Sunday 10 November 2013

Twelve Days Of Christmas - Day 2 - Faux Stained Glass

This is my second to last challenge to complete the Marks Finest Papers, Twelve Days Of Christmas.

I was not looking forward to this one...I did not have extra red rubber trimmings (that were used in the tutorial)  to make the block with which to stamp the versamark ink. I used makeup sponges...those sort of triangular ones that you buy in a big bag at the dollar store.

Since I had to improvise on the tutorial directions, and was not sure if my idea would even work, I decided to keep the faux finish treatment to the DP only. I cut a piece of VOS (very old supplies) Basic Grey DP. I chose it as thought it had the boldness of pattern that would perhaps suit the stained glass look.

I pushed the long triangle end into the ink and stamped it onto my paper. over and over. It was hard to see where I had stamped and where not! I heat embossed with clear embossing powder and could see I had huge unstamped areas that were going to look like big black blobs once I inked it up...so I repeated the process...restamped it wwith the versamark ink  and re-embossed it.

Once cool, I rubbed black memento ink all over it and then wiped off the excess. The ink stayed in the areas that were not covered by the versamark and embossing treatment. Just as I had worried, the ink filled into large "patches", rather than the sort of fine lines you would see on a stained glass window.
Looking through the other entries, I can see that others had this same problem. Even on the designers samples, some have very thick lines of dark ink so perhaps this technique is supposed to have wide inked lines...

All in all, I was a bit disappointed in my glass making skills and just wanted to let you know that you can breathe a sigh of relief that I will not be persuing any new career as a stained glass artist! lol


I had a stamped Joy sentiment and image that I had inked up, coloured, stickled and already die cut  and filed away. I decided I would like the crisp look of the white against the dark look of the inked up DP. I
matted it with a snippet of red card and placed a K&Co poinsettia in the left corner. I did have to ink the edges with some red ink, as I managed to get a bit of the black ink smeared on the mat! With the red ink added, you can barely see it...at least that is what I am telling myself.
Here is a closeup showing the embossed and inked DP and the shimmer on the stamped holly leaves.

I decided not to add any other embellishments as I do not want to cover up the stained glass requiement of the challenge.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

1. Marks Finest Papers Twelve Days of Christmas Day 2 - Faux Stained
2. Pixies Crafty Workplace - must use snippets

15 comments:

Merry said...

What a fun technique….glad you shared. Lovely card.

Brenda Brown said...

Your background looks great to me Mo, lovely festive colours and finished card.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

Hi Maureen your card is so pretty and love the paper you use. I think its good to try new techniques some work others don't but the fun is in the trying! Susan x

roffeycreations said...

This looks fabulous Mo... I never have what they use in tutorials and sometimes improvising gives a greater freedom to creating... hugs Mxx

debby4000 said...

Absolutely gorgeous
luv
Debby

Redanne said...

Well I think the finished result is beautiful and the die with the sentiment is gorgeous. The main thing is - at least you tried! I have that DP somewhere in my stash, so thank you for the reminder. Hugs, Anne x

Hettie said...

Great card Mo. I often have to improvise and sometimes I prefer it my way! I love the traditional colours.
Hugs
xx

brenda said...

A delightful traditional card and beautifully finished.

B x

Karen P said...

You are being too hard on yourself Mo. It is gorgeous! x

Tracy said...

I have not seen this technique before..I may..or may not go and check it out, lol.
You card looks great.

Di said...

I think it's fabulous Mo!! Stop running yourself down - you can see from what others have said it's really great!

Hugs, Di xx

MaryH said...

Since I didn't see the other entrants cards, I'm not sure why you're not happy with this one. I think it is very beautiful, with the very original and colorful background. Looked like stained glass to me when I enlarged it. I've seen some glass pieces that had wide solder between the glass. You did a fantastic job on this challenge, and learned a new technique. Good for you! your inset piece was just as beautiful too, with your red mat making that intricate die cut white piece sparkle. Wonderful card. TFS

Carol L said...

I just love all the sparkle on this beautiful card! The die cut has gorgeous edges and I really like the poinsettia corner accent!

Greta said...

I think you ended up with a beautiful card! Love the close up showing the sparkle

Glenda Atkins said...

Wonderful technique but sounds complicated, however your card is quite beautiful so might be worth pursuing! Love it!
hugs
Glenda