More stamping delights from Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This is the last of my guest posts for Chocolate Baroque this month. I had planned a completely different set of projects but just had designer block! Horrible when that happens, especially when working to a deadline. This happens to us all at times, particularly this year with all the added stresses.

After several days of wasted effort I just stopped working on my original plan, went away from my desk and tried to clear my head. I then went back and decided to just ‘go for it’ – no plan, no nothing. I just picked up stamps and got started. Finally ideas started to flow – phew. I find that this usually works for me, although it is not always easy to do – ha ha.

I hope that you enjoy my offerings. Everyone take care and enjoy Christmas as best you can. Spring will soon be here and I am hopeful for far better times to come soon. Big hugs Anne xxx.

Blue and White Mandala

This one is a quick and easy make using the lovely mandala style stamp.

Materials Used:

• 15cm square white card blank, decorative die cut circle in blue card and scrap white stamping card
• Palm Fan Silhouette stamp (Chocolate Baroque)
• Versamark Inkpad
• Dark blue embossing powder (WOW Earthtone Blueberry)
• White pen

How it was done

1. Faux stitching was added around the die cut circle to frame it. It was glued to the card front with 3D foam for added depth.
2. The Mandala was stamped and embossed with blue powder, cut out and glued to the card front with 3D foam.

Dazzling Butterfly

 

Chocolate Baroque have so many wonderful butterfly stamps – love this one.

Materials used

• 15cm square scalloped card blank, decorative die cut circle (light blue), scrap of white stamping card
• Stamp sets: Gerbera and Friends, Words to Dazzle and Sparkle, Butterfly Poppy Collage (Chocolate Baroque)
• Inkpads: Versamark, Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky) and Memento Dye Ink (Grape Jelly)
• Detail white embossing powder (WOW), and clear sparkle with extra fine glitter
• Alcohol ink pens (greens, turquoise, pink)
• Pink PVA pearls and Stickles glitter glue (Diamond)

How it was done

1. A mix of the Distress Inks were used to blend the outer edges of the card blank (this mix closely matched my blue die cut circle).
2. The blue card topper was stamped with Versamark and embossed with white powder.
3. The butterfly was stamped with Memento, coloured with alcohol pens. It was then heat embossed with a layer of clear sparkly powder and cut out.
4. Everything was stuck down and the card was finally finished with glitter glue and PVA pearls.

Hydrangea Card

 

When pushed for time I will often use some ready printed papers in the background. They can also help with inspiration at times too.

Materials used

• 15cm square white card blank, Crafty Individuals 6 X 6 inch background paper (Book 3 Springtime), white stamping card
• Stamp sets: Hydrangea Tag, Gerbera and Friends
• Inkpads: Versafine (Majestic Blue and Onyx Black)
• Brusho powders (Leaf Green and Purple)
• Alcohol marker and fine drawing pen (black)

How it was done

1. The background paper was trimmed and edged with black marker. The base texture was stamped with black Versafine.
2. The main image was stamped with blue Versafine, the card trimmed to approx. 9 X 13cm and edged with black marker. The floral section was stamped again with black Versafine. The stem was extended by drawing with black pen and the image cut out.
3. The topper was then spritzed with water and Brusho powder dropped onto the wet card. When dry the monochrome Hydrangea was glued on top, curling the edges up slightly for dimension.

Floral Thank You Card

This one was a super quick make. Ideal if you have a last minute card to do.

Materials used

• 10.5cm square watercolour card blank
• Stamps from Chocolate Baroque: Gerbera and Friends, Spring Bird Daffodil (sentiment)
• Inkpads: Versafine (Vintage Sepia), Distress Inks (Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed)
• Note: I used a stamping platform for this project. Not essential but it helps to realign when over stamping.

How it was done

1. The watercolour card was spritzed with water and stamped using a mix of the Distress Inks. These bled out giving a lovely watercolour effect.
2. When dry the image was overstamped with Versafine. Versafine was also used to stamp the border and sentiment.

Dreamy Elephant Card

I love the Indian themed stamps from Chocolate Baroque – definitely amongst my faves. To save a bit of time I again used a pre-printed background paper.

