Feb 16 2008
Spring Song, Watercolored
Hello! I realize it’s been way too long since I stamped or posted. Many times I considered checking in just to say I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth, but I didn’t have the oomph in me even for that. How do I explain the chain of events that had me in shut down mode in the evenings after work? Suffice to say some are unfortunate, some are blessed, but all collided at once. Thank goodness for the weekends!
I watercolored this image over the course of the week, one flower at a time, finally finishing the hummingbird and putting the card together last night. I’d hoped to post it then but I decided to get my beauty sleep instead. Gee, I woke up this morning and I didn’t look the least bit beautiful…guess I might as well have stayed up and posted my card!
This is one of the new Stampin’ Up! sets, Spring Song. The flowers in the image are that of a trumpet vine. The most common color is orange but you’ll occasionally see them in lavender, fuschia or a soft salmon pink. I figure, once you stamp them, they’re your flowers and you can make them any dang color you want! I used Apricot, Coral and Ruby Red on these flowers. There’s a little shading done with Caramel and Cocoa, as well.
Hummingbirds come in every color of the rainbow and, yes, I did a little research to find one that would coordinate nicely with my flowers. Oh, my goodness gracious, there’re a lot of colors on this hummingbird! Two shades of yellow, Apricot, Coral, Ruby Red, Bordering Blue, Garden Green, Going Gray, Mustard, Cocoa. If I knew a little more about watercoloring and mixing colors I’m sure I could have narrowed that down a little, but I just kept working at it until it seemed right. I did enjoy the process. After I spent all that time on the main image I felt I should put some work into the background but, gosh, I have this new Ginger Blossom paper…the colors seemed right…and, finally, the card is done.
I’ll be back soon (yes, I will!). I have some new stamps to try out this weekend. Thank you for coming back to visit. Have a wonderful weekend!
Stamps: Spring Song
Paper: Groovy Guava, River Rock, watercolor paper, Ginger Blossom designer paper
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, various for watercoloring
Accessories: SU! Wasabi striped and Groovy Guava double stitched ribbon, brads, Scotch brand dimensional mounting tape
Welll darling we shall wait for you as I’m always in awe everytime I come and see one of your creations! So hugs to you darling!
This is simply amazing, Leslie– I love your watercoloring here– so gorgeous!!! Beautiful sketch and all around design!!!
So very, very pleasing to see. Beautiful.
Leslie, you did not just make me add this to my next stamp order list. You DID NOT! Well, actually you did! This is just gorgeous! Beautiful…beautiful watercoloring. Soon I’ll be having to do the same as you (take images with me to work on at work as I am gainfully employed once more (I start on the 25th). Love your layout, the colors you used, everything about this card is just gorgeous!
Linda
Leslie I think this is the most beautiful watercoloring I have ever seen!!! I’m picking my jaw up off the floor. Incredibly beautiful card. Do you use reinkers?
Leslie, I do believe that this is the most beautiful card I have ever seen since I have been stamping this past 3 years!! It is stunning. I have this stamp set on order and would love to try to half way imitate it. I will try but know that I won’t come even close. Thank you for showing us. What talent!!
Cheryl
Stunning work! You are such a talented artist! What a plesure to visit your blog! Deb
Very pretty!
This is just so beautiful, Leslie! Your watercoloring is outstanding and the Ginger Blossom DP is perfect as the back panels! Love it!
This is gorgeous, Leslie! Wonderful watercoloring and beautiful stamp. My mom loved hummingbirds. For that reason, I have been tempted to get this set, but haven’t yet. Now maybe I’ll have to!
WOW, Leslie the colors on this are just stunning, as is your watercoloring!
Glad you’re back, Leslie! You were missed.
Your card is gorgeous! You have faaaarrrrr more patience for watercoloring than I do and it most definitely shows! Just beautiful.
Beautiful…I can almost hear his wings whiirrrrrrrrr!
I hope everything works out for you. It sounds like you have alot on your plate right now. Whatever it is, it hasn’t effected (or is it affected) your work. This card is so beautiful. The colors are perfect.
Your watercoloring is beautiful! I love the soft, flowy feel of the colors and the touches of pink in the background wash.
Gorgeous card and watercoloring! Your wonderful hummer looks like a subtle rainbow on wings!!
Believe me when I say I understand completely! Frankly, I had one of those kinda weeks myself!
Your card is stunning, and your coloring is just gorgeous!
((hugs)) card rocks. I was planning on getting this stamp anyway, but now it is a must have!
I love how you used all those colors to build up your hummingbird! It adds such depth and interst to him. You did a fantastic job with your coloring and a nice layout to show him off!
Such beautiful coloring, Leslie! Your hummingbird is gorgeous!
all I can say is WOW!
Gorgeous card Leslie! Your watercoloring is beautiful, love the colors. Your artwork is always amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Stunning watercoloring — so glad you posted this, your work is inspiring!
Your water coloring is amazing on this!
You always do such wonderful work
Wowser!!!
