Digit-al Dozen Does Rainbows; Day 3

Today is Flag Day so I combined Day 3 of Digit-al Dozen rainbow challenge and came up with a variety of flags including the LGPT Flag to make it challenge appropriate!

Started by making assortment of stamper decals using MdU polishes and acrylic paints.  I did the rainbow flag a couple nights ago and as a result it was a little on the brittle side so some of the paint flaked off but it wasn't the easiest to make so I decided to use it anyway.  I can't begin to say how much time I spent on that one image; looking up line plates then measuring them against my nail to see that six lines would fit, tried making lines using nail vinyls, then used nail stencils; after lots of trial and error and placement, went with Chez Divers 003.  Did three stripes using the image, then filled in the lines using other colours.  Also used images from MoYou Tourist Collection 02 (American flag), MoYou N16 (Union Jack), Chez Divers 003 (LGBT flag), MoYou Tourist Collection 03 (flag of France), Konad A1 (Australian flag) and CNF Custom with Fig Tree (Canadian flag).  

I used a clear stamper for the first time for the American flag and I have to say, it is so nice to see everything as you go along; I'll have to keep it in mind for stamper deals in the future!  After I applied a couple of the stamper decals onto the nail, I noticed little bits that were missed as I paint onto a dark base but its a lot easier so see how you are doing with a clear stamper!

Applied the decals directs to the middle, pinky and thumb and did some filling in on the nails to fill as well as fixed up the rainbow flag a bit more.  For the index and ring finger, applied two coats of Jade Cremoso Alga Marinha; then applied the British Flag direct to the index.  For the ring, stamped on a couple clouds using Konad m79 using FunkyFingers Guesso, then added the Canadian flag.

I did a stamper decal using MoYou Tourist Collection-03 but didn't end up using it; not enough fingers!

Applied a coat of Girly Bits What A Rush QD TC to finish.

Did a touch up on a couple flags then added another coat of top coat to finish.

Here's the other ladies Day 3 rainbow manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanks for looking!

Canada Day Nails!

With Canada Day around the corner, I started wearing Canada Day mani's this weekend.  I've also been sharing throwback mani's on IG all weekend; I'm amazed that I have done some variety with the limited Canada Day images for stamping.  With the lack of Canada Day images available in mind, I had a custom plate made through Fig Tree Stamps (go to bottom of post for pix); here's the first mani I came up with!

Started with a base of two coats each of OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls and Duri Taming of the Shrew, topped with KBShimmer Clearly on Top.



I had some difficulty in stamping with the custom plate; I couldn't get that good results with my usual squishy stamper other than this image.  I initially thought this was all I was going to be able to share!



But after more trying, eventually did this.  Used Konad red and Funky Fingers Gesso, using image from Canadian Nail Fanatic 001 with Fig Tree Stamps.  Girly Bits Canadian, eh? is on accent.


Topped with KBShimmer Clearly on Top to finish.



This is the final proof of the plate.



And the final product!**  I'm sorry, I was so excited when I got the plate that I went right away to swatching and forgot to take better pix to share.  The image plate is about the size of the large Apipila plates (not the XXL size); I was so happy with the number of images that were able to fit on the plate!  I have to say it is so cool being able to pick images and have them made onto a plate!  I have commented often that there is a lack of Canada Day and Remembrance Day images and was so happy to have the plate made with some! And the great thing too is the size of the images can be customized to fit your nails!  There's lots of times that there might be a word or an image and it doesn't fit on my nails; well, not now as you can pick the size of the images!

This was me sampling more with the plate.  I found that a firmer stamper with thicker polish such as Mundo de Unas worked the best.  I used the purple Messy Mansion rectangle stamper here; it doesn't facilitate stamping with darker polish though so I need to get a firmer lighter stamper.  The partial images shows were because the stamper picked up two images; not that there were mis-stampings.  Overall, once I figured out the stamper and polish to use, the plate worked well!  I myself prefer a squishy stamper so would prefer slightly deeper etchings, I think, but happy that I do have a stamper that works anyway!



I have plans for another plate in the near future; I have suggested images or themes to plate makers with specific images or themes but they have not materialized (I guess what I like isn't popular lol!), so will be having another one made for sure! I'm so glad there is this option available!  Fig Tree Stamps has a shop on Etsy; they are based in UK but shipping was around 4-5 days to Canada.

Thanks for looking!

**purchased by me