A Field of Poppies

I seem to go in cycles as far as my posts.  I'll do really well for a couple of weeks, then slack off for a week.  Things got really hectic at work.  My hours increased by a whole day a week and an extra two hours a day, then our manager went to a conference this past week so they had me working every day to help cover. I didn't have time or energy for a polish change until I got hit by a bit of motivation to try a bit more of the one stroke nail art.  I hope you like.

 I used China Glaze Champagne Bubbles as my base color, but rather than apply it flat from the bottle, I did a gradient sponge with it being the darkest at the tip.  I did a lot of sponging because I wanted the fade to be very soft.  While a pronounced gradient has it's place, it wasn't the look I was going for. 

 Once my gradient was just how I wanted it, I took a pretty China Glaze gold holographic glitter (that I can't remember the name of and am too lazy to go find it) and coated the entire nail with it gave it a second or two to dry then applied a coat of Seche Vite and let it dry.  I found the Seche to be quite important to beginners like myself because that slick surface in combination with a damp cotton ball makes it easy to wipe the slate clean so to speak when the inevitable happens and you flub up.

 The poppies turned out better than I had hoped with my amateur one stroke skills, so I'm quite proud.  I did a custom blend of a deep red and a metallic copper acrylic to get the shade I wanted, the center is a straight black. 

 Once the acrylic was dry I took a loose gold glitter and with some clear polish and a brush applied it to the center of all of the poppies.  Once I was sure it was all stuck down I went over the whole with another coat of Seche Vite. 

 I really love this look and it has been an eye catcher at work, I've gotten several positive comments on them.  It's always so cool to get complements and know that they're for my own work, and not some tech down the street,  I try not to let it go to my head.  :) 

A word to all of my wonderful followers.  Hopefully you got this far in the post. :)  I can't help but notice that I've almost reached 200 followers!  Since I don't do a lot of giveaways, I feel that you're here because I have something to offer and that's a pretty good feeling.  I hope I continue to capture your interest and maybe even inspire you just a wee bit.  Needless to say, once the big two oh oh is reached, there will be a celebratory give away.  So stay tuned my lovelies.  The time is nigh upon us!