Sunday Challenge: Choose an image you Don't Like

I almost didn't want to vote on a challenge this week, I realised all three choices would be quite tricky for me.  They all meant there was no chance of grabbing a nice and forgiving generic full nail flowery swirly pattern, I would have to leave my comfort zone!

1. A stamp you don't like
2. Only using individual images, no full nail images
3. Nelson Mandela International Day (inspired nails)

Finally "A stamp you don't like" was voted for and I realised it would be a great chance to try out an image I would never normally wear.

So I chose the bold scales from Moyou London's Sailor collection.  I really want to like this image, but it just seemed too bold and the scales too large for my liking.  I decided a really really pink girly glitter would help the image to look like delicate fish or mermaid scales.

Base colour: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, and lots of pink iridescent glitter
Stamp colour: Konad Black
Image plate: Moyou London Sailor Collection

The point of no return

The scales look chunky from every angle

My nails are about the longest I am comfortable wearing them

If I glance at my nails at arms length, I see a crossword puzzle

Even with low light, the scales are too strong looking for me

Tools of the trade

Aqua Gradient and Simple Floral Stamping

Summer stamping, a quick, easy tip design.  I used my pink stamper from Moyou London (squishy firm) to apply white konad stamping polish on everything but my accent nail!

I saw a similar manicure by a girl in "Adventures in Stamping" Facebook group, but I can't find the photo to give her credit.  She had used the same image on her half moons, and stamped white over pink.  It was a very pretty manicure.

Base colour (index only): Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine,  Green berry
Ring Finger: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, Sugar apple 404
Base colour everything else: Primark unnamed
Stamp colour: Konad White
Image plate: Konad M51

Lunchtime sunshine

Tools of the Trade

Indirect natural light

Halogen lighting

Art Deco Lace

July 6th Sunday challenge:  Lacy

I wanted to use this dusky nude pink from primark with something grown up.  Then, to my delight, the "Adventures in Stamping" Facebook group came up with lacy for this weeks Sunday challenge.

I didn't have a traditional lace stamping plate, but this image from my cheeky plate reminded me so much of my grandparents home decorations and in particular, some ornate lacy dresses they had cherished in their youth in the 1930's.

Base colour: Primark, unnamed.
Stamp colour: Konad, White
Image plate: Cheeky Jumbo Plate C

Halogen light

Halogen light

Light through north facing window

Bright natural light

Indirect low summer sun light

Tools of the Trade

Just add glitter

Updates to my rose manicure...

...to get me ready for the 4th July weekend! I basically just added a lot of glitter to my ring fingers, then stamped over it with more roses (last images).  Repetitive pictures due to me trying to show how shiny and sparkly the glitter is.



Base colour: Sinful Colors, Snow me White 101
Stamp colour: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, Grapefruit
Image plate 1: Moyou London Tourist Collection 13
Image plate 2: Moyou London Pro Collection xl 07

With Flash

English Rose

Here is my English celebration of the 4th of July

This manicure was intended for the Adventures in Stamping Sunday Challenge, but I kept smearing stars and my stripes went on wobbly.  Flowers are much more forgiving.



Base colour: Sinful Colors, Snow me White 101
Stamp colour: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, Grapefruit
Image plate: Moyou London Tourist Collection 13

Halogen Lighting

One last picture for luck

Tools of the trade: Moyou Tourist Collection 07 for the roses

Sunny spot

British Summertime, early evening light

Flower Power

From sherbet sweeties, to the swinging sixties, Konad completely transforms the way a manicure looks, I of course, added glitter after a couple of days :)


Base colours: See previous post here
Stamp colour: Konad Black
Image plate: Konad M100

Tools of the trade

I added a little glitter in the centre of the flowers

The matte finish going slightly shiny after a day

Fruit Sherbet Fingertips

I felt compelled to manicure my finger nails using all my soft pastel fruity colours after polishing off a bag of fruit sherbets.  I used a matte (rimmel) top coat to make them look more like the sweeties.

Polishes used:

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, GNP 11 Dragon
Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, Papaya 416
Primark, Unnamed
Essence Colour &Go, 109 Off to Miami
Rimmel 60 Seconds, 450 Get your Shades on

Tools of the Trade

Yummy

These were blinding bright in direct sunlight

Sparkly Lacy Fingers

My Second Manicure of the Week!

Maybe I'll find it hard to stick to one a week.  My excuse this time:  Moyou London accidentally sent me the wrong rhinestones, and then let me keep them as a present, and sent my original order.However, it turns out I actually LOVE the wrong ones!  So I am trying them out. Thank you Moyou!


Base colour: Manhattan Pro French Hardener, 31G
French tips: Sponged Konad over tip guides
Stamp colour: Konad, White
Image plate: Moyou London Tourist Collection.

Left Hand

Right hand

Pretty Shiny Butterflies

It started with a french tip

Choose your weapon

World Music Day 2014

Sunday Challenge 22nd June 2014

Treble clef, Crotchet and Quaver nails with a touch of bling. 

(World Music Day was Saturday 21st June)

Base colour 1: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, Lychee 

Base colour 2: OPI, Ski Slope Sweetie (sponged over)

Stamp colour: Konad, Black

Image plate: Moyou London Pro Collection - 14  XL 

Topper: 1.5mm iridescent blue hex glitter individually placed over black stamped image.

This is a little photo heavy due to me trying to show how shimmery and sparkly this mani turned out.

Garden tree shade

To quickly explain this manicure, I started off with nude nails using Barry M in lychee. AIS then inspired me with an exciting Sunday Challenge, so I lightly sponged a gold to over the nude before stamping (see penultimate photograph).  Konad black with moyou swirls gave my interpretation of music, and to brighten and add bling, I placed iridescent glitter over the heavier black flowers in the stamping image.

Out door late afternoon lighting

Artificial lighting

Most of the equipment I used

Base layers

And a sunny picture to finish this post with

My sister meets konad stamping!

England got sunshine, and we got stamping

So this time I didn't need to deliberate for hours over which stamp to use. My lovely sister chose for herself. She was a great model, and very patient with me.

Base colour: Clear: Sally Hansen, Hard as Nails

Stamp colour: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, Papaya 416 (thumb and pinky) Primark polishes without names on all other fingers.

Image plate: Konad m89

Colours from pinky barry m primark  primark