Day 24: Inspired by a Book

7:45 PM Laura 17 Comments

Today's challenge is probably my favorite thing that I've done so far. It wasn't hard to pick what I was going to do; I looked over my bookshelf and instantly  knew which book would lend itself to greatness: Alice in Wonderland.

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I adore this book. It's just so quirky and weird and I love it. I was a little disappointed in the Tim Burton movie. I really wanted it to be amazing, and the graphics and creepiness were definitely spot on but there wasn't a lot of connection with the characters. Oh well. Anyway, this is what I did:

I'll take you through it step-by-step

This is my left hand. From thumb to pinky: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Blue Away, American Apparel African Violet, OPI Mermaid's Tears, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Whirlwind White, Wet n Wild Black Creme

And my right hand, which is all Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Whirlwind White

(I did all of this using a small paintbrush)

The thumb was inspired by the hookah-smoking caterpillar.

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I started with the mushroom stem in Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Whirlwind White

Then I gave it a cap with OPI Cajun Shrimp

I added some polka dots with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Whirlwind White

And I made the caterpillar with Zoya Yara

The index finger was a teacup, in honor of the mad tea party.

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I drew the outline of the teacup in Sally Hansen Whirlwind White

I filled in the cup with American Apparel Peacock and the dish with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Blue Away

Buuut I decided Peacock was too dark so I did OPI Mermaid's Tears instead

My middle finger was inspired by the Eat Me cookies that Alice encounters.
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I couldn't find an old-fashioned drawing of the cookies, so I found a drink me picture instead.

I made little blobby circles with Zoya Minka

Then I wrote Eat Me with a black, fine-tipped Sharpie 

Apparently I forgot to take a picture after I dotted the cookies, but I used Wet n Wild Black Creme for that.

My ring finger features a pocket watch, because of the white rabbit who was late for a very important date.

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I did the outline and chain of the watch with Milani Gold Lamé 

And I did the black details with my trusty fine-tipped Sharpie

And then my pinky, which was of course inspired by the disappearing Cheshire cat.

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I did his mouth and eyes in Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Whirlwind White

And then added in the black parts with Wet n Wild Black Creme 

So that was my right hand. On my left hand, I did all the card suits because of the playing cards who tend to the Red Queen's garden.

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I just did these the best I could using OPI Cajun Shrimp and Wet n Wild Black Creme. Sorry for the pre-cleanup pic.

Aaand here they are again! This was after a day of wear, sorry! 

As you can see, I added gold dots around the rim of the teacup and for some reason the Sharpie faded to blue.




So there you have it! I am very happy with how this turned out and yes, I actually wore this in public. I wasn't going to waste this on myself! It got tons of compliments. I think I'm finally getting handy with some nail art!

Do you guys like this as much as I do?

17 comments:

  1. LarieSeptember 24, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    This is SO cool! I think my favorite is the "eat me" nail :D I was also disappointed in the Tim Burton movie. The White Queen annoyed me, with her floaty hands. I know that was the intended gimmick, but I just wanted her to put her hands DOWN like a normal person.

    Have you read "The Looking Glass Wars?" It's a different take on Alice in Wonderland. Not the best books ever, but still entertaining!

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  2. East Valley GirlSeptember 24, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Love it, love it love, it!!

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  3. The Lacquered LadySeptember 25, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    You are so creative! I also love Alice in Wonderland and this manicure was fabulous! Thanks for sharing.

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  4. ~Leslie~September 25, 2011 at 1:33 AM

    Fantastic! Beautiful! Wonderful! Great job! Love it! When I do something complicated like this and wear it in public, I do the same thing by picking something simpler to do with my non-dom hand. ;)
    The topcoat makes the sharpie turn blue. If it bugs you and you wanna invest in the kiss nail art pens, they stay true to the color and work same way as a sharpie.

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  5. SandraSeptember 25, 2011 at 3:51 AM

    This is so awesome! You did such a great job. I especially love the pocket watch. :)

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  6. EmilySeptember 25, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    You did an amazing job! These nails scream Alice In Wonderland!!

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  7. fingersSeptember 25, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    This is really amazing! I can only imagine how long this took to do! This really is great you should be proud of yourself! Plus you're almost at 200 followers! Woohoo! My fave book is the phantom tollbooth by Norman juster. Check it out.

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  8. LauraSeptember 25, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    @Larie: Actually, I have read them! I really liked them, I thought they were an interesting take on the story. But I pretty much love anything Wonderland-themed. :)

    @The Lacquered Lady: Aw, shucks!

    @Leslie: Thank you! It didn't bother me that much, and it's way easier to use than striper-pens! But I might check out the nail art pens too.

    @Sandra: I think it might be my favorite too.

    @Fingers: It did take a while! And I think it's the best nail art I've done to date so I'm very proud! I think I've heard of that book, I'll look it up. :)

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  9. Let's Get NailedSeptember 25, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    These are beyond amazing! I love all the images that you chose. I have actually never read this book, but I love the Disney movie :)

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  10. Olivia C.September 25, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    This is so cute! And I think my favorite of all the designs you've done so far. :)

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  11. Makeup and MuttsSeptember 25, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    My favorite nails you've ever done!!!

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  12. Polish AMORSeptember 25, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    WOW you did an amazing job with the nail art :) love love love this mani!

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  13. MegSeptember 25, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    Wowowow awesome!!! Oh and caterpillar all the way, he was the coolest!

    I wish I had seen it! :o AMAZING!!!

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  14. UnknownSeptember 26, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    I actually really liked that Disney and TB decided to do the movie the way they did. No one has really brought focus to the rest of the series. I didn't like Alice though. YUCK. Your mani is great :)

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  15. ♥beauxs momSeptember 27, 2011 at 3:28 AM

    check out your art skills, looks fantastic I love the whole mani but my fav is the cat looks so cool, and thanks for the tutorial on them it's helpful.

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  16. beachgalSeptember 28, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    GREAT! Really brave free-handing!

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  17. SoniaSeptember 28, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    Adooooorable!!!

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