Jan 15 2009
O is for Overkill
Here’s a card that had so many problems, I just don’t even know if I can like it. Just to clarify, I **love** these Whiff of Joy images by Elisabeth Bell (so much that I just pre-ordered the new Spring releases without even knowing what they look like. I don’t care. I know I’ll love them.) BUT….
Once Upon a Time
My first issues were with coloring the image. I wanted to use my Copics. But you know how often I use browns, right? Two of the markers ran out of ink. Not such a big deal, but I just placed an order for a couple of ink refills. I even looked for these two colors when I placed my order because I knew I’d need them EVENTUALLY…but the store was sold out.
So I stamped the image again, used Copics for the skin tones and then watercolored the rest with Adirondack inks. I hate my waterbrush. It has several little hairs going in different directions and it’s almost impossible to color a tiny little area. I need a new brush.
I wanted to use some flowers with this image. I love what other designers do with flowers but I am seriously flower-challenged. To begin with, I don’t have all that many so I used a Copic marker to color some of them. Now…where to put them? No matter what I do with flowers, I think they look totally stupid. You do not want to know how many holes are under various flower petals as a result of my rearranging of things. This card would leak like a sieve if it were meant to hold water.
I don’t know…do the flowers look stupid? Did I use too many? O-verkill or O-kay? I have no confidence whatsoever with these things. I need flower school. And a new waterbrush. And some ink refill.
Thanks for stopping by and listening to me bicker. Have a great day! 
Stamps: Whiff of Joy “Melinda Reading,” My Favorite Things “What’s the Story,” Cornish Heritage Farms “Beautiful” (The Rummage Bin) Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black; Adirondack Espresso, Latte, Raisin, Rust, Ginger, Sandal Cardstock: Prism Crabapple Dark, Natural Smooth Patterned Paper: My Mind’s Eye Wild Asparagus “Sisters” Floral/Coral and Stripe/Red papers Accessories: Copic markers, Prima flowers, mm brads, EK Success small oval punch, pop dots, old tired waterbrush. Card size 5 ¼” x 5 ¼”.
I just love the way your write! Thanks for making me chuckle! You need no reason to treat yourself - go for the new waterbrush and ink refills… and I think the flowers look great! They pick up the designs on the DP, they seem balanced to me… all I would have done - just some glitter on them :-> Maybe glittery brads? I’m a glitter bling fiend… seems like no matter what type of card I make I wind up adding a touch of glitter here and a touch of glitter there. Can never have too much sparkle. heheheh
Thanks for great designs and super ideas!
You silly girl! When I first saw this card my thought was “AMAZING!” It is beautiful just as is and the flowers are perfect. Just right. I LOVE it. Great job
Too funny!!! You sound like me, which makes me feel - oh so good - since you’re a fabulous designer and your stuff always looks marvelous!!!
I say O-Kay!!! The flowers look great to me.
You just needed a fresh pair of eyes! This looks AWESOME! Seriously! I love the colors AND the coloring AND especially the flowers!
I think it looks wonderful and the colours are fabulous! I don’t think you need flower school, but if you sign up, I’ll go with you so sign me up too K?
Glad you persevered on this card despite your set backs! Lovely card and I actually don’t mind the flowers at all. I think they are lovely. You’ll have to be my teacher at the flower school now as I need help with them too!
I think it is absolutely Perfect!!! O-Kay is my vote!
Your flowers are the perfect touch to a perfect card. No need to feel insecure with flowers… you used them in just the right spots!
I love your card!
It rocks girl….no worries!!
You say you’re WHAT challenged? I don’t think so! I love this.
I think it looks great and I love all the flowers, sometimes I have days like that but in the end they come out great. I really like the colors
Hugs
Norine
If you didnt tell us all about the problems and the colouring, we would of still thought it was perfect….really!!! You rock!
I wish when I was challenged like this my cards looked half as good as yours, this is beautiful! Your coloring looks awesome and so do the flowers…def. okay!
I think your card looks great. I love the colors and the flowers.
This card is lovely! The scattering of flowers totally mimics the patterned paper and your coloring is beautiful!
You described how I feel about most of my cards! Yeah, I am getting better but not “there” yet.
I like the card. You did a super job with it.
It’s adorable Michele, the flowers are absolutely perfect. I can so relate with you on the flower issue. I’m totally hopeless with them and very insecure of how they look, placement, etc. I always shy away from them. I guess my cards are a little on the plain jane side, as I don’t usually use many embellishments and the occasional sentiment.
