Looking Forward to 2017...

Hello friends and Happy New Year!

Today, we have a brand new challenge starting over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog and this week, our theme is...START AFRESH and the DT are also showcasing Carabelle Studio products!

Whether you choose to use a product fresh out of the package or want to experiment with a new style of craft ~ we can't wait to see what you create and hope you'll play along with us...

For my project, I created a card welcoming 2017 and the thought of starting afresh in a new year! New ideas, new products and new inspirations...

It's time for a new challenge and here's how I created this card...

 

To begin with I started by making my background. I cut a panel of canvas paper, 17 x 14cm and applied a layer of Picket Fence Distress Paint over the surface. Those of you who follow me on a regular basis will know that I do this when I work with Distress Crayons as the paint creates a surface that allows me to easily blend my colours. I then laid down my colours and for this I chose, Evergreen Bough, Cracked Pistachio and a hint of Peacock Feathers. I scribbled small amounts of the crayons onto my surface and then blended them with my fingertips and a semi dry baby wipe. Once I was happy with the blend, I then scraped gesso over the top to create a more distressed look and then used a heat gun to dry the surface thoroughly. Machine stitch around the outside.

For the next stage I inked up the Evolution stamp with Jet Black Archival Ink and stamped the image onto Mixed Media card stock. Cut around the silhouette image and then apply the entire stamped image onto your background, sticking it with Collage Medium, which I also applied over the top of the image.

Use the Black Soot Distress Crayon to add a shadow around the outside of the image, smudging the colour with your fingertip.

To create some texture on the piece, I applied Grit Paste through the Carabelle Stencil Toujours Avec Des Ronds Edge Stencil, and once dry, I added a small amount of Evergreen Bough Distress Paint over the top of the dried paste.

Add splatters of gold paint and Black Soot Distress Paint, heat dry and then matt the background onto a piece of copper metallic kraft core card, followed by a layer of Black Soot Kraft Core card. I wrapped some twine around the layers of card and secured the ends at the back of the layers.

I then mounted my layers onto a piece of patterned paper, slightly larger than the layers and taken from the Wallflower Paper Stash, which I distressed by inking and tearing the edges. Mount the matted layers onto the front of a 20 x 18cm card blank, distressed around the edges with gesso and added gilt highlights. These are created using a collage stick applied around the edge of the card and then using the Vintage Foil Transfer sheets, apply the sheet, shiny side uppermost to the tacky edges.

For the plaque I used the Marquee dies to die cut my 2017 from gold kraft core card and then mounted each of the die cut letters onto the corresponding die cuts, cut from the Alphanumeric Thinlits die. I attached the numbers to a panel of silver metallic kraft core card, which I distressed using crayons to add a more vintage feel. I then mounted the panel onto cork, followed by a layer of copper metallic card and finally a layer of black soot card.

Apply foam to the back of the mounted panel and attach underneath the stamped image. Finally, add two Nailhead Findings to either side of the numbers.

To complete the card, I used a combination of Sprocket Gears and Mini Sprocket Gears painted with Gold Rush paint and then added an Arrow Adornment which I then attached to my stamped image.

For the finishing touch, I added some gold sequins and a Remnant Rub.

I also had to take this picture below because look how cool this panel looks with the sun shining on it, it takes on a whole new life...

So, I hope you've enjoyed the process behind this card and you're inspired by some of my ideas!

As always, if you do need any further inspiration, 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. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for stopping by today and see you again very soon!

Recipe for project:

Carabelle Studios: Toujours Avec Des Ronds Edge Stencil

Tim Holtz Dies: Alphanumeric Marquee, Alphanumeric Thinlits Die

Distress Paint: Picket Fence, Black Soot

Distress Crayons: Set 3, 5 and 7

Idea-ology: Nailhead Findings, Sprocket Gears, Mini Sprocket Gears and Adornment Arrows

Surfaces: Metallic Kraft Core, Textured Surfaces, Nostalgic Kraft Core Card, Vintage Foil Transfer Sheets, Wallflower Paper Stash

Mediums: Gesso, Collage Medium, Royal Talens Ecoline Liquid Watercolor Gold, Gold Rush Alchemy Paint, Grit Paste

Palette Knife

Ranger Craft Sheet

Heat Gun
Twine
Gold Sequins
Canvas Paper are from my own stash