Woodware - Backgrounds

This week at Woodware we are playing with background techniques. I used to spend so much time looking through my paper stash for the perfect background for my main image. I have since learnt it is often easier to make your own. I like to layer images for backgrounds and this ghosting technique is a perfect starting point.

 For the first layer I stamped seashells (all Stampendous stamps) onto white card stock with white pigment ink. Once dry I blended over Robin's Egg, Baby Blue, Seaglass and Sky Blue over the top. I really like this subtle resist as a first layer.

 With the same stamps I stamped first and second generation inkings over the top with aqua and my background is ready to use.

The perfect background for my little Stampendous mermaid!! I added a little Shabby White embossing powder to look like a sandy seabed and to ground the image. And then I found the little seahorse in my stash as a finishing touch!!

Do check out the Woodware blog to see what the other girls are up to with their background techniques this week. 
Where did the sunshine go!! Well at least we had a nice couple of days at the weekend!!
Have a good week.
Siobhan x

Woodware DT - Colours of the Earth

This week our challenge at Woodware is "Colours of the Earth". I have been playing around with alcohol ink backgrounds. The plaid effect is a technique I came across on Tim Holtz's blog. I think it was his second year of doing the "Twelve Days of Christmas" tags. I love alcohol inks and this is a lovely technique once you get the hang of it.

To create this effect you need alcohol inks, a felt applicator and some glossy card. Chose 5 or 6 colours of alcohol inks that you think will go together. Squeeze a drop of each colour into the pad side by side. For a thin stripe keep the dot small, for a wider stripe make the dot wider. I like to sprinkle a few drops of blending solution onto the inks just to lighten them a bit.
Work firmly and quickly swiping the applicator across the glossy card in one direction. Move down the card always swiping in the same direction until it is covered. Turn the card 90 degrees. Do the same again and see your plaid appearing. 

 
And there you have it .... a nice plaid background to stamp on to. If you find colour combinations that you like then write them down in your notebook so you can reproduce them quickly when required.
Over stamp with a permanent ink like Memories, Versamark or Archival for best effect. And I use my heat gun to set the ink just to be sure.

The leaves were punched from copper foil. I covered them with Versamark ink then used a combination of Aged Gold and Aged Bronze embossing powders. The "Poem Tree" is a recent release from Stampendous and it looks great on this type of background.

Here is a different set of colours. The leaves were stamped with a Brilliance pad which also dries well on top of the glossy card and gives a lovely shimmer in the light. This one is for a friend's birthday that's coming up. As I had my alcohol inks out I made a batch of backgrounds for quick cards later on.
For loads more inspiration check out our blog at Woodware. 

Woodware - Cards for Men

I always struggle a bit for men's cards, especially when it is someone you make cards for regularly like your hubby or Dad. So when I saw these two new Woodware clear stamps with the fishy words and the angler I couldn't resist buying them. Sadly my Dad nor my husband go fishing, but I know other men that do!!

I stamped the background words in a soft beige ink onto white card square then simply over-stamped the fisherman in black. So simple. I layered up with some beige and gold card. The background paper is from my stash and is from MME. It is double sided and as I loved both sides used both in my card layout. "Great Catch" came from the background stamp (I like to get my money's worth from a stamp!!).

The birthday wishes is from the Fisherman set and a very useful one for more masculine cards. I finished off with some bronze card candi and the lovely little metal fish charm that has lain in my charm box for years!!
If you are looking for ideas for men's cards then hop over to the Woodware blog for lots of inspiration.
Siobhan x

Tagtastic Group Meeting

On Saturday I met up with the girls in our "Tagtastic Swap" group. As always it was lovely to catch up with everyone. The theme we chose for this swap was "dry embossing" either as a background or on some element of the tag. The girls certainly didn't disappoint and produced such a great variety of tags. So as I am one of the few in the group with a blog, I like to post our tags so we can keep up with what everyone has made.
So here goes, in alphabetical order :

ERIN

 ISOBEL

 

LIN

 

LINDA

 

LIZ

MAGGIE

 

PAT 

 

 SIOBHAN

 

SUE

 As you can see, they are a talented bunch. We are having a break now until August. When we meet next we will hopefully have 3 tags each to swap. I better be on the ball that day to avoid total chaos!! Our next 3 themes are :

• Alcohol inks
• Brush less Watercolour
• Stencils

I had a day off today and decided to take a trip to Stirling to look at sewing machines. I have been doing quite a lot of research and had narrowed it down to two. The lady in Pemberton's was very helpful in demonstrating the machines. So decision made I came back with a Husqvarna Sapphire machine that is amazing!! I went by train and carried this thing all the way home as I couldn't wait to have it delivered!! Now I can maybe finish some of the many sewing projects I have on the go!!
Have a good week everyone.

Siobhan x 
 
 
 

 

Woodware - Sketch 23

Time for another sketch challenge at Woodware this week. This is our 23rd sketch!! Anyway mine is very simple.
This is the sketch we were given :

 

And here is my sample card.

I stamped the Stampendous fresh bloom with Versamark and embossed with white powder. Over the resist I rubbed ink from the Brilliance ink pad "Aurora". The three colours work well together.
The sentiment is from a Woodware clear set by Jane Gill. A useful sentiment for several occasions I thought!!

 
Our tag group meets on Saturday. So I will be posting our latest efforts over the weekend. The theme this time is "Dry Embossing". I always look forward to meeting up with the "girls" for a natter and see what they have all made.
Hope you have a good weekend!!
Siobhan x

Woodware - graduation

I have been a bit quiet on the blogging front of late. I don't know if it's my age but this whole menopause thing has really taken it's toll!! By the time I get home from work all I want to do is have dinner and veg in front of the telly. Energy was something I used to have plenty of but now I could really do with an afternoon nap just to get through the rest of the day!! The say age doesn't come itself ....... I think what I need now is retirement!!! Bring it on, I can't wait!!
Anyway enough moaning. I am last up this week for Woodware's graduation theme. I don't own any graduation stamps supplied by Woodware so I have had to improvise a bit.

I used a Stampendous stamp "Scrolled Medallion" to create the background. I stamped it repeatedly in gold and embossed with gold powder onto antique gold card stock. The words are another Stampendous stamp "Every Day Dreams". As I didn't have an appropriate graduation sentiment, I thought this would do nicely.

 

 A bit of organza ribbon separates the two panels.
I used an old Quickutz die of the mortar board and diploma scroll to make my topper to go onto a square stamped and embossed with a fine script (also Stampendous).

A very simple card, but as they say often less is more. If you are looking for ideas for graduation cards then check out the Woodware blog this week. All of the samples from our DT are very differenttand sure to give you some inspiration.
Three days off work .....yippee.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Siobhan