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Oriental Blossoms

Do you ever get REALLY excited about a card you make? I mean really excited??? Well, today's card is like that for me. I often make cards I think are just okay, but I LOVE this card.

Cindy had a challenge going on her blog to take an inspiration photo and use it as the layout for a card. Well, my allergies are too bad to head outside for a photo, so I took a picture of my all time favorite piece of art that takes center stage in my front room. I can't believe I never thought of making a card like it before, because something in it just speaks to my soul. On rainy days like yesterday I sometimes sit at the top of our staircase and just stare at this picture. The painting is by Don Li-Leger and is titled Oriental Blossoms II. I have several of his paintings, he does absolutely fabulous semi-abstract compositions with amazing use of color, shape and design.

Okay, so on to the card... did I mention I love how this turned out? It's so nice to have a card just "work" and end up like I envisioned. I started by stamping the cherry blossoms from Artfully Asian with Ancient Page Coal Black ink on Stella Ruby Basic Grey paper. Next I colored each of the blossoms in with my white gel pen and the leaves with my Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker. Then I painted each blossom with Dazzling Diamonds and Crystal Effects mixture for a little pop.

I stamped the Friendship character from Symbols of Solicitude and the Thank You from Artfully Asian on Sahara Sand in Coal Black and then overstamped with Linen background and Sahara Sand ink. Next I cut out the sentiment pieces, roughed up the edges with my Tonic paper distresser and stippled with a dry stenciling brush and black Stazon reinker. I then traced over the Friend character with my Sakura black glaze pen to make it stand out. I matted the blossom panel on a piece of Sahara Sand that I distressed with Black Stazon reinker and a brush. The entire card is 6" x 6" made from Stella Ruby paper.

To finish, I glued down the Friend character, tied down the Thank You sentiment with hemp and hodgepodge hardware and adhered with pop dots and terrifically tacky tape. I then cut a tiny little red square and covered with Crystal Effects and glued in the corner.

17 comments

Cindy Lou Who said...

I wish I could type what I said to you when you first showed this to me...I think it went soemthing like this;
"OMG!!! OMGAWD!!! That is just the BESTEST card you have EVER made!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT"!!!!
Was that pretty close? *snort*
Again Jules, I really love it -) I am so glad I inspired you to make a card that means so much to you.

Lorrie said...

This is just gorgeous! Love all your work and absolutely love your blog! tfs!
Lorrie

Pegg S said...

WOW !!! Amazing, gorgeous, lovely ... It's a work of art!!

Lila H said...

Julee - A SHOW STOPPER!!! This is absolutely stunning work - what more can I say? love it, lila

Anonymous said...

Very nice!! I love it!

Susan said...

exquisite

Allison Rankin said...

Gorgeous work Julee!

Sherrie said...

This is just beautiful Julee! A work of art! Nice piece you have hanging in your living room too!

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

I would be excited if I made that too! It's gorgeous!

Ida said...

Truly beautiful! - Your card really does reflect your inspiration piece. Great job. Ida

Colleen Schaan said...

Stunning! I love the artwork and the card has the same warm soothing feel. Isn't it awesome when you love a card...send it in to get published!!! It is totally publishable.

Anonymous said...

absolutely amazing!

Shannan Teubner said...

OMG That is an amazing card!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!

Bethany Paull said...

Oh my gosh! I thought the top pic was your card and the bottom pic was just a close up or another angle or something. You re-created this perfectly!

Kim Ross said...

Absolutely breathtaking! You did such a nice job. My opinion is that your card is way better than the original! :)

Diane said...

You have something to be excited about girl!!!! Just BEAUTIFUL work!!!!!!!!! TFS!!!!!!!!!

QuiltNut Creations said...

abolutely gorgeous!