Saturday, March 20, 2021

so happy to have a little Spring in my step!!

I don't usually post on Saturdays, but I'm so happy about feeling myself again ... wait.  Feeling 99.827% again - that is my normal 100% and let me tell you I'll take it these days!!!

I happened to do a little shopping last week - couldn't wait to get my brushes dipped to color this beauty: Waffle Flower's Crocus   - did you know the crocus symbolizes hope and joy?  What better way to express how I'm feeling today!

The Waffle Flower design team had their gorgeous way with this set during the release in February ... this phenomenal card, from Arjita blew me away: 

Hope you don't mind, Arjita ... I just had to give it a go!  In my personal favorite purples!  Here is my process:  stamped onto Canson XL 140# cold press water color card, in Antique Linen Distress ink...


I love to press my Distress inks onto a plastic palette .. quick to clean up, or allow to dry for use another day - or for splatters as was the case today.


After drying, a few more splats of watered down gesso from an acrylic block...


Then, after partially die cutting my pot of crocus, on it goes to a rather dramatic card base, tweaked a bit with one of Waffle Flowers' Nesting Postage dies, cut diagonally to lift two corners of my panel, and a sweet Hello from the same set.


I don't think I've ever been more pleased with an attempt at no-line water coloring!
Thank you Arjita @bcreative_arji !!  for the gorgeous inspiration!


This one is heading over to the Waffle Flower Week 3 Challenge:  


Okay.  Time to hit the shower, and go for a little walk in the sunshine with my best guy... have a wonderful weekend, my friends - and thank you SO much for all the well wishes this week!!  

=]  Michele

30 comments:

Mac Mable said...

Doesn't it feel good to be 99.827% ? What fabulous no line water colouring Michele and what a beautiful card. Loving the splats and how you did the card base with the postage stamp die and the partial die cutting....very creative x. Hope you enjoyed your walk and yes the crocus is truly hope and joy x.

LeAnne said...

Every time you make something, I think that it's more gorgeous than the one before! And this one IS gorgeous....I love the no-line coloring, something that I haven't quite gotten the hang of yet, and I love the SPLATTERS!

Cat Craig said...

Oh those are some gorgeous spring cards, Michele. Love them all.

Cindy Beach said...

I sure am glad you are feeling better, Michele! I'd hate to miss your posting of this beauty! Your no-line coloring is amazing! The colors and shading are exquisite.

HilaryJane said...

Excellent watercolouring, you should be pleased. You always manage to add extra little details that just blow me away. This time it is the postage stamp edges poking out and the partial die cut and the splatters. it is all brilliant xx PS 99.827% is pretty good in my book. Whoever hits 100%?

Lisa Elton said...

Yay for that 99.827%, so happy to hear it! What a beautiful card you've created. You need to give me some watercolor lesson. Maybe it's my paper, maybe it's the ink, they just never look right. But you've got it down, girl!

jordanbev5@yahoo.com said...

This is such a stunning card, Michelle! The no line coloring is spectacular with all of the details and depth! Gorgeous!!

Joanne James - The Crafty Owl said...

I am just catching up - so sorry to hear you’ve been feeling under the weather but glad things are now looking up. Your no-line watercolouring is amazing! These purple blooms are fabulous and the splats really make the card! Just stunning!

Marcia Hill said...

This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL Michele!! Loving every little detail on this gem right down to the splatters!! Loving the partial die cutting too! So many lovely, lovely elements in this Spring beauty!! Frame worthy my friend!! Hugs. :0)

Jeanne said...

If 99.827 could help me watercolor paint like you do, Michele, I'd be all over it. What a stunner. You have so much talent! I'm so glad you share it with us. Hope you had a wonderful walk with your hunny and that the rest of the week is as glorious as your painting. :)

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

Oh Michele, this is so gorgeous! I love crocus and I especially love them in purples. They are so very hopeful, as is the entrance of spring into our lives, especially this year. Happy Spring! Hope you enjoyed your walk. Yesterday was a beauty and today is a repeat performance here on the Jersey shore!

Darnell said...

Glad you're feeling better after you 2nd jab, M, and so glad to hear you had it! Your no-line work of art is every bit as fabulous as Arjita's! You both make my ginfers twitch to give it a go. I love that NBUS crocus and I thank you for all the deets! Hugs, D

conil said...

This card makes is clear how good you're feeling...crocus is one of those harbingers of Spring that just delights me. Next to yellow (big surprise), purple is definitely my favorite. The addition of the spatter and partial diecutting makes your card so textural. A real standout, to me.

Bonnie said...

WOW! WOW! WOW! This is one gorgeous pot of purple crocus! WOW! (Glad you're feeling much better!)

Linda Callahan said...

I would say your recovery is over 100 % with this masterpiece! I am in awe! Wow - so beautifully detailed!

Karren said...

These are just a total wow! I'm glad you're now feeling better.

nancy littrell said...

Oh my...your no-line watercoloring of your planter and crocuses turned out Beautifully, Michele!! Love your color choices, gesso splatters and unique framing...very organic floral design, my friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy

lostinpaper said...

How awesome is this! Loving that splatter!

Jeanne J. said...

I'm so happy you played along at the challenge and more than that.. you did a no line watercolor. You've inspired me to give it a try. Your crocus is stunning! So pretty Michele!

Vikki H said...

Just think that in two weeks you're free to road trip a bit! Hoping your weekend continued with feeling more up to par. This is a gorgeous crocus plant and especially with the messy splatters! You're rocking the watercoloring.

TK said...

Oh my, these are GORGEOUS! Lovely coloring, and the stamp die is a wonderful surprise of texture!

Brenda said...

Feels good to be almost 100% doesn't it?! Who likes feeling bad, not me for sure! So happy you are back to your old self again. This card is simply stunning!!!! OH MY WORD, your no line watercoloring is gorgeous Michele! I didn't know that is what crocus symbolized, good to know that. I will have to get me some! lol Seriously, you did an amazing job with this image, looks so real and is equally as stunning as the original one from Arjita. Hugs, Brenda

JulieP said...

So pretty and perfect splatters!

Ros Crawford said...

Good morning Misses... Stunning crocus here... I love the painting!

Bobby said...

Your no-line watercoloring is amazing, Michele. I was just at Waffle Flower, saw that stamp, and thought about buying it but passed. I may regret that decision after seeing this.

Tracey McNeely said...

These are gorgeous too, you are killing ke with your cards!

Loll said...

Beautiful no-line watercolouring Michele. Thanks for sharing your process. I love your design with the partially die-cut image and gorgeous framing. Amazing work! Glad you are feeling so much better! xx

Michelle said...

A-mazing no-line watercoloring skills, my friend!!! Gorgeous colors, perfect splatter accent and a crisp sentiment...SO lovely (and a great addition to the Waffleflower Week 3 Challenge)!!

Papercraft Boutique said...

What gorgeous crocuses, Michele! Looking at this card gives me hope and joy! Your no-line watercoloring is amazing! Love the shades of purple, the partial die-cutting for dimension, and the creative corner framing!
Hideko xx

Anita in France said...

Wow, Michele, this is beautiful ... loved seeing the pics of how it changed as you added all your special little details! So pleased you're feeling tip top again (or as close to it as can be!)! Hugs, Anita :)