Tuesday 24 June 2014

Simple Cards

Yes, it is Alison (butterfly) here and yes, you did read that right...  Not only is today's project very simple, it also consists of a pair of cards.  Regulars at Words and Pictures will know that's a very strange double whammy indeed!  Still, it should mean a shorter post than usual!!


I wanted to play with the magnificent giant flower stamps, new from Katy Leitch.  I started by applying Distress Inks to the stamps, graduating the colours roughly from top to bottom.  I used Faded Jeans, Broken China, Iced Spruce and Peeled Paint.


Once it was inked, I gave the stamp a light spritzing of water and stamped onto watercolour cardstock.


I tapped Archival ink onto the little words at the bottom, just to keep those sharp and fresh whatever came next...


With that done, I then borrowed some techniques from one of last year's Tim Holtz tags - the June 2013 tag... I inked around the edges with a blending tool and then used a water brush to draw the ink in towards the image.


And I also put some ink onto the craft mat from Distress Markers in those same colours (except the Iced Spruce - don't have that as a DM as yet), and then let them soak into the nib of the brush.  Then you splatter delicate little ink droplets over your image.


I grabbed a couple of sheets of thick kraft card in A4 and, using the paler side, cut them to size to fit the watercolour panels I'd created.  I used the leftover cardstock to stamp my two sentiments - selected from various Tim Holtz sentiment sets - in Coffee Archival.


Obviously they were chosen partly because the font is similar on each, but also specifically for the shaping of the words - a long tall one, and a wide flat one!


I inked both the sentiment panels and the borders of the card with the Coffee Archival ink pad, just brushing the pad against the card edges.


And inside each card, there's just a little echo of the image on the front.


This time they're stamped in Coffee Archival.


It's nice to get both versions of the stamping - the sharp clarity of the Archival, and the delicate softness of the "watercolour" Distress Ink.


Two cards, and they really hardly took any time at all...  I could get into this simple thing!!


Though it seems the post isn't that much shorter than usual.  I just like having lots of pictures, that's the trouble.


But that really is that for today!  Thanks so much for dropping by.  There's still nearly a week to play in our Colour It Red challenge for June... Hope to see you there.

Ingredients used:
Artistic Stamper stamps: Katy Leitch stamps - Jumbo Bouvardia and Jumbo Flowering Branch
Distress Watercolour Cardstock
Distress Inks - Faded Jeans, Broken China, Iced Spruce, Peeled Paint
Distress Markers - Faded Jeans, Broken China, Peeled Paint
Archival Ink - Coffee
Kraft Card A4 sheet
From my stash: Stampers Anonymous sentiment stamps

41 comments:

Rita said...

Love your cards Alison. Maybe simple, but very effective too. Hugs Rita xxx

Marci said...

Beautiful cards!

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Lovely flower cards, Alison. I learned this new technique,here, inking the edges with distress ink and spreading the color with waterbrush..

Helen said...

I love these flower cards, Alison - beautiful!! The edges look fab.

www.deeadamsart.blogspot.co.uk said...

I really love the colours and how you have contrasted them perfectly with the craft card. They are a very lovely set of cards. Dee

sally said...

So pretty! I love the watercolour effect you've done here & contrasting sharp paper image inside :-)

Sally

craftytrog said...

Love these beauties Alison! xxx

Unknown said...

Beautifully done Alison, I love both. Great imagery and sentiments. Chris xxx

Cocofolies said...

Two cards not so simple and absolutely delightful!!! :) Coco xx

Ink Art Designs said...

Simple is beautiful Alison...and these are no exception! Totally gorgeous.
Dot x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Okay, I confess...fan of these creations!

greetings, Alie :-)

May said...

Gorgeous cards Alison, I adore them both...the stamp is Beautiful... Hugs May x x

pearshapedcrafting said...

A brilliant showcase for these stamps! Love the watercolour effect! Chrisx

Dianne said...

SQUAWK, two for one be still my heart, now these are my kind of cards, I love them, the colors are gorgeous I looooovve how you tore the piper, how thick is that paper,I will have to try this is amazing, thanks for always inspiring me, I agree with Miss Chris this is a perfect show case for those stamps...((( HUGE HUGS )))

Deborah said...

Love the stamping inside - the attention to detail that take these already lovely cards to the next level.

Lisa Minckler said...

Your talent knows no bounds. It was really a pleasant surprise to see your handy work on CAS cards. Thank you so much for the wonderful explanations you give. It helps so much when trying myself.
Your cards are beautiful Alison :)

Unknown said...

These are beautiful! Thanks for reminding me to use this easy technique that gives such fantastic results.

Corrie Herriman said...

Great cards made with a great technique !!
Corrie x

Paper Profusion said...

Both are beautiful Alison. Nicola x

Nan G said...

Gorgeous cards! Worthy of being framed.

Anonymous said...

They are beautiful.

Ruth said...

Simply beautiful! Ruth x

froebelsternchen said...

no - not simple--
simply BEAUTIFUL!

Renee said...

Beautiful cards, I learned a new technique, thanks so much.

Unknown said...

Stunning - would not have used this technique with those stamps but it works so well. Love love love these!

cathylynn said...

Simply Marvelous! Hey I love looking at all of your pictures. Fantastic cards!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Anonymous said...

Those flower stamps are seriously gorgeous and stamped in such pretty colours.
Like both cards so much.
Wishes
Lynne

Astrid Maclean said...

Gorgeous, you should do cards more often!

Unknown said...

Simple for you but absolutely gorgeous. I love this idea especially for cards that I have to mail. Love the color combo too. ;)

Hettie said...

This is gorgeous Alison. Love the delicate colours you have used and the edges look great.
Hugs
xx

Julie Lee said...

Exquisite! These look like very beautiful, botanical water-colours. Simply lovely! Julie Ann xxx

Almo said...

Both cards are very beautiful Alison, the blended subtle watercolour look is just gorgeous against the kraft card. Mo x

Anneke said...

Beautiful delicate cards. Love there softness. A great combinations. Have a colorful day Anneke.
www.annekescardart.blogspot.com

Jenny Marples said...

Well blow me down! It's not often we see cards from you and these two are crackers. Beautiful watercolour stamping of course. Jenny x

Kezzy said...

Wow gorgeous cards, I really love the water colour effect of the stamping and the flower stamp is awesome. Kezzy:-) xxx

maria's knutselplezier said...

Perhaps simple??, But very beautifull, I love this kind of cards a lot!!

Greetings
Maria

Dorthe said...

I love your cards , Alison,
they are beautiful, and the simple creation with the wonderful qoutes,makes them striking in their own way !!
Hugs,Dorthe

Juliz Design Post said...

Gorgeous cards Alison. I love how you have mounted the botanicals onto kraft card pulls the whole design together and your stamping on watercolour card looks brilliant.
Julie x

Sandy said...

Wonderful Alison - I love the sentiments.
Sandy xx

Unknown said...

Simple or Not--These cards are simply Awesome, Alison!! :) Love the water color stamping you've done with these delicate flower stamps! So pretty and you even stamped the insides! Loverly!! XOXO-Shari

Princess Judy Palmer said...

I love how the flowers are stamped in different colors. Distress inks are perfect for that since they stay so nice and juicy. I covet the way you do splatter marks everywhere. If I were to try it they'd be on the carpet, the wall, the cat.... everything but the project. I have to laugh that part of the reason those greetings were chosen is they fit the space. Isn't that so often so true!