Materials used

• 15cm square white card blank, Crafty Individuals 6 X 6 inch background paper (Book 8 A Weekend in Seville), and scrap white stamping card
• Stamps: Artistic Affirmations, Indian Textiles, Indian Elephant, Gerbera and Friends
• Inkpads: Versamark and Versafine (Vintage Sepia)
• Versamark embossing pen
• Embossing powders: Metallic copper and detail gold
• Watercolour pencil (greys), sparkle pens (green, pink, purple, turquoise)

How it was done

1. The sentiment and base texture was stamped and embossed with copper powder.
2. The flowers were stamped with Versafine. The background was then edged and embossed using the embossing pen and copper powder.
3. The elephant was stamped onto white card with Versamark and embossed with gold powder. The image was then coloured with pencils and pens and cut out. The elephant was lightly shaped and glued down with 3D glue gel for dimension.

 

 

Messenger Bag created using fabric panel from Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. I was so excited about the launch of the new fabric panels from Chocolate Baroque – enlarged images from my favourite stamp company printed onto fabric ready to paint and stitch – yay!

I have been working on a bag design big enough to carry A4 folders plus craft stash for when I am out & about. The large bag flap was a perfect place to feature the Katya panel. You could create similar using a commercial bag pattern (messenger style or tote), or by applying the panel to a ready made bag front.

I have used fabric painting, stamping, applique of stamped images, stencilling, machine and hand embroidery – but don’t despair if you are a non stitcher. I have included an idea for decorating a ready made tote bag with no stitching involved. The panels are also fabulous to use in mixed media projects such as book covers or canvases too – just stick it down with some gel mat medium or book binding glue. Then add stamping and embellish as for other mixed media work.

Materials used:

• Printed fabric panels (3 Ladies)
• Stamp sets: Take It or Leaf It, Large Crackle Background, Artistic Affirmations, Harlequin Rose, Bold Blooms
• Stencils: Silhouette Palace 1 and Silhouette Palace 2
• Range of fabric paints from my stash – all fixed by ironing: silk paints (fluid), transparent and opaque fabric paints plus multi surface paints (off white, cream, red, orange, yellow, blue, turquoise, pink, purple, metallic pink/purple, transparent pearl and green glitter)
• 3D fabric paint (pearl green) – such as Appliglue or similar
• Alcohol ink pens (yellow, turquoise, pink, green)
• Archival Inkpad (Jet Black)
• Tonertex foiling fabric glue and foil (gold)
• Cotton quilting fabric scraps for applique (white, purple, lilac, cerise, plus waste strips of printed batik)
• Cotton fabric (black) for backing and framing panel
• Machine embroidery threads (black, variegated pink/blue plus green/orange)
• Hand embroidery threads: Stranded cotton (variegated pink/purple and orange/yellow), Pearl 5 cotton (variegated blue/green/turquoise)
• Iron on paper backed glue mesh (such as Bondaweb or similar) and Fray Check Glue
• Paint brush and Cut-N-Dry Foam
• For making the bag I also used: sewing thread, heavy weight cotton fabric (blue), light weight linen patterned fabrics for lining (blue & cream), plastic sink drainer (for base), Bosal foam stabiliser (one side iron on), bag feet and magnetic clasps (silver colour), zipper (blue), shoulder strap (recycled from old bag)

How it was done:

I first made a lining using my heavy weight cotton and linen printed fabrics. I wanted a heavy weight long lasting lining so layered my fabrics and treated as one layer. I also included plenty of pockets. I haven’t included details of my pattern here – sorry – but it’s something I am working on for my own business. You could choose a commercial pattern for a messenger bag with a large front flap to decorate, or a tote style bag to feature the panel.

I painted the Katya panel using transparent coloured paints so as not to obliterate the black outlines.

Fabric paints designed for light coloured fabrics are best suitable. Opaque colours (designed for dark fabrics) would obliterate the printing so you need to bear this in mind. I also used some paints designed for multi surfaces (including fabrics). These can sometimes leave a stiffer finish than those specifically designed for fabric. However, for a bag this can actually be a bonus and it is not essential to keep a soft fabric feel. If you are not intending to wash your fabrics then you can use just about anything that you would use on paper. However, I would recommend heat fixable paints for a bag as you don’t want colours to transfer from the bag or run if caught in the rain! Painting was fixed by ironing.

Tip: I like to leave my fabric painting overnight before heat fixing with an iron (follow the manufacturer’s directions). The panel is silk/cotton so can be ironed using a cotton setting safely. I usually iron from the back.

I did test the panel for compatibility with alcohol markers and found that if over wet and rubbed with alcohol the printing did bleed slightly so I would avoid these, or use with care (i.e. without flooding close to the printing).

