This is for Anna's fun "Birds of a Feather" mixed media challenge. I have a huge stash of backgrounds as I generally colour a full A4 sheet or else I have extra pre-cut panels ready to mop up any excess ink. I usually write on the back of the cardstock what products I have used.
Smack & Squirt technique - smack distress ink onto a sheet of aluminium foil, squirt on a lot of water and dunk cardstock into the inky puddle. Without changing the alfoil sheet, spray on some Dylusions ink and a lot more water, dunk again. Still using the same sheet of alfoil, lightly spritz on some water then drizzle a few drops of Izink, hit with more water as this stuff is really thick. Press the cardstock onto the foil applying different amounts of pressure so the Izink is not all over the card.
The little white spots and dots were done by using Dylusions paint and the pointy end of a paint brush, using different pressure to get different sizes - I tried that flicking technique...hopefully DH won't notice the walls are a bit speckled!! I stamped on the little garden (lovely RAK from Sabrina), added the dotty tree.
I have a box chock-a-block full of coloured crazy birds (good way to use up excess ink on alfoil). On the back of Claudia I had penciled DI - which means she was coloured with Distress inks. I not only have a box of birds, I am getting a substantial collection of houses!!
This Lavinia digi house was printed onto elcheapo photocopy paper then coloured all over with Prismacolour pencils. The pencils provide a lovely waxy base coat; alcohol markers were applied here and there to add highlights and shading. I found that the alcohol markers bleed on the photocopy paper if it hasn't been pre-coloured with pencils. I used a glue stick to adhere the house and Claudia. Doodled a border then mounted panel onto a kraft card base.
Tips: When making mixed media backgrounds, if you are not happy with the end results, use a baby wipe and drag some of the colour off - dragging in the one direction usually gives a better finish than scrubbing back and forward. If you still aren't happy, wait for the cardstock to completely dry, put it in your stash and bring it out on another day when you are doing more inky work. My ears bleed when hear that ladies throw stuff out!!
The more I do with mixed media, the more I realise that I do not have to have every product on the market, it's more about the amount of water, spray bottle nozzle, pressure applied, method of application (sponges, fingers, brushes) etc.
Thank you for looking.
Edit: OOps looking at the photo,I realised that i had forgotten to trace around the house and Claudia with a grey Copic, to give the illusion of depth. All fixed in real life LOL.
Date: Friday, August 12, 2016 GMT Views: 5134
Favorited:18
Registered: April 13, 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 178
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 12:08 AM
Another Magnificent House!!! I Love your houses...even more than I love the Bird Leggings! Beautiful background!
I do believe Claudia is visiting Sassy Alana....that definitely looks like her house. I hear she built it with her own two wings! Her distinct style is evident in that Beautiful curved section above her entry door. The tasteful curb appeal is deceiving. I've heard she not only wears her sunglasses outdoors, but indoors at all times. Due, I'm sure, to the extreme Sparkle and Glitz that she surrounds herself with. Hope Claudia brought along some sunglasses. Maybe she isn't aware of Sassy Alana's taste in decorating. But I do believe there is an assortment of sunglasses in a large basket near the door as you enter the house. No need to worry about blindness, Claudia, as long as you keep your eyes closed until you pop on the sunglasses. It's like walking into a laser blast. The experience of a lifetime! Have a good visit Claudia!
And Susie.....what do you mean we don't have to have every product on the market???! Of course we must!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 132004
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 12:41 AM
Oh, look at her lovely pearly necklace! Her colours are gorgeous, so is her beautiful home in the woods. Your backgrounds always amaze and intrigue me. I hope I didn't hurt your ears when I wrote recently that I throw stuff out, grins. Rest assured I never through backgrounds out, only smaller scale of card and random die-cuts because it's usually easier to cut again than store and find. And those I don't actually toss, they go into a bag of craft supplies on FreeCycle.
Registered: June 4, 2009 Location: Deatsville, Alabama Posts: 83770
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 4:53 AM
Great bg, house and bird. That bird looks more elegant that I ever remember. Your techniques are always amazing - you create magic! Hugz
------------------------------ Nancy Williams - Hope your day is Spirit-filled and ink-filled (in that order)!DRS Designs-DT, Punchkateerforever, Dirty Dozen Alumni
Registered: April 1, 2012 Location: Rogers, AR Posts: 28936
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 5:59 AM
Susie your little birds and their houses are unique to say the least! This is fabulous girl!!
------------------------------ Jan 'Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ'. Philippians 1:6
Registered: May 25, 2006 Location: So. Oregon Posts: 122071
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 7:56 AM
ah the speckles are just wall character right? (hopefully he never notices but, if by chance he is more observant, then you can just tell him its the price he pays to live with an Artist)
I don't know what I love more the story that makes me chuckle or the scene that I can stare at for hours.
Registered: December 4, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 16610
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 9:26 AM
Susie, this is amazing, and magical, and fun! You definitely raise the bar when it comes to mixed media and you make it all sound so fun and easy which I love. I am still amazed that you took a tree stamp and stamped it around the edge of your background and achieved this really cool, magical effect. Not to mention everything else you did here. This crazy bird knocking on this fabulous whimsical house is adorable! I laughed out loud that you put "pearls" on this crazy bird. This reminded me of my grandmother because when she would go "visiting" she always put her faux pearls on (no matter how casually she was dressed - LOL). Great memory! ~Karen.
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50706
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 11:45 AM
I love that you have boxes of backgrounds and birds just ready to make into a card....cool! And like Sabrina I noticed that fancy pearl necklace that your bird is wearing...lovely! After reading your write up I feel like I've just taken an online class with you! It's chock full of fun and arty facts..thanks for sharing! Awesome card....you do have my address don't you?? Just kidding....but really if you need a home for this....mine is available
Love your work, Susie! This is just gorgeous! Also, thank you for all the tips! And BTW I throw nothing away! That is my problem, I am overwhelmed by all the stuff I have already stamped or cut. But then I always feel good when I use some of it. I didn't waste anything!
Thanks for sharing with us !
------------------------------ Sharon ♥
Blog: Foxy Stamping Scrapbook Goal: 2024: 14/60 as of 03/31/24
Registered: October 20, 2004 Location: Somewhere in the middle Posts: 30600
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 1:28 PM
WOW WOW WOW!! This is absolutely gorgeous Susie!! The colors looks so amazing and all of your details come shining through in this scene with that cute bird!! What a great tip to have some cut card panels on hand to make use of the left overs instead of cleaning it up!! Love it!! TFS!
------------------------------ *Vicki*~ my blog "Go Stamp some Smiles"
Registered: July 22, 2007 Location: Carshalton, Surrey. UK Posts: 63095
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 3:28 PM
Love the blues in your background and your dotty trees. I also love the colours in your house. Anothe great Susie card.
Your techniques sound so much fun but specks in my "little box" would end up on everything not just one wall! I do keep a cardboard box under the desk to use with spray colours to try to keep it contained!
------------------------------ Janine (aka Jay_Bee) Find a few favourites and share some love - check out theFavorites ForumDirty Dozen Alumni