Apparently I'm the last person on earth who hasn't seen Game of Thrones, and I'm 100% okay with that. Good friends told me there are things about it they know I don't like - you should always have a few friends who tell you the truth about shows and movies. Not friends who know you don't like snakes, but conveniently forget the pit of snakes scene that goes on for half an hour in Raiders of the Lost Ark. (I actually don't mind snakes, but you get the picture).
Anyway, apparently there's a character in the show that has a dragon, and who doesn't want to be the girl with the dragon?? I certainly want to be the girl with the dragon.
So this image captivated me. Her and her little dragon buddy. I stamped her in Black Hybrid ink and colored her with Copics - her all in cool greys, and her little buddy in green, yellow and prawn - the dragon on the show - thanks Google Images - has sort of prawn colored wings. I cut her out with the matching die.
I cut a piece of watercolor paper with this fun layering die, and painted it with Payne's Grey, leaving it lighter in some spots for a sort of moody atmosphere. Then I mounted that on some no-shed black glitter paper the same size. Connect Glue has a super fine tipped applicator that I could get around those holes with. Then I mounted that all on Key Lime cardstock and added the sentiment from this adorable narwhal set - I thought it was perfect for the image. (FYI - she has matching envelopes for all her cardstock I love the Key Lime ones - instant happy mail.)
I had a bit of a life-changing moment with this next card. I almost can't bear how sweet this image is - it's everything I love in a stamp. Sort of a wistful sweetness, critters, and the ability to build a scene.
But, when I saw this sentiment - and this is something that doesn't happen to often with the stamps I buy - I actually felt a really profound change in perspective had occurred. A lot of people talk about the positive power of prayer and meditation in their lives - but no one really talks about how worrying is like wishing yourself something that you don't want with that same deliberation that you might spend on prayer and meditation for positive things.
I was astonished at what a powerful message that was.
So to create this scene, I stamped the foxes from this set, and then used masking paper to mask their bottom halves. I then positioned the stump over them in the MISTI, and stamped that on top and removed the mask. Both were stamped in Nocturne, as I was going to paint them with Daniel Smith Watercolor. In my mind she's saying - don't worry little foxito, momma's got ya.
I'm a cheerful and ruthless declutterer. Clutter makes me anxious. So when I found her book, I thought - now this is a woman who gets it.
So I made a card about it :). Video on the simple background below.
I got a piece of watercolor paper really wet, and then put lots of Phthalo Blue Green Shade watercolor on it. Then I used my "wave machine" you'll see in the video to make the little lighter ripples. After that dried, I stamped this fish background stamp over it in Nocturne, and this sentiment. Then I took one of the single fish, and had him break free from the school at the bottom to complete the theme. I gave him an open eye with my white gel pen - he's the only one with his eyes open on the card. I love this card - it reminds me of my favorite book - Swimmy.
So here's the super quick video on the wave machine.
Now we're getting to the title of this post. Nicole came out with this AMAZING large succulent that is a DREAM to watercolor! I like large images that give me room for blending, and this image is PERFECTION for that. I painted it with just two colors - and if you're at Creativation with me, you might be doing this as a make & take with those same two colors at the Simon Says Stamp event.
BUT, when I was done with two glorious hours of painting this (thanks to numerous distractions) - I could not bring myself to cut it down and put it on a card. It's painted on a 5x7 piece of cold press watercolor paper, and I think I might just frame it and put it on my wall. Or maybe I'll grow less attached and turn it into a card. But at this point, here it is - Moonglow & Serpentine only. I stamped it first using Fadeout Ink. As I said in my Daniel Smith Watercolor Split group - never trust anyone who tells you you will get mud with purple and green. That person is demented.
So these are just PART of the Creativation Release - you can see the full thing here and also below in my supplies. I hope you enjoyed this. I hope I get to hug some of you in Arizona.
Speaking of new releases - want to see the new My Sweet Petunia product? It's pretty amazing, especially if your brain is 2 degrees crooked, like mine is. Watch on Facebook for live demos of it throughout the show! Here's a quick video showing you how it works.
Here are all the PFS products I used, as well as the rest of the new release - have fun looking! Leave me a comment for a chance to win some new release goodies!
Speaking of new releases - want to see the new My Sweet Petunia product? It's pretty amazing, especially if your brain is 2 degrees crooked, like mine is. Watch on Facebook for live demos of it throughout the show! Here's a quick video showing you how it works.
Here are all the PFS products I used, as well as the rest of the new release - have fun looking! Leave me a comment for a chance to win some new release goodies!
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Loveyameanitbye.
