Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Spring Tree

     Inspiration can be found all around us.  We only need to open our eyes, our hearts, our minds to see it.

     In the middle of creating for my niece’s baby shower, I was designing for a workshop as well.  I always ask my hostess if there is anything in particular she would like to see demonstrated.  She was a great hostess and said that anything I come up with would be fine but how about something spring or Easter?  Well, I was itching to put some of my newly learned brayer techniques to work but was at a loss as how to make it a ‘spring’ card.  One morning while on my walk, I noticed that the Bradford pear trees were in bloom.  Beautiful!  Right there was my inspiration!

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     Now, I know that this particular stamp from the Thoughts & Prayers set isn’t a pear tree, however, it works well to create a spring blooming tree.  For this card, I started with a piece of Whisper White card stock.  I tore a piece of sticky paper to mask off my ground.  I brayered on Daffodil Delight in an angle from the top right.  Then I brayered Peach Parfait on over that only covering over about half of the Daffodil Delight.  I removed the mask and then masked off the sky portion using the other half of the sticky paper that I tore the bottom from.  I then sponged on Old Olive to cover the ground area.  On the bottom portion of the ground, I sponged on Basic Black.  Right along the mask line, I sponged on Always Artichoke.  This adds depth to your ground.  I stamped on the tree using Early Espresso marker on the trunk and branches and Regal Rose marker on the leaves.  I added lots of highlights and little patches of spring blooming flowers with a White Gel Pen.  TIP:  While adding your highlights, keep in mind your light source.  I layered the image panel on Early Espresso and then a Pear Pizzazz card base that I had run through the Big Shot with the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (that’s a mouthful).  I LOVE how this folder creates the perfect frame to show off your beautiful artwork!  I gently rubbed on some Whisper White Craft Ink over the raised frame using the flat rubber stamp in the Distressing Essentials Kit.  There is plenty of room on this card for a sentiment but I haven’t decided what I want it for just yet. 

     I ended up not demonstrating this card at the workshop.  The inspiration of this card did prompt me to create several more brayered cards…one of which I did demonstrate.  I’ll post those up later.  In the meantime, keep your eyes, your heart and your mind open to the inspiration that is around you. :)

Hugs,

Leslee

Supplies are all Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased HERE!

2 comments:

  1. Paula just said exactly what I was going to say. This is so beautiful, Leslee! Hugs xxaxx

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