Saturday, April 05, 2014

Poppy Field


Hi everyone.  Continuing on with my new found love of stenciling! :)  I've used two stencils for today's one-layer card.  I know it's actually two layers because I almost always include a card front that's just 3/8" smaller than my card base, but the card front is completely flat with no embellishments - so I consider this one-layer.

I have been inspired for a long time by an amazing card artist, and fellow Canadian, Karen Dunbrook.  Her use of stencils is second to none and she uses bold and bright colors on most of her cards, which are absolutely stunning.  If you haven't been to her blog Snippets, I suggest you check it out - you'll be glad you did!

My card today was inspired by this beauty that Karen made a few months ago.  I included a background stencil (drywall tape) of turquoise so this qualifies for the latest challenge at Less is More #166 - a touch of turquoise.  And because this is another stenciled card, this will be my third entry into Virginia's View Challenge #2 - stenciling ... I hope she's not sick of me! :)  And I'm going to include it in this week's challenge at ATS&M #89 - CAS.  Whew!!  Another bunch of challenges with one card - crazy! :)

As I mentioned above, I used a piece of drywall tape to stencil the grid background of turquoise (also included a strip on the inside of the card).  I cut my own stencil using my Silhouette Cameo ... and I learned something new today.  I had cut this before, but when I went to sponge, I'd end up with green ink from the stems in the flower heads or vice versa ... so I cut a new stencil, copying the image so I had two exact matches.  Then I ungrouped the images and deleted the stems from one and the flower heads from the other and cut it out.  I placed the stems down first, sponged with bright green ink, moved the stencil over so the flower heads lined up with the tops of the stems, and then sponged three shades of orange to give the flowers some depth.  Worked great!

Today the rain has come.  Hubby is having a quiet day for himself and taking a break from visiting his mom at the hospice.  He's been so tired and I'm glad he is taking a little break for himself.  Tomorrow is our family dinner to celebrate hubby's birthday ... we are so excited every Sunday when the kids (and grandbaby!) come over for the evening.  It's the highlight of our week! :)







Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Gumball Green, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Drywall tape, sponges, Silhouette Cameo, Clear plastic sheets, Cutting file:  poppy field



Challenges:
Less is More #166
Virginia's View #2
ATS&M #89


33 comments:

Virginia L. said...

Hello Loll! Your stenciled background is absolutely gorgeous! The composition and layered images are superb! I am with you about Karen D.! She is absolutely inspiring! So glad that you join the fun with Virginia's View Challenge! (waving hi from Waterloo)! And of course, I am so pleased that you are having fun with the stencil challenge! Hope you continue to play!

Jeanne H said...

Am so sorry to read your hubby is so exhausted and that MIL is so ill. I wish him Happy Birthday and am sending good thoughts for all of you. Enjoy that baby!

Patrice said...

Beautiful Loll.

Enjoy your family dinner tomorrow - sorry to hear about your MIL. x

Lee-Anne said...

You are rockin' the stencils, Loll! Love the orange/blue combo...so striking! Have yet to try the drywall tape thing...on my list...(it's a long list). HB to hubby and enjoy your time with Cooper! (like I have to tell you that..ha ha).

nancy littrell said...

Gorgeous stencil card and cool tip to avoid the muddling of the links. TFS and so pleased you and Gord had such a nice day together. TFS mf.

Susan said...

Beautifully done, Loll. Love the combination of colours.

Julie B said...

What a clever idea to use the drywall tape. There is a full roll of the stuff left over from hubby doing some plastering, must look it out! Great card as usual, :)

sandie said...

This is gorgeous Loll, you really have rocked this technique. Have a wonderful Family day today xx

Glittertastic said...

This is beautiful Loll! A great colour combination

Sharon
x

Viv said...

How stunningly beautiful this is Loll. Love it.

Lin said...

Just love your design, Loll! The pretty flowers against the turquoise grid are really pretty!

Bonnie said...

What beautiful poppies especially against that subtle turquoise background! Bright and uplifting! When I did stenciling years ago (not on cards) I had some stencils that had more than one step like you did. I'd forgotten about that. The stencils are mostly gone now, but I think I may have one or two left. I need to find them and see what I can do.

Anita in France said...

Apart from this being so beautiful, Loll, this had me smiling ... dry wall tape is my one and only stencil at the moment (though I'm sure I could find some other 'household' items!) ... hope you're enjoying some wonderful family time! Anita :)

Brenda said...

This is another beauty Loll, loving your stencil effects! Your flowers are just gorgeous. I have seen crafter's us dry wall tape in so many different ways and it always amazes me at how creative everyone can be! Hugs

Danielle Vincent said...

Oh Wow - another stunners using stencils. I'll be stalking your blog again through out this week for ideas on making stencils and designs :o). LOVE the colors on this one especially. Thanks for joining us again at ATS&M and for the fabulous inspiration. Hugs D

Chrissie said...

What a stunning creation Loll!
This is amazing!
Thanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Jacquie Southas said...

I hope you keep up this love affair with stencils - your cards are stunning! Moxie Fab World is running a Styling with Stencils challenge as well :)

Deborah Frings said...

This is stunning! I love the softly stencilled background and the gorgeous poppies. Thanks so much for playing along with ASM this week!

lililindsay said...

Simply beautiful. Very artistic.

Brawny x said...

Lovely poppies Loll. Great card

nwilliams6 said...

What a super card! Love the contrasting colors and beautiful flowers! Wow! Hugz!

MaryH said...

Simply fab, Loll. Thx for the stencil tip. (gotta learn about ungrouping & grouping too). Love the way you've done this one, and that mesh background against the bright pop of orange is a surprise color combo, which works terrific. Happy birthday to Hubby, I'm sure you'll make it a special day for him. TFS & Hugs.

Anni said...

So so stunning! It takes my breathe away! Just beautiful!
Anni

Sue said...

Gorgeous poppies, one of my favourites and lovely background :) x

Julia Aston said...

Love that stenciled background behind the beautiful poppies Loll!

Anonymous said...

Beautifully stunning!!! Love it.Thanks for joining us at ATSM. Monika

Joni Andaya said...

Gorgeous Loll! Oh...so Love the colors you used :)

Sandy said...

I love everything you do but I think I have told you that before. Beautiful card!
Sandy xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Gorgeous card Loll and lovely combinations of colours

Anne

Viv said...

Such a fabulous card Loll :) Viv xx

Mary Decker said...

If I were in a card shop and saw this card, I'd buy all of them.

Stempelomi said...

oh what a lovely card!

Sharon Underwood said...

Your card is gorgeous! Saw it in Virginia's View Challenge #2 Gallery and just had to comment. The colors of your flowers just pop right off the page! Thanks for explaining in detail how you did it, because I was sure wondering how you got such beautiful flowers from a stencil! GREAT job!