I am so happy to be a sample maker for Stamperrobin's Free for All challenge, especially as Robin very kindly told me the theme for the next few challenges before going away.
My DH and I are 6 weeks into our 4 month camping holiday. Internet is very much hit 'n miss, so I apologise in advance if I don't get to see all the cards and comment.
Now about my cards....I am positive that there are fairies at the bottom of my garden, and I know for sure there are flowers! The background for these cards was made by placing camellia petals in between two sheets of cardstock, then squishing them through my Cuttlebug.
All the grey parts of the background are actually the flowers (who knew brilliant red Camellias would be grey after being squished to within an inch of their life).
After I mopped up all the flower petal juice from my Cuttlebug and desk, I sprinkled yellow and scarlet red Brushos over the card stock and sprayed on some water.
Before stamping directly onto the backgrounds, I stamped all the images and sentiments on acetate scraps. I placed the stamped acetate on to the backgrounds and work out which way the fairies and sentiments should be placed.
MISTI is an invaluable tool when stamping on this type of background. I used Memento Luxe for the stamping, I think I stamped each image about 5 or 6 times. Memento Luxe takes ages to dry but it is a fabulous intense black ink and perfect for silhouette images and sentiments.
I finished off each card by doodling a border with a fine micron pen (the finer the pen, the easier it is to doodle). Thank you for looking, I hope you have a happy, inky weekend.
Warning: I found smashing flowers in an embossing machine to be VERY messy. From one full camellia flower I extracted about 6 tablespoons of yucky grey fluid. I do not recommend a Vagabond or any other electrical machine!
Registered: June 10, 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 7356
Fri, May 12, 2017 @ 5:21 PM
Hope you are heading north to the sun on your holiday. Quite nippy here now. I have missed your wonderful creations and saw this one first thing this morning. I just love that wonderful squishy backgrounds - if you want some camellia flowers - I have lots and lots out at the moment. I have tried this with hydrangea flowers - but now inspired to try it with the camellias. Thanks for the tip on getting a lovely black silhouette - I have just bought a Momento Luxe ink to try it out. Take care and enjoy your wandering.
Registered: May 12, 2016 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 8485
Fri, May 12, 2017 @ 7:58 PM
Susie, I knew there was a reason we are kindred spirit! Squishing flowers are fun, messy, and so unexpected!! Your backgrounds are glorious!! The addition of the fairy & flower silhouettes highlights your bg's even more! Beautifully done my friend! ❤️
------------------------------ ~Jeannie~Be the reason someone smiles today!
Registered: July 25, 2004 Location: Hog Wallow, KY Posts: 38242
Fri, May 12, 2017 @ 9:49 PM
4 month vacation, lucky gal. Hope your enjoying it. Your cards are amazing. I love the background on them. The fairies are the cutest. It's good seeing your work again. Stay safe and enjoy your journey.
Registered: July 22, 2007 Location: Carshalton, Surrey. UK Posts: 62836
Sat, May 13, 2017 @ 1:01 AM
Back in the gallery with a bang - such beautiful cards. I was so disappointed when I squished flowers - lots of mess and very little colour - not done it since I had brushos - what a genius. Hope you are having fun on your travels.
------------------------------ Janine (aka Jay_Bee) Find a few favourites and share some love - check out theFavorites ForumDirty Dozen Alumni
Registered: June 4, 2009 Location: Deatsville, Alabama Posts: 83185
Sun, May 14, 2017 @ 4:51 AM
Fab techniques and fab cards! Wow. STunning creations and thoughts and creativeness. Many hugz
------------------------------ Nancy Williams - Hope your day is Spirit-filled and ink-filled (in that order)!DRS Designs-DT, Punchkateerforever, Dirty Dozen Alumni