Monday, October 25, 2021

Thankful Sunflowers

Monday greetings, all! Hope you are doing well. I've had an ill-filled weekend, unfortunately. Finally got the medical ok to get the Covid jab, so got to do that Friday and at various times been battling chills, nausea, a bit of the runs, lethargy and a need for lots of sleep. I was able to do a little crafting to make my DT deadlines and just have a GD spot make to finish, then I can breathe a bit. I'm thankful to have these assignments, as they have kept me trying to focus on something other than my issues. Today has been an improvement on the weekend ailments, but I awoke with the sciatica screaming for attention and it's been one of those can't-get-comfortable days. I rotate the heating pad, gentle stretching and trying to not hear the screaming, LOL. 
At any rate, I realized I do have something to share with you in the meantime. I'd put this up under the ceiling fan in another room for the Stickles to dry several days ago. Honey asked me if I'd forgotten it. LOL, 😏yes. It began as a way to use some leftovers from previous projects on a card. The checkerboard is from a Gecko Galz collage sheet and the sunflowers are a Sandi's Samples digital image. I've added some green designer paper from Basic Grey's Sublime 12x12 collection (plus another sheet on the back). 
I chose Splitcoaststampers Sketch SC525 for my design mainly because of the arrangement of layers #2 and #3, as this would let me use the Gina Marie A2 vertical Wildflower cover plate die (with an A2 embossing folder underneath) and the horizontal Sandi's Samples digital image of sunflowers on top. However, I originally wanted to make a square card, so I stretched the sketch out on the sides a bit. Then, I decided I wanted to make it a hanging deco so the square card is on a 7x8" thin cardboard base. And element #2 on my piece is at an angle. So, suffice it to say that I did not follow the sketch religiously...more like very loosely. But to me, it looked better so that's where I went with it.
I edge-distressed the green BG pieces except for the top horizontal layer beneath the sunflowers digi. For that layer, I ran it through my Cbug inside a Darice Stripes embossing folder. It cracked the paper making squiggly little lines which then made it too delicate to edge-distress. I added trios of dull purple gems from my stash to each side edge and stuck in a couple of leftover Elizabeth Craft die strawberry vines. The Thankful sentiment is a Papertrey Ink die cut from white card twice, then glued together and adhered with dimensionals. The sunflowers digi was colored using my Zig Clean Color watercolor brush pens scribbled onto an acrylic stamp block and picked up with a wet paintbrush. The centers of the flowers are covered with Cinnamon Stickles (which is what was needing to dry under the ceiling fan). The fibers and ribbon at top are from my Black Hole of Stash.
Close-up of the middle section: I used a Gina Marie Wildflowers cover plate die to cut a sheet of TH Distress Watercolor card. Then I water colored the flowers going for an abstract look. How's about that Sennelier Orange, eh? It's like my favorite watercolor paint color, so I had to use it. The die cut flowers had to hold their own against the background behind them. Speaking of which...
Here's a close-up of that background. I took another sheet of TH Distress Watercolor card (rough side). For each color I used, I loaded my dry brush heavily with watercolor paint and quickly brushed one stroke in multiple places. Then after it dried, I went back over it with Twinkling H2O watercolors using a wet brush. I let that dry, then ran it through my Cuttlebug inside the Floral Screen embossing folder. I absolutely πŸ’“LOVEπŸ’“ how this came out. The subtle embossed texture is really cool, as are the colors.
For the back, I raided my BG Sublime scraps, really just needing to cover my ribbon line at top. The checkerboard is some ancient 7G gaffer tape. 
And a final view. I just ordered some silk sunflowers for my entry foyer table and this will go quite nicely beside them as part of that display. I'm really pleased with how this came out and am happy I opted for something I get to keep! 😍 

Thanks so much for visiting today and until next time, please be well and craft-happy! xoxo

MY CHALLENGE PLAYLIST:
I chose top row across & also left column down
Dies used: Gina Marie, Elizabeth Craft, PTI; EF's used: CBug, Darice
I used Zig Clean Color watercolor brush markers and regular water colors and Twinkling H2O's
Dies used: Gina Marie, Elizabeth Craft, PTI
I used Zig Clean Color watercolor brush markers and regular water colors and Twinkling H2O's

32 comments:

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OH! SO VERY Beautiful Aimes. Love love the colours, embossing and the sunflowers. Such a beautiful bright and happy wall covering. I'm sorry to hear you are having the "Covid" jab aches and pains, I hope they ease and you will be pain free soon. Sending hugs and healing thoughts.
Faith x

Kristine said...

Oh Aims, I hope your sciatica dissipates SOON!! You've really been thru the wringer lately! I'll be praying for you. As for your card, it's gorgeous and cheerful! Love how artsy it is❣πŸ₯° Take care my friend 🌈

JulieP said...

So many wonderful and colorful details in your piece!!! Hopefully you're past the vaccine aches by now. Thanks so much for playing along with the HLS die challenge!

Alyson Mayo said...

I love those sunflowers along the bottom and the colours are so bold - fabulous!

foleysfriend said...

