Tuesday, May 17, 2011

It Started Out White...

Yes, this started out as completely bare, white cardstock:


I made this for my stepmother for Mother's Day, but made two so I could keep one!  My inspiration was found in a library book about stamping. 

On the card base, which is 4 1/4" square, I repeatedly stamped a butterfly from Mark's Finest Papers Garden Fairies in Tattered Rose Distress Ink.  I sponged on a variety of Distress Inks in so many colors, I can't remember them all.  Then I used a Stampin' Up! background stamp, Wonderfully Worn, in Frayed Burlap Distress Ink in random places.  This gives the slight appearance of a splatter. 


The next stamped layer features Old French Script by Hero Arts, in Stazon Black.  I used more Distress Inks, including Milled Lavender and Dusty Concord, to sponge on, softly blending the colors together.


On the top stamped layer, I used a berry stamp from Le Jardin Botanique (SU) in Stazon Black. More sponging took place on top of that, followed by a liberal coating of glue and Crystal Coarse Glitter (Martha Stewart).

I like the look of thin black matting to help set off each individual layer.  And of course, there are pearls.  :)

My first anniversary of blogging is happening at the end of May.  I will be offering Blog Candy, so stay tuned! 

Colleen

Stamps:  Le Jardin Botanique, Wonderfully Worn (SU); Old French Script (Hero ARts); Garden Fairies (MFP)
Paper:  white by PTI, Basic Black and Mellow Moss (SU)
Ink:  variety of Distress Inks including Tattered Rose, Scattered Straw, Frayed Burlap, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Antique Linen and more; Stazon Black 
Other:  pearls from Queen & Co, dimensionals, Crystal Coarse Glitter by Martha Stewart

19 comments:

Kay said...

Gorgeous mix of colors and textures! I agree, the black mat really sets it off.

Stella said...

You create magic did you know that?
Wow; this is fabulous and I LOVE it!
Hugs,
Stella

Marisa said...

This is fabulous, Colleen!! Love the script in the BG and the multiple colours you sponged on the focal image. Sparkle on top is fabulous. Great card!!

Bonnie said...

This is gorgeous Colleen! I'm glad you made an extra to keep for future inspiration! I imagine that your Stepmom will keep this up on display for a long time!

farmhouse-story said...

gorgeous piece of art--it should be framed, colleen:)
you have such a talented eye for bkgd stamping! and the glitter was the perfect touch!

Emily Leiphart said...

Stella said it best. This is magic, Colleen! I'd love to be able to sponge like you. I love all the glitter on the top panel. This is truly a work of art!

Anonymous said...

How pretty! I really like the black matting too. Everything is just right! I am glad you made one for yourself, it IS a keeper. Gotta run.

Chris R. from Iowa

Emily Keaton said...

Colleen, this is STUNNING!! Your sponging is absolutely beautiful. I would love to watch over your shoulder while you do that. I know I would learn so much!!! What a cool effect you got by covering your focal image with the coarse glitter. Your stepmom will treasure this work of art!!

Ann Schach said...

Beautiful, Colleen! I love the glitter technique!

Benzi said...

Colleen, you have sponged this card so beautifully and I love the sparkle and the wonderful colors. What a beautiful card.
Glad to see you come by my blog last night with your sweet comments. I've missed you. Hope things are getting better as time passes. Hugs to you.

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

OHHHH! Just gorgeous! LOVE the colors and the black matting--beautiful sponging of colors and glitter! FAB:)

~Tammy~ said...

Stunning! You can create anything from NOTIN'

Deb Walker Deb Stamps Life, LLC said...

Isn't it just your favorite thing to do in stamping...transforming plain white into something only you imagined!? Beautiful art you've made!

Joanne Leddy said...

Wow - a wonderful combination of techniques! Beautiful!

Tracey said...

WOW oh WOW!!!! I am TOTALLY impressed Col!!! I so need to get back to more inking and less pp.....thanks for the inspiration :)

Carol Hurlock said...

Oh how yummy. I love how you covered you main focal point with that course glitter-that is amazing. Colleen you style is unique and adventurous. I love viewing all the new things you try and get inspired by them. Hats off to you my friend!

Bear Hugs,
Carol

Pauline said...

Gorgeous! I love the crystal glitter focal piece, it's beautiful!

Leslie Miller said...

Wow! It came a long way from white, didn't it? I just love all the honest to goodness stamping on this, and the sparkle is divine! Beautiful art work, Colleen!

Shirley said...

Wow! It is stunning! Every layer is just so elegant and adds to the other!!!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...