It is Friday, and I am here today to show you another project that is part of the ongoing challenge I have with BożenA. This time I chose the topic and decided on “My Homeland” The challenge was to depict the country in which we were born in any positive manner. Language alone did not suffice, but any topic could be chosen, namely scenery, characteristics, traditions, etc. While I now live in the stark, but regal state of Arizona in the USA, I am originally from South Africa, so here goes my project.
One of South Africa’s biggest assets is the wildlife. African wildlife inspires people from all over the world and South Africa does a lot for conservation and has many state and privately owned reserves. I thus used this lovely digi by Skeepski Designs called Little Heart. Another icon that everyone in the world recognizes is Cape Town’s Table Mountain. I added an impressionistic sketch of the mountain in the background.
I printed the digi out onto brown Canson Mi Tientes paper and colored both the digi and the background with soft pastels and then applied a workable fixative so that it would not move. Once the fixative was dry, I outlined the digi and the mountain with my black Prismacolor colored pencil. I fussy cut the heart out and created a shaker out of it, filling it with tiny seed beads from my stash. Beads are a very important feature in both traditional and modern South African life. The sentiment is printed out on my computer and is alleged to be an African proverb of unknown origin. I thought it matched the digi perfectly, though.
I completed the card by adhering the panel to a black top-folding cardbase with foam tape so to accommodate the shaker window and then added a few clouds with white metallic watercolor – from a set that BożenA had sent me in a happy mail package.
The South African lifestyle is a vibrant mix of cultures and traditions. I have attempted to portrait this with this mixed media project in which I used soft pastels, colored pencil, watercolor paints, beads and computer ink all working together to complete the whole.
I am so excited to see BożenA’s project. Please head over to her blog to see her project and leave her a comment while you are there.
*Links in the supplies list are affiliate links. I get a small percentage of the price of the product if you would choose to buy it through my link, at no cost to you. I only use affiliate links for products that I have purchased with my own money and enjoy using.
Supplies Used
 Canson Mi Tientes |
 Soft Pastels |
 Blending Stumps |
 Workable Fixative |
 Prismacolor Pencils |
 Paintbrushes |
 Aleene’s Tacky Glue |
 Craft Tweezers |
 1/2 inch Foam Tape |
 Scor-Tape 1/8 |
*Links in the supplies list are affiliate links. I get a small percentage of the price of the product if you would choose to buy it through my link, at no cost to you. I only use affiliate links for products that I have purchased with my own money and enjoy using.
Entered into the Classic Design July Challenge #7
Entered into the 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge #40
Entered into the Crafty Animals Challenge #40
Entered into the Jan’s Digi Stamps Anything Goes July 2020 Challenge
AWARDS:
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Monica
Oh, Monica! Your card is very touching <3. We've all heard of South Africa, but we don't know much about your homeland. In one card you presented so much – a characteristic mountain (I did not hear about it), you presented a wonderful fauna, ubiquitous beads, proverb from your homeland. I'm touched by your card, Monica. She is great in praising your country!
Hugs, my friend,
BozenA
A beautiful card and very interesting post Monica love the image and the little shaker heart-great sentiment too
Carol x
Wow, I absolutely love this. I read your whole process…amazing! The colors are so soft and beautiful. Gorgeous card and wonderful story to go with it.
Lovely card. I had never heard of the mountains before either. I'd love to visit to see the wildlife. [Bunny]
Monica, I don't know whether your card or your story is more impressive but I love both! Great coloring on the entire scene. I think you captured that theme beautifully. 😀
Adorable lovely story.x
Wow! Your coloring is beautiful, and your story is wonderful. Thanks for joining us at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies!
Monica, a truly beautiful card and story. Nothing else to say.
Thank you so much for entering our challenge at Jan’s Digital Stamp Challenge, looking forward to see you again next challenge.
Hugs Sheryl xx
Jan’s Digital DT
Cat Crazy Craft Corner – My Blog
This looks amazing! Love the story behind this project too.