Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Waltzingmouse St. Patrick's Day Waltz



Every month on the 17th, Waltzingmouse Stamps has a blog waltz where fans of the company get together to share their love of all things Waltzingmouse.  This month, the theme is St. Patrick's Day/Irish.  You can read more about the waltz and how you can join in the fun on Claire's blog here.  You can find the list of partcipants and join in the chat about the hop in the forum here.  My order didn't get here in time for me to use my stamps on my cards, but Claire created two images for us to use if we wanted to.  Both images are just amazing and I ended up creating two cards so I could use them both.


Isn't this such an amazing image?!  There is so much detail and it's just beautiful!  I printed it out on Copic X-Press It cardstock and colored it with copic markers.  I used these markers: YR20, YR21, YG63, YG67, BG72, BG75, R29.  Then, I cut out the image and adhered it to a red cardstock oval and stitched a couple buttons on either side.  I distressed the edges of my ptterned paper (from October Afternoon's Campfire paper pad) before stitching it to my red cardstock mat.  I wrapped some crocheted lace around my patterned paper layer and adhered my pieces.



I used the second image that Claire designed for this card.  It's such a beautiful bouquet of shamrocks!  I used the same patterned paper for this card along with the same distressed edge, red cardstock layer, and stitching and some crocheted lace.



I printed the image on a piece of white Copic X-Press It cardstock.  I love this cardstock for coloring with copic markers.  I started by coloring my image with copic markers.  I used these colors: R27, R89, C2, BG72, BG75, BG78, YG63, YG67, and G28.  I wanted to make the image look like an old  botanical illustration so I did a lot of distressing.  I started by sponging antique linen distress ink (Ranger) all around the edges and lightly over the image.  Then, I spritzed some water on the piece to make the distressed ink look even more worn and distressed the edges.  (The water did make my computer ink start to run a little so I hit it with my heat gun to dry it more quickly.)  Next, I added the canvas texture with an impression plate.  Then, added a little walnut distress ink to the edges.  I scrunched the image up in a ball and inked some of the creases.  Then I flattened it back out and stitched the piece to a red cardstock layer.  I wrapped some red twine around the bottom and tied a blue button with a bow to finish off my card.

So, did I accomplish my goal of making the image look like an old, worn botanical illustration?  Either way, it was such a fun card to create. :)

Hop on over to the Waltzingmouse Stamps forum to see the rest of the cards in this month's blog waltz.  Have a great day!

Niki

46 comments:

Bee said...

Wow, two beautiful cards! The colours on the first one are amazing (I was a little stuck on keeping it green in my card!) and the vintage/distressed look of the shamrocks are lovely. Really great!

antjeegypt said...

Great colours (why did I stick to green - red looks stunning?) and I love the lace - it adds just the right touch to the card!

Julia Aston said...

Two lovely cards Niki! Love the non-traditional red and blue you mixed with the Irish green on these!

Kathy Martin said...

Fantastic Niki!

joanne said...

Fabulous cards....I like the colors you used...great combo!!! the crocheted laces are the toppers for me!!!!

LaurieJ said...

Wow, Niki! You did a fantastic job. I love your color combo and the patterned papers you chose. Very St. Patty's without being too green. The distressing on the second card is especially phenomenal.

Cyndie said...

Fabulous cards! I love how you added such dimension to the label with your coloring. Thanks for the inspiration!

Shaunery aka celticmystyc said...

I so like that you mixed up the colors for your cards. Very "non-traditional" but so works! Beautiful.

Mary K said...

You did a great job with both cards! I got as far as downloading the new freebie, but had no idea what to do with it. Now that I see yours I should get to coloring. LOL

Francine said...

Beautiful!! The red is a fabulous accent color to the blue and green. Wonderful job.

Mona said...

Happy St. Patrick's Day Niki! Both of your cards look gorgeous! Fab job coloring Claire's digi images!

Carly said...

WOW!! One word for both cards...Gorgeous!!! The colors and details are amazing!!