This is drop dead gorgeous! I was waiting for someone to do something spectacular with this set that I could use for inspiration, and this is it!!!
Leslie, this is just gorgeous! Everything you used is just perfect. I’m sorry you’ve had some rough times lately. Hugs and prayers coming your way.
Hi Les, That card is absolutely beautiful, one of my first thoughts was of your mom and hoping where ever she may be….she’s seeing that the artistic ability was passed on. I didn’t even know her…but I think her gene was passed on, if only displayed in different avenue.Trudy
well, I completely 100% understand what you mean about why you haven’t posted - it’s EXACTLY what I’ve been going through as well…. so I’m SUPER happy for you that you were able to post, and not only that, but that card is BEAUTIFUL! It’s so soft and lovely - I really love it. Great job, and thanks for coming back! Blessings~
Exquisite! Your watercoloring is so gorgeous. Have been eyeing this set, and am adding it to my next order. Thanks for the inspiration! Sending sunshine your way…
This card is gorgeous! You are so *very* talented. I have been studying and studying this card to see why the image appears to be so dimensional and have decided it is your incredible ability to shade and highlight. At first, I though you cut it out and tacked it down, then I thought it was somehow embossed - nope - I think it’s just pure talent on your part. Perhaps the *beauty sleep* was intended to allow you to see and then create the beauty your mind’s eye beholds. TFS
Leslie……..I am totally inspired! I have all of the same supplies, but would not have come up with such gorgeous results! You continue to amaze me with your artistic talents and way with colors. Thank you so much for sharing. BTW, we have 3 hummingbirds already. Get your feeders out girls. TFS
As always, your creations are worth the wait! Your explanations re: the flowers and garden always fascinate made and make me look at nature in a whole new way. I love this DSP, love your post. The beauty of this card, for me, is knowing how much thought went into the creation. Just like sitting at your side and listening to the artist! I don’t know why my heart is smiling yet I’m feeling a little.. melancholy (?). Just beautiful, beautiful work of art.
Stay well, my friend. with love…
“..made”, should be “me.” .. fingers not cooperating with brainbox today
Leslie,
Wonderful card! Well worth the wait. Hope your life is a little less hectic, draining, etc this week.
Shawn K.
AKA Stampingshawn on SCS
Glad to see you back….hope things are ok with you. This is such a gorgeous card! Your coloring is incredible!
This is the first time I’ve seen this stamp colored in a way that truly does it justice and makes me go “ahhhhhh.” Both the flower and the Hummingbird are absolutely gorgeous, Leslie!!! And the card design showcases the image beautifully with that Ginger Blossom paper and ribboning. Love it! Linda
Leslie, This is gorgeous beyond words.
This is outstanding. Your coloring is wonderful, truly you are an artist.
This is just so gorgeous. I wanna be you when I grow up! Oh, oh. I have no hope. I think I’m already grown up.
Beautiful card. I love you water colouring.
Totally gorgeous!! I love the coloring and shading. I love the colors on the hummingbird just gorgeous!
Oh my it was well worth the wait, this is just beautiful, the painting is just amazing the colors are so lovely, hope this week goes a bit better than last week
This is breath-takingly beautiful!!! Such a beautiful image — like it was meant just for you!!! Your coloring is fabulous — I love all the background shades — and the DP is perfect — lovely colors, for sure!!! This is beyond gorgeous!!! I’ll be anxious to see more of your work with this image!!!
Ohmygoodness!!! It’s GORGEOUS! I was going to order this on my most recent order, but decided that it was probably beyond my watercoloring skills, and I ordered “Stemming From” instead. Needless to say, Spring Song will be on my NEXT order and I’ll be trying to do this beautiful stamp justice!
Susan
Leslie
Your card is gorgeous. That’s the lovelies watercoloring I’
ve ever seen. Barb
That hummingbird is absolutely top notch! Wow! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful things with us in blog land.
***stunned****
I’m not at all sure why I feel ***stunned*** … as this is such a perfect result of your wondrous creations …. Still, I have so much to learn, and lucky am I to have someone like you to observe!
(((hugs))))
Tex
Hi Leslie:
I was sent to your blog by Joan B. of Paperlicious. I am so happy that she shared this with her readers.
I think your card is sooooo professional looking!!! You seem to know a great deal about watercoloring to me, your card is EXCELLENT and OUTSTANDING!!! I didn’t know, before I read, that you gave your background a lot of thought because it just looks like something a pro would produce, TFS.
My jaw just hit the floor!! Fantastic, gorgeous, stunning!!!! You make my hummingbird look so sad in comparison.
I love this, Leslie!!
I have this set still unkined - tragic, huh? I love it but for some reason have felt intimidated to get started with it. Your coloring is wonderful and I’m so loving that sweet and spectacular hummingbird! Guess I need to take the plunge and get him inky! Looking at your cards always makes me want to stamp…too bad we’re not close enough to stamp together!
STUNNING!
OMG - this is freaking GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!