CCM Challenge #85 - Blooming Images

Our latest challenge has been set by Marie (MI). She has chosen the theme of 'Blooming Images'. She would like the flower to be the main image - no people, landscapes, trees, or people holding flowers - just flower images. The flowers could be in a vase - or it could just be the flowers.

Please ensure your card has only a flower/flowers as the main focus in order to qualify for the winner or Top 5 slot. 

We are sponsored by 

CRAFTS AND ME
with the choice of 3 digital stamps from their extensive range

 

and we also have on offer this fabulous die set, which has been very generously provided by a mystery donor! 

 Use these 26 clip and phrase dies to create tags & cards, party & wedding details, scrapbook pages, school projects, journals, home decor and more!

I chose to use my favourite daisy Paint Fusion stamp set from Sheena Douglass. I have them all, and although I don't use them so much these days, I do still love them. I started by using a wet on wet technique on the piece of shaped mount board (I picked this up at one of Sheena's workshops). All the paints I used are Eco-Green, and I used Clam Shell over the top of the brown mount board. Whilst that was still wet I brushed some Lime through it - not loads, but enough to add interest to the background. As I am a bit impatient, I dried it with a heat gun. 

I stamped the leaves and flowers onto the mount board using a really old Ink It Up olive green ink pad - I prefer to use a natural colour rather than black as then it tends to blend in with the paint. The leaves are painted using Zucchini and Lime. 

I started by painting the daisies in Clam Shell, and then a second time with Lime. This was to try to give a depth to the daisies - and to keep the colour tones similar. The final coat on the petals was White. Using a small stencil brush, I added Sunflower to the middle of each daisy, and a little Mulch to add dimension.

Once the paint was dry, I used a little Bundled Sage DI around the edges. I have to confess to now having ALL of the DI's - including the seasonals. I was given a few for Christmas, and then I splurged on the rest. I am a bit of a one for having complete sets. I currently have the Picket Fence pen, and am now eyeing up the rest of the DI pens!!! 

The cream base card is from Craftwork Cards - a 148mm 'Top Notch' square. I started with a square of lime green Bazzill Bling (sorry - don't know the colour names) and cut the corners off so you can see the detail of the base card. On top of that I use plain cream card from my stash,and rounded the corners with my X Cut corner rounder. The next layer is from My Mind's Eye - Lost and Found (if I recall correctly). Into this, I cut a decorative border using one of the inserts from Spellbinders Ric Rac Edgeabilities. To make this stand out, I stuck a piece of brown Bazzill behind it. The yellow layer is Bazzill, and the next brown layer also has the border cut into it. The final mat is the lime green again. 

Around all these layers, I wrapped some cream organza ribbon from my stash (Celebrations) and tied a bow. The cream and brown pearls are the finishing touch - I'm really into pearls at the moment - they're much more subtle than gems. 

For more inspiration, pop on over to the Crafty Cardmakers blog. The DT have been busy and have produced some great work - the range is as diverse as we are, so there should be something to inspire you all.

As for me, I shall return to writing reports for my lovely little Year 3's. It's VERY frustrating as it's half term, the sun is shining outside and my garden has been sorely neglected. But I know that if I don't knuckle down and do them, I shall regret it later. So I will be disciplined and get on with it. 

I would like to enter this into the following:

Craft Us Crazy - Use your favourites (the daisy stamp)

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Flowers and Pearls 

Until next time.

Cxxx