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!