Welcome, my friends! I've been away for so long - I've almost forgotten how to do this blogging thing! I'm happy to be back in my craft studio, and couldn't be happier for our August's theme for The Flower Challenge: use a die! I have so many gorgeous dies, and aren't afraid to admit that it might be a favorite crafty supply. So let's get to it, shall we?
I'm using the option of making a slimline card today ... you don't have to, but I found it gave me more real estate for this gorgeous Altenew Craft-a-Flower: Cistus! You know I have to say it again: with CISTUS LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS BROTHERS???
My die-cut Cistus were started with half-sheets of Ranger water color card stock, a few favorite colors from my Altenew water color pan set, which were applied rather willy-nilly to the card stock with a big wet brush. After it dried, I picked up a scripty background stamp, adding it here and there with grey Versafine ink. I then arranged my dies, and ran them through my Platinum 6 die-cut machine, layered up my blooms, and arranged them to my liking.
You'll see just a bit of grey peeking through... it's actually my card base, and the background panel is another piece of water color card cut in two using a simple swoopy hill die from Paper Smooches - sadly no longer available. A smattering of Pinkfresh jewels, and my card is complete!
Here's a peek at my lovely left-overs ...
I hope to see you in The Flower Challenge #59 gallery! Won't you also join me as I take a look at all the loveliness my teammates have creating here? We have a wonderful guest this month - I'm so happy to also call her my friend: Therese Calvird!!! Oh my goodness you won't want to miss her fabulous die-cut card!
Thank you for stopping by!
=] Michele
Sure wish I had Cistuhs like these - gorgeous! I am an "only"! And August is my rest month.....I do as little as possible...lol...
ReplyDeleteOh it's wonderful!! Loving those artsy flowers!
ReplyDeleteOne of my very favorite dies of all time, Cistus (nice pun, by the way). Your watercolor choices are amazing with that swoopy dimensional grey element to make them shine. Truly a gasp-worthy card. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWow! So in love with your card! Your leftover pieces are even pretty!
ReplyDeleteYou've been missed cistuh! So fun to see your work sheets and the result! WTG Michele~
ReplyDeleteOh my... very clever and gorgeous die cut images for your slimline card design, Michele. TFS your detailed description and leftover pieces. Such a cool loose watercoloring technique, my friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy
ReplyDeleteOhhhh what a beautiful, unique and artsy card. The flowers and layering look amazing and your design is wonderful Michele x. So very pretty x.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!! Those flowers are amazing with their pops of color and pattern!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way to "color" die cut flowers, Michele! Love the Cistus in all those gorgeous colors! Glad to have you back from your blog break, my friend!
ReplyDeleteWOWZERS! The watercolor and script make for some stunning florals. (note to self) Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGood golly Miss Molly, this is BEEEEautiful! Well done ;)
ReplyDeletePerfection!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, what a clever way to make all your flowers look interesting and different, love the colours too and the little hill in the background xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful layered flowers Michele! Love how you have mix and matched the layered flowers, some with script, some with colours, some with white. Gorgeous card! xx
ReplyDeleteMarisela Delgado said: I don't know if you read these comments, but holy maracas! You rocked this card, Michele! It's absolutely gorgeous! ☺☺☺ mariandmonsterd@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteLove this Michele, your card is so artsy and beautiful! Loving the watercolors and the scripty stamping on the watercolors. Gives such a unique look to your flowers! Yep, a slimline card gave you more real-estate for more of those beautiful blooms! Hugs, Brenda
ReplyDeleteYour loose watercoloring and scripty stamping are perfect with these Cistus flowers, Michele! I'm loving the artistic feel of this card...it's just so pretty! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a novel way to color your blooms! And I've never seen any Cistus here--but I do have an older and younger one ;)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous watercolored Cistus, Michele! The subtle scripty stamping is the perfect touch! The gray hill line adds movement to the happy flowers.
ReplyDeleteHideko xx
I can't tell you how much I adore this card, Michele. Well yes I can! It is stunning beyond words. So much so that I am ordering that Cistus as soon as my coupon kicks in. lol
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of don't want to miss a card, this one is fabulous Michele! I have to save it for inspiration as you already know Cistus that I have this die set (and ssssh, I've decided that dies are my fave too.. but don't tell the inks)
ReplyDeleteWow! I love this! I've been super busy with my new job this summer that I haven't had much crafty time. But I know I am REALLY inspired now because I am adding this beautiful CISTAS die to my shopping list! You made this project look so beautiful and unique, and of course I'm super inspired! Thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Michele
You are such a creative card maker, Michele! I love how you prepared the watercolor paper to get the gorgeous look of your Cistus flowers!
ReplyDeleteThis is just gorgeous. I have a bunch of diectus ready to watercolor... You have inspired me to get that going.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, your card is beautiful! Showing your watercolored and die cut remnants of cardstock really helped envision your process! Your subtle colors and white/grey background are the perfect base for this floral card!!!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteWow - just love your slimline with those layered flowers, Michele! So fabulous with the inking and partial text stamping!!
ReplyDelete