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Done is Better Philosophy

The new theme at **Art*Journal*Journey* is  A Single Flower and it was selected by Orange Esmeralda (Sheila).  This theme is inspiring to me because I don't use a lot of flowers in my creating, but I love them!

Yesterday was stressful for me so I sat down after work and drew this hydrangea.  Then I water-colored it.  

Once I was done, I was stuck on a background.  I started doing a pointillism background using a very tiny brush.  

I saw this wonderful Dina Wakley Stencil the other day and it spoke to me!  Thanks to Amazon I got it in 24 hours! It seemed the perfect stencil for this page, but i struggled with the placement around the flower.  I still like how it came out and...done is better than perfect!

Here is a card I made using the DRS Designs' Shamrock of Shamrocks and the new Blessings on St. Patrick's Day Greeting:

I made the base with some stamping, masking and layering (5 stampings of the shamrock) and then popped up one more stamping of it.  I colored it all up with Distress Inks (basically water-coloring with the inks). I put a touch of Dina Wakley Acrylics in the centers of the shamrocks on the popped up version.  Hoping this card brings blessings and luck to someone!  Maybe I should make one for myself!

Hugz,

Nancy

Comments

  1. gorgeous hydrangea Nancy, and your mix of colour and that stencil are perfectXX

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  2. Actually done is not what I would call it. I would call it perfect. I would call it well planned out. I would call it colorful. I think you did a great job, especially that background, but also the incredible hydrangea, Nancy.

    I missed so much of your art last month because I was sick or in the hospital. I hope to never have that happen again, dear. Thanks so much for sharing this with us using Sheila's theme at Art Journal Journey.

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  3. The hydrangea and its leaves are so beautifully drawn and painted. All the little florets are just perfect and it's a lovely mauve colour. The background is pretty amazing too, I enlarged it to have a good look and it must have taken ages but what a great effect. I'm also impressed at the way you have stencilled it so precisely. I would call it done and perfect.
    Thanks very much for making this for the challenge.
    I'll have to give a shout-out to the shamrock card too. What a great card with all the shamrocks, it's so detailed with all the different green shades.

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  4. That's a wonderful quote, this is a good philosophy for every day. And your page is beautiful with the hydrangea! Love the card with the shamrocks, too, so beautifully stamped. Have a great week Nancy, thanks for your good wishes and prayers, much appreciated! Hugs, Valerie

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  5. A super page and beautiful card Nancy, a lovely Hydrangea - so pretty.
    Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
    x

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  6. A beautiful card Nancy, and I love your pretty hydrangea. That's a great stencil too. I hope today has been less stressful for you.
    Hugs,
    Alison xx

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  7. A wonderful page and card, i love this Art. The qoute is beautiful!
    Have a great week, hug Elke

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  8. Wow Nancy. That background must have taken a long time to make, but what a good way to destress. Art is a great way to get through stressful day, isn't it? I'm loving the flower page and also that great shamrock card. Your shamrock stamp looks like a fun one. Thanks for sharing with us at AJJ, and happy March. Hugs-Erika

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  9. I love your flower very much and perfect background

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  10. Beautiful card and and hydrangea.
    Have a happy day xx

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  11. The background and words are lovely, for me the beauty is in that gorgeous flower. Thank you for linking to Sheila's theme at AJJ.
    Stay safe.
    Yvonne

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  12. Such a beautiful page with the single flower! I love the background that you created too and the words are so uplifting - perfect 😁. Beautiful card too, that's such a clever design! Take care and wishing you a Happy March! Hugs, Jo x

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  13. Oh Nancy, I love that background you have made and the stencil is perfectly placed, how on earth did you manage that without damaging the beautiful hydrangea you had painted? Such a lovely page.
    The card is very clever too reminds me of St Patricks Day which is around the corner.
    Hugs, Neet xx

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  14. I've been looking at that stencil - it does say so much! I love the page you created! Your card will certainly make someone lucky! Hugs, Chrisx

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  15. Art really does take away the stresses of the world even if just for a moment, your journal page is superb and well done for treating yourself to that stancil, it;s awesome!! I love how you designed around your hydrangea sketch, so lovely. You clover card is fab too. Hoping stress keeps well away this week. Hugs Tracey xx

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  16. Love that journal page. Really creative and expressive. Whew, the card took a bunch of stamping and coloring. Love them both.

    Hugs and Blessings,
    Jim

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  17. The flower is beautifully painted and detailed. I thought it was a photo at first look! That is a great stencil for encouragement. You’ve made your journal page look awesome! The card is nice also. How clever to cut a large shamrock filled with small ones and pop from the background of small shamrocks. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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