This is a birthday card for a friend who I went to France with in July 1997, so this month is our ten year anniversary of that marvelous trip. My favorite part of the trip was Provence, and we were lucky to see the sunflowers and lavender in full bloom - fields and fields of them. Such a beautiful sight I shall never forget. We also attended a special dog show for our breed, the Briard, and experienced the incredible medieval fortress village of Les Baux de Provence. So, this card is reflecting those special things she and I shared. That's one of the best things about this stamping hobby of ours, being able to create very personal items for the special people in our lives.
The watercoloring of the focal image is done on 90 lb. hot press watercolor paper using the aqua painter and a combination of SU! reinkers and markers. I love using this paper because it's so smooth and the colors blend so nicely.
You can't see it very well in the photo, but the dog image is dry embossed with a stylus to make it more dimensional. There are dimensionals underneath for support to keep it puffed up. I love the effect this technique produces. It's called "Dry Embossing with Stamps" or "Freehand Dry Embossing." JanTInk explains it very well on this beautiful card of hers: Botanical Garden Card by JanTInk at Splitcoaststampers
This is the first time I've used the Eclipse masking tape, and it's wonderful! Much better than the post-it notes and the masks can be used many, many times. I purchased mine at Ellen H's store: http://www.ellenhutson.com/servlet/StoreFront
Date: Saturday, July 7, 2007 GMT Views: 3071
Favorited:15
Accessories: aquapainter, various SU! markers & reinkers, Eclipse masking tape, cloud stencil, copper brads, fleur de lis punch, 1 1/4 inch circle punch, dimensionals, embossing stylus and pad
Techniques: watercoloring, masking, dry embossing with stamps, freehand dry embossing
Registered: April 20, 2006 Location: Michigan's Upper Peninsula Posts: 34762
Sun, Jul 08, 2007 @ 4:15 AM
Oh my goodness -- what a special and lovely card for a special friend!!! Your main image scene with the dog is amazing -- a lovely background you created for him!!! I love that you made this just what you wanted/needed for this friend -- how special is that, for sure!!! Love that combo of the 2 DP's -- I never would have thought to combine papers from those 2 packs, but they sure work beautifully together!!! Also, thanks much for the tips on the paper and the tape -- I am unfamiliar with both, but I'll have to check them out! What a wonderful job -- I am sure your friend will be so thrilled!!!
Registered: October 25, 2004 Location: Southern Oregon Coast Posts: 17641
Sun, Jul 08, 2007 @ 2:18 PM
Linda, this really is a beautiful card with a wonderful and imaginative combination of images and papers. I'm so glad you've pointed out how beautifully these two papers combine--now I'll be looking for more possibilities. There's a lot of really good stamping in that one image panel, too--different sets combined and the masking. It's worth reading all the info you fill in just to get a better idea of what a brilliant piece of stamp art this is. Very realistic work with the cloud stencil, for instance. Thanks for sharing this, Linda!
Registered: March 9, 2005 Location: Farmington, NY Posts: 4614
Sun, Jul 08, 2007 @ 8:41 PM
Aww! This is so cute and elegant at the same time. I've been meaning to try that Eclipse tape for years and somehow just never got around to it. Sounds like I should!
Registered: August 9, 2004 Location: Plymouth, Michigan Posts: 1296
Mon, Jul 09, 2007 @ 11:56 AM
Beautiful! I hope your memories are just a vivid as this card! I know Diane will cherish it. Wish I could have seen her open it!! (At least I have a small part of this card!! lol)
Karen
------------------------------ "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." ~ G. Marx