Wednesday, January 19, 2011

It's a Beautiful Day!

I have been having so much fun working with Distress Inks! I have completely come to screeching halt regarding my scrapbooking so I can make cards using Distress Inks! I surely didn't get this enthusiastic or driven with my Copics! I've been struggling with the water brushes I previously bought. Yesterday, though, I finally broke down and bought a set of Stampin' Up water brushes. I had bought a set of Aqua Flo water brushes, and they surely live up to their name - Aqua Flo! All they do is leave huge puddles on my papers! I'm not even holding the area where the water is! The water just gushes out and then what's the point? I was given a Pentel water brush as a RAK from a friend. That's the one I've been using. It's better than the Aqua Flo, but I want something even more consistent. The Pentel tends to either get too wet or too dry. It must be me! LOL

I have made a monochromatic card for my dear friend, Sharon. Her birthday is later this month and purple is her favorite color. I don't have a lot of purple stuff since I don't really care for the color. But, for Sharon, I dug through my stash for paper and cardstock. For this card, I chose to use a deep eggplant Bazzill cardstock with Stampin' Up papers in the same color family. I I used the Distress Inks to color the image, added flowers by Prima (which my sweet husband bought me as a surprise when he went to Vegas last Friday), and stamped the interior sentiment using Distress Ink on vellum so that the patterned paper can be seen beneath. The greeting on the front was metallic gold. I colored it purple with a Copic Marker. The lacy circle on the front is elevated using tiny foam pieces. It is also beautifully dry embossed. I used the same embossing set on the inside for the circles as well as that interesting shape on the inside top flap. It's a shame you cannot see the dry embossing. It's beautifiul! The embossing die is available at Crafts U Love. The adorable stamp, Tilda with Small Gift, is available as a preorder through Magnolia-licious! Diana at Magnolia-licious has all of this collection available as a preorder. If you stop by, be sure to check out her exclusive line of MAGNOLIA MINI STAMPS! You don't want to miss those!

I have chosen to enter this card into two challenges. The first is a monochromatic card challenge found at Cute Card Thursday. I'm not comfortable with challenges, but I figured why not? If my card is one thing, it's monochromatic! LOL The second challenge is a Use Your Stash challenge found at Sketch and Stash Here is my card:

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Well, that's all she wrote (or created) folks! I hope you like my card. I want to thank sweet Zoe from Make It Crafty for sharing her expertise with me. Love ya!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I love having your visits. They mean the world to me!

XO,
Chris

33 comments:

Chris said...

Chris,

Your card is beautiful. I am sure your friend will love it. I do!

Rene said...

What a gorgeous card!!! Truly inspiring!
Rene :D

Card Crazy said...

Ooh, that's so pretty. I'm going to have to pay more attention to purple. Your monochromatic is a wonderful example. Like it a lot.
Sue S.

Anonymous said...

So pretty, you're doing so well with the distress inks! I love how you did the folds on her dress. Great job with the pleats! Your friend should love it!

Sharon Caudle said...

OMG!!! Look at this!! Girl, you are a NATURAL with the distress inks! Gorgeous colors and love the layout and this Tilda! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!
hugs,
Sharon

Regina said...

Chris!!!! I love it!! :)) You did an amazing job!!

Leslie Anne Avila said...

Chris,
Beautiful! I love how you've shaded the pleats! Very nice!

Blessings,
Leslie

Rosie said...

Gorgeous Chris! Love the purples (my mom's favorite color). So do the Stampin up water brushes work the best? I'm thinking about trying distress inks and want to make sure I get the right brushes!

Suzanne J Dean said...

Very sweet--love the soft lilacs and your watercoloring looks fabulous! It IS hard to find a good water brush--I tried 4 before I found one I like but now I use copics more, LOL!

hugz,
Suzanne

Pam said...

I love your purple card! Your friend will LOVE it too!!!!
TFS
Hugs from Indiana,
Pam:)

Christina C. said...

Hi Chris! Your card is absolutely stunning....love the die and your Tilda is colored beautifully.
Excellent job!!! Your friend will love it!

Karen said...

Your card is beautiful!! : )

Sandy said...

Oh Chris! This card is gorgeous! Beautiful art work -- good golly Miss Molly! I love it!!
Sandy Dehon

Myrna said...

Your coloring and pleats are wonderful Chris! I'm going to have to check out Zoe's site again. Your friend will just love your card. My first thought every time I see this Tilda is that her price tag on her dresss in hanging down. I guess it's probably a present. LOL Super job!!

Zoe said...

Wow. Look at those pleats! I just love the effect you achieved on the bottom of her dress! I love the purple colours too.

Myrna, I couldn't help but giggle as I must admit I thought the same when I first saw this image. heheee

Carol said...

Chris,
You did a wonderful job on this. Your friend will treasure this card and your hun is wonderful to get you something in Vegas to help the cause. I know your friend will look at this through years and it will bring happiness and smiles you her mind and heart.

Mahalo and Aloha from Hawaii

Iulia said...

Wow!This is so beautiful! I'm also in love with this Marianne design die and it's goes perfectly with this new sweet Tilda! You're so happy to have her already! I have to wait a few more days for my parcel to arrive:(
You've colored Tilda beautifully. Love the flower bouquet too!
Adorable!
Hugs, iulia

Lizzy said...

WOW this is stunning..inside & out!

Thank you for joining us at Sketch N Stash ...good luck!

xx Lizzy xx :)

Treacle said...

Hi Chris

This is a beautiful card. I've showed the girls at work and they love it too.

Tracy
xXx

Unknown said...

Beautiful card Chris. Thanks for joining our Monochromatic challenge.
Caz
x

cathylynn said...

Hi Chris, WOW this card is Beautiful!! (Inside & out) Great coloring!!!

Corinne said...

Very pretty card. Love the purples all together.
Hugs~
Corinne

Vicky said...

This is gorgeous Chris!, what a darling image and those flowers are just beautiful :o)

Thank you for joining us at Sketch n Stash and good luck!!

Hugs Vicky xx

Catherine Atkinson said...

A very elegant card. Now I want to make purple cards!

Sue said...

really beautiful card,thank you for joining us at sketch n stash

sue
xx

Anonymous said...

Oh she is so sweet! What a beautiful card you've made and your coloring looks lovely - love those pleats!! I'm struggling with coloring pleats. ;) hugs, Angela

Lisette Morris said...

Beautiful! I love the pleats of her dress, her coloring is fantastic! Great card!

Cordine said...

gorgeous card!
Hugs
Cordine

Paula said...

I love the black and white theme. And your Tilda is so cute.
Paula
Crafts U Love x

Claudia Rosa ~ Pretty Pressings said...

what a precious card i love the papers and the pretty embellishments and of course Tilda :-)
your blog is very pretty!
have a wonderful weekend
Claudia

Sharron aka Sharrahug said...

Such a darling card! I know your friend will love Tilda dressed in purple.
Huggies ~
Sharron♥

cabio's craft corner said...

Oh Chris, this is so gorgeous. Your friend definitely is going love this :o)
Hugs,
Cabio

Sylvia said...

Beautiful card with beautiful colors.
Hugs Sylvia