WooHoo it is Tickle a Teapotter time of the month and Sabrina has shared a special story that goes straight to the heart and has set us a patchwork challenge. I love cards (and challenges) that evoke memories. I have memories of my great-grandmother making patchwork quilts from old candlewick bedspreads and dressing gowns.
Unfortunately as Grandma got older she didn't really care where the candlewick fabric came from. Nan wasn't impressed when she found Grandma had cut up a brand new bedspread into little squares so she could make a patchwork bedspread.
Now about my card - I learnt this technique from Robin - Stamperrobbin during her terrific DTGD16 challenge. Lydia also had a mixed media challenge recently using water instead of starch. I personally like the results from the ironing spray better.
I started with a big piece of aluminium foil and used a Sharpie pen to outline the size of an A4 sheet, in landscape. I then sprinkled blue Brusho's across the top section, followed by purple Brusho across the middle section, then finished with green Brusho across the lower section.
El cheapo ironing spray starch was then sprayed on - the ironing spray beads very differently to water and it also helps the Brusho maintain its intensity. Now place an A4 sheet onto the foil - using the Sharpie outline as a guide.
Remove cardstock and place a large crinkled up piece of plastic cling wrap over the top, pat it onto the card and allow to air dry with the plastic in place. There will still be a lot Brusho and spray on the foil so I always have extra cardstock ready, it is also easy to add more colour and more spray. I work on the theory if you are going to get messy, make the most of it.
I don't always wait for the cardstock to dry before removing the plastic - it really depends how much marbling you want. Any `failed' backgrounds can always be revived by finishing it off with similar coloured distress inks and the Smack & Squirt technique, or use for a gelli plate background, die cutting, stencilling etc. Most of my crazy bird stamping is done on failed backgrounds, just touch up the colour when needed.
The little houses are digi stamps - thanks to fellow Teapotter Carla, I know how to resize a pdf file. The little house is done on photocopy paper, the other is done on a cheap thin cardstock. Both houses were first coloured with Prismacolour Pencils (they colour beautiful over Brusho's and Distress Inks too), the pencil makes a great base alcohol markers.
After printing the houses, I drew in the lines for each patchwork square, after colouring the squares I used a fine micron pen and did little criss-crosses.
It has cooled down a bit today, we had 39C/102F on Christmas Day - it dropped to 35C/95F at 9pm and stayed there for hours. Where ever you are I hope you warm/cool and happy.
Thank you for looking.
Date: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 GMT Views: 4405
Favorited:21
Registered: September 21, 2006 Location: In the beautiful Sequatchie Valley, Home of the Paper Clip Project - The National Cornbread Festival Posts: 26563
Registered: September 21, 2006 Location: In the beautiful Sequatchie Valley, Home of the Paper Clip Project - The National Cornbread Festival Posts: 26563
Wow! This is exquisite!!! Your talent is breathtaking!!!! I do wish we could sit together and create! We both use similar techniques for backgrounds but I never get mine to look as smooth as yours! Your patchwork looks amazing!
Registered: September 21, 2006 Location: In the beautiful Sequatchie Valley, Home of the Paper Clip Project - The National Cornbread Festival Posts: 26563
Registered: May 7, 2008 Location: Sioux City, Ia Posts: 5837
Sat, Jan 14, 2017 @ 4:56 PM
I've been staring at this for quite some time now trying to take it all in. I can only say WOW! Thanks for all the detail in how to. Coming to Australia for private lessons is now on my bucket list, right after kissing Mathew McConaughey. (Ya, that's not happening either).
Registered: June 10, 2016 Location: California Posts: 45
Sun, Jan 22, 2017 @ 5:13 PM
Just came across your card on Pinterest and I knew it was yours. Susie you are more than a card maker you are an artist. I would know your work anywhere. Love the colors!