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Wednesday 4 March 2015

Misty Morning

Hi there everyone.  I have a male birthday coming up and it is always difficult making cards for men. I got out a few stamps including a NBUS set from Claritystamp which consists of a windmill, long grass, and long grass flower heads.


I started with a snippet of white card 41/2" square, and stamped the long grass at the front to frame the scene using Adirondack ink in Lettuce which I added all over the stamp first, and then Bottle which I dabbed on in places to break the colour up.  I then added the water using some blending foam and a slightly curved piece of paper to mask, and some Adirondack ink in Stonewashed, and starting at the edges I built up the colour, keeping it darker round the edges and lighter in the middle.  I then cut a piece of scrap paper with larger curves for the hills and the same greens that I used for the grasses.  I used the curved edge of the scrap paper to form the hills starting with the Lettuce and then adding the Bottle for some darker areas and shadows.  I then very lightly added another couple of hills in the background but literally using just the ink which was left on the blending foam.  I finished the scene by filling in the sky using Adirondack Stonewashed and a very little Adirondack Faded Jeans.  I used another piece of scrap paper with two or three smaller curves and moved it randomly around dusting the colour on to give lighter and darker areas, and then I went over the whole sky with a bit more Stonewashed to even it all out, but with a bit of variation so that it wasn't too flat and uninteresting.  I used a bird from a set of stamps by Sheena Douglass over a darker patch which I couldn't seem to blend away so the bird disguises that a bit.  Being a picky person I also see that there is rather a definite line in the right hand hill where I added another hill over the top and didn't smooth the ink out enough, but I think in real life it doesn't show as much as it does in the photo, and it is in the post now so too late!  The trouble is sometimes I get impatient and try to add the colour too quickly which leads to an irritating blob, so I say 'steady as you go' when adding colour, it doesn't always work though.

You will notice that I didn't use the windmill in the end because as the scene progressed there didn't seem to be anywhere where it would fit in, so no windmill this time.  I also decided the grass looked better without any of the leaves or flower heads.  I mounted this on to a snippet of dark green card and then on to a white square base card and then added a sentiment to finish.

This is the first scene like this that I have done recently and Mr Mojo stuck around so it went quite well.  When completed I decided that the colours were quite soft and it reminded me of the early morning before the sun has burnt the hazy cloud away, so misty morning it is.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pat  x

I am entering the following challenges:

Pixie's Crafty Workshop - Week 166 where we use up all our leftover paper and card etc.
Stamping Sensations - One for the Guys.
Seize the Birthday - Masculine.
Happy Little Stampers - Sponging.  I sponged the ink on using blending foam.
Country View Challenges - Anything Goes.


22 comments:

Kylie said...

Beautifully sponged background and stamping! Thanks so much for playing along at Happy Little Stampers xx

Sharyn Polesel said...

Beautiful masculine card! Love the serene water scene. Thanks for joining us at Seize the Birthday!

Di said...

Beautiful card Pat! So dreamy and your title is perfect. You created a really lovely soft and gently scene.

Hugs

Di xx

Jacee said...

Such a lovely scene Pat, a really nice design, love it!
hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

Loll said...

You've create a very peaceful and serene scene, Pat. Beautiful sponging and I love the variations of colour to add depth. Great job!! Thanks so much for playing along at Happy Little Stampers.

Jean said...

A beautifully peaceful little scene you have created here Pat. I love the tall grasses.
Jean x

Joan said...

Lovely scene, beautiful colours and stamping

Thanks for joining us set Stamping Sensations this month

Joan

brenda said...

A beautiful scenic card Pat, great stamping and inking and right up my street.

Thanks so much for sharing your creativity with us at Stamping Sensations challenge.

B x

AlisonC said...

It looks very pretty and serene. No windmill necessary.

MaryH said...

This is splendid! (and yes I think you are indeed being too picky on your hill & bird!) The entire scene is so extremely well done, and the 'spot' that your bird is covering, looks like a cloud shadow, which fits in with the darker clouds at the top of the scene. Your hill looks 'defined' - not hard edged - at least to my eye. I'm impressed with the way you've sponged this - using such different colors to add great shading & light. The water looks very realistic too. So you just sit back and let us all tell you how great this card truly is!!! Big hugs & TFS (and I agree with Alison, doesn't need one other element to make it any better than it already is!).

Sue said...

This is beautiful Pat, I love how you've put this scene together. Thank you so much for joining in with our challenge at Country View Crafts and have a great weekend. Sue xx

Heather T said...

What a restful and enticing scene. I love the soft colours.

scrappymo! said...

Grogeous as is. Did not need the wondmill at all!

Your placement of the bird is spot on...the darker patch looks like it is supposed to be there...

Great card, Pat!

Bonnie said...

WOW, Pat! I caught my breath when this opened up! What a gorgeous scene! It should be framed!

Sarn said...

SUPER scenic card Pat. I am always in awe of those that create scenes . .. I have great difficulty with them!

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Beautiful scene and design Pat. It's great for a 'man card', which I agree are harder to create. Most of mine are not suitable for a man. I was away so now trying to catch up on all the lovely designs! Happy Weekend, Shirleyxx

Hannelie said...

Pat this is so Beautiful!
Thank you so much for playing at Seize the birthday!

Darnell said...

This is a natural style for you, Pat! It's obvious you have an eye for landscape design by knowing not to squeeze in the lighthouse and mess with the grass when it was "just right!" I hope you do more of these scenic beauties!! Hugs, Darnell

Liz said...

A beautiful scene, Pat, just beautiful. xx

shirley-bee said...

Beautiful scene! Thanks so much for playing along at Seize The Birthday :)

Jennifer Johnston said...

Hi there Pat, this a a great male card, love the scene you have created. Have a good week
Hugs Jennifer xx.

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow Pat this card looks amzing, great colour use, great image, your card let me dream about a summer day on a lake, I just love it!!

Greetings
Maria