Wednesday, May 1, 2013

ABC Challenge - "Q" is for Queen of Speed

*Follow my blog with Bloglovin*

Hello all!  I got very lucky this week.  I had this "Q" in my stash that was my fallback in case I didn't think of anything else better, so I didn't feel too pressured trying to figure out what to do.  And best of all, it is the perfect base for my themed manicure that fits right in this time of the year.

Before the photos, let me just tell you two things:  1) I live near Chicago, and 2) I am a rabid hockey fan.  So, regular season just ended on Saturday 4/27, and the best team in the NHL is...drumroll, please...the Chicago Blackhawks.  But the post-season is just beginning this week, and everything basically resets to zero.  It doesn't matter what they did anymore, it's what they do from here on out.  **UPDATE - And all they did was win game 1...in overtime.  YAY!**  So to show my appreciation for the best professional sports team in the city, I did a little Blackhawks inspired manicure.  Oh, and the team colors?  Red, black, and white.

Queen of Speed from Color Club is a VERY sheer red - it would have taken a lot of coats for full opacity.  I was not willing to wait that long, so I used a coat of Wisp underneath, with two coats of the Queen.  It made this polish a very bright red.  PERFECT.


Not sure why pointer finger looks so orange...
doesn't look that way in real life.
For my thumb, I did a base of Wisp, and sponged on the red, green, yellow and orange (these are the colors in the feathers in the logo).  Is it a little messy? Yes; my transfers weren't the best, and my lines...looks like I was a little drunk when I drew them.  Unfortunately, I was not. 

Colors used:
Black striper
Midnight in NY (black shimmer) - Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure
Wisp (white) - Sinful Shine
Queen of Speed (red) - Color Club
Fresh (green) - Orly
Let's Meet (yellow) - Sinful
Drive Me Crazy (orange) - Pure Ice


And here is my inspiration:



I used Lisa's at LOZLOSA newspaper technique (yes, again), for the tomahawks and the Indian head logos.  My only issue:  they are backwards on the nail (obviously).  I think I know how to correct that, so with a little tweaking and playing with my software, I can get these images flipped before I print, so they transfer correctly.  **UPDATE - found a free online flipping tool, and have reversed images in less than 2 minutes.**

I had a little bit of trouble this time, because I was TOO DAMN IMPATIENT.   I wanted this manicure on my nails, RIGHT NOW, and they are messy.  I don't feel as bad as I should - work has been brutal on my hands this past week, and they are already looking pretty sad.  I'm going to have to redo them, but as long as the Blackhawks are in the playoffs, I'll be sporting some version of this.

So, here is my weekly shout out to Kimber at Kimber's Lacquer Korner, the master of ceremonies to this little challenge.  Even though we are (quickly) coming to the end of the alphabet, there are still 9 weeks left...plenty of time to join.  And just because the alphabet will be ending, doesn't mean that the challenges will be over.  If you are interested in jumping in, it is a closed group.  You will need to click on the ABC Challenge tab on her web page, and shoot her an e-mail to request to join.  Simple as that.

Now, onward.
Liz

11 comments:

  1. Love these!! I think you did an incredible job!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Go, 'Hawks! I missed the game, but I heard it was terribly exciting. I'm not as big of a hockey fan, growing up in a state without a team, but I love Chicago sports! And you are rockin' it with that manicure! Great way to show support!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm a complete ignorant when it comes to NHL (as you can imagine, it's not that popular here in Italy!), so thank you for letting me know a bit of this world! :) And great job for your mani! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a cool mani and so bright and fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. So is it a red jelly? Oh yes, please! And I love the final mani, too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like it! It's different and fun. Good luck to your team!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The decal transfers came out well!! Go Hawks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great idea!! Although the Hawks are going to lose to the Maple Leafs!! Or so my hubby tells me!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love the transfers! They are so freaking addictive! LOLOL. You did a super job. :)

    Lisa

    ReplyDelete