Hello, again! I’m back with another card today. I know! I’m just as surprised as you are… two days in a row. If I’ve got ‘em I might as well share ‘em. I had this pretty Sweet Nature set sitting out on my stamp table with a mask for the flowers already cut, so I thought I might as well color it up and cut into a fresh paper pad at the same time.
The papers are Alla-Prima by, of course, Prima. Stampin’ Up! folks would recognize these colors as Sahara Sand, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, and Bermuda Bay. They’re an exact match. I used Sahara Sand textured cardstock for the card base, and Crushed Curry ribbon. I stamped the flower image on Flourishes’ Classic White cardstock, masked it and stamped the script in Sahara Sand. After that I was really stumped as to what color to use for the flowers.
Bermuda Blue is an improbable flower color, and too much Curry is… well… too much Curry. I’m not sure why the flower color had to be such a tough decision, but this is one reason stamping is a slow process for me. Finally, I decided to go bold with a deep red. There’s a bit of that Curry color in the flower centers, and I sponged some Sahara Sand onto the image panel which, I hope, brings the whole thing together.
The coloring was done with Prismacolor Markers – alcohol markers just like Copics (but less expensive). They do a great job if you’ve got the right combo of colors for blending. I’m torn between rounding out my Prisma collection or collecting all the Various Inks for my Copic markers. I do love all those beautiful Copic colors… A decision for another day. These are the Prisma colors I used:
- Flowers: Carmine Red, Mahogany Red, Dark Umber, Spanish Orange
- Leaves: Avacado, Dark Olive Green
I used the Copic Colorless Blender to add highlights to the flower petals.
I know some of you are wondering about LuLu, so I’m happy to tell you her surgery went just fine. As I write this she’s not home yet and it’s mighty quiet around here. Poor baby didn’t want to leave her Mama so I had to walk her back to the kennel area. She was frightened and trembling, knowing something funny was going on. After lots of hugs and smooches and sweet talk I left her with one of her favorite soft toys and hurried away without looking back. It just about broke my heart, but I know everything will be good in the end. I’ll be there bright and early in the morning to pick her up!
Take good care of yourselves and I’ll be back when stamping happens. I’ll be home having quiet time with LuLu this week so when we’re not cozied up on the couch I’ll be in my stamp room as much as possible. See you soon!
Stamps: Sweet Nature (Flourishes) Paper: Sahara Sand textured, Flourishes Classic White, Alla-Prima designer paper Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Cherry Cobbler (sentiment), Prismacolor alcohol markers as listed above Accessories: Ribbon, pearls, Martha Stewart branch punch, 1 1/4” circle punch, Spellbinders Labels Eleven and Labels Four, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
Wow Miss Leslie! This sure is Gorgeous! Love the Wonderful image and your Beautiful coloring! Your dp's are Fabulous! Good to know they go perfectly with SU's colors! How cool is that! 8-) Wonderful Layout too! Just one Gorgeous card my friend! 8-)
Hugs
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon White | 03/27/2012 at 01:23 AM
This is just gorgeous! I am a big fan of roses and you colored so well. I must try those markers!
Posted by: Glenda | 03/27/2012 at 03:30 AM
Absolutely beautiful Leslie! Your coloring skills amaze me. So happy surgery is behind Lulu. She's about to be one happy puppy when she sees you!
Posted by: Tammy Hair | 03/27/2012 at 03:35 AM
The colouring on the rose is splendid - really beautiful. Thanks for the update on Lulu.
Posted by: Nimue | 03/27/2012 at 04:12 AM
Leslie ~
Beautiful as always. I love the richness of the deep red against the yellow. {{{HUGS}}} for Lulu, which I'm sure you'll have no problem passing on. Wally must be wondering what you did with her.
Have a wonderful day!
Jean ~
Posted by: Jean S ~ | 03/27/2012 at 04:15 AM
Sure glad to hear things went well, you will have her home real soon and things will get back to normal. Have a good day. Hugs n' Stuff, Lynne
Posted by: Lynne Hurlburt | 03/27/2012 at 04:30 AM
Love your expertise in colouring with reds ... something I just can't seem to master. The reds really pop off the card and makes for a stunning result.
Hugs to LuLu.
Posted by: bonnie weiss | 03/27/2012 at 04:32 AM
The rose is colored perfectly! So pretty! Also, I love reading about Wally and Lulu. I'm sure you can't wait to get her home. We just adopted a second dog 2 weeks ago. He's already stolen our hearts!
Posted by: Gerri K | 03/27/2012 at 04:54 AM
Lovely card - those flowers really pop! You certainly chose the right colors since the whole effect is so striking! Thanks so much!!!
Posted by: Maureen Chandler | 03/27/2012 at 05:09 AM
This is stunning. Those flowers pop right off of my screen! Hope your baby will be just fine.
