Today I’m sharing some flowers I stamped in the fall, but only just got around to making into a card. Back then I got busy making Halloween cards, and then Christmas, so fall took a back seat. It always happens. So here are my fall flowers in January. These Chrysanthemums are from Flourishes’ A Year in Flowers 3 stamp set.
Whenever possible I like to watercolor my images. It depends on the kind of paper I stamp on and where I’m doing my coloring. If I’m at my desk at home I’ll take that opportunity to watercolor. I stamped in Palette Noir ink on 90 lb hot press watercolor paper and painted with Stampin’ Up! inks.
The flowers were painted first with So Saffron. . .
And then Really Rust, letting a little bit of the Saffron peek at the petal edges.
I started the leaves with Certainly Celery. . .
And added Always Artichoke for deeper shading.
To finish, I sponged around the edges with So Saffron and then smoothed the sponged ink with a wet paint brush. Finally, I used Close to Cocoa for shadowing close to the image.
I framed the flowers very simply on CTMH cardstock which I sanded for a distressed look. The embossed panel was made with a Cuttlebug folder from the Heritage Collection.
The little bit of designer paper I used is My Mind’s Eye A Beautiful Life.
Spellbinders dies used are Labels Four; Large and Small Standard Ovals; and Floral Flourishes.
The lace bow was made with Mrs. Wright’s hem tape from the fabric store, and Kaiser rhinestones are the final finishing touch.
This was a rather quick card, actually. A simple design, and watercoloring is nearly always a quicker process for me than Copic coloring. It helps that the stamp illustration shows you exactly where to put your shading.
Got to run, now. I feel as though I hurried through this post, and I apologize if it appears that way. We were out in the fields and woodlands with the dogs all afternoon and I plan to do nothing after dinner (evening blogger, here). I hope you enjoyed looking. Have a beautiful day!
Simply gorgeous! I love your watercoloring!
Posted by: Glenda | 01/31/2013 at 02:38 AM
A beautiful card, Leslie! Your rich coloring and shading has made these flowers very life like! Thanks for showing how you achieved the look. Lovely!
Posted by: Donna Ellis | 01/31/2013 at 03:10 AM
Your coloring always leaves me in awe, Leslie. I am happy you showed us the steps to create those beautiful russet mums.
Posted by: Colleen Dietrich | 01/31/2013 at 03:37 AM
I SO love your tutorials. This is beautiful. What is so nice is at first glance, one doesn't notice the delicate color differences. But the tutorial shows the parts you leave one color as you layer on the next and well, Leslie, you make it look easy. And that's inspiring. Glad you're back at both blogs!
Posted by: Peggy K | 01/31/2013 at 03:45 AM
This is beautiful! Your talent with color is amazing...the flowers are so dimensional.
Posted by: Cheryl Lea | 01/31/2013 at 03:50 AM
This is so gorgeous. I love the sanding on the base c/s. Love to see someone do blending using SU markers.
Posted by: Maggie S | 01/31/2013 at 03:59 AM
You knocked my socks off with this card. Your watercolouring, as always, is beautiful. Thanks for the step by step instructions. The rich fall colours, together with the effective sanding makes this one of my very favourite Leslie cards. Thank you ever so much for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Francie in Montreal | 01/31/2013 at 04:36 AM
Wow! Your watercoloring is simply stunning! I love your tutorials and your creations so much. Thanks for all of the lovely inspiration you provide on your wonderful blog!
Inky hugs,
Janet
Posted by: Janet Swofford | 01/31/2013 at 04:54 AM
Simply stunning Leslie, your watercoloring has always been over the moon gorgeous!
Posted by: Jerri Kay | 01/31/2013 at 04:57 AM
Awesome work !! Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs n' Stuff, Lynne
Posted by: Lynne Hurlburt | 01/31/2013 at 06:35 AM
I love your beautiful colouring of these rich coloured mums. Gorgeous card! I much prefer watercolouring too for the various looks you can achieve and for the speed, it's so much quicker than with alcohol pens, and every bit as blend-able, and it works out less outlay than the huge collection of pens you end up "needing".
Posted by: Alexandra | 01/31/2013 at 06:39 AM
beautiful. Thanks for your details. Always nice to see how someone else colors.
Have ag reat day
Posted by: Yogi | 01/31/2013 at 07:06 AM
The card is stunning Leslie and I really appreciate your sharing step by step how you developed so much color in the flowers!!! Thanks...
Posted by: Willow | 01/31/2013 at 11:22 AM
Gorgeous watercolored flowers Leslie. I love your eb background, frame of DSP and beautiful lace bow. TFS your refresher on watercoloring too. I find it always helpful and ....Inspiring~ TFS my friend..
Posted by: nancy littrell | 01/31/2013 at 03:59 PM
Leslie this is stunning! I love your shades of color and your sanding. It truly adds to the beauty of your card.
Posted by: bensarmom | 01/31/2013 at 04:48 PM
What a lovely card! Your coloring is amazing!
Posted by: Desiree de Monye | 01/31/2013 at 07:19 PM
Lovely, the distressed embossing in the back is a great touch with your flowers and I love that delicate hem tape bow!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | 02/01/2013 at 06:20 AM
Thanks so much for the tutorial, Leslie! I need to remember to use different methods of coloring. Your card is another stunner! I'm so glad you got a chance to color your pretty flowers.
Posted by: Lynette | 02/01/2013 at 03:53 PM
Absolutely gorgeous!! You are soooooooooo talented!!
I love the step by step you did. Thanks a bunch!!
Posted by: Joanna McDonald | 02/02/2013 at 03:30 AM
wow, this is stunning. What a great way to color flowers.
Posted by: Rebekka R | 02/02/2013 at 04:51 PM
This is absolutely stunning! I have not tried the water colored look with inks before. You make it look so easy! :)
Hugs~
Posted by: Heather Jensen | 02/02/2013 at 08:45 PM
Leslie such a beautiful card and thank you so much for the wonderful details.
Posted by: Beth Ullman | 02/03/2013 at 02:38 PM
What a beautiful card! I havn't done much water coloring but you have definitely inspired me to do so! I really like the shades of color - thanks so much for the tutorial!
Posted by: Nanny C | 02/03/2013 at 08:10 PM
Very rustic and pretty Leslie!
Posted by: Stacy aka Twinshappy | 02/04/2013 at 08:40 AM
This is stunning Leslie! I love the textured background with those gorgeous flowers! Wow!
Posted by: Danielle | 02/05/2013 at 07:14 PM
Wow!! this is Just Gorgeous Miss Leslie! Love your Beautiful watercoloring and the Elegant embossed BG too! Just Love every Fabulous detail! 8-)
Hugs
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon White | 02/06/2013 at 10:23 PM
Oh Leslie! I love your fall flowers. They are so full of life...so beautifully shaded. Gorgeous card, too.
Posted by: Susan (rainy) | 02/06/2013 at 11:43 PM
Leslie your coloring is stunning, thanks for sharing your coloring steps. Beautiful, beautiful card.
Posted by: Stef Perry | 02/10/2013 at 10:59 PM