Monday 30 April 2012

Sepia-effect colouring --- A Man's Card

Hi everyone! Is there anywhere where it isn't raining? Here it's been wet every day for the last week or so, and it's been constantly raining all day and all last night! Not that I mind, I actually like the sound of rain falling, but I'm wondering whether to start building an ark, he hee.

Sorry I haven't been visiting many blogs recently - I've been feeling really wrecked and I log in with good intentions of dropping in on lots of buddy's blogs, but run out of energy too quickly and have needed a lot of rest again. I'm hoping to get round over the next week.

It's been a week of blunders for me....firstly, I hit myself in the face hard by opening a wardrobe door too quickly whilst bending over to pick up my shoes (idiotic); then I forgot to cancel a grocery shopping delivery and ended up with 2 deliveries in one evening (expensive and idiotic); and thirdly, I was reading a book on a Kindle, got to the end of my page and.......picked up the Kindle and turned it over like a page!!!!!! (inexplicable, lol). I assure you, I'm a perfectly intelligent woman most of the time but this week I've turned into a part-time buffoon, lol.

Anyway, this is a card I made for a special man in my life whose birthday it was recently. The image is one that I purchased specifically for this card: it's called Dare and it's by Mo Manning - isn't she a very talented illustrator? The papers I bought specially to use with this image, so for a homemade card it was pretty expensive! 

As the chap in the image looked like a pilot or a driver from a bygone age, I thought I'd have a go at colouring him in a sepia monochrome theme. I chose the E40's family of Copics because there are 7 available shades in that group and I luckily had them all. First of all I did a rough colouring on printer paper with a 6B pencil to get an idea of the tonal values I'd use, then I printed out the image on colouring paper and got to work with the copics. This is the rough colouring next to the finished one:




The 2 papers are from Prima's Almanac pack, and I distressed the edges using a distressing tool. The quote by William Hazlitt comes with the Dare image, so I printed it out and aged the paper with some distress ink. The 'Expedition 1910' diecut is actually from a clothing label which was already deeply distressed. I simply used a nestie die to cut out a label shape and added some more distress ink around the edges. A chipboard cog from a set called Gears Galore by Make It Crafty, which I heat embossed with black powder, finishes it off.



The card has gone down very well - I even sang him Happy Birthday in Welsh, lol. Here's a couple of close ups of the sentiment and diecut:



I'd like to enter this in these challenges:
Anything Goes Challenge - Time or Steampunk (I went for a Steampunk look)
Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes
Bling It On - Monochrome
Copic Marker Europe - Monochromatic
Crafts & Me - Embossing (heat embossing on the black gear wheel)
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
Crafty Mess Challenges - Distressing & Embossing
Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
Here Comes The Boys - Hobbies (flying/driving)
Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes
Kaboodle Doodles - Emboss It (heat embossing on the black gear wheel)
Poodles Parlour - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
That Craft Place - One For The Boys
Truly Scrumptious - Distress & DieCuts/Punches (my die cut is the Expedition tag)
Wags N Whiskers - Distressing
Whimsy Inspirations - Distressing



Thanks so much for dropping by today - I hope you like my card, and I look forward to seeing you on your own blogs in the next day or so. Happy Crafting!

48 comments:

Karen Letchworth said...

Hi Carole! This card is great, and WOW you are really good at the Copic coloring. I can't really afford the Copics, but some day I will try to acquire them. I would love to have you join the challenges at:
www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com
We would really love to have you join us!
Blessings,
Karen L, Blog Owner
Word Art Wednesday

~ Barb said...

I'm going to have to hit myself in the face with a wardrobe more often if it means I can color something this spectacular, lol (glad you didn't do yourself any serious injury)! This is absolute perfection.
Thank-you for sharing with us at The Poodles Parlour!
{Hugs} Barb, DT

June Nelson said...

Amazing card ooh Ilove this its coloured so perfectly, your just so clever xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Vicky said...

Hi Carole I have jsut found your lovely blog, your creations are amazing. I guess you are just up the road from me (I'm in Studley Warks) in my home town Birmingham,

hugs Vicky x x x

debby4000 said...

Wonderful card Carole love the colouring on the image.
luv
Debby

Angela said...

Love this! Especially as it's a card for a man...not always easy to do.

