This week's High Hopes challenge is Stars or Stripes. I chose to use both, and created this patriotic farmer card.
I stamped Farmer Clem on watercolor paper in black StazOn ink and painted him with a water brush and re-inkers. For the base of the card I chose to use patterned paper from Melissa Frances. I used white ink to ink around all of the edges before I stitched the pieces down to the background. I used cotton rope from Stampin' Up, chipboard stars which I made using a Sizzix die & my BigShot, more Melissa Frances paper, and a couple of old buttons threaded with hemp twine.
For more details on this week's fun challenge and to play along, visit the High Hopes blog.

Great card!!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | July 07, 2009 at 06:30 PM
He's such a terrific patriotic farmer, just in time for the 4th! Love the image and your watercoloring, the papers, the stars, the sponging, etc., etc.!
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | June 30, 2009 at 09:39 PM
How is it, you can take a stamped image of a farmer [Farmer Clem, to be exact] and turn this image into a lively, colourful piece of art?
I also relish how you accented your CS using white ink ~ gonna have to try that one along with my stitching [wink*wink] :)
Posted by: Robb_eeie | June 28, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Just amazing water coloring! Love the flag design of your card too!!
Posted by: Danielle | June 28, 2009 at 08:17 PM
This is fabulous Anna!
Posted by: Tracey | June 28, 2009 at 07:50 PM
TOO CUTE! I LOVE IT! You have such a knack for making these adorable things...and this is no exception! I love your Patriotic Farmer!!! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | June 28, 2009 at 06:02 PM
I just love that stamp! You did an awesome job on the card for the challenge!
Posted by: Erika M | June 28, 2009 at 05:17 PM
What you can do with a watercolor brush and reinkers; spectacular coloring! This is so cute!
Posted by: Charlene Merrick | June 28, 2009 at 05:04 PM
Fantastic card, Great image, background and colors. God Bless America and Anna !
Hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | June 28, 2009 at 08:09 AM
Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue and one more for this fantastic card!
Posted by: Ida | June 28, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Anna!! What an awesome card!! I just love the flag background you created. So country...so American!
~Lacey
Posted by: Lacey | June 28, 2009 at 07:33 AM
LOve the background....love how it looks the flag! Your image is perfectly colored as always!!! FABULOUS card!
Posted by: Michele | June 28, 2009 at 07:23 AM
Love, love, love the star embellishments!
Posted by: Kelly Bee | June 28, 2009 at 05:27 AM
great card! Love the farmer.
Posted by: Debbie Fisher | June 28, 2009 at 05:05 AM
Way too cute! I adore the depth of those rich bold water colors. Wow!
Posted by: Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye) | June 28, 2009 at 04:56 AM
Fabulous Anna~!
Posted by: Janine | June 28, 2009 at 04:25 AM
How sweet!
Posted by: Shae | June 28, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Gorgeous! One of these years when you have some spare time you should look into illustrating childrens books! Your illustrations, imagination and colouring skills are extraordinary and I'm sure that authors would be lining up for a chance to work with you!
Hugs,
Kim
Posted by: Kim Teasdale | June 27, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Hi Anna! I've had a crazy week and not had time to keep up with my blog visits. I just read through the ones I hadn't yet seen on your blog. Congrats on the publication! I remember when you made those felt ornaments.
Of course, it goes without saying that all your cards are purely wonderful. You are the master of watercoloring, that's for sure! I particularly like this High Hopes card. Those HH images are just so fun, and how novel to use a farmer in a patriotic theme. Very cool.
Speaking of which, thank goodness for a/c.
I'll look forward of pix of the new babies.
Hugs,
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Hjulberg | June 27, 2009 at 10:43 PM