I then applied some of the Tonertex glue, left to ‘dry’ (goes tacky as dries clear) and applied gold foil to elements of her headdress.

If you are not a sewer you could stop at this stage. As with card making the panel benefits from ‘mat & layering’. Black fabric provides a nice frame. You could back the fabrics with fusible web and iron onto a ready made bag. Heat fusible webbing does not always provide a strong hard wearing bond so gel mat medium, book binding glue or a fabric decoupage glue could be used to prevent the panel lifting off or fraying with extensive use. There are also several types of 3D paint that could be applied around the fabric edges too (e.g. Appliglue).

I found some lovely strips of batik fabric in my ‘waste’ scraps bag (I knew that they were too nice to bin – ha ha) so I had to include them in my bag panel design. Nothing was stuck down yet.

Next I stamped various colour fabric scraps to use as applique elements, using an Archival Inkpad. The images were dried and then heat set with an iron. Colour was then added using alcohol ink pens. Again colours were heat set.

Fusible web was applied to the back to prevent fraying and the stamped and coloured images were cut out.

When stamping with paints I prefer to apply them to my stamps using Cut-N-Dry Foam. I find that it gives a more even application with less clogging of the stamp than brushing or using kitchen sponges etc. In addition if placed paint side down in a plastic tray (recycled) they stay wet for longer. This is particularly so for multi purpose paints that can dry out very quickly. I also spritz the tray lightly with water to help keep them wet while working.

The fabric background was first coloured using the fluid silk paints (they are like an ‘ink’ formulation rather than thicker paint) – encouraging them to bleed and blend with a light water spritz. As with card making I tried to create a darker blended edge to frame the scene.

Next the bag panel was stamped and stencilled. The applique elements and panel were ironed down (using the fusible web backing). I used the border stamp across the top edge and lovely crackle stamp in the background. I had to add a little bling with the metallic colour too (you know me! – ha ha).

Tip: Stamping onto a darker fabric you will need to use darker or more opaque paints (or they won’t show up). Metallics work well too.

I added some 3D glue ‘pearls’ to Katya’s headdress and overlayed some areas with transparent pearl paint for extra shimmer. I also added glitter paint to some areas. Simply wasn’t enough bling already.

The panel was backed with foam stabiliser before embroidery (I wanted a quilted effect). I stitched down the panel and fabric strips and then used free machine embroidery to stitch down and decorate the applique. Hand stitching was added for additional texture.

Note: The fusible web backing does help prevent fraying but some areas may benefit from a little Fray Check along the fabric edges (e.g. my batik strips were not backed with webbing before stitching down so are likely to fray with wear).

Detail showing stencilling, stamping and embroidery.

I used free machine embroidery and black thread around the applique motifs, then further embellished with hand embroidery. The stamped smaller flowers were free machined with variegated thread.

Here you can see the stencilled palace with additional hand embroidery to highlight.

The back panel was also decorated.

Love this sentiment stamp – describes me perfectly.

So happy with my decorated bag (back).

The pockets on the front panel were also decorated (sits under the front flap).

Detail – love this sentiment too.

The finished pockets with magnetic snap closures (to hold down the front flap).

I also decorated the little side pockets.

Texture added with hand embroidery.

Here you can see a little more detail of the free machining and hand embroidery on the main Katya panel.

I hope that you have enjoyed my latest creation.

Hope to be back with more soon, Anne xxx.

Make Time to Make Art cards created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing a few cards created with Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

Full of Colour Card

The theme for this weeks Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Wed) is ‘Anything Goes’ so I have entered this one.

Materials:

• Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets
• 9 X 21cm card blank, white stamping card, black card
• Ink sprays (pink, purple, black – Lindy’s Stamp Gang)
• Embossing Powders (pink, yellow, white – Lindy’s Stamp Gang)
• Versamark Inkpad
• Border die (waste piece from a Sizzix strip die cut)
• Alcohol marker (black)
• Faux gems and sequins, PVA pearls (pink)
• Straw to blow inks

How it was done:

1. Inks were spritzed onto a craft mat and picked up onto the stamping card. The wet ink was spread by blowing through a straw.
2. Images were stamped with Versamark and embossed with a mix of coloured powders. The sentiment was stamped onto a coloured strip. Black marker was used to edge the card and frame.
3. The black die cut strip was glued to the top of the card. The sentiment strip attached with 3D foam for added dimension.
4. Finished with faux gems and sequins plus a few PVA pearls along the die cut border.