Thanks for taking part in the Craftymessers challenge with us

Ay

Stamps and Paper said...

Carole this is fabulous the sepia colouring is amazing and such a great card for a man

Anne

Doreen said...

This is gorgeous Carol,love the details and fabulous image.

Love the new blog look.xxx

Jackie said...

Ho Carole, no need to apologise, just concentrate on looking after yourself...hugs
Your card is magnificent and your colouring is superb :o)
Jackie xx

Dotty Jo said...

No wonder the card went down well - it's amazing! I have mad weeks too sometimes so i'll send you a big hug from my side of Brum to yours! Jo x

crafty amy said...

Oh my gosh this is incredible!! I LOVE the copic and the pencil coloured versions :D It gets even better seeing it on the finished card. Thank you for joining us at Crafts and Me and good luck.

Hugs

Amy xx
P.S. Do you fancy a crafty get away? I am arranging one for October this year and there are still spaces. Click HERE for details

Janette said...

Hi Carole, So nice to come over and drool over some of your fab creations....I don't need to tell you how brilliant your colouring is, am sure you must be fed up hearing me by now..lol...what a fantastic card, oh I love it...

Hope your soon feeling much better and all the little nasty accidents stop happening to you....by the way, love the new pic of you, nearly didn't recognise you, looks fab....xxx

Oh I almost forgot...Thanks for joining us at CraftyCatz this week..lol..xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

chrissy xx said...

WoW! Carole....Just Fantastic ...I'm not talking about the card lol...I see you have changed your photo...I miss nothing he! he!

Fabulous card too. Fabulous papers. Fabulous sentiment... and Yes! I agree Mo's one of the talented illustrator's out there in blogland....Although your card did work out expensive for you it was well worth especially if it was for a special man in your life and you can use it again ....Thanks for giving the tutorial I will store this and give it a whirl....

Hugs
Chrissyxx

Renkata said...

Hi Carole
you have colored the image so beautifully. Fantastic shabby card.

Pat K said...

Hi Carole, I just found your lovely blog and am in awe of your fabulous work. This card is amazing and I will be following you. xx

Shree's Blog said...

Ohhhhhh I love this one very, very much, makes for a great male one too lol xx

Tara Cardwell said...

Carole - that is simply stunning! What a great tip to rough shade in pencil to get an idea too - genius!
Tara
x

McCrafty's Cards said...

Fabulous card Carole, I like the great image, your colouring of course, the sentiment and the papers.
Kevin xx

Gaynor Greaves said...

what a fantastic card, love the image and LO, thanks for joining our challenge at Anything goes, Gaynor DT xx

melsanford said...

Oh wow! Fab card and the colouring is amazing! Love 'n' hugs, Mel xx

Martina said...

Wow,wow,wow...this is really stunning!!! What a fantastic colouring! And I love the whole card a lot!
And yes..it is NOT raining here in Austria! we had 30°C today!! Isn't this so strange for April?? But we had only 12° last week with lots of rain and wind. perhaps the hot weather will come to you? (as it should leave us already this wekk...sob)
Martina

Crafty Moone Cards said...

This is gorgeous Carole, your colouring is amazing as always.
Take care. Sue x

TRACEY MO said...

WOW just gorjuss love the sepia look.

Thanks for joining us at Craftymessers

Tracey DT

Carol said...

Thanks for sharing your super creation at Aud Sentiments this time. Carol DT x

Joanne said...

DOUBLE WOW!!! What an amazing card Carole! It is awesome! I LOVE the monochrome theme, it's perfect with the aged papers and distress inks, truly an amazing coloring job! Can I take lessons from you!??!! I'm serious, you should be teaching Copic classes! I would have loved to hear the Happy Birthday in Welsh, I bet it was lovely! I bet it was all very appreciated. As for rain, none here, lol. It's in the 90's and soon will be over a 100, way too hot! Hope this week goes better for you, we all have times that it seems if it can go wrong it will!! Oh, and mahalo for your lovely comments on my pansies! They were really fun to do! Big hugs and aloha, J.

Joanne said...

Oh, and I forgot to tell you, I love your new pic, you are such a lovely gal! xox

Joanne said...

Oh, and I forgot to tell you, I love your new pic, you are such a lovely gal! xox

CRAZYCRAFTSHED said...

