Hi, I'm Torrey. Welcome to Left Field, where creativity runs amok and imagination is ALWAYS more important than knowledge. Shoes are not allowed but ties are optional. This is a repository of snippets from my life out here in Left Field. One never knows what shiny bits of creativity will be found here... cards, scrapbook layouts, photography, poetry, recipes, ponderings, rantings and musings. It could be anything! Life in Left Field is always changing, always real, always ...interesting.

June 11, 2015

Christmas in July...well, technically, June.

Hidy Ho crafty peeps!

Summer just appeared out of nowhere here in Texas.  One day it was raining and 60° F, the next day...

BAM!

The mercury topped out around 97° F (that's 36° C for you Canadian peeps and those across "the Pond"). Add the humidity to that and you get air that's like a hot, wet sock.

Thank heavens for air conditioning.

Over at House Mouse & Friends they're having a "Holiday" challenge. And, I decided what better way to keep cool than to pretend it's December and make a holiday card. I didn't stop there.

NO SIR-EEEE, Charlie.

I cranked up the A/C, put a sweater and fuzzy slippers on, popped some Christmas music in the CD player, had some hot chocolate, and whipped up this little beauty of a card.

Okay, so it wasn't HOT chocolate.

It was chocolate ice cream.

Oh, just go with it!

My husband couldn't figure out why it was so cold in the house. Then he saw me sitting there, in a sweater, listening to Bing Crosby, making this Christmas-themed card.

I know he thought I had completely lost it.

Hey, I do what I have to do to get "inspired".

The image I picked is "Funny Face" with Maxwell and Mudpie (or is that Muzzie? I can't see his left ear, so I'm guessing. Maybe it is Muzzie--he is rather fuzzy). This image was kind of a bear to color. Ok, it was a TOTAL bear to color. It was a PILL. It was...an anathema.

I studied several photos of reflections in ornaments to see what the ornament color does to the reflected image's color. Guess what? The reflection totally turns to a monochromatic version of whatever the ornament color is. So, I colored Maxwell's reflection in monochromatic reds.

I futzed with coloring that ornament for more than an hour, possibly even 2. I used a combination of Prismacolor pencils and Polychromos pencils. I'm SLOWLY transitioning to Polychromos pencils. They're MUCH more durable (leads don't break like they do with Prismacolors). The points stay sharp a whole lot longer too. I'm not loving the Polychromos color selection, however. They lack in "subtle" shades...lighter tints and muted tones. Their colors are more saturated. So for the pale colors, I'll stick with Prismas.

I paper-toled (decoupaged) the image into several layers. When I do paper-toling, I use a big ball sylus and cup the pieces so they aren't flat anymore. This TOTALLY worked for the ornament which ended up basically being a half sphere, and it created a nice rounded shape to Mudpie/Muzzy's arm. I framed the image with a Spellbinders die.

When I finished the card I decided it needed some finishing touch, so I added the diecut tree branch (Impression Obsession) over the top of the image. AND...I tied floss in all the buttons. Every time I do this I think of my bestee, Jodi. She INSISTS that ALL buttons on projects have to be tied with floss or ribbon.

H A V E   T O.

I, however, don't share that conviction. Most of the time I leave my buttons nekked. But today, I dressed them up because Jodi was on my mind.


Here is a detail shot of the coloring:



I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Thanks, as always, for venturing out to Left Field!



14 comments:

  1. Oh you did such a nice job with those sweet little House Mouses..House Mice? LOL Whatever...darling! Thanks for joining us over at Tuesday Throwdown challenge. Hope you play along again soon!
    hugs!
    Pam
    TT DT

    ReplyDelete
  2. This House Mouse Holidays card is super gorgeous in colors, dimension and details, WOW! Thanks again for playing along with us at HMFMC. Love your work! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well Torrey...you didn't let me down!! I knew when I saw your name that I'd be in for not just a beautiful card but a super fun read...my husband always thinks I'm nuts when I'm creating...lol!! Thanks for playing along with us at House Mouse and Friends...can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve next!!
    Take care,
    Beth
    P.S. Your card was fabulous once again!

    ReplyDelete
  4. With all the fuss and muss you certainly pulled off some fabulous coloring! Love your card (and I am now a follower of your fun blog) Thank you for joining our challenge at ABC CHALLENGE! Good luck and please join us again with your lovely work!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Torrey, you have outdone yourself, my dear! This is such a fun and fabulous card. Thanks for joining us at House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge. Hope to see you again on the next challenge!

    Hugs,
    Snoopy :D​

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous Christmas card. Beautiful vibrant colors and coloring. Thanks for joining us for the House Mouse and
    Friends Monday Challenge. Nicely done.

    Hugs
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh this looks really cute! thank you for joining us at ABC Challenge! Hugs! Mojca

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this card! The image you used is adorable, the layout is awesome and the embellishments are awesome. I am inspired! Thank you so much for entering our ATG challenge at Through The Craft Room Door this week. Looking forward to see you again next challenge.
    Hugs,
    Tina
    TTCRD DT
    Toadally Love To Craft {My Blog}
    Through The Craft Room Door
    ttcrd.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. A fabulous card, Torrey! Awesome colouring! Thanks for joining us at stamping sensations for our Dies and punches challenge and good Luck!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What the devil is an anathema? Your image coloring is absolutely fabulous. I agree with Jodie. Thanks for the floss in the buttons. Love the frame die. And I totally enjoyed reading your blog post. Thanks for sharing this with us at Tuesday Throwdown Challenge. Good luck. Debi TT DT

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you so much for joining our Holiday House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge #196!

    Ha! we are soul mates...I love listening to Christmas tunes in the summer too!!! Darling card and fun fun dimension!

    ♥ Sue Kment

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those buttons completely and totally make this layout... they stand out as the best thing going here!!!!!

    Okay.... I mean, well, the image.... is okay too, I guess!

    <3

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a gorgeous card, I just love it. Thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations.
    Pinky

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh wow Torrey, what a fabulous designed card and super cute sweetie !! So glad you could play along with us at HMAFMC !!

    hugs Diane xx

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment! It is always wonderful to get virtual pats on the back!! I truly appreciate every comment...they are little bits of love.