Graphicus Guild With One Themeplate Challenge

Wow, two posts in one night. Over on the Graphicus Guild chat group they decided to start a friendly 'challenge'. They chose one of the Elusive Images stamp themeplates and then left it open for any group member to add a card to the photo album made using stamps from the chosen themeplate as and when they made one. This was to see how many different ways we could come up with to use the same plate and I have to say there are loads with some fantastic inspiration. Some of the very talented Guild members have made several cards but I'm just chuffed with myself for making one as I'm really bad for thinking I'll join in with something and then not getting round to it.

The themeplate chosen by the group is Delightful Damask. For my base card I used a lovely pearlised very dark blue A4 sheet folded in half. I also used the same type of card for matting and layering my image and sentiment. I then trimmed a little from an A5 sheet of ivory pearlised card and then stamped at random with one of the smaller images from the plate. I used Versamark ink and Moonglow mica pigment powders in 3 different shades. I also used the same card, ink and powders to stamp the sentiment. Unfortunately, the dark bronze powder I used makes it look as though I have dirty smudges on the card in the photo but IRL it doesn't look like that.

I then stamped the main image onto acetate using Stazon and then applied gilding flakes to the back with double sided adhesive sheet and attached this to the dark blue layer with brads. The lovely leaf embellishments were bought from Crafty Notions at the NEC last year (and now I wish I'd bought some more). I tied ribbon round the stamped card layer and and positioned this on the card front with dst then added the main image and the sentiment with 3D foam pads.

My 2nd Brother's Birthday Card

At last, I've managed to download some photos to blog. This card was for my 'little brother's birthday' last week. I used two Elusive Images stamp themeplates for this card. One was the Antiquities plate which I used to create the DTP background. I did a bit of ink blending with a mix of Adirondack dye inks and Distress Inks before doing a couple of layers of stamping. I then used images from another EI plate (can't remember the name but it's another old one and I think possibly discontinued) and stamped the main image onto a piece of torn cork using Versafine ink. I also stamped a sentiment onto another piece of cork. I had to use a heat gun on these two pieces because the ink wouldn't dry on it's own and finally, I stamped another image from the same plate onto an oval cut with Nestabilities and then triple embossed it. The border along the top was from a sheet I bought from a local craft shop.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SNOOPY

It's our little rascal Snoopy's 1st birthday today so I thought I'd do a little post with a couple of pictures of him.

My photographic skills leave a lot to be desired so most of the photos I've taken of him in the 3 months we've had him were too blurred to be useable (he does move rather fast) but here are the best ones so far.

Me and my best friend Tink playing ball.

Have to keep the pearlies looking good. You never know when you're going to need to 'smile for the camera'. (I had changed our toothbrushes for new ones and he pinched this one from the waste basket).

Aren't I a handsome chap?