Monday, May 13, 2013

Red Roses for Love

     It's said that in the language of roses, red ones stand for love.  If that's true, then today's card is just filled with love.  I was visiting favorite blogs last week and ran across this post on Crafting Vicky's blog and thereby discovered a new progressive challenge blog.   The images that have to be used are from Imagine That and each challenge requires you to use the latest free digital image.  Since they were already into the challenge, I had to purchase the rose digi but it's so gorgeous, who could resist.  From now on, as long as I enter the challenge with each new image, I'll get the next one as a freebie.


I used a sketch from Operation Write Home, one of my favorite groups.  You can find out more about them by clicking on their badge on my right sidebar.
I took the colors from Dynamic Duos.

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     Coloring the image with Promarkers took some effort because I used only my lightest "red" marker.  I just added more color in layers (let it dry between covering strokes) to darken the shaded places.  The darker the red, the more it tends to 'bleed' over so I was very careful to darken it slowly and gently with light strokes.

     I also added touches of white to the rose, and covered the leaves with white after I had used a very light pastel green on them.  I really didn't want any color other than the red to go with the black and white, which was the reason for the white overlay on the leaves.

     The punched black butterfly idea came from Benzi Stampz and I already warned her that I was stealing -- CASEing it today!  I've never punched a butterfly from black CS before but I know I'll do it more often now.  Isn't it striking?  Thanks, Brenda. :-D

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge -- Things w/ wings
Charisma Cardz -- Black & White + 1 color
Color Me Creative -- Anything goes
Flutterby Weds. -- Open, Anything goes
Fresh Brewed Designs -- Flowers
Paper Shelter -- Love
Simon Says Stamp -- Things w/ wings

     Well, I had a marvelously restful and fun Mother's Day weekend with my daughter and grandkids.  I promise to post some photos of the beach house where we stayed, and some of the incredible scenery within either walking or driving distance.  But for now, I want to get this posted so I can get it entered into the Imagine That progressive challenge before it closes tomorrow.  Thanks for visiting.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

22 comments:

Kristine said...

This is beautiful! I love your elegant paper and your fancy label frame... very pretty coloring on your rose too *Ü* Thank you so much for playing at Imagine That! Progressive Freebie Challenges this week!!
Blessings 2 U!
Kris

jimlynn said...

Glad you're back and had such a marvelous time. Can't wait to see photos!

Connie, This is gorgeous. Love the white you added to the rose! Just right!! So beautiful.

Lynn

Bernardine Cuttino said...

Sweet and lovely, I just love my roses and this is no exception, perfectly and CAS. Simply an elegant card.
Hugs

Kim said...

This is beautiful! I love the pop of red against the black and white.

Donna Ellis said...

Wow! That rose IS gorgeous, Connie! and I LOVE your shading. The white highlights look fantastic. When I lived in Tampa I had a pretty rosebush which had white petals with red tips - it was so pretty - and your coloring reminded me of that busy. Love the romantic feel from the black, red and white! Classy and elegant. hugs, de

Doreen said...

Gorgeous card,love the fabulous image and design.xxx

Donna Hanley said...

Connie, This came out just beautiful. Your coloring on this one is marvelous and the white really helps to show dimension. The black butterfly IS striking. Now I will be casing this from you. Can't wait to see you vacation pictures.

Michelle said...

Beautiful, Connie! I love the red and black colour combination, a classic! Thanks for joining us at Dynamic Duos!

Crafting Vicky said...

Gorgeous card!!! So glad that you found the challenge through me! It's great how we can discover new things in blogland ;)

Wendy Fraser said...

Such a beautiful card, fab image and such an eye catching colour combo. Thanks for joining us at A Gem of a Challenge xx

Anonymous said...

WOWZER!! What an elegant and really stunning design!! Love that flower with the white accents for depth!! Beautiful! :)

Danni said...

Wonderful card!! Thank you for playing along with my Flutter By Wednesday Challenge!

CuteNCrafty Mommy said...

Great project. I love everything about it.
From the Charisma Cardz DT:)
Tabitha
Tabitha's Designs Blog
Low priced fun Digi Papers:)

Linda Palmer said...

Beautiful card NanaConnie. Love the colors, such a great color combo and love your coloring.

Sarahshandmadecardsx said...

A gorgeous card. I love the red rose image and your design.

Thank you for joining us at Charisma Cardz this week and good luck.

Sarahxx

Linda said...

Very pretty! tfs!!!

Lori Turner said...

Connie, this is gorgeous! I love the background paper, roses and that sheer ribbon with the butterfly in the center is the perfect touch - thanks for joining us this week at Dynamic Duos!

VanessaB said...

so gorgeous! I always love black/white/red. thanks so much for joining us at Fresh Brewed Designs. :)

Sue said...

Stunning card, such a gorgeous rose, coloured so beautifully and I love the black butterfly with the ribbon.
Thank you for taking part in A Gem of a Challenge this week.
Sue xx

Heather D. ~ Fresh Brewed Designs said...

Connie, this is so elegant and gorgeous. LOVE the red, white and black combo and that beautiful sheer ribbon.

Thanks for playing along with us at Freshly Brewed Challenges.
We just released a new rubber stamp and are hopping today, hope to see you stop in and play along!
Heather

Patricia said...

this is such a pretty card Connie. I love red and black together. Your coloring on the rose image is awesome. Oh, and pretty butterfly.
Hugs

Patricia St Martin said...

Just so stunning, love your creation. Thanks for joining us at CMC. Love seeing your creation, good luck on the challenge.
Hugs, Patricia