Midsummer's Day with Frosted Leaves

Evening All,

Inspired by Barbara Gray, I've been trying out her technique using acetate, double-sided clear adhesive sheet and gilding flakes to make this card.

Of course, it's another Christmas card ... made on Midsummer's Day! I had to watch the recording of BG making the card to remind myself of what to do.  She used her new Allium stamps and a different colour of gilding flakes so I had to put on my thinking cap and find a substitute. The flakes were easy, I have two colours, I'd already used one so time to use the other - Frosted Leaves. The stamp was a wee bit more difficult - I could see that the stamp had to be fairly solid and a good size. In the end I opted for my favourite Penny Black, Winter Bough, and a sentiment from Claritystamp. It reads:

May the wonder that is

Christmas

Touch the child within

Your heart

The technique requires you to stamp onto adhesive - this is not so easy and I managed to mess up a couple of times and even this is far from perfect. Not surprisingly the stamps stick to the adhesive and have to be carefully prised off to avoid smudging. The Allium stamps would probably have made it a lot easier...sigh! However, once the stamping is completed the rest is fairly easy. After the archival ink dried the sheet of acetate is positioned onto this stamping. Once that is done you flip it over, remove the protective covering and apply the gilding flakes, burnishing them in until it all is smooth. Best not to sneeze, as I did, when doing this - the flakes have a life of their own : (  Once that is done it was easy enough to put the card together.

You can see the effect of the gilding quite well in this close up. I found a lovely metallic trim in my stash which, together with the gold ribbon, picked up the colours in the gilding. The ribbon flower is my first attempt and I'm fair chuffed with it - it's something a bit different.

I'm a great fan of Bearly Mine Design digital papers, have a wee few sets in my digital arsenal, and luckily found this great paper which co-ordinated perfectly with the colours in the gilding.

Here's a list of the materials used for anybody who has a fancy to try this out for themselves:

Card: White A4 for base; Gold embossed A5 & black A5 for matting and layering
Stamps: Claritystamp, Christmas Wonder (No.50); Penny Black, Winter Bough
Insert: White A4 copy paper; Bearly Mine Design digital paper, Christmas Delights (CD 18
Other Materials: Claritystamp clear acetate sheet & double-sided clear adhesive sheet ; Gilding Flakes, Frosted Leaves; Archival Ink Pad, Jet Black; Anna Griffin silver metallic trim; Anita’s Christmas Ribbon, gold; Dovecraft Jewel Brad.

I'd definitely try this technique again but with a different stamp - one that was even more solid.

One of the things I love about summer is the opportunity to cut and bring flowers in from the garden. So, yesterday while I was pottering in the sun I snipped a few bits and pieces and popped them into a lovely jug which I found in a smashing little shop in Porthmadog called Genius. Hearts were quite a theme in the shop and love those on this jug.

Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla mollis), orange hawkweed and a couple of pieces of a lovely red shrub I have growing in a pot - I've had it so long I've lost the label and forgotten what it is called but the leaves are the most gorgeous deep red colour. I'm not a flower arranger but I do like to put my flowers into pretty containers - cheers the place up.

Shame about the weather for Wimbledon - hope it clears up soon so that we can all enjoy the games. I'll be watching Andy Murray and wishing him success this year.

That's me for now - time for a cup of tea.

I'm entering the card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp And Show - Some Metal

Deep Ocean Challenge - Flowers

Everybody Art Challenge - Anything Goes

Hooked On Craft Challenge - Anything Goes

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Pile It On Challenge - Show Me Some Metal

Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes

Southern Girls Challenge - Anything Goes