TLC361 ~ Inspired By Belleek Pottery (1/23/12)

[StampingQueenJAR]

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to go to Ireland for eleven days with my daughter and her high school choir. We spent all of our time in the north part of Ireland from Dublin to Galway, and then on up to Northern Ireland and the Belfast area. I wish I had known Bridget, Clare, and Sabrina then!

It was a wonderful trip. One of the highlights for everyone on the trip was the Belleek Pottery tour. No one knew quite what to expect, but by the time we finished the tour we were all mesmerized and enchanted with what we had seen, and every person with the choir purchased something to bring home.

I was absolutely astounded at the careful, detailed work that is done there. If you are interested, you can see some of the other pictures I took here.

Anyway, our challenge today is inspired by that pottery (Growing up in Arizona, it's really more like china and porcelain than what I think of as "pottery.").

We have had a Technique Challenge where we inked up our embossing folders for a negative effect: TLC160 Cuttlebug: The Negative Effect 3/17/08, and this is similar, but there are some restrictions.

We want our backgrounds to look reminiscent of porcelain or bisque pottery/china, so we will be limited in what colors we can use. I have also posted some thumbnails of Belleek Pottery I took to inspire you!

Instructions:
1. Use white or ivory cardstock only for your background.

2. Choose an embossing folder that has some negative space. Ink up the front or top side (usually where the business logo is) with a light neutral dye ink (you can use pigment, but the result will look different and not as subdued, plus it's harder to clean the embossing folder). Suggested ink colors: Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand, and similar colors in other brands. Shadow inks would also work. I used my brayer for even coverage. My sample uses Sahara Sand. No dark or bright colors.

3. Place the white or ivory cardstock on the inside back side of the embossing folder (the non-inked side), close the folder, and emboss using your machine of choice. I used my Cuttlebug.

4. Open the folder, and voila! A nice, subdued, porcelain-look for your background!

5. Try to keep your design focused on the background, even though you will be adding other images and embellishments. In my sample, I stamped my sentiment in Sahara Sand, and kept my lamp image uncolored to not take away from the background.

My Sample:
Extraordinary

I was going to make a tutorial for those visual people, like me(!), but then I found this awesome one that Diana Gibbs has done using this same technique HERE.

Remember when uploading to use keyword TLC361 (no spaces).

You can view the entire TLC361 gallery here.

Have fun!! (And check out their website - the pictures are really neat!)

By the way, the price tag for the third photo I posted was, in 2008, 2190 pounds (about $3500). It was called "Prince of Wales Ice Pail." I didn't buy that.

[cjzim]

Wow, this is really beautiful pottery. Hope to have time to play tomorrow!

[Clownmom]

Well, it took me three tries to get the background to look anything like the pottery, but I think this version will pass. Here's my card: TLC361 Pottery Rosebud_lb by Clownmom - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[hobbydujour]

Wonderful challenge, Judy. Reminds me of the few beautiful pieces of Belleek which I inherited from my Mother. I think your challenge is going to produce some really amazing cards!

BELLEEK BIRTHDAY

[MattsGirl]

Oh my, was this a wonderful challenge! I have never done this technique, but I definitely be doing more cards with this! Thank you so much, Judy!!! Here is my card:

TLC361-Happily Ever After by MattsGirl - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[ruby-heartedmom]

Here's my attempt. Lovely challenge that I will use over and over! Irish Pottery Inspired

[amyk3868]

This was my first try at this technique too and I loved it!! I'm not overly happy with the look of my card (had something totally different in my head, but realized that I didn't have all of the pieces to make what I wanted) but I love the way the background turned out. I can't wait to see the gallery!!

Belleek Pottery Thank You by amyk3868 at Splitcoaststampers

[joan ervin]

What a fabulous technique, Judy...I'll get right on it in the morning!!!

[hskelly]

Thanks for a fun technique Judy! Here is my Inspired by Belleek card.

[n5stamper]

Here is my CONGRATS.

[bfinlay]

Judy, this challenge is genius! Don't come back here without letting me know!
Here's my Belleek for Mum

[DawnL]

Thanks Judy...hope to play!

