This is my sample for Robin's fun Free for All Challenge, the challenge can be found here .
I look upon my card making as a hobby, not necessarily a process that will result in a card. Spending money on a hobby is happy experience and far healthier than thinking every card cost $92.80
I don't have a typical art journal with gesso'd pages, lots of paint and gorgeous sticky out bits, mine is just an A5 (app 5.5" x 8") Monte Marte (el cheapo) visual art diary. They cost less than $4 so it is never a drama to rip a few dodgy pages out. I stick card fronts onto the pages so the quality of paper is not important. Having said that, the left hand page here was done by colouring directly onto the cheap paper and is not exactly as it would come out on cardstock or photocopy paper, but it is near enough. The whole idea of the book is to remind me about techniques and colours and to use a lot of the weird stamps and sentiments that I have.
I have been doing a lot of bright colouring lately on photocopy paper using Prismacolour Pencils, Distress Crayons / GelatoÂ’s (if you own GelatoÂ’s you already own Timmy's crayons) and alcohol markers. This sample shows how a bright and colourful card can be instantly aged by scrubbing the entire thing with Walnut Stain distress ink.
I often take the super bright look away by gently swishing a pre-stained Walnut Stain foam blending tool over the card, however to achieve this true vintage look I used the Smack & Squirt technique followed by very firm scrubbing of the blending tool over the whole card.
Smack walnut stain distress ink onto aluminium foil, squirt on a fair bit of water and use a foam blending tool to mop up the inky water. Scrub over the card. Give the card a blast with the heat gun before scrubbing on more watery ink, its best to build up the stain rather than inking up the foam blending tool straight from the ink pad.
To continue with the vintage theme, all garden stamping and crackle stamping was down with dark brown (ground espresso) distress ink. Doodled border was also done with fine brown micron pens. The background is from an 8" Graphic45 paper pad from a lifetime ago. I was surprised how much water the G45 paper could take, especially as the grass and sky were also done with the Smack & Squirt technique. The little clock is from a G45 paper and the big clock face is from a Prima set of embellishments. The clock hands were made by using a brad back to front.
Thanks very much for looking. I hope you all have a lovely weekend.
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2016 GMT Views: 2276
Favorited:15
Registered: March 29, 2011 Location: Covington, WA Posts: 32470
Thu, Sep 08, 2016 @ 9:58 PM
Susie, You provide the best explanations for your artistic process. I learn something new each time you post! The graphics 45 paper made for a great bg and I love the different clock styles on your marvelous house. Great scene and thanks for the tutorial!! Something new for me to try.
PS You are also a marvelous enabler. Love the spending money on the hobby vs the $92.80 card. I've got a bunch of dies in a cart and you've just talked me into pulling the trigger. Thanks my friend
------------------------------ Carla ~ Proud Fan Club Member and Dirty Dozen Alumni.
Registered: December 15, 2011 Location: Abilene TX Posts: 11275
Thu, Sep 08, 2016 @ 10:03 PM
Oh, it pains me to think this fantastic creation will never be sent to anybody! I love the crackle appearance on that wonderful background, and your idea of using a brad for clock hands is terrific. Love this!
------------------------------ 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: May 23, 2009 Location: sunny california Posts: 9825
Thu, Sep 08, 2016 @ 10:52 PM
So Susie, are you taking pre paid orders for copies of your art journal...we all want those color combos and ideas of yours. Forget about pre ordering the I phone 7...I want your book. However, you would probably be arrested here in drought stricken Calif with all the water you use for your backgtoundd. What a great idea for the hands of the clocks what a fun creative card.
Registered: June 10, 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 7391
Thu, Sep 08, 2016 @ 10:53 PM
Oh Susie - this is just so creative. I love all your explanations on the way you have achieved this wonderful little creation. I too got a giggle from the $92.80 value of each card - its scary to think how much each card we create costs - he he - just as well we don't dwell on that.
Registered: June 29, 2010 Location: Recently moved to the seaside, with views over to the Isle of Wight Posts: 13780
Thu, Sep 08, 2016 @ 11:47 PM
Ditto all the above! As I read your tutorial I scrolled back up to look again at your card, to 'see' the effect. I adore your cards always, but really they're works of art and wonderful keepsakes. The brad idea is genius!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: January 7, 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 42915
Fri, Sep 09, 2016 @ 12:02 AM
Susie, sharing your journal and your process with us gave us a great peek into your creative process and boy, is that fun. The end result is awesome and, as usual, I just love what you've created. This is amazing.
------------------------------ Kathy Stamp n Sip with me
Registered: January 8, 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 40416
Fri, Sep 09, 2016 @ 12:49 AM
I think everything has been said above! Susie, this is going to be a lovely keepsake for you and it is truly wonderful reading your creative processes!! Go Geelong!!!
------------------------------ Sue
Fan Club Member QFTD143 FS420
Registered: April 14, 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2721
Fri, Sep 09, 2016 @ 3:26 AM
Absolutely beautiful colors!!!! Stunning work!!!
------------------------------ From Norway to USA to the world, Hilde
You must be the change you wish to see in the world -Gandhi
Host an exchange student!
Registered: November 21, 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 6867
Fri, Sep 09, 2016 @ 4:13 AM
Fabulous card Suzie, just splendid, imagine this in Enid Blytons enchanted woods!
And I read your instructions on toning everything down with walnut ink to achieve a more vintage look, just brilliant! Will keep this in mind.
------------------------------ ~ Cindy ~ My Gallery