Monday 22 October 2012

Tricoleur At Make My Monday. . . . .

The French theme continues at Make My Monday this week with Tricoleur being their latest challenge. For my guest DT spot I have chosen a fairly modern image and combined it with some inky goodness and a touch of ribbon. I found this challenge quite difficult but I hope you like the card I produced. I'm always amazed at how many images are out there on the internet and for my piece, I chose the red lady image and then printed her out in blue in addition to the red. The tricoleur colours were then achieved by combining a stamped white panel.
Here's what I made:

Not sure why the card looks bent in the photo but here is the completed piece in my usual inky style! Apart from some walnut stain distress ink, the only colours used for this card are the tricoleur colours of blue, white and red. 
The seam binding was coloured with distress inks then three pieces were tied in a knot (much easier than a bow!). I layered the colours in the correct order. The blue image is printed onto card with some inky distressing on the edges. It's a very dreamy image which has more impact when viewed from a distance.
The centre panel was stamped onto white card using distress markers to add colour to the stamp. I tried to match the blue but had to be satisfied with a darker tone. I wanted to ensure that all the tricoleur colours appeared on the centre panel.
The solid red layer was coloured with distress ink and distressed on the edges. The letters are die cuts, colour was added with distress ink. As these are traditional to the tricoleur, I felt it was important to include them. For the accents above certain letters, I used the waste from the letter 'e' to ensure the words were grammatically correct - how fiddly was that little job?!! At one point I considered making the letters glossy but decided that was just a step too far!
The blue inky layer was created with distress ink used to colour first and then stamp appropriate images in the same colour. The edges were heavily distressed to complete the look.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post and a big thank you to both established and new followers - your support is most welcome.

23 comments:

  1. Well is this is whatvyou create whenthings are difficult..you will go far!!!this is great, clear crisp stamping and colours andyou have completed the challenge really well! A great make ad congrats on the GDT! Well deserved!trace x

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  2. A brilliant piece! I like the repetition of Marianne in the blue and the red.

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  3. I wasn't going to look at challenges... but can't resist this one. Just love what you've done here, and picking out the words is clever. More inspiration!

    Cassidy xx

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  4. Gorgeous work as always my lovely. What a fab image you found too, she is stunning and very ethereal.
    Huge hugs x x x x

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  5. Gorgeous card Julia and love that image of the lady.

    Sam xxx

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  6. Stunning. Love every element of this Julia, from the background stamping, to your choice of images, the layering of the three main panels, a knot to die for (couldn't get one that neat if I tried!) and the amazing lettering. A real triumphe!! Great job on all your GDT projects. Hugs, Buttons x

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  7. Julia, this really is quite stunning, I think the image of the lady is perfect, great eiffel tower and wonderful lettering. Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  8. Love this Julia - you really created a triumph out of your difficulties! The image is fantastic, and it's amazing how she seems so different in attitude according to whether she's red or blue. Your unbelievably neat knot of the three dyed ribbons is lovely, and the background stamping is subtle and evocative. My best bit though is that you've taken the trouble to get the e acute accent on your fab, funky lettering!! Magnifique!
    Alison xx

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  9. It's overwhelming, Julia. Jaw-dropping gorgeous.
    Hugs, Suzane xxx

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  10. You certainly haven't made this look as if it was difficult!
    A fabulous card Julia, and such appropriate images, beautifully layered. Love your tricoler knot.
    Avril xx

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  11. Gorgeous card Julia and i love the images you used.
    Greetings Janny

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  12. Great use of stamps, colours and papers Julia, the collage is so nice.
    You did very well...

    greetings, Alie :-)

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  13. Hi
    Brilliant use of your stamps to work to this theme. Really striking and quite fabulous!
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  14. A wonderful card - the images are fabulous and I love the stamped centre panel.
    xxx Hazel.

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  15. Great card Julia, very stylish in design! x

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  16. Oh j'adore, ta carte est magnifique !!!! Et merci de mettre ainsi la France à l'honneur ! (hope you will understand Julia :) Bises Coco

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  17. Beautiful! The walnut stain adds just the right touch of 'aging' and the ribbon knot is fabulous! Such a great idea!

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  18. This is so striking Julia. I love the image you've used and the tricoleur knot is such a great idea (but no glossy accents! Lol). Fabulous. xx

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  19. This is absolutely amazing!!! LOVE the bold use of color--and that tricolor bow is the icing on the cake! It's been such fun having you this month--can't wait to see your next creation for our MMM challenges! :)

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  20. I have a bad case of Travellust today and your wonderful card has just made it worse :) It is truly as Coco so elegantly describes it - magnifique!

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  21. Bit of an oops Julia! Just realised I haven't said how gorgeous your card is. The images look beautiful in the 2 colours and the inky panels and design are fabulous.
    Hugs, Fliss xx

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  22. Hi Julia - gorgeous card, so very French - Jacqueline xx

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