Saturday 30 January 2016

Crafty countdown is down to 18 days!!

18 days.  For goodness sake!!

Okay, I fancied a bit of stamping today.  So, I found a scrap of watercolour card stock, this is the base





I wanted to create my own background, so decided to use some nice big stamps


Ink the stamp, but you are only touching part of the stamp to the card.  You will have seen the lovely Julia Watts do this technique on TV I'm sure (check out her blog if you haven't already: 
 http://inkyfingerzone.blogspot.co.uk)



Build up the background with different stamps, filling in the gaps.  I used distress inks.


Now, it looks quite intense doesn't it.


So, spritz it with water.  Now it just looks scary.  Don't panic.  It's a piece of card, there's always more card!  


Cover the whole piece with a piece of kitchen paper to soak up the water and excess ink


This will result in a really pretty subtle background.  See how the images now seem to blend together?


Next I stamped and embossed a stunning Stampendous flower.  This is a massive stamp, so really makes a fantastic focal point.


I coloured the flower with the same distress inks used for the background. This will ensure your colour palette matches perfectly.  I layered the colours, using 2 blue tones, and a red/pink


To create shadow, I worked round the flower image with a pencil.  Choose a nice soft pencil which you will be able to blend.  This really does give your image additional definition.



To create a few highlights, I added just a little white paint.  The paint does soak up some of the ink, but it still looks good



Although there is a shine with the distress ink, I wanted to add another sheen.  I took a little Pebeo gilding wax and literally swept it across my card.  I didn't put pressure on, as I only wanted it to touch the top fibres of the card.  You can just see the shine of gold in the light.  Very subtle




As you can see, I stamped my sentiment under the flower


I matted the piece onto black and white card. Complete.





25 comments:

Chrissie Roberts said...

Beautiful card Leonie. I have this stamp so I might 'borrow' your ideas?
The days are coming thick and fast aren't they?

Unknown said...

Wow! Another stunning creation. Such neat matting and layering too- any tips on how to get this accurate?x

Anonymous said...

Love how you made the background Leonie and the sentiment words are so apt. Best wishes Jackie x

lilian said...

Great card, just love stamping, so glad it's come back again.
Best Wishes Lilian in Cornwall

Anne said...

This is absolutely gorgeous, Leonie. You really are making us all think more about how to use our stash.

Anne (Northampton}

Sarah Brennan said...

Gorgeous. I adore the partial stamp technique; I'd much rather create my own backgrounds than use patterned paper or card. I love the flower stamped over the top, it creates such a powerful focal point and ties in so well with the background. I'm definitely going to have to try this with some of my new Tim Holtz background stamps. Thanks for sharing.

Alexis said...

Love it! I must try this technique! Xxx

MFM said...

Great technic and end result. I don't have the exact stamps but I'm sure I have something that will give me a similar result now you have pointed me in right direction.
Time is flying bye.
xx

Karen Petitt said...

It is so good to see you are crafting again Leonie and I can see inky fingerprints too! Gorgeous inky and painted creation. Have a good weekend Karen x

karenlotty said...

Beautiful Leonie Just beautiful You have a fantastic array of stamps Hope they'll be available on your site soon

Anonymous said...

Fabulous Leonie x

Carol S. said...

Love these sort of backgrounds and fun to do. Gorgeous image and beautifully coloured. Hugs, Carol S.xx

michelle said...

Beautiful

Myra said...

Leonie I'm almost certain I have that stamp! I shall have a look for it. Haven't been doing much stamping lately.
Another beautiful project. Thanks so much for the inspiration and great tips! Xx

hollyberry said...

This really is beautiful and talking us through it all helps us to understand and then go and have a play ourselves. The time does seem to be flying past,I can't believe it is only 18 days until we see you again.

kittyedavies47@gmail.com said...

Hi Leonie.
A work of art Thank you.
take care Kitty.

carol edwards said...

Wonderful Leoni, a simple background and stamp and you have created a beautiful card. Gosh only 18 days to go !!! X

Heather Treble said...

Hi Leonie,
What a beautiful piece of artwork, I don't have the stamp that you have used but I have an indigoblu one which I think would work really well.
Thanks for the inspiration,
Heather

Diane said...

Thank you so much for that technique ....I have a project that I want to alter with a texture stamp and was going to to try selective inking and applying it lightly but using the stamp this way will be perfect.....why didn't I think of that ......thanks for sharing ...can't wait to try it!!!!! X

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Leonie, This is gorgeous, I always love watching Julia do her 'messy backgrounds' with this technique, and you have taken the technique to another level by adding water and then taking off the excess. You are right, all the 'stampings' really do 'meld' together,and your focal stamp looks fabulous, the shading etc is absolutely gorgeous. I really must give this technique a try. I'm normally a 'more is more' crafter, but I'm going to try this, I love it.
I can't believe how the time is absolutely 'flying'.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Tracy Welham said...

Really love that you have used the same colours for the background and stamp, makes it come together so well. Creative Blessings, Tracy x

Margaret A said...

Fab...love the flower stamp and the way you coloured it x

Margaret A said...

Fab...love the flower stamp and the way you coloured it x

Cal Shrive said...

I love all the techniques you have shown us today, I am going to try this myself, the stampendous stamp is absolutely gorgeous!! I love how you've gotten the muted tones in the background then the stronger tones in the flower. It looks spectacular when it's all finished! :) Thank you for showing us this technique Leonie xx

Melys said...

Love the techniques, love the sentiment and love the finished card! x