Oh, happy day – Friday has come at last! It’s a Free For All day at Flourishes, which means the team stamps whatever they choose from last week’s release. Well, loving flowers as I do, it’s no surprise I’ve come back to the Orchids.
I watercolored the image with markers on 90 lb hot press watercolor paper. Ordinarily I’ll choose my papers first and match the ink colors accordingly, but this time I simply enjoyed the painting process and figured I’d find something among my vast supply of designer papers to coordinate. Once I sat back and looked at the finished painting, I realized immediately these colors could be found in the BasicGrey Lemonade collection. Funny, too, the particular sheet I used was never a favorite, but with just this bit of border showing it’s perfect! Stitching, pearls, and a tiny silk ribbon bow finished it off and it’s ready to be mailed.
Today is your last chance to take advantage of the New Release Bundle -- all three of the April release sets in a bundle for a 10% savings. In case you'd like some inspiration, there’s beauty to be seen when you click on the following links. These girls never seem to run out of fabulous ideas:
I wish you all a beautiful Spring weekend. Not so sure about the weather here, but I bought flowers to plant in the pots and plant them I will. See you again soon!
Stamps: Orchids Paper: Pink textured, Flourishes Classic Ivory, 90 lb hot press watercolor, BasicGrey Lemonade designer paper Ink: Palette Noir, Pink Passion for sentiment, various water-based markers for watercoloring Accessories: Ribbon, pearls
This is breathtaking! Nothing more I can say!
Posted by: Glenda | 04/22/2011 at 03:10 AM
Absolutely beautiful. The orchids are so life-like.
Posted by: Tammy Hair | 04/22/2011 at 03:54 AM
Absolutely stunning Leslie! Your orchids are glowing with beauty!
Posted by: Jerri Kay | 04/22/2011 at 04:24 AM
Wow, Leslie, you colored this beautifully! It's gorgeous. Happy Easter! Have a wonderful week-end.
Posted by: Karen W. | 04/22/2011 at 06:00 AM
So beautiful and your coloring is just so great!! Happy Easter weekend.
Posted by: Bev J. | 04/22/2011 at 06:06 AM
Absolutely gorgeous Leslie!!! I love the way you colored up these orchids and I agree... that paper is just perfect! Hope you have fun putting your hands in the dirt and hope you, Rich and Wally have a nice Easter weekend! :-)
Posted by: Julie Koerber | 04/22/2011 at 07:11 AM
Leslie this is just delightful. I really like the way you colored these Orchids, beautiful and springy!
Posted by: Stacy aka Twinshappy SCS | 04/22/2011 at 07:23 AM
That is gorgeous! Elegant!
Posted by: Marian Bonney | 04/22/2011 at 07:45 AM
This is gorgeous! Your colour choices and your amazing colouring bring that image to life! Love all the stitching too!
Posted by: laura | 04/22/2011 at 08:54 AM
Gorgeous watercoloring and card. The stitching, the tiny bow and pearls really finish it off.
Have a wonderful Easter weekend!
Hugs and smiles
Posted by: Beate | 04/22/2011 at 09:01 AM
Sheesh, Leslie, I'm running out of super great words to comment on your Gorgeous cards!! Give me a small break will you, just until I can look up better words in the dictionary, Puh-lease!! ;)
Seriously, though, I'm truly in awe of how real and natural your orchids look!! The part that I love is how you added a touch of purple/pink to a few of the very tips! I mean, this is why little details and effort make it all real and work! :) The other detail that I love is your fabulous background shading, it's perfect :)
Posted by: Amanda H | 04/22/2011 at 09:44 AM
WOW, your painting is amazing. The paper really does match perfect and the stitchig, wow!
Posted by: Sandy O | 04/22/2011 at 10:18 AM
How gorgeous for spring and perfect for Easter, Leslie. My dad raised orchids, and every Easter Mom and each of us 3 girls received a corsage from him to wear to church. What sweet memories I have of him and his greenhouse! Thanks for bringing those back to me!!
Posted by: Broni | 04/22/2011 at 12:06 PM
Wow! So gorgeous. Perfect coloring.
Posted by: SueB | 04/22/2011 at 01:44 PM
This is so pretty. I didn't know that this was an orchid. I love the wavy petals. Thanks for sharing. Love the card!
Posted by: Joan V | 04/22/2011 at 04:02 PM
Pure art, darling! You are amazing with the watercolors. I am coming over so you can teach me. This is stunning. :)
Hugs~
Posted by: Heather | 04/22/2011 at 04:30 PM
A beautiful card Leslie, with absolutely marvellous colouring. I really like this orchid set.
Posted by: Leigh | 04/22/2011 at 06:57 PM
I love the colors of these..I just was in a store that hads several Orchard plants...and now wish I would of bought myself one...beautiful!
Posted by: Diane Hover | 04/23/2011 at 03:26 AM
another beauty. Love the coloring of these orchids and it goes so well with the background.
Posted by: yogi | 04/23/2011 at 06:15 AM
This is SUCH a beauty Leslie...the yellow glow combined with your stunning coloring on this card shows off these orchids beautifully!
Posted by: ChristineCreations | 04/23/2011 at 08:35 AM
So pretty, Leslie! ARe those cattleya orchids?
Posted by: Colleen Dietrich | 04/23/2011 at 09:22 AM
Oh my is that ever such lovely coloring, beautiful card!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | 04/23/2011 at 02:09 PM
OH MY WORD!!! Leslie this is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!! This set is on it's way to me and I can't wait!!! Your card is so inspiring and colouring is stunning!!!
Posted by: Kathy J (Wattle) | 04/23/2011 at 06:55 PM
Just stunning, Leslie!! You coloring is gorgeous and is shown off perfectly with the simple layout. Perfect!
Posted by: Barbara | 04/24/2011 at 06:06 AM
Oh my stars Leslie this is colored with an incredible touch!!! The colors you chose are just BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: velta | 04/24/2011 at 01:24 PM
Wow!!! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL. This card is gorgeous. Your colouring is amazing. The flowers colors are so vibrant. I wish I had just a teaspoon of your talent.
Thanks for the comment you left on my blog.
Posted by: Regina aka Mrs. Ham | 04/25/2011 at 11:26 PM
Oh my goodness Leslie! Your coloring is so stunning and the colors you chose are just lovely. Love the sweet little detail of pearls and that perfect bow.
Posted by: Susan (rainy) | 04/25/2011 at 11:41 PM
Leslie, you have definitely outdone yourself with this card! The coloring is AMAZING! Hugs ~S~
Posted by: Silke Ledlow | 04/26/2011 at 01:28 PM