Crafty Math Chick said...

I love how you colored the freebie image Claire gave us Niki - so colorful and vibrant! Love the plaid background DP, the stitching and the lace too. Hope you are having a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Cassie K said...

love the crumpled look on the second image and the little gift set with the tag is just so much fun

Deborah Frings said...

I love both these cards, and I adore the colours used too! The plaid backing is super. Such fun cards.

Rudlis said...

Beautiful cards. I love the colours and details.

Lisa Hjulberg said...

Oh Niki, these are wonderful! The colors and distressing sing to my heart! Bravo!!!

Clare Buswell said...

Wow, two fabulous cards, really vibrant! Happy St.Patrick's Day!

Karin said...

WOW!! What beautiful cards!!! Love the colors you've used too!

Lee said...

Lovely cards...great colouring. So many little details. Love the lace and stitching.

Rachel P. said...

Gorgeous cards, Niki! Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!

Deirdre O'Donoghue said...

Loved your cards, was intrigued to see what you would create and they are gorgeous...oh and Happy St. Patricks's Day from the Emerald Isle

Beate said...

Wow! I have to check Claire's blog more often. I will have to join you next month! Love Waltzingmouse stamps.
Your cards both look amazing! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Hugs and smiles

Trish said...

Twp gorgeous cards - I love the colours you have used and the copic colouring on the first image is amazing!

Lynn Mercurio said...

Both of your cards are top notch. Such great color combinations and design elements. Such a fine job. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Genevieve p said...

Gorgeous cards Niki! The blue & lace looks fab on both of your creations :)

Jen Cuthbertson said...

Niki, I love these cards! Love the colors you chose, too! Those pops of red and blue are perfect with the green! Great job!!

Nancy M said...

The color choice for these cards is wonderful. Although I don't think the shamrocks look like a botanical print since the colors are so bold, it does look amazing.

Geny said...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I love these cards, both beautiful!! And I love WMS, they are fabulous, must pull some out and stamp with them again soon:)!

Shazi said...

Great way to use the nontraditional colors on your cards. Everything ties together perfect! Great Job! Happy St. Patty's Day!

Alice W. said...

both cards are beautiful, Niki! LOVE the worn look you created for the second card. fabulous!

jen shears said...

these are both fab! of course I'm in LOVE with the way you used the shamrock image!!!

Meredith said...

Beautiful! I love the blue and red mixed with he traditional green - and your distressing looks awesome!

Dana Gustafson said...

Oooh Niki! Love both of your sweet cards!

Kate W. said...

Niki, your cards are spectacular!!! I love how you incorporated blue into your color scheme. Your coloring is flawless!!!

Helen Lebrett said...

I love how you used the blue with the green: it made such a pretty combination!! Beautiful cards!

Chris Olsen said...

What fun creations!! I just love how you used the same designer paper for two gorgeous creations with two different styles. Gorgeous coloring and designs.
hugs,
Chris

Amy Sheffer said...

Gorgeous, Niki! Love the bright colors!

velta said...

Hi there Niki ~ I have to say that both cards are spectacular...Of course you have that talent that is rare...and your designs are so great along with your papers and colors. Thank you for sharing you are an inspiration :)

Claire Brennan said...

Niki - these are just superb!! I love your colours and that second card with the fabric texture just knocked my socks off!!! Thank you so much for waltzing along with us!

Sue W said...

Beautiful cards both!

Kelly Schirmer said...

Yay Niki, so much fun to see you waltzing! Your coloring, as always, is AMAZING! I LOVE the shamrock card on the linen so much!

pops x said...

Hi sweetie these are fab, love the distressed edges, a really nice feel tot hem, hugs pops x x x

Danielle said...

Very nice! I love the distressed panel on your second card!

Lyndall said...

Great card. Love how you gave the stamped image the scrunched up look. The colour combo you have used so stricking.

Ila said...

Both cards are Absolutley Gorgeous. The stamps are Wonderful..your coloring and details show them off Beautifully!!...Hugs, Ila