Monday 18 December 2017

Getting inky with Brenda


Good morning, Brenda here with our mid month inspirational post where the each month one of the Design Team creates some work and the current challenged is to share a technique that is new to them, needless to say mine is a messy one but is fun to do.

Before I move on to my tutorial, myself and the team would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and thank you for all the wonderful work you have shared with us in 2017 and look forward to seeing you again next year.


I have no idea if or what the name might be for this technique and I am sure it's not a new one, but I actually came across it by accident one day when I inadvertently let a piece of printed paper land on a sticky background that was still wet. When I tried to lift off the paper I noticed that some of the print had adhered itself to the background so I had a play and rather liked the look so this is how I find it works best.

Start by creating an inky background, in this case I used Bristol cardstock and oxide inks, but it works equally well with with Brusho, Dylusions and other background mediums.


Next take a couple of pages form an old book..................do make sure they are 'appropriate'...........I did one a few weeks back, sent it off as a TV sample only to discover later that the printed content was not really 'viewer friendly'...........the TV presenter and crew had a laugh but it's made me more aware since!!


Tear the pages into small pieces and arrange on the background randomly and have a bone folder or ruler to hand along with a dries clear glue such as Indigo Blue Slap it On...............I experimented as the regular Slap it On didn't work as well as the Super Thick version which gave a much better adhesion and transfer. You need to work quite quickly here so best work on the pieces of paper one by one, giving a good brushing of glue to the base card and over each piece, then burnish with the bone folder or ruler edge several times and peel away the paper to reveal the print.


It doesn't matter if some of the paper remains as it all adds to the randomness of the piece and of course some of the print picked up will be the reverse but as it's a background it all adds to the interest.


Now you have your finished piece ready for stamping and on this occasion I used it with Chocolate Baroque stamps. I know it looks a messy process but that's all part of the fun and once stamped up to a finished piece gives an interesting and different look

Exactly the same process, just with different coloured inks. When I have spare time I like to make up a batch of backgrounds ready for stamping up at a later date........helps no end with rush TV deadlines!


Many thanks for taking a peek and hope you will give it a try.

Sunday 3 December 2017

December - Winter trees and flowers

Welcome to our  December challenge where this month our theme is...................

********Winter Trees and Flowers********

Lots of options here and I am sure many of you will find the theme fits in very nicely with your Christmas card making, so we look forward to seeing what you create. But please can I remind you we are a stamping challenge so must see a stamped image which reflects the theme as the focal element of your artwork , this means:

Stamping must be the central point of attention and interest

We have a super prize for this months winner plus there will also be a second prize for our runner up from Stix2 who offer a range of craft adhesive and glue based products, die cuts, card blanks and envelops  all especially for hobby crafters.


We are pleased to welcome Sue as this months Guest Designer..........


And a wonderful offering from the Design Team, thank you girls......................

Brenda
Using white A5 card blank from Stix 2


Dora


Joan



Happy crafting everyone.


You can enter up to three creations but please note: If we do not comment on your entry it will be because it does not follow the theme, qualify under our rules, or because we are asked to sign in or provide additional data to comment on third party hosts particularly Instagram, Facebook, Splitcoast etc. We do not want to be rude but we do want to be fair to those who do follow the rules.


Friday 1 December 2017

November winners

Good morning, it's the 1st of December which means we are into the Christmas month and the advent calendars have started their countdown to the big day.

It is also the day to announce the winners of our 'One layer Christmas card' theme, one lots of people seemed to struggled with and sadly some lovely creations had to be overlooked as the temptation to add a layer or two was clearly too much of a temptation for some. But there were some stunning entries and having counted the DT's votes I can announce that our winner is............

Links removed to comply with GDPR

Linda in Canada
We were really drawn to the peaceful winter scene
one layer christmas card.copyright linda @ snailzpace.wordpress.com

Huge congratulations Linda, please mail me so I can send your prize.

Followed by..................
Alison
A beautiful Christmas floral wreath

There is also a small prize for you Alison so please mail me with our full name and postal addy.

And our Top 3..................
Julie
Really atmospheric

Lynn
A super Winter scene

Helen
This one really brings a smile 

Well done to you all, please collect our Top 3 badge to display on your own blogs.

I will be back on Sunday with our new theme.