6 April 2013

Pieces of Paper

Hi everyone. Thank you  for joining me on this (well for me) Saturday afternoon. I hope you are having a good weekend whatever you are up to and wherever you are. I've been busy re-learning the art of paper piecing (initial efforts just didn't meet quality control as I'd forgotten about how to layer correctly - I know! how hard can it be?) It probably doesn't help that I was doing this in duplicate...


I've used some K&Co papers (that have been lanquishing in my stash for eons) to create these masculine cards and my new 'Time Travellers' Stampers Anonymous stamps which have already become firm favourites.


These papers were an easy choice, particularly as the background one already included some street maps within the stripes. Although there was a little colour around the edges I added some DI Vintage Photo to  distress it further. The lime element also seems to stop the cards feeling too dark.








The second background layer was created using DP's Weathered Wood/Frayed Burlap/Antique Linen, blended across the text stamp and then clear embossed after having been applied to a coordinating paper. I do love the way these paints blend so well and they hold embossing powder beautifully without the need for an anti-static bag to stop any overspills. As you can see I made two versions - normally there'd be a favourite but in this case I liked them both.



The suitcase piles were fun. These were stamped with Memento London Fog on some DCWV Serendipity cardstock, chosen as it had a lovely pale leather colour and some texture to it. The ink was chosen to give a sharper image - I always find it can be a bit hit and miss getting this on textured cardstock with some types of ink. Adding decoupaged layers gave each stack more dimension.





On to the bit I struggled with - the paper piecing gentlemen. Patterned papers added a bit of a twist to them and each layer was stamped with Coffee Archival Ink. It is important to think about which layer needs to go on first, second, third, and so on otherwise you can end up with 'indentations' in places that should be more prominent. I did try stamping in Navy but it made this poor man look very gaunt - not a good look for a birthday!



You can tell how far you've come in crafting by looking back/thinking about how you would have tackled something and what you now do. Way back when (well actually a year ago when I started this blogging lark) the cogs/clouds would have been cut from plain cardstock. Now I have cogs/clouds created from white corrugated cardstock that has layers of gesso, Distress Paint (same colours used for the background) Picket Fence Crackle Paint and Antique Lined Distress Stain.


Having birthday card orders coming in I went with the simple sentiment on the luggage tag rather than doing anything more thought-provoking on this occasion.


These are being entered for the following challenges;
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Paper Piecing
Out of a Hat Creations - Suitcase/Travel
Hope you've been encouraged to dig out some old stash and use it/revisit a technique you haven't done in a while (if only to refresh your brain). Enjoy the rest of your weekend, hugs Jenny x

36 comments:

  1. These cards are amazing, Jenny, and I always enjoy your accompanying explanations/thought process.I wonder what your work will look like after another year...

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  2. Fantastic travel card Jenny I love the vintage look and colours such a handsome gentlemen too. Thank you for travelling with us at OOAH this week. Hugs Sandra X

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  3. Fabulous paper piecing Jenny, great papers and colours and you have achieved brilliant effects with the stamps.
    hugs {brenda} xox

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  4. Hi Jenny...love these projects. Like you I love the Time Travellers stamps set and you have certainly created stunning cards with your stamps.

    Good luck in the challenges

    Hugs

    Annie x

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  5. Happy Saturday! I like this stamp a lot and you've done a great job of the paper-piecing - love that paper! xxx Keren

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  6. Fantastic stamps and you have used them so well. Great to have you join us at Out of a Hat for this challenge

    Love Chrissie xxx

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  7. Hi Jenny, I too love this set, especially grouchy man which I seem to use most... hope Tim commissions Brett to do some more! You have done a brilliant job with your paper piecing, both cards are fabulous and really love the corrugated card elements. Hugs, Anne x

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  8. Wonderful Cards -I just love them a lot! Such amazing colour combo and wonderful Stamps ---
    your whole Blog is such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing!!!
    XOXO SanDee

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  9. I have no idea what paper piecing is so need to go a googling to investigate.

