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Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Easter Deco for April's Love To Craft Challenge #45

Wow, it's April 1st - no foolin'! :-) A new monthly challenge begins over at Love To Craft Challenge Blog. Here is my design team project, an 8x8 Religious Easter Deco:

I had a religious Easter Deco planned since last year, but I had trouble deciding on the details until I honed in on a few symbols I wanted to include if I could find them among what I already had. I wanted Jesus's crucifixion cross and shroud. I got that plus his crown of thorns in Sweet n Sassy's digital stamp Old Rugged Cross.  I also wanted palm leaves and I found a good palm die in Tim's Tropical Thinlits dies. I used scraps for all the die cuts.

 I used a Graphics 45 8x8 chipboard backing and adhered a sheet of Cosmo Cricket's Summer Love collection to it. I then broke out the Crafters Companion Sheena Burst of rays to stencil with yellow acrylic paint and a makeup sponge wedge. I die cut my Quickutz Revolution Washington alphas and Spellbinders tiny cross and adhered them. Also the ribbons all around the edge, and then that gorgeous purple flower trim that I have been hoarding for too long. Last step here was die cutting several Tim Tropical Thinlit palm leaves and adhering a few layers at the bottom.

 The Sweet n Sassy digital stamp Old Rugged Cross was printed out on Springhill card stock and then I did a technique I learned from Technique Junkies called Pencil Over Marker. I colored the cross a light brown and the shroud a light purple with ProMarkers as a base coat. Then I colored with my still new to me Polychromos pencils, using 3 shades brown on the cross and 3 shades of purple on the shroud. I did use a dark gold metallic gel pen on the thorns in the crown.

 I fussy-cut the image and used dimensional foam tape to adhere to the deco on top of some die cut palm leaves. I then went to town layering paper flowers. My aim here was to also remember the importance of the palm leaves and to sort of show that as those palm leaves, that were discarded after Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, eventually turned to ashes (that Christians symbollically dot their foreheads with on Ash Wednesday), there was new life and growth springing forth.

This is my favorite way to color with pencils because I always find "bald" spots, but when I color with alcohol marker first, the color is down everywhere and I can shade with the pencils.

 With Easter coming up in less than 2 weeks, I am glad to have made my first Deco for it. I also want to make a secular Deco with an Easter basket, eggs and bunnies...maybe a bit humorous. We will see if I get to it this year or not. This one will go nicely with my other Spring-related creations.




 Close-ups...
 The back this time: the G45 chipboard was already wearing this pattern and white on the other side, so I left this side alone.
 I moved it to the foyer to take this, with the front door window sunlight hitting it. Makes the purple look pink, doesn't it? I may keep it hung here a while. It goes well with the wallpaper.

Thanks for visiting me today. I continue to pray for us all, XOX

CHALLENGE PLAYLIST:
1.   A Vintage Journey March Challenge: Celebration Time Come On!
2.   Sparkles Monthly March Challenge #126: Easter
3.   Outlawz Festive Fridays 3/20-4/2: Easter/Spring Theme
4.   Colour Crazy Week 11: AG with Colouring -- I used Polychromos colored pencils over ProMarkers to color the cross and shroud. It is called the Pencil Over Marker technique.
5.   Time Out Challenge #158: Lots or a Little Purple -- I didn't play the optional twist this time.  

6.   Creative Fingers #182: AAG
7.   Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge: Spring
8.   613 Avenue Create #231: AG + Opt. Colored Pencils -- I played the option by coloring the cross, shroud and crown with Polychromos colored pencils over ProMarkers.
9.   Try it on Tuesday: Beauty of Nature
10. Take a Word Challenge: Botanical
11. The Creative Crafters #26: AAG
12. Creative Confetti Challenge: Let's Go Digital! -- The Cross image is a digital stamp I resized in PSE and printed out and hand colored. 
13. Passion for ProMarkers Week 536: Lace & Flowers -- I used ProMarkers to colour the Cross and I have paper flowers and flowered lace on the side edges.
14. Stay Crafty with Hero Challenge #2: Never-Seen-Ink --  Supplies I have had for years used for the first time on this project: Old Rugged Cross digital stamp, purple flowers brocade, palm tree leaf die, Sheena Burst stencil, QK Washington alpha dies

32 comments:

Words and Pictures said...

Lovely colour contrasts - the purple and yellow work so well to make each other even brighter. All those flowers look gorgeous.
Alison x

froebelsternchen said...

This is breathtaking! A wonderful piece Aimeslee!
Happy day , take good care of you!

Susi xxx

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Well Aimslee, I have finally managed to find my way to your places kinda lost and distracted by list going on here!
And wow, what great card, wonderful tribute to the greatest Gift eve given but the LORD Jesus Christ on Good Friday all those years ago.
I didn’t know that colouring technique had name, I’ve mixed up techniques for years, rules in crafting are made to be broken, except for safety ones, but creative definitely!!!
Agree mixing pencils and markers is good but I love pencils so often use just them. I’ve loved them all my life, well remember when 8 yrs old Birthday was given my first set of Lakeland pencils and using them so lovingly. Seen that sweet n sassy set it is good one. No overseas buying now though our $ is way too bad. Buy in Oz only.
By the way you’ve won a prize over at Beccys place, well done!!!! Am so pleased for you
Thanks for being a blessing, and may God bless you too, especially in these troubled times, may we look up in faith! Praying you’re all kept well too!
Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 😊

{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Cath Wilson said...

