I am so happy to be a sample maker for Stamperrobin's Free for All challenge, especially as Robin very kindly told me the theme for the next few challenges before going away.
My DH and I are 6 weeks into our 4 month camping holiday. Internet is very much hit 'n miss, so I apologise in advance if I don't get to see all the cards and comment.
Now about my cards....I am positive that there are fairies at the bottom of my garden, and I know for sure there are flowers! The background for these cards was made by placing camellia petals in between two sheets of cardstock, then squishing them through my Cuttlebug.
All the grey parts of the background are actually the flowers (who knew brilliant red Camellias would be grey after being squished to within an inch of their life).
After I mopped up all the flower petal juice from my Cuttlebug and desk, I sprinkled yellow and scarlet red Brushos over the card stock and sprayed on some water.
Before stamping directly onto the backgrounds, I stamped all the images and sentiments on acetate scraps. I placed the stamped acetate on to the backgrounds and work out which way the fairies and sentiments should be placed.
MISTI is an invaluable tool when stamping on this type of background. I used Memento Luxe for the stamping, I think I stamped each image about 5 or 6 times. Memento Luxe takes ages to dry but it is a fabulous intense black ink and perfect for silhouette images and sentiments.
I finished off each card by doodling a border with a fine micron pen (the finer the pen, the easier it is to doodle). Thank you for looking, I hope you have a happy, inky weekend.
Warning: I found smashing flowers in an embossing machine to be VERY messy. From one full camellia flower I extracted about 6 tablespoons of yucky grey fluid. I do not recommend a Vagabond or any other electrical machine!
Registered: April 1, 2012 Location: Rogers, AR Posts: 28929
Fri, May 12, 2017 @ 10:57 AM
You really created fairy land didn't you??? I love all three!!
------------------------------ Jan 'Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ'. Philippians 1:6
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Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 132002
Fri, May 12, 2017 @ 11:31 AM
Oh wow, Susie - those backgrounds are totally amazing!! Yes, some flowers are very juicy, I usually put a couple of pieces of kitchen towel under my BS if I'm doing this, and I never thought about the problems it might cause with an electric machine. It's lovely to know that your flower fairies have flower backgrounds to match.
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50678
Fri, May 12, 2017 @ 11:41 AM
Squishy flowers and brushos...who knew? I love each one of these beauties! The colors are great, the doodling awesome...all wonderful and magical....Hope you're enjoying your holiday....but can't wait for you to return!
Registered: March 30, 2008 Location: Somewhere between the Shire & Mordor! Posts: 4642
Fri, May 12, 2017 @ 3:26 PM
Whatever gave you the idea to smash flowers in your cuddlebug? LOL I would have NEVER THOUGHT of that! BUT, maybe I SHOULD! ;) I think the flower smooshing is FABULOUS with these fairy images, & what you have done Susie, is BEAUTIFUL!!!! ;) Stay SAFE on your trip & have FUN! ;)
Registered: October 30, 2007 Location: Posts: 26718
Fri, May 12, 2017 @ 4:08 PM
Wow, that's amazing that so much liquid/color comes from real flowers - thanks for explaining your steps (and the heads up warning) - these are gorgeous, Suzy!
Registered: March 13, 2011 Location: Langley, B.C. Canada Posts: 32131
Fri, May 12, 2017 @ 4:29 PM
Wow, on all three cards! Your backgrounds are awesome. Nice to know about the black memento luxe. Love your doodled framing on these gorgeous cards. Happy Camping!