3 February 2017

Words That Are Special at A Vintage Journey

Hi everyone and welcome! Today sees the launch of the latest challenge at A Vintage Journey called 'Words That Are Special'. Our host for this challenge is the amazing Jennie Atkinson. Here's what she has in mind for this theme; "We often use words for cardmaking, scrapbooking, journaling, layering backgrounds, stamping, collage, in mixed media work, on our tags …. In fact words are often an integral part of our design processes for many of our projects. This month show us words that are important or special to you and how you incorporate them in your vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial or steampunk art."

This month we are sponsored by Country View Crafts who have generously offered a £20 voucher to their online store for a randomly drawn winner. And three hand picked Pinworthies will be offered the chance of a guest appearance for a later challenge, so there's plenty of reasons to join in.

Having returned from the trade show in the US with a brand new Distress Oxide pad in my mits the temptation to play proved overwhelming! First opportunity available and I was back in the craft room having fun, exploring the first of many possibilities. With the basis of a card made I really needed some special words to bring it all together and make the eventual recipient ponder perhaps. Not only did they add meaning to and otherwise random collection of images, the bold lines also added to balance the finished composition, providing a focal point; it's something I've found in the past - the right words in the right place can really finish off a project perfectly.


Here's the 'how to'; I started by applying several colours of Distress Ink (Salty Ocean, Broken China, Brushed Corduroy and Frayed Burlap) to the centre of my craft mat and added some Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide to one side - you will contaminate your oxide pad if you smooch it over the Distress Inks but it can be removed easily by wiping away. Spritz the inks with water to form droplets on your mat.


Swipe your card through the various inks - you'll get the familiar deep translucent look to the Distress Inks and a more chalky, softer look from the Distress Oxides. I added mine to a slice of Tim's new Distress Mixed Media Heavystock as it has less colour than manilla to affect the look of the inks and is designed to take all sorts of abuse without warping. I dried the first layer before going in for a few more dips.


I continued applying more ink droplets from the residue on the craft mat and in between added droplets of water from my mister bottle. Normally this reacts with the Distress Inks by removing the colour back to the base, but with the addition of Distress Oxides these wet areas only go back a little way to reveal the underlying colours.


With all the ink added I blended a couple of the same inks over any 'colour light' areas and onto the edges of the card.


Now for a really exciting reaction - I stamped the Nordic background over the inky card using the Distress Oxide. At this stage it looked very soft and the image wasn't as distinct in some areas as I wanted.


Bearing in mind Distress Oxide is a brand new combination of Pigment and Die ink I misted a fine layer of water over the whole tag to 'activate' the pigment part of the ink and allow the die part to wick a little.


This was when the magic really happened, revealing a much clearer image the like of which I've only been able to achieve using Distress Paint as a resist to inks in the past. But then when Distrsss Paint is dry it remains fixed whereas Distress Oxide remains water-reactive. I was happy at this stage but could have continued adding more water for a less defined look to the image. It's such a game-changer!


With the main portion complete and the process repeated on a Heavystock Tag, I stamped a couple of the flowers and stems from the Mini Bouquet set in the centre of the card, die cutting them with the coordinating Mini Bouquet die set.
Some of the new Journey Design Tape was added to the bottom of the tag.


Here's one of the new Paper Dolls, already cut out and ready to colour with Distress Markers. I trimmed this one a bit more as I'm a little OCD with my fussy cutting but  as most of the work was already done that didn't take long!


Finally I stamped some of the Wildflowers on the tag as a background element, Some stitching was added to the edges of the card and tag before layering together on a card, and of course the final all important words were added - some Quotations Metallic Stickers had just the right ones!


Let's take a look at some close ups of the finished card so you can see the details a little better; you'll spot the machine stitching (deliberately wonky!) extra Journey Design Tape and gold detailing using a paint marker pen.




So that's where this month's fabulous theme took me. Now please do hop on over to A Vintage Journey to see what my fellow Creative Guides have come up with - it's well worth the visit! Then it's over to you - the challenge will remain open for a month so there's plenty of time to get those creative juices flowing and link up your entries to be in with a chance to win.