 

Make Time Shabby Chic Card

This card uses the same stamp sets but looks totally different.

Materials:

• Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets
• 10.5 X 15cm card blank (turquoise), white stamping card
• Versamark Inkpad and archival dye ink (purple)
• Embossing powder (silver and gold sparkle)
• Ink spritzers (purple, turquoise, gold and opaque white)
• Fine tipped marker (black)
• Faux gems and organza ribbon

How it was done:

1. The card blank was lightly spritzed with opaque white ink. The stamping card was coloured with purple, turquoise and gold ink spritzers. The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and embossed with silver powder.
2. The background images were stamped with purple dye ink. Further images were stamped on top with Versamark, heat embossed with gold powder and outlined with fine tipped pen.
3. The edges of the topper were roughed up with the edge of my scissors. A little turquoise ink was also sponged around the edges.
4. Finished with a ribbon and faux gems.

Make Time to Make Art

My third sample was different again using a bright sunshine yellow backdrop.

Materials:

• Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets
• 6 X 6 inch square card blank, white stamping card, yellow card
• Versamark Inkpad
• Embossing Powders (pink, yellow, purple – Lindy’s Stamp Gang)
• Mylar stencil with polka dots
• Alcohol marker (purple) and fine tipped pen
• Glitter glue (yellow)

How it was done:

1. I had some cheap glitter glues that were past their best. To use them up I embossed some of my stencils (through my die cut machine) then applied the glitter through the stencil using a palette knife. I used up my glitter glues and created a batch of textured backgrounds ready for my cards.
2. The sentiment was stamped onto the textured card using dye ink (embossing with stencils only gives a shallow texture so it is fairly easy to overstamp – add just a little extra pressure on the stamp). Note the ‘I’ was left uninked.
3. The mat was edged with marker and faux stitching drawn around the border of the card blank with fine tipped pen.
4. The floral stems were stamped onto white card with Versamark, embossed with a mix of coloured powders and cut out.
5. Cut outs were glued to the card front and finished with a ribbon.

Mixed Media Dream Canvas

Good morning. Today I am sharing a couple of mixed media projects created with Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

My second is a small canvas.

The theme for this weeks Simon Says Stamp Challenge is ‘add some texture’ – so I have entered this one.

Materials:

• Wisteria Lane, Tranquility and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets
• 20cm square canvas board, white stamping card
• Embossing powders (yellow, pink, purple – Lindy’s Stamp Gang) and WOW (Clear Gloss)
• Viva Décor crackle colour (pearl teal)
• Ink sprays (pink, teal, purple – Lindy’s Stamp Gang)
• Inkpads: StazOn (black), Brilliance Pigment (variegated pink & blue pearl)
• Sparkle pens (pink, purple)
• Fine tipped alcohol pen (black)
• Puffy paint (green)
• Glossy Accents and silver gilding wax
• Faux gems and sequins, 3D glue gel

How it was done:

1. Crackle paste was applied to the outer edges of the canvas and left to dry overnight.
2. The canvas was spritzed with coloured inks. Some pink spray was also applied so that it sunk into the crackle crevices, excess being removed from the top surfaces with a damp cloth.
3. Images were stamped onto the background with Brilliance Ink and embossed with clear powder. Floral stems were also stamped onto white card, embossed with coloured powders and cut out for decoupage.
4. The sentiment was stamped with Stazon and quickly embossed with clear powder. Black pen was used to enhance the sentiment (the canvas is quite textured so detail doesn’t stamp well).
5. Images were coloured with sparkle pen and floral stems stuck down with 3D glue gel for added depth.
6. Glossy Accents was added to some of the flower heads, and dotted over the background.
7. A little silver gilding wax was applied around the canvas edges and over the crackle texture.
8. Puffy paint was applied along the base of the canvas and heated to give extra texture.
9. Finished with lots of faux gems and sequins.

Art With Everything Mini Hanger

Good morning. Today I am sharing a couple of mixed media projects created with Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

My first is a small decorative hanger.

The theme for this weeks Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Wed) is ‘add some texture’ – so I have submitted this one.