Why is it that we are our own worst critic? This is a lovely card, one that begs to be cased!
I think it’s perfect! I’m with you, though. I have a very difficult time adding flowers to my cards. Actually, I have a hard time adding ANYTHING to my cards!! I have lots of flowers and lots of ribbon and lots of everything, but you’d never know it by looking at my cards:)
I too love the way you write, because I was giggling through the whole thing, not AT you but because I can totally relate! Thanks for the giggles!
Your card is Gorgeous!!! I love your flowers and think they look great. You have such a way of putting things together, it always looks great when you post them!
This is a gorgeous card Michelle!! I may not be the best one to ask since I love flowers but I think they look fabulous on here!!
Oh, Michele, as always, your card is just gorgeous. Everything about it is perfect.
funny. you can’t tell you had any problems, love it.
Your card is stunning….and the flowers look wonderful!! It’s nice to know that other girls go through the same stamping mishaps and struggles that I do though!! Funnily enough, I had some issues with the card I posted today too! Just one of those days, I guess. Yours is gorgeous, as always, Michele!!
P.S. Trust me, you’ll be glad you ordered the new Whiff of Joys, sight unseen!! Heehee!!
I’m seriously flower challenged too and I’ve got a gazillion so I don’t have an excuse…but can I say your card is gorgeous and you’re thinking far too much lol!!!!
LOL You crack me up, girl! I never would have known you had trouble with this if you hadn’t told me! The flowers are perfect.
And no, I’m not just saying that to make you feel better.
Oh you are too funny! You sound exactly like me! Now of course when I look at your card I see a gorgeous creation. Don’t be so hard on yourself!
I love this! I am sorry you had so many problems with it! The end result is perfection!
Your card is very beautiful Michele! I think that you just to hard to yourself! Your coloring is amazing!
I will open you a secret… I always come for inspiration on your blog and I enjoy looking at your cards for hours! I love your cards so much… Thank you Michele for sharing your talent!
Your kidding right? lol It’s perfect! Your coloring is always amazing Michele and I love the flowers. Nicely done!
It looks perfect to me!
LMBO - its adorable…and looks like everyone else agrees!
Love your sieve comment! Too funny! I think the flowers look fabulous! You’re too hard on yourself. They probably look funny to you because you are uncomfortable using them, but they honestly look great!
When I first looked at the card I couldn’t imagine what you didn’t like about it…I never gave the flowers a second thought. They look great, and so does the whole card! I know what you mean though…I have those days too…often*sigh*
THis post cracked me up. Great card and thumbs up on the flowers.
LOL…you always bring a smile to my face with your stories!!! I think your card is adorable and I love the colours!!!
You’re too hard on yourself, girl!! Your card looks fantastic!! Your coloring, and flower placement look beautiful!!
I love your card and the flowers were placed perfectly!
Honestly, I really love your card. The flowers look great and your colouring is stunning too
You have used just the EXACT amount of flowers needed
And really, who gives their cards a water leak test?? I would be in trouble too!!
just popping back to say…
I left you an award:
http://papercookies.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/01/17/a-blog-award-from-kelley/
Don’t be silly - it’s great - as usual!!!! Love it!
O M G… don’t be silly! NO overkill. I love it. You did well with the flowers. Breathe in, breathe out and know your stamping rocks. You couldn’t screw up if you tried! HUGS
You crack me up!! This is so NOT overkill! You used the flowers beautifully — your card is fantastic as always!
I know you’ve said this about the flowers before. Trust me, they look fabulous! Truthfully, I’m a little flower challenged, myself. When one doesn’t look like enough, I’ll add more and not really know where to put them. Then they all look wrong. Also, I don’t enough flower varieties, but there are so many in a package–when will I ever use all those flowers?
I think your coloring looks great, too. I would NEVER look at this card and think it was a challenge for you at all! It looks better than all right–it looks wonderful!
Shut up! Flower challenged…not! This is stunning…just like everything you make! Love it M!!!!
This is adorable! I love the coloring techniques together! As for flower challenged- you have not seen “flower challenged” until you have seen ME!!!! I have on of the large MM plastic jars full of each color of the rainbow and while they look pretty on the shelf, I am so… intimidated to use them. I see gorgeous things that other designers (including YOU) do but I just cannot do them!!!!
This is gorgeous! Your coloring and layout are wonderful, and I think the flowers are perfect! I ordered that spring set too…almost can’t believe I did that without seeing all the images. : )