1 August 2013

Just say it with words...

Hi everyone and thank you so much for joining me. Today sees the start of a new theme for August over at Our Creative Corner - Words. Be they stamped or handwritten your project needs to include some.


So in my head I had a 'sort of' plan' for altering a small canvas shabby chic style with my favourite antiquities stencil, but after spending hours on it the whole thing was just not working. Don't panic, it's not been binned! I just needed to walk away from it for now and give it a bit of a rethink. OK, now I needed a new idea. How wonderful that I have such inspirational crafty friends and a middle son who has plans to be an author. It's a while off 'til his birthday but now I'll be prepared in advance with something which incorporates some 'tools of the trade' and superb TH sentiments.


So who else inspired me?
Let's start with, for me, the queen of parchment craft and vellum, Rosie of Crafting at SG. I loved seeing a card she had made with stamped/inked vellum as it added sharp detail but with a softness to it.
Then there's Toni, the Artistic Craft Dabbler herself who did a fantastic tutorial on feathers with a link to the  Todolwen blog of the utterly genius Karen B; seriously, I want to relearn how to crochet so I can make pansies just like hers!
The idea of the peacock feather came from Kim of Incognito who posted this amazing tag - oh wow does that make a statement or what!
And then of course I am constantly inspired by the work of my team mates Laura and Alison who blend and mottle colours with such skill and expertise.


I tried to plan colours (Peacock Feathers/Shaded Lilac/Frayed Burlap and various similar shades in other inks/media) but having mottled Shaded Lilac and Frayed Burlap over a stencilled background the colours seemed to alter. Then when I added similar colours to the black CS feather everything took a blue/brown slant.


There had to be a spot of embossed/inked CS somewhere and it was also rather therapeutic to chop into the feather to give it a much more 'damaged' look. Thank you Anne for the pen nibs; you can see one in action here, and there's a lovely pen image I haven't used for ages (covered in Glossy Accents) and a key double embossed with my faux rust recipe.


Just realised 'with a little help from my friends' would have been a better title for this post! At least it's a project I'm more than happy to share alongside the first half of the talented team over at Our Creative Corner. You need to see what they've been up to as their samples are superb, and then it's your turn.
Thank you again for joining me. Take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

31 comments:

  1. A wonderful card, Jenny!

    I love all the details to be found with it! Beautiful layers, edges and textures and the colour scheme is sooo beautiful!

    Very "you". LOVE IT!

    Hugs,
    Claudia x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fabulous!!! Thanks for the various links too - lots to look at when I have a minute or three.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a wonderful inspiring piece Jennie and I love that you made it for your son who want to be a writer, how amazing is that! Love all the elements you have added, the feather with the pen looks amazing and your backgrounds are always fab! I shall now have to go and visit some of the people that have inspired you whom I don't know already.... oh if only there were 48 hours in my day...

    ReplyDelete
  4. So many use of materials and great techniques Jenny...gorgeous result!

    kind regards, Alie :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Smashing! I totally love it. Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love all the textures - and that feather is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Jenny, I'm always amazed by how much depth, texture and layering you have on your artworks. There is always so much to look at and so much to be inspired by. Love it! Have checked out the feather tutorial... fabulous idea and it looks so effective! Cheers, Di

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOW! This is so amazing! I totally understand the need to walk away from it when it isn't working - it really helps doesn't it? You have ended up with the most gorgeous card here. I am going to have to check out all the links you added - I adore the feather added to the pen nib - perfect! As always your work amazes and inspires me. Lots of love Laura xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Now that's precious!!!! I love your idea for the post at the end. Help from crafty friends is always the best. Whether or not your initial idea came to fruition or not, what you've captured here and shared has me speechless. I love, love, love this challenge theme and your make is simply inspiring!!
    Big hugs to you,
    Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Jenny, I think your Son will be thrilled to receive this fabulous card! I love how you created that wonderful peacock feather, it really is superb. Your layering, as ever, is amazing. I think you have done Toni's feather technique justice, that's for sure. Hugs, Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wonderful - I definitely love your words!!
    Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the colour combinations on this Jenny and how come I haven't heard of Shaded Lilac before? It looks a great colour with the browns. The feather is amazing as is the textured background - I think your son is going to love this! Margie x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, a breathtaking piece of art. Fantastic texture.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oooh, Jenny, I'm loving all the layers on this. And that 'tell your story' is the perfect sentiment to add to this for your son. Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Well, you can't go wrong with blue and brown as far as I'm concerned, however you got there! I love all the wordy writing elements of this, Jenny - the quill is a delight, the antiquities text looks gorgeous, and of course that lovely piece of vellum manuscript. Wonderful!
    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Gosh that looks all so complicated, but bl$$dy good if you'll pardon the french! I bet your son will be thrilled with it Jenny.
    What I have just tried, inspired by this post, is adding spray to a white gull feather, just to see what will happen. Hsven't a clue what to use it for but it'll be there when I want it :D

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jenny - I love the feather! You have made such a beautiful, intriguing and interesting piece. Wish there was a "like" button so that I could "like" it and bump it up into greater public consciousness!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a wonderful project to inspire your son Jenny. Love the layers with so much to see and I also love how your acknowledge the inspiration of crafty friends too!
    There's a collection of donated feathers from walks here that just might get a jenny treatment or two!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Jenny. I love the feather too...especially the richness of the colour. I love how it all just came together so naturally in the end. Great texture, creativity snd layers.
    Dot x

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fabulous card Jenny! I love how your feather came out and wonderful inspiration for your son. thankyou for the mention and also including Todolwen, her work is amazing. I'm loving being on holiday except I keep buying even more crafty goods ! as if I need any more stuff, still hope to put my stash to good use over the coming weeks, hope you're enjoying the hols too ! x

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow! This is so cool! I love the feather! And all of the texture is just great! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is so beautiful!i love that the theme is so well covered! I lve that it is for your son and what an ambition...hope he makes it!!! Again and as usual youbhave Justin amazing eye for design and detail and it shines through here! Hugs trace x

    ReplyDelete
  23. So very beautiful Jenny and made in your own inimitable style. The colours are rich and deep without being over grungy and your elements always amaze me, the feather on this is particularly lush. Love it.
    Hugs Brenda xox

    ReplyDelete
  24. Morning Jenny, I love it !! great colours, fantastic textures and love, love, love, the quill feather, thank you for all the links to the fabulous Blogs, fantastic inspiration.
    Lots of love from Patricia xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Jenny...this is gorgeous! I love your deep rich colors and the wonderful textures. As always, gorgeous work. I also wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such nice comments. I've been out of town for almost two weeks and trying to get caught up on comments and emails. I hope I didn't miss too many of your fab art pieces. I need to check them all out once I get caught up. Have a great weekend. <3 Candy

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love your having to walk away and go down another path, which was one fabulous way to go! Love the texture and that feather is the icing on the cake! I have lots of feathers. Enjoy the weekend - Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Fabulous colors and love the feather.

    Regards diane

    ReplyDelete
  28. So much grungy gorgeousness to enjoy here Jenny! Love the feather and the textures! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  29. This has turned out beautifully
    Rosie x

    ReplyDelete
  30. Amazing card! I love all the cool details!

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is stunning, love the textured background and such fab embellishments.
    Avril xx

    ReplyDelete

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

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...