SUOC67 Cherry Blossoms with Thoughts & Prayers

Time for another Stampin' Up Only challenge.  This time we are focusing on Spring.  It's almost time for cherry blossoms down in D.C.  I always wish I could be down there for the annual 5k run.

I'm attempting to make a drippy watercolor scene, a technique I learned from the mixed media challenges on Splitcoaststampers.  You've got to watch Dina's video.  I definitely have a stampy crush on her!

Here's what I came up with.

And here was my inspiration.  *sigh*

Photo Credit

After sponging the edges of the punch-out flowers, I tried coloring the center with a marker, watercoloring it a bit, and adding Crystal Effects.  It didn't come out like I liked, but after all the watercoloring, I was vested.  So I colored a bunch of pearls with Crystal Effects, dyed with Primrose Petals reinker.  It's a little sloppy, but trust me, much better!  It has much more of the effect I was going for.  What do you think?

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Season by Season; Paper: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Naturals White, Watercolor paper; Ink: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Black Stazon, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Pink Pirouette, Primrose Petals, Soft Suede reinkers; Accessories: Pearl jewels, White gel pen, Crystal Effects, Aquapainter, Itty Bitty punch pack, Sponge.

And then the next morning I thought it looked like 1000's eyes were staring at me, drowning out the background.  So I took all the flowers off and starting watercoloring.  Ditched that for markers.  Ditched that for some mixed gesso and reinkers (Pink Pirouette, Primrose Petals).  Eh... better?  Maybe it matches the background better.

This card is like Groundhog Day.  I just keep restarting.  I must just-walk-away now.  Thanks for stopping by!