I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Sunday 15 September 2013

Don't Forget!



Hello all!  After an insanely busy start to the week, it's been a little quieter here at Words and Pictures in the last couple of days (it's far from quiet in my real life, but there you go...).

But I'm back, and with a picture-heavy-post warning (cup of coffee time), as there are lots of bits to this make!

Today it's time for our mid-month reminder over at Our Creative Corner, with projects from the rest of the Design Team to inspire you to enter our Forgotten Things challenge, hosted by the fabulous (Red)Anne.

You can find all the details of what Anne is after, as well as some amazing inspiration from my teammates, at OCC - but essentially the idea is to use something from your stash that you'd forgotten was there, or a technique you've lost track of in the mists of time.

Oh, and my apologies for slack visiting - I'm having massive problems with Blogger in the evenings - the only time I have to visit Craftyblogland at the moment.  It's why this post is late too, sorry.  Anyone else suffering?




This proved a little trickier for me than I'd imagined.  Since none of my stash is more than a year and half old, there's really not anything that I've fully forgotten about (yet). 

But I did have a genuine "Ooh, it's ages since I've used that!" moment recently, and it was as I was deciding what to make for my ICADs  for the swap organised by the fabulous Astrid.




ICAD stands for 'Index Card A Day' - they're also sometimes known as "skinnys"... basically, it's a work surface 3 x 5 inches in size.

I received two lovely ICADs with holders as part of the international swap (I'll share those another day), and I needed to make two of my own, with holders, to send off on their merry way around the world.

As you can already see, I took the opportunity to work with lots of my favourite colours, materials and techniques, though I didn't know what stamps I'd be using until all the backgrounds were already done.  I just followed my instincts...













It started with the fortunate finding of the perfect bit of cardboard packaging, which even already had the folds in pretty much the right place to create the holders for the ICADs.

And I cut my ICADs from some manila tags to give me a nice working surface to get inky on.







The first step was some wrinkle-free distress technique.  

On one side I used Distress Stains, and on the other, I added some Distress Paints to the mix, so as to get a slightly different quality of colour, more opaque and chalky.

To contrast with that chalkiness, I blended Broken China Distress Ink through the Harlequin stencil, and immediately clear embossed it.










I just love the watery, translucent look this gives you, so beautiful when it catches the light.  

For some reason, I decided this was the back of the ICAD, so it needed to say who the maker was.









I'd found - still in its envelope, so sort of "forgotten" - this lovely 'made by' label, an ebay purchase.  So I stamped that on the back of the ICADs in Olive Archival.













Then, feeling it needed a little something along the bottom, I added the adorable tiny meadow flowers from Artistic Outpost's Generation Redux set....













And then just one more layer - stamping Tim Holtz's little wildflower stamp using Aquamarine Archival.











I also used the Harlequin stencil on the front side, but here I used the 'stencil bumping' technique demonstrated by Leandra of PaperArtsy in this great video.  

Of course, she's using Fresco paints, but I used Distress Ink, and then Picket Fence Distress Stain for my 'bumped' top layer.





It's a technique I'd not exactly "forgotten" about, but am always meaning to use more often.  I love the dimensional look it gives.

I layered in some text stamping using the wonderful SheArt Print Texture, one of the great Christy Tomlinson stamps made by Unity.








There's a text layer on the back too (of course!).  

I used Aquamarine Archival ink so that it would hold its own if I decided to do any spritzing or spraying later.













Because I'd already used the little meadow flowers, they were obviously in my mind as I went flicking through my stamp collection to see what I might use as my focal image.  

And it was at this point that I looked at the large hedgerow grasses of Donna Downey's Delicate Wildflowers for Unity, and had my "ooh" moment.







I was completely obsessed with these stamps at the beginning of this year.  Longtime regulars may remember them appearing on project after project!  

But they hadn't been out to play lately, and I suddenly realised they'd be perfect for this make.










First of all, I stamped the Delicate Wildflowers in Olive Archival, to match with the stamping on the back.

And then I decided to try for a ghostly stamping with Picket Fence Distress Stain - a little nerve-wracking as, if it all went wrong at this stage, there would be quite a lot to redo - but thankfully, I absolutely love the cobwebby effect it created!











The sentiment is one of Tim Holtz's, and again I've clear embossed the ink.




There's always a delight to me in the "now-you-see-it, now-you-don't" of the glossy words, hovering in and out of vision, as things do in dreams...

