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

Friday 15 May 2020

Good morning, peeps!
Just popping in to share my playtimes from the last couple of days.

Firstly, I just had to use this word background stamp because I think it's brilliant 😁 
I finally decided to get some more Gesso because I'd been playing with the thickened remains of a pot I'd had for years. 
Leandra from Paperartsy showed us how to use Gesso as a background element at a Katy's Corner Stamp Camp, when Distress Inks were first introduced. So, using an old credit card, I added some to this piece of card, then added Picked Raspberry and Fossilised Amber Oxides over it. I love the randomness of colour the gesso creates. After drying, I stamped and clear embossed the words. I thought this gorgeous Stampendous butterfly would work well over it, so I stamped and embossed it over the words, painting with some very watered down gesso, just to 'knock back' the colour, even though very little of it would be visible when it was finished. I used foam tape to add the stamped and die cut butterfly, then cut out and added some of the words from the background stamp.
I've been playing with backgrounds a lot lately and this was one I'd made with Peacock Feather, and Twisted Citron Oxides, plus lots of water. I wanted to bring out the colours, and take the focus off the yellowy, dingy tones these two inks can make when they blend, so I played around with it, stamping in the same two colours. as usual, but it was still a bit dark. So I added some stamping in white, to lighten it. I'm always amazed at how much a little bit of white can change the whole tone. The white circle was an afterthought, added with the help of one of my favourite stencils. 
This is the photo...
...and this is the scan - which shows the Twisted Citron a bit more.
I love the shape of this flower and the fact that it isn't a flat image, so to enhance that a little, I used foam tape to stick the central one down. I definitely have 'a thing' about foam tape at the moment 😀 I added some dewdrops with Nuvo Crystal Drops and some Liquid Pearls to the flower centres, with some Posca pen dots.
This one is the result of a playtime with Neocolor watercolour crayons on a tall, slim scrap of card. It began with just scribbling blocks of colour, stencilling with a baby wipe, then adding some background words, stencilling the tree, and the words to finish it off.

Linking to
Make My Monday, Tone on Tone
Allsorts, Anything Goes
Dare2bArtzy Challenge, In the Garden
International Art and Soul, Flowers and Butterflies
Friendship Challenge, Anything that can fly
A Place to Start, Create a Custom Background

Thanks for calling in today
Stay safe!
Back soon
Cath
xxx

22 very kind comments from lovely people:

theras kartenblog said...

wow - I like your projects so much. The colours are great the layouts are absolutly wonderful.
Thanks for playing along with us at Friendship Challenge.
Good luck and best wishes!
Ilse (thera)

María said...

They're so different and great, those backgrounds are awesome, I love the combination of colours and how you've played with the stamps.

Yeah, gesso creates wonderful effects I'm playing with it a lot lately and I love it.

Have a fantastic weekend. Hugs, María.

crafty-stamper said...

WOW all fabulous cards love the backgrounds /butterfly and flowers -beautiful combination of colours and stencilling on the last one too
Carol x

My name is Erika. said...

That background stamp on the butterfly card is a beauty. I can see why you like it. I do like the effect of the gesso and the color gradient. And nice happy flowers. Happy is good right now, if not always, isn't it? And I see a Hero Arts stamp that looks familiar. it is another oldie but goodie, isn't it? Love the sections of color on your long thin card. I need to get back into the studio. School will be done in 3 weeks, and then I will have enough time for art and gardening. Have a super weekend Cath. And thanks for you wonderful support with my Mom. Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What a wonderful set of cards you have created Cath. I love the butterfly, but those dimensional flowers are amazing. Have a super weekend and please stay safe.

meg said...

wow a gorgeous range of backgrounds, the colour tones are beautiful thank you for joining in at MMM

brenda said...

More super inkiness Cath and I totally agree about a spot of white, always seems to bring things to life. And the rainbow colours on the last creation stunning.

A beautiful floral creation in pretty colours for our Allsorts Anything Goes theme and appreciate you taking the time to join in, thank you.

B x

Dawn Phillips said...

These are so lovely. I love the flowers and sentiment on the green card. Thanks for joining my challenge at Make my Monday. Love Dawn x

Meggymay said...

A fantastic selection of cards Cath, the background stamps look super and the flowers are beautiful.
Stay safe.
Yvonne xx

Mrs.B said...

Great cards Cath with lovely inky backgrounds, love the butterfly one and you've picked out a great sentiment.
Have a great weekend.
Avril xx

Neet said...

Wish you were doing background classes like so many stampers are doing (classes not just backgrounds) on the internet during the pandemic time. I would be there with bells on.
I had forgotten all about that background that you used in the first card, perhaps I will try it out in a few days time if you don't mind. I need to do something about these backgrounds and write not4es so that i can try them all out.
I have been using white in a lot of my recent work, as a result of Tracy Evans' videos and it certainly does change things. This second card is lovely and the dots around the edges of the petals create interest to the eye.
As always Cath, your work is beautiful.
Hugs, Neet xx

Caty said...

Woww your Artworks are Amazing Cath !! Love the wonderful butterfly, want to fly with her. The backgrounds are all Gorgeous, so unique and beautiful. Great flowers ! Love the stamps and the colours you have used.
I wish you a very happy weekend, stay safe and
big hugs, Caty

Tracy said...

Gorgeous creation, thanks for joining Allsorts challenge, good luck.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what stunning cards! Both design look amazing, the butterfly looks gorgeous and I'm loving the flowers with the circle stencil - amazing 😀. I hope you've had a lovely week and wishing you a happy weekend! Take care! Hugs, Jo x

nwilliams6 said...

Oh, totally wow on everything. I love, love, love those bordered flowers. This post is soooo cool!

pearshapedcrafting said...

All so brilliant Cath! Those flowers look wonderful with that gorgeous background! Hugs, Chrisx

Mummylade said...

Wonderful colours and details. Thank you for entering our challenge at Allsorts.

Chriss America Real said...

You have been so busy my friend, all of these are gorgeous! I just noticed that I haven't been following you. I am following you now, follow me back if you aren't already.

Thank you so much for playing along with International Art & Soul.

Hugs,
Chriss -DT

Wei said...

Love your gorgeous creation. Thanks for playing along with us at Make My Monday Challenge. Looking forward to seeing your creative projects in the future galleries again.

Deezy's Handmade Cards said...

Wonderful card! I like the mixed media design of it very much: it is almost looking like an art journal page. A real piece of art, and a wonderful card! Lots of details and a fab background! Thanks for joining us at a Place to Start this month!

Chana Malkah said...

You should teach a background making class! Your work is awesome! Thanks so much for your beautiful submission to our challenge at A Place To Start!
Hugz,
Chana Malkah, Owner

Chana Malkah said...

Congratulations! You have been chosen as a TOP SPROUT for the month of MAY at A Place To Start! Thanks so much for your amazing contribution to our challenge!
The APTS Resident Design Team