Four in One

Hi everyone and welcome (back) to my creative world. I'm so pleased you could join me. Regular followers may have noticed that I'm not posting as much recently. This is partly due to family commitments, but also because a lot of what I have up and coming involves larger projects and planning for the goal of running workshops at some point. As a fully qualified teacher I still harbour a desire to show, guide and share with other creative people, and today's pieces are initial steps in that direction.

Inspiration for this came in the form of a video by the incredibly gifted Ashli Oliver (purplemailbox.com) which I highly recommend you watch HERE.

And so, armed with blank white card, some Distress Paint, Archivall Ink, gesso, texture paste, sprays and various masks I set to work in a semi random fashion.

I split the card in four and used another stencil and gesso to give each pieces even more structure. The plan here was to use each piece to create individual cards. So...

Crinoline is great for stamping on with Archival Ink as it doesn't fray when you cut it and takes the ink without diminishing it's depth of colour. 

And how did I live before owning Mr Holtz's Simple Sayings?! And being able to combine them with Watering Can Archival Ink (also used on the stencilled leaves) works a treat.

And the next card...

I deliberately went for a more messy feel to the little tattered flowers here, smudging and smearing the coloured glue and Distress Stains.

And the sentiment reminds me not to work when tired - it took several goes to get this right believe it or not! Marbling Distress Stains effectively is definitely a knack.

And the third...

Dry embossing can add a much needed extra detail to die cut embellishments, as can Biscotti Perfect Pearls spray (which was used on this card and the next).

Plain textured card can also add even more interest without detracting from the rather involved background. It's all a question of balance.

And finally, number four...

More pearl spray and embossing on these flowers gave them a vintage feel without the need for brown ink, and I used layered die cuts rather than adding leaves.

The sentiment is something of a favourite.

So that's all four cards. I'd love to hear what you think.

And yippee, they fit with the current Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge - 'Stamping on anything other than plain paper' (there's a few examples here!)

More on the way in due course peeps - I've got another journal to get done for Thursday (no pressure!) and something special at the beginning of next week. Oh, what a tease! Anyway, take care of yourselves and may your week be a good one. Hugs, Jenny xxx