Materials:

• Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets
• White board panel (15 X 10cm) and circles (White Board Shapes kit), gold metallic satin card, pink card and turquoise glitter card
• Decorative Lace and Regal Border dies (Heartfelt Creations) and decorative element die (unknown brand)
• Acrylic paints (turquoise, pink, purple)
• Versamark Inkpad
• Embossing powders (yellow, pink, purple – Lindy’s Stamp Gang)
• Texture paste and gilding wax (Pebeo)
• Texture stencil (Claritystamp)
• Glossy Accents
• Scrap lace trim and pink ribbon
• Faux gems, pearls and sequins
• Glitter glue and 3D glue gel
• Variety of small plastic container lids and a straw (for printing)

How it was done:

1. Texture paste was applied onto the background panel through a stencil.
2. The white board shapes were coloured with acrylic paints. Plastic lids and a straw were used to print circles. Gilding wax was applied to the edges.
3. Images were stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with coloured powders.
4. The hanger was extended on the top and base using die cut panels.
5. Elements were glued down using 3D glue gel for added depth and dimension.
6. Finished with lace trim, faux gems, sequins and glitter glue for sparkle.

Quick and Easy cards created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing some quick and easy makes using Wisteria Lane, Tranquility and Artistic Affirmations stamps from Chocolate Baroque.

My first card is a small 7 X 13cm card. The background was from my inky stash of papers created by spritzing inks onto cartridge paper and dropping on dishwasher salt crystals. These were then brushed off when dry. I tend to create batches of these papers so that I always have something in my stash for a quick make. Alternatively a printed background paper could be used.

The images from Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations were stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with detail white powder. Versamark was rubbed down the edges of the paper and sparkly silver embossing powder applied before sticking to the card front.

My next quick make is a 15cm square card. An 11cm square of white stamping card was quickly painted with watercolour inks (orange and yellow). Images from Tranquility and Artistic Affirmations were stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with gold powder. Sparkly gold powder was used around the edges. Water was applied to the blossoms and onto the background to create sky texture and the moon, blotting off dissolved ink with tissue. The flowers were then over coloured with alcohol ink pens and sparkle pen brushed over for shimmer. A 12cm square black card mat was cut for framing and mounting onto the card front.

My last quick and easy makes are a 15cm square card and small gift bag to co-ordinate. I cut my mini gift bag from smooth white card using my Silhouette electronic cutter. You could use a die cut or ready made plain bag, or a make simple gift tag to match. Images from Tranquility and Artistic Affirmations were stamped with Majestic Blue Versafine Ink and quickly coloured with water based blue sparkle pens, blending colour using a clear sparkle pen. The topper was edged with blue alcohol ink marker to frame. Small sticky pearls and a bow were added to finish.

Tranquil Meditation and a Happy Place

Good morning. Today I am sharing some of my recent show samples using Tranquility, Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

I created 3 different scene cards, one using vibrant happy colours, one in blue & white monochrome and my third was an attempt at Parchment. I hope that you like them.

The theme for this weeks Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Mon) is ‘a trio of something’ – so I thought that these would fit perfectly.

Happy Place

I love colour so I created this ‘Happy Place’ using a bright cheery colourway.

Materials:

• Tranquility, Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets
• 8 X 8 inch card blank, white stamping card, scrap copy paper
• Inkpads: Versamark, Versafine (Vintage Sepia), Distress Ink (Wild Honey, Dusty Concord)
• Pigment powders (Lindy’s Stamp Gang – Urban Amethyst, Poppin Pink, Luminous Lemon)
• Embossing powder (purple and pink mix)
• Watercolour, sparkle and glitter pens (Spectrum Noir and Sakura – yellow, green, purple, pink, orange, brown, clear sparkle) and coloured pencils
• Fine tipped marker (waterproof brown, opaque white) and alcohol marker (dark purple)
• Zig 2 way glue
• Cosmic Shimmer PVA pearls (Vintage Pink), Stickles Glitter Glue (Star Dust) and Glossy Accents

How it was done:

1. The lanterns were stamped onto copy paper and cut out to create masks. I dotted a little zig glue on the back and left to dry. This glue then gives a temporary tac to hold the masks in place while stamping.
2. The scene was stamped with Versafine, stamping the foreground images first then covering with masks while stamping the images set behind. The scene was extended by drawing with the fine tipped pen (i.e. water swirls).
3. The foliage across the top was stamped with Versamark and pigment powders were applied with a soft brush. Further foliage was stamped with Wild Honey Distress Ink. The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with powder.
4. The image was coloured with watercolour pens, dissolved pigments, sparkle overlay and glitter pens. Highlights were added with white pen and additional shading added with pencils.
5. The image was edged with alcohol marker and by blending with Dusty Concord Distress Ink.
6. Extra sparkle was added with glitter glue and Glossy Accents. PVA pearls were applied to the border.