Time to get on with the holders... 




I used a generous coat of white acrylic paint to smarten up the packaging, after peeling away the top papers in places to reveal some of the lovely corrugated texture, of course.



I used Tim's new tiny dots stencil with various blue and green Distress Inks.















Then it was out with another long-time favourite, the Silhouette Blossoms, stamped in Olive Archival.














Very happy with how the branches and the dots play together.















I blended Distress Inks around the edges for definition and a touch of distressing.






I used the same set of colours to dye some seam binding to create the closure for the holders - no more than a simple bow.













On the inside I glued strips of dictionary pages (lovely old German typescript) and white washed them.












This time it was some brand new grasses that came out to play - a lovely stamp by Indigoblu layered up in different colours.... and a bit more inking round the edges, of course.













I used one of the Brackets On the Edge dies to cut a couple of pieces of paper from one of the Tim Holtz stacks to create the pockets to hold the ICADs, and glued them in place.











So there they are... ready for their journeys.





I hope by now they've both reached their destinations, and I hope they've brought as much pleasure as I found in the making of them.












Do hop over to Our Creative Corner and see what the rest of the team have come up with to inspire you.  The projects are well worth a moment of your time!

And we hope you'll find a moment more to come and share your Forgotten Things with us this month.


I'd like to add this as a second entry in the Embossed challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
And with those book pages lining the holders, I'd like to join in with Hit the Books over at Anything But A Card
And, at long last, a chance to play along at one of my favourite challenges Frilly and Funkie again, as they're playing Anything Goes

The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.
Friedrich Nietzsche

There is nothing new except what has been forgotten.
Marie Antoinette

I've a grand memory for forgetting.
Robert Louis Stevenson

65 comments:

Amanda said...

Beautiful, I am sure the recipients will be delighted. Just had a catch up with your blog as just back from hols, stunning work as always congrats on the paperartsy submissions they are fabulous. Looks like the workshops were so inspiring and fun I would have loved to have joined in, maybe next time as it would be great to meet you all
Love
Amanda x

Clare Lloyd said...

they are fabulous. I really love the holders too. x

Sophie said...

Wunder-wunderschön...
Ich bin wieder einmal schwer beeindruckt über dein Werk.
Und die herrlichen Farben, das sieht wirklich toll aus.

Umarmung und liebe Grüße von Sophie xx

Claudia N. said...

LOVE THEM, Alison!


I still can remember your "hedgerow flowers" obsession and am glad you used them again as they "belong to you" from my point of view. You really know what to do best with them and how to create those enchanted makes with them.

The holders are lovely too! Definitely "Alison"!

Hugs,
Claudia x

Cestina said...

Given all the blogger nonsense and the rest of what's going on at the moment in "real" life I'm deeply impressed that you have managed to produce and post anything, let alone something so charming.

And oh my goodness, how true is the Nietzsche quote!

Redanne said...

Hi Alison, your ICADs are beautiful, love the glossy parts and the wonderful flower stamps. The holders are amazing, adore the stamping on the book pages. Wonderful colours, so very YOU! Gorgeous work as always. Hugs, Anne x

Von said...

Awesome cases Alison :)
Von ♥

martina's kaartjes said...

what a fab creation ! love it ! great result ! thanks for sharing,
greetings, martina
x

Helen said...

They are absolutely beautiful, Alison!! I love those wildflowers, all of them (need to add them to my own collection I think!)The embossing adds the perfect touch to these projects. I think the recipients will be delighted.

sam21ski said...

Fantastic Alison xxx

Rita said...

Good Morning Alison. What fantastic work. How I wish I was on the receiving end of one. Gorgeous colours too, I may add. Hugs Rita xxxx

Margie said...

These are lovely Alison and I especially like the holders - wonderful transformation of simple packaging. You do layers so well, I wish I had your confidence. Love, Margie x

Astrid Maclean said...

Both the cards and their holders are totally stunning and totally you!! Fab makes and I am sure the recipients will just love them!!!

Deborah said...

Someone's going to be *very* pleased with that little lot lands on their doormat - gorgeous! I do like the clear embossing, a realy contrast to all the soft, chalky stuff going on elsewhere.

Mary Elizabeth said...

