I was so excited ( and worried) when Robin asked me to join her incredible design team... did I really want my card surrounded by cards made by 3 of the artists I admire most? Well, I decided that the best way to keep improving is to hang out with the people that inspire you. When I saw the challenge was to use flowers, sunflowers popped into my head. This was going to be a simple mosaic card. Somewhere along the way, " simple" morphed into " everything but the kitchen sink" , and I probably would have used the kitchen sink if it was the right color. I made the mosaic stamp last year for a challenge that required us to make our own stamp. In that box that most of us have for " things I might need one day" I had left over pieces of rubber from unmounted stamps. I cut these into random shapoed pieces and glued them onto an acrylic block, leaving spaces around each piece. I stamped the sunflower a few times and colored with copics. Then I stamped over the colored image with my mosaic stamp and clear versa fine ink. I heat embossed with UTEE. Then I held my breath, crossed my fingers, and sponged black ink all over the sunflowers that I had colored so carefully. The embossing acts as a resist and when you wipe the black ink off it only stays in the places where the spaces between the rubber were. It is called a mosaic technique, but I think it looks like broken pottery. I colored and fussy cut some extra leaves and flowers. The swirly vines are made from a IO swirl tree that I cut up. I added some stickles just for fun. I hope you will play along... it will look like the Rose Parade in April. TFL, Francie
Date: Thursday, April 2, 2015 GMT Views: 2249
Favorited:6
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Proud Fan Club Member Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: April 18, 2011 Location: Melbourne, Aus Posts: 51844
Thu, Apr 02, 2015 @ 9:55 PM
Francie I love your cards, in fact it was you that taught me the "everything but the kitchen sink" technique. Everything about this is fabulous. Genius idea to make your own mosaic stamp too. Love the bold bight colours too.
------------------------------ Susie
Please don't take your organs to heaven - heaven knows we need them here.
Registered: October 21, 2010 Location: in the okanagan in b.c. canada Posts: 13012
Thu, Apr 02, 2015 @ 11:31 PM
I am so glad you are a part of the team...beautiful work...:0). My daughter would so love this even more as they are her fav. flower. That must have been scary to ink over all the fine coloring, I would have held my breath as well, as was worth it . I t worked so, so well...neat. TFS...:0)
------------------------------ We as people are raindrops of colorful ink , falling down Crisp and Clear, each a different shade more vibrant then the last, but once we realize at the bottom of an endless abyss we all fall into the same inkpot forming one color, only then can we come together as one My son.
Registered: February 5, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 92550
Fri, Apr 03, 2015 @ 4:07 AM
Francie, your card is spectacular!!....but ALL your cards are. You never do "the usual". The techniques and the results you achieved on this card are beautiful....and glad that your lovely sunflowers still shine through on the main panel. Lovely coloring throughout.
Registered: January 4, 2012 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 864
Fri, Apr 03, 2015 @ 4:29 AM
Oh, this is just beautiful!! I love how full and layered this card is, with so much to look at. All of your elements make such a pretty diagonal lineup across the card, and the gingham bow is a perfect touch.
Registered: July 9, 2008 Location: Stars Fell on Alabama Posts: 74877
Fri, Apr 03, 2015 @ 6:32 AM
G A W G E O U S, Francie. I love all the work you put into your creations. Your sunflowers are beauties. Congrats on being on the Free 4 All team.
------------------------------ 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
Gorgeous card! I love all the fun elements on this. Oh what a fabulous addition to the team, Congrats!!! I always take such pleasure in your creations!