Experimental Rose

Good morning all, I hope you are all well and happy, and are finding time

for lots of crafty playtime. Welcome to my new followers...I hope

you enjoy your visits here.

If you have been reading my blog recently, you will know that I have

just begun experimenting with mixed media. My card today is my 

4th attempt at m.m., and 'the jury is out' as to whether I should be

showing it to you or not, as I am not sure if I like it.

Recently, while browsing on the 'net, I came across a tutorial using a 

combination of Tim Holtz's Frosted Film, and Wendy Vecchi's Clearly

For Art...now that's one heck of a duo of pure talent, isn't it!! I finally

got my little 'paws' on both products, and that's where the fun began, 

using a mixture of information from internet tutorials, instructions on 

the packaging, and my own bumbling experiments.

After attaching the 2 new (to me) products together, I die-cut them using

Spellbinders Rose Creations. On the reverse side of each petal layer, I  

sponged Lavender Brilliance Archival ink, and applied Sunshine 

Yellow Pinata alcohol ink to the centres, using cotton buds.

With a scalpel I scratched 'veins' into the leaves, then sponged them with Jade  

and Coffee Bean Brilliance Archival inks. Working fast before the petals

cooled and hardened, I heated 2 petals at a time, shaping them while still

very hot (ouch). I then used a hot glue gun to construct the flower.

The backgrounds were created using an embossing folder, pearlescent spray and

a variety of Distress Inks. Before applying the peel-off sticker greeting and

border, I coloured them with Promarkers. I sponged the die-cut flourishes, 

cut from kraft, with Distress Inks.

Challenges I would like to enter

Anything But Cute #1 - 'Vintage Garden' (The embossed panel reminds me of my Grandma's big flocked/velvet lounge suite) Exceptional New Mixed Media Artist

City Crafter #262 - 'Inky-nes'S' '

Crafting Musketeers #25 - 'Use A Die-cut'

Our Creative Corner - 'April Showers Bring May Flowers' (The top panel reminds me of stormy, rainy skies)

Stempelgarten #37 - 'Embossing' TOP 3

The Mixed Media Monthly #12 - 'May Flowers'

Dies - Spellbinders Floral Flourishes, Rose Creations; Cheery Lynn Exotic Butterfly small

Embossing - Couture Creation Endless

Inks, Spays, Stains - Brilliance Archival Pearlescent Lavender, Jade, Coffee Bean; Adirondack Denim; Daler Rowney Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic;Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain Picket Fence; Tim Holtz Distress Inks Scattered Straw, Antique Linen, Gathered Twigs, Bundled Sage, Iced Spruce, Peeled Paint, Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender, Tumbled Glass

Frosted Film - Tim Holtz

Clearly For Art - Wendy Vecchi Clear

Glitter - Ranger Stickles Star Dust

Peel-off stickers, mini beads - from my junk stash

I am trying to ignore the noise, but can no longer...my vacumn cleaner and broom are calling me, so I fear I must obey. Urrrrgh!!!

Until next time, thank you for visiting,

Hugs

Jennifer. x

Inky Fingers

'Inky Fingers' was the only title I could use for this post, as that was well and

 truly what I had at the end of the making of this card. However, I seem to be

overcoming my aversion to having messy fingers and hands, as I loved 

getting 'down and dirty', and can't wait to repeat the fun. Before I began

'playing', every single element was stark white, including the card base.

I created puddles of various D.I.s, dragged my cardstock through them several

times, drying with a heat tool each time. Then from a height, I sprayed with

Picket Fence distress stain. When that was dry I sprayed with a little

Pearlescent Liquid Acylic diluted with water, creating a stunning 

shimmery effect, which unfortunately barely shows in the photos. 

When the base was completely dry, I softly stencilled swirls all over, using

portions of butterfly wings on a 12x12 stencil, then sponged around the

edges. 

The flowers are made using EK Success punches and D.I.s, and the

seam binding was stained with several D.I.s.

The bird in flight (as with the little birdhouse) was embossed with Chunky

Blue Frantage, and a tiny sprinkling of lavender Opals. The stamped bird

and sentiment are from a set of clear stamps I have had for about 5 or 6 

years, and never used. I found them (along with quite a few other sets, and

many other items) when I moved my craft room from the old stable to the

 house. Shame on me! The good thing is though, it's like having new stash.

At this stage I have not decorated the inside of my card, as per usual, but

if I decide to do so, I will edit this post.

Challenges I would like to enter:-

Artistic Inspirations #128 - 'Anything Goes With A Twist of Flowers'

Craft For The Craic - 'Bingo' (flowers, ribbon, die-cuts)

Creative Card Crew #84 - 'Handmade Flowers'

Frilly and Funky - 'Put A Ribbon On It'

Fussy and Fancy #135 - 'Girly'

Inspiration Journal - 'Spring Blooms'

Mixed Media World #1 - 'Anything Goes'

That Craft Place - 'Easter/Spring'

The Crafter's Cafe #109 - 'Spring Flowers'

The Shabby Tea Room #248 - 'Beautiful Blooms' (photo inspiration)

Dies - Spellbinders Grand Classical Lace Border; Memory Box Woodland Branch; Sweet Stamps Elegant Leaves; Couture Creations Baby Dove; Marianne LR025, LR0106, LR0107

Stamps - Inkadinkadoo
Punches - EK Success Retro Flowers Medium and Large
Stencil - Crafter's Workshop Butterflies 
Frantage - Stampendous Shabby Blue
Opals - Lavender
Inks and Stains - Versamark; Brilliance Archival Pearlescent Lavender, and Jade; Adirondack Denim; Daler Rowney Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic; Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain Picket Fence; Tim Holtz Distress Inks Scattered Straw, Antique Linen, Gathered Twigs, Bundled Sage, Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender, Tumbled Glass
Seam Binding and Stamens are from my junk stash

Me thinks I had better go and attend to boring tasks like housework, so thank you for visiting. I have some very exciting news to tell you soon, but at this stage I have to 'zip my lips', so in the meantime, I wish you "Happy Crafting".

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I would like to mention too that at Winter Wonderland we have a DT Call. We are looking for 2 new teamies who are enthusiastic about making Christmas cards. For full details, pop over to our challenge blog, and if you are interested in joining us you have until 10th April to apply.

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Hugs
Jennifer. x