...in Sea Turtle Years!
A friend's grandfather is celebrating his 88th birthday this month, and
I'm popping this card in the mail to help him celebrate his
day. I really went to town with the sparkles, too!
Sparkles make every birthday better!
I wanted to give Kim Teasdale's embossing/watercolor/layering technique a try. If you've never seen Kim's stamp art, you're missing out! HOLAY MOLAY... Kim, that's a lot of work! Not only did I have to drag out my heat gun and embossing powders, but I also had to stamp and emboss the turtle 9 times before I was happy with at least 3 of the impressions! Oh, and be sure you check out the project Kim shared on her blog today! It was created with not only images from one of my Whipper Snapper sets, but she also drew some serious inspirtation from my recently posted felt ornaments! AMAZING stuff, Kim!!
Getting back to Kim's technique on this card -- the cute High Hopes turtle is stamped several times, embossed, and painted with watercolors. Then I cut several of the turtles out, removing additional parts (like legs and tail, and finally everything but the shell) with each additional layer. Once I had the parts cut out, I layered them up with foam dimensional adhesive. The time it takes to make the additional layers and cutting each one out very carefully adds to the time of the project, but I think the results are super!
The balloons on my card are punched from watercolor paper using the Martha Stewart balloon punch. I then painted them various shades, added a layer of Glossy Accents by Ranger, and glittered them up. They sparkle like nobody's business!
*blush* Thank you so much for trying some of my favourite techniques - You truly are an amazing artist and excel at everything you do! You're right on the money with this one!...Cards like this one do take a lot of work and aren't for the faint of heart!! lol
Hugs and Smiles :D
Kim
Posted by: Kim Teasdale | January 12, 2009 at 08:15 PM
OMGoodness, what a sweet turtle, fabulous coloring and adorable birthday card, Anna! You are such an inspiration!
Posted by: Sharon Harnist | January 10, 2009 at 06:37 PM
This card is so freakin' cute! Oh those sparkles are awesome! I have to check out Kim's technique...sounds fabulous and if you card is any indication, wowzers!
Isn't that balloon punch great?! I am lovin' the MS punches!
Happy New Year Anna!
Posted by: Danielle | January 08, 2009 at 12:28 PM
That is one awesome card!
Posted by: Erika M | January 07, 2009 at 05:33 PM
BRILLIANT!!
Posted by: Linda C. | January 07, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Amazing job on the turtle! I love the layers, and the balloons are awesome! I love the sparkle!
Posted by: Michelle | January 07, 2009 at 03:38 PM
What a wonderful card! I love all the layers...it does give a more realistic look! Great job, Anna!!!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | January 07, 2009 at 03:14 PM
This turtle looks so real! Awesome colouring job. You should do a tutorial on that! Seriously.
Posted by: Rebecca Ednie | January 07, 2009 at 01:26 PM
WOW!!! all that hard work paid off...it's adorable! my turtle lovin' 15 year old would LOVE this!!!
chelle
Posted by: Chelle | January 07, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Oh so adorable! I am LOVING all of that sparkle :)
Posted by: Barb F | January 07, 2009 at 11:41 AM
This is phenomenal... I love the glitter on those balloons.
Posted by: Janine | January 07, 2009 at 11:33 AM
This is sooo stinkin' CUTE!!!! OMG!! I could go on and on about it but let's just say "*thud*"
Posted by: Starla(star) | January 07, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Oh Anna! This is just fabulous. Very impressive in a photo on the web. Can't imagine it in person!
Posted by: jenny4wheel | January 07, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Wow, this is totally adorable!! You've got me glittering snowflakes and after seeing this cutie I guess I'll be glittering balloons :) Thanks for sharing - I love it!!!
Posted by: Cindy H. | January 07, 2009 at 09:51 AM
This is fantastic! I love the embossing! Kim's creations just rock in my book!!
Posted by: Jackie Pedro | January 07, 2009 at 09:48 AM
OOOH! Need my sunglasses for this one. How sparkl-Y and cute! Great card and I'm glad you're back home. Went to Florida for a week and wanted to catch up on what you'd been up to and it's all pictures of the same cr@p I left behind. At least your card creating and those precious felt ornaments are still awesome. I think it's about time to see the SUN glisten off Mister Farley's fur or Ribeye chew some GREEN grass - hint, hint!
Posted by: nise | January 07, 2009 at 08:18 AM
OMG! I just love this card Anna! Not only is the coloring spectacular, but I just love all the sparkly accents you added. It looks to 'underwater'. Beautiful job...
Posted by: Barb Hardeman | January 07, 2009 at 08:07 AM
I just LOVE this! Gorgeous sparkle and I love the balloons tied onto his fins!!
Posted by: Crissy | January 07, 2009 at 07:48 AM
Love, love, love your card Anna. That turtle is fabulous. Tina's Grandpa is going to love it too!!
Posted by: Diana Pickering | January 07, 2009 at 07:07 AM
Wow! I love this card. So many wonderful details!
Posted by: Beth M | January 07, 2009 at 06:56 AM
Love, love, love the balloons. Sooo sparkly. I too have been wanting to try Kim's layering technique.
Posted by: Samantha Oikawa | January 07, 2009 at 06:51 AM
I love your card, Anna...as usual! I look forward to your blog every day.
Yes, Kim's work is amazing! Just one look at her work and you know she puts a lot of time and effort into each little masterpiece!
Posted by: Tricia | January 07, 2009 at 06:18 AM
Your little turtle reminds me of the pets we had 40 years ago. Very cute card and the turtle has personality.
Posted by: Laurie in MN | January 07, 2009 at 05:13 AM
love all the glitter and that turtle
I love whipper snapper
Hugs
Norine
Posted by: Norine | January 07, 2009 at 04:47 AM
this is just tooo sweet. gorgeous . love the sparkle. hugs rachxx
Posted by: Rachel | January 06, 2009 at 11:16 PM
That is too neat! And I wish we had the secret of the turtle's longevity! :D
I'm sure that gentleman will LOVE your card...it's gorgeous!
Posted by: diane mcvey | January 06, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Ana your Turtle Card is Gorgeous!! It's Cute too... What a Great Job.
Thanks for the inspiration....
Posted by: Cynde | January 06, 2009 at 09:42 PM
You have such great things on your blog... I loved the felt ornaments and this card is really pretty. Thanks for sharing your gift of creativity.
Posted by: Kerry Fitzpatrick | January 06, 2009 at 09:34 PM
All of your work was worth the awesome result. Great card!
Posted by: Toni K | January 06, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Wow, thats a lot of work! The result is stunning :) I bet he loves it too. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Brenda | January 06, 2009 at 08:39 PM
Wow Anna, how beautiful!!1 I love this card.
I love all that glitter. :) and the turtle is gorgeous. I just received my new sets from Whipper Snapper ..( Your sets.) I love them all. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hugs,
LIM
Posted by: lim | January 06, 2009 at 07:48 PM