ETA: So, have you clicked on a photo in Blogger lately? I just did and it brings you to a great view of all the photos in the post ~ nice!
A double dipper today!! I have one of the new florals uploaded to Etsy recently, and found in one of last year's spring stamp sets, AND a sneak peek at new cardstock colors from A Muse Studio.
Let's start with the card, and then I'll deconstruct it a bit for you - although fairly straightforward at first glance, it's really a collection of simple techniques :)
Let's start at the beginning!
For the main image, the first thing I did is create a background.
Doesn't look like much, does it?
I began with Distress Ink stain daubers, and added Spun Sugar
and Wild Honey in somewhat random sweeps onto Bristol vellum.
I then misted the paper, let it react with the ink a bit, and using the
heat gun dried it thoroughly. You can also "push" the water rivulets
around with the air from the heat gun to create different effects.
With this technique, I usually start with a much larger piece than what I need.
Then I can select my favorite area to use, and also have perfectly
coordinating surplus perhaps to add a coordinating strip or diecut in the project.
I stamped the floral onto my background with a new ink color
from A Muse Studio that will be released February 1st in our 2012 catalog.
It's the same as the cardstock base color, and is called Titian, one of five colors
in the Venetian color palette. Titian usually refers to a golden red shade, but in
this case it is a deep rich olive-y brown. . . think "bark" or "timber."
Two other colors from this new palette are represented here,
and you'll see much more of them in the coming weeks!
The Burano patterned paper was a little bright for my image,
so I sponged it liberally in visible streaks with Buttercup ink.
The pattern of the paper is actually white, so not only did the layering of ink
tone down the color but it also 'dyed' the pattern lines.
And I sponged Buttercup onto the tissue tape as well.
Now back to the image - I colored it by using my waterbrush dipped onto
the tips of Derwent Inktense pencils:
You can use the lid as a palette for mixing or watering down the hues.
Just a few colors applied to 'shape' the petals and leaves,
letting the background show through.
To 'ground' the image and make it pop from the background,
I used a Prismacolor pencil around the perimeter,
first in diagonal strokes in one direction then in the other
for a cross-hatched effect. For a little more depth, I colored in a small
circular motion around the image.
As a final touch, I sprayed Stardust Finishing Spray over the image panel.
It was then matted with Rialto and adhered with foam adhesive.
Finishing touches are the fleur de lis clip and a sentiment in Titian
from Waltzingmouse Stamps has the perfect old world look.
The combination of the patterned paper which reminds me of a window, and the golden tones of the image, along with streaks of ink on the background and visible pencil strokes on the shading, all combine for a sense of early evening sunlight streaming through the window and warming everything it touches in a cozy room. At least to me ;) .
Hope you enjoyed today's card, hearing how it was created, and the sneak peek from A Muse Studio!! For another card with sneak peeks, stop over at my
A muse blog!
See you soon ~ thanks for visiting!
