Golden Poppies

"The Poppy"

by J. Ward 

High on a bright and sunny bed

   A golden poppy grew

And up it held its staring head,

   And thrust it full in view.

Update: April 8, 2015 - This card was in the Top Three at AHSC!

 The Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge has given me the opportunity to learn more about my newest addiction. I never dared to enter cards in any challenges previously but I let my friend talk me into it. Since taking the first plunge with Challenge #93 I've grown to enjoy the competition and have entered a few other card challenges as well as AHSC. Here's my entry for Challenge #101:

 

 

Visiting my grandparents' home in upstate New York in the summer time was always a treat. They were immigrants from Scotland and Grandpa always kept his proverbial "English Garden" with great pride. It was  a profusion of color. He had the largest poppies I've ever seen - both scarlet and golden.  

  

I stamped the image with Stazon ink on white cardstock then colored it with non-alcohol markers, blending the colors. The flower centers were colored with a black marker. I used a Versamarker to cover the flowers and buds then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Using the DTP technique, ink pads in yellow and green were applied to the cardstock then darker green was added by turning the ink pad on its side to create the

look of leaves and grass. After each DTP application, I sponged to eliminate any lines left behind by the ink pads. The sky was applied by sponging only. Wet ink on the clear embossed surfaces was removed by rubbing the card surface gently with a tissue.

 

I highlighted the poppies with a white gel pen, then lightly colored over the dry white ink with the orange marker and wiped off wet ink with a tissue. Poppy centers were dotted with white gel ink as well. Using the black marker, I edged the white cardstock with the black ink and added a little black ink to the bottom of the image using the DTP technique. The stems were

colored with green markers and shaded with black.

 

I love trying different techniques and using emboss resist as a way of masking my focal point was a new concept for me. This was also the first time I had seriously used DTP because I usually end up with a mess.

 

The sentiment was stamped and popped up on Fun Foam and the sequins were added. For more ideas and to join in a challenge, go to the Atlantic Hearts blog.

 

Techniques: Heat embossing, emboss resist, DTP (direct to paper), color blending, stamping, sponging

 

Recipe: Products are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Pleasant Poppies, Studio G (sentiment)

Ink: Mossy Meadow, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Soft Sky, Stazon Black, Memento Tuxedo Black

Markers (non-alcohol): Basic Black, Mossy Meadow, Tangelo Twist, Daffodil Delight, Uniball Signo Gel Pen

(white), Versamarker

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black

DSP: Sweet Taffy Collection (yellow ombre)

Other: Embossing powder (clear), chocolate sequins from my stash, scallop scissors, Fun Foam

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")