Now that I’m done with children’s birthday cards for the time being, my heart desired to stamp something earthy and botanical. I have loved all of Flourishes’ fruit sets, and this one – Pears – is my newest. Looks like it may be sold out at the moment as I don’t find it in the store.
I stamped the image in Palette Umber ink on 90 lb hot press watercolor paper and watercolored with Stampin’ Up! inks. I used Old Olive on the pears, with Ruby Red for a little extra color. The leaves were done with True Thyme, and the shading around the image is Creamy Caramel with a touch of Pink Pirouette. I used Close to Cocoa for the stems as well as for the darkest shading just under the pears. Pink and Celery gave the flowers a hint of color. The embossed border strip was sponged with Creamy Caramel ink. You can click on the image for an enlarged view, and one more click on the enlargement will bring it closer still.
I kept it simple and sentiment free so it can be a multi-purpose card. I plan to give away a set of fruit cards and thought I’d do them all as blank cards, sans sentiments.
I’ll say goodbye now until Saturday when we’ll see what I have in the way of Wally and LuLu photos. Till then, have a great rest of the week!
Stamps: Pears (Flourishes) Paper: Chocolate Chip, 90 lb hot press watercolor, Flourishes Classic Ivory, BascGrey Scarlet’s Letter designer paper (retired collection) Ink: Palette Umber, other inks for coloring as outlined above Accessories: Brads, Cuttlebug Organic Flourish embossing folder (from a set of 5 border designs)
I so enjoyed your "Oh, Pear!" post today. The simple beauty of the fruit and colors make your post look like a painting for sure... and I can see just a hint of the inside too..I would love to see how you have that decorated :)
Look forward to Saturday with Wally and LuLu!!
Posted by: Dotty A | 02/09/2012 at 03:40 AM
These look as if they were photographed...your coloring is just amazing. Beautiful card.
Posted by: Chris Franco | 02/09/2012 at 03:43 AM
Very pretty and as always, beautifully colored. Can't wait to see what the kids are up to on Saturday!
Posted by: Tammy Hair | 02/09/2012 at 03:56 AM
Love your work!
Posted by: Julia | 02/09/2012 at 04:25 AM
Oh Leslie this is a marvelous card. Love the stunning coloring u did!! What a great idea to have several of these cards sans greeting, on hand to use. Just had to give hubby several cards lately for sympathy, thinking of you, etc. He works at a high school and is always in need of my cards. Makes me proud he asks for my cards. Also he is cheap and won't pay the cost of most premade cards!!!!!!!!!!! LOL LOL All kidding aside, I love this card. I am a coloring person and really love seeing someone else do it too. Thanks for sharing. I love your blog. evette k.
Posted by: Evette K. Ciampo | 02/09/2012 at 04:52 AM
With so many talented card designers today, there are limitless sites to go to for inspiration. Well, honestly you are second to none, Leslie. Copics are the rage today as we all know but to see what beautiful image you have produced by watercolouring with SU markers, it's encouraging to see that this technique and medium are just as amazing. Beautiful, beautiful creation.
Posted by: bonnie weiss | 02/09/2012 at 04:56 AM
This is the most beautiful rendition of this stamp that I've seen. Absolutely stunning! Lovely layout for the card, too. Whoever receives this set is sure to be thrilled!
Posted by: Cheryl Lea | 02/09/2012 at 05:23 AM
Another "oh my gosh!" card, Leslie! Your watercoloring is so totally amazing!! What a beautiful card. (It's not ONLY the watercoloring - the rest of the card is beautiful, too. :) )
Posted by: Lynette | 02/09/2012 at 05:55 AM
The shading really sets off those pretty pears-great coloring.
Posted by: Bev J. | 02/09/2012 at 06:03 AM
What a nice idea to give to a friend. You have such artistic talent! Love the card.
Posted by: Marian Bonney | 02/09/2012 at 06:41 AM
Stunning card! Beautiful beautiful shading. Colours are wonderful. Can't wait to see Lulu and Wally on Saturday.
Posted by: Nimue | 02/09/2012 at 07:08 AM
Oh WOW! You water colored this with SU ink! The coloring is so perfect, I would never have thought you would have used in to do it. The completed card is so wonderful, the stiching is perfect too. Love everything about this.
Posted by: Sandy O | 02/09/2012 at 07:11 AM
Oh my your coloring of this is just Amazing, the shading is awesome too, the way it just feathers out, love the flowers off to the side, the papers are just perfect with the image and love the embossed strip, so Love this!!