Lucky, lucky people! What a fabulous find in the post (much better than the bills and junk mail I receive in my mailbox!!) These are sooooo beautiful Alison. I love the corrugate cardboard holders (the grasses stamp in different colors are amazing). They seriously are the perfect packaging for your ICADSs. Incredible color and you know I absolutely adore the clear embossed harlequin pattern. Fabulous makes -- Mary Elizabeth

froebelsternchen said...

The cards and their holders are just AMAZING Alison!WOW!

Joan said...

I was one of the lucky recipients and its even more fab in real life!
Love seeing how you put it all together, do hope you got my email thanking you ? I have put in on my blog too

thanks again for such an amazing
ICAD

Joan

Krisha said...

Super clever to make a holder for the ICADS. Great tutorial for the cads and the holder. Everything is just gorgeous!

Brenda Brown said...

Beautiful Alison, love so many of the features here, corrugated card, picket fence ghosting, the bumping technique and the fabulous colours and stamps.
Hope your Sunday is going well.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Anonymous said...

I agree, so many wonderful features to absorb.
Beautiful work Alison.
Wishes
Lynne

Terry said...

I think "Beautiful" has been already used, but it is! Love all the details and what a great ICAD holder. Happy Sunday!

Marci said...

So beautiful, the icads and the holders. I always loved when you used the hedgerow stamp. You do blues and greens so well, also. Airy and delicate.

Paper Profusion said...

These are such a delight Alison - You and those hedgerow silhouettes are beautifully entwined! Love how you repurposed the packaging! Love your ebay stamp too!!

Sounds like your real world is still hectic - well done on keeping apace blogwise. Have a good week. Nicola x

House of Bears said...

Oh fabby, we really liked the makes, but even more so when we saw the holders for them, it's like a present you can open again and again.

Monique said...

Wow, that is so beautiful. Love that color and the clear embossing is just gorgeous.
Love your made by stamp as well... I'm realy jeaulous, the writing looks so gracious.
xx Monique

Almo said...

Beautiful icads and holders Alison, love the colours - just up my street. I too love the way the light catches the clear embossing and the white holders against the colourful greens and blues look very fresh lovely work as always. Hugs mo x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

A unique and artistic result Alison..gorgeous colours and details...great!

Meggymay said...

Awesome project, love the holder folder.
Yvonne x

sara j said...

Another lovely, layered project. Thanks for the link to the video. Cool technique

Sue said...

Wow what a fabulous project Alison, these really are your colours (along with the neutrals of course)and I love the little holders xx

Mona Pendleton said...

Beautiful as always Alison! Love the pretty color combo and the beautifully embossed detail!

Smile_Art said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! <3 I have no words! Again! Alison, your works are totally perfect! Oo, I love those colours!
And I wanna thank you for visiting my blog and your lovely words. I have a big smile, when I read this! :)

Danielle Champagne said...

Hello Alison, beautiful! just beautiful! Love the colors! the Delicate Wildflowers stamp is awesome. on my wish list. Just love the idea of using packing corrugated surface, how brilliant! love love the effet. Fabulous, I shall keep this tuto in mind. thank you for sharing. Hugs.

Kate Yetter said...

I must say I love the colors on the tag but the folders are a fabulous make and a favorite. I love the distressed, white washed look against that lovely ribbon! ! Beautiful!
Great first week for you over at PA!loved following along with all your challenges. Can't wait to see your next set of projects!
Kate

Unknown said...

You are so creative!! What an awesome project. I love the way you use the gorgeous blues and greens on your creations..so pretty!

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

I want to make this project into wallpaper and cover my whole house with it! Not even kidding-- the blend of colors and the soft beauty you created with these pieces blew my mind. Love, love, LOVE and really just kept wanting to stare at the computer screen. You never cease to inspire with your incredible artistry. Thanks so much for sharing these masterpieces with us here at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous textures and layers through out the whole piece. I'm feeling in a creative slump at the moment which I blame squarely on the clean state of my desk. Yes I can see the glass top again but no inspiration is reflecting off the surface. I think I'll follow your little step thru (if you don't mind) to keep my spirits up. And those donna downey stamps are my all time favourite stamps - ever! I have both sets large and small and the large mounted ones are out on display as part of my craft room decor. Good luck with your internet.

Julia S-W said...

Beautiful. Simply beautiful. I love the layers, the stamping, the colours, the holder and everything else that I haven't mentioned.
I spend so much time playing with paint (and enjoying it) but this makes me want to get my inks and stamps out and just create. Wonderfully inspiring Alison. Thank you.
Juliaxx

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Beautiful work as always Alison! Love the inkyness and the colours and the fabulous holders :-) xxx

Anna-Karin said...

