Today I am super excited to share a new version of my Wicked Shoe with you! Now for the part that is unbelievably exciting... I didn't hand cut this version!!! Yes, you heard me right --- this beauty was cut with the Silhouette. Julia is making a tremendous difference here at work with her abilities to figure out computer related "things." THANK YOU Julia for making my project today SO MUCH EASIER! Watch for electronic files to debut in our Digital Downloads category soon!
I also wanted to take this opportunity to invite you to shop with us during our Mother's Day Sale. Simply use promo code 'momsday' upon checkout to save 15% off your entire order Friday 5/6 - Sunday 5/8. Remember that we are on Pacific Coast time and the sale runs from midnight to midnight.
I am a hopeless romantic - I absolutely adored the oh so elegant dress that Princess Kate wore last week. It was the perfect "royal attire." You know me - I had to see the shoes too. LOL! Her shoes had the most beautiful soft texture with a lace overlay.
Simply stunning! I thought about creating another pump with a rounded toe, but had limited time, so decided to modify my previous Wicked shoe pattern. Using the texture on Kate's shoe as inspiration and a color that most Mom's will love after this LONG winter - sunshiny yellow, I went to work! What better way to brighten it up even further, than with a single beautiful paper blossom!
This time I wanted to create a Begonia. Using the directions in Susan Tierney Cockburn's Paper Bouquet book I went to work. This book truly is a treasure trove of fabulous flower designs and instruction!
Just as when we created the Lily, I began with Solar White Neenah cardstock. This allows me to color my petals and leaves to replicate the actual flower with incredible accuracy. I always print off a picture of the actual flower to utilize as a guide. You can see a progression of the color in the photo above.
I work quickly on each individual petal to get the beautifully blended colors. Begin by coloring both the front and back entirely with YR30. Then add the Y21, stroking upwards from the base of the petal. Once again I add this color to both sides of the petal. Next randomly stroke RV32 along the very top edge of the petal. Now go back over this color and work your way back into the Y21 with the lightest color, YR30. This helps to blend the colors together beautifully.
The leaves were created from white Neenah cardstock as well. When I looked at the photo of the Begonia leaf it appeared that the leaf was darker on the top side and a little more yellow/green on the underside. Begin by coloring the leaves on one side only with YG63 and YG95. (In writing this post I realized that I forgot to add YG95 to the photo above.) Then flip the leaf over and colored the opposite side with YG63, G85 and a few strokes of YG96 and G29. By working quickly with the different colors they blend beautifully. They do seep to the opposite side, but this only adds to the overall effect.
After adding the veining to my leaves I decided to add that little hint of burgundy to the foliage using Pitt Pastel Pencil #193. Smudge the pastel using the little white sponge. I also added a hint of the burgundy to my petals as well. The soft "smudging" of the pastel over the Copic marker base makes for amazingly transparent, dimensional color.
As you can see the colors were SO close to the image I found on-line. I love looking at the real flower as I create my paper blossom - it inspires me. I can only imagine if I had the actual flower sample in hand!
Using Susan's fabulous directions I then finished the construction of my paper Begonia.
Double click on the photo above for an even closer look.
TIPS FOR CREATING THE SHOE
To create the beautiful lacey texture on the soft yellow shoe is so very easy. Working on light colors can be tricky, but if you keep your Snow Cap dabber handy, all your problems will be solved. "Ink" your image using the dabber - it will appear as above.
As you can see the white is quite lovely against the soft Daffodil cardstock. To create a more shabby appearance used an ink blending tool in a circular motion, inking the entire surface with Scattered Straw distress ink.
The Snow Cap paint will resist the ink and yet at the same time "grab" it creating a soft suede-like look.
I also stamped the white interior of the shoe with the fabulous Hero Arts Envelope Background stamp using Spun Sugar Distress Ink, adding just a hint of Scattered Straw with an Ink Blending Tool.
To add texture and character crepe ruffles were added to the toe and heel area. Cut two pieces from the crepe sheets - 5 1/4" x 1 1/2" (heel area trim) and 3 1/4" x 1 1/4" (toe area trim).
To create balance the heel ruffle is edged with the same pink Copic color as used on the Begonia petals. The toe area was colored with YR30.
Thank goodness for my sewing background. Fit is essential when putting these pieces together. To simplify the process add a gathering stitch to the lower edge of the crepe paper and gather as shown above.
Position the center back and the front edges as shown above, holding them in place with glue dots. Make certain the glue dots are not on your thread lines. Gently pull the gathering thread until the crepe paper fits perfectly along the back of the shoe. Follow the instructions included in the download for adhering the shoe liner.
TIP: Hold your shoe sides gently in place and position the liner. Use tweezers to remove the red tape liner. This method allows you to have everything positioned correctly and helps you avoid getting the adhesive stuck in the wrong position. YEAH for the little tricks ;-D
Gather the toe ruffle as shown above. I used a large glue dot to affix this piece inside the toe.
Total sweetness! It only takes one little bloom to brighten someone's day - try your hand at creating these beautiful paper blossoms that are timeless!
Thank you for once again visiting the CLASSroom and wishing each of you a wonderful Mother's Day weekend ahead; one filled with sunshine and love!
shoe template: original Wicked Shoe Template which is cut by hand can be found here - Digital Download coming soon!
stamps: Hero Arts Envelope Pattern Background, Sweet Threads Thank You
ink: Distress Ink - Scattered Straw and Spun Sugar; Copic Markers - YR30, Y21, RV32, YG63, YG95, G85, G29
paper: Hero Arts Daffodil Layering Paper, Neenah Solar White Cardstock
accessories: Paper Bouquet, Punch Bunch Super Giant Begonia, Large Geranium Leaf, Alpine Flake Large and Paper Crafting Tools, 12" Strip Pink Pearls, Snow Cap Paint Dabber, Ink Blending Tool, Cream Crepe Paper, PITT Pastel Pencil #193, 1/8" Red Liner Wonder Tape
