Easy backgrounds - Indigo Blu

What else did I get up to for my last show....wellllll....Lets get out the gilding flakes!

I "inked" my stamp up using the flitter glue, which I immediately cleaned off my stamp.  The glue stays sticky, so there's no panic about getting the flakes on in a rush.  I actually dusted a little pink mica over the stamped image first - not much, just enough to give the variation between the mica, and the flakes.  So, after dusting the mica, take the flakes and rub them into the glue, removing the excess with the texture sponge.

I used distress ink to add more colour, and texture, to my paper, overlaying the images so they blend together.

On the same decorative paper, I stamped my sentiment, which I simply cut out

I then inked round the edge of my paper, and the wording, and glued my sentiment in place.  I also mat and layered my paper in place.  

I added some of the thick slap it on over the sentiment - this will dry clear, so will look like a textured glaze

The Last Day - The final countdown........

Well, this is it gang, just a few hours to go.  I'm a tad nervous - silly isn't it.  It feels much a long time since I've been on the TV, it's almost like starting back at the beg inning.  Gulp.  Needless to say, I've glue and ink all over my fingers, I still need to do my ironing, and I'm not sure where my nail file is....so business as usual then :)   I would hate you to think I'd changed and got myself all organised in the last 6 months.

The last challenge (for now, but I have enjoyed them, so I'm sure I'll chuck a few in here and there).  The winner this week was Patricia Howarth. Congratulations Patricia, if you email me with your address I will get your card sent out for you (eventually, I'm a little behind with my posting).  My email address is: leoniepujol@hotmail.co.uk.

Patricia challenged me to use:
vellum or parchment
Gilding Flakes
Distress Pens.

After a little while, I'm afraid I had to give up the search for my distress pens - so I replaced them with distress inks.  To be honest, I probably would have used the pens in the same way, as some ink can be too wet on vellum causing it to stretch and bubble.

Okay, here's what I did:

I found some nice old vellum which I've had for ages, and love!!

I used a script stamp, and my Glitter and Glue adhesive from Cosmic Shimmer, which I added to the stamp.  I stamped onto the vellum you may just be able to see faint writing on the vellum left by the glue

I then applied my gilding flakes

Remove the excess flakes with a brush, and look how stunning they shine

I ripped the vellum at an angle

I then used a lovely stampendous stamp, and embossed it with gold embossing powder, onto another piece of decorative vellum

I used my distress ink directly onto my craft sheet

Using an old, dry babywipe wrapped round a paper stump, I worked the ink into the stamped image.  Do this at the back of the stamped image for a subtle coloured finish

When you turn it over, the colour will be nice and soft, and you will get the shine from the embossing

I placed it onto my gilded vellum, and love the way the gilding can be seen through the stamped image, however, I feel the flowers need to stand out a little

In order to do this, I stamped the image again, but this time onto a piece of cream card, and cut out the main little flowers

When you place the image behind the vellum, it does accentuate the flowers - I like this technique as it's just pinpointing a specific image

I worked out where my flowers where going to be in order to then stamp onto the card, and cover with the gilding flakes

Sticking the vellum down is always tricky, so I put the glue directly onto the card

and then rubbed it into the card

This is a perfect way to stick the vellum down without seeing loads of glue.  I positioned the flowers precisely where I needed them

I then added my flowers on top.  Again, the glue can be tricky, but I added it just around the edge under the embossing.  I mat and layered everything....

And as usual, fell out with it!  So, I trimmed everything down, and popped it on some black card, which I think makes it stand out much better

The final piece, you can see how the gold shows beautifully through the vellum

Nice isn't it.

That's it!  The final blog post.  The next one will be finally letting you know where I'm going to turn up!!  

I hope you will join me tomorrow :)  

ATC's, QVC, RAC, VAT

Okay, I'm not going to babble about RAC or VAT - it just fitted in and I got on a role!

Sorry my posts have been quiet, I seem to have been away from home for ages - or at least if I've been here I've been busy with work or family. Busy busy.

Had my workshop on Saturday, really enjoyed it. Everyone was lovely, I could have done a full day - need to do a few of them I think. We did a Christmas card using the lovely Lindsay Mason's Snowbaby stamp - dead cute. We also used the great stamps by the equally lovely Paula Pascual, her sentiment stamps are so handy and look clean and sophisticated when stamped out. We did some blending using Tim Holtz Distress pads and work with gilding flakes.

Booked the next workshop for the 24th October in Wincheap again. Hopefully should have another one in Harlow - I'll confirm that when it's booked though.

Well, I'm almost ready for tomorrow, ironing done and dusted. Nicky has taken photo's of some of the cards I have made for the shows so I can share them with you this week, but the ATC on here tonight is an old one that I did for a workshop. I really liked this one, as I used old watch hands which I bought from Ebay, they are so delicate and detailed. They have been attached to a stamped watch face using glossy accents.

Righto, time for bed. Remember we have our MacMillan Event on Thursday, really looking forward to it (bit of a panic now, loads to do!!).
xxx