Sunday 22 February 2015

Some bokeh artwork

Hello everyone.  I thought I would share with you my efforts at this technique which Barbara Gray showcased on her blog on Friday.  here is the link to see how it should be done.

http://barbaragrayblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/so-sorry-im-latehad-important-date.html

First, I tried a couple of pieces using the following Distress ink pads:  Squeezed Lemonade, Worn Lipstick, Tumbled Glass and Cracked Pistachio;  and then using a White Brilliance ink pad through the Claritystamp stencil:  Jo's Bubbles.

This was the first one;  ok, but I was a little bit heavy handed with the white.  Let's see what I can do next time.

 
This was my second effort:  better pleased with this one. 
 
 
Then I decided to try out some different colours to give the effect of an old sepia photograph.  So this time I used the following Distress ink pads:  Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Rusty Hinge and Vintage Photo.
 
 
 
 
 
Then I added the circles as before, using a white Brilliance ink pad.
 
 
Really love this stamp, and the sentiment seemed really appropriate too.  I used Potting Soil archival.
 
 
All I needed to do was to simply mat the artwork on some matching dark brown card before  sticking  to an 8" x 8" card blank. 
 
 
I hope you like it.  I've really enjoyed giving this technique a go, and I love the effect it gives.  I'll definitely be doing it again.  Till next time.  Xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday 1 February 2015

February already, and a new Claritystamp Blog Challenge

Hello there!  I hope you enjoyed last month's challenge;  you have certainly produced some stunning artwork.  Well, are you ready for a new challenge and a new theme? 

For my floral project, I decided to make a farewell card for a work colleague who left in mid- January to pursue new interests.  She collects Moorcroft pottery, and I thought this would be a perfect theme to inspire this month's project.  Beautiful isn't it?




I actually live in Stoke-on-Trent, only about 10 minutes away from the factory.


Main Ingredients
 
Black card and paper
Rose Panel stencil
Embossing machine
Versamark ink pad
Mica powders:  Perfect Pearls Forever Green, and Cosmic Shimmer Blue Sky, Lapis Lavender, Lava Red and Raspberry Red
Paintbrushes
Decorative edge punch
 
First I used the stencil to emboss a piece of black card.  This is the side I will be working on to imitate the tube lining which is so typical of Moorcroft pottery.
 
 
I replaced the stencil, and, working in sections, sponged Versamark through.  Then it was simply a case of brushing on the dry mica powders to 'paint' the panel.



 
Once I took the stencil away, this was the result.
 

The finished panel fits onto a large DL card (that is A4 folded in half lengthways).  I cut the first mat from glossy black card and used a punch to create a decorative edge on the two short sides.
 
 
I used the same edge punch on another two pieces of card, and used the Versamark and mica powder to match the main panel.
 
 
The artwork was then simply mounted onto a white card blank.
 
 
I hope you like the finished card.  I look forward to seeing your ideas and artwork again this month.  Till next time.  Xxx