Monday, March 19, 2012

A Little Retro Grunge!!!

Hello again to everyone looking in...
Well, the Mondays keep on a coming and that means another great theme and challenge at Simon Says Stamp & Show! This week it's a chance to get really crafty, arty and playful with Handmade Backgrounds. Distress inks, paint, stamping, embossing, collage, sprays, grungy, girly or full on funky...just choose your favourite and do your stuff! It's been ages since I've made a card for the Design Team...
I thought it would also be a good idea to see if I could magic up one with some of my great new Tim stamps and yet still create a Grungy look. Sometimes you need a card but not everyone wants flutterbys and flowers. So...

Browns and blues always seem to like each others company, whether shabby chic or funky. I started by creating the main panel of colour and interest with Kraft Glassine paper and Alcohol Inks. I pounded Pool and Picket Fence Alcohol Inks onto the paper to create a random blotchy effect. Then I heat set the inks with a quick blast from my heat gun. You'll see the paper turn slightly shiny and waxy as you heat it which is fine and also necessary to "set" the inks.
Then I embossed it with the Retro Circles folder and swiped Walnut Stain Distress Ink over the surface to pick out the texture and detail. Heat set again and repeat the inky swipe if you want a darker colour. I distressed the edges and added some random stitching before layering it up and adhering it to my Kraft card base which I had stamped with Tim's Mixed Media spots
The Glassine paper will become more delicate during all these processes, so do take care not to tear it after embossing. That being said, I myself had a slight casualty with A Retro circle centre. So I decided I'd take it off completely and make a feature peep-hole of it!!! I slipped a piece of dictionary paper in behind and added an "Ideas" Trinket Pin to mark the brainwave!

I stamped Tim's Words for Thought in Sepia Archival Ink, then re-stamped some again in Coffee Archival and layered them up adding two real staples to the 'finding'. More inky edges, a bit of string and a wrap of rusty wire - and there you go - Retro Grunge! It's a fabulous theme this week with lots of room for artistic expression and discovery!
 Take a look at the wonderful display of Background Beauties over at the Design Team Blog and check out all the wonderful new goodies at the Store. You might be the one who gets to spend that $50 voucher, or be one of the Top Three chosen artists! I'm looking forward to seeing what you all cook up with this one!
Thanks for calling by and staying a while...wishing you all an inspired and sunny week.
Sarah.

14 comments:

Heidi said...

Super dooper Sarah! I do love the peephole that was accidental! I might have to force some accidents on my to-be-determined creation! Love your work!

Candy C said...

Sarah...your card full of blue and brown richness is wonderful! I love your layers and all of the neat little details that you are so known for! This card is beautiful! This is full of wonderful texture, stamping, and elements! Your happy accident with the peephole looks fantastic! I love it! <3 Candy

Marjie Kemper said...

Love this, Sarah, especially that surprise peep-hole. What a clever solution!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Love your card Sarah, one of my favourite colour schemes and the random stitching is perfect. The embossing gives great texture and I love love the little peep hole. Enjoy your week, less dust I hope. Tracy x

Kate Yetter said...

Wow, what a fabulous card full of texture and color. I can't wait to try it. And your mistake looks great! Just adds to the amazingness.
Kate

Redanne said...

The colours and textures are wonderful and the little 'peep' hole looks like it was always intended. Love your work.

lainey said...

fab work love the colour combo!! lainey x

Kezzy said...

Wow stunning background, I didn't realise that you could get picket fence in alcohol inks, must look out for that. Gorgeous card. Kezzy xx
p.s. hope you got my thank you comment (on your announcing baby post).

Janny Jager said...

Fantastic card and background.

Greetings Janny

Kaz Hall said...

Such a stunning blue background Sarah....gorgeous as always xx
thinks have been a little manic here but I will be in touch very soon, hope you and baby are well big hugs

kaz x

Unknown said...

Wat een schitterende kaart Sarah. Dat blauw en bruin combineert echt prachtig.

Barb King said...

I love this card, especially the background details. Isn't it funny that a "problem" with the glassine paper turned into a focal point. That happens to me alot. Great work!

Jo Capper-Sandon said...

Gorgeous work Sarah. Lots of depth and interest, Jo x

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Loving this retro spin with the touch of grunge!! I really love the pretty pop of blue!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!