Sabrina has given us such a lovely challenge this week for our Teapot tickle, we are going into the woodlands!!
I was lucky enough to grow up in the era when kids could go out and play all day and the only rule was to be home for dinner. There was a magical wooded area near where we lived that we called Fairy Dell, it had lots of bracken undergrowth, massive tree ferns and gum trees that reached high up into the sky, barely letting in any light.
There was a little creek where we would catch tadpoles and frogs. I used to pick little white flowers and take them home to mum. She would put them in a little vase and sit them outside on the porch....she said they were so pretty that everyone walking past could enjoy them too. I found out years later that I was picking onion weeds that wombats liked to piddle on and they stunk to high heaven LOL.
On really hot days at dusk the sun would drop low in the sky and Fairy Dell turned a million shades of orange. The owls would start to make noises and the bush seemed to come alive. I used to think it was the fairies getting ready to go out, my brothers insisted it was snakes. Boys!!! Everyone knows it was too cold in the Dell for snakes.
About my card...With black cardstock I made a double stair step card. I then measured all the panels and cut them from white cardstock. I layed the pieces side by side on a sheet of aluminium foil. Using the smack and squirt technique (smack ink pad onto foil, squirt on water, then sponge onto card using a foam blending tool) I sponged on mowed grass distress ink followed by some peeled paint in a few spots. I then moved to the orange area using spiced marmalade, ripe persimmon and wild honey.
When the card was nice and dry, I stamped on two different garden scenes using Archival ink. I did a bit of double stamping here and there. I then adhered each panel in place, added a few dots of white Sharpie paint pen and and a couple of tree die cuts.
Using the same foil sheet that I did the background with, I smacked on a bit more spiced marmalade distress ink and squirted a tiny bit of water in one corner, using an aqua pen to colour the fairy and the little owl standing under the mushroom. Both were fussy cut when completely dry. I put some googly eyes on the owl. I took heaps of photos and in every shot the owl looked like he had cataracts!! On closer inspection, I must have had glue on my fingers when I attached his eyes.
I certainly won't make a good eye surgeon, I removed half his head trying to pull his eyes off....not to worry, I coloured a new owl and carefully stuck two new googly eyes on using tweezers this time. I added some Zig Wink of Stella to him and to the fairy.
I had so much fun making this, especially knowing it it going to a Teapotter. Thank you for looking and have a great week ladies.
Date: Monday, January 26, 2015 GMT Views: 3636
Favorited:24
Registered: December 15, 2011 Location: Abilene TX Posts: 11275
Mon, Jan 26, 2015 @ 7:56 PM
There are no words. NONE that would adequately describe how spectacular this is. You have truly outdone yourself, Susie, and now I just have to figure out how to bribe Sabrina so that this one is MINE! (Everyone knows I'm kidding - RIGHT??)
------------------------------ JodyLynn - "Love me - love my cats!" DTGD12, DTGD14, HYCCT12, HYCCT13, HYCCT14, HYCCT15, Love Fest 2013, Love Fest 2014 CAS and CC guest designer QFTD 258
Registered: March 31, 2008 Location: Eastlake, OH Posts: 22598
Mon, Jan 26, 2015 @ 9:16 PM
Wow, what a beautiful garden you created and love the story behind it! The tiny specks of white give a magic to your scene, so perfect for Fairy Dell! The backgrounds are amazing again, Susie and I've yet to try and pick up the liquid with a blending too. This is incredible! Thank you too, for all the smiles in your description.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: October 5, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 15773
Mon, Jan 26, 2015 @ 9:24 PM
I agree with the others- WOW!! Love the little scene, your fabulous telling of the story (really you should write a book) and of course, the gorgeous colors and your fairy- love it all!!!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 131426
Mon, Jan 26, 2015 @ 10:02 PM
Oh gosh, Susie - you've outdone even yourself this time. This is just fantastic. I'm going to read your write-up all over again on the bus so that I can take it in better. I am in love with this magical woodland dell you have created for us - and your description of your childhood memories. I half lived up in trees when I was young - but we didn't have wombats and owls. And the only tree in our garden I couldn't climb was the eucalyptus tree. And eek and ouch when you stood on the seed heads in bare feet - I'm sure that was the same for you only fifty times more so.
Registered: April 19, 2006 Location: Under piles of craft stuff in New Zealand Posts: 4148
Mon, Jan 26, 2015 @ 10:53 PM
Love love love -- I am such a HUGE fairy fan and have some beautiful stamps here. I need to find more time to get into my craft room and get back into TPT. Your cards are always outstanding, stunning and so imaginative Susie. xxxxx
Susie, I'm so glad I subscribed to your gallery. I would hate to miss one of your beautiful cards but especially the story that goes with them. You are incredible!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: January 19, 2014 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 89921
Tue, Jan 27, 2015 @ 2:17 AM
Oh my goodness Susie this is out of this world beautiful! I always love reading your stories for your cards. They really do bring a smile to us. Your mum must have loved each and every time you went out knowing you were bringing her your special flowers. None the less us mums will do anything for our darlings and are delighted when they do something really nice for us. Thank you for making such a lovely card and your story to bring a smile to us.
Registered: June 4, 2009 Location: Deatsville, Alabama Posts: 82065
Tue, Jan 27, 2015 @ 2:53 AM
Magical - love the bg! Super fairy scene. You rocked this challenge as always. Hugz
------------------------------ Nancy Williams - Hope your day is Spirit-filled and ink-filled (in that order)!DRS Designs-DT, Punchkateerforever, Dirty Dozen Alumni