Wednesday, February 25, 2009

SC217 Orchid Joy IHP

I was SO stunned this morning when I went to check out the sketch challenge an found my SCS moniker in big blue letters at the top. I squealed out loud! Blue is my favourite colour!!! and Roxie chose a card of mine for the sketch challenge today. I seem to be squealing a lot right now...

I feel like as God has been healing several areas in my life, I have broken through a creative wall that has been pestering me for some time, causing selective stamper's block. How SSB works is like this; I need to work with a certain stamp set. I can't think of anything to do with the stamp set, or worse, everything is destined for the round file. When several projects in a row are round filed, I have to walk away from stamping for awhile. Everytime I think about the stamp set I need to use, I feel a little ill because all the creative mojo was round filed. Or, I have an event coming up and I need to design x, y, and z for said event. Nada. Can't think of a thing to do. I have a strong work ethic so all the 'for me' projects I would stamp are left by the wayside too because I can't think of what to do with them either as deadlines loom. Challenges sent by magazines for me? I'm at a total loss as to what to do for those challenges.

Let's just say it's been frustrating for awhile...

Suddenly, I had a spiritual breakthrough about a month ago in my personal walk with my Saviour. Bada-bing-bada-boom, many other areas rocket forward too. God says He will restore waste years. He did it for Job in an exponentially bigger way, He's done it for me on a small (no less significant) scale. I need to do a little more research on waste years.

I got my latest design team goodies from Kate at i {heart} papers 2 days ago. I love getting my stuff, I've got to tell you. Fresh inspiration on a regular basis is just too stinkin' cool! Kate encouraged me to get Orchid Greetings by Stampendous. I liked the image, but I know nothing about orchids. My next door neighbour has a veritable orchid jungle growing in her kitchen window. Absolutely gorgeous! There was an author who moved somewhere tropical because of his passion for orchids, but I can't remember who it was or where he went. Might have been to Fiji (smart man!!!). I started by googling orchids. I think I could easily be swayed into becoming an orchid fan! Holy shamolies!!!

I stamped the image directly onto the designer paper (sugardrop by memory box) with pigment ink. I coloured the image with copic markers then sponged around the edge with mellow moss ink. I changed the sketch by turning it on the side because of the orientation of the orchid image. Then I had to change the side panel because it still had to be skinny, so the elements on it had to be a little longer. I decided the orchid looked very asian so I pulled out some OLD asian coin embellishments I've had for a couple of years and a set that I love that hasn't seen much love of late, symbols of solicitude. Et puis, c'est fini!

stamps; orchid greetings (stampendous - IHP), flourishes (inkadinkado), symbols of solicitude, itty bitty backgrounds (SU!)
paper; sugardrop (memory box - IHP), kraft (paper accents), french silk, salt, coconut swirl, cashmere (bazzill)
ink; brilliance pearlescent chocolate (tsukineko), mellow moss (SU!)
accessories; brown satin ribbon (offray), antique brass mini screw brads (karen foster), pale gold leafing pen (krylon), asian coins (unknown)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is just lovely...You are so very creative :)

Betty Wright said...

Loretta!!!! Oh, your story really resonated with me. God is working in me with removing blinders. Emotions and things about myself I have hidden deep down through the years that is obviously holding me back from being more fruitful. Odd thing, I did NOT realize I had blinders. What a revelation that was!!!! Taking a good soul-searching look at myself and all the many emotions I have stored behind "protective" walls.... IS NOT EASY!!! Coming face to face with my TRUE self and GOD. WOW!!!! Sorry so long, just wanted to let you know that you touched my life today!!!! Blessings to you and yours!!!!

Your card is beautiful!!!!

Jan Hunnicutt said...

Your Orchid card is georgous and the sketch is wonderful, I had to link off of SCS when I saw your sample to check out your blog.

Isn't it cool the way God works in our lives?!

Stamping Becky said...

Your card is so beautiful and very lovely. I wish I knew how to grow orchids in this cold climate. So happy for you that your card was chosen as the sample for SCS sketch challenge. Thank you for sharing what God is doing in your life.

toners said...

This is adorable!! Love all the details you added :)

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