Monday 13 April 2015

In The Middle ~ Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Hey everyone!

Hope you all had a fabulous weather and the sun shone where you are! Can you believe we're starting another brand new week? This year is absolutely flying by at lightning speed but the start of a new week means that we have a fun new challenge starting over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog and this week is called ~ In The Middle!

If you're inspired by being "in the middle" then we would love to see what you create! Are you stuck in the middle of creative chaos? Will your focal point be in the middle of your project? Or will you journal about being in the middle of something? Whatever you decide, we hope you'll join us!!

For my project, I couldn't resist using those crazy birds from the Bird Crazy stamp set by Tim Holtz and of course, there's always one that will stand out in the middle of a crowd and look how this cutie has made sure she's the centre of attention!!!
So, here's what I did to create my card:

To begin with I created a kraft card blank, 21 x 15cm. I then used the Torn Notebook On The Edge die to create a decorative edge along the opening. Apply a small amount of Picket Fence Distress Paint around the edge.

Cut a piece of Resist Paper to size and ink with Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink. Rip and tear the edges before matting it onto a piece of black card, followed by white card. Wrap a piece of Crinkle Ribbon, dyed with Cracked Pistachio Distress Stain around the centre of the card and secure at the back. Mount the layers of card onto the front of your card blank.
Next, I took a piece of watercolour card and cut it to size, approx 16 x 12cm. I then stamped the outer two birds directly onto my card using Archival Ink. To create the little group of birdies, I used the masking technique and for this, I used two Post-It notes and stamped the same two birds that I'd previously stamped onto the notes. Cut out each of the Post It note bird and then layer them over the top of the images stamped onto your watercolour card. Now take your third bird stamp and ink up with Archival Ink and stamp this bird into the middle of the group. Remove the masks but keep them for later, and you will now see that the middle bird is in the centre of the group but behind the other two, giving perspective to the image. At this point I stamped this image onto a third postage note and then cut this bird out.

I watercolored the image using Distress Marker Pens, blending the colours with a water brush to give shading and definition to the image. When all your artwork is completely dry, place all three masks over the top of the stamped images and then place the Rays Layering Stencil over the top of the watercolour card. Using a combination of Mustard Seed and Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink, blend the inks through the stencil to create a background. Remove the stencil and then ink the edges of the card with Pumice Stone Distress Ink before drawing a line around the edge with a black Fude Ball. 
To complete the image, I needed something to make this bird stand out and for that, I used the hat from the Simon Says Stamp Make A Splash stamp and die set and simply stamped the hat onto a further piece of watercolour card, coloured it in with Distress Marker Pens and die cut the image before popping it into pride of place!
Matt the stamped image onto your covered card blank.

For the wording, I used the Hero Arts Alphabet stamps to stamp out each individual letter onto white card, to create the message. I then cut the wording up into separate words, inked around the edges of each piece and attached them to my card.
Cut and dye a further piece of crinkle ribbon using Cracked Pistachio Distress Stain and tie the ribbon into a scruffy bow. Attach the bow on the right hand side of the card.

Apply some Picket Fence Distress Paint to the back of a Monocle and before the paint has completely dried and using a dry cloth, buff away a small amount of the paint. Add a Remnant Rub to the front and then attach with a pin to your bow. Finally add a Sprocket Gear to the centre of the bow.
And that completes my Crazy Birds card.
I really hope you've enjoyed how this tutorial and that you love this card as much as I loved making it. Those birds never fail to make me giggle whenever I see them!

If you need any further inspiration for this challenge, then you need look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. Good luck....




Thank you so much for all your visits today and hope you all have a great week ahead
See you again soon...love Emma xx



Products used:

Tim Holtz Stamps: Bird Crazy
Simon Says Stamp Stamps: Make A Splash
Distress Paint: Picket Fence
Distress Stain: Cracked Pistachio
Layering Stencil: Rays

29 comments:

  1. Wow Emma, this is just fabulous!! LOVE your crazy birds! Such a wonderful job colouring them and the hat on the middle one really made me smile! Love the sun rays and your monocle charm. Fabulous! hugs :)

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  2. Hi Emma, this made me smile, thought of three old dears having a good old gossip!
    Love n hugs to you...xXx

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  3. Great idea and fantastic execution of it. Darling card, you made one of those Crazy Birds look so feminine with the hat.

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  4. BWAHHHAAAA! okay these make me Smile as is...but that hat! OMG girl...LOL!

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  5. Love your card! Really cute idea to make her wear that hat. These birds are crazy.

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  6. I love your scruffy bows! Can I ask how you make them. mine always look too uniform
    thanks
    Carol x

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    1. Hi Carol,
      Thank you so much for your lovely comment about my bows and in answer to your question ~ when I make my bows, I think the secret is to spritz them with either a fine mist of water or if you're using Distress Stain or sprays to colour them, that will do equally as well and then scrunch the ribbon in your hand and leave to dry! Once the ribbon is completely dry, unfurl it and wrap it around your fingers. Cut another smaller strip, pinch and hold the centre of the ribbon on your fingers, tie the smaller strip around the centre and then just arrange the bow and that's it, ready to be attached to your project! Hope that helps and if you need to ask anything else, please don't hesitate to get in touch! :) x

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    2. Thank you, I think I know where I'm going wrong - Ive been trying to tie the bow in one go. So will give this a go, thanks for getting back to me x

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  7. I LOVE the hat on the bird, it's sized perfectly! Adorable personalized touch :)

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  8. Brilliant, Emma ... these crazy birds are fantastic ... especially the one with the hat ... she's definitely outstanding! Anita :)

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  9. there is so much detail involved even though you are making a card. it feels more like one of your other makes, hugs xx

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  10. What an awesome stamp and the colour and detail is amazing. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  11. I too am totally in love with these birds Emma, but I am also in love with your card!!

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  12. Thank you for yet another idea on how to use my Crazy Birds stamps. I totally loved your card.

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  13. Whooo Hoooo, your card is a winner!

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  14. This card is just so cute! Love it!

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  15. Absolutely darling! Love the added details!!

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  16. What a fantastic card! I love to see your sense of humor shining through, yet this still carries every bit of your trademark sophistication and attention to detail. Love the hat on the bird and the way you did the sentiment.

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  17. I just had to come over from the challenge blog to let you know I think your card is a scream! I just recently bought those crazy birds and will be using your design for pinning and inspiration! Thank you!! Hugs, Darnell

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  18. Love your beautiful card, Emma. Such a fun and awesome design! :)

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  19. Love your card Emma, great fun and perfectly coloured!! Going to try your 'bow' tying technique, thanks for the instructions!!

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  20. Fantastic Emma! I love her pretty hat and how she stands out! Super adorable card and love the finishing details with the shining brightly!

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  21. Super cute card Emma! Love the fun and fancy birds! You gave them each a personality!

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  22. Love those crazy birds. Using the rays of sun behind them was perfect. What a great job you did on this card. It is beyond cute.

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  23. This card is so funny! Love the crazy birds, and the hat is a real hoot! Fantastic! Hugs, Sandra

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  24. Emma you know I love so much Bird crazy! Your card is fun,rich of details and absolutely lovely! Barbarayaya

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  25. I love your card--wonderful coloring & so cute!

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  26. Those birds are so quirky and fun

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Thank you for all your comments and messages, they are all appreciated and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon...
Emma ~xx

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