Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Celebrate and Happy Birthday...Stretch Your Stamps 2 OCC - Day 1, TIME OUT Challenge #11~Celebrate, 101 Watercolour #3

Hello once again...

ALERT: this post and my next is heavy on butterflies (surprise, surprise), so if you've had it up to here, and possibly beyond, with my butterfly obsession, I completely understand should you run away, flailing and wondering what's the matter with me. Totally understandable.

Over the past 8 days I have been attending the amazing online card class "Stretch Your Stamps 2."


  Ideas and inspiration galore, fabulous instructors, new techniques...utterly fabulous.  Completing my assignments, however, is a whole 'nother story. It's not for lack of trying (happy recycle bin...stuffed to the gills again), but rather, it's the missing ingredients in my collection that has me floundering around, flummoxed and frazzled, trying to innovate and adapt with what I do have. Sometimes things work, while other times...grrrr. My mom told me there would be those kinds of days. She's right.  Still, persistence and perseverance are part of this craft, so that's what I've been doing...

Background and reverse background stamps were the focus of Days 1 and 2, and Shari Carroll made a gorgeous card, using a reverse background stamps, inked up with distress inks, spritzed, placed on cardstock then cut into tiles. Stunning.  I was ready...except, I don't have said stamps in my collection in 'full card' size; I don't have a spritzer and we already know the dynamic I have with water-colouring.  No way, however, was I going to miss out on this 'tile' trial.  Improvised.  I used a small acrylic block, inked it with my mini distress inks, squirted it with my plant sprayer (ummm...yeah, a little excessive with the spraying. Misters on the list), splodged it down on cardstock, let the ink do whatever it wanted and dry. Repeat x 6. Ink with one of my STAMPlorations butterflies, create a card and a tag card. Done.

Visually, they don't mirror Shari's cards even a little bit, but their "intent" certainly does with the tiles, water-colour, spritzing, stamps 'sort of' stretched.  I quite like the result.


I'm heading off to TIME OUT challenge #11~Celebrate, with the optional twist of butterflies, as well as to the new 101 Watercolour site, hosted by the sweet and talented Victoria Lavender.  I haven't given up...yet *grin*


Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day.

17 comments:

Kylie said...

LOVE these! The butterflies are gorgeous popped up on those panels. More die cuts? Don't forget to enter at STAMPlorations! xx

Susanne Vargas said...

Both card and tag are fabulous! This is what this class is all about (I think) - to stretch your stamps and also your other supplies!
Btw, I think you could make something cosmic with your silver and gold and white embossing powder! You don't need a whole collection!

Kay Miller said...

Well I never get tired of seeing the beautiful things you so with your butterflies! I just like to tease you about them :) These cards are stunning! You did a fantastic job for not having many of the supplies they used! I love the little stitched panels! Lovely work! ((Hugs))

sandie said...

your creativity is amazing Carol-such a great way to adapt the technique in the class and these are truly stunning. I am so pleased you entered Time Out with these beauties x

Carole said...

These are super! and I think you are cleverer than you think cos you have improvised not copied!

~amy~ said...

I really should join this class...awesome projects!

Anita in France said...

Carol, these are stunning ... so worth all the effort in finding and using supplies from your existing stash! Yes, more butterflies ... and yes, more beauty! Hugs, Anita :)

Nonni said...

These are both really stunning! I love your background idea. Thanks for taking TIME OUT and joining our challenge! :)

Lisa Kind said...

You improvised very nicely with these two creations! Love them! Thanks for taking the Time Out to play with us!

Marisa said...

Your improvisational skills are fabulous - love the outcome and of course, the colours and how they pop against the white. Well done! See you had a
beautifully sunny day outside too :) Sometimes a small hairspray bottle (kind you get at London Drugs travel sized area) can give you a fine mist.

Greta said...

I always love the look of tiles--these are wonderful, Carol! You've inspired me again!

Kim S said...

I very much like the way you have improvised. Each panel is such a nice, soft backdrop to each butterfly.

Taunya Butler said...

What fabulous tiles - love this look! Such a great way to showcase your beloved butterflies!! I will never tire of your butterfly obsession - there is something so hopeful about butterflies and their beauty! I love the way you improvise and try things even if you don't have all the 'right' tools!! You are amazing and I love seeing your projects!!

Kylie said...

They don't need to mirror Shari's - they have their own Carol flair! :) So pretty and keep working with the butterflies as you make them shine.

Lynn said...

Beautiful cards. I love seeing the detail on those butterflies. Thanks so much for playing with us at Time Out!

Tracey McNeely said...

More beautiful cards, I love these pretty butterflies!

Shannon J said...

Um, I quite like the result, A LOT!!!!!! These are out of this world awesome, Carol! Those squares are little mini works of art! Way to persevere and improvise to make these happen! I think that is true creativity when you can work with what you've got and still obtain stunning results! Extra love that you used your plant mister!!