I know I am stretching a bit for the F4A to use a corner punch, but I don't have many corner punches, and what I do have is stored way up high on the shelf in the garage where there is a cricket infestation and I need to wait until I have shoes on to go out there. So I drew and colored 2 leaves in a "L" shape, colored some extra flowers from the stamp and fussy cut both. Then I arranged them in the top left corner with some cheese cloth that I colored with distress ink. I am still on my mission to make cards that are not overly bright. I walk at a park near my work most days at lunch where there are the most amazing, huge trees with wonderful trunks that are a combination of every brown you can emagine. The bark is all knarled and peeling off. As I walk around the path to get my 10,000 steps - half at lunch and half on the way home- I enjoy all the shapes and colors of nature and get inspiration for cards. I don't pay enough attention to where I am going and have had a few near misses with the trees. When I walked yesterday I was determined to concentrare on the brown bark so that I could keep my card toned down in color. There was the brightest yellow butterfly that was determined to tempt me to add bright colors to my card, but I resisted and stuck with my little grey moth. The tree trunk is colored with reinkers and a paintbrush, the flowers and moth are one stamp colored a few times with copics and fussy cut. The little piece of bark on the bottom is something I found on my walk and soaked in alcohol to remove any little criters that might be living on it. TFL, Francie
Date: Friday, July 24, 2015 GMT Views: 1741
Favorited:9
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 131390
Fri, Jul 24, 2015 @ 8:17 AM
A cricket infestation - yuck! I don't mind them, but I certainly wouldn't be walking round barefoot as I prefer to do. Francie, I've added this straight into my favourites. I love looking at trees and bark, I have a lot of photos to prove it. The colours in your tree trunk cross-section are wonderful, and I love that you added a little bit of real bark. The grey moth is indeed lovely. I have to pull out some of the cheesecloth from my kitchen drawer - yep, that's where I mostly use mine, LOL. I could sit and look at this for a long time.
Registered: April 4, 2008 Location: Sahuarita, Arizona originally from New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 18436
Fri, Jul 24, 2015 @ 10:21 AM
Wow Francie this is beautiful... love that log with the real bark, the cheesecloth and the beautiful flowers... also love how you fussy cut flowers for the corner... well done...very impressive...
Registered: February 21, 2007 Location: Bay City, MICHIGAN Posts: 17556
Fri, Jul 24, 2015 @ 11:37 AM
Francie, what a masterpiece of true nature!! First the cross section stamp of the tree trunk GRABBED my attention - big time!! (My DH used to make things out of such cross or length cuts, and leave the bark on for interest - plus I love the smell of WOOD!) LOVE how the flowers seem to be growing out of the tree bark and the corners of your card! The little dots of perfect pearls remind me of the lichen you see growing on the side of trees and is suited well for your creative little "paradise" - now I have to ask WHERE did you get that Background? I am still staring at it with wonder at how you colored it to bring out such realistic coloring!! LOVE THIS!
------------------------------ SUE aka GREENIE - Twisted Sistah Handmade cards because..No one displays an email on their mantle, or saves a FB post in a box of treasures! Nothing is impossible with God!
Registered: April 22, 2005 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 14382
Fri, Jul 24, 2015 @ 12:44 PM
This is just beautiful, Francie! I love every single inch of you art, from the tree trunk to the tiny golden dots glistening, and then to the wonderful died cheesecloth. And of course you drew your own corners to top it off. Just beautiful. Keep walking girl!
Registered: March 31, 2008 Location: Eastlake, OH Posts: 22598
Fri, Jul 24, 2015 @ 5:48 PM
You have never failed to disappoint when doing a card! Holy Moly, that tree trunk is amazing. It's the shades you use to color it that brings it to life, always adding highlights and shadows so perfectly! Love the flowers and leaves and even the moth! I LOVE this one, Francie!
Registered: October 19, 2007 Location: Packer Country, WI Posts: 71897
Fri, Jul 24, 2015 @ 6:17 PM
Francie, yet another wowzer of a creation. The tree trunk looks so real, and the added blue and yellow makes it pop. You can do vibrant or subtle with pizazz! Fav'd