste and not to often, I'm afraid.
But anyway, my dear friend, I hope you stop by from time to time to visit and also, I hope you participate on the challenge, I can't imagine not seeing your cards on The Flower Challenge ever again.
Stay healthy and safe.
Sending hugs and love.
Your teammate Maria.

Bunny said...

Woo wee. I see your creations all the time. Rarely do I comment but I did want to pop in and say what a beauty this is. [Bunny]

Verna Angerhofer said...

This is definitely a gorgeous design with those fantastic colors.

I Card Everyone said...

Well, you can butter my bread, and speckle my eggs anytime you want, Karen... and I know where you 'live' so don't think for a minute I won't be stopping by!
You always inspire, intrigue, and surprise me with all these wonderful techniques you do [and I don't!]. These non-traditional colors happen to be among my favorites for Christmas - gorgeous for this beautiful PB poinsettia!
Take good care, my friend - I'll continue to watch my inbox for your cards! xx
=]

Pat said...

This large poinsettia looks absolutely gorgeous Karen and love the way you have fussy cut it and added dimension with the centre leaves added on top and the black embossing and the rollered acrylic colour is just wonderful. A great technique for the background too with the white gesso and the Speckled Egg DI using the inked and spritzed acrylic to add the colour. It is sad you have decided to leave the Flower Challenge DT and you will be missed by them also by us as your creations are always so inspiring, but understand you need to simplify things, but hope you won't become a stranger here in Blogland as I for one will still be looking forward to seeing your wonderful cards in the future. x

Bonnie said...

This is a beautiful poinsettia, Karen! Love these colors and that background!

Martha Robbins said...

Love, Love LOVE this card! The colors are gorgeous! I look at your blog every day and have NEVER been disappointed in your cards. You truly have a unique style, I love it! I'm always anxious to see what your next masterpiece will be. Keep up the great work!

Diane said...

Wow, what a beautiful poinsettia and colors.

Hugs Diane

Christine Alexander said...

Gorgeous Karen, great way to use a brayered background. Love that effect :)

My Paper Epiphany said...

So dramatic and beautiful colours! Hope you're well:)

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OH! I REALLY love the mix of colours, a fabulous result and design. Such a rich jewel effect. I hope to see more cards from you.
Faith x

cuilliesocks said...

So beautiful Karen, I love the colours of your flower and background, Kate x

aussie aNNie said...

Fantastic card, lovely design here ....hugs. x

Mac Mable said...

Your card is stunning Karen x. I love the non traditional poinsettia and the contemporary colours. I enjoyed reading how you did it too x.
Sorry to hear you are leaving the design team and you will be missed x.
Re-evaluating your time is no bad thing Karen x.

nancy littrell said...

Beautiful non-traditional Christmas colors for your gorgeous dimensional poinsettia. TFS your beauty and your creative steps, my friend. Love and Hugs..Nancy

Nancy Penir said...

Gorgeous colors on your poinsettia, Karen. Your cards always brighten and inspire. Although you're leaving the team, hope you don't if I stalk your beautiful work from time to time!

Aimeslee Winans said...

Hi, Karen. I've subscribed to your blog for a while now and read every post but rarely comment as my arthritic fingers can barely write my own blog posts, lol. And call me crazy, but I want to remember you as well from the old Technique Junkie Newsletter AND Artistic Outpost days, maybe I am hallucinating, lol. I know you will be missed at TFC, your samples have all been so inspiring. You are going to have your kiddos at Day Care again and with all of the special needs that entails, very wise to claim back time, only so much of it every day. I am hoping against hope that you will still create and blog. I will keep you all in my prayers for a safe and successful fall! XOX, Aimeslee

Loll said...

Gorgeous non-traditional coloured poinsettia Karen. I love the colours of your acrylic paint poinsettia. And your background is a perfect match. I think speckled egg is going to be the new favourite colour for a lot of crafters. Will be sorry to see you leave The Flower Challenge but understand how Covid has affected our lives and simplifying things is the best. I have done the same. Take care, sweet friend, as you open your home up to the little ones. Love, Loll

Bobby said...

I'm sorry to lose you as a team mate, Karen. I always love seeing and learning about your wonderful techniques. Case in point, this gorgeous poinsettia cut from acrylic painted paper. The colors are beautiful and have a sparkle all their own - at least in my mind's eye. I know you won't be able to resist joining us now and then and I can't wait to see what you create. Take card, my friend.

TaeEun said...

I always learn so many new techniques from you! Ink smooshing on a paper covered with gesso is again a new one for me! Love the beautiful jewel colors on the poinsettia! So sad to see you step down from the team! Wishing you all the best!

Viv said...

So sorry to see you leave our team Karen! and of course I will miss your fabulous cards too. Your amazing backgrounds always had me peering for a closer look and all the beautiful creations you came up with each time. You will be so missed Karen, we hope to see you in our gallery sometimes though ;) hugs Viv xx