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: 5138
Favorited:18
Registered: August 10, 2006 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 25290
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 9:06 PM
There is that gorgeous stamp again!!! I love, love it and the way you decorate it! I am so jealous of Claudia as she gets one of Susie Williams' specialty houses! But she sure looks like she deserves it as her "cape" ?? matches and is so beautiful!! I love her jeweled neckline as well!! Maybe one day I'll get to slip inside Claudia's house for a view of the inside!! I love your art, sweet Susie!!!
Registered: January 8, 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 40416
Sat, Aug 13, 2016 @ 9:31 PM
Delightful, artistic, fun, amazing colours, creative!! Susie, you Obviously have the most amazing imagination and it shows in your work and is always a joy to see!!
------------------------------ Sue
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Registered: January 19, 2014 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 91162
Sun, Aug 14, 2016 @ 5:06 AM
Susie I love Claudia and love your darling house. Like you I hate hearing people throw stuff out. I try really hard to not toss stuff and am much better about not tossing stuff. Our craft stuff is expensive and hearing that they toss out cards and images is so heart breaking. Oh how I would love to see how you do your inky BGs I tried a couple of times and still can't seem to get such good results. I keep trying. Maybe I can keep trying to build my stash with my trying.
Registered: June 10, 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 7394
Sun, Aug 14, 2016 @ 5:29 AM
Claudia looks all dressed up with her pearls - not a cheap chick by the size of those pearls. I am envious - as I love a good pearl. Can't wait to see who she is visiting - one very colourful character by the looks of that house. As always Susie - one fantastic card and a great story to go with it. Love it all.
Registered: October 12, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 70737
Sun, Aug 14, 2016 @ 11:04 AM
Fun card. Love the images and how you combined everything. Beautiful colors and interesting techniques. Thanks for sharing about keeping extras pieces and not throwing things away. Excellent advice! Also, good tips on using extra ink and such. Perhaps you could do a tutorial someday. Great card. Love looking at it! TFS