Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Embrace Life!


Sounds simple enough. I've embraced life with blog for nearly eight months and I must say, I sure am a better person for it! I've met sooooooo many wonderful, crafty and often downright zany and hilarious personalities out there ~ what a shame it might have been to miss YOU! Included in the "short list" of favorite discoveries in blogland was this challenge site: The Color Throwdown! Not only are the designers some of the craftiest, most color savvy artists on the internet, but they are FUN! Their personal blogs are always upbeat and inspirational and the Throwdown site is fun and welcoming all the time! They give lots of great feedback, prizes and, well, aw shucks ~ they invited lil' old me to be their guest designer for the month of November! Now that's a horse of a FABULOUS color that I can saddle up to! Thanks CTD gals! I'm thrilled!

I am DEEEEEEEEE-lighted to throwdown my first official {guest} design team offering:



HELLO, beautiful stamps, that I've kept "in the barn" for way too long! These colors, selected by none other than the super-fabulous, Tammy Hershberger, brought these images to life!


Gorgeous, huh!?! Can you believe I didn't make a WESTERN card with these super earthilicious colors? I was trying to S T R E T C H myself! And, like I said, I had to turn these stamps out into the field for some exercise! Oh, goodness! Such pretty images, and to think I used the most of the set in this one card ~ double bonus points right thar'!



It seems that I can barely make a card without using some bit of watercolor technique, these days. One of the most magical discoveries that drew me to card making, like no other creative pursuit, was the first time I saw what chalk could do to a stamped image. I was instantly infatuated with the effect and the "printed" quality of the look.... Why? I ... don't ... uh, know, actually! I don't know why, someone as inky-handed as myself, is obsessed with the professionally printed feel to aspects of my cards, when clearly, I love layering and use of diverse materials, but there's still something "old school" and magical about printed work and the pursuit of emulating it, yet still being crafty! Crazy? I think that hours of pouring over Curious George and Go Dog, Go! when I was a wee-gal, just shaped me as an artist. Now that I'm pretty much over "chalking", adding water color techniques directly to a card just makes so much sense... (Don't get me wrong, there is still a huge place in my heart for chalk! But the time and places are much more technique specific.) I think water color work is timeless and I'm in love. Ahhhhhh. {Shhhhhh, don't tell my husband!} Hee Hee ~ Well that was a LOT of info that I doubt you were shopping for! I simply wanted to say that I had a gas adding water color to these images! My favorite technique continues to be: smaller aqua brush+ drop of re-inker or from Water Color Wonder Crayons! In this card I didn't even use Staz On, so you can see how easy it is to apply water color with a small brush/pen! I was pretty pleased with the look and then, just for fun, added some Stickles to some of the flower centers!

I hope that this card might perk up some interest, if you've never played with the Color Throwdown ladies ~ give 'em a whirl! You won't be sorry! Go by the site and check out the fantastic and diverse samples... get ready to palpitate your crafty-lovin' heart! And, if you jump in for the first time, please, PLEASE, tell 'em I sent you! {And no, I don't get "color discount" for sending you! Tee Hee It will just make me feel PROUD!} It's soooooo easy to play, but be sure to get your card in by Sunday, November 8th (midnight, me thinks...) to be eligible to be a featured stamper! And, check their rules for proper "link-up" if you have any questions on that particular topic! I'm always happy to help, too, if you have any questions, just e-mail me!

So there you have it, friends! I'm delighted, AS ALWAYS, that you stopped by! Embrace life, and by all means THROWDOWN some extra color this week! YEE HAW!

Supplies -

C/S - Stampin' Up!
Ink - Stampin' Up!
Stamps - Stampin' Up!
Aqua brush - Stampin' Up!
Scallop punch - Stampin' Up!
Ribbon - Stampin' Up!
Stickles - Tim Holtz

20 comments:

Dotty Jo said...

Elise, babe do you ever sleep or is this an auto-post and you are infact safe in the land of dreams??? Anyhoooo, this is a fantastic card! Beautiful, lovely, gorgeous...you certainly have handled this colour challenge, and how wonderful that the Throwdown girls have asked you to be guest designer this month. This is totally deserved as your work is so inspirational and wonderful. Big hugs to you, Jo x

Beth said...

It's gorgeous! I wish I could take a class on water colors from you! Congrats on being invited to be guest designer! Awesome!

PS. "palpitate" I'm still chuckling over that on....brings me back to my Army Medic days.

~amy~ said...

OMGoodness...your card is simply spectacular!!!!! Congrats on being the Guest DT!!!

Rosemary said...

You crafty & sneaky gal!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ARE THE NOVEMBER GUEST DESIGNER!!! Well, actually I can because you are UBER TALENTED!!! And this card is no exception!! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! I'm also wondering, do you sleep???

Barbara said...

Gorgeous card, Elise!!! We're so happy to have you as our Guest Designer this month!!

Andi (RrlScrapGal) said...

Congratulations!!!!!!! Yippee Skippee on your Guest DT spot:)

Gorge-o-so card!!!

Karen said...

Congratulations, Elise!! The way you can make color sing, means this is no surprise though. And I love your aquapainter + WWC and even tried it on a butterfly a bit back (yes, yes, I know, the butterfly has not made it on to a card yet...but she's all cut out and ready to go!) and had a blast. :> LOVE how you used "Embrace Life" and made all of the images come to life!!! Waaahooooooo!!! :>

Claire said...

Congratulations, Elise! Lovely, lovely card.

Dana Gustafson said...

Like a breath of fresh air....ahhhhhh! I adore your gorgeous flowers that literally float righ tout of your card. Congrats GDT! You are such a great one!

Anonymous said...

This is just fabulous my girl! I love it... top to bottom! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Maybe they'll make room for a perm spot for ya! ;-)

Broni said...

Elise, you certainly have a way with words...AND with stamps and paper! Your card is gorgeous and I always enjoy your blog posts!! I'm so glad you're our guest designer for this month!!!

Carol L said...

congrats on your GDT honor! Beautiful card, I just love that beautiful stamped image!

Anonymous said...

Holy Cow Batman! I saw that gorgeous card of yours, this morning when I logged into the throwdown! Hurray, guest designer, you did one OUTSTANDING job on your card, I love all the precision and details! Now, onto your cute "bat" eared doggie! Awwwwwww, what a doll! He warmed my heart with those gorgeous eyes and the "what the heck are you doing to me" stare! Thanks for your comments about my card, you made my day! Actually, you made my month! Murphy says thanks for all the comments about her! She assisted in the making of that card, stealing all the scraps of card stock and tearing them to shreds! Your blog is amazing!

Murphy's Mom

LeAnne said...

Very pretty----I can see all the details you added, watercoloring, CUTTING OUT all those flowers---just lovely! For your first guest designer submission, it is a winner in my book! I thought these were difficult colors, but you rocked them. I am surprised you didn't do Western, though! :D

Cathy Rulli said...

So pretty - so glad you could join us!!

Vanessa said...

This is adorable and beautiful! You rock, girl!

Hugs,
Vanessa

Courtney Baker said...

Super cute Elise I love it!

Anonymous said...

Dear E,
Congrats on being a Guest Designer. I love your latest card using Embrace Life. How are those little puppies? Don't you love the gentle rain today? Perfect for paper crafting!
Linda B. (aka Fifi la Rouge)

Jane said...

Beautiful!!

Kelley Eubanks said...

Woo Hoo!! Congratulations Elise!! What an honor and so well deserved!! So happy for you! I absolutely love this card... it is just gorgeous!! I love your owl Christmas card as well that I missed!! So cute!! Hope you are doing well!