Off now for some Friday fun. Whatever you're up to take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

28 comments:

  1. I think I am most excited about the cracked pistachio oxide (although they are all fab)! Your tag looks fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  2. How amazing to have an oxide pad to play with Jenny. Your first creation is magical...I love the effect that the ink gives with distress. The paper doll is the perfect finishing touch with your words. Happy Friday xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a fantastic playtime session with these new goodies Jenny!! The effects are truly superb!!! A brilliant card and thanks for the great step out! I am lucky enough to travel to the States in early March and have completely blown my budget already with pre-orders.....

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a gorgeous card, I love your tutorial.... really informative and now I know I need those oxides more than ever! Thanks so much for sharing xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gorgeous Jenny, lovely composition and I adore the stitching and the touches of metallic on the flowers really makes them pop. Love it. Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful card. Love seeing the Oxide and how you used it with the regular Distress Inks to get such a stunning background. Adding the gold to the flowers gives them a lovely richness and your paper doll is so sweet.
    Hugs!
    Cec

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful to see the distress oxides in action Jenny - thank you. Although you are making me slightly envious of course!! Cant wait to have a play. Great design xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Stunning Jenny. Also, it is lovely to see the Oxide close up in static photos, you really can see the reaction clearly. I love the gold edging on the flowers, it really lifts them. Love your wonky stitching too! Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is absolutely stunning, Jenny! Your tutorial was fantastic. Can't wait to get those Oxide inks!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is fabulous Jenny, thanks for the tutorial and can't wait to get my mitts on the Oxide inks too.
    Hugs
    Linda xxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love every layer you have created here Jenny, that amazing background, those scrummy flowers and gorgeous little girl as the focal point. Those distress oxides look amazing, can't wait to have a play. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh those distress oxides are amazing! I really love your colour combinations and such amazing backgrounds (can't wait to get mine !!). The double tag really is a stunner! Love it! Have a lovely weekend x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful, wonderful, Wonderful!!!! I really appreciate you telling us how, what and where!! I am going to have to give these Oxides a try!!
    Sandy xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Stunning!! Love how you got the background image to stand out a bit more with just a spritz of water! Can't wait to get these new ink pads! Really love the colours and the words you chose are perfect! <3

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ooh this is such a gorgeous tag! I love how the Distress Oxide has worked with the standard distress inks. Thank you for showing us! Fab image and the silhouette flowers are cool! Perfect words too! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sounds like you sure had fun playing here! Wonderful and beautiful tags you have created. Very joyous and fantabulous. That background is gorgeous! So fun to see others having a blast in the art room. Awesome sauce details and design. Hugz! ~Niki

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jenny I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog post - so eloquently written! Thanks for sharing the oxides in action and boy have you created the most gorgeous card . To die for colour palette (imho), ideal choice of stamps , paper doll and special words . The gold pen detailing just seals the deal.
    absolutely fabulous and thank you
    hugs x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gorgeous Jenny, can't wait to get my hands on those Distress Oxides, love the chalky finish! Fabulous tag, thank you so much for sharing it, Deb xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lucky you Jenny with the new products in hand! I've pre-ordered a couple of the oxides to try out - a beautifully designed tag - love the colors, all the touches of gold and wonderful layering of paper doll and florals! Julia xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is amazing! The background just pops!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lucky you getting a chance to play with the Distress Oxide. Such a pretty vintage tag and great background.
    Julie x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fabulous combination of colours and such a lovely tag! I have been trying to keep up with visits and failing miserably, hope to catch up soon! Chrisx

    ReplyDelete
  23. Stunning work Jenny!!! love the flowers and your use of tissue tape, fab background with Distress Oxides! BArbara

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow !!! I am in awe of all these new products Jennie xx You must have had such a fabulous time at Creativation and to see the booth's in real life too !!! Love your fabulous card and the way the new DiO's have blended. Great quote too

    TFS and huge hugs Annie xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great to see the Oxide in action - mixed with the normal Distress Ink looks like one of the most exciting ways to me too. Lovely layered tags - the little girl is charming - and yes, I think you've got the words just right!
    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Jenny, what a treat to finally come see this up close and to see your process through your photos and your written tutorial! I loved seeing how the Oxides work and then to see the finished product! Stunning and so full of delicious details! My Oxides should be here any day, and now you've got me itching to get in the Closet! Oh how I wish I had everything else you've used here! The Paper Doll you've used is just darling! Thank you for this amazing inspiration!

    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...