Thursday 5 February 2015

Swapsies!

Morning All,

I rarely join swaps because I don't seem to manage to stay the course very often and hate letting people down but I decided to join in one this year with a group of friends.  The swap is for two ATCs and two Tags of any size.  The theme for our first swap was faces and these are what I came up with. 

First the ATCs

This one was lightly blended Distress Inks followed by stamping the image and then adding touches of extra DI's to enhance the colouring of the face.  I stamped the butterfly a second time, coloured it with DI's and triple embossed with clear EP before shaping the wings and attaching just by the body.


This one had Pan Pastels blended softly over the background then Versamark applied through a clouple of stencils and more PPs patted onto it.  I then stamped the image and removed some of the colour with an eraser to highlight the hair, eyes and teardrop.  I love the way the Versamark acted as a resist under the stamped image.
 

Now for the Tags

For the first one I cut the tag from some Prima packaging (always too lovely to throw away). Roughly painted with watered down Fresco Finish and randomly stamped clock hands.  I blended alcohol inks on acetate and when dry embossed in an embossing folder.  I inked the edges of a paper doily.  I painted a piece of card with Fresco Finish paints deliberately leaving it streaky then stamped the clock face and cut it out. Layered it with the doily ontop of the acetate and added metal embellishments & fibres.



My final tag was my favourite! I stamped the face with Black Archival ink and the flourishes with Aquamarine Archival.  Blended Distress Inks over the whole tag removing the colour from the eye with a water moistened brush. I applied Grunge Paste through my new gorgeous stencil and when the GP was dry I replaced the stencil and added Archival ink to colour (the Aquamarine). I added extra stencilling using Distress Ink and also DIs to add colour to the lips and eye. Finally I die cut and embossed the butterfly and added some Treasure Gold.
 


Here's hoping I manage to keep up with this swap.....it'll make a change if I do, lol!

See you again soon.

Hugs
Lesley  Xx

13 comments:

Aquarius said...

These are gorgeous and it will be a lovely surprise to look forward to when you receive the swaps. I'm sure whoever receives these will be thrilled.

snazzyoriginal said...

Beautiful faces Lesley. Great idea for a swap too xx

judith@poppy cottage said...

Gorgeous makes Buddy, love the last tag most of all. Just wish I had the time to join in! Love Judith xx

Lin said...

oh wow Lesley!! these are stunning!! love the stamps you've used xxx

massofhair said...

Beautiful ATC's Lesley they are my favourite from your post but the Tags are amazing also i just love ATC's.

Some fantastic techniques and colours used am sure whoever gets these will be so happy :-) xxx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

They are all great Lesley, I especially like the last one (think it's the colours). A great take on the theme with the clock face too.

Sue xx

Suzi B said...

Gorgeous val, I love face stamps1 but I'm never sure how to use them... you have given me an idea or two :-)
I love the colours on the last tag.
Suzi B xx

Helen said...

My favourite is the last one too,out of 4 gorgeous pieces! I was wondering who's that was, when I saw them all grouped together. Can't wait to see what I get... and I still haven't written my swap post... tonight maybe!!

Kirsten said...

They're all gorgeous, Lesley. The teardrop on the second ATC was a great idea.

Elaine said...

Wow Lesley, really striking work. Love the rounded corner on the ATC, what a difference that makes. I have that stamp, never inked!!! The second is quite different, but really great, I like that teardrop too. The twist with the clock face is really clever. Love the recycling. I think your final tag is my favourite, I love that face as you know and those colours are super. Your swap recipients will be thrilled to receive these. Elaine xxx

Artmadnana said...

These are gorgeous Lesley. I really love the second tag!

Words and Pictures said...

Love your swapsies (like you I'm wary - start to panic about letting others down). The Faces ATCs are really great - the teardrop is haunting - and I adore the vivid colours on the final tag - wow!
Alison xx

Ruth said...

4 lovely takes on faces...and I can't choose a favourite, just tried and kept changing my mind. Beautifully done. Hope you enjoy the swap & a great theme! Hugs Ruth x