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Thursday 5 September 2019

The Stubborn stamper

Hello crafting pals!

Crafting isn't all skipping through the tulips is it? Sometimes, we want to do something that just doesn't seem that possible. But crafters are obstinate folk (or is that just me?!) and when we want to produce the thing in our heads, we will darned well produce the thing in our heads!

Take this card for example:


A perfectly reasonable-looking card you'd say - or at least I hope you would! Well, this innocent-looking card has been responsible for sleepless nights and some very ink-stained fingers! It all started with this gorgeous colour challenge from the As You See It challenge:


Despite all the talk at AYSI about summery colours, I felt this palette was perfect for a 'midnight over the city' Christmas card I'd been planning with my new Cityscape stamps from Clearly Besotted! The problem? I had no Pretty Peacock ink and nothing even vaguely resembling it amongst my new Stampin' Up ink pads. I did have an Island Indigo reinker though! Great for the background - but when it came to inking up the stamp... not so much! So, why didn't I make a temporary ink pad using wet wipes you may ask? Because I don't own any wet wipes (and here is why.) How could I get round this?


My solution (and I promise it isn't really a solution...) was to put plenty of ink onto a plate and sponge it onto the solid stamp, huff on it like a mad train and stamp over my sponged background. I tried three times (new background each time!) and on the third time it was slightly less unacceptable than the previous times! A bit blotchy at the bottom - but that just gave me the opportunity to cover it up with a sentiment strip! I used words from Merry Christmas to All and gold embossed them.


Never mistakes, always opportunities! Now, let's focus on the sky and do a little star gazing! The stars have come out courtesy of a gold Stampin' Dazzle pen that I bought years ago and is still going remarkably strong :)

AND IN OTHER NEWS
September has arrived and we are now reaping the 'rewards' of all those beautiful days with the French doors flung open to invite the outdoors in. Along with the much-appreciated perfume of the roses, and the smell of newly mown grass, come less welcome gate-crashers. My son was the hero that hunted down this invader - and this is not a glass by the way, but a large vase!


PS. No spiders were harmed in the hunt - Stephen Spider was released into the garden (where he's probably rounding up a few of his mates to take revenge for the indignity of that vase!)

Thank you for popping in today. See you again tomorrow :)


13 comments:

  1. I am amazed what you go through for art, I wouldn't have a clue, but your card is gorgeous, love the colours and how you used them and the gold addition with sentiment and stars is just lovely. As for the spider OH! NO! better get the big vase ready!
    Faith x

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    1. Well it's all good fun! I tell you Faith, that Stephen was a MONSTER! x

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  2. Vicky, your creativity is simply amazing, each day I look forward to seeing what you have created with minimal supplies, although they are growing I'm happy to see.

    Your right to not use wipes, if they block our drains, imagine our poor old stamps.

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    1. My stamp collection is definitely growing Barb!
      Every little thing helps...

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  3. Haha - not just me then! I totally understand where you’re coming from and your post today made me chuckle Vicky - nothing worse than an idea that is perfectly formed in your head that you just can’t seem to get out onto the Cardstock! What a tremendous job though - this is gorgeous! You’ve really made these colours work beautifully and I love the cardstock panel with gold embossed sentiment. Stunning! It must be something about these colours - I also had a ‘great’ idea for these colours but so far all attempts have ended in the bin. I had all but given up, but you’ve encouraged me to have another go so will try and find some time over the weekend. Enjoy your day - hope it’s spider-free!

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    1. I know! It just niggles at your mind doesn't it! I think you and I should get together for a challenge crafting session Joanne :)
      I have every faith that you will come out with something stunning for this challenge and will keep my eye out for it. I'm spider-free so far thank goodness!

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  4. Gorgeous card, Vicky, and well worth the effort. I've also had my first encounter of the season with an eight legged visitor, but like yours managed to trap and release the invader xoxo

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  5. Well I just love how this card turned out.

    I am arachnophobic ... so I ran away after I saw your second picture!

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    1. I'm so sorry Sarn - I should have put up a warning!! xx

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  6. Oh, Vicky! So sorry to be the cause of sleepless nights! I do understand about trying to translate head image onto cardstock! It has happened to me many times, where it has been "lost in translation" so to speak, and I've had to summon up the Stubborn Stamper in myself! Good for you for persevering, because the final result looks amazing! Thanks for wrestling with As You See It Challenges this week!

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    1. Don't think I'm complaining Heather! In fact sometimes I think the greater the struggle the more fun is being had!

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  7. Well, your background attempt is quite pretty, despite all the trial, error and inky fingers! Great way to use these colors, too! Now......Mr Spider.....I am impressed you put him outside. When I encounter one outside, it's safe...inside my house, I am afraid it is fair game, LOL! Thanks for playing with our As You See It color challenge this week!

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I'd love to know what you think. Do leave me a comment - it always makes my day! Vicky x


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