Grab a cuppa and a biscuit...a bit of a long post today!
Trial and error??.........yes I have been playing and creating this week. Mojo is back part time....apparently that's all it wants to work...whoever thought it was full time in the first place!
Anyway last Saturday I went to a demo Day at Samuel Taylors in Leeds where, Jenny Mayes (Hobbyart), Fiona Clayton (Crafters Companion) and John Lockwood (Creative Expressions) were all demonstrating.......it was extremely busy as you can imagine!
I succumbed to a demo of dandelion stamps done by Jenny...and was of course tempted to buy them...it would have been rude not to wouldn't it? So I have been making a couple of cards similar to one that she created.
Now for the trial bit......do I use Distress Inks? or Colour Cloud inks? for my background ...I know I'll give both go...so out came my new pack of Sheena's stamping card......guaranteed to be good for anything apparently. Then out came Colour Cloud inks and smoothies (not the drinking kind silly....they've been replaced by chocolate)....cone shaped sponges and also the distress inks and blending tools.
Two separate pieces of card cut to size...and in both cases the result is a very splodgy mess. It dried a bit better but was not the smooth blending it was supposed to be...waste it?...no way...so I have used it as my backgrounds. The darker, stronger one is the Distress inks and the paler one the Colour Cloud. So that was the error bit...or errors!!
SO ..............
Is it the card or is it me?.I would love it if you would let me know...and if you think it's the card...please tell me what to use.
Here they are...........................TA DA.................
Distress ink background....
and a close up to show the sparkle....
and the one with the Colour Cloud background......much softer.....
All the stamps are from the set, and I added a bit of green copic to the leaves and some patina Stickles to the dandelions and the dragonfly wings.(Yes i gave the Glamour dust a miss this time). The large sentiment is from the set but the small 'make a wish' is from my stash.
PHEW!!.....hello are you still with me?
At last I am back in the groove...a little anyway....and it must be a first that I have bought something and played with it almost straight away!
Thank you for popping in...and if you have left me some advice or just some love...Thank you...I love to read your comments. I have made some lovely on line friends through blogging. MWAH to you all.
Now take care as you go and I hope I will see you all again soon! (maybe a shorter post next time)
Crafty hugs
Carole xx
Hi Carole, your cards are really gorgeous and I quite like the effect . I use Distress Inks all the time and I always use a 300gsm coated card. Not shiny but with a very smooth feel to it. The ink doesn't blend on uncoated card, as it needs to be able to sort of slide on the card. The one I use is sold as Stamping Card. I bought it at a Sincerely Yours Craft Fair. You can get Sheena Douglass stamping card from Crafters Companion. Hope that helps. Hugs, Carol S.xx
ReplyDeleteWell it doesn't look to me as if you need any advice Carole. Both cards are absolutely gorgeous. Your backgrounds are both beautiful and what a lovely set of stamps. Yes you had to buy those. It's interesting to see the different depth of colour with the two products. It sounds like a lovely day out. Barbxx
ReplyDeleteI don't live far from Leeds, so I'm really sorry I missed these demos, it sounds like you had a great day. Your cards are both beautiful, although they do look totally different due to the colours. I love Distress ink and I also use lots of Adirondack too. I enjoy using Stamping card best of all as it gives you a good, clean image but it's not as good for blending as a satin or silk art card, and not as forgiving if you make a mistake. I find that I often slip when using a wet ink on coated card and that that completely ruin the image. It's all trial and error really but I quite often practice on copy paper as it's much cheaper! It's lovely to read about you having a play with your new stash. Crafty hugs, Sandra x
ReplyDeleteA great card Carole with super stamping and inking.
ReplyDeleteB x
These are beautiful Carole and both backgrounds look fabulous but if I had to pick a favourite I think it would be the first. As for advice... well it's no use asking me but looking at your cards I don't think you really need any. Love the stamp set and can see why you had to treat yourself xx
ReplyDeleteThat stamp is gorgeous Carole and I love the colours on every card! I've tried most blending tools... Sponges, brushes, Tim Holtz rectangle and round blenders and the ones I stick to are the latter. I really don't get good results with any of the others... The knack I found was to touch lightly whilst getting a workout on the biceps ... Yes honestly! If I am doing it right the top of my arm really aches! Got this tip from Laura Bassen's blog and she's the queen of ink blending in my opinion. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see Mr Mojo is back from his travels and I like both versions of the card Carol. I too struggle with blending ink and the best advice I was given was to take most of the ink off my blending tool and go very lightly to gradually build up the colour. I'm a big fan of the Clarity Stencil brushes for light blending and I use the TH round blending tool and the egg shaped sponges if I need more depth of colour. I often start with the brushes and then move onto the sponges. I still need to practice more but fewer of my pieces are ending up in the recycling bin.Having said all that, I would be proud if I had produced your beautiful blended background.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Carol x
I'm glad you were inspired to have a play and I have to say that the backgrounds look lovely in the photos...I think the stronger colours of the DIs are my fave but it's nice to be able to get 2 different looks with the different inks. I've never really done much inkiness on my cards and am always in awe of other people's cards. I do think your silhouette stamping with a touch of sparkle looks lovely over the backgrounds too :-)
ReplyDeleteBig hugs, Kat xx
You are so harsh on yourself these both look fab I've only tried blending a couple of times with Distress Inks and mot got as good results as you. I use either the Tim Holtz blending pads or some sponge things I got in Florida. Regarding card if I'm using distress inks I always use a watercolour card I use either Derwent Watercolour card or Frabiano Artistico hot press the later is quite pricey for a 9x12 inch pad but it does last a long time. These both also work well with Inktense pencils as well as Distress inks.Keep at it pratise makes perfect !! Love and hugs Carole x
ReplyDeleteI love both cards & think u r being harsh on yrself. I love using Inkylicious duster brushes fir ink blending.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sarn xxx
Hi Carole! I know it's been a long time since I've visited the blogging world, but so nice to see you've been doing a bit of crafting! :) Wowwwwww! These area absolutely GOR-GEOUS! I truly do love how you've done the backgrounds .. they're beauuutiful!
ReplyDeleteHope you've been keeping well and enjoying the days!
Big hugs,
Elise
what lovely cards
ReplyDeletehugs Kate xxx
Two gorgeous cards, Carole, the backgrounds are wonderful. I love them both, but I especially love the colours on the first one. xx
ReplyDelete