    Looks like you've been playing with the same sorts of things as me recently!!! Love how your cards have turned out, they look great.

    Sam xxx

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  10. Absolutely fantastic "man" cards.
    I love them both of them, you have done a wonderful job of the paper piercing, never tried that. Something to add to the "must try" list.
    Hugs

    Patricia xx

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  11. these are both FAB!!! love the paper piecing and all the layers, Debi x

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  12. Hi
    Sorry I am only visiting now to see your latest creations.
    The papers are perfect for your favourite stamps. Very masculine but with a hint of colour.
    Fabulous stamping.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  13. Fabulous colour scheme, brilliant use of the stamps, and a big wow to the embossed DP text layers! What a great read too - love your cogs and clouds, and your thought about how they'd've looked only a year ago... Wonderful to share your journey with gorgeous makes such as this!
    Have a great Sunday,
    Alison xx

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  14. Hi Jenny, Two fabulous cards, and a brilliant effort with the paper piecing, especially on the gents.
    Thanks for sharing with us at FSC
    Avril xx

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  15. Fabulous cards both of them! Masculine cards are so tricky but you have done them to perfection! Great use of those stamps too!!

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  16. I was just looking at that stamp set and thinking of inking!!! This is absolutely incredible and I just love every detail and the paper piecing is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing at FSC!

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  17. Oooooh Jenny these are just superb, beautiful colour tones and so so stylish. You're such a clever crafter as masculine style is such a tough one to master and you've nailed it. Thanks for sharing it with us FSC. X

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  18. Brilliant work and such interesting details with the various textures etc. Love the stamps and the colours

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  19. Jenny I love this stamp image & it looks fabulous on your travel card
    thanks for joining us at OOAH
    Janet x

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  20. Fabulous cards Buttons, Your paper piecing is Brilliant... love the stamps & papers...Love it!! Hugs May x x x

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  21. Fabulous creation Jenny. I do love those stamps. Hugs Rita xx

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  22. Hi Jenny, I need these stamps, I love the 'moustache man', and your cards are stunning, lovely colours and beautiful paper matching.
    lots of love from Patricia xx

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  23. Love both cards, fab design and a great choice of colours. Chris xxx

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  24. These are gorgeous Jenny, I love this stamp and you've chosen the perfect papers to paper piece with. The little Happy Birthday tag is the perfect finishing touch! xx

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  25. How dashing! Great colors and design.
    Hugs Kelly

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  26. Great cards Jenny! I love the look you achieved, and the paper piecing was great! The tag was a perfect touch!

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  27. Awesome, Jenny,

    LOVE that gent and especially what you did to him ;)

    Thanks for the wonderful post. I really enjoyed reading!

    Hugs,

    Claudia x

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  28. Wow, that's a gorgeous creation, love the images, the colors and how you've paper pieced.
    Thanks for joining us at FSC.

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  29. Hi Jenny
    I love both of these. This paper has always been a favourite of mine and I also haven't used it for ages, now you have inspired me to dig it out.
    Rosie x

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  30. what great cards - loving the techniques and colour ways x

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  31. Stunning as always! I totally identify with the journey and how our ideas change! Thanks so much for sharing Lots of love from Laura xxxxxxx

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  32. Wow..these are fabulous! Love the stamps and colours. Brilliant techniques.. Gill x

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  33. What a great masculine card Jenny...everything fits so well...lovely!

    kind regards, Alie :-)

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  34. Wow! These are so awesome! I love the colors and your man with the pocketwatch! Very cool! :)

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  35. Sorry not to have visited for a while but I'm here to catch up now!
    Fabulous masculine card Jenny and I just love that image (on the list!). Great colours, great background and fabulous details.
    I just loved reading this post - made me think where I was craft wise a year ago!
    Hugs, Juliaxx

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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