Posted by: conniecrafter | 02/09/2012 at 07:25 AM
Wow.....absolutely Stunning! Leslie, your pears look so real with your outstanding coloring. I love the layout, embellishments and choice of colors and DP too. A really amazing work of art. TFS
Posted by: nancy littrell | 02/09/2012 at 07:36 AM
OMGoodness. This card gave me goosebumps. It just jumped off the page. Absolutely stunning. YOU GO GIRL!!!!
Posted by: Diane | 02/09/2012 at 08:09 AM
A perfect card, Leslie. Even your stitching is exact. Lucky person to receive such a gift from you!
Posted by: Mildred | 02/09/2012 at 08:12 AM
Leslie...this is a beautiful card, rich with color and wonderful coloring! I love pears... and this is a beauty.
Posted by: Evelyn in Oregon | 02/09/2012 at 10:30 AM
Absolutely beautiful card and wonderful coloring - thank you so much!
Posted by: Maureen Chandler | 02/09/2012 at 11:01 AM
Oh my! Just a breath-taking card! Looking forward to seeing what the pups are up to on Sat - always enjoy pics of them
Hugs
Posted by: Elaine Moore | 02/09/2012 at 01:09 PM
So elegant Leslie! It really has a beautiful "still life" painting look!
Hope you're feeling better the last little bit lady!
Posted by: ChristineCreations | 02/09/2012 at 04:03 PM
Holy take-my-breath-away!!!!
Leslie, I am in awe of your coloring. Those pears look juicy enough to eat!
Posted by: Carol | 02/09/2012 at 05:26 PM
Such a charming beauty! Style, elegance & pure class!
Posted by: Linda Carson | 02/09/2012 at 05:29 PM
Pears are among my favorite fruits & you have captured them so beautifully. Your card is gorgeous. Love the embossed accent too. Great, great card!
Posted by: Sherri Dean | 02/09/2012 at 05:45 PM
What a feast for the eyes! As always your colouring and card design leaves me in awe. You have really outdone yourself, Leslie. Thank you for starting my day with a classic masterpiece.
Posted by: Francie (Montreal) | 02/10/2012 at 06:12 AM
Oh my goodness Leslie, what a gorgeous card! Your watercolouring is exceptional! The pears look so real. What a wonderful layout, love all your extras on this.
Posted by: Pauline | 02/10/2012 at 06:58 PM
No matter what coloring medium you choose, your coloring is always amazing! Gorgeous card.
Hugs and smiles
Posted by: Beate | 02/10/2012 at 07:24 PM
Beautiful! All the elements; stitching, color work, choice of paper right down to the prefect embossing border!! Your coloring is just gorgeous.
Posted by: Susie Lessard | 02/10/2012 at 08:25 PM
I am in awe over your water coloring!! Your layout and stitching is marvelous too!. I have admired your work before! Thanks for sharing this beauty and the kind comment on my blog!
Posted by: ellen Taylor | 02/10/2012 at 09:54 PM
Your coloring skills never cease to amaze me, Leslie!! Absolutely stunning, and life-like. I love your floral accent, embossed strip, and sewing. Perfection!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | 02/10/2012 at 11:59 PM
OMGoodness Miss Leslie! this is just GORGEOUS!! 8-) Your Fabulously Watercolored pears are so Beautiful! Wow!! 8-) And I am not even a big pear person..lol But these sure look Wonderful! Love the Pretty dp's and Pretty embossed border too! 8-)
Hugs
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon White | 02/11/2012 at 03:28 AM
Beautiful Leslie, they look good enough to eat. Hope you are feeling much better today. Had one with strep last week and now the other one has it. EEK. Ranger isn't feel so hot himself. He got something stuck inside his coat/skin they have to sedate him and take it out. I about fainted when they told me. So wed. should be a interesting day for me. :(
Posted by: Stacy aka Twinshappy | 02/11/2012 at 03:10 PM
Oh. My. Gosh. Your coloring, Leslie, is STUNNING. Those pears are incredible!
Posted by: Michele Boyer | 02/11/2012 at 04:02 PM
My jaw dropped! Leslie this is just stunning. Your coloring on those still life pears is so delicate and absolutely perfect. You are so talented!!
Posted by: Susan (rainy) | 02/11/2012 at 04:12 PM
Your coloring on these pears is divine! Wow, a real stunner!
Posted by: Danielle | 02/15/2012 at 06:41 AM