Thursday, March 28, 2013

Northwoods Congrats Tutorial

 Hello! I said I would post this yesterday, featuring The Northwoods, but I'm a day late. This is a card I made for my nephew, who just graduated from the police academy. We are so proud of him!

Before I get to the tutorial, I want to give you a little health update to explain why my posting has been so sporadic and will continue to be for at least a few more weeks. I had surgery on my ankle a few weeks ago and I'm having to keep it elevated to control the swelling. That means my crafting time is getting done in fits and starts because I can only spend a little time stamping before I have to go back to elevating the foot. With what little time I can manage right now, I'm having to focus on meeting design team assignments, rather than make projects for the blog. 

If you're wondering about what happened to my foot, I rolled my ankle from stepping on a rock,  while hiking last August. Apparently it caused some tears in tendons, a hairline fracture in one of the bones of my foot and the ankle bone even had a small hole that was punched into it from the bone above. Luckily, the hairline fracture healed on it's own, but the tendons needed to be repaired surgically and the debris cleaned up from the ankle bone. I have another two weeks in a cast, and then I should get to go into a walking boot and allowed to put a bit of weight on the foot. Things should get easier when that happens and hopefully, I can get back to my craft room! 

Now to my card...
 To begin, I used Spellbinders™ Classic Circles Nestabilities® to cut a circle mask for the moon. Then I sponged Memento Summer Sky ink around the mask.

 Next I sponged Memento Danube Blue, starting from the edges and working in toward the lighter blue.

 Then I removed the mask and sponged Memento Paris Dusk, mostly around the edges, but I also did some horizontal swipes across the sky to make it look like there were some wispy clouds.

 I used sticky notes to mask the sky, then used the same circle mask to for the moon reflection. Then I sponged lightly with Memento Danube Blue.

 I removed those masks and then stamped the tree, from The Northwoods, using Memento Tuxedo Balck ink.

Just a reminder, you can click on the photos to see them larger. 

 Then I used some torn sticky notes to mask the water, forming a small area to look like a bank, and sponged Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

 Then created another bank on the other side.

 After removing those masks, I sponged lightly, along the bottom, with the same jumbo sponge dauber I used for the Tuxedo Black ink. I didn't re-ink the sponge dauber, using just the residual ink on it.

 Next, I used a N7 Copic marker to draw in a shadow for the tree.

I layered with Pure Luxury In The Navy card stock and used a Powder Blue card base (4 ¼ by 5 ½ inches). The sentiment, from Follow Your Dreams, was stamped on vellum.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day!

26 comments:

Marsha said...

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Theresa. I love following your blog. Your cards always inspire me, they are absolutely gorgeous! Take care.

lin_ka1 said...

Super card

Carrie K said...

This is absolutely gorgeous!

kathi17 said...

I am so glad I found your blog. This is beautiful, and I'm still exploring all of your other gorgeous cards.

This one reminds me of a tree on a point where I live. The tree is long gone now, but for years it was even on post cards because it was so beautiful, standing all alone over the water.

I feel very lucky, when I broke my ankle a few years ago, there were no complications, but it was a pain having to keep it elevated. (It was also a pain using crutches. I'm clumsy enough normally, but I was a disaster on crutches)!

Francie G. said...

Gorgeous! TFS

Natalie said...

Beautiful card, I'm sure it will be appreciated.
Again your tutorial is always so well done. Thank you for taking so much time to share your technique.

Nancy said...

Hugs to you Theresa...hope you are right on schedule with your recovery and heal just fine! Thanks always for the inspiration!

Char said...

I love your detailed explanations and photos. It really gives your fans confidence to try new techniques and styles.
Good wishes for your recovery coming your way from Idaho.

Karen (TLgirl353) said...

This is beautiful and so peaceful looking. I am glad you are on the road to recovery, and will be up and around soon. Me too, what a year we both have had, huh?

Cheri said...

Congrats to your nephew, Theresa and this a super fabulous card for him.
So sorry to hear about your ankle surgery and I hope you'll be back up and hiking soon.
Hugs.

Cheryl Arbo said...

Wishing you the best on your health and thank you for the wonderful tutorial.

Marian Garcia, Studio M said...

This is my kind of place. Great card. TFS xo, Marian

JoanL said...

This beauty is absolutely breathtaking!
Thoughts and prayers are with you for a full and speedy recovery.
Thanks so much for sharing.

Vicki Dutcher said...

Stunning card -- Speedy recovery mf!

Stampin_melissa said...

Speedy recovery! Thanks for this tutorial, I just love your artwork. You make it look so easy!

Nana Griffin said...

Lovely as usual, Theresa. Sorry to hear about your ankle and praying you recover very soon. It must be hard to post as much as you do right now but appreciate it whenever you do. You are a wonderful person and artist.

Payne Holler Cards said...

Beautiful card...congrats to nephew! So sorry to hear you're still struggling with your ankle )-:
Does this mean you don't have to cook for tomorrow LOL

Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter
Hugs
Linda

Rosy Newlun said...

Dear Theresa, I'm so sorry you've had to go through surgery and now the recovery period. Speedy healing to you! You haven't lost your artistic touch -- this is dazzling! Congrats on your nephew's accomplishments!

Rae said...

Wow, what a time you have had with your ankle. Hopefully, you will have a speedy and complete recovery. The card for your nephew is beautiful. My best wishes to your nephew. You all must be very proud.

Jan said...

This is just beautiful. I hope your ankle heals soon. Take time and keep it up.

Betty Neville said...

Super gorgeous card, Theresa! Congratulations to your nephew! Sorry to hear about your ankle - wishing you a speedy recovery!

Janine said...

Wow gorgeous card - your ankle issues certainly aren't affecting your creativity. Hope you get it all sorted soon.

Yvonne said...

Absolutely stunning card!
I love this stamping technique!
Hugs,
Yvonne

Unknown said...

Gorgeous card yet again Theresa, love your posts you are a true crafter, taking a piece of card a stamp and a few stamp pads to make works of art. Hope your anckle gets better soon.
Hugs
Shirley x

Sharon Underwood said...

Theresa, I didn't realize you've been in a cast, too! I fell down steps Easter weekend & broke my ankle. How do you craft in a cast? Too much pain for me! You're an inspiration.

Unknown said...

Just beautiful!