6 July 2014

A Touch of Nature

Hi everyone and thank you for the amazing reaction to yesterday's tutorial over at Frilly and Funkie. I really hope you give it a go and create your own weathered wood effect backgrounds, and don't forget to let me know if you do so I can come and see!

I was gutted yesterday morning. Having beavered away with DT projects I realised that time was running out to enter the last Compendium of Curiosities 3 water-colouring challenge. Trouble is I had two ideas in my head (not a good thing :) and tried to forge ahead with both but it was clearly not meant to be. Refusing to just post something sub-standard for the sake of it I got the first card finished and then had to wait for the sun to appear to get photos (Glossy Accents and daylight bulbs don't mix!) And here's the result...


But, all was not lost. There's a new challenge on the block headed up by the fabulous Shery Russ, and I'm sure she must have created this one just for me! The very first challenge is 'Touch of Nature' and the Design Team have come up with some great ideas to get you started.


Of course water-colouring requires watercolour paper and I used a pale grey one for this card, stencilling over a background piece with Distress Inks and a Tim Holtz Doily stencil for a muted effect. And as luck would have it the theme for this month's Country View Challenge is 'Stencil It'.


Let's take a closer look at the details...


The same card was used for the central panel which was stamped with that TH Classics dragonfly which was coloured using Tim's method and a mix of Shabby Shutters, Tumbled Glass and Pumice Stone. The Glossy Accents over the main image made the colours pop and added a sheen.


I'm definitely developing a bit of a thing about arrows. They add such interesting lines and structure to a composition and can be die cut from different materials (in this case using the Sizzix Bigz Die 'Artful Arrows').


To make the whole thing more interesting a sprinkle of die cut tickets, florals and frameworks, watch parts, Idea-Ology - Cogs/Spinners and inked Linen Ribbon were piled up under the panel edges (I say piled up as though no thought went into that bit!!!)


There will be more to come this week with one of my most favourite cards to date for Frilly and Funkie, and a trip to the seaside and quick idea for a chalkboard project for IndigoBlu. If the wind is fair I may even finish that second water-colouring card! For now the sun is shining, Le Tour de Yorkshire and the Formula 1 Grand Prix sing out throughout our house and an afternoon of baking (caramel cupcakes and chocolate cheesecake) with my youngest await so I'll bid you adieu.

Have a great Sunday and take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

35 comments:

  1. Beautiful card Jenny! Love the subtle colour palette you've used and your dragonfly is gorgeous . I missed CC3 this week too and was annoyed with myself for dragging my feet , have to remind myself from time to time that it's not compulsory . Enjoy your baking , sounds yummy xx

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  2. Jenny this is a beautiful card, I love the colours. Your watercolouring is just beautiful and I really like the tiny little watch parts in the centre of the flowers, and the way you have the dark to light shading from left to right. As always amazing composition. Stunning! Mo x

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  3. Jenny, this is gorgeous! The stenciled doily background is striking and really sets off that lovely dragonfly panel. Great watercoloring! Hugs!

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  4. Ooohhh!! This is just gorgeous Jenny!! Love the pale grey and green combo with just that subtle hint of yellow, and isn't it clever of you to just pile all those bits and pieces under the panel without even thinking on it?? LOL!! Simply stunning card!!! ox

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  5. Dear Jenny, your creation is FABULOUS in every way. The creativity of design and the stunning colours are superb. Congratulations on your wonderful artwork!

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  6. I'm quite sure you don't 'pile things on' without a great deal of consideration!! This is a great card for the new challenge blog - I'm liking the arrows (more for my wish list, sigh). Pity you can't share your cooking results and send us a virtual slice!!

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  7. Another gorgeous project Jenny and I absolutely love that stamp, one of my all time favourites xxx

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  8. Love, love, love, this stunning card.
    I would really like just a "tiny" portion of you wonderful creativity. .
    Have great week.
    Hugs

    Patricia xx

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  9. Hi Jenny! Oh this is soooooooo beautiful. I so understand your frustration with not being able to complete a project for a given challenge, especially when you have played with multiple ideas all week long. However, this project was worth the time and effort you put into all of these gorgeous details. Love the colors you used on your watercolor technique for the dragonfly. Stunning. They really pop with the Glossy Accents. I adore this image. And your layers of die cuts and accents add such richness to the entire card. I just love it.

