May 01 2008
Maeve Harris Dragonfly Inspired - Tutorial
This piece was inspired by Artist, Maeve Harris.
Here is her piece of art named “Dragonfly” that so inspired me.
Ready for today’s tutorial? If so, let’s get started.
Supplies:
| Stamps: Technique Tuesday BoHo Buzz, Stampin’ Up Essence of Love & Sanded |
| Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Soft Sky & Really Rust |
| Ink: Adirondack Butterscotch, Aqua, Rust, Lake Mist, Ginger and Stonewash, Distress ink Faded Jeans |
| Accessories: Stampin’ Up markers Not Quite Navy & Pumpkin Pie, Versamark marker, Aqua Painter, Sponges, P80 Sandpaper, Clear embossing powder and heat gun, Paper towel |
I stamped the dragonfly on Whisper White card stock by first loading the stamp with Aqua ink and then coloring the the body portion of the stamp with a Pumpkin Pie marker before stamping.
I used my Aqua Painter and Faded Jeans ink to color the wing tips. Note: I pressed the Aqua Painter directly on the inked pad to pick up the color for painting.
Colored over the entire dragonfly image with a Versamark marker and then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Sponged on Butterscotch ink using a dragging motion, starting at the bottom of the card stock pulling upward.
Sponged on Rust ink using a dragging motion again, only this time dragging in a different direction.
Sponged on Lake Mist ink in the upper left hand corner. Still using the dragging motion. 
Sponged on Stonewash ink still using the dragging motion.
Sponged more Rust ink on using the dragging motion, to get it darker.
Sponged on Ginger ink in some of the rust area to get darker yet.
Swiped a piece of sand paper from my husband’s work bench and sanded the card stock to create the white spot under the dragonfly. Also, sanded the card stock edges.
The back of the sandpaper says “P80″, I assume that is the grade of the sandpaper.
Wiped the ink off of the embossed image with a paper towel.
Stamped the Sanded background stamp on using Faded Jeans ink.
Attached the main image panel to a panel of Soft Sky card stock and stamped the Essence of Love stamp using Faded Jeans ink.
See the gapes in the stamped images above, where I stamped over two layers of card stock? I filled the gapes in with a Not Quite Navy marker by drawing in the missing pieces.
Sponged Faded Jeans ink on the bottom of the card stock using a circular motion.
Assembled card and here it is finished.
This project really taught me how wonderful sandpaper is. It really distressed the card stock in a hurry. Love it!
I hope you have been inspired to try this tutorial and give sandpaper a try yourself.
Have a sun filled day!
Until my next post. . . . . . .
This card came out absolutely amazing!!!! I opened your blog it came up on the screen and my eyes just popped wide opened. Beautiful.
This is one of the most beautiful cards I’ve seen!!! You make it look so easy I’m giving this tutorial a try for sure
nice job. i’m going to do this for my sister the dragonfly is what she collects, and i know that this card won’t go in the garbage it will go right on the wall. i do cards but have a hard time giving them away, because most people thow them away after awhile.
I love it. I have a scrapbooking retreat coming up this month. I will be trying some of your cards. I will let you know if they turn out so you can see.
Thanks so much.
Michelle, this absolutely took my breath away! It should be in a frame. You captured the inspiration piece perfectly! I always learn something new with each tutorial! TFS your talent!
Another beautiful card!! I absolutely am going to try and make this card. Thanks so much for the tutorials! Have a beautiful day!
Absolutely stunning–as always!
Wow! This card is outstanding!
Sidenote - I hope that you are getting some gardening done as well. Have a wonderful day!
Beautiful Michelle! I love what the sandpaper can do! And just all the colors pop!! Thanks so much for sharing
Absolutely beautiful! Your work is awesome!
You are a master yourself, you push yourself [and me too]
Debra
This card is amazing! I love how you have the Essence of Love stamp on both pieces of cardstock….very effective! Thanks again for another great tutorial and a gorgeous piece of art.
Trish
I have to echo ALL of the previous commenters, Michelle… simply stunning! I can’t even come up with more words here, lol! I’m just totally blown away here…thank you SO much for sharing your work with us!
Hugs,
Betsy
I’m just in awe of your ability to recreate artwork using stamps and making stamping art work.
Absolutely wonderful, Michelle! In my opinion, it’s better than the original artwork, with the addition of the flowers at the bottom! I love the way you dragged the colors on with the sponges and the Sanded BG stamp helped give the perfect look! Love it!
Love it Michelle! I do so enjoy looking at your tutorials - better than a magazine!
Wow, this is stunning!!!
Michelle
I am going to try this one I just love it. I can’t believe how you take a beautiful piece of artwork and create it using stamps and ink. Thank you so much for sharing…….
Ks.stamper
I did my usual “gasp” when I clicked into your blog.
All of your artwork should be framed.
How DO you do it every single day? I’m retired and I cannot keep up. Now I have to buy these stamps too and try to replicate this one as well. Sigh! Thank you for continueing to provide inspiration. I am loving your work.
Georgous card. You are a talented artist.
I have a question regarding the use of the Versamark marker. I have one, but have never used it. After you have stamped or colored in your images, do you color in the entire images with your versamarker and then emboss or do you just coloring in the outline of the images with your versamarker and then emboss? You do ge the ink colors from the images onto your versamarker and if you do, how do you get rid of the color from your versamarker?
Your artwork is PRICELESS! Thanks for allowing us a peek into your artistic process!
Another beautiful card. Thank you for sharing with us
Love it…I love how you get inspired and inspire us to try something new each day…
Thank you so much..
absolutely stunning!!!!!
Deanne
xxx
Ying asked “After you have stamped or colored in your images, do you color in the entire images with your versamarker and then emboss or do you just coloring in the outline of the images with your versamarker and then emboss?”
Ying, I color in the entire image.
She also asked “You do ge the ink colors from the images onto your versamarker and if you do, how do you get rid of the color from your versamarker?”
Ying, I color a little with the Versamark marker on scrap paper to get rid of any color it has picked up.
You are so incredibly talented! Your tutorials are excellent–very clear step-by-step directions. You are such a good teacher and a wonderful inspiration! I look forward to viewing them every day. Thank you for sharing your talent.
beautiful Michelle….
Gorgeous!!!! I’m going to try this very soon. Thank you Michelle.
You truly are a master at recreating art! Beautiful!
Oh so cool, and I will have to day I love yours more than the inspiration piece! Love the highlighting with the sandpaper, neat stamping , lovely colors!
Michelle - your card is much more beautiful than your inspiration piece! Thanks for another great tutorial. Can’t wait to see what you do for Gina K.!
Michelle, wow another amazing card. I agree with Connie & Karen; your card is more beautiful than the art that inspired you. Thanks for being so generous with your ideas!
Yet again, another STUNNING card. They are pieces of art in themselves! Thanks for answering our questions, and being so generous with your beautiful creations!
Absolutely beautiful cards. I love dragonflies. They are all around my backyard in the summer. We have a water garden.
This is beyond gorgeous!
What a beautiful card! You have taken an inspiration and created such a beautiful piece of art that is completely your own. I am in awe of your talent.