Claritystamp Challenge - Say it with flowers

Happy New Year to all.

I can't believe it's a year since I was asked to join the Claritystamp Challenge Design Team.  Where has the time gone? I still feel very privileged.

Another month, another challenge. This month's Challenge is 'Say it with Flowers' and my example was inspired by a Japenese Print.  If you follow my blog you will know I attend an Art class once a week.  Just before Christmas we were doing monoprints and for research had to look at Japenese Woodblock prints.  I really liked one of a single Chrysanthemum so when I saw the challenge was flowers I just had to have a go at my interpretation using Clarity stamps.

Stamps:  Claritystamp Chrysanthemum and Filigraphy Foliage
Ink:        Archival Watering can, Adirondack Lettuce and Cranberry
Other:     Spectrum Noir Pencils

• Make masks for the leaves by stamping on post-it notes

• The stamping is done using 'Watering can' as I didn't want it too dark.  Stamp the flower and then lightly sketch where you think the stalk should go. This will help in placing the leaves.
• Using the leaf masks where necessary stamp the leaves. For the small top left leaf I masked some of the stamp with masking tape before inking. Then removed the tape before stamping .

• Draw in the leaf stems and flower stalk with a fine black pen.

• Now just use your colouring pencils to add the colour.  Start light and gradually add darker colours until you like the result.

• Trim to size and then brush the edges, first with Lettuce ink and then Lettuce with a bit of Cranberry added.
• Mount on Gold card.
• Add 'LOVE' sentiment.  I tried to draw it in a pseudo Japanese style to go with the Japanese Print inspiration.  Apologies to any Japanese readers. 

This is a fairly simple card. The only tricky bit was working out the order of stamping the leaves. I hope this inspires you to have a go at this month's Claritystamp Challenge and I look forward to seeing your entries.

Lesley x