Saturday, August 01, 2015

CC3C - Layering Stencil Monoprint

It's that time...sadly...time for the very last challenge in the new Compendium of Curiosities III Challenge. It's bittersweet really.  Please know that the Curiosity Crew and I truly thank you for joining in on any of the challenges. You all are so so so inspiring! And, I would really like to thank Linda Ledbetter for hosting another great Compendium of Curiosities Challenge and asking me to join in, as well as Tim for taking the time to create the book, the techniques, the product...you name it!  The crew of ladies really rocked all the projects as well, as I am sure you all agree, and I am glad to have been able to join them in this. I hope Tim makes number four! ;0)
Challenge number thirty-four...sniffle sniffle...is using the Layering Stencil - Monoprint Technique!  I know all of you love the stencils and have many in your stash. I hope we have a huge number of entries for this one...the last one...to go out with a bang. Please join in, and if you do, you can win some amazing fabulous prizes donated by the ever generous Tim and Mario, and this last challenge's sponsor, The Funkie Junkie Boutique!!! Thank you so much to both sponsors during the challenges for all of your generosity! You will have two weeks to complete this challenge and link it up to the CC3Challenge site, and you can carefully read all the rules here. Please take the time to visit every member of the Curiosity Crew (See below.) for not only some painty and stenciled gorgeous projects, but for a chance to win some extra goodies!
I love this technique for creating backgrounds. When I thought about what I wanted to make, I knew I wanted to use the Flower Garden Stamps and make cards....(The cards that just kept on going and going!). Tim has so many stencils that compliment flowers and nature, so that made this technique a breeze. The rest of this project however, not so much.

Let's talk about these stamps first, as you are going to be here a while...(Grab a coke!). I am the kind of person who likes to know what things actually look like, and then I try to copy that when I am watercoloring...unless I am working abstract. While I LOVE flowers, I am not very good at the names of them. I wish I was. So when I purchased these stamps I knew a couple of the flower types, but some I didn't, so I have had to research them on google. It was very confusing sometimes, as a lot of flowers look alike. I wrote down the names of the types of flowers each one could be next to each stamp. If you see one I have wrong, or other types of flowers each could be, please let me know in the comments. I love to have lots of information on things, so I would love your help. AM I STRANGE??? YES, probably so! But, I thrive on details.

