Bamboo Nails

This is a guest post that I did for Kayla Shevonne! You can check out more pictures and an explanation of how I did this nail art on her blog by clicking here. It was really fun to have my work featured on her great blog.

Don't forget, you still have time to enter my 500 Follower contest! You don't have to do any nail art, I just want to see your lovely nails in your favorite shade. Of course, nail art and stamping are totally fine, but if that's not your thing, don't worry. Click here for the details on the contest. Deadline for entry is tomorrow at 5pm Pacific Time.

I've also hit another milestone on my blog! This is the 81st post, and every 20 posts I make a donation to Women's Recovery Services. They help women transitioning out of substance abuse. One of the things they provide are toiletries and make up. We all know that putting on a bit of make up or applying a nice manicure is a big boost to self esteem, and these women really need it. I encourage you to find a way to make your own blog do some good in your community. 

31 Day Nail Art Challenge: Inspired by a Pattern

Today's nails are inspired by the pattern on Sally's dress from Nightmare Before Christmas! I thought this was a perfect way to do a Halloween pattern mani. I first saw the patchwork-style on the whole nail manicure done by Kayla Shevonne. You can see her amazing patchwork manicure by clicking here. I did not do my patchwork in the same way she did hers, by starting with the black, but I like both styles and they are really fun! Also, check out Robin Moses for more patchwork ideas. Her videos are incredibly helpful for learning new techniques.

I studied Sally's dress closely to match the fabric styles of her dress. I did all of this freehand, but you could totally stamp on the swirls on the purple instead.

I started with this lavender polish from Sally Hansen, and then added random patches of green polish. The green polish is from Claire's and it is actually a color changing polish from bright green to light green depending on your  mood. I wonder what mood I was in when I took this pic?

Then I randomly added the other colors, with a dusky blue, an orange, and a burnt umber kind of color. Saying burnt umber always reminds me of Bob Ross, and thinking of Bob Ross makes me smile. You will see that I did not include every color on every nail. I think that makes the manicure more interesting. 

Then I added details to some of the fabric using acrylic paints. Again, you could totally stamp the swirly pattern on the purple at the beginning, to save yourself some time. I tried to make the patterns match Sally's dress as well as I could. 

Here's the mani with all of the black lines and stitches added. This part is really easy. Just outline the areas and add a few stitches here and there. It doesn't have to be perfect, in fact it looks better if it isn't. Add topcoat and you are done!

Polishes used in this manicure: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Delphinium, butter LONDON Minger, China Glaze Happy Go Lucky, Essie Very Structured, Cult Nails Awakening, Claire's Mood Nail Polish in Happy/Earthy. (Apparently I was feeling Earthy!)

Thursday's mani: Nails inspired by Artwork. Ooo, this will be fun. :)