A Dream Deferred

expression…

good for the soul??

concept better than reality:

Nicole Miller “French Vanilla” (base)
OPI “Green-wich Village” & dark pink acrylic paint (applied w/nail art brush")
Color Club Nail Art Striper “Crème de Razzery” & “Glitter Hologram”

Reality better than expected:
OPI “Sparrow Me The Drama”
green acrylic paint & Color Club white nail art striper

inspired by:
TopCoatIt’s "argyle nails”

new attempts:

OPI “You Don’t Know Jacques!”
Color Club Nail Art Striper “Crème De Razerry”
Stripe Right green nail art striper

i love it.

Essie “Chastity” (base)
Color Club – Nail Art Stripers “Mint” & “White”

Thank you….from Diedra

Dec7 by Cheryl Cheryl

Contributor Dee Dee gave me the nicest thank you card last week. That isn’t really surprising… she’s thoughtful like that.

The card was so pretty I couldn’t get the envelope print out of my mind.

And then it kinda ended up on my nails. Smile

I tried to keep it simple, so I only tested out the hologram top coat on the nail of my ring finger. It’s SOOO pretty. It took all kinds of self-control to keep from slathering that beautiful topcoat across the other nine nails…well (I did slip. I put it on the pinky nail of my other hand. I couldn’t resist.)

The base color is OPI - “Malaysian Mist”… dark pink, brown and orange acrylic paint applied with a dotting tool.

Top Coat – INM’s Out the Door – “Northern Lights” (Hologram Top Coat ‘Gold’”)

Smiley

Dec6 by Cheryl Cheryl

When I started, my plan was just some basic cheerful nails…. because I really need a mood lift. .

As the task progressed….. do you realize how many ways there are to make a flickin’ smiley face these days??!!

Emoticons are taking over…. except ones with botox -__- LOL!

it did improve my mood… and is teaching me steadiness with a nail brush.

The Ohio State University

Dec2 by Cheryl Cheryl

I am from Ohio. First from Dayton, and then we moved to Columbus.

My Dad is a Buckeye fan…. so, of course, SO AM I!!!!

Contributor Dee Dee and I will have a “forever feud” about her wack Michigan team versus those auspicious Buckeyes!! Winking smile

With Monday’s announcement of the new head football coach at The Ohio State University, I felt it was a wonderfully appropriate time to show some Scarlet & Gray love.

Maybelline Express Finish “Racy Red”
OPI “Suzi Takes the Wheel”
white acrylic paint (dots)
Color Club black & white nail art stripers

I took inspiration from Urban Meyer’s press conference tie & mic cover. I may have to practice writing out “Ohio State” with my nail art tools. lol

GO BUCKEYES!

The Ohio State University Nail

Blue Skies

Nov29 by Cheryl Cheryl

I had to give the clouds a try. Since I am missing sunny skies…. I created my own. Very cute design.

OPI “What’s With the Cattitude” (Shrek Collection)
w/ acrylic paint (white & yellow)

#period.

Nov27 by Cheryl Cheryl

The actual size of my nailbed, I realize, just doesn’t have THAT much space.

I have a difficult time appreciating extensive nail art with 3D ornamentry (lol, I KNOW it’s not a word – yeah, yeah, ornamentation).

Simply because of the limited area on a fingernail, visually digesting a bunch of rhinestones and feathers, numbers and letters, all at once, is just way too overwhelming for my personal taste…. and thus was born:

the dot

OPI “Black Onyx”

lol.

It was such a statement, I just couldn’t add more. and I love it.

#period

#thatisall

Shelle’s dots

Nov27 by Cheryl Cheryl

My sister finally let me do her nails. She’s more conservative in her approach to color…. I run on the “loud” side of the color spectrum. So we had to have a pre-manicure conversation. I had to remind her that if she didn’t like it……… she could always just take it off…That speaks clearly to how different our tastes are, lol.

She chose a more subtle and cool color approach to her polish color and dotting choice:

OPI “Moon Over Mumbai” w/acrylic paint dots

China Glaze–“Turned Up Turquoise” (neon) (matte)

Nov25 by Cheryl Cheryl

I’m starting to believe that nail polish companies do what they can to keep top coat polish makers in business. Matte colors should NOT bother me…. but they do. I like the brilliance and shine on a freshly painted nail. I attempted to purchase a mattifier top coat… but I couldn’t make myself purchase it. Maybe one day… *shrugs*.

…So, I added a brilliant topcoat shine with Seche Vite to this color too….

At any rate…. This China Glaze “Turned Up Turquoise” is beautiful. I think this is supposed to be a “summer color” but why limit yourself? Life is too short not to have fun…whenever you want!

This color looks so much “greener” to me in real life. Photos seem to only pick up the blue.

China Glaze “Turned Up Turquoise” (Neon)

acrylic paint dots…. Smile

China Glaze–“Trendsetter”

Nov23 by Cheryl Cheryl

I needed a cute design to brighten my day because I feel icky. I think I’m fighting the flu and I am not a happy camper. Found a video on nail art created with toothpicks….. came home and tried it:

China Glaze “Trendsetter” with acrylic paint flowers nail art

The little flower seems like the highlight, but this China Glaze color, in all it’s drab undertone, has a BEAUTIFUL shimmer. Little eensy weensy, tiny flecks of gold meandering all through the liquid.

Outlined Polka Dots

Nov19 by Cheryl Cheryl

Having short fingernails is like a complete playground for beautiful loud polish and extreme nail art.

I found this design on a Nails Mag Blog and could not resist trying it out.

Sinful Colors “Feeling Great” was the perfect base for the yellow-trimmed black dots of acrylic paint.

The most difficult part of this nail art design is making sure you don’t paint the base color (Feeling Great) “outside the lines” of your cuticle!

The dots are child’s play.

I’m still having so much fun…..

I bought some new art brushes and some metallic paint today. All I need now is some willing participants to let me play on their nail beds…… and, some free time. Smile