Hi Carol
A fabulous man's card great colour's and love the image,thankyou for joinng us this week at CraftyCatz
Hugs Dianne xx

Vicky said...

Hi again, thanks so much for hopping over to my blog and for your lovely comment. My follower linky is just below the candy on the right hand side (maybe I should move it to the top??)

hugs Vicky x x x

Gibmiss said...

Hi Carole
What a stunning card.... Gorgeous .....
The sun is out in Gib today ...... Hip hip Hooray !!!
Hugs Sylvie
Xx

Gem said...

gorgeous! thanks for joining in this week at AUD Sentiments! Gemma :)

Heather said...

Hi Carole, hope you are feeling better now!!! I'm glad you managed to find me after me after my exile die to thanks of Blogger!!!
Your card is gorgeous, brilliant colouring and your design is perfect for a Male.
hugs
Heather xx
And thanks so much for joining in the Simon Stays Stamp chllenge
hugs
Heather xx

Melissa Bove said...

Wow! Your card is awesome! And your coloring is out of this world amazing!!

Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog!

Hugs...
Melissa

Anonymous said...

Excellent Travel card! Thanks for playing at Here Come The Boys! Woo x

Janie Printz said...

Wonderful coloring & a great card for the guys. LOVE how you did this !!! Also really like your blog topper. I need to figure out how to add something to mine.
Janie

June Nelson said...

Hi Carole me darling im back for a second visit and to thank you for being so kind always with your lovely comments, I couldnt find your e mail addy hunnie, but thankyou no I dont sell any I have about 300 so I will just bin them or pull them to bits lol. have a lovely day me darlin huggies June xxx

Pop's Cards said...

Morning sweetie this is fabulous, hugs pops x

Anonymous said...

Ooo this is gorgeous Carole! Stunning card and your sepia coloring is brilliant. Just love this my friend! hugs, Angela

Joan Ervin said...

Hey, sweet Carole....your new pic is beautiful!!! I'm sorry you aren't feeling well...What you need is a little sunshine!!! I'll put in an order right away...we need to chase the rain down to Texas...LOL!!!! Your card is fabulous...OMG!!! Your coloring is sooo gorgeous...I just love the sepia colors and I am in awe of the depth you achieved!!!! The papers are just perfect and what a clever idea to use the clothing tag...I keep telling my hubby that I can't throw anything away cause ya never know when it will be needed on a card!!!! Wish your special man a happy birthday from me...he is going to love this awesome creation!!!!
BTW...my Dad went home from the hospital this afternoon. He is feeling much better but doesn't like the doctors orders much...LOL!! Take care now and get some rest...Hugs!!

angelwhispers said...

Wow what fabulous colouring and such a great card! Chanelle xxx

Teresa said...

Superb male card Carole, a great hobby and I'm gobsmacked by your super colouring as usual, thank you for playing along at Here come the Boys 'Hobbies' Challenge.
Hugs Teresa xx

coldwaters2 said...

Fantastic card Carole, that image really as presence, the colours and design look amazing, superb card for a male.
hugs
Lorraine x

Sandy's Stamping Scene said...

Hi Carol,
Awesome coloring and card. Perfect color scheme, image and style for a male card. The sprocket is really the icing on the cake! Thanks for joining in with the Truly Scrumptious challenge.

Hugz,
Sandy

Hazel said...

HI Carole

I get days like you have just had - love what you did with the kindle tho - just class - a bit like me when I go to get my car keys from the fridge!

Anyways - wowzers girl - this is just stunning - I love mo's images and this is just exceptional - I'm sure he loved it.

You should use the pencil image on another card cos its brilliant!

Thanks for popping by my blog - so appreciated as always.

Toodle pip

Hazel xx

angelwhispers said...

Hi Carole thanks for your lovely comment on my card yesterday! Sorry I missed adding the name of the papers!! It called Fairy Belle from Prima! Chanelle xxxx

Creative Treasures said...

Such a stunning card, your colouring is amazing, perfect card for a male, thanks for joining us over on the Truly Scrumptious Challenge.

Tracy
x

karen said...

Wow such a brilliant card, amazing colouring, thanks for joining us at Here Come the Boys, Karenx

Craftdee said...

This is one stunning card... your colouring is, as always A-MAZING! All the elements work so well together, love it, TFS, Donna ☺