San Marco in the Sun

Hi everyone and welcome to long-time followers and those who are new to my world. Thank you so much for joining me in my crafting adventures. Ever since a Simon Says challenge asked us 'what we were known for' I've been struggling for some time with trying to define 'my style'.

Have you noticed that some people are easily recognisable for the colours they use, the types of project they complete (tags or canvases, for example) or the embellishments they favour. I've mentioned before that creating mixed media cards with scrapbook layout designs is something I enjoy doing and it finally feels like I'm getting there with mastering this type of work. It calls into play all those yummy techniques we collect like magpies and allows for the introduction of new media too.

Often the decision about the theme/colours for a card are random, maybe inspired by a challenge or a new purchase. This time I have picked the theme Venice, and in particular the buildings/scenery around San Marco. Warning; this theme will be around for the foreseeable future as it's got my mojo whirring.

You know what it's like; there you are watching a film (in this case The Tourist with the gorgeous Mr Depp) and you get lost in the moment as it transports you somewhere glamorous or intriguing. Venice is one of my dream destinations and many moons ago I created a few tapestries using the book Glorafilia: The Venice Collection. It is a wonderful book to sit and absorb, with descriptions of the city and photographs aplenty. And so the idea was born to show a view looking out of a window onto San Marco, and another looking towards the same window but this time from the outside.

The background was a recipe I will use again as it gives a time-faded feel to the 'wallpaper' on the interior of the room. Cover white card with DS Picket Fence, emboss and brayer the raised areas with DP Picket Fence, then spritz with mists of your choice (in this case DI reinker Faded Jeans and Jenni Bowlin' reinker Seed Packet). Then I went to town layering on all sorts of scraps including seam binding, kraft glassine, stamped/inked/embossed paper and vellum. You may spy a strip of my faux plaster card, some texture paste and something new to me - washi tape. Oh I'm in love! and have found a fabulous supplier if you are interested; http://stores.ebay.co.uk/annabella044?_rdc=1 Low, low prices and a superb service (and no, I'm not paid to say that:)

The view outside the window was tricky. I have some stamps on order but needed a scene immediately so (as with New York, New York) I drew one and coloured it with DIs/DMs. I cut and painted a frame, added an acetate window, and surrounded it with lace curtains (gotta love TFJB paper lace doily) and a bouquet of flowers. Hopefully it conveys the look of faded beauty in a room long past its best.

You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the view from the other side as it is my DT sample for the current Frilly and Funkie challenge 'Holiday Destinations Through a Window'. Make sure you hop on over to see what my team mates have created as they are such a gifted group.

In the meantime I am entering this into;

Simon Says Stamp and Show - The Letter S (in this case San Marco shown above in the sun)

Sunday Stamper - I Dreamed a Dream (my dream destination of course)

Country View Crafts - Die Cuts (flowers, leaves and the curtain pole)

Until tomorrow take care of yourselves, hugs Jenny x