I am pretty sure this is the most time consuming card I've EVER made. I've spent a lot of time on some of my cards, but this was serious. Almost 2 hours from start to finish. That included trying a couple of different papers and inks to get it right. Of course, once I had the main image painted, I didn't want to do ANYTHING to mess it up, so I was SO VERY CAREFUL with the added details. Nothing got added or glued or matted until I was absolutely SURE it was where I wanted it. This of course only added to the time it took to complete the card. Talk about nerves! But would I do it again? Yes! Maybe once. *snicker*
The Open Gate and Each Day sentiment are part of the new Thomas Kinkade series being released by Cornish Heritage Farms Wednesday, January 9th. At first I wasn't sure if I really liked this image since I really love the images that feature cottages. But after working with the image and realizing just how great the gardens are to color, it's now one of my favorite Thomas Kinkade images to work with.
This card measures 5x6 inches. I stamped the image on Artistico watercolor paper with black Stazon ink. I used Van Gogh watercolors to paint the image. Once the image was dry, I added additional color and shimmer with Twinkling H2O's. In fact, the lighter "greyish" looking areas on the stone pillars are actually areas of shimmer that the light caught when I took the photo. I used a Sakura Stardust Gelly pen to enhance the gate with sparkle. The background layer is stamped with Scratched Grid, a relatively new background image by Cornish Heritage Farms.
Another one of my favorite Thomas Kinkade images is being released tomorrow too, but I'll wait and show you that one tomorrow! *Hint!* It has horses in it!
Hard to choose - I love them all. Kids maybe....Stephanie?
Posted by: Jack Loy | January 14, 2008 at 04:59 AM
OH....how gorgeous! I just purchased my first Thomas Kincade stamp today! Your coloring is perfect!
Posted by: diane (cookiestamper) | January 12, 2008 at 08:27 PM
OMG! This is gorgeous, Anna! I purchased a winter TK stamp and felt such fear and trimbling when I tried to paint it that I gave up. Maybe I'll try a summer one where you can actually use greens and not have to try and paint white snow. ugh!
Posted by: kittie | January 12, 2008 at 04:42 AM
I am speechless with awe.
Posted by: Bagpuss | January 11, 2008 at 03:56 AM
Well Anna, I guess I'm going to have to pull rank--You cannot send this away until I get to see it in PERSON! This is absolutely beautiful, I can't ever pick a favorite, but this just might squeek up over the top. But then, everything you do is priceless. Love you...
Posted by: Lori Wight | January 10, 2008 at 03:38 PM
This card is beautiful! Of course, you have wonderful coloring ability. All of your cards are beautifully done. I may have purchase this image...it looks so calm and serene.
Posted by: Linda Viers | January 10, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Wowwwww, just breath takingly GORGEOUS! I wish I could do these stamps justice, but I am afraid to give them a try. I love looking at yours though. *sigh of contentment*
Posted by: Kelly aka Littlekel90 | January 10, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Amazing watercoloring Anna- truly breathtaking! You should frame this- I can't imagine giving it away after all that work!
Posted by: Heidi a.k.a. Stamperdoc | January 10, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Hi Anna, i think you have made a simply stunning creation with this image. Your colouring is amazing - i'm not surprised you took 2 hours (actually is that all!)! Congratulations on a beautiful piece of art - i wonder what Mr Kinade would think!
Posted by: Bernie | January 10, 2008 at 02:36 AM
Truly breathtaking!!
Posted by: cincimom/Debbie | January 09, 2008 at 11:01 PM
I have to say, I think this is the most breathtaking card I have ever seen. You should frame that baby! Put your signature on it, and call it an original. Such vibrant colors. Awesome job!!
Posted by: Julie Koerber | January 09, 2008 at 09:29 PM
This has got to be one of the prettiest cards I have ever seen. If I spent 20 hours, I could never achieve this level. You are truely very talented.
Posted by: Beverly Reynolds | January 09, 2008 at 07:49 PM
OH MY!!! I don't get to check in her often, but boy am I glad I did!! This is stunning, I mean downright, take your breath away, stunning! I can see why you wanted to make 100% sure everything was juuuussst right!
Thanks for sharing, it is truly beautiful!
Posted by: Tracey aka cuccicoo1002 | January 09, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Its awsum..!!get it framed ..it deserves to be framed.!!
Posted by: Shivani | January 09, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Simply awsum card...I totally agree wid others..do get framed..!!
Posted by: Shivani | January 09, 2008 at 05:40 PM
This is simply stunning, Anna! Everything beckons the eyes to come closer!
~Bev
Posted by: Tex | January 09, 2008 at 05:36 PM
Time consuming but, oh so worth it. This is absolutely gorgeous. I'd hate to part with it.
