I have to start by saying that this is probably the ONLY thing that hasn't blown up in my face this week. I found this little purse template (to hold note cards or other gifts) here http://www.creationsbyar.com/HAUTE-TOTE_p_8.html and thought I could make something work with these colors.
I scored the diamond quilt pattern on my SU! scoring thingie. What I think made the biggest different was using my tiny mosaic EF (that I LITERALLY had to order from England...on ebay!) on the handles and bottom, then using clear embossing powder. It gives the appearance of leather! I had an SU! frame and punched the pool party for the front embellishment and also did the leather effect. The flower is technically a Bachelor Button, but I punched all of it in Cajun Craze and used the same ink to give it color variation. The 'coin purse' template is also included and can be made to actually hold something.
Trust me when I say, I NEEDED this to work. As I said before, all of these little things kept going wrong. A sick kid who had to be picked up, making me miss an appt, rain, more rain (which kept the kids indoors this weekend, as well as make my hair transition from spiral curly into a full-on Afro) and other annoying things.
But the last straw was when my Peerless Watercolors arrived 2 days ago.
I was delighted, to say the least. Even though they were really just a bunch of old-looking rectangles, I'd heard EVERYONE rave about how splendid they were and I'd been DYING to get some!! It had taken several weeks of embezzling from the grocery budget, so my expectation were over the top. The first thing I did was begin arranging them in a portfolio. Granted, the colors looked dull, but I knew they would explode when I got them on paper. Imagine my surprise when I barely got any color and the the piece holding the color began to pill up!!! The colors were terrible...weak and not vibrant. I was devastated.
I wrote to the place from where I purchased the Peerless and explained my situation. I even included a short video, showing what was happening as I tried to pick up color-in vain.
This morning, I received a response via email. I thought they would either offer me a refund or exchange...I would've bet they wanted me to ship mine back since they were obviously defective!
I opened the email and here's what it said:
"HI Carmen,
You are using the wrong side of the watercolors. You need to flip the squares over, and use the side the has the pigments on it. The pigmented side doesnÂ’t reflect the color, so it may look a little funny, but that is where all the color is, and why you are having such poor results."
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
To be fair, you'd think that the color would be on the side of, well, the COLOR. But let me be your cautionary tale (for the thousandth time) regarding your Peerless. ;)
Despite everything, I really felt this was a great color challenge...don't you agree??? I included more pics in my gallery. Once again...ty for asking me to be a guest designer!! I'm having a BLAST!
Date: Monday, September 8, 2014 GMT Views: 2073
Favorited:12
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Proud Fan Club Member
Registered: June 19, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 6005
Tue, Sep 09, 2014 @ 7:30 AM
Carmen, your purse with it's attached coin purse is one of the cutest projects I've seen in a while. What a wonderful job you did with it too. My goodness, I would have loved this no matter what color you used. And your write-up had me laughing by the end. We've all been there too. I loved your comment regarding the "cautionary tale" Our little grandson who is 2 years old has a book that begins with that statement. It's hilarious to hear him tell me it's a "cautionary tale."
Thank you so much for sharing this delightful project with us.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Proud Fan Club Member
Registered: September 24, 2007 Location: WA Posts: 13920
Tue, Sep 09, 2014 @ 7:59 AM
That's my girl, Carmen! I told the team they'd love your sense of humor, and we all do! This tote bag is spectacular! And you turned it into a masterpiece with that "leather" embossing, the scoring of the bag, the little rhinestones, the flower--I could go on and on. Your story is wonderful!
------------------------------ Barbara Splitcoast Dirty Dozen My website: Inky Fun SCS Fan Club Member Color Challenge Team Member QFTD215
Registered: March 8, 2005 Location: Halfway between Dallas and Houston Posts: 23975
Tue, Sep 09, 2014 @ 8:24 AM
This is the kind of project one makes and then is never willing to part with! But if you should ever decide to let it go I know a good home for it! This is just gorgeous! Love, Love, Love all the texture, bling and details you have jammed into it! Seriously I wish it was larger and I would make a handbag out of it for real!
And Carmen, as long as your Husband does not start complaining of meals of beans and rice your funding method is genious! You rocked this challenge girl!
------------------------------ Proud Fan Club Member
Dirty Dozen Alumni
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
Registered: August 18, 2008 Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Posts: 31972
Tue, Sep 09, 2014 @ 9:44 AM
Carmen, you are hilarious!!! I laughed out loud at your first attempts with your Peerless - so glad you got it worked out! And this is fan-tab-u-lous, it really is....so real looking and very glamorous!
Registered: January 8, 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 40327
Tue, Sep 09, 2014 @ 11:26 PM
My goodness, Carmen, this is outstanding - particularly love the pink with the cajun "leather" trim!!! This must have taken some time to create but well worth the effort!! I did chuckle at your story, I do not own these watercolours but, should I purchase some in the future, I have been warned LOL!!
------------------------------ Sue
Fan Club Member QFTD143 FS420