Monday, June 4, 2012

Feeling the Mood...

Hello again and welcome to Monday! Yes, a new week - it's here again... I'm also glad to say it's time for a great new theme over at Simon Says Stamp & Show! This week we are mad about texture. Yes, all that wonderful touchy, feely stuff... No need to get too emotional, even if it is Monday morning, as we're putting it all into our creations.

l had to think for a while but I soon found inspiration in the piles of packaging and cardboard that dwell under my desk. I'm a big fan of corrugated cardboard, shabby layers and vintage tones so they all came together on my card...
l really love this girl's gaze... the gorgeous gal from Artistic Outpost's Think and Wonder set. This is a fabulous image and can be used on so many projects as her mood is so alluring!
I stamped the girl onto a smooth area of cardboard BEFORE I did all the distressing stuff. Then l built up my layers using the card which I ripped, distressed and aged with gesso and Walnut Distress Ink. I used two layers and placed the 'lines' of the card at right angles to each other for contrast. I also added some random stamping of script here and there on the flatter areas.

 I placed a layer of gauze in between the two cardboard layers - sneakily obtained from the first aid kit! I rubbed in lots of gesso, let it dry to get a really great piece of textured, home-made fabric! Brown and white just seem to like being together... I also used bound string and touches of Viva Gold along the edges to accent the vintage look and add a bit of colour.
Here you can see the layers in close-up as well as two old, shabby rolled flowers I made out of book pages. Just draw a big spiral (like a snail shell) on paper, cut, roll up - and there you go! I stamped the think and wonder words onto a scrap book page, mounting it on card for extra thickness which you need on such a card.

My days of hoarding Design Paper are long gone and I grabbed a piece of Tim's Kraft Resist Paper Stash to create my card base. I added a little Distress Ink and machine stitching before I attached the card front with four eyelets. I finished off with a vertical wrap of gold thread which helps to balance out the eye-line. All sounds a bit like posh designer talk but I think contrasting and opposing lines add a lot of interest to a piece.
Well, inky or designer talk, I think that's enough waffle for today. Do take a look at the great pieces from my team mates over at the Simon Says Stamp & Show Blog and be sure to play along too. I'm sure this great $50 voucher would do us all the world of good... Thanks for the visit.

Enjoy your week and until whenever...!
Sarah.

23 comments:

Yvonne Garner said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

Chris Arlington said...

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE ARTWORK !
CHRIS

Candy C said...

Sarah...your piece is just stunning. You have rocked this challenge again, my friend. I love the texture of the corrugated against the gauze and then the image of the little girl stamped on a smooth surface. Love the torn edges and the twine. Then adding the machine stitching...what detail! It's all just so lovely. <3 Candy

Helen said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! Everything about this just grabs me! Hope you're doing ok whilst waiting for the big arrival!!

Redanne said...

Sarah, this is beautiful, love the ingenious idea of the gauze and the idea of attaching it to the card with eyelets. You always do something that makes me think why didn't I think of that! It is wonderful (as usual). Anne x

Unknown said...

Gorgeous Sarah, I love texture and it's even better if it's free!

Celeste said...

Awesome. Love the rustic vintage look and colours. I too own this plate and love it.

Janny Jager said...

Wowwwwwwww this realy realy beautiful Sarah.
Nice colors you used

Marjie Kemper said...

Scrumptious! Love love LOVE all the layers and texture.

Peggy Parker said...

Inspirational! I love texture! If you had the chance to view my message on Flickr, let me know.....I'm crossing the ocean next week, and you are having a baby!

Hels Sheridan said...

Gorgeousness indeedily... love all those layers! Not long now hunny, by my reckoning it will be another 9 days.... how you doing? Hope you keeping ok and not overdoing things... take care xx

Annie said...

Hi Sarah. I love this card. Its absolutely fantastic the way you piece it all together. Thank You for sharing :)

Unknown said...

Wat een geweldige kaart!

Carol Q said...

absolutely gorgeous. the scrim really sets it off.

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous textural layered piece, love all the natural tones and materials. The image is stunning and looks wonderful nestled in all that natural goodness. Tracy x

Lori said...

Gorgeous Sarah! Love that cardboard!

Hettie said...

Wow Sarah. This is absolutely wonderful. I know what you mean about working with corrugated card! Had a go myself this week! Hee Hee.
Hope you and Baby are doing well. Looking forward to hearing the news!
Hugs
xx

Karin said...

very inspirational, love it!

JoZart Designs said...

Love this gem of a piece and I note that the lace below the girl's image is identical to the lace that was on my wedding dress. I've almost used it all for crafting specials but I wonder did you buy it new or is it vintage. If it's new I'd love to buy more!
love joZarty x

JoZart Designs said...

That makes me vintage too as I got the lace for my wedding dress...... 1966!!!
love Jo x

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Gorgeous texture, Sarah! Corrugated board is my favorite!!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Marijke said...

absolutely amazing

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

Wow! I love all the raw textures and the color scheme of your card. Blessings!