Mar 20 2009
Flourishes Friday Focus: Using Those Designer Papers
Happy Friday, everyone! Today I have a card to share that was so much fun to make. I used lots of my favorite BasicGrey Urban Prairie designer paper which, alas, I do not see in the store right now, but there are many more totally gorgeous papers waiting to become my new favorites right here. Flourishes’ focus is on designer papers today, and I’ve written a little article on the subject which you can read on the Flourishes Newsletter. It’s titled “Putting the Pieces Together”.
The stamp set I used for this card is Thinking of You. It’s primarily a sympathy set, but certainly versatile enough to be made into a cheerful all-occasion card, too. The set features solid image stamps which are very easy to use, but it was also very easy to create a multi-colored bouquet with this image — very easy!
I inked up the image with Palette Cognac, stamped it off lightly to remove some of the ink’s intensity, then stamped on SU!’s Whisper White cardstock. This created a faint, but still very visible impression of the image. I simply colored over it with SU! markers. Palette ink is waterproof, so it works quite nicely for water-based markers or any kind of watercoloring. I selected marker colors to coordinate with the paper, and I’ll be darned if this image doesn’t look like it was made to go with this paper. I just love it!
One other thing which I’m not really sure is apparent in the photo — after I colored and cut out the image, I pressed it into my Versamark pad to completely coat the flower circle. Then I embossed it with ultra-thick embossing powder to give it a ceramic-like glaze. It looks like a little tile on the card front. My ultra-thick embossing powder is called Glassy Glaze, purchased from Stampin’ Up!, but you can find it most anywhere embossing powders are sold.
About those designer papers: I used three different patterns and two solid colors on this card. You can see how they all share some of the same colors and patterns, as well as all having the same sort of happy mood. The solid mats help to keep the patterns from interfering with each other, and since every piece is from the same BasicGrey 6×6 pad, the colors match perfectly. Sometimes I prefer a quiet card base, and at other times I’m in the mood for something spirited like this.
I’ve shared a couple more cards on the Flourishes Newsletter, and I know you’ll enjoy seeing how the rest of the team has coordinated their designer papers and stamps today, too: Christine, Cindy, Faith, Julie, Latisha, Laura, Stacy
I’m glad you could drop in today! Have yourself a wonderful weekend!
Stamps: Thinking of You Paper: Plain white cardstock base, Whisper White, BasicGrey Urban Prairie designer paper Ink: Palette Cognac, Versamark, SU! markers in Rose Red, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa Accessories: Ribbon, ultra-thick embossing powder, Spellbinders circle dies and Labels 1 dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
Fabulous, Leslie!! Great challenge this week!
Stunning card. You’re right, that stamp is perfect with the background paper, but your coloring makes it. Good idea with the UTEE.
WOW! That image matches perfectly with the little floral DP - you must have been elated when you saw your finished product! I love the way you separate the floral DPs with the solid mats. Makes perfect sense. Congratulations on a perfectly delightful card.
I LOVE, LOVE, love this, Leslie. Beautiful card. But such patience it would take to color all of it. Not sure I could do it but you did it beautifully.
Aww, very pretty and fun looking as well.
What an interesting - and very cool! - way to add color to that stamp. Seems like it would be easier than trying to color the stamp itself. Thanks! Great card, too!
You are darned right this image does look like it came with the papers…This is Beautiful Leslie
Leslie this is so pretty. I love how you colored this image, its a wonderful. I made an attempt and 3 dp, eek… I so need to practice more. LOL
Leslie, your image is stunning!! Something I haven’t tried before. Great use of the DP’s.
Gorgeous! The Basic Grey Urban Prairie is some of my favorite paper currently but for some reason I’ve kind of had a hard time cutting into it. You’ve inspired me. Thank you!
So very pretty Leslie! The image is so vibrant! Love all of your pattern/paper choices here too!
Wow…….all your designs look just great together. Remember when we were kids and we had to have all our clothes match and never, never mix different designs together…….now with DP’s anything goes!!! Love your results and the beautifully colored and glassy glazed main image too. TFS
So gorgeous Leslie! There is just no way I could pull off this combo of papers, and you do it effortlessly!
WOW doesn’t even begin to cover it! I would never have thought to lightly stamp and then color. And, then — using embossing powder over top?? I bet this is even better in real life! Thanks for sharing your talents and giving us a peek into your creative mind!
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! What colors and combos love it.
This turned out stunning Leslie - I love the mix of dps you used and that image is gorgeous!! Another masterpiece, my friend! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
Gorgeous card! Love all of the papers you used and your coloring is amazing!
This card is exactly why I love visiting your blog! I’ve been following your work for over a year now and am always inspired by you. Your work is beautiful!
Gorgeous! It does match your paper perfectly! Beautiful job!!
My goodness, Leslie…this is gorgeous!! I would have not thought to color over the image as you did, and it looks amazing!! I love the pretty papers as well…and I agree that they look like they were made for each other!!
Absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks for all the helpful hints in this post. Your marker colours co-ordinate perfectly and the tile effect is a very nice touch.
Gorgeous!!
beautiful job!
Beautiful combination of stamp image and papers. Love how the design showcases that cheery bouquet. I know that glazed surface looks even more fantastic IRL. This has a very quaint, kind of Pennsylvania Dutch quality. Love it. Linda
Love this one Leslie! It has such a gorgeous vivid look to the flowers, so well paired with the papers. The dark balance on the bottom row really works perfectly! You’ve done a beautiful job on the tutorial…and the cards!
That’s some gorgeous coloring on the bouquet! Love this card!
This is absolutely delightful and I LOVE your method for coloring this image — very cool, indeed!!!
This card is amazing. I’m a newbie to your blog but I won’t be for long! Thanks for sharing your artwork, ideas, and tips! I especially like your explanation of using SU markers for coloring like watercolors, and here they look so vibrant, almost like alcohol ink! Thanks again.
Use of patterned paper at it’s absolute BEST!!!! Gorgeous!