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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A simple birthday card

Hello everyone.  Yes its me again;  two blog posts in less than a week!  What's going on? 

I just want to say a big thank you for all the lovely messages I've received during these last few days since I announced that I am now part of the Claritystamp Challenge Blog Design Team.  Your kind words, and appreciation of my work mean a lot to me.

Main Ingredients (all from Claritystamp)
Gelli card
Brick wall stencil
Stencil brushes
Antique Linen Distress Ink
Frayed Burlap Distress Ink
Slate Adirondack Ink
NDC Stamp 96

This is a very simple birthday card which I've made for my stepson Adam using a technique we've used a couple of times at Maria Simms' workshops:  using a stencil to create a frame for a stamped image.

I attached the stencil to a piece of gelli card with low tack masking tape, then using the palest colour, Antique Linen, I brushed round the edge of the stencil with sweeping circular movements, working inwards and making sure to leave a white area in the middle.

 

This was repeated using the next colour, Frayed Burlap, in the same way,but taking care not to come as far into the centre of the card.

 

 

Finally, I added depth around the edges with Slate.

 

 

Then I removed the stencil and you can see the finished effect.

 

 

Once trimmed back a little, this card was finished very simply with a statement stamp and matted onto black card.  Sometimes things don't need to be complicated.

 

 

Thanks Maria for the inspiration for this card.  Its amazing how the same technique can look so different depending on the choice of colours, stencil and stamp.  I think I'll be using it a lot when I need to make a quick, but effective card. 

 

Thanks for taking the time to pop in;  I'd love to know what you think.  Till next time.  Xxx