Saturday 2 March 2013

Let's Dance by Buttons

Hi everyone! Jenny Marples (still known as 'Buttons' by many of you) reporting for duty - and you have no idea how thrilled I am to be here! Much like Alison it didn't take any thinking about when I was asked to be Guest Designer for The Artistic Stamper during March. Enough of the introductions, I can here you thinking "cut to the chase and show us what you've done!"
Thought I'd start my month with one of my trademark cards. There are a lot of photos coming up to show you the details as a lot of processes have gone into creating this.
First the music background - some of you who follow my blog will know I did a lot of experimenting with texture paste and embossing folders.
In this case I used white paste which reacted with the water and became beautifully distressed at the edges. Swipes of Archival and Distress inks helped to highlight the score even further.
The next layer made use of the background stamp which the talented Sioux Jenneys created for her dance stamps set. Love this SO much as it is based on a dictionary entry and stamps really clearly.
I started by swilling my cardstock around in various shades of blue and brown Distress Paint - the colours were chosen to emulate those used by Edgar Degas who painted the most amazing works depicting ballerinas in rehearsal. The text was stamped on top using Archival Ink to keep it crisp.
Distressing the edges complimented the music score panel and provided a contrast with the clean edges of the vellum and antique gold cardstock.
I love adding faux pearls as an accent (made from drops of PVA glimmer glue.)
This delicate lace had Distress Ink blended onto the top and ribbon layered over it.
And now for the dancer herself. Or is she? The brilliant Sioux had the ingenious idea of including wings in her set of dancer stamps, so for those who don't have ballerinas in the family you can create fairies instead!
Having stamped her onto card it was time to layer Ferro metallic texture paste on top to give her some depth. . Some heating and moulding, and a layer of Ranger Snowflake embossing powder (to add twinkle/more texture) and she was ready for painting. I created a mask so that the head, arms and legs could be covered in Antique Linen Distress Paint and the dress in Picket Fence Distress Paint.
Her wings were made by using white/blue pearl embossing powder on vellum so they would be delicate and would catch the light in the sun. And finally another genius move by Sioux - there is an outline version of the dancer included in the set so I could use that to create the beginnings of the faux shadow. By stamping this outline with Walnut Stain Distress Paint over all the layers on the card I was able to fill it in accurately regardless of the difficult textures that could have been a problem.
So there you have it. Hope you've enjoyed my first (lengthy) project. There's more from me to share this month so I hope you'll be back to take a look. For now take care and enjoy crafting.
Jenny Marples
Stamps used - Dance Stamps

35 comments:

mark gould said...

Very nicely done Jenny Abeautiful project with so much going on,I love all you textures and layers x

Scrumplescrunch said...

Congrats Jenny,
Hope you enjoy every minute of presenting on this Blog. Great work as always.
Smiles:)
Sue

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Beautiful card, with so much detail. Thank you for being our guest designer this month
It is a pleasure to have you on board
Jennie x

Inkypinkycraft said...

Absolutely yummy Jenny as always! Hugs trace x congrats well deserved !

Ephemera said...

WOW Jenny, what a beautiful card, love the textural effects on your gorgeous dancer. XX

Astrid Maclean said...

Hi Jenny, lovely to see you here this month! STUNNING card, I adore all the textures and the beautiful dancer in the center, such a creative way to use this stamp, utter gorgeousness, love it!!!

Redanne said...

Wwo Jenny, this is so your style and so beautiful! Congrats on the GDT post, so well deserved. Hugs, Anne x

Annie said...

Gorgeous make Jenny, love all the great layers and textures. Fab tutorial too

Annie x

Keren Howell said...

Beautiful piece, Jenny, and thank you for the detailed tutorial. I love that ballerina stamp! xxx Keren

Helen said...

Great project Jenny, I love it.

Patricia Howarth said...

Hi Jenny, Congratulations on your invite to guest designer.
This card is STUNNING, I love all the textures, and all the layers, and the dancer is gorgeously beautiful.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Rita said...

Hi Jenny, you never disappoint us with all your beautiful creations and this one is fabulous. The textures and colours and the attention to detail makes a wonderful card. Great Tutorial too. Hugs Rita xxx

Anonymous said...

That is beautiful. I love all the different textures.

Artyjen said...

You really nailed that! I adore what you have done with my stamp design...it's such a thrill to see them being used ;)
xoxo Sioux

Ellis said...

Gorgeous dancer card you made and the layers and textures are simply amazing!
Hugs, Elenor

Patricia said...

Great tutorial Jenny, super textures and the dancer is beautiful

Patricia. XX

Neil said...

Really beautiful creative card. Love all the texture.

Kelly said...

Congrats Jenny! I love this project, she is a gorgeous dancer with all the texture. I love the shadow you created with her too. The embossing really ties her in perfectly. Fabulous!
Hugs Kelly

cathylynn said...

Congrats Jenny. I love this project. So much glorious textures and wonderful colors. I love the dancer with the wings too!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

What a fabulous card Jenny, the textures really rock and I love the winged ballerina! Congrats on your Guest Design spot! Hugs xx

Janny Jager said...

Very very beautiful Jenny.
I love every detail

Greetings Janny

Sue said...

Fabulous make Jenny, the texture is stunning, and really compliments this beautiful stamp xx

Terry said...

I knew the entire piece would be amazing! Absolutely gorgeous project! Love this!

Maisie Moonshine said...

Hi Jenny - Congratulations on your GDT! Your ballerina card is stunning. Looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful creations soon MM x

Nan G said...

Beautiful textural card!,look forward to seeing more of your creations!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

WOW!!! Texture city! Your ballerina is FABULOUS!!! Oh the lace! This is one gorgeous piece!!!

Disco Queen said...

Hi Jenny, Please can you tell us more about using texture paste with embossing folders?

Chris said...

Absolutely gorgeous Jenny, I love the the texture on the dancer. :-)

Joanne said...

What an introduction. This card is superb, full of detail but just right. Sioux's stamp holds the perfect place - centre stage.
xx

Paper Profusion said...

Congratulations Jenny - I'm thrilled for you - enjoy all these invites and accolades. You have more than come up trumps as usual - stunning card with terrific techniques. I love your Degas influences. Nicola x

Words and Pictures said...

What a fabulous kick off to your month... amazing texture on the ballerina, she looks just wonderful, especially with the shadow which gives the whole thing such depth; and your background music score and dictionary definition are perfect accompaniments. Congratulations.. and so looking forward to seeing more!
Alison xx

Marjie Kemper said...

Amazing art by Jenny! Love that dancer... can't take my eyes off her.

Geraldine said...

what a stunning card, love your dancer and all the textures.

Sandra said...

Jenny, this is amazing! Fabulous card! That dancer is so pretty! Hugs, Sandra

craftytrog said...

Absolutely fabulous Jenny...so many wonderful details!
Alison x