And May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor

For the second installment in my Hunger Game manicure series, I planned this idea for my HG twist on St. Patrick's Day, but unfortunately things weren't going in my favor.  I originally was going to do a newspaper manicure with names in print, but my newspapers weren't cooperating in transferring dark enough.  Then I tried to use computer printed out names and that wasn't successful either.  Then, it hit me: Water decals!  The result was better than I originally planned even if a day late.  I guess the odds were in my favor after all!

I painted three coats of China Glaze Fast Track.  I printed, using a Hunger Games font--some names from the book, some made up and obviously some repeated to keep with the reaping theme.  I used two coats of Seche Vite just to make sure my decals adhered.

Flower Decals

I've been working on my water decal skills and this is my second attempt at something. One things I've learned with decals is that I have to be computer and vector art savvy. One thing I'm not. But I'm learning. However, for these flower designs I found some free vector art on the Internet and made the decals with those. I liked the way the design turned out, but decals are still pretty tricky. So I'm hoping practice makes perfect. But for now, here's the latest:

Base paint

Left hand

Right hand

I painted three coats of China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint and added China Glaze Paper Chasing with Bundle Monster plate bm203. On top I added the flower decals and two coats of Seche Vite.

Spirit Animals: Stepping It Up A Notch

Alright, I do know that I have a healthy self-esteem but I don't really like to brag. However, I was so excited with my new venture in nail art, that I was very proud of myself and hope you guys get a charge out of these manicures as much as I do!

As you know from my posts, I have recently entered a nail painting contest (vote for me here). As I was reading through some posts, I came across a manicurist who mentioned water decals that she made herself. Here is her blog, BTW, she has great landscape nails! I had to look into it myself to see if it was easy or hard. After getting some help from the Internet and having some inspiration due to an upcoming girls weekend, I decided to go for it. Water decal paper was a bit difficult to track down, but I found it and am excited to show you the results.

The back story on the following manicures is this: a group of my girlfriends have adopted Spirit Animals that either capture our heart, speak to us in some way and in general create an all over cheesy feeling. So I decided I would treat my friends to a manicure on our weekend getaway and make decals with their Spirit Animal. Here are the results!

Man Of War:

Painted with a base coat of Zoya Sienna and Konad Special Polish in Coral Blue with Konad plate m65.


The Loon:

Painted with three coats of China Glaze Sea Spray and using Konad Special Stamping Polish in Coral Blue and Bundle Monster Plate MB-209.


Bear:

(or as we like to call them dancing bears) Painted with three coats China Glaze Knotty and stamped with Bundle Monster Plate BM-213 with Zoya Areej.

Eagle:

Painted with three coats of Zoya Areej and stamped with Konad Special Stamping Polish in Black and Bundle Monster Plate BM-212.

Racoon:


Painted with three coats of China Glaze Turned Up Turquoise followed by a coat of China Glaze White Cap and stamped with Konad Special Stamping Polish in Black and White with Bundle Monster Plate BM-205 .

Patrick Swayze:

I know he might not speak to you as a Spirit Animal, but he did apparently call to my friend, Erin. Sometimes odd things happen, but he is glorious! Painted with three coats of Zoya Mira and on the ring finger glitter added from LA Splash Cosmetics in Dry Ice and stamped with Konad Special Polish in White and Black using Bundle Monster Plate BM-208

Each manicure was topped of with the special water decal seen and a coat of Seche Vite as the top coat and sealer.