Saturday, June 1, 2013

Before & After: Inspired by nature

Hello!

So I didn't quite make this in on time for the May challenge in my Hobby Polish Bloggers group, but it's not my fault, I joined the group in the middle of the month! That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

The theme for this manicure is 'Inspired by nature' and gave me a chance to do something I've been wanting to do for some time--do a manicure with dried flowers. :)

I started with a base of Julep Etta, a pretty frosted light avocado green:


Julep Etta, indirect sun




Next I stamped some leaves with with China Glaze Holly-Day and LeaLac plate LL-A. Finally, I used some purple dried flowers and cut them apart; I used one clump of them on my middle finger, and on the other fingers I arranged sprays with single flowers placed strategically:









I finished this off with two coats of Seche Vite. You might be wondering how well the flowers stay put, even with the Seche Vite...well, I took a shower about an hour after doing this manicure, and they didn't go anywhere. They hold up surprisingly well. :)

I'm really happy with how this came out, although I think I like the individually place bundles rather than the one group that I left intact.

Let me know if you'd like a tutorial on this, I'd be happy to make one. :)

Hugs and polish love,
M.

18 comments:

  1. This is beautiful and I will be trying this. I have the flowers and this is perfect for them. :) Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you! One tip if you haven't worked with them before...snip them carefully or the little bits fly everywhere, lol! :)

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  2. Really nice! The dried flowers add such a pretty touch :)

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  3. That is SO gorgeous! I love it! I have Etta as well, so I'm definitely getting some inspiration here, girl! <3

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    1. I really love how Etta went with Holly Day. The combo really popped on my nails. :) And thank you!! :)

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  4. Absolutely stunning! I would love a tutorial on working with dried flowers.

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  5. I love this!! I love the new length of your nails!! So pretty!!

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    1. Awww, thank you...I've been feeling a bit down about them, so I appreciate that. Since the move I've been really struggling with them, because they broke like crazy in that horrible way where they split forever afterwards. So I've been trying to repair them, but I've finally had to go to drastic measures--cut them down and I'm actually patching the ends of two nails until they can get a bit stronger again. And on my other hand, which is a bit longer right now, I have a break waaaay underneath the quick that I had to patch...and when that grows out I'll have to cut those down, too. So I don't see me having anything but nubbins until probably August...:)

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  6. OMG! so cool! I've never seen a manicure with actual flowers. Happy to hear that they stayed on well!

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