Craft Club

Hi everyone, yesterday I had a great day out at a craft club which takes place monthly in Warrington, about 15 miles from where I live. I found out about it from Tracy Evans’ FB group, as this month Jacqui, one of the members, was due to demo (with permission) some cards based on design inspiration and techniques from Tracy’s videos. All attendees were provided with a small pack of pre-cut stamping card, card blanks and a list of preferred materials to make something similar to the demos. As I have quite a few Tracy stamps and loved the “look” of the sample cards I thought I’d give it a go … and here’s what I made.

 Both cards used the same colours and similar techniques, but with different stamps. First of all I created a smooshed background by layering Distress Oxide inks dabbed onto acetate and spritzed with water: I’m completely familiar with this technique but had never considered this colour combo before. The demo instructions suggested using Vintage Photo, Hickory Smoke and a touch of Black Soot - I also added in a little Frayed Burlap for added gradation of shading.  

I then stamped the focal stamps using VFC Nocturne - for the floral card I masked part of what is a very large stamp; and for the second card Jacqui very kindly allowed me to borrow her stamp which I love so much I now need to buy it! Parts of the stamped images (vase and some clock faces) were then coloured with watered down Distress Oxides, and the flowers and a couple of clock faces were painted with white acrylic paint. Again this is something I hadn’t previously considered, but it really makes the images pop against the dark background. I kept the designs very similar to the demo samples, just adding a couple of little personal touches. Primarily these were extra text stamping and a little stencilling on the floral card, adding a second fussy cut and coloured butterfly to add dimension, white Posca pen accents, adding sparkle to the butterfly and flowers, and Glossy Accents on the vase which I did when I got home so I wouldn’t smudge it! I also didn’t add sentiments as I will decide on them as required.

Here are a couple of angled pictures.

Stamps: AALL & Create #266 Daisy Elegance, #733 Temporal, TE32 Alpha Florals;

Media: TimmHoltz Distress Oxides inks (Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot); Versafine Clair (Nocturne);  acrylic paint (white); Posca pen (white); Spectrum Noir sparkle pen (clear); Glossy Accents;

Tools: Darkroom Door stencil - Diamonds.

As these designs are so closely based on Jacqui’s samples I won’t be entering them into any challenges. I just wanted to share them as I was really thrilled with how they turned out - my painting with white acrylic paint definitely needs some practice but I will certainly be using this technique again to create cards with a grungy vintage look!

Overall I had a great day with a lovely group of crafty ladies. They are looking to expand their numbers for anyone who lives within striking distance of north Warrington. 

Take care, and thanks for visiting.

Hugs,