'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday 13 September 2010

This week's Spotlight challenge on Crafty Cardmaker's Challenge Blog is to use Alcohol inks.

I was still thinking Clean and Simple when I made this and so I tried to keep it pretty simple - something I simply couldn't envisage when I first started to think about using Alcohol inks, which I LOVE for their messiness.  Then I had a bit of a brainwave and this is what I did.


I added two colours of Ranger Alcohol inks (Citrus and Pool) to the felt on an applicator, keeping them far enough apart that they didn't bleed into each other, then dragged the applicator across a piece of glossy card to create a duo coloured stripe.  Okay, I know it's NOT a straight stripe, but I still like it, lol.  It's what's known as freedom of expression and is, at least, unique, he, he.

Stamped the Greeting (SU) and the butterfly (one of my all time favourite images from ISC) with Memories Black ink, then embossed them with clear powder while still wet. 

Coloured another piece of glossy card with the same alcohol inks, then stamped and embossed the butterfly again but with the stripes in reverse order, to add some contrast.  I then cut it out and attached over the top of the original one, using double sided foam tape, revealing the antennae underneath it. 

Added three citrus brads under stripe to balance the design, then layered onto turquoise card and white card.

27 very kind comments from lovely people:

Anonymous said...

love the colour combo and youve used my fave butterfly stamp - a fab CAS card.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I actually prefer the stripes with a bit of movement. The stripes are not so static that way.

This is deceptively simple, but I feel a not so simple card to create. Now where were you when I was wracking my brain for simplicity last week (grin)?

Artyjen said...

Gorgeous CAS card :)
xoxo Sioux

Paul B said...

Imagine my jaw dropping to the floor when I saw this haha. Wow, wow and wow again. You know me, I love CAS these days and seeing how you've creatively used alcohol inks and stayed CAS is fantastic. I'd stopped using them as they were "messy" but might now have to breathe new life into them. Pxx

Anke said...

Wonderful CAS card Cath.

Hugs
Anke

Cynthia Schelzig said...

This is a beautiful card...just so darn clean and great design...wonderful stripe ,,whooosh across.super!,,,-I never knew that alcohol inks could look so clean:)

Josephine said...

That's just a gorgeous card. I love the colours, and they're even better for being in all that white! And I love that butterfly too!

Martina said...

Simple elegance! Beautifully done, dear Cath!

Sid said...

Brilliant simplicity !!

thekathrynwheel said...

Ooh I really love this card. The colours are fab x

Neet said...

Nice colour combo - not what I would have thought for you somehow.

Carol Q said...

ooh that's a lovely colour combination Cath.

cockney blonde said...

Stunningly simple Cath, x

lee said...

I think you did a great job on the card, and the colours are fabulous.

JoZart Designs said...

Simple but striking, lovely colour choice and beautifully made. Love it!
Jo x

Anonymous said...

I thought I'd left a comment but must have forgotten to press the right button! This is stunning and yet another technique I shall be 'borrowing' off of you. xx

Lin said...

This is another truly gorgeous card, so simple, not much on it, but so stunningly effective.

Love that colour combo too.

Lin xx

Dotpat said...

Lovely card Cath, really like that as it is so clean looking

Sarah A said...

Gorgeous! Would never have put your name to this if it was one of those competitions (you know like guess the baby photo - sorry it's late and I'm waffling) but it is simply elegant.

Love the reverse contrast on the butterfly too, I actually found time to enter this challege for a change thanks to yours and Ei's inspiration

Sarah x

Dana C (KyStamper) said...

Great CAS card - love the colors.

sam21ski said...

So simple and so very effective. I am pleased that your stripes aren't perfectly straight, they would look to uniform, as it is, they look perfect xxxx

joanne wardle said...

I love that the stripe isn't straight. gorgeous card!

Vixykins said...

Stunning, stunning, simple, effective did I say stunning? :D

Unknown said...

This is so stunning! this is totally adorable! Now we just got to get you over to join us in some of our papercraft star blog challenges... we need your inspiration there! http://www.papercraftstar.blogspot.com!

Anonymous said...

Total gorgeousness! Might be pinching that idea for some simple christmas cards, if I may!

Eiglas said...

Such a stuunning card! So clever in its simplicity! The colours are totally beautiful and the overall effect is both clean and ethereal.
Great card!
Hugs
Ei
x

Unknown said...

Absolutely stunning work - I so admire your style and talent.

How amazing those journal pages are - you seem to be brilliant with every media/medium you touch

So wish you lived nearer - I'd book you for a one to one lesson