Friday 31 August 2012

Green Summer Distress. . . . . . . . . . .

At the Sunday Stampers, Hels has given us the challenge to make something 'green'. I'm really getting to quite like it now in my craft work so, great I think, let's make something green. . . . couldn't think of anything! Also wanted to make something for the Artful Times challenge using acetate and I hoped to combine the two. . . . again, zilch ideas going on.

I found a green Christmas tag I made ages ago and thought I could improve it (meaning almost redo it!!) and I was quite pleased with the result so, went over to Artful Times and I'd missed the linky thingy - can you believe it?! Sorry ladies.

To cut a long story short, I decided to start again with my summer colour distress pads and I've made a tag for Sunday Stampers and Simon Says Stamp And Show.

It's simple: kraft resist paper, stamped butterflies and dragon flies, punched flowers and although it's not as involved as the usual things I do, I really enjoyed making it! No longer stomping round the house like a bear with a sore head so I'm happy, the cat's happy and that's what counts!

Here's what I made:

Finished tag with the insects only attached by the body to create a three dimensional  effect. Not sure why the bottom part of the tag looks dark. . . . . . . . 

For the background I used a piece of Tim's kraft resist and inked it evenly with mowed lawn. I originally used some picket fence too but I didn't like the chalky effect against the bright insect colours so it was put in the 'use me later' box! The edges of the tag were inked with walnut distress.
Some card was coloured using salty ocean and pickled raspberry spritzed with water on a craft sheet. All the insects were stamped onto this card in coffee archival, dried and cut out. As mentioned previously, only the bodies were attached to the tag - I always like to see the wings free for some reason! 


The letters are Tim's and were cut from the card mentioned previously. Their edges were inked with a distress marker. I love the way these three summer distress colours can change so radically depending on how much water you add - sounds daft but I'm really starting to love them - not the case when I first got them! The little punched flowers (I know, you've seen them before but I love them!!) were from the same piece of card.



You may just see some script stamped in the background in a chalky green colour to add further depth to the piece. Not sure where I'd be without that little stamp!

What I like most about salty ocean and pickled raspberry is their ability to mix so beautifully and create jewel like colours. I hope you like this too.

I'd like to say a big thank you to all those people who were so supportive about my Creative Expressions application - your comments were lovely and even if I'm not successful ( I don't expect to be, I may add!), your kind words will last long after the application is forgotten!





29 comments:

  1. Your tag is stunning, I am like you, I love anything with wings to be dimensional ( as they should be flying :) waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  2. Hi Julia, great tag. I have to say I struggled with the green challenge too! It's just not a colour I use very often for some reason! Congrats on winning Hels prize last week too :) Claire x

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  3. It's really lovely.I would never think of using those accent colours with green but it really works.

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  4. Yes, I like fluttering wings too! Gorgeous tag - and I love your psychedelic butterflies!
    Alison x

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  5. Gosh! This one 's exploding with great, intense colours!!! So spectacular!!!! Love, love, love!!!!

    Hugs,
    die amelie xx

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  6. So vibrant and lovely! The green/kraft are a wonderful base for these beauties.

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  7. Gorgeous Tag Julia. The blue and bright pink blend so beautiful ! I love the Summer Distress Inks and find I'm using them a lot. Have a great weekend, Shirleyx

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  8. Your tag turned out beautifully, Julia. Don't you just hate it when you can't get the ol' Mojo going? Well...you obviously DID and did a fantastic job to incorporate the Summer Distress challenge for SSSS with the green challenge for Sunday Stampers. I really like your design with the butterflies and dragonfly. Love the colors! Those butterflies really pop off of the background. Thanks for sharing your tag with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

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  9. You and Redanne have created my most favourite projects for the SSS&S challenge, focussing on the colours and letting them shine. The resist really works with this (not just there for the sake of it - it actually adds an extra dimension to the background) and the floating butterflies/dragonfly make the whole thing jump out at you.
    BTW, you need to stop talking yourself down. Go see Hels' last post and she'll give you a stiff telling off for that. If that many people tell you your work is great, guess what - IT IS!!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend and start next week feeling refreshed and ready to craft your heart out. Hugs, Buttons x

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  10. Very lovely tag, great colours and style! Valerie

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  11. Amazing Julia...how great the summer Distress colors match with the green tag! Fly high and feel free...not only the words but the tags speaks those words by the images. Great stamping...you did so well making this tag artfull!

    Hugs, Alie :-)

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  12. Oh Julia, this is truly stunning! Butterflies and dragonflies should fly free and they look as though they are on your tag and that's fabulous. I really enjoyed making mine too in these colours, it was such fun and I am glad that you are pleased with yours, because you should be. Crafty hugs, Anne xx

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  13. This is great Julia.
    The butterflies and dragons are really beautiful and they mtach beautiful with the green background.
    Great stamping .

    Greetings Janny

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  14. Love this!!! The color is vibrant yet grungy! The flying guys are beautiful as well...gorgeous tag!

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  15. beautiful - love the contrast colours from your birds/butterflies/words against the green background.

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  16. Wow! Cheerful, beautiful background, this tag really gives me a free and happy feeling ;-))

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  17. Gorgeous tag Julia, but so sorry that you missed the deadline for Artful Times. It's great to have you join in with us.

    Sam xxx

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  18. Gorgeous tag. I love what done with the butterflies + dragonflies.

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  19. I love the bright colors of the insects against the olive green background. Blessings!

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  20. this is fab, zingy and bright and those butterflies are so beautiful, love what you have done! hugs trace x

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  21. Beautiful tag my lovely, the colours are amazing together and it looks like it could just fly off at any moment, love it.
    Big hugs x x x x

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  22. These colours are fabulous Julia - you're right, they are like jewels and the green background sets them off beautifully. A gorgeous tag. xx

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  23. GORGEOUS texture, colors and images. Wonderful tag.
    Hugs and smiles

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  24. Stunning tag Julia...really beautiful colour and background is amazing!
    Hugs

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  25. Gorgeous blending of colors on this lovely tag! I love the dragonflies and butterflies flitting about too! Can't glue the poor wings down!!

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  26. STUNNING!!! Seriously, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this... LOADS! Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper x

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  27. Fab-u-lous! The colors are so rich on your green tag!

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  28. Hi Julia, I'm eventually catching up! This tage is stunning. Fabulous background and the butterflies and dragonflies, look jewel-like.
    Avril xx

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax