Monday, March 7, 2011

Bring Back Beautiful.... Go Neutral!

Hi all! It's the first Monday of the month, which means, it's time for another Bring Back Beautiful Challenge thanks to Flourishes! This one is being hosted by the lovely Beate Johns and her challenge to us was to go neutral! That's right - no real color, just shades of neutral colors like greys,browns, even black and white!

And so.... here's what I whipped up!


After stamping my daffodil from the A Year in Flowers 1 set on Flourishes Classic White, I colored it up with Copic markers in shades of brown and grey. I did add a touch of a grey green (YG91)and a wee bit of a neutral yellow (Y21) just to shade and it's funny, when you add just that touch and then add a bit of color with your paper -- it looks like a softened color. I also used the warm neutrals Copic has (W00, W01, W03, W05), and the browns I used were a mix of Flourishes Flesh Tones 1 Collection. After it was colored, I did cut my image out with Spellbinders Petite Ovals LG and then cut a mat with Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Ovals LG. Next came the fun part of matting and this below... the Grand Calibur was how I was able to create a fun shaped mat! I used this machine plus one of Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities Dies called Grand Labels One.
I love the fact that you can cut mats that are up to 8" wide! And, you can cut multiple shapes at once, which is nice.
After stitching along the side, I added a strip of embossed decorative paper from the BasicGrey Orgins pack that I had run through my Calibur with an embossing folder. I then lightly sanded the raised image. Add some crochet lace, some cotton linen ribbon, and a fun decorative brad and alsmost done! The sentiment is from of Flourishes new sets called Hello Hydrangea.

Here's a close up!
 

I have to say, if Beate hadn't have ushered in this challenge, I wouldn't have thought to color up an image this way. I love it though and can see myself doing this again! Want more info on the challenge? Click HERE. And, don't forget to hop on over and see what the other 'Beauty Gals' created!

Beate JohnsCindy Coutts
Heather Jensen
Kathy Jones
Yvonne Hagane
Laura Fredrickson


Thanks for stopping by and happy Monday!

17 comments:

Yvonne Hagane said...

*Sigh* Julie, this looks so soft and beautiful! I just love how you`ve put this together. And I love the sanding on the embossed paper! Just gorgeous my friend.

slbt17 said...

beautiful!
Sandra ltb

The Rubber Maid said...

Love the look and softness. Super card. Mom

Beate said...

Julie, I LOVE your card! Love the layout, texture everything! Gorgeous card.
Hugs and smiles

Kathy Jones said...

WOW!!! Julie your card is GORGEOUS!!! Love the way you coloured your daffodils! The texture, lace, ribbon bow and love the big label 1 panel --- all give a beautiful vintage feel!!

Heather Rogers said...

Stunning Julie. Love the embossed background and the Daffodils are beautiful! Love how you colored them. :)
Hugs~

denise g. said...

Gotta admit I LOVE this, especially with the touches of green. Your coloring, the lace, and the embossed and distressed panel, as well as the layout are catching my eye. Your neutrals are quite lovely; nothing "blah" about this one at all. It goes very well with your new photo. I am fond of colors like taupe and greige, which seem appropriate for this period before spring blooms all around us. That Grand Calibur looks like it is going to be a well loved addition to your studio space. Enjoy it! I cleaned my studio space yesterday. I only have a much loved Cuttlebug, but I dusted him properly and tidied up his stand. I dragged Mr Wonderful to the used furniture store in hopes of finding another cool storage cupboard (I tend to like primitive), but didn't find anything. Did see a homemade light table that wasn't quite my style, but prompted me to remark that I thought he could build a better one for me. Never hurts to drop hints. I've gone so far as to draw up the plans for an unmounted stamp cabinet, but he's been looking online and all over to avoid building it. I know drawers aren't easy, but he's a genius; he's with me, isn't he? And I guess I need to go tend to the laundry because it's not doing itself no matter how long I sit here and type on & on to you. Have a good week!

Stacy Morgan said...

Beautiful Julie! I like that you used this flower and the layout is perfect.

Laura (scrapnextras) said...

Beautiful! Your colouring with the neutrals is fabulous. Love the ribbon, lace and brad!

Joan B said...

this is gorgeous!

Jerri Jimenez said...

Absolutely gorgeous Julie. Beautiful coloring, fabulous layout, love the stitching. A beautiful card in neutrals!

Diane said...

Such a beauty Julie!

Janine said...

Beautiful Julie!!!

Betty Wright said...

This is stunning, Julie! The coloring and detailing are amazing and so beautifully done! Lovely card!

Peggy said...

Love the coloring, embossing and stitching. Beautiful card. I wouldn't of thought to color in neutrals also but I love it.
God bless,
Peggy Allen

Leslie Miller said...

Wow! Gorgeous, Julie! Your neutral shades really bring out the beauty of these flowers. I'm loving every one of these neutral cards. What a great idea!

Shannon White said...

So pretty Miss Julie! I love the card layout and your coloring is gorgeous as always! 8-)

-P.S. I posted a link to one of your great tutorials for masking on my most current blog post... My first time masking.. Thanks so much for all the great inspiration and techniques! Hugs -S.