[jdmommy]

Nice challenge, Judy. Here's mine:

Be Well, My Friend

[peeps321]

What a fabulous challenge today!!! Belleek is so beautiful. I am fortunate enough to own 2 pieces..Thanks for including all your pictures Judy (I went to your blog)..fun to see!

Belleek Inspired

[Mrs Noofy]

What a fabulous challenge. I have collected Belleek for years ..I love it so much especially the early pieces. I hope to get back later to-day to play. The gallery for TLC361 is simply stunning and it's still early.

[meredith.winston]

Gorgeous!! It lends such a beautiful vintage vibe!! Can't wait to play along!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

[lisabeepianolovin]

For someone who DOESN'T have a brayer...what is the best way to apply the ink to the embossing folder? My first attempt (swiping it with an ink pad) left streaks from everywhere the ink was...Will it look like that with a brayer too?

[TrishG]

What a fun technique to try.
Thanks Judy!

Here's my card...
TLC361 - Rose Pottery by TrishG - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[Crafty Julia]

Great challenge! I used Cuttlebug's Fancy Corners EF and a rhino image for African Sands.

[BobbiesGirl]

Oh, this sounds like fun. We went to Ireland in August and I did get to meet Sabrina and her DH. We had such a good time we ALL forgot about taking a picture. :( I didn't get to see the pottery place, but will put that on my list in case there is a next time. This challeng is going to be real fun. Thanks, Judy.

[niki1]

Here is my card :
TLC 361 Magic Belleek by niki1 - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers
niki

[mamaxsix]

Such beautiful inspiration! I made a card that could go either for a wedding or silver anniversary. Here's my Belleek Inspired Floral Fusion

[cjzim]

I'm enjoying looking at all the beautiful cards today. I even have a lovely Belleek vase brought to me from a friend when she traveled to Ireland. My card is completed, and my camera has decided to die on me : ( Hopefully DH can figure out what's wrong with it later. In the meantime, I'll continue to view everyone else's lovely creations!

[skitter]

Here is my card for today's challenge. bfinlay and peep321 were my inspiration today. Loved the ideas on their cards. Hope you like it and have a gret day everyone! TLC361 tea shoppe pottery by skitter - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[Biggan]

Thanks for a fun challenge! Here�s mine;

Smile

TFL!
Birgit

[debbiemom23cs]

Here is my card for today's challenge! I had to adapt it to what I had so it was REALLY a fun challenge!!:grin:

TLC361 Happy Birthday! by debbiemom23cs - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[GardenDiva]

TLC361 Inspired by Belleek Cross TLC160 by GardenDiva - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

Fun challenge Judy. Here's my card.

[etsdas]

Thanks for the technique and all the inspiration. I had to ask for some help with mine!

I still have issues with double and triple posting on occasion - cannot always edit out the surplus!
TLC361 - I need help, please by etsdas - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[angelsparkly]

I loved the inspiration site. Would love to go some day. Here is my inspired card: Belleek inspired by angelsparkly - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[carol_PA925]

What a fun technique you chose for us today Judy! I love all the inspiration I've seen with everyone's cards! Here's mine.

[jray]

What a wonderful technique. I just had to give it a try

With Faith by jray - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[BarbieP]

Judy, thanks for this fun inspiration challenge. Here is my card:

64th Wedding Anniversary by BarbieP - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[meredith.winston]

Here's mine! Thanks for the beautiful inspiration!


Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

[susie nelson]

Thank you for a lovely challenge.

TLC361 - Belleek Friends by susie nelson - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

Thanks for looking.

[stampingout]

What an awesome challenge, Judy! Here is my card.

Love Is Patient-TLC361 by stampingout - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[~CA~]

Judy, thanks for a great challenge!!

Love & Sympathy (CAS154, TLC361) by MrsBoz - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[artystamper]

I'm so glad I tried this tonight - what fun Judy! here's my Belleek card! TLC361 With Belleek Love by artystamper - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[ckbythesea]

Here is my card. I'm glad I got to play finally!

TLC361 Belleek Always by ckbythesea - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

[jostvig]

Here is mine.
I am with Carole so happy to finally play....

[snowmanqueen]

A little late getting my card done. Fun technique. Here's mine:
TLC361, CAS154 by snowmanqueen - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers