Hey, 35 days left. Crafty Countdown....

And a good day to you.  How are you today?  It's rather chilly here in Peterborough.  I got up to walk the dogs this morning, and Teela (my little old girl), took herself back to bed.  She did get up for the walk - I think she rightly figured there was no point standing around whilst I faffed about getting ready.  She's pretty smart. I'm still hoping it snows - I have sledges waiting and ready :)

Now, back to the craft.  So yesterday I did my splatters.  I really liked the simplicity of that card.  Today I decided to faff a little bit more, and take the gauntlet thrown down by Sue Bowen (thank you, Sue), who said she would try my rather violent slamming technique, if I try the one she likes.....lets play

I started with a piece of white watercolour card stock, and two distress ink pads:

I created a soft blend with the colours using cut and dry

I then used a mask over the top and bleached out the ink just using water.  The top you will see has lost a lot of the definition from the mask - that's because I went in quite heavy with my sponge and to much water.  For the rest of it I just gently spritzed the mask with water.  Take the mask off and lay a piece of kitchen roll over the top.  This draws up the water and the ink.

Next I used the blue ink pad (salty ocean) to stamp a pretty border stamp onto my design

I then used some washi tape over the top of the stamp design - well over half of the design.  I don't use washi tape much - but I do really like it.  I like the translucent effect it has, the way it tears, the way you can overlap it for a more opaque finish (did you know opaque used to be spelt opake - why change something that really didn't need fixing!!).  I then stamped a Tim Holtz tree over the top of my tissue tape.  Initially I wasn't to sure if I liked this, but I've warmed to it now

I used acrylic paints, really watered down, to colour my tree.

And now, the paint and straw!!  Of course I love this technique - but I'd forgotten about it.  That's the beauty of craft isn't it - there's so many techniques for us to rediscover :)

I watered down my paint, and then used a dropper to drop blobs onto my card.  I then took a straw and blew the paint.  The finer lines, when blown, give even thinner and more detailed sprays of colour.  It's very addictive (again, thank you for reminding me Sue).

I did have fun with the dropper (pipette).  Sometimes it delivered paint bubbles.  I left these on the card to see what they would do when they popped.  To be honest, the effect wasn't amazing, but the bubbles looked cool.

When I was happy with my paint, I cut my card down, and then stamped my sentiment directly onto the card

I went round the edge of the card with a black ink pad, and then matted it onto a piece of white card.  I then matted this onto a black card, and added a little bit of the washi tape.  As I'm planning this to be more masculine, I figured the washi tape was a nice alternative to ribbon or gems. 

Viola.

Craft Countdown - 36 days left. 36!!!

I know, what is this.  A post before mid day (well, it's not mid day at the time of writing).  I managed to really crack on this morning - it seems panic has well and truly set in, and the amount of things I need to do before it all begins has really hit home :)  PANIC.

Haha, it'll be fine.

Yesterday was a sad day.  Whilst I craft I listen to the radio generally, and radio 6 had so many amazing tributes to Bowie.  I didn't really care what was on TV, or going on at the CHA.  The radio just suited my mood to mourn a great loss for art and music.  Today they are playing more variety - but thankfully there's still alot about Bowie on there - it feels just right.  And crafting was more pleasurable today.

A lady on Facebook (sorry, I've gone and forgotten who posted the request!), asked me about making cards for men.  This is something I haven't touched on.  I'll do a series of them - I think.  As long as I don't get bored.

The first card I have made for chaps, started with this lovely little wooden bike and a piece of cream card:

I stamped the word Dad

And then tore the card.  I wanted quite a controlled tear, to I used a water brush and ruler to create a line of water, which allowed me to tear the paper with ease and control

Next, I embossed a scrap piece of cream card using  a Tim Holtz Alterations folder

I almost left it like that, but wanted to add a bit of colour.  I used a couple of colours in different blue tones.  I had a sponge dauber, which I dipped into the paint, and slammed down onto my card.  The slamming makes the paint splodge out (technical terms again).  I love this look. The one that hadn't splodged enough, I took a cocktail stick and dragged some of the paint out

I then took the end of a cardboard roll (old Christmas paper tube are good for this) and dipped it into the paint.  

I added a few circles of paint onto my card

I was really trying to not fall into the normal trap of matting and layering - or just not being able to stop adding "stuff".  It's really tricky to keep a card quite plain, and I do love the effect - but just find myself adding and glittering! I did allow myself to go round the edges with the paint

I then added my embossed card into place.  At this stage I decided the splats were to low on my card.  To late, was the cry.  Nah, just chop the top off your card.

I wanted to staple the ripped paper onto my card, but the left side obviously can't be reached by my regular stapler, so I added the staple to the paper, and then glued it to the card

I stapled the card at the right side

And then clued my little bike in place

Couldn't help myself, I did a little bit of doodling on the Dad card

Finished.  It's a nice, simple card.  Pretty happy with it.