This is my card to honor our new Queen. Nancy you have such a wonderful gallery of cards! It wasn't difficult to choose one right off the top! When I saw your Leafy Thanks I was delighted. I have the same background stamp. A geometric design from the vanished southwestern Mimbres Nation.
The geometric patterns of the Mimbres Indian tribe of Southwestern New Mexico date back to 200 AD. You'll see their designs on pottery most of the time. Most of the pottery is classic black-on-white. The Mimbres potters, like the potters from the Santa Clara Pueblo, use a method called "reductive firing" which depletes the oxygen in the clay during the firing and turns it black. After the pot cools, "slip" is applied and the pot is set to dry. Once dried, the pot is polished by hand with "polishing rocks" to achieve the smooth look. The culture and art of the Indian Nations are inspiring to this day. I hope you'll have a chance to visit the southwest and see for yourself.
So, I offer you a hug with my card, Nancy. From the wonderful illustrations of one of Arizona's finest, Terry Medaris. Instead of using the same background stamp I have used one of my Mimbres frame stamps, and one of Terry's illustrations instead of the leafy branch. I did not add a sentiment on the outside, but will include one in the inside. Just haven't found the right one yet (she smiles).
I've been playing around with Alcohol Ink Monoprinting - love, love it! After creating the monoprint and allowing it to dry, I stamped over it with Terry's stamp inked with Archival Jet Black. And boy did I use my heat gun. Always heat set your piece or you will have a mess (don't ask me how I know this, I just do - quote courtesy of Susan Liles).
I hope you like the card, Nancy. And to those who visit, thank you very much.
Date: Friday, June 6, 2014 GMT Views: 1260
Favorited:6
Registered: September 24, 2008 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 6835
Sun, Jun 08, 2014 @ 4:57 AM
Stunning card - wow! Thank you so much for the details about your card - I learned something new and wonderful today. Congratulations on being a Weekly SCS Favourite :-)
Registered: September 21, 2006 Location: In the beautiful Sequatchie Valley, Home of the Paper Clip Project - The National Cornbread Festival Posts: 26563
Registered: February 22, 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 43340
Sun, Jun 08, 2014 @ 9:43 AM
I just have to agree with everything said above - especially WOW! This is stunning! I stopped to go check out the alcohol ink mono printing. I would never have been able to figure out how you created this gorgeous work of art, if you hadn't shared this method. THANK YOU! Can't wait to try it. PINNED AND FAV'D!
------------------------------ Priscilla (aka - PJ)
QFTD187 My Gallery
Registered: May 31, 2009 Location: East Tennessee enjoying the mountain views Posts: 32997
Mon, Jun 09, 2014 @ 4:06 AM
Fabulous card Susie, gorgeous background... This is something I've never tried. Love the touch of gold. I have been to the SW, my DH was living in NM when I met him. We went to several ruins, etc. He took me to this one out of the way location, it had several areas of cave drawings. I believe it was a dirt type road, we ended up with a cracked windshield driving to it. I had so much fun while I was there, I love to explore.
Registered: August 25, 2005 Location: Prior Lake, MN Posts: 454
Mon, Jun 09, 2014 @ 8:21 AM
What a beautiful card! I love the brilliance of the alcohol inks set off by the Mimbres designs. Thank you for giving historical background about the Mimbres tribe and their unique art as it adds so much to the meaning of your wonderful card.
Registered: December 15, 2011 Location: Abilene TX Posts: 11275
Mon, Jun 09, 2014 @ 4:13 PM
Totally ROCKS!!! Love the vibrant colors and deep black!
------------------------------ 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: November 9, 2004 Location: Hampton Roads, VA Posts: 9413
Mon, Jun 09, 2014 @ 6:37 PM
Wow - what a stunning background!!! We CASED the same card but went in two entirely different directions! I'm so inspired and in awe of your masterpiece - love the vibrant colors and wonderful details about the tribe. Beautiful!! Hugs
Registered: February 9, 2010 Location: Mentone, California Posts: 7361
Sat, Jul 12, 2014 @ 7:14 PM
Vibrant colors is an understatement IRL... this card is like holding a piece of history in your hand. The image is amazing and her design of this card is BRILLIANT!