Posted by: Sheila | January 09, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Anna ~ Absolutely beautiful! You certainly have an artist's touch.
Posted by: Lynda | January 09, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Yes!!! Gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Bonnie aka raduse | January 09, 2008 at 04:49 PM
So stunningly beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: sarah | January 09, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Consider this an official protest!!!! Too much talent in one person should be declared illegal!! Sigh.
Posted by: Joan B | January 09, 2008 at 02:47 PM
You sooooo Totally out did yourself with this card!!! You ROCK! this is sooo Gorgeous!!
Posted by: Leslie Springer | January 09, 2008 at 02:35 PM
This is unbelievable!! You should frame it really!! I would hate to give it away or hurt it!!Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Jessica Rone | January 09, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Gorgeous card Anna!! Wow!! I am speechless!
Posted by: Kelly | January 09, 2008 at 01:14 PM
You ROCKED this image!!! You are so my hero!
Posted by: Jeanne S | January 09, 2008 at 12:58 PM
WOW Anna! This is breathtaking! I think you should frame it.
Posted by: Linda C | January 09, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Beautiful, Beautiful!! Can't wait to see what you do the the stamp with the horses. tfs
Bev J.
Posted by: Maxell on SCS | January 09, 2008 at 12:05 PM
This is so beautiful Anna, you are a true artist! Thanks for sharing your talent with us!
Posted by: Kathyc on SCS | January 09, 2008 at 09:37 AM
WOW! This is beautiful!!!!!
Posted by: Prudence | January 09, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Absolutely... STUNNING!
Posted by: Catherine | January 09, 2008 at 09:02 AM
WOW! Even the maximum superlative is inadequate here. I am grateful for my eyesight today. Thank you!
Posted by: Bernice Fields | January 09, 2008 at 08:55 AM
OMGosh SHUTUP! This is freaking gorgeous and you are now officially my hero! That is stunning!!! WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!
Posted by: Amanda Sewell | January 09, 2008 at 08:36 AM
WOW!!! This card is STUNNING!! You are so talented. I've never seen such beautiful coloring in my life.
Posted by: Linda Palmer | January 09, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Wow!!! Is this ever gorgeous!!! My mouth is just hanging open and drooling (not a pretty sight, lol) over every detail. Did I tell you this card and was awesome!!!! Your talent has *no* end!
Posted by: Cindy H. | January 09, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Yup! You got it right... Good Job!!
Posted by: Joyce | January 09, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Thud! This doesn't look like it was watercolored, this looks like one of your beautiful photographs! Can I have just a smidgeon of your watercoloring skills? Breathtaking Anna...simply breathtaking!
Linda
Posted by: Linda | January 09, 2008 at 07:42 AM
let me just say that I dont often take the time to click over and see the entire post (I prefer full feed), but I'm so glad that I did today. your card is drop dead gorgeous!
Posted by: mnhyrkas | January 09, 2008 at 07:35 AM
You never cease to amaze me! What a beautiful job you did on this! You are absolutely AMAZING!! Thanks once again for sharing your awesome creativity with us.
Posted by: Karyl | January 09, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Stunning!
Posted by: Jennifer Welter | January 09, 2008 at 07:02 AM
Wow! Such a beautiful card and thanks for sharing it with us :).
Posted by: Wendy | January 09, 2008 at 06:48 AM
Anna,
This card is gorgeous!Time well spent for sure.Perhaps you could share some hints on using these images, as I am a bit intimadated by them. Lucky person who receives this one!
Posted by: Sally (CKMom) | January 09, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Unbelievably beautiful!
Posted by: Kathie Tice | January 09, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Oh my gosh, this card is just absolutely stunning - well worth the time!
Now that you have spent so much time on this card whatcha going to do with it!!!!????
Posted by: Michelle Nadraszky | January 09, 2008 at 06:22 AM
Wow. That's all I can say. That's all I keep saying as I stare at it. Awesome coloring!
Posted by: LisaC | January 09, 2008 at 06:16 AM
Absolutely AMAZING! It must be the doorway to heaven!
Posted by: Kay | January 09, 2008 at 06:13 AM
Wow - absolutely jaw-droppingly stunning! I echo what everyone else has already said! Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Kerry J. | January 09, 2008 at 06:10 AM
Wow. Wow. That is the prettiest card I have ever seen. I even have my nose pressed up to the screen to get a closer view--and that was when it was enlarged. I could go on and on about this card, Anna. You rock!
Posted by: Beth Norman | January 09, 2008 at 06:09 AM
WOW!!! That needs to be in a frame!!!
Posted by: nancy | January 09, 2008 at 06:08 AM
WOW WHAT A BEAUTIFUL JOB YOU DID . GREAT CARD, LOVE THE COLORS.
