Hello my crafty friends! Welcome and thanks for popping in!
It's time for another Colour INKspiration Challenge and for this one, we have been asked to create a project with the colours Mango Melody, Starry Sky, Basic Grey and Silver. Our inpsiration photo was chosen by myself and our Guest Designer for this challenge is the lovely Rebecca Nutley. Can't wait to see what Bec has created for us.
For this Colour Challenge I decided to stamp a sheet of Basic White cardstock in what we, over in the Artful Stampin community call, a stamped-one-sheet-wonder. This is a great technique for when you need to make a heap of cards as all that's needed is a greeting on the front. Of course, you can step it up but don't go too far as your stamping is what is on show here.
Just a word of warning: This technique does use a lot of stamp sets - you need various flower images in differents sizes and the same goes for foliage. Therefore this way of creating is quite product heavy. And usually I'd prefer to use more than just four colours but I loved the challenge of limiting myself and I was able to use first and second and sometimes third generation stamping to achieve different tones.
Supplies:
- Stamp Sets (in order of use): Blessings Home (background), True Beauty (main floral image) , Colour & Contour (detailed foral image), Forever Fern (foliage), Simply Fabulous (foliage), Framed Occasions (foliage), Lovely You (floral image), Heavenly Hollycocks (floral image), Quiet Meadow (background)
- Cardstock: Basic White
- Inks: Basic Gray (foliage and background), Starry Sky (florals), Mango Melody (background and florals), Versamark
- Colouring Accessories: Metallics Embosing Powders (silver)
- Tools: Clear Blocks, Heat Tool
Let's Stamp:
- Ideally, for this technique you will need a selection of different floral images in at least three sizes, a selection of foliage images again in at least three images, maybe a, what I call, an architectural image ie a branch or stick for different texture and definitely a dottage stamp. Don't be afraid to mix and match your stamp sets, that's what makes it fun.
- To make it easier, I drew in pencil lines on the Basic White cardstock.
- Using the large floral image in Blessing of Home, stamp third generation Mango Melody following the pencil lines. The purpose of this is to lay down some background texture that you may or may not see.
- Stamp the five-petalled floral image from True Beauty Stamp Set in Mango Melody in groups of three where the lines intersect and at the edges of the page. Go over the top of these again with Mango Melody using the outline floral image from Colour & Contour.
- From this point, we need to fill in the areas between the flowers using the lines as a guide. I would usually stamp in the lightest colour but in this instance I used both second and third generation Basic Gray around the edges of the flowers. I've used one of the larger foliage images from Forever Fern leaving the stem of the image ink-free. By using second and third generation stamping you are adding depth to your finished work.
- Stamp the 'fluffy' foliage image from Framed Occasions again in Smoky Slate. Place these images beside the other image from Forever Fern. Don't be afraid of not inking up the whole stamp to make it fit and don't be afraid of stamping over the top of the other images.
- Next step is to add more foliage around the flowers. I've used the little trio of leaves image from Simply Fabulous. This is a great little stamp as it has no stem and I love the illusion of movement this image has. Again stamp both first and second generation.
- Now it's time to add in some Starry Sky and for this I've used two images The first is a floral image from Lovely You and this is stamped in the spaces between the flowers and leaves, stamping the image in first, second and sometimes third generation. The aim here is to fill in any gaps and any areas where there may be a stem ending in mid-air. The second image from Heavenly Hollyhocks is also used for the same reason but also to add the stronger colour through the whole page so that your eye isn't drawn to just one area but over the whole sheet.
- At this stage, I realised there needed to be more Mango Melody as my eyes were drawn to the large floral groups, so I've used the same stamp from Heavenly Hollyhocks and stamped this image more to the edges of my stamping.
- The most important step comes next and that is adding dottage. Choose the colour that your eye is mostly drawn to which is usually the darkest - except if its red/pink/purple tones as this will often look like you've had an unfortunate accident if you get my drift. For this stamping, I went with Basic Gray to soften all that other gray that has been stamped. Use first and second generation stamping and fill in any gaps, cover any boo boos and this will soften any harsh lines. Using this same stamp, stamp Versamark and heat emboss in silver to add highlights.
- To add a bit more interest and texture, I then went and stamped the distressed print image from Quiet Meadow Stamp Set across the edges of my lines of stamping in Smoky Slate ink in third and fourth generation ink. I wanted this to fill in the white space but in a subtle way. You could also use a mask/stencil.
I have been able to make eight cards from the sheet. I trimmed it down so that I had four pieces measuring 2 3/4" x 5 1/2" which have been made into standard cards and four pieces measuring 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" which have been made into four 4" x 4" cards. I haven't added a sentiment on any of them at this point as I will add them as I need to use them.
I keep these card simple because the stamping is the star of this show!
Feel INKspired to join the challenge? I would love for you to join us! It's a great way to have fun with different colours!
Firstly, hop on over and check out the creations of the Colour INKspiration Crew in the Challenge album on our Facebook page. Then you have 12 days from today to make and upload your creation to the Facebook Colour INKspiration Group. You don't have to have a blog to participate but if you do, you can link back to your post. Just a reminder to use all the challenge colours. Neutrals such as Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand and Basic Black are also allowed as well as Metallics.
If you feel inspired, click here and ask to join Colour INKspiration, add the group to your Favourites and share it with your crafty friends so they can join in the fun too. We can't wait to see what you create with these gorgeous colours!
Thank you so much taking the time to drop in. I hope I have inspired you and if you like what I have shown or if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section below.
Until next time, take care, stay safe and have a great day!
Monica xx
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To purchase any of the products I've used today, you can click any of the direct links in the Product List below or click the 'Shop Online' tab at the top of this page. Both ways will get you directly to my online store, where you are only minutes away from getting products delivered straight to your door.
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