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: 3638
Favorited:24
Registered: February 28, 2010 Location: Eastern Ohio Posts: 6253
Tue, Jan 27, 2015 @ 9:37 PM
Sweet sweet card Miss Susie as usual, love all about it and such details---loved your story and thought saw someting hiding was not sure what til you said owl--great card.
Registered: May 23, 2009 Location: sunny california Posts: 9825
Tue, Jan 27, 2015 @ 9:43 PM
Well Susie, you are just going to have to make 50 more of this gorgeous card or there is going to be one huge "cat fight" in teapotterville since we all want your card. Everything about this card is perfect. Your colors are so beautiful and the double step layout is just perfect. When my youngest son was small, I made up a story that he wanted to hear every night. He frequently asks me to write it down and illustrate it for him. That's what you need to do with your wonderful childhood memories. I think you might set a record for favs with this one.
Registered: November 16, 2009 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 1428
Wed, Jan 28, 2015 @ 7:14 AM
Hi Susie - That is the MOST amazing card, so intricate and complicated in design. It reminds me of a child's storybook and reading your story was an absolute joy. TFS
Registered: March 15, 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 11018
Wed, Jan 28, 2015 @ 10:33 AM
Miss Susie, can I just say...MASTERFUL!!! Wow!!! I am just blown away with everything! First it is a lovely scene, your fairy is so captivating!!! Then your background...WHOA!!! The colors are just incredible!!! What a fabulous step formation too!!! My brain is hurting just trying to figure out how you made those steps that way! Beyond Beautiful!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
Registered: August 13, 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 5508
Wed, Jan 28, 2015 @ 7:50 PM
Susie, this is breathtaking! You have gone right over the top with this one. It is so vibrant, beautiful, and you have captured the fairy dell in such a magical way. Absolutely gorgeous! I loved the sharing of your experiences in the fairy dell. You are one very gifted and delightful lady! TFS
------------------------------ QFTD171 Stampin Gramma (Faith W.) Proud Fan Club Member! Member of RAK and BRAK
Registered: February 21, 2007 Location: Bay City, MICHIGAN Posts: 17556
Thu, Jan 29, 2015 @ 6:22 PM
Oh my word, Susie! I have just come upon your mystical forest, disguised as a card - this is magical in every way! Loved reading how you got all the wonderful effects for your background, even the smack and squirt came into play to create the orange glow of the fairy dell. Sure sounds like you had a wonderful childhood and your Mum had the tact to NOT tell you about the wombats!!! LOL - glad to hear you could operate and get rid of your owl's cataracts too - you are a multi-talented woman!!! HUGS!
------------------------------ SUE aka GREENIE - Twisted Sistah Handmade cards because..No one displays an email on their mantle, or saves a FB post in a box of treasures! Nothing is impossible with God!
Registered: February 9, 2010 Location: Mentone, California Posts: 7361
Thu, Jan 29, 2015 @ 9:54 PM
Magical and mystical...amazing colors and such a DIFFERENT side step card for you! This is a card to crawl inside...just like a good book! You have captured the essence of a fairy infested woodland glen! LOVE this...well done!