Posted by: JUDY | January 09, 2008 at 06:01 AM
Can I say HOLY! What a magnificent piece of art. You always WOW me, but this is over the top! Right on!
Posted by: Holly | January 09, 2008 at 05:53 AM
Holey moley! This is a work of art! I agree that it feels like you could walk through that gate and smell the flowers!
Posted by: Christine | January 09, 2008 at 05:52 AM
beautiful
Posted by: Jen | January 09, 2008 at 05:41 AM
Oh my WORD!!!! Anna, that is STUNNINGLY GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! It is definitely worth the two hours you devoted to it. WOW!!!!
BTW - You can mail that card to me at .... hahahahahaha.
Posted by: Holly | January 09, 2008 at 05:40 AM
Wow, this is stunning. Your eye for detail is fabulous. The colors are so vibrant! Love it!
Posted by: Danielle | January 09, 2008 at 05:39 AM
OMG!!!!! This is absolutely breath taking Anna!! It looks like you could walk right into that card and step through the gate! I think Thomas Kinkade would be proud!! This baby needs to be framed! You are so amazing ~ thanks for continuing to share your talents with us!
Posted by: Dotty | January 09, 2008 at 05:35 AM
WOWZERS Anna!! This is stunning!
Posted by: tracy | January 09, 2008 at 05:33 AM
as usual, this is a work of art! do you think VanGogh did any paintings in less than 2 hours? then don't feel bad you took 2 to do this because it's priceless.
Posted by: Donna Baker | January 09, 2008 at 05:32 AM
Ok. Now THAT is amazing! I'm in awe!
Posted by: Julie Campbell | January 09, 2008 at 05:31 AM
Oh wow! Spectacular!!!
Posted by: broni | January 09, 2008 at 05:25 AM
This is the most gorgeous card I have ever seen. I didn't like the other kinkade cards I have seen because they just looked like colored pictures.....this looks like it is an original painting. I can believe 2 hours work. Truly a work of art.
Posted by: Judy Lamp | January 09, 2008 at 05:15 AM
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I truly gasped when I opened your post this am... What an unbelievable job you did. I am truly humbled in my stamping ability! I don't think I could get that stamp because I couldn't do it justice now.
This is why I like your work so much- such a variety- whimsy and fun, and then serious art work (oh and your photography too!).
Thanks for making my day...
Diane
Posted by: Diane Cooper | January 09, 2008 at 05:14 AM
WOW. That is the most beautiful coloring I have ever seen. It should be framed as ART.
Posted by: Debra | January 09, 2008 at 04:57 AM
How beautiful!
Posted by: Victoria | January 09, 2008 at 04:56 AM
when i opened your blog my first thought was WOW, she has taken a picture of a garden that looks just like a Thomas Kinkade scene... then i read you stamped and painted this. wow, your talent is amazing, the colors and details just flow from your true artistic spirit. this was a delight to see. thanks so much for sharing your wonderful talent with us. you, my dear, fall into that "amazing" category!
WOW!
Posted by: janice | January 09, 2008 at 04:37 AM
Beautiful or another word would be PRICELESS!
Posted by: Cathy M | January 09, 2008 at 03:41 AM
Gorgeous card, Anna!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | January 09, 2008 at 02:55 AM
Your card is absolutely gorgeous... Now i need that stamp LOL
Posted by: Wendalyn | January 09, 2008 at 01:29 AM
This is unbelieveably beautiful. It reminds
me of a Monet painting, only with a brighter
hue. I like how you draped the ribbon over the corners as well. Very pretty.
Posted by: Norma T | January 08, 2008 at 10:35 PM
That card is simply stunning. You have a watercolor gift!
Posted by: Shannon T | January 08, 2008 at 10:04 PM
OK now...I love coloring...but this is just over the top. Stunning!
Posted by: Tara | January 08, 2008 at 10:01 PM
OMGosh, what they all said!! This is breathtaking...I have NEVER seen such beautiful coloring!!! AMAZING! It must be so fun to have so much talent! I'll never know, but at least YOU do! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | January 08, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Sigh....makes me want to go through the gate and stay in there! GOJUS!!!
Posted by: JanTink | January 08, 2008 at 09:18 PM
CAll 911 I am having palpitations! Stunning, beautiful, gorgeous, delightful, perfection.
Posted by: val | January 08, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Horses! I am so there.
This one is just stunning!!
Posted by: Shannan Teubner | January 08, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Holy Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stunning!
Posted by: Lesa Rapp | January 08, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Oh my gosh I think this is one of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen!!! Your coloring is absolutely stunning!
Posted by: Sue | January 08, 2008 at 08:12 PM