The Crafty Secrets challenge this week, from the marvelous Lori Lynn Washburn, was to be inspired ~ by a magazine, nature, music...
Well, for the last few Springs we've had some visitors in our backyard. They've always been mallards - there's a river a couple of blocks away. Even though I was thinking of flipping through the latest Pottery Barn for my inspiration, this year was no different and in wandered a sweet mallard pair. I wasn't sure at the time if any of my CS sets had ducks in them but was so glad the Easter set did .
The image panel is watercolor paper, all images stamped with Memento rich cocoa and then watercolored. A little Sakura glitter pen highlights the ducks, flowers and watering can. That ribbon is actually dark brown but looks a bit black in the photo.
For the main image I put the adhesive a little inboard so the edges would naturally pull up a bit to give it some dimension. The edges are also distressed and then I used the ink blending tool to sponge a little Distress tea dye ink.
The final critical touch was to put the mama duck and her ducklings up on dimensionals (pop the ducks up, which just sounds odd LOL!). I think the flowers in front need to be popped up, too, but just not into trimming out all those flowers today.
Another important addition was the little leafy pieces from the MS punch with the edges distressed a bit with Distress Peeled Paint ink.
And that bit of background DP peeking out on the sides is from Basic Grey Stella Ruby ~ love it!
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 GMT Views: 1147
Favorited:6
Paper: watercolor, SU not quite navy, BG Stella Ruby
Ink: Memento rich cocoa, Distress Inks
Accessories: waterbrush, dimensionals, prima flowers, brad, BG button, SU twine, A Muse dark brown stitched ribbon, MS punch, Sakura glitter pen, Tim Holtz distressing tool
Registered: September 19, 2006 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 10480
Wed, May 06, 2009 @ 5:53 AM
Oh girlfriend, you worry WAY TO MUCH! This is AWESOME!!! Love the scene you've created here and the colors are so bright & cheerful!!!! Isn't it fun having mallards in the back yard??? I have them too ... one wet spring I found them swimming in the water that had pooled up under the 100 year old apple tree in the side yard ... love Mother Nature!!!
Keep the creations coming .... they are very inspirational!!!
Registered: August 30, 2007 Location: Salinas, California Posts: 1648
Wed, May 06, 2009 @ 6:56 AM
Nancy! It's just beautiful! Darlene's right, you worry WAY too much! Every card is a new learning experience, I think--and it's all fun! I love everything you did here--keep it coming!
Registered: June 23, 2006 Location: SW Michigan Posts: 4676
Wed, May 06, 2009 @ 9:38 AM
wowzers! I just am amazed at this scene you've created. Your watercoloring is so well done! I also love the mix of sets you used and your button/ribbon embellie! Just beautiful!
Registered: February 15, 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 6132
Wed, May 06, 2009 @ 11:45 AM
Wowsa! This is breathtakingingly beautiful! Yes, I created my own word, and I don't care, cause it describes what I'm feeling! LOL! I love the scene you created and how you mixed up all the different sets. Beautiful coloring. Great embellie/ribbon treatment.
Registered: November 20, 2007 Location: Northumberland, UK Posts: 13285
Wed, May 06, 2009 @ 12:25 PM
Love your little scene but yeah, popping ducks does sound weird :lol: The leafy punches do lift it and I love that you bothered to vary the tone with some sponged ink on those - great job! Hope your mallard family is happy!