    It's at times like this when you look back at the beautiful end product and realize how great challenges are for us. They do exactly what they are designed to do ... set free our creativity. I'm so glad you tried for this CC3 Challenge. I adore this card!! Hope you enjoyed your Sunday. Caramel cupcakes and chocolate cheesecake would make any Sunday amazing!!! Hugs -- Mary Elizabeth

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  10. this really is stunning jenny. will have to pop back later for a closer look. on my phone just now! lol x

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  11. Really pretty card. Enough detail to be interesting, but not gooped(technical term) up. I like how you used the arrows and the touches of gold are just right. Fantastic!

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  12. Loving this card Jenny - in the soft greens and wonderful layers and images - the stenciled background is beautiful! thank you so much for joining in the Mixed Media Card Challenge!! and your afternoon of baking sounds just delicious!!!

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  13. GORGEOUS!!! LOVE the arrows and dragonfly and the way you always design and arrange! Fab!!!

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  14. Beautiful! Nice coloring on the dragonfly and the addition of the glossy accents makes it pop. The softness of the colors and design are so soothing.

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  15. Oh how beautiful Jenny, your watercolouring is perfect and I love the glossy accents, such a lovely touch. Love the doily background too. Tour de France, Wimbledon, Grand Prix and Football, no time for much else in this household! Hope everyone enjoyed the baking! Anne xx

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  16. Such a lovely card with that beautiful colour palette and gorgeous stamping.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  17. Fantastic card Jenny! The muted colours came out beautifully and I loooove that dragonfly stamp! <3 xxx

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  18. Your card is absolutely lovely, Jenny! I love the stamping and the soft colors you have used. You are amazing!!!
    Hugs,
    Nancy

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  19. Hi Jenny. You've created an amazing card. Love the subtle colors and the metal accents - very cool together. Thanks for playing along with us at Mixed Media Card Challenge!

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  20. Jenny...your card is gorgeous. How do you continue to keep coming up with such beautiful designs for cards? I mean, they are ALL so exceptional and beautifully crafted! I also wanted to thank you so much for the very sweet comments you left on my blog. They were so kind of you. <3 Candy

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  21. this is a triumph Jenny, the gorgeous colours and details make a superb place for your dragonfly to rest. Gorgeous make x

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  22. A beautiful card Jenny. The colours and techniques stand out and the wonderful layers create the most delightful design. The baking sounds wonderful too, bet the cupcakes and cheesecake didn't last long. Have a great week xx

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  23. A very beautiful card with nature shown at it's very best

    Love Chrissie x

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  24. Great card jenny...that lace looks so well on the background with the layers on it!
    greetings, Alie

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  25. A fantastic project, so many wonderful details.

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  26. Oh, such a beautiful card Jenny, love all those gorgeous additions, and the colours are a favourite! Wonderful x

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  27. Stunning card, Jenny! Love it! The dragonfly looks amazing! Hugs, Sandra

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  28. Beautiful nature card and lovely doily background, I like all the small details around the dragonfly! =)
    Hugs, Elenor

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  29. Love the beautiful butterfly on that subtle background. Beautiful card.

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  30. fabulous card!! Love the doily background too and the natural color combination!! thanks for joining us at the Mixed Media Card Challenge blog!

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  31. How gorgeous - this is one of my favourites of yours... I love the delicate duck egg colour palette and the dragonfly looks glorious... fab card - and yes, they must have designed that new challenge blog just for you!!
    Alison xx

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  32. Wonderful card Jenny with fabulous layout and elements. The glossy accents is perfect finisher. Hope all the baking went down a treat. Is there no end to your talents woman!!! Nicola x

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  33. WOW what a wonderful creation, love the dragonfly and all the arrows!!
    GeezerCrafter

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  34. The longer I look at your card, the more I'm impressed by the layers, colors, and techniques you used. I love your attention to detail and how every element is perfectly placed.

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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