Hello Everyone,
I like trying out new techniques ... some work out well, others might be a complete disaster and some are, like this one, distinctly odd - whatever, I'll put just about anything to the test. Today I've been trying out something I spotted Ali Reeves of Stamps Away demonstrating on a recent television appearance.
I said it was an odd one! It's a homemade stamp block created with garden twine and an off-cut of wood released from captivity ... well, the EM's garden shed :) Ali thought of doing this when she wanted a background stamp that gives only the appearance of script, without actually being legible and, therefore, distracting. One side is kept specifically for a clear watermark type of pad, e.g. VersaMark, and the other for coloured ink which is what I have used for my trial. Here's the result:
You can see the effect of the stamp block in the background. For the topper, I first inked up the stem, sepals, etc., with distress markers, Aged Mahogany and Peeled Paint and the flower head with a combination of Milled Lavender and Shaded Lilac before stamping. That done, it was masked off before stamping the background with the twine block inked up with Shabby Shutters. Finally, the topper was cut using a small X-cut oval die and matted on to an oval, the next size up, cut from black cardstock.
And this is the finished card.
Normally, I'd give a list of materials used but apart from the white card base and the patterned background, recycled packaging, all the supplies came out of the snippets box. Because I'm saving my pocket-money to spend on holiday ... we're booked to go to the Highlands in just a few weeks time ... I've re-doubled my efforts to clear out the snippets and use what supplies are already stashed away in the craft space.
In the spirit of waste nothing, spend nothing, the inside and back have been decorated with the off-cuts from the recycled packaging.
And, of course, having used up quite a few snippets, I'll be hopping over to
Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground, again ... can't keep away from the place :))
So there you are, the something new I tried today ... fun to make, simple, and compared to the cost of most background stamps, very inexpensive.
Will you be trying this too? Let me know if you do ... I'd love to see anything you make using garden twine and a block of wood :))
Happy crafting,
12 comments:
This is a very interesting technique! I'll have to give it a try!
Hi Elizabeth
What a great technique. I will have to give that a try.
Great finished look .. .. and fabby use of your snippets.
Hope all is good at your end.
Love Jules xx
I saw that show as well Elizabeth. Your card looks stunning. Hugs Rita xxx
Fantastic finished article. The thistle is wonderful.
What a brilliant idea and a great result. Love the card too :o)
Jackie xx
Great card Elizabeth. I saw Ali doing this and I think your result was better than hers. I think sometimes her cards are just so messy.
How clever! One to remember - and great use of snippets too!
Hugs, Di xx
I like this idea. That thistle stamp is a gorgeous one too!
The not spending idea is hard, but I am trying to save too for my next set of drawers for my craft room! Sooo expensive but worth it I think!
Hugs
xx
TFS this technique. Looks quite interesting, and it certainly achieved a neat effect with your so lovely image. It IS fun to try the different things we see or read about. One of the best things about blogging is everyone sharing these ideas, that we in different parts of the world may not see/hear about. Great card, and I'm amazed that you've been able to get so much done, while you've not been feeling quite up to par! Hugs
Great thistle card...the twine on the block is a great idea!
Fab technique! & perfect use of snippets. Hugs Juls xxx
Lovely card Elizabeth, I really like that thistle image. Your technique looks interesting too, I might try it with the string wrapped the other way too to give a bit of a plaid effect TFS :) Cathy x
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