Anyway...I wanted a little more interest to the background so I added Tissue Tape to watercolor bases before I began the technique to four pieces first, then to another one, and finally to two more later. Sigh.
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Remember, I admitted that I made four of these before hand, and didn't like them so much, so I made another...again not liking it, and then made these two, but still not my favorite. However, I kept going with these two.
Even though the backgrounds were ready to be layered on, I thought they might need a little more, so I stenciled in a few more flowers with Distress Ink, and something happened. I must have contaminated the blue ink pad from the Tumbled Glass with the Forrest Moss, because when I was stenciling on these Wildflowers, I made purple. Now, most of you know I am not a big purple user. I like purple, but just don't break it out often. I thought I was going to scrap these as well as the before mentioned five others, but I just stuck it out and just kept playing. So since I did that...stuck it out...I decided to stick it out with the others, so I grabbed the five I made first...from the trash... and kept playing with them as well. NO MISTAKES IN ART...right?!! Ugh!
It took me hours to decide which flowers I would use. I searched google over and over looking for some that spoke to me. My neurotic self finally printed these yellow poppies, and now I knew how to color the flowers, BUT THEN I saw another color of poppy...purple. I did not even know poppies came in purple...barely knew they could be yellow as well. I've only seen red poppies. So I knew it was fate, and I had to make purple poppies too, and my purple mistake was not a mistake at all. So I stamped Buttercup and Violet poppies and used the matching Embossing Powder too, ala Wendy Vecchi.
I worked lightest to darkest with the yellow family of Distress Markers and the Detailer Waterbrush.
Then I added in bits of green to the center. I also used a white gel pen to add a few highlights. I then gave the centers a coating of Glossy Accents to make them pop. I really wanted the stamen to be seen. And after what seemed like hours I cut them out. Don't get me wrong. I really like how the flowers came out, but my goodness this project is going on and on, because I have issues! Obviously.
Again lightest to darkest, so I started with Milled Lavender. To my surprise, again, I really got into coloring the purple flowers. I may have to rethink my love for purple.
Love the blue stamen, so I used Faded Jeans to make mine. Glossy Accents again, cutting out, yada yada!
I stamped the stem using Jet Black Archival from Ranger, onto each piece. I colored them in with the Distress Markers, and then gave the stems a coating of Glossy Accents as well. Then of course I thought the cards needed more, so I stenciled in the word Discover. Discovering that I am sort of nuts!
I added marker to the craft sheet and picked it up with the waterbrush and tapped it over the card to make droplets of color...Fossilized Amber for the yellow poppies, and Seedless Preserves for the purple poppies. I think everything needs droplets!
I distressed the edges of the watercolor paper, mounted them on cardstock, distressed those edges, and then sewed around them a few times....you know, because I thought it needed a little more. Then, I mounted those on Kraft Cardstock, but thought they needed a border or something. So I pondered and I pondered, and decided to add strips of burlap from Tim's Textured Surfaces. Of course that needed a sentiment, so it was the Sizzix Thinlets in Adventure Words Script to the rescue. And as you might have guessed, I thought it needed more...OH MY GOSH THESE CARDS WILL NEVER BE FINISHED...as you know I am a gaudy embellisher. So I added Remnant Rubs, and then Chit Chat words, framed out in matching colors to the flower...to really make the sentiment work for me.  AND FINALLY, they were finished, and to my amazement I loved them, especially the flowers! And what I really loved, was the crazy journey I took to make them. I had real fun! I even discovered things about myself....stop laughing...that I don't mind digging in the trash to retrieve items previously made and not give up on them. I learned to keep pressing on and working hard until I reach something I am happy with. I learned that if I make mistakes along the way, I must learn from them and turn them into something beneficial, even if it takes a long time to accomplish. Eventually all my hard work will pay off, and I will have achieved my goals. ;0)
 
 
 
 
Again, I want to thank Linda, Tim, Mario, Inspiration Emporium, the Funkie Junkie, the Curiosity Crew, and ALL OF YOU for joining in, for commenting, and for supporting all of us! It has been a wonderful journey, and I hope you play along on this last challenge! And seriously, if you made it this far...to the bottom of this crazy post...then you are my true comrades in crafting, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking and putting up with me! You deserve a bag of chips to go with your Coke! You all are wonderful! Thank you!

Supplies:

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!

41 comments:

  1. Love theses flowers and the glossy accents the perfect finishing touch. Fab pieces with wonderful layers

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  2. Love these flowers! It looks to me like you have them all labeled correctly. The distressed edges and sewing are wonderful.

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  3. oh be still my crafty gardening heart!!!! i truly absolutely LOVE your pieces... they are true little pieces of art!!! as for the flowers i am kind of the same way, what are they and how can i colour them!!! absolutely one of my favourite set of stamps!! and oh, google anemone, they are one of my favourites!!!!

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  4. Anita....it has been a pleasure sharing this arty time with you. This post really grabbed me as I sometimes seem to work and work and fret, trying to fine the perfect combinations for a project. Reading how these beautiful cards came to be was really interesting and I could totally relate. 😊. Your mono print backgrounds are lovely. I am glad you kept going because your end result is really striking. Your Tim flowers using Wendy's inks are really beautiful! They totally "make" the cards. Beautiful work!!!

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  5. Wow, Anita these are so striking! Oh how I love those gorgeous flowers all so vibrant and beautiful! The stencil layers are incredible. Beautiful layers and textures. It has been a pleasure and thank you for so much inspiration! Have a lovely weekend!

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  6. Such vibrancy! It's like looking at a real flower close-up with and old world charming view behind it. You rocked this challenge to the moon and back!

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  7. Oh Wow!! Just Wow- Stunning, these need to be framed and hanging on the wall!! Beautiful!! As always inspired!!

