While crafting with 9 year old Ryan, he asked if I ever made a background with chalk. The closest thing I have to chalk is Pan Pastels and he has zero supplies so no clue what he was thinking. He said he made one and would go get it. He brought over a tiny scrap of paper, maybe 4 by 2 ½ and torn on one edge. He had no supplies and Lord help him if he touched his sister’s stuff. So he headed to the garage and found an old bag of sidewalk chalk. He put one in a sandwich bag and jumped up and down on it. He sprinkled the crumbled chalk on the scrap. He had no spray bottle so he used a hose (and to think we all ran out and bought a mister). This piece of cardstock was pretty wrinkly after the hose hit it but by golly, he got color on it. He then said how good he thought this would work with mixed media paper and would I like to do it with him. Well heck, who am I to turn down a brand new technique!
We took the chalk and took a hammer to it. He didnÂ’t have enough weight to break it up finer by jumping on it and my old bones are not into jumping. His left 1/8 clumps on the card. We took it outside and repeated the process on mixed media paper but I caved and got the spray bottle. (I should have tried the hose). After it dried, we robbed JohnÂ’s garage of sandpaper and sanded it smooth. It sat here a while and he hasnÂ’t been back to finish so I stamped and embossed this fun stamp, used a white gel pen to white out the petals. At this point I sprayed with a fixative since the chalk kept rubbing off. Zigs certainly behave differently on a fixative but thankfully I didnÂ’t have much to color. Drew a wonky pencil line with intentions of stitching. Even pencil does not erase on a fixative. Instead it smeared and is evident in one corner. Hand stitched which took forever. But it was fun to do. Typically I give a kid a technique and they have to design. How fun for a kid to give me one!
Thanks for stopping by.
Date: Thursday, July 14, 2016 GMT Views: 1861
Favorited:7
Registered: November 25, 2007 Location: Rudolph, WI Posts: 14498
Thu, Jul 14, 2016 @ 6:53 AM
My oh my Nancy! Loved the description! Ryan is going to become quite an artist! He thinks out of the box and does NOT need to purchase everything! That is something we all should learn! YOU STITCHED ALL OF THAT!!!!! It turned out to be one very nice card! WEll done, my friend! tfs
Registered: December 15, 2011 Location: Abilene TX Posts: 11275
Thu, Jul 14, 2016 @ 7:26 AM
Oh my gosh, Nancy, this is SO cool! Now I have to go buy sidewalk chalk (grin). That background turned out so cool; the flowers look awesome, and the border is amazing! But gee, what else can we expect from you?
------------------------------ 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: December 14, 2007 Location: Vancouver canada Posts: 8914
Thu, Jul 14, 2016 @ 7:46 AM
what a great story, I love the creativity of kids , He's going to be a great mixed media artist one day.
you reminded me to pull out my stampinback stamps and do something with those fun daises.
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Registered: October 26, 2009 Location: Oakhurst, near Yosemite Nat'l Park. Posts: 46799
Thu, Jul 14, 2016 @ 8:14 AM
OMGosh how fun!!! I love your bg and I am amazed you were able to get such great coverage using a white gel pen (I have NO luck with those!). I love all your hand stitching and can't even imagine doing it!!! Wow, my friend you are amazing!
------------------------------ Blessings, Robin Encourage one anotherMy Blog-InkMagination , QFTD201,Dirty Dozen Alumni.Impression Obsession DT, DRS DT.Formerly HC DT, ODBD DT.
Registered: July 9, 2008 Location: Stars Fell on Alabama Posts: 74834
Thu, Jul 14, 2016 @ 8:18 AM
Wow! Very interesting post and a beautiful card. Great job stitching.
------------------------------ My Blog---My Gallery---My PinterestI'm a Punchkateer! (Prez) FOREVERDirty Dozen Alumni2014 CAS Spring DT--- Inspiration Challenge Co- Hostess 12/02/17-12/28/19 Watercolor Wednesday Design Team Hebrews 13:2Brenda
Registered: March 13, 2012 Location: Southern Florida Posts: 5253
Thu, Jul 14, 2016 @ 8:29 AM
Love this, Nancy! That BG turned out such a lovely mottled mauvey-pink and the story behind it is wonderful!
Great choice of that yellow against the BG! That and the white petals are the perfect pop.
As usual, your stitching really elevates this piece to another level. Worth the work it took IMO!
------------------------------ I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies. RachelRose Designs by Robin... GALLERY
So lovely! And with grandchildren I have sidewalk chalk so I will for sure try this. Thank you for your detailed instructions which probably took as long as all that hand stitching!!!!,
OH, my goodness, Nancy! I don't know which I liked best your story or your card! Both are delightful! Great new technique he has introduced you to. I love what you did with it too! Do you write? You should really be a writer if you aren't! Have a great week-end!
Registered: June 13, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 23711
Thu, Jul 14, 2016 @ 9:31 AM
Love your card with those funky daisies and lovely mottled background. But even more, I love your story of Ryan and his creativity and sharing it together!
------------------------------ Susan
My SCS gallery is here should you care to look! Or please visit my blog, Cardmaker's Garret.
Registered: January 20, 2011 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 7619
Thu, Jul 14, 2016 @ 1:55 PM
This looks amazing. Ryan is going to be so excited to see what you did with his chalk background. How fun and creative Ryan is!! I bet you had a lot of fun playing with him. And a cool new technique too! xx