Sunday, March 10, 2013

Painted Easter

We're kicking off a week of Easter cards at Card A Day Blog and I've been playing with paint!

I admit, I love all things Tim, but with the wedding fast approaching, I'm really trying to rein in my craft spend.  So, while I keep seeing these wonderful blogland posts on the new Distress Paints, I just can't bring myself to purchase them when I have a whole rack of acrylic paints languishing in the studio!  And though I'm sure DPs are magical, I thought I'd see what I could do with those abandoned ordinary, non-Tim paints...

The Details:
  • That's right, I'm starting with the details before even showing you the end result...I'm building drama!  LOL!  Plus, I actually remembered to get the camera out while in the process of creating, not just at the end.
  • I've seen a lot of stamping and background work with DPs, so I decided that was a perfect way to start my paint experimentation.  I made my card base from spring moss stock, then added some "swoops" of yellow ochre using a make-up sponge (I love using make-up sponges for paint because they do a great job and are cheap enough that I just toss 'em when I'm done). 
  • Next layer was a postcard background stamped in buttermilk.  I also lightly swiped the edges and corners with buttermilk.
  • Paint gives the image such dimension and texture...I love it!
  • Final paint layer was some rouge fly-speckling using a toothbrush.  The more water you add to your paint, the larger the speckles will be.  Always test on a scrap before flicking onto your project.

  • Something I haven't seen DPs used for (yet) is coloring ribbon.  I didn't have the right shade of ribbon to match my card, so I decided to dye my own using yellow ochre acrylic paint and water.  It turned out lovely!    At first, it's really matte and heavy looking with the paint pigment.
  • But then, when you squeeze it in a paper towel, the distressed look comes through and you get highs and lows of color.  It has a softer, more chalk-pastel finish than when using ink pigment.  Perfect for spring...reminds me of the finish on an eggshell.
  • I had this perfect Easter image from K&Co. with a not-so Easter-y sentiment.  "You're invited"?  Seems like an odd choice on their part, but I can fix it!
  • I punched a photo label from cream cardstock and stamped "Easter" in Crushed Olive DI.  After tattering the edges with a Tim Holtz paper distresser, I used the same make-up sponge to add color to the edges.  It's subtle because I didn't re-apply any paint to the sponge, I just used what was already on it.  I then mounted the finished label over the unwanted sentiment using foam tape for dimension.

Okay, I think I've taunted you enough!  Here's the finished card.  I used just a touch of patterned paper behind the bunny and flowers image.  I'm really pleased with the background and am sure I'll continue my paint experiments.
Supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink ‘Spring Moss’; Stampin’ Up! ‘Naturals Ivory’
Patterned Paper:  Authentique ‘Blissful’ 6x6
Stamps: SU! ‘All Year Cheer’; Unity Ippity ‘Thoughts from the Past’
Inks: Acrylic paint Americana ‘Yellow Ochre’, ‘Buttermilk’, Delta Ceramcoat ‘Rouge’; Distress Ink ‘Crushed Olive’
Embellishments: K&Co diecut ‘SW Spring Blossom Seed’; Hug Snug seam binding ‘Ivory’
Tools:  Scallop edge scissors; Stamp-a-ma-jig; EK Success punch ‘Photo Labels’; 3M foam tape; mister; heat tool; Tim Holtz paper distresser; make-up sponge; toothbrush

11 comments:

  1. Oh that is so beautiful!!! Love your background too......absolutely perfect!!!!

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  2. Wow that is a stunning card, love the process unfolding too a great idea.

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  3. Your card is great, thx for sharing your techniques, love the ribbon E

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  4. Stunning card and technique.

    Thanks for joining us at One Stop Craft Challenge.

    Mari

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  5. Great technique and what a beautiful card for the end result! Thanks for joining our challenge at The Squirrel & The Fox :)

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  6. This is lovely and thanks for joining us over at Allsorts this week
    x catherine

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  7. Gorgeous! Thanks for the paint tips...I've got a "few" bottles of my own laying around!!

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  8. Beautiful creation.
    Thank you for joining us at crafty ribbons
    Hugs Kelly.

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  9. Gorgeous card and great Tutorial.! Thanks for linking up with Aud!

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  10. Love your background, thanks for showing how you acheived it - great inspiration (I knew I kept my old toothbrush for something!!!). Thanks for playing along at Aud Sentiments.

    Hugs Ali x

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  11. Oh my gosh, this is lovely! I want to try using paint myself now! Thank you for adding the steps of how you created it, I also love that you weren't thwarted by the sentiment and really made this just sing! BEAUTIFUL! Thank you so much for participating with us at Opus Gluei, I hope we get you to come back for our latest challenge!

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