Sunday, February 1, 2015

Power Poppy February Blog Hop!


Well, we hope you’ve had as much fun as the Bloom Brigade has had this past week in the February  Storm of Creativity Release at Power Poppy.  We’ve shown you some fabulous and creative sets that I think are all special and unique and beautifully designed - all to help you create beautiful things.  All five of these wonderful new sets are now available to purchase!  

Today we’re winding up the celebration with an awesome Blog Hop, and I have two designs to show to you.  

The first design is with the new Potted Primroses set that I love so much.  



One of the really fun things Marcy designed in this set was based on a very fascinating concept in Gardening Societies in the UK that developed over time.  It’s that of Auricula Theatres - a special way of displaying these prized plants on shelves;  it was very popular in the 1700’s and is again enjoying a new resurgence.  

This is what The Telegraph from the UK said about them.  "The Plants are formally displayed on shelves in rows in theatres, with pretty scalloped roofs to protect from their two bugbears: the rain in winter and sunlight in summer. Fans of the auricula can paint and convert old shelving units, garden arbours and door-less cupboards to show off their charms.  

With all of that fun background, I just had to design an Auricula Theatre with stamps and paper.  I coloured up the image with Copics in shades to match this older MME paper I found.  I love the cheerful yellow, orange, teal and green colours in it.  I created a window in my theatre with a Spellbinder’s die, and then created a scalloped awning overtop, just like in the real theatres to hang over the pretty little plants for protection.  


Here’s an Auricula Theatre example in real life (source), how fun, right?  



Here you can see the little details including the seambinding, buttons and twine to finish it off.   Below are the Copics I used.  





Now for my second design I took a totally different direction!  It’s Mixed-media, yet still Clean and Simple.  


I showcased the fabulous Big Scripts set with a lot of fun inky techniques.  The sentiment is embossed in white onto watercolour paper.  Then I watercoloured the paper with shades of deep blue, teal and grey re-inkers, adding salt to the paper when it was still quite damp to get a salted effect (the salt lifts off some of the colour of the ink and gives it a neat effect).  Then I stencilled on some more ink using a Tim Holtz Burlap stencil,  and finally with the stencil on I spritzed the paper with Mr. Huey’s Spritz (Shine).  My fingers were pretty blue when I was done, but it was so fun to play. 



I’ve added a simple die cut heart, as well as sequins onto the design placing it all on a lightly watercolour washed cardstock background.  Very fun and I think it really suits the style of this set.  


Now these fabulous girls in the Bloom Brigade have so much more to show off to you today....



Allison Cope
Christine Okken
 (you are here)
Cindy Lawrence
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Katie Sims
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

and the final stop is our beloved creator herself Marcella!

Thanks so much for sharing this week with us!


16 comments:

Pauline said...

Oh my Christine, 2 great cards! I love your 'auricula theatre' card - just amazing. You are so creative, love all your details on this, wonderful colouring, great papers and the ribbon and buttons just finish this off wonderfully!

KarinsArtScrap said...

it's a beautiful flower card and a great blue card Christine
Gr Karin

Bajalizzy said...

Love the awning effect you achieved. Super idea for cards - the auricula theatre. Flower theatre cards sound like a great theme for Easter cards...

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Christine, what beautiful cards - yes, two - wow!! I love the first one and love how you've achieved the auricula theatre effect so beautifully! And I always love your vibrant, gorgeous colors and coloring! And your second card is amazing with the mixed media that works perfectly with the great Big Scripts...totally love that!! Hugs!

Maria Rodriguez. said...

WOW!! Christine, what a gorgeous card!!! I just love this little display you made for your images, it's simply adorable. I've never heard of an Auricula Theatre but it sounds fabulous. The colors you chose are so vibrant that this little posts come alive before your eyes.
The second card is amazing, the way you mixed this gorgeous colors is the perfect frame for this big, bold words.

Katie Sims said...

WOW...not one, but TWO gorgeous creations! Where do I even start? Ok, the Primroses....I KNEW you would blow these out of the water when I saw the image the first time, and you certainly did that! I love the copic colors you used (some of my very favorites) and of course your coloring technique is stellar. The little stage you created for your theatre is precious! Sigh. Your next card....talk about shifting gears! I love the edgy design and graphic elements to this! Seriously, is there anything you don't ROCK?! I don't think so..... :)

Dawn B. said...

Your Primrose is my favorite of this release. When I saw it in the gallery I gasped. Love love love how it looks like a little window. So pretty.

Kim said...

I love your primrose card Christine!! The layout and idea of creating a theatre is very neat. I love the papers you used, your colors, and your wonderful coloring. Gorgeous!!

Marisa said...

Adore the valance! Fabulously coloured as always and such a cute ribbon treatment.

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Both of your cards are gorgeous, Christine, but my fave is the primrose with your gorgeous coloring in the bright colors and the fun valance. Stunning design my friend!!

I had to stop by and see what you were up to. Hope all is well!!

hugs,
Chris

Brandi R said...

Fabulous layouts with beautiful colors ♥

Karen W said...

Beautiful cards and I love the flowers and can't wait to get mine.

Leslie Miller said...

Clever, adorable, fabulous primrose card, Christine! I thought for the briefest moment that the second photo was the inside of your card, tee hee! That was earlier when I was viewing it on my small-size tablet. I can't help but think how fun it would be to have an Auricula Theater. Quite an about face in style for your second card. It speaks to your versatility and talent. I love all styles when it is accomplished with such skill. Very cool!

Conniecrafter said...

Love the look of an awning to finish off the scene of the flowers, and the neat way you added the ribbon!

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

Fabulous coloring and adorable card design. I love it.

Stacy Morgan said...

Too cute! I adore the use of the negative from the die, very cool. Your other card is fun and wow... I do like all that blue. Awesome cards.