Upcoming Class at CP2

Copic colors used:  pears (YG67, YG17, YG13, YG01, Y000), leaves (G28, G24, G21), branch (E37, E35, E31), flowers (R29, R22, R000), label (E35, E31, E50, R59, R22), blue green accents (BG09, BG05, BG10), yellow halo (Y35, Y32, Y000)

Hey, all!  I just wanted to share 1 of 2 cards I will be teaching in a class at China Phoenix 2 on Friday, June 12th, at 10:30am - 1:30pm.  I've been playing with these wonderful fruit themed images from Stampendous lately, this one is called Cling Pear Blossom.   They remind me of the vintage advertising labels found on fruit crates up until the 1950's.  The images I've seen online are usually brightly colored and very eye-catching, and I can't help but be drawn to their retro appearance.

Though this is a fairly bright palette, I tried to keep the coloring quick and simple.  Also, I topped off the YG colors on the pears with a generous layer of Y000 dotted randomly over the image to give them that slightly dappled appearance that pears seem to have.  I picked up muslin fabric at an antique store and stamped it with a Stampendous background called Cling Seed Background.  A touch of Gathered Twigs Distress Ink sponged onto the edges makes it look a bit old, which is good.  Overall, a very simple card to put together.        

 Now that I have the mechanics of this card laid out, it's time to discuss something more important.  Have you ever tried a Harry and David Royal Riviera Pear?  A friend of mine gifted me with a box of these delectable fruits last year for Christmas.  At first I wasn't sure what was in the box, but once opened, there sat 9 of the largest, most perfect pear specimens I have ever laid eyes on.  Weighing in at around a 1/2 lb each, these pears were almost too pretty to eat.  AND...to further gild the pear lily, one lone pear was ensconced in gold foil.  How elegant!

I know how extravagant a gift of this nature can be, so I had my doubts as to whether these would taste any different than the standard working class pears found in WalMart.  Boy, was I wrong!  I picked one up and held it in my hand.  It appeared to be ready to eat.  No need to wait for that brief 15 minute window of ripeness, that if missed, leaves you with a disappointing piece of overly soft fruit bordering on the verge of rot.  Nope, these were ready to go.  One joyous bite and immediately that sweet pear elixir ran down my elbow.  Good gracious, I have NEVER tasted a pear so delicious!  I wanted to hide them and keep them for myself, but I allowed my husband to have one, JUST one, and I actually gave my sister one, as well.  Pretty generous, if I must say so myself.  My sister later told me that she took the pear to work to eat the next day and a co-worker caught her in her office cradling it and calling it "my precious".  What can I say?  We're a family of foodies.  I'm actually considering heading to the Harry and David website to order myself a box.  I'm sure I can come up with a "special occasion" reason that I need to do this.  When is Arbor Day?  Have I already missed Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day?  Darn, that's in January!  I'll keep trying ;)

Tune in tomorrow and I'll share card number 2 for my class.  Until then, stay crafty!