Okay, so THIS is my favorite blog post EVER. I know I keep saying that, but I mean it every time. Your fishes, with the one going the other way... I die! And the fox sentiment... oy! So true. I need to have that made into a poster. But the succulent. The succulent. There is such a thing as sacred art. 💗
ReplyDeleteYour cards are absolutely Stunning! Thank you for sharing how to make waves. I can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteMEH. As in: Meh to people who argue that purple and green don't go together forget that sometimes when they need to paint succulents, the ONLY colors they need are purple and green. That image is GORGEOUS.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that the card that really spoke to me was the letting go one. I feel like it's a recently recurring message in my life, so the card is a good reminder!
I haven't watched GoT either (but my husband watches it). I love Swimmy! And I"m excited about being able to cut straight, even sentiment strips!
ReplyDeleteFabulous stuff! Love everything here, Jo x
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to cut up that beautiful succulent either! Gorgeous! And the foxes are just precious and what a special card. All of your cards are lovely!
ReplyDeleteSuch fabulous, amazing cards - as always! Besides your amazing colouring, thanks SO MUCH for sharing your 'wave machine' technique. How brilliant! Guess what I'll be doing this afternoon.... Have fun at Creativation!
ReplyDeleteLydia, I love all your cards, the girl with the little lizard is so well done. I love the mommy fox & baby card, I feel it says the same thing you do, mommy will take care of you. I also love the tips you gave for the churning water. Last is the best, that succulent is gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, Lydia! But I think that fox card was meant for me. I am such a worrier -- from morning 'til night, always have been -- but that sentiment is like a light bulb. Or maybe a floodlight. At any rate, I think I need that stamp set!
ReplyDeleteThese are cute cards! :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the school of fish stamp set and your waves are just genius! Thank you for sharing that tip. My sister-in-law is a breast cancer survivor and she does water therapy with a group of ladies who call themselves “the mermaids.” I make a lot of cards with a water background for them, and this will be most helpful. As far as the succulent goes, frame it and put it in a place of honor. It’s gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteJust wow!!!! I love that Virtex of Fish Card and the sentiment with the foxes is soooo true! And Game of Thrones is horrible and gross! Your not missing anything
ReplyDeleteI love the sentiment with the foxes ! That really does shed light on what not to do. Very cute !
ReplyDeleteall great cards and so fun to read your posts.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a blast at the show.
xx Karen
Well, I am the second to the last person on earth that hasn't seen Game of Thrones :) Fabulous cards Lydia! I love the sentiments and gorgeous coloring.
ReplyDeleteWatched the video. This is fantastic. I always
ReplyDeleteget wonky edges when I'm trying to trim a sentiment
down to fit on my card. The cactus is gorgeous.
Had to be careful I didn't prick my finger. :-)
thanks for sharing txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love your creativity!!! Beautiful set of cards!!! I'm very impressed from your awesome first card!!! Shes's so beautiful! Love this stamp set!!! Thanks for this chance to win!
ReplyDeleteFoxito!! You are adorable!
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing cards Lydia! I love them all and such beautiful sentiments to go with them all!
ReplyDeleteLots of nice cards, and I love the sentiment about worrying.
ReplyDeleteLove the cards and colors! Good to know about the wave making tool - fun!
ReplyDeleteThese are some spectacular products and you did an incredible job coloring all the images; I especially love the girl and her dragon and the succulent! I was looking through all the supplies that you listed and the sea turtle paint pallet is one of the cutest and functional things I have ever seen!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, creative card designs and thanks for sharing the new Misti tool.
ReplyDeleteslrdowney at hotmail dot com
I'd have a hard time cutting that succulent up into a card also. It's SOOO beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI, too, have never seen Game of Thrones, but love dragons - I guess there are two of us in the world! Love that card... :-)
ReplyDeleteGood thing you didn't say that we had to pick a favorite of your cards. I love all the sentiments, they are fantastic. Who doesn't love a dragon? And the foxes are just darn cute. The fish leaving the school and striking out on her own...not following the "herd" oh yeah! Great stuff and thanks for the tip on making waves!
ReplyDeleteNot sure where to start, Lydia!...Your cards are beautiful!! The prayerful fox...Yep! That sentiment can completely change your life. I agree!! Funny you should mention Marie Kondo. I just ran across a video on YouTube from a different lady talking about the 'paper' stage. I had never ever heard of Marie Kondo. The statement this lady made in her video that really screamed at me is, "What we love and brings us Joy stays, the rest goes". For me, this hit hard and deep in my heart. It's time to do some decluttering...in my home and in my heart! I'm guessing I'm not the only one that holds onto things from the past that I have no business holding onto...they don't bring me joy, that's for sure! I just watched my first video last night...it'll take some time before I can talk to my clothing. You, however, are right...her spirit is beautiful! Oh, and that succulent! WOW! That is a show stopper. I vote for framing it! Blessings to you, Ms. Lydia!
ReplyDelete