Thursday, March 3, 2011

Empty Questions and "the blues..."


Suzanne, the owner and creative calligrapher at Quietfire Design, sent me this wooden "Q" recently. Hmmm, what to do, what to do.

I KNOW!!

"Empty Questions..." existential meanderings...

I chuckled when I created the title for this post. In times of change and challenge in my life, my muse becomes reflective (lol).

This week, over at Dreamweaver, and Papertake Weekly, everyone's playing with a "free theme..." my favourite! Here's a plain wooden box I painted, stamped and embossed (instructions below photos). Please play along with us right here! Dust off your stencils and have some fun! This week we have a designer's choice theme, so you can create with no limits.





Instructions:

Paint a plain wooden box, inside and outside, with Golden White Gesso. Let dry. Paint inside with two coats of Metallic Gold Lumiere. Let dry. Paint outside with two coats of Metallic Copper Lumiere. Let dry. Stamp Quietfire Flourishes on top and bottom of box lid with Versafine Black Pigment and thermal emboss with Tsukineko Gold Embossing Powder. Using Dreamweaver Heart with Ribbon stencil, paste emboss design on all four sides of bottom of box with Dreamweaver Gold Embossing Paste which has been mixed with some clear ultrafine glitter. Let dry. Paint wooden "Q" with white gesso. Let dry. Overcoat with Design a Metal Leaf Adhesive. Let dry till tacky. Apply Variegated Red Leaf, press into adhesive, let sit for a few minutes, then brush excess off with a stiff bristled stencil brush. Overspray with Krylon Matte Finish Spray as sealant. Glue "Q" to top of box for use as a handle with PVA Glue. While "Q" is drying onto lid, turn lid upside down and place several weights inside (I used books) to ensure a good bond.

I really like how the flourishes of the Dreamweaver stencil match so well with the flourishes of the Quietfire Design stamp.
This week's Theme Thursday challenge is "flourish!

Please take a few minutes to look at the other beautiful things created by the Dreamweaver designers. Direct links to their blogs are on my sidebar.

Over at Impression Obsession, the designers are playing with a "blue"theme. I used one of my favourite older IO stamps, a design by Leigh Hannan called "Flower Background," and paired that with this new release sentiment."


To create this, I used a resist technique with clear embossing powder on white cardstock, then sprayed several colours of Ecoline Watercolour Inks over the embossed design. I used the challenge over at a new challenge blog I found, called Less is More, which is to use a minimalist design incorporating three squares. Designing simply is a huge challenge for me, so I think I'll play over there more often. Over at Fab and Funky, the challenge is "spring into action;"hope my flowers background works for that!

Don't forget! If you'd like a chance to win $25.00 in free Impression Obsession stamps, send off your "Blue"creation by 9 p.m., EST, Friday night. The instructions are on the Impression Obsession blog. Don't forget to browse through the delightful creations by other Impression Obsession designers too...their links are on my sidebar.

Thank you for visiting. I wish you a creative day, doing whatever fills your artsy heart!

26 comments:

Dolly Daydreams said...

wow thats amazing a fresh take on the theme. Marie

Anonymous said...

gorgeous resist work...beautiful colours.

Chrissie said...

This is beautiful... I love the effect your resist technique had with those stamps.
Now you've found us, I hope you'll join in again soon!
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Robyn said...

Wow ! I love that embossed resist design you have made!! With a fabulous layout and sentiment you have created a fabulous card! TFS!We're all pretty friendly here...hope to see you again!

Sarn said...

Oh this is so pretty! I love your delicate squares.
Hugs, Sandra

Louise said...

Very pretty creations Deborah. I also think your resist turned out great.

Shirley said...

I love the background you gave your stamp too! On of my fave stamps and the words too!

Lynell Harlow / Dreamweaver Stencils said...

That box is so innovative ...and so much detail with the swirly stamps and stencils really adding the final touches in conjunction with the "Q".

Suzi B said...

love the colours and the resist! fab!

Suze Bain said...

This is gorgeous, love the colours. (also love your box above!)

Aileen said...

These colours are beautiful very dreamy and reminded me of peacocks. x

sommrstamping said...

Deborah....I really love your box with the stenciling and the gold leaf, it is really beautiful. I also love the Less is More card I also have problems keeping things simple but the way your resist came out and the way it was put together is striking.

Pam Hornschu said...

Your box is wonderful! Love the flourishes in gold, and the whimsy of the Q makes it fun as well.

Mandi said...

FABBY card Deborah
Those resist technique squares are fab, they looked like photo graphs in teh thumbnail
Very clever
Do come back every week, it's great to see you
mandi
"Less is More"

Lynne said...

Super card. I love the resist technique, fabulous.
Lynne xxx

Diane said...

Your card is stunning, I love the technique and the colours work so well with it.
Diane x

Wendy said...

Deborah!!! The "Q" is awesome!!! You do such beautiful work!!! I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and have a super weekend!!!

Katie said...

ohhh, the background is so amazing. I love it, thank you for sharing the technique! The colors are beautiful.

Katie

Julie Koerber said...

Deborah, Love the resist technique you used. It's been years since I've done that -- thanks for reminding me how fun it is!

Terrece said...

WOW! What a great idea. Your pasted images are fantastic! I love the box.

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

Gorgeous

Lindsey said...

Gorgeous card! The flower backing is very pretty. Thanks for joining us at FnF this week x

Yogi said...

ummm the Less is more card turned out beautifully. Love those Ecolines

Faith said...

Very creative. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!!

Zafran ali said...

Awesome done!!
Clear Cards

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous resist work....I love the effect your resist technique had with those stamps......
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