Loving the colors, textures and patterns on your card. There is so much to admire. Thanks for joining us at Happy Little Stampers ~ Watercolour Challenge.

sue n.

Michele said...

i'm so sorry you've had a rough time with health and i hope you feel much better. your thankful card is beautiful and the gratitude you exhibit i am sure is a positive force in your life. sending good thoughts. xo

Diane said...

Wow, this is beautiful, so much awesome detail! I certainly hope you feel better soon and are back to 100%, I have had all your ailments mentioned and I know how NOT fun it is!!Thank you for joining our challenge at Double D!
Diane DD DT {Nellies Nest}

My name is Erika. said...

This is a fantastic page Aimeslee. I think using the black and white chckerboard piece was brilliant as it made the colors of the flowers really pop. It is perfect for Tracey's challenge at AJJ, and just beautiful to see also. Thanks for sharing with us. Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I was impressed with the black and white background that helped bring out the beauty of the sunflowers in front of it. I was just a bit sorry I couldn't see more of that orange sunflower background with the H2Os and the embossing. This is a lovely entry and brilliantly created. Thanks for sharing this with us at Art Journal Journey using Tracey's theme.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I forgot to mention how sorry I was to read about your Covid and sciatica problems. I hope you are at least partly better now.

Darlene said...

OH WOW this is just awesome my friend! Absolutely gorgeous colors & design! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Sunflowers’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!
P.S. Hope you're on the mend ... such trying times we are living through right now! Hang in there and know I'm thinking of you!!

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I love how your turned this page into a hanging display, beautiful for upcoming Thanksgiving with those amazing sunflowers. Will look fabulous in your entrance hall. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you are now feeling much better after your Covid Vaccine?
Creative Hugs Tracey x

Meggymay said...

Sorry I am late calling in, I hope you are feeling a lot better today. It is a fantastic page you created and I think you for linking with us all at AJJ and Tracey's theme.
Yvonne xx

Jackie C said...

So happy to see your entry at My Time To Craft.
We love to see everyone’s work.
Good luck, do come back again!
Hugs, Jackie DT member x

craftytrog said...

A gorgeous piece of art Aimeslee, I love those sunflowers!
I hope you're feeling much better now.
Alison

Crafting Queen said...

Wonderful creation. Love the colours. Thanks for joining 613 Avenue Create. Anesha

WendyK said...

Gorgeous page with the striking background and vibrant colours.

pearshapedcrafting said...

So sorry you aren't feeling well-hope some big improvements are on the way. I love those vibrant colors. The sunflowers are gorgeous. Thanks so much for linking to Art Journal Journey, hugs, Chrisx

Chrissy said...

Fabulous bright and happy project..
Thank you so much for joining in with us at 613 Avenue Create..hope you will play along again..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Debbie Mageed said...

Such a beautiful card! I just love all of the wonderful layers and details. Wish I could see it up close! I'm sure the photo doesn't do it justice. Thank you for playing with us at the HLS Die Challenge and hope you can join in again soon.
Debbie
Secrets To Stamping
Join my Creative Creases Challenge for fun folds!

Jane Savage said...

Wonderful project with gorgeous colour and texture!
Thank you for joining us this month at We Love 2 Create With Polkadoodles! Jane (DT) Paper, Pencils & Pretty Things xxx

Irmelin Eriksson said...

What a color explosion! Wonderful project. Thanks for joining us this month at We Love 2 Create. Hugs from DT-Irre

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful sunflowers and project, love the colours for our current challenge, SUNFLOWERS … Thanks for joining in at Double D challenges aNNie Design Team
https://thejourneyisthestarthere.blogspot.com/{My Blog}

Ashwini Rao said...

Incredible!! There's so much texture, so many media, and so many colors in this piece! But still it looks absolutely smashing! Thank you so much for joining us at the Happy Little Stampers Watercolor challenge!

jolanda creatief bijtje said...

mooie kaart
bedankt voor het meedoen aan onze challenge
groetjes jolanda bongers
dt star stamps

Arlene said...

Your scraps turned into a wonderful cheery card. All the individual pieces just seem to work together so well. So glad you joined us at Die Cut Divas, https://die-cut-divas.blogspot.com/

Corrie Herriman said...

Great card! Thank you so much for your contribution to my challenge “autumnal colours/Halloween” over at Country View Challenges! Corrie x

Birgit said...

This is beautiful! I love all the texture and rich colors you've achieved. Beautifully done! Thanks for linking up to the Double D challenge. Best of luck to you.

Vic said...

Love the colours and layers of this little piece of art! Thankyou for sharing this with us at The Colour Crazy Challenge - Vic, DT x

CraftyGirl said...

I am very glad you joined us this week at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge Blog. I hope you had a fantastic time!!! See you back very soon to play in another amazing challenge. :)

TTFN,

CraftyGirl
craftygirlcardsandcrafts.blogspot.com
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Design Team Member

Kuni said...

A fantastic card.
Thank you for joining us at the Sweet Stampers and i hope to see you again.
Hugs
Kuni

Ginny said...

So glad you're playing along with us on Star Stampz Challenge Blog. All the best!
--- DT Gina Ang---