Waratahs
Posted: September 9, 2019 Filed under: Paper Rose, thanks a bunch | Tags: Paper Rose 15 Comments
Some of you will be familiar with the flower featured on this card. It’s the Australian waratah, state flower of New South Wales. When I was in NSW recently I visited ‘Alice in Paperland‘ in Port Macquarie and picked up this beauty. Due to my recent class I’m still on a no-line watercolour kick so that’s the method I chose for the stamp’s first inking. The set is called ‘Thanks a bunch’ and includes this large stamp, the sentiment I used and some little ones. I stamped in antique linen distress ink, kept the stamp and hot pressed watercolour panel in my stamp positioner then searched the interwebs for photos of waratahs. Even though I found plenty of bold red ones I chose a slightly more muted colour scheme and painted it with diluted aged mahogany ink. As usual I smooshed the aged mahogany ink pad on my glass mat so I could dilute the ink easily and pick it up with a paint brush. I worked petal by petal which took a while but I mixed up the process by switching to leaves while petals dried and also taking snack breaks.
I wanted the bluey greens of eucalyptus leaves so I used shabby shutters ink mixed with evergreen bough for one branch of leaves then bundled sage plus evergreen bough for the others. The remaining flower I painted in antique linen. For the stems I used the same greens and added some tea dye ink for a brown tinge. I used markers to ink the tiny gum blossoms and gumnuts, gathered twigs, festive berries and wild honey. Because I kept the stamp and panel in the positioner I was able to ink the centre of the waratahs with an aged mahogany marker which helped retain the fine detail. I think I accidentally inked the centre with gathered twigs once also, oops!
For the sentiment I used stazon claret because it matched the flowers so well. You might be able to see the texture on the finished panel; I achieved that look with the clever ‘subtle’ embossing folder by sizzix for Stampin’ Up.
This is the first card I’ve made with Paper Rose stamps but I do have a couple more of their stamps waiting in the wings.
Heather Telford 
It’s beautiful Heather! So… the rugby team were called after this beautiful flower ! Never too old to learn! It reminds me of the Protea which is the national flower of South-Africa!
Have a great week!
Yes, that’s where the rugby team gets its name. I did look up the protea because I wondered if they were the same plant with different names but no, they have distinct differences. I guess they might be cousins. It is always interesting to me when you mention I have landed on an Australia/ South Africa connection. I guess it’s a southern hemisphere thing.
Thank you for your kind comments; I love hearing from you.
An absolute stunner! Gorgeous work 😊 Cheers, Dotty
Thank you, thanks for dropping by.
Good Afternoon dear Heather,
Very beautiful and thanks a bunch.
Regards and blessings
Uma
I like it, but I think the leaves are a bit too blue
Love to all
Dad
You’re probably right, but you know I love blue!
Never heard of a Waratah until today. What a beautiful flower. I love the colors you mixed, and painting one petal at a time made for great results. Now I need to go check out that stamp!
What wonderful depth of colors on these pretty flowers, Heather! I sure wish I could go to one of your watercolour classes!
Love your commentary because since I have never been to Australia, I have no idea what this flower is. I bet it is beautiful, just as your painting of it is.
Thanks for sharing.
Tish
oh my gosh this card is stunning! love it! would be nice to purchase this stamp.
I love the clarity of your colouring on this card Heather. The colour combination is just wonderful, the contrast between the flowers and the blue/green leaves is so complementary. I wonder what the other Paper Rose images will be; this is refreshingly different.
These wararahs are really beautiful Heather and the slightly less bright colours work brilliantly here. I must say I haven’t heard of them before but they remind me a bit of South African Protea flowers. Looking forward to seeing the other stamps you bought. x
Absolutely beautiful, l really wish l could do these Heather, well done x
Gorgeous!!!