My local stamp shop, Stamp Addicts in Kempston, had a demo day which I popped along to. The demos were great - Hels Sheridan was there with her awesome tags - I was so surprised by how different they look in the flesh.. they've got so much more dimension than you can see in the pics! I picked up some great tips from her. There was someone there demo-ing Pan Pastels, and someone demo-ing for Stix2, and I got some great ideas from her which I've been trying out today.. tho they haven't made it on to today's card!
I left the shop with some new toys... some ink dusters, a water brush, some sponges... and after a day of playing with them - seriously, how have I been managing without these things! I also picked up some Picket Fence distress stain after seeing the amazing things Hels does with it, and I am already in love.
Anyway, enough jabbering. Today's card uses a bunch of my new stuff and I've attempted a style I'm not too comfortable with (but just love to look at)!!
The sentiment is a vellum sheet which I have had for ages, not sure where it came from, inside a ticket die frame which I've distress inked, stained, embossed and stamped. The flower is made up of a large one from a shop-bought set, a sizzix die, and two punches - a flower one and an icicle for the middle. There's also a silver washer thrown in there for good measure. Each part of the flower has been attacked with an array of Ranger stuff. and a bit of silver for a shimmery finish (which you can't see at all on the photo). A little bit of bakers twine to 'ground' the flower. The background is a piece of white cardstock with a V&A design stamped on using my new Picket Fence stain, then distress inks blended on using the duster brushes and a water brush to bring the Picket Fence back up so it's not overpowered by the inks. I've overstamped a couple of times with a script stamp.
I think it's ok... I'm still not sure about this style! My attempts always seem to lack embellishments, but if I try to put them on there it looks crap! I spent at least 10 minutes trying to put a gorgeous Mother of Pearl butterfly on there with no success!
All critique gladly received :) and I would definitely go along to another demo day, so many great ideas!
Challenges:
Crafts 4 Eternity - Colour challenge
Craft Your Passion - Distressed edges
Crafters Companion - Here Comes Summer
Sweet Stampin - Flower Power
The Stamp Man - Favourite Technique - anything with my new water brush!
Heh M, you sound just like me when it comes to your cards. I can sit for ages thinking what do l do next, do l leave it or try to find somewhere to put this embellishment! Your not a Leo, are you?
ReplyDeleteAnyways, l love your card and am very impressed that you tried something out of your comfort zone, well done.
Have a great night xx
Very pretty card. The distressing makes it look so romantic and pretty. Thanks for playing with us this week at Craft Your Passion Challenges!
ReplyDelete~Cely (hawaiipaperparty.blogspot.com)
CYP May Guest Designer
This is very shimmery and pretty M! Being a CAS girl myself I applaud your restraint on the embellishment front! I worked as a graphic designer for years and the 'rule' is that one well-placed embellishment can lift a design so much better than loads of randomly placed ones. My advice is to always make your embellishments part of the main focal point otherwise the eye doesn't know where to look first. Hope this helps! Vicky x
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to try something out of your comfort zone. I'd go with Vicky's comment too, why use three or five when one does the job perfectly.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I've replied to your comment on my blog, thanks for stopping by :)
What a gorgeous take on our colour challenge M. Thanks for joining us at Crafts4Eternity.
ReplyDeletePinky
Stunning card, love your distressing and pretty colours, thanks for joining us at CYP, hugs, Sarah x
ReplyDeletegorgeous card.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for joining us at Sweet Stampin' this week
Doreen xx
Beautiful card. Love this colours.. so gentle.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us at Sweet Stampin` “Flower Power” Challenge and we hope to see you again soon.
Hugs
Natali
Gorgeous card M! Thanks for joining us at Crafts 4 Eternity this week hugs xx
ReplyDeleteA fabulous inky card, that really doesn't need any more embellishing, it's fabulous as it is M. Thanks for linking to the Stamp Man's favourite technique challenge.
ReplyDeletehugs {brenda} xox