Building Backgrounds

Hi Folks, I have a couple of samples to show you today, using the Harlequin Fragments/Tangled Fragments multibuy stamp set from Chocolate Baroque

I love to make my own backgrounds, and these large stamps are perfect for mixing and matching over sprayed or inked surfaces, or even patterned papers, to create layered backgrounds. For my first card, I have chosen a soft colour scheme, using a printed Julie Nutting tag, and embossed the dotty harlequin stamp using white embossing powder. I have used the large dotty stamp on the main background, stamping my image onto scrap paper first, then onto the card to get a fainter image. This is known as second generation stamping. I stamped three butterflies from the Briar Rose Butterfly stamp set onto beige vellum, using white embossing powder.

The poppy image is from the Flora and Fauna stamp set, which I stamped onto white card and coloured it using Polychromos pencils before cutting it out. Lastly, the sentiment comes from the Mackintosh Sentiments clear stamp set, and I have again embossed this with white embossing powder. I sanded the edges of all of my pieces of card to give a shabby feel to them, before assembling my project and added some cream lace.

I cut my card to 7" x 7" size so that I could use the tag without the top edges showing, I quite like this size, and may make more if I can find a ready source of envelopes. A bit of searching on the Internet, methinks.

My second project was made using a tag that I coloured with leftover inks from my project here as I did not want to waste the remaining ink. I coloured two further tags, and this was one of them. I am trying to create a stash of available backgrounds for future projects, saving me time when I am starting to make a card or tag. I do try to rummage through what I have already made to see if I have something I can use when I am making something. Like me, I'm sure a lot of you have a scrap box full of bits and pieces left over from previous projects.


I stamped the large background stamp using cobalt archival ink, and added white highlights with a signo uniball pen. I used a stamp from the Artistic Expressions stamp set on the background using forget-me-not archival ink, which I also used to edge the tag.

I stamped a peacock feather from the Tangled Peacock stamp set onto pale green vellum three times using navy ink and clear embossing powder. I coloured the reverse of the images with copic markers before cutting them out. A piece of emerald ribbon finishes the tag.

Keep popping over to the Design Team Blog to see what my team mates have made, they have some super samples coming up in July using these stamps. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Harebell Butterfly

Hi Folks, my sample today uses lots of my favourite colours, namely purple and teal. I often try to work outside my comfort zone when I am making samples and do not often turn to these colours when making a project. it has been a real pleasure dipping into this colour palette.

I started my card by creating a wrinkle free background using smooth watercolour paper, using blue and lilac Distress Inks. I then created an oval mask, which I placed in the centre of the page. I used Paris Dusk Memento Ink and sponged around the edge of the mask, creating a shadow. This helps create a faux layer, which keeps the card flat and saves on postage! I also added the same colour to the edge of the background. Using a flower stamp from the Harebell Butterfly stamp set, I stamped around the edge of the background, and over the edges of the mask. I used a mixture of teal, navy and purple inks. I removed the mask and stamped the main image using Cobalt Archival ink. I stamped the butterfly from the main image again onto a scrap piece of watercolour paper and also onto sparkly acetate.

I bleached the image, and coloured it with pencils. I coloured the second butterfly, and stuck the acetate butterfly over the top. I added these to the main picture. The sentiment comes from the Amazing Birthday stamp set, and I have used a Dienamics die to cut out my little tag.

I added a bit of grey pencil directly around the edge of the mask to deepen the shadow, and this helps the contrast between the background and foreground 'layers'. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Fabric Journal and CSQ Project

Hi Folks, well it's my turn to post my project on the Craft Stamping Quartet blog. We are all making a little accordian style book as suggested by Elaine, and inspired by Kate Crane.

I decided very early on that I wanted to use fabric as the basis for my book inspired by the work of Lin Brown whose work I admire so much. I was very lucky to attend one of her fabric journal workshops recently covering this very subject, so it helped my project along enormously! Here is a sample of what I made at the workshop, and you will be able to see that I was very much inspired by this in my book:

I started by cutting out some watercolour pages to 5" x 5", as this was the size that I wanted to work on. I covered all of the pages with fabric, using Bondaweb, and gave them a wash of colour using Paper Artsy paints. I added stencilling, stamping, and in some cases, some texture paste through stencils as well. I coloured some of the texture paste before I used it with paint for my front and back covers, saving time colouring the paste afterwards.

I stamped several images onto sparkly acetate, and also onto spare watercolour paper, which I painted with the paints to co-ordinate with my backgrounds. I then stuck the acetate to the painted images before I added them to the backgrounds.

I have used a couple of Lin Brown stencils on this page, which is the front cover of my book, and a Paper Artsy butterfly.

On these two pages, I have added some lace painted with paint to tie into my colour scheme, and some stamps by Jo Capper-Sandon join the Paper Artsy stamps.

 

I have watercoloured some stamped flowers directly onto the fabric on these pages, and added more stencilling. This time I have added script to the stencilling as well. The words are stamped onto painted fabric.

I have added a flower stamped onto black card to this page and another little Jo Capper-Sandon butterfly on sparkly acetate. The foliage was stamped in white, and given a colourwash of yellow and orange.

I have added fabric tags to these two pages, stapling the fibres to the tags instead of tying them in the traditional way.

Finally on my back cover, I have added scraps of tinted lace along with the Jo Capper-Sandon stamps. More textured stencilling completes the background.  I have dry brushed the edges of all of my pages with paint, using a variety of colours to tone in with each page. I also added some fabric tabs between the pages for interest.

My construction is not the same as Kate's, I have hidden the ends of my pages within the concertina folds, preferring an edge to edge look inside the book. I went for black card, like Elaine, as I felt that it complimented my bright colours and black stamping.

I have enjoyed the process of making my little book, and hope that you like the end result. If you have any questions, please ask, and I am happy to answer them. Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

A Touch of Orange

Hi Folks, my samples have a definite orange feel today. I have used the stamp of the month sets from Chocolate Baroque to create these samples. Both sets are full of lovely flowers and butterflies which are suitable for so many different occasions.


My first card was created by masking the top and bottom of the card, and then colouring the middle of the card with Distress Inks. I stamped the flower sprigs across the bottom of the inked area before I removed the paper masks. I stamped two butterflies onto sparkly acetate, and added some coloured vellum behind them. Finally, I added a sentiment from the Amazing Birthday stamp set in the top corner of the card.

 

My second card was created by stamping the Big Bold Background Leafy Trails stamp onto a piece of kraft card with green ink. I cut a small rectangle of kraft card, and stamped the rosehip image using the same ink. I coloured the images with pencils, and edged the pieces of card with Distress Inks. I also decoupaged the butterfly. I matted the layers with dark green card, and added a piece of orange ribbon to finish. 

This little card would be useful for lots of different occasions, and would make a great notelet set if you made several of them.

Thanks for stopping by, xx