Wednesday 19 August 2015

White embossing in a twisted citron kind of way


I have been contemplating my crafting lately. In fact, I have been contemplating more than crafting, which I'm sure is the wrong way around. I've been contemplating the justification of putting as much money into this hobby as I have in the last few years. I have been contemplating Facebook and other services constantly telling me I should grow my blog, advertise it, reach out to get more followers. But I don't want to! I'm perfectly happy doing this as a hobby, and I am not the type of person who wants to push my blog anywhere it doesn't want to go naturally. I just want Facebook to leave me alone, stop showing me those horrible "advertise your blog here" things. They stress me out. I have been contemplating whether my cards have "a look". Whether my cards would be recognisable as my cards. I have started to feel that after more than two years of crafting I have started to find my own look, at least in my head. It's all about watercolours and bright colours and cute critters and die cut sentiments and stitched die cuts and clean and simple designs. Most of the time. I think. At least that's how it's all in my head. Anyhow, they are my cards so if I say I have a look, that must be how it is. Right? Oh well, I take myself way too seriously most of the time.

I didn't take this birthday card too seriously though. I just stamped and watercoloured and had fun with the little Lawn Fawn party stamps. Too bad it was quite tricky to photograph, and it does look much better live than it does in the picture. I seem to have the crafting bit down a bit better than the photography bit.

I was inspired by the embossing challenge over at Lawnscaping.  I was also inspired by this weeks Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge where the theme is Citrus with a twist, which made me choose some very uncharacteristic colours for me. I was also inspired by the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches. FMS is celebrating the 200th sketch with a major, major challenge and a huge amount of sponsor prizes. Happy 200th FMS, and here's to many more!




I stamped a mix of the small party stamps from the Lawn Fawn Party Animal set in Versamark onto watercolour paper (I have to start buying that stuff in bulk!) which I had die cut with a Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle die and heat embossed them in white powder. Then I took Tim Holtz distress markers in Squeezed Lemon, Twisted Citron, Pistachio Pudding and Peacock Feathers and smudged them onto a clear block. I picked up the ink with a watercolour brush and just played around to create the background. I die cut the sentiment from a leftover piece of coloured paper I had created with Tim Holtz distress paints for my crazy bird and doughnut card here. I then double heat embossed the sentiment with holographic powder before attaching onto the card. I attached the coloured panel with foam pads onto some linen textured card. For a little subtle bling, I added a few sequins in the same colour scheme as the card. I hope you like the card as much as I do, it's simple but I have to say it turned out quite nice, didn't it. Oh well, I'm off now to enjoy bread week on the Great British Bakeoff!

Card: 300 gsm white linen textured card, Daler&Rowney 300 gsm Aquafine watercolour paper
Stamps: Lawn Fawn Party Animal
Ink: Versamark, Tim Holtz Squeezed Lemonade, Pistachio Pudding, Twisted Citron and Peacock Feathers
Other: Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle and Happy Birthday border dies, sequins from my stash, Papermania Seafoam White and Holographic embossing powder

11 comments:

Amy O said...

I love the pretty, soft colors on this card. Your watercoloring is beautiful. Thanks for joining us in our 200th sketch celebration at Freshly Made Sketches!

Contagiously Crafty said...

By your own description, this card looks like yours. It's lovely in design and execution. So glad to have found you through Simon Says Stamp's Monday Challenge.

Jen Timko said...

This is simply lovely! The colors and embossing are very pretty. Thanks for joining our celebration at FMS!! (and I contemplate those things too....)

Linda Callahan said...

Oh so soft and oh so pretty! I love this card! And I think about the same things as you do.....blogdom is an interesting world! Thanks so much for helping us celebrate our 200th sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!

Michelle said...

Your white embossing is quite magical! So lovely with the water colors. Thank you for sharing your work with us this week for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. ~Michelle

Donna Ellis said...

Oh! Your white embossing looks beautiful against the pretty pastel background! hugs, de

Jen Brum said...

Such a fun card! Love that watercoloring and the beautiful colours you've created! Love the white background! Thank you for celebrating our 200th Sketch with us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Becca Cruger said...

Where do I start? I suppose I'll start by saying your card is soooo pretty with its soft watercolor wash.
And then I'll tell you that it's perfectly normal to have these thoughts but I think you're absolutely right. If you enjoy your blog in its current form then don't ever feel pressured to try to make it into something else! Also - I know exactly how you feel about the "style" of cards. I went back and forth and back and forth about it myself but then i just said "screw it!" I'm going to make what makes me feel happy. One day that might be CAS, one day that might be distressed and grungy. My art is MINE and nobody elses. Do what makes you feel good and don't worry about fitting into some other person's idea of what you must be! Sending crafty hugs!

Taunya Butler said...

Your card caught my eye over in the Lawnscaping Gallery and I wanted to come visit and see more! I totally loved seeing this card - so fun and such a lovely, soft tone to it with the watercoloring you did over the embossing!! So Fabulous!!! I really enjoyed visiting your blog and I would love it if you popped over for a visit to my blog at daisiesgirl.com!! I have a giveaway going on right now!
Taunya Butler
http://daisiesgirl.com

Jeanie said...

I love your card -- such pretty soft watercoloring!

Unknown said...

Your embossed background is lovely!!! Love the soft colors! So very pretty!!