Posted by: SueB | 03/27/2012 at 05:43 AM
The colors go together beautifuly!! Love the Red Rose to make it pop... very pretty!!
Oh I bet You and Wally are just a mess... at least you know all went well.. That reunion today is going to be Grand for sure!! even if she is a little sore... take pics if you can...!
Posted by: Dotty A | 03/27/2012 at 05:57 AM
beautiful as usually. Giving a big hug to Lulu, and you guys too. BIG GRIN
You could always get all from both brands...
Have a super day.
Posted by: yogi | 03/27/2012 at 06:30 AM
What a beauty! I so enjoy looking at every card you make. I learn something from each one of them. Thank you for this. Thrilled that little Lulu will be home soon where she'll be loved & cuddled back to wellness.
Posted by: Francie (Montreal) | 03/27/2012 at 07:05 AM
That rose is spectacular! This is why I love to follow your work.
Posted by: Marian Bonney | 03/27/2012 at 07:24 AM
Beautiful, the flower just pops off the page, lovely coloring!
Glad to here all is well with Lulu, it is hard to leave them when you can't explain to them what is going on, enjoy your cuddle time, I am sure she will :)
Posted by: conniecrafter | 03/27/2012 at 07:37 AM
Some of the more beautiful coloring ever!!! Love this card!
Posted by: Cheryl Lea | 03/27/2012 at 07:46 AM
This is absolutely GORJUS! I love the deep red colors of the roses. They look beautiful against your background.
Thanks for the update on Lulu. Will be waiting to hear how she is when she comes home.
Posted by: Maggie S. | 03/27/2012 at 07:53 AM
Thud! Gorgeous coloring, so realistic! Love the layout and papers too! TFS
Posted by: Ellen | 03/27/2012 at 08:31 AM
This is absolutely stunning!!! Love it!!! Thanks for the update on Lulu!!
Posted by: Misti | 03/27/2012 at 08:47 AM
Absolutely gorgeous, Leslie. Just perfect all around. Good thoughts to Lulu (and you).
Posted by: Mildred | 03/27/2012 at 12:31 PM
Wow, this is lovely...those peonies are absolutely gorgeous and I love the sponging and partial stamping of script!
Posted by: Chris Franco | 03/27/2012 at 01:06 PM
These ranunculus flowers are GORGEOUS! Your coloring is, as always, superb. Love how you masked them and put text behind.
Sounds like LuLu will be very happy to go home, bless her heart. And it sounds like you all are missing her so much!!
Posted by: Colleen Dietrich | 03/27/2012 at 05:24 PM
This is a gorgeous card & your coloring on the flowers is just amazing! They look like you could just pick them off the card! I'm so glad LuLu is doing well. Give her a hug from all of us when you get her home!
Posted by: Sherri Dean | 03/27/2012 at 06:01 PM
Leslie, count me in as one of your awestruck admirers. The coloring on this particular card is unbelievable ~ so realistic; Actually I love the whole card.
Oh my....I think every animal lover can relate to your story of taking LuLu. My bottom lip quivered just reading your words. But I know by now your little girl is back home & being loved by all her family...the two-footed & four-footed members! Enjoy the homecoming!
Posted by: Janet T. | 03/28/2012 at 10:19 AM
Holly smokes this is beautiful. I love the pretty colors on the roses. Such a striking look with the red against the yellow. Love this. I just bought 4 Promarkers and can't wait to try them. Hopefully the next few weeks.
Posted by: Dawn Burnworth | 03/28/2012 at 04:42 PM
WOW! The rich red is a perfect choice w/your new papers! Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous! Poor Lulu and poor Mama! At least by now she is back home and has forgotten the entire ordeal!
Posted by: Linda Carson | 03/28/2012 at 07:45 PM
Gorgeous - love the colors you ended up choosing! I bet Lulu will be just as glad to be home as you will be to have her there!
Posted by: Lynette | 03/28/2012 at 07:58 PM
Be still my heart!! Oh Leslie, the coloring on the floral image is absolutely the most beautiful thing ever!! Such a gorgeous card.
Posted by: Susan (rainy) | 03/28/2012 at 09:41 PM
Truly amazing. Whoa, you go girl! Using a beautiful deep red AND the colorless blender! Both can be a challenge (at least for me). I'm so impressed with your skill. Stunning, Leslie! {insert smile}.
Posted by: Susie Lessard | 03/29/2012 at 09:38 PM
I love the red you've used for the flowers, gives the whole card a real lift. It's so hard to leave one's animals at the vet's overnight but it's wonderful to have them home again.
Posted by: Leigh | 03/31/2012 at 05:52 PM
Stunning!!! Your flowers are so life-like, and I love those pretty papers as well Gorgeous card!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | 04/02/2012 at 12:07 PM