24 July 2013

A Venetian Summer Dream

Hi everyone and welcome. Looks like I've got a night of commenting to catch up on again after more positive feedback. Well that can be done is all good conscience knowing that the family have been out walking today in the stunningly beautiful Dimmingsdale, Staffordshire (thank you so much for that recommendation Rosie - perfect for the dog!) A hidden gem in our fair county, there are walking areas for the more (and less) adventurous, much of it covered by a canopy of forest which stops the excessive heat and sunburn. But enough eulogising, here's another location I wish I could be spirited away, namely Venice.


As part of my birthday 'haul' I was lucky enough to get some Penny Black stamps, including this one called 'Venetian Summer'. You'll be seeing a lot of it as it is such a detailed, stylish and versatile stamp.


This time round I utilised a couple of Tim Holtz stamping techniques, 'brushless watercolour' and 'spritz and flick distress'. For me the background cried out for a watercolour effect as it was a great way of adding the mix of building colours. I coloured the gondolas with coordinating watercolour pencils. The glamorous lady deserved a different treatment as I wanted her to stand out more, so she was stamped with a Memento ink and painted with a mix of Distress and watercolour pencils. Once dry, she was fussy cut and layered over the original image.


Now I don't know about you but I find that either the background comes together easily and the toppings are the problem, or the focal image is a doddle and the background takes a lot of thinking about. Rarely do the two come together easily! Luckily I stumbled upon the Scrap365 sketch challenge. As you know I like to use scrap layout sketches and ideas for cards (unfortunately that means I can't enter them into the challenge itself, but the designs are great).


Tipping the July sketch on it's side, I used some die cut/embossed/inked elements to pile underneath the water-coloured image. The dots just finished the whole thing off beautifully, matching up with the Venetian postmark; yes, there's Crackle Paint in the larger dots to add more texture, and remember, you can punch through the background card if you are layering it onto a base card too.


So I can now enter the current challenge over at the Penny Black blog;


And there's still just enough time to enter the current challenge over at;

Time to go get on with commenting and catching up on what you guys have been up to. Enjoy your crafting and take care of yourselves, hugs Jenny x

31 comments:

  1. Gorgeous card Jenny, love the elegant lady and the watercoloured background is fabulous. I normallly can pull together the background and then stare into space waiting for inspiration ! Dimmingsdale sound fab, will have to visit ! Sue C x

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  2. Wow Jenny, this looks gorgeous, love how you've done the buildings, they look stunning.

    Sam xx

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  3. Stylish indeed Jenny, a beautiful image on a fabulous background. Love the way you have kept the distressed look without making it feel too vintage or grungy. fantastic techniques and effects.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  4. Very stylish card Jenny :)
    Von ♥

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  5. I want to be this femme, strolling in Venice amongst its beauty.
    Gorgeous.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  6. Just lovely, Jenny - it really is a great stamp... she's so elegant and glamorous. And your delicate watery inking looks beautiful. Great to have you play along at The Artistic Stamper.
    Alison x

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  7. Beautiful. I agree with you thoughts on background and focal.o

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  8. What a great stamp image. Love how you put this together!

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  9. glad you had agreat day! the card has wonderful layers as always , hugs trace x

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  10. Very elegant and sunny card. Such wonderful colours and the image is beautiful

    Love Chrissie x

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  11. This is beautiful Jenny, fabulous background and your lady looks so elegant xx

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  12. Morning Jenny, Stunning card, I adore the stamp and the way you have coloured the image is beautiful, love everything about the layering, stunning !!
    Lots of love from Patricia xx

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  13. What a fun and elegant stamp and you have used it so beautifully! She looks as if she will have loads of fun shopping in Venice! Love the way you have put it all together and thank you for joining the Artistic Stamper challenge!

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  14. Fabulous stamped image Jenny and so beautifully coloured and pieced together.

    TFS Annie x

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  15. She really suits this background Jenny, such a fab card, Annette x

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  16. Yet another gorgeous card Jenny. Beautifully done - wish I was there! Nicola x

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  17. Oh Jenny Buttons! You are AWESOME! Cx

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  18. Beautiful classy card Jenny! I am with you - I would rather be in Venice! And by the way - Happy Birthday!
    sandy

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  19. Stunning card, Jenny! Love the image and so pretty colored in. The stamp in the background is beautiful! Hugs, Sandra

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  20. Love this card Jenny, would also like to visit. xx Flora

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  21. I'm with you. On the odd days that a project actually comes together I write that date on the calendar and then repeat the dates the next month!! It's a theory, not fully tested yet, but it must be in the star and planet alignment. Either way, I'm loving what you've got going on here. The very classy and yet trendy and a hint of "mad men" vintage. Love this very much Jenny!!
    Hugs to you,
    Lisa x

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  22. Such a beautiful card Jenny, I love your layering, the punched holes and that very beautiful lady with the Venetian background - stunning! Hugs, Anne x

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  23. She is such a elegant lady! Fabulous card and I love those punched holes on the paper! Enjoy the weekend!

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  24. Hi Jenny, Love this, great image and a wonderful background and layout.
    Avril xx

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  25. Love the elegant lady and the watercoloured background makes a fabulous card.

    Regards diane

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  26. Hi Jenny,
    I love the layers on this and the lovely images.
    I am so pleased you enjoyed Dimmingsdale, I hope you stopped at the Ramblers Retreat for tea and treats,
    Rosie x

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  27. This is such an cool and elegant stamp! You colored it beautifully! The background goes so well together (you make it look easy!) :)

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  28. SO CHIC!!! Love the Italian feel as well!

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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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