So beautiful Alison! I love those textured folders that you made and the cards are lovely. The clear embossing adds a wonderful touch. Thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!

Hettie said...

These truly are gorgeous Alison. Love the folders alone and the skinnies are just wonderful too.
Hugs
xx

Meihsia Liu said...

Wow.. how gorgeous, Alison. I love the beautiful textures and colors on these folders. The glossy words are fantastic! :)

Netty said...

Perfect packaging for your beautiful ICAD's, Annette x

Cocofolies said...

Wonderful recycling Alison, what a gorgeous project again !!! Coco xx

cathylynn said...

Alison your projects are gorgeous as ever. Love your colors and gosh cardboard is always a welcome addition. Great folders too!!! Love it all!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Silvia(Barnie) said...

That's a wonderful project in great colors. Love the use of the corrugated cardboard.

Nan G said...

Gorgeous skinnies! Love these colors. Your makes using them are so fab!

Annie said...

absolutely stunning. Love those layers and the colours. Great holder again with so much texture. Lucky recipient

Crafty Hugs

Annie x

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

This is so beautiful Alison. With so many steps to enthuse and excite too!.
Thank you for joining in at Anything But A Card this time.

Shirley said...

Totally awe inspiring Alison, whoever receives these are soooo lucky.

Crafting hugs from Shirl x x

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love this Alison - the green and white combination is right up my street! Love all the little details inside and the ribbon against that cover is just stunning! As for blogger - Grrrrr! It's not just you! Chrisxx

Kelly said...

I need to rip into my cardboard, this is gorgeous and would make really nice gift giving. I love those layers of green and patterns and then the white folders are just beautiful and a gorgeous match. I love how you show us every step, thank you for that!! The lucky recipients will be quite happy!
Hugs Kelly

maj. said...

This is such a totally amazing project, Alison!!! The colours and textures are wonderful!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! What more can I say? I think this is my favorite color combo and to see it in action is so lovely. I love the addition of all the bits of clear glaze. You do that so well. Everything about this project just rocks.

Cathy L. Calamas said...

I had not heard of ICAD's before so thanks for sharing this. Supremely fantastic. LOVE all your layers and the embossing on the harlequin stencil is, I agree, wonderful.

Jennie Atkinson said...

Both the ICADs and their holders are absolutely fabulous. I just love all those colours and the layers are just gorgeous! Thanks for the idea to emboss through the harlequin stencil - my gesso always goes smudgy so this could be the technique I need! Thank you for always SO much inspiration.

Jenny Marples said...

Such beautiful ICAD's Alison. I have no doubt that the recipients will be thrilled to have received them. Thanks so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Hugs, Jenny x

Dianne said...

Miss Butterfly you really are **** THE BOMB****, you are blowing blog land up, shining your creativity all around, inspiring so many it's fabulous.... Got my cup of tea, picture heavy my favorite posts :). The background is sublime,, the embossing is incredible, I love your made by label, with your signature, perfect, and you know how excited those tiny meadow flowers make me, crazy :).. Fabulous video, I like how you used the stain instead, it gives a totally different look, both ways are fabulous. Another sublime background, shesh,then the hedgerow, be still my heart, I loooove the ghostly stamping, it looks so kool. Those holder are mind blowing sooooo gorgeous, loooooove the cardboard. Brilliant work, excellent post, thanks for showing everything..

Keren Tamir said...

wow I just love this!! what an amazing gift and what a great idea holding it in those hand made envelopes. pocket folders. don't have the right terminology but to say how amazing this is.

Sandy said...

Wow!!!!!!
Sandy

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Beautiful! Just beautiful! Love the blue and green and the stamping! The inside and back are gorgeous too!

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow I so wish I had been in that swap as to receive one of your gorgeous swaps. I love the colours and the embossing and wow the corrugated outing is awesome and the way you decorated it is amazing :-) Kezzy xxx

Mrs.B said...

Great makes, love the holder.
Avril xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Returning with my ABAC hat on! Such a fabulous use of book pages to line those wonderful holders for the stunning ICADs. Thanks for sharing this wonderful project with us x

Mrs Beez said...

This is a stunning project. Love all the techniques and the colours are gorgeous. Thanks for joining us at ABAC this time.