This is for Robin's (Stamperrobin) fun Free for All challenge...a love card with a moon. All the details can be found here .
These are Valentine cards are for a sweet little 6 year old girl and her lovely 10 year old brother. No prizes for guessing who loves fairies and who loves creepy spiders!!
The background was made with my usual smack and squirt technique (smack distress ink pad onto aluminium foil, squirt on some water, then slurp up the colourd water with a foam blending tool and swish it over the smooth cardstock).
I coloured a complete A4 sheet by rotating the cardstock and working on it in landscape. To get a good blend of colours I looked at a colour wheel and smacked and squirted in the following order - ensuring that each colour was well applied before moving on to the next colour (blend a very small portion of the new colour over the previous colour).
darkish green - Peeled paint
bright green - Mowed lawn
yellowy orange - Wild honey
orange - Ripe persimmon
red - Fired brick
hot pinkish red - Festive berries
purple - Seedless preserves
dark purple - Dusty concord
At this point I cut the A4 into 3 strips (one for the stash and two for these cards) I gave the fairy card a very light mist of water. Using the same colours, in the same order, I thump the foam blending tool directly into the ink pad (no water this time) and scrubbed extra colour here and there to get some contrast and depth of colour. These cards were almost identical after the initial smack and squirt, it is this step of adding more colour (undiluted) that each card can take on a different look. On the spider card I was heavy handed with the orange - blending it over the yellow orange and bright green.
This next step truly makes the world of difference....using a foam blending tool, lightly scrub on WALNUT STAIN distress ink (no water), scrub from the outside and move inward to a point where you want bright highlights.
I did not mask the moon as I have discovered that silver Versa colour and white Brilliance inks go over the top of distress inks beautifully. I used a round foam blending tool, inked in silver first, pushed it onto the cardstock and moved it around in a circular motion to give a blured and not so perfect edge. Reapeated process with white ink. Taking a baby wipe, I ever so gently wiped it across the moon.
Stamping was done next, using black Archival ink. I dabbed a little bit of silver ink on the mushroom border before attaching to card. The spider was die cut and I added some clear Wink of Stella to give him an even more revolting appearance!! The little fairy was coloured at the same time I was doing the smack and squirt (used an aqua pen dipped in the inky water). Clear Stella brush to her wings. I stamped and fussy cut a flower and attached 3D foam tape for the fairy to stand on. She comes with a wand...she is lucky I only cut off the wand and not aputated her hand!!
Thank you for looking, I had the lovliest time making these card. Have a great weekend ladies.
Date: Thursday, February 5, 2015 GMT Views: 3745
Favorited:34
Registered: October 19, 2007 Location: Packer Country, WI Posts: 72024
Fri, Feb 06, 2015 @ 4:50 AM
Susie, these are magnificent with their vibrant colors and all the depth you created with your sponging. It reminds me of an illustration for a children's book about the forest. Love how you explain your techniques to us.....thinking we could create this art. You have a special gift for color and telling a story with your cards. Thanks for your kindness to share this with us. I could look at these cards all day.
Registered: June 29, 2004 Location: Sugar Land. Texas Posts: 79591
Fri, Feb 06, 2015 @ 5:27 AM
This is gorgeous and thanks for all the details on how you did it.
------------------------------ LizThe joy of the LORD is my strength.Right Brain Madness --My blogProud member of the redDivasKSS certified multi-step stamperFan Club member since 2004
Registered: June 10, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 463
Fri, Feb 06, 2015 @ 6:39 AM
Stunning cards Susie, fantastic depth and colour. Luv the scenery you created for the both of them. They will both treasure these beauties. Would look awesome framed. TFS
Registered: March 11, 2008 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 39766
Fri, Feb 06, 2015 @ 6:52 AM
Okay Miss Susie, this is jaw dropping gorgeous with drool! LOVE LOVE LOVE these. Thank you so much for writing the instructions for us. I am so going to try your technique here. Thank you too for giving me something to think about today as I clean pools. hehe You are a fabulous card maker. WOW! :0)
------------------------------ Cathy B aka: Mutnik ....or is it Nutmeg?! I get so confused!
Smile.......people will wonder what you are up to! :0) Proud Fan Club Member 2010 DT forRubbernecker Stamps My Gallery
Registered: June 9, 2006 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 55667
Fri, Feb 06, 2015 @ 6:53 AM
WOW are these gorgeous Susie!!! Just amazing!! Those are two cards that I just don't think I would be able to replicate. Such wonderful colors. Very whimsical and dream like. Those children are going to love these. :>)
Registered: May 23, 2009 Location: sunny california Posts: 9825
Fri, Feb 06, 2015 @ 8:25 AM
Now that I have sat and starred at these amazing cards and reread the great description, I need some new words to express my admiration. These are just amazing in every detail. They just seem to have a magical glow. If I were you, I wouldn't be able to give them away. The colors, choice of images, and incredible talented execution makes these outstanding. Pinned and faved.
Registered: August 21, 2007 Location: Wayland MA Posts: 105214
Fri, Feb 06, 2015 @ 11:46 AM
I love them both........how sweet for her, and how icky for him....and great deep colors!! YOWZA!
------------------------------ Anne HarmonFS154, QFTD58, PROUD FAN CLUB MEMBER (photo of our Great Granddaughter Elise, just 6 months old) and me, even older.
Registered: February 22, 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 43340
Fri, Feb 06, 2015 @ 4:24 PM
GORGEOUS rich, deep dramatic color!!! Love the fairy - the spider is revolting, but I'm sure a 10 year old boy will think it is "awesome". Your stamping, all around, is amazing.
------------------------------ Priscilla (aka - PJ)
QFTD187 My Gallery