This is simply beautiful, Aimeslee. A work of heart. Love those splashes of purple and yellow, so vivid and clear in the background you made. Echoing the purple in the flower centres is a great touch and brings it all together. Love your colouring, too.

I'm confused by the word, Deco, though - We used to send decos round for everyone to decorate a page - so they were books. This, however, looks like a canvas...or is it not?

You've worked hard on this and it shows. It really is so striking. I bet it was very therapeutic to make, too. I pray it comes to life for you on Resurrection Day during this incredibly bizarre - almost apocalyptic - time.

Thank you so much for linking to Try it on Tuesday. God bless you and keep you safe.
Cath x

Linda Mc Enery said...

WOW!!! This is an absolute masterpiece! Fascinating colouring technique - one I've never heard of. The end result is super! I love the run rays and profusion of flowers. You've managed to honour the sacrifice of the cross and celebrate the joy of the resurrection, all in one beautiful piece of art! Thanks for sharing this with us at Passion for Promarkers! Stay safe!
Linda

sandie said...

wow you made a wonderful card. Love how you built up the card, and the flowers are layered to perfection. And that string of flowers at the top are super. I do like you kept the one cross and sentiment plain white as it stands out. Thanks for joining Time Out.

sandie said...

Think I forgot to say thanks for joining Time Out!

Elaine Stark said...

A fab card. Thanks for joining Passion for Promarkers. Elaine

Meggymay said...

A gorgeous project. I loved seeing all the photos you shared and the colour combination is lovely. It must look even more beautiful with the sunlight resting on it.
Thank you for linking up with us at Try it on Tuesdays.
Stay safe and well.
Yvonne xx

Diane said...

A beautifully created piece of decor with all your gorgeous details!! We actually have the Old Rugged Cross church here in our little village. Thank you for joining our challenge at The Sisterhood!
Diane TSH DT {Nellies Nest}

Nat said...

Beautiful! Thank you for joining in at PFP
Natx

Rachelle Oltean said...

What a gorgeous deco piece! I love the textures and how well the colors all work together! Your coloring came out beautifully and the added sun rays really add focus to the single-word sentiment. This is lovely!
Rachelle : )- DT@ Sparkles Monthly Challenge

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

I literally gasped when I saw this. Oh. My. Gosh! What a beauty! those colours, especially the purple, pop. I love to see you work because you are so creative with everything you do. Take care. Bethie

Darlene said...

WOW! Absolutely gorgeous colors & design! Brilliant! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Sisterhood of Crafters challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
SISTERHOOD OF CRAFTERS
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!

indybev said...

Lovely Easter art.

crafty-stamper said...

WOW absolutely amazing piece of home deco-love the powerful image and all the texture and flowers-hope you stay safe and well
Carol x

Jean said...

A beautiful card very ! Thanks for sharing at 613 Avenue Create x

sweetpea said...

Lovely card, thank for sharing it with us at the Colour Crazy Craft Challenge Janet DT

Crafting with Darcy said...

Jawdropping beautiful! I love how you showed all the progress photos!! Fabulous Easter card!

Words and Pictures said...

And again - thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey!
Alison x

KraftyKoolKat said...

I really adore this beautiful & very poignant religious card. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely creation with us at Sparkles Monthly Challenges.
Hugs
Cathy DT Member
xxxx

Stephanie Lanzalotto said...

What a glorious work of Easter art. So much detail Thanks so much for joining us at Time Out.

Tammy said...

What a stunning piece of art Aimeslee! I love the colors and all of the flowers, just beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us at Sparkles Monthly.
Tammy x

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, this is stunning! I love your design and how you put all the elements together, it's perfect 😁. It speaks Easter to me - gorgeous! Thanks so much for joining us at A Vintage Journey and for joining in the fun at Try it on Tuesday too! Wishing you a happy weekend! Stay safe and well! Hugs, Jo x

Susan (rainy) said...

What a fabulous, detailed and beautiful creation. Love this.

My name is Erika. said...

Gorgeous Easter piece AImeslee. Hope you are staying healthy. And thanks for joining us ar Try It On Tuesday. Hugs-Erika

LeslieT said...

I've fallen behind in my commenting because there just aren't enough hours in a day! This card is just beautiful and so perfect in every way!

Julia Aston said...

A lovely piece for Easter - love the draped cross and beautiful field of flowers! thanks for sharing with us at AVJ! xx

Mrs.B said...

Hi Aimeslee, catching up at last! This is a fabulous piece, I love the yellows with the purples giving a lovely fresh feel to it. The sun rays in the background look really uplifting.
I hope you are staying safe and enjoying Easter as best as you can in these strange times.
Thanks also for sharing this with us at Try it on Tuesday.
Avril xx

Katy said...

Gorgeous! I love the coloring and all of the flowers! He is Risen Indeed! :)

Dorlene Durham said...

I love this. There are so many layers to this and creative elements. Very nice!

Julie Koerber said...

What a gorgeous creation! I love the depth in that purple -- just so pretty all the way around. So glad you share with us peeps at Power Poppy!