Thursday, May 2, 2013

I'm thankful for.......

Hi all and happy Thursday! Being the first Thursday of the month, it's time for the Impression Obsession  gals to usher in another DT challenge -- one where YOU can WIN! So.... stay tuned for more on that!! Today's challenge is one that can be interpreted any old way you like and here goes -- it's the "I'm Thankful For..." challenge.

So, without further ado, on to my creation!

You might look at this card and say... Oh, she's thankful for spring flowers! And, you'd be right. But, actually, there's more to this card than that! It was actually inspired by a couple designers in blog land. So, you can say I'm thankful for the coffee I brewed before I sat down at my computer to be inspired by all the art out in the blog-o-sphere! 

When I saw THIS card by Jill Foster, I gasped. It had been so long since I had used watercolors and so after seeing her beautiful daisies, I knew I needed to get out IO's Double Daisies Large and get to stamping. Keep in mind, I am no where near as talented as Jill is. Her water coloring skills are amazing. I know now where to find her however, and so... she might actually get me to "practice" thanks to her fabulous creations!!  I stamped the daisies using Versamark Black Onyx Ink and then went to town using watercolor markers, and a water brush to spread on the color. While my daisies didn't look anything like  hers, I did keep the orientation and color scheme somewhat like hers! 

Before I was done, I was influenced by another fabulous designer -- the one and only Dina Kowal -- I loved the way she colored and then embossed her main image in THIS card. After I embossed using a honey comb embossing folder, I did go back over some of the image to let the blue watercolor sink into the "holes"... see?  

Once I was done laying on the color, I decided to keep my card clean and simple! Wrap it with some yellow gingham ribbon, tie a bow, add a button, squeeze on some glitter glue and put it all on a white card stock card! And that, my friends is it! I'm thankful for flowers, coffee and ever so talented card makers!

Speaking of talented card makers, you should hop on over to these fine ladies to see what they whipped up in this "I'm Thankful For..." challenge!

Dina Kowal
Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Kittie Caracciolo
Laura Fulcher
Vicki Garrett


And, if you play along, you should know that there is a $25 gift certificate on the line to the IO store! Just click HERE for all the official details!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll see you back here real soon! 
~Julie
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11 comments:

Dina Kowal Creative said...

Sweet you!!

Pattie J. said...

A good idea. for the daisies. love the background, and your watercolor. reminds me of flowers over the fence, the bright spring sky.....have a good day.

Craftyfield said...

Wonderful techniques (both the watercolor and the embossing)and gorgeous card, fresh, bright and unfussy.

Beth Norman said...

Did you talk with Dina? She's thankful for coffee too--LOL. I love what you did with these flowers, esp. how you embossed over top. I just bought these same flowers. Thank you for the inspiration.

Lynne said...

Beautiful distressed, dry embossed background and pretty water colored flowers.

Katie said...

Great card!! I think your coloring skills are pretty amazing! Much better than mine and I have not even invested in copics yet, so I have a lot to learn. I love that you embossed the panel too. Also love the ribbon and bow. Thanks for sharing.

Katie B.

stampqueen said...

What a great card - very clever!! Love the daisies and the way the blue in the background is done!!

Dianne said...

Dear Julie, shesh woman your card is beautiful, I love your water coloring and yes Mama Dina is a fantastic artist but she has been at it for a very long time,that is our problem always comparing our work to others, when what really matters is if you have love in your heart when you create, enjoy your self and look what you have created a gorgeous card, sorry enough lecturing LOL, I just think you should never doubt your talent, you too are a wonderful artist..Thanks for sharing..

Karen Dunbrook said...

love your card Julie. I wondered if you could tell me what embossing folder -honeycomb one- you used. thanks so much!

Larissa Heskett said...

WOW!! Daisies are my FAVORITE Flower!! I LOVE your FUN Design!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!! =)

Greta said...

Love the works that inspired you (I agree those are 2 very talented gals!) & you are right up there with them, Julie. I always find inspiration in your work, including this beauty! Nothing is overdone, lots of interest & absolutely eye-catching!