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  8. Sniffle, Sniffle indeed, Anita!! But OMG--LOOK AT THESE CARDS!! Talk about going out with a BANG!! Simply AMAZING collection of cards and NO you're not strange!! :) LOL!! I like knowing the finer details, too :) Thank You for all of your CC3 inspiration, Anita! I'm so glad that I joined in on this creative journey and was able to 'meet' all of the Curiosity Crew through this challenge!! XOXO-Shari

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  9. Anita, this is so fabulous! Seriously, I think this is my favorite ever from you. Very different yet still faithful to your distinctive style. The colors are stunning and the white script is inspired. Way to go, girlfriend!!

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  10. Oh my gosh Anita, despite all of your trials and tribulations and fretting your cards are stunning! Each and every element is perfect, the backgrounds are glorious (how could you not like them?!) and the flowers are coloured to perfection, love the addition of the glossy accents. And I sympathize with your desire to know what the flowers in Tim's stamp set are, I stamped the rose?/peonie? the other day and was fretting what colour to make it as I wasn't sure which flower it was LOL! The words and remnant rubs finish each of these beauties off perfectly, thanks so much for sharing them with us. I finally have a copy of Tim's CC3 so hope to be able to join in with this final challenge, off to do some reading! Deb xo

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  11. What beautiful cards - I'm glad you retrieved the deep 6 file and started working with them again - they are amazing - all of them!!

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  12. My favourite stamps in wonderful colors, fantastic!!

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  13. Anita, these are absolutely gorgeous! They look like watercolors at first glance! And I really love the use of the burlap- absolutely makes a perfect addition and highlight for your sayings! ")

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  14. Wow, these are just gorgeous Anita! I love your amazing backgrounds and your colouring of the flowers is simply stunning!! hugs :)

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  15. Stunning cards Anita! The layered backgrounds look fabulous! Love the beautiful blossoms! You did an amazing job bringing them to life! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  16. OK, first of all, I don't think that the top left flower could ever pass as a marigold. The left middle, maybe in a stretch. Otherwise, I like you approach, being somewhat of a "realism" in watercolor myself!

    Now, as for your cards --- OMG they are gorgeous! I mean absotively GORGEOUS!

    Now go clean that stencil (the discover looks AWFUL!) while I go back to the drawing board and mourn the passing of Compendium of Curiosities Vol 3 Challenge!

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  17. Oh my wow! I think this is my absolute favorite you have done! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the effects you got with the monoprint!!! These cards are gorgeous and the texture and dimension you achieved is over the top amazing! I was so enamored my husband asked me what I was so excited about, wink....It has been a true pleasure to take this journey with you and the others...I feel so lucky to have been able to create art with you girls. Truly an amazing experience, one that I will cherish forever! Big hugs....hope to see you in September in Orlando, wink.

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  18. the flowers are so great. The use of the tissue tape is smart, thanks for the tips :)

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  19. These cards are gorgeous! They have so much depth and wonderfully adorned. Beautiful flowers and work!

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  20. Beautiful cards, love the layers.

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  21. Love all the cards and every colour variation! Thank you for the inspiration!

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  22. Well, thank goodness you picked those babies out of the trash, because these turned out AMAZING! I adore them!! It's great that you shared your frustrations and troubles with us because we've all been there and it's nice to know it happens to the best of the best sometimes. It's been an honor creating with you on this Creative Crew and I look forward to seeing what crafty things are in your future.

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  23. Girrrrrllllllll! These are just fabulous... such rich colors and texture and the technique on the background is absolutely scrumptious. It's been a pleasure sharing this journey with you and I look forward to our working together many times over in the future. Off to pin your beauties now.

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  24. Holy bag of Gyro chips and sodie pop!! These are spectacular and look at you being all a botanist and stuff....that's fabulous! I feel like such a late comer to the TH Compendium party as I only just recently purchased all three books and would love to start from the beginning, but hopefully Mr T will make the 4th and the fun can continue! Your cards and the process are phenomenal and the textures are SCRUMPTIOUS!! You amaze me always Anita.
    Thanks for the fantastic time spent on your blog.
    hugs,
    Lisa x

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  25. OK, I am going to try again! I am so sorry that it has come to an end and like you I hope Tim writes vol. IV! It has been great following the Curiosity Crew and seeing all your fabulous makes! I am so glad that you retrieved these because your background are amazing! I love the fabulous colours, it really makes those beautiful flowers 'pop'! Thanks so much for all your inspiration during and before CC3C! Hugs, Anne xx

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  26. Embracing those imperfections has become my motto ! Good lord you did a fabulous job on these , I love all the details... they are beautiful... from top to bottom !!
    Have so enjoyed this journey with you, all the inspiration ... the visits ... enjoyed it all ... like I said before I like playing with the Big Girls !!

