I have been geeking out over the Watercolor Wednesday challenges since their inception, and have accumulated a list of challenges I'd like to go back to some day and try out. When I saw Lydia's challenge to kick of Falliday Fest this year, I knew right away I had to dive in to WCW073, "Fast Fall Trees," for the job. I wanted something quick yet beautiful, that I could execute in record time before moving on to other FF challenges... especially since I didn't have the opportunity to start this year until the very last days of the unbelievably fun annual event.
Multi-tasking on a trip to town with my husband last night, as he pumped gas in the car, I fired up the video tutorial for the challenge, boldly called "5 minute fall tree." Yes, I thought to myself, this is going to be perfect! Three minutes later I realized even the artist had sped up the video in places to get it to five minutes as advertised, and in my hands, well, we were looking at an hour-long painting, minimum. (Don't laugh! HA!)
Not to be deterred, I woke up at 5 this morning (yes, really), my head churning with ideas for the Falliday Fest challenges I'd seen posted the past two weeks, and after getting dressed and getting coffee, into the craft room I went. Looking at my brushes and my paints, however, a lightbulb went off. There was no way I could devote that much time to that darn tree if I wanted to even see myself start the other cards I had imagined for today. And my eyes fell on a stamp set that, well, my mind had immediately pictured last night as the tutorial artist painted his tree trunk and limbs. And I had an idea. :0)
Several colors of distress ink, a spray bottle of water, and some watercolor paper later, and I had myself a masterpiece. Was it a five minute one? HA! Me?! Snails would move faster in the craft room... but, it *was* pretty quick, and I impressed even myself in the speed of the execution, slowed only by taking my husband to lunch today as promised (which allowed just enough time for the Nuvo drops to set up a little before I backed the painting with foam and mounted it on the kraft-paper base).
I hope no one fires me for this, errrr, watercolor job, since brushes weren't even required.
Thanks so much for the great challenge and for viewing my card!
Blessings, C
Date: Friday, November 12, 2021 GMT Views: 1162
Favorited:6
Registered: May 25, 2006 Location: So. Oregon Posts: 122117
Fri, Nov 12, 2021 @ 9:04 PM
girl, I am grinning from ear to ear... yeah, that five minute thing I think only works if the weather is exactly just so. (not really an issue though) this looks fabulous even if it did take longer than you thought it would.
Registered: August 21, 2007 Location: Wayland MA Posts: 105288
Sat, Nov 13, 2021 @ 1:10 AM
I had to giggle at your story. The results are worth waiting for, even if no brushes were involved!!
------------------------------ Anne HarmonFS154, QFTD58, PROUD FAN CLUB MEMBER (photo of our Great Granddaughter Elise, just 6 months old) and me, even older.
Registered: October 19, 2007 Location: Packer Country, WI Posts: 72191
Sat, Nov 13, 2021 @ 5:09 AM
Chrissy, thanks for starting my morning with a giggle. Love your card and enthusiasm you have for the challenges. You description of the making of this card is hilarious. It really is a beautiful card. I remember having problems with that challenge. TFS
Registered: March 12, 2008 Location: stamping or writing Posts: 9974
Wed, Nov 17, 2021 @ 2:19 PM
This came out really well, faux watercolor or not. I love the watercolor spritz technique. (I have been trying to do some of the watercolor challenges. Some come out OK, but I devoted hours of time and pages of watercolor paper to the one last week with the Christmas ornaments and never got anything that looked like the video, or like much at all to be honest. But it was fun trying.)
Registered: November 7, 2009 Location: Sacramento Posts: 39212
Fri, Nov 19, 2021 @ 12:59 PM
Gorgeous fall tree - I loved reading the story of its creation. I love the watercolor challenges but have this big obstacle to doing many of them and that is that I always think it is going to take forever! I'm glad you used this stamp set to create this beautiful card. So pretty!
Registered: October 22, 2007 Location: New York Posts: 6191
Fri, Nov 19, 2021 @ 2:28 PM
I love your tree and I love your story! It is such a busy time of year and I totally was down to the last minute as well. The colors of your leaves are peaceful and it is a great card.
------------------------------ Jo AnnMy SCS gallery / my blogThe cure for everything is salt water - sweat, tears or the sea~Isak Dinesen FS 776