Tranquility

I have been trying to have a go at Parchment craft as I love the delicate result. I thought that it would make a lovely tranquil version. No picot cutting as I am hopeless, so I cheated with a die. I tried to hide the glue but still ended up with a blob of showing through the parchment – eek! I was fairly pleased with the results but have a lot to learn and more practice needed yet.

Materials:

• Tranquility stamp set
• 6 X 6 inch scalloped card blank, parchment, gold satin board
• 6 X 6 inch decorative stencil
• Pergamano tools (embossing mat, embossing tools, mapping pen, Sticky Ink and Perga Glue)
• Inkpads: StazOn (Opaque White), Distress Ink (Tattered Rose)
• Scalloped circle dies (Pin Dot Scalloped Circle – Tattered Lace)
• PVA pearls (tangerine), extra fine glitter and sequins
• Used tumble dryer sheet

How it was done:

1. The gold card and parchment were cut out using dies. The background was created using Distress Ink through the stencil (using a blending brush).
2. The image was stamped onto the front of the parchment using white StazOn. I then embossed the outlines on the back of the parchment using a fine embossing tool, tracing the stamped image. To help aid the embossing tool to glide on the parchment I rubbed over the surface using the tumble drier sheet first.
3. Larger embossing tools were then used to add shading. Although it is generally called ‘shading’ it is actually ‘highlighting’ as embossing stretches the parchment and makes it whiter. You need to work gently and slowly, leaving the parchment to rest between layers of further whitening. I did tear her cloak (eeeeek) but managed to disguise it with a little Perga Glue which was later covered with glitter.
4. Sparkly highlights were then added to the front using a mapping pen (dip pen), sticky ink and extra fine glitter.

Meditation

I love creating monochromatic blue & white cards. Perfect for a tranquil meditation.

Materials:

• Tranquility and Wisteria Lane stamp sets
• 15cm square card blank, blue card for die cut panel, white stamping card
• Versafine Inkpad (Majestic Blue)
• Water based sparkle pens (Spectrum Noir – blue and clear)
• Alcohol marker (dark blue)
• PVA peals
• Decorative square and arched panel dies (Tonic)

How it was done:

1. The images were stamped with Versafine ink and were coloured with sparkle pens and a damp brush to create shading. Decorative stamped elements were positioned to frame the central image.
2. The panels were cut using dies and edged with blue marker to frame. 3D foam was used to mount the central image and give it more depth.
3. Finished with PVA pearls.

My Own Unique Self

Good afternoon. As we have just had International Woman’s Day I thought this one would be appropriate to share this week.

The theme on Simon Says Challenge Blog (Wed) is ‘Girl Power’ – so I have entered this one.

Materials:

• Tranquility and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets (Chocolate Baroque)
• 8 X 8 card blank, smooth white stamping card, scrap copy paper (to create masks)
• Zig 2 way glue pen
• Shallow tray and shaving foam
• Ink sprays (green and turquoise)
• Versafine Inkpad (Onyx Black), Distress Ink (Black Soot)
• Coloured pencils, glitter pen (gold), sparkle pen (clear)
• Fine tipped pen (black) and alcohol marker (black)
• Gilding wax (gold) and glitter glue (gold)

Step by step:

1. The background paper was created using the shaving foam technique. Inks were dropped and swirled onto a layer of shaving foam and picked up onto the card. Excess foam was then scraped off to reveal the transferred ink pattern. Note: I have found that it can be difficult to add colour on top of these backgrounds. The surface can slightly resist watercolours. However, these monoprints do make fabulous quick backgrounds and I generally create a whole batch at a time to create plenty to keep in my stash for future projects.
2. The lanterns were stamped onto copy paper and carefully cut out to create masks. A few dots of zig glue were added to the back and left to dry (goes on blue then dries clear to create a tacky temporary glue surface).
3. The lanterns in the foreground were stamped with Versafine. Working from foreground to background masks were applied over the lanterns to protect them while stamping images behind.
4. Masks were removed and scene elements added using the fine tipped pen (horizon and water swirls to ground the images).
5. The image was coloured with pencils and glitter and sparkle pens used to add a bit of bling.
6. The scene was edged by blending in a little Distress Ink. Black marker and gilding wax was also applied around the edges to frame.
7. The topper was then mounted onto the card and glitter glue used to add more sparkle to the scene and around the edges.