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  27. These backgrounds turned out fantastic, Anita! I am so glad you didn't give up and kept on adding to and reworking them! It has been so incredibly wonderful working with you on these challenges. I really hope to collaborate with you more in the future!

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  28. WOW - these are amazing; worthy of framing! (And after all that work, why wouldn't you?) I totally "get" your animosity towards purple; I only use it if I'm desperate - but yours turned out so beautiful against that gorgeous blue background. I am also guilty of pulling stuff out of the trash and sometimes those turn out better than I'd ever imagined! The frayed edges and sewing on these are really pushing my "embellish to the max" buttons; you can never have too many awesome details, amIrite?!

    PS: I did not have any chips nearby, so I ate Cheetos Puffcorn with my Diet Coke. Hope that's okay. :)

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  29. Hi Anita, sad time but great inspiration for The Grand Finale! I love your vibrant pieces, the flowers look amazing on that background. I will still be following your blog. Hugs Jan x

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  30. WOW thanks for all the pictures. Your backgrounds are awesome! I love all the layers of color. thanks for all your inspiration though out this whole CC3 "tour"!

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  31. These cards were a real labour of love and it shows! They are FABULOUS. Wonderful colours, loving the purple, and so full of details, gorgeous

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  32. So glad you kept at it...these cards are wonderful! I love the color splatter technique, and using the glossy accents on the stems was genius!

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  33. oh, these cards are beautiful!!

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  34. WHOA!!! What awesomely BEAUTIFUL cards!!! I love the effort & time U put into these making each one boldly stand out all on its own!!! Thanks so much for sharing these challenges w me, & for the outstanding inspiration you've given to us all!!! ❤️ ~Lyla~

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  35. Love these Anita!!! I always find inspiration here and I'll be keeping up through FB and here too. Thanks for the great tut's along the way too. :)

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  36. Anita, I think one of the great things about this technique is that it doesn't have to be perfect in order for it to look good, so good for you dumpster diving. Your cards are ALL beautiful, so cheerful and whimsical! Your monoprint technique looks great and reminds me of an Impressionist painting. My favorite flower is the purple poppy--so pretty!

    Thank you for all your hard work and inspiration you have given us here at CC3! It has been a lot of fun, and I've tried things I might never have tried had it not been for the Curiosity Crew. Hugs!

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  37. Amazing cards Anita, you did it, a grand finale. I love how you used Tim's techniques for your background and how you managed to get an amazing landscape to compliment the wonderful you mastered. thanks for sharing you project with us and for giving us so much inspiration. I will miss this challenges.

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  38. All I can say is WOW Anita! Your cards are wonderful...I love all the detail. Thanks for labeling the flowers. My thumb is not very green :) Thank you for all the inspiration over the past 16 months. It has been great fun.

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  39. Well, one thing for sure Anita - I am slipping. I cannot believe that I am just now leaving you a comment - so embarrassing... dear me. My favorite thing is leaving comments... just shaking my head trying to figure out what happened here! Ugh. However... I'm so glad I didn't miss these projects - sooo lovely. Your monoprint intrigues me - I just love it and am going back to look at it again... I think I need to try it. And your flowers - sooo gorgeous. The colors, the sewing - it all just comes together to make such enchanting cards. I adore them. j.

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  40. Love your projects! Your projects have been such an inspiration to me. Thanks for the kind words along the way. Check out my Compendium of Curiosity iii tribute project. I was unable to finish in time due to a car accident!
    http://vic-n-stuff.blogspot.com/2015/08/belated-final-compendium-of-curiosity.html
    XoXoXo!

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  41. Love love love these - they're just bursting with summer life. The layers are fabulous and the touch of burlap gives them a wonderfully rustic feel. What a fantastic finale to an amazing journey.
    Alison xx

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