Thursday 23 January 2014

The Ombré Technique At Craft Stamper. . . . .

Hello everyone. I've been gone again for quite a while - sorry. Just settling in to our new home, having chimneys swept and not really having a crafting hat on for much of the time. I really don't like it when you want to play but the mind is blank and no amount of messing around produces anything that satisfies.

I decided to look around for some inspiration and thanks to a reminder on Facebook by Jenny, I went back to my Craft Stamper and flipped through until I found the article on the Ombre technique. I didn't have a clue what it was and then realised that this was probably something we've all done from time to time with our inks and paints. I just didn't know it had a name!

The latest challenge on the Craft Stamper blog asks you to produce a creation using the technique and this seemed to be the just the kick start I needed to get inky again.

I decided to get three distress colours out and some stamps and have a play. I wanted to make something useful so decided on a card - you don't see many of those here do you?!!

Here's my latest offering. Something a little different but so much fun to make (thanks Jenny!):


I chose three distress colours: barn door, spiced marmalade and mustard seed along with a much loved LP stamp and a sentiment stamp. Some die cutting, punching, dry embossing, stamping, water brush work and finally a little twisted wire (because I can't resist it!) and there you have my card. Oh, and of course, the Ombré technique!

I've used three different layers to work with: plain card, dry embossed card and canvas. Each layer displays the Ombré technique using the colours chosen. I so love the stamp used and I was pleased how well it worked over the coloured background.

I used parts of the stamped image to make little punched blossoms and used a water brush to bleach out the colour from the iconic LP cheeks. I used all three distress colours in turn for all the blossoms so they kept the technique going throughout the card.

The top layer of card was firstly inked in the manner described in the magazine then embossed in a folder for extra texture. The middle canvas layer was also coloured using the technique and some walnut stain distress was added to the edges.

Some card was again coloured with two of the shades, stamped to add extra detail using a combination of both inks on the stamp. When dry a label was cut and stamped with the sentiment in archival. Some brads coloured with alcohol ink finish the label.I used some foam pads to attach the label for extra dimension. You can also see the stamping on the bottom layer here - it's very subtle.

As you may have guessed, I stamped the image several times and then used various sections on my card. Here I have cut out the 'rose' image, used a ball tool on the back to add dimension and attached it in the appropriate place on the card.

In this image you can see how even the tiny flowers have been given dimension by using a ball tool on the reverse.

Some rusty wire was gently coiled and added to the card. I used the direction of the embossed pattern to determine where to put the wire.

I used most of the stamp image but did remove a little section at the top because it looked to fussy when cut out. This stamped strip was attached to the embossed card using foam pads for extra height.

So love those little faces peering out from the blossoms! Tiny black gems were used for the centres of the blossoms - bling's not my thing but I like these tiny ones for this purpose.


I really enjoyed this little make and the great thing is of course, I get to add another card to my rather small collection (I should make more!).

Thanks for having a look and not giving up on me completely! Two more projects are almost ready to go so perhaps you really WILL see more of me now. Hope you are all well and I look forward to trying to catch up with you.

29 comments:

  1. Hi Julia, Glad you're settled into the house, and I think the creative juices are once again flowing with this fabulous card.
    Great choice of colours.
    Avril xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. what a stunning card. gorgeous ombre effect.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great card Julia! Welcome back! ;o)
    Alison xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. I wish all my nudges had this effect Julia! Never happens with the kids - lol! I love the way you've used this technique to such effect with the three main colours. Obviously the stamped elements look even more dramatic this way and the canvas and embossing add extra beautiful texture and contrast, but it's those little flowers and the rust curls that add another level of drama. Love it to bits! Hope your mojo continues to come round. Jenny x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Stunning ombre... and I love how you've reversed the order of the shades on the background and the stamp. And I love the black accents - especially the curly wire. Glad you found both some time and some crafty-creativity for this beauty! Hope you've got nice bright fires lit in the fireplaces to keep warm!
    Alison xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is so beautiful. And thank you for your clear explanation.
    A nice piece of ART. Anneke.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for all those wonderful photographs so we can see the details so beautifully such as those stamped flowers and I like the piece of black wire.
    A card full of richness.
    Wishes
    Lynne

    ReplyDelete
  8. So cool, it's a breathtaking creation. Love the vibrant colors.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Loving your very cheerful colour combo and of course I just love your choice of stamps, great that you've got back into the swing of things again. Can't wait to see what you do next ...

    Samxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ooooooooh this is gorgeous sweetie, what a fab technique. Beautifully crafted as always, I love the canvas layer and the dimension of the flowers. LP stamps are a must in my opinion and they sure work perfectly on your card by adding some elegant contrast to that amazingly rich background.
    Huge hugs x x x x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Julia, I am so glad that you felt motivated to do this card, it is absolutely stunning. You have done an amazing job with the ombre technique and blended your colours so beautifully. That LP stamp is fabulous and I love how you punched and place those little flowers. A really gorgeous card. Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think I've just seen the challenge winner Julia - its awesome - love it xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. How fabulous Julia ! love it both colour ways ☺
    Von ♥

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautifully vibrant Julia. A gorgeous card. Glad you are getting settled into your new home. Take care.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello Miss Julia, WOW this is a BRILLIANT card, the colors are eye poppingly gorgeoussss, making those timy flower out of the stamps was brilliant, I looooooove the fire, photo's are fantastic, love the black wires a perfect touch, thanks for sharing your inspiration, I'm going to youtube it right away:O), have a wonderful weekend..

    ReplyDelete
  16. A wonderful card Julia, the colours are fabulous. I'm missing our Andy club.
    xxx Hazel.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a neat and 'Julia'd' take on an ombre technique!

    Good luck settling in to your new home. Stay healthy too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow Julia..,what a stunning colourful make…I just love this card, so refreshing in this winter days!

    ReplyDelete
  19. That is stunning, Julia. Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Stunning piece of art! Thank you for playing along in Craft Stamper challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow those colours really brightened me up on this very grey day! Fabulous use of colour Julia and lovely to see you back creating again - have missed your wonderful inspirational pieces. Have a lovely weekend x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow that's really gorgeous!!! Love the stamps and the fab colours shades also! Crafty hugs, Coco x

    ReplyDelete
  23. great ombre effect! striking colour choice too x hope all is well would be fab to catch up sometime x sorry for the lack of comments life has been a bit hectic so playing catch up! hugs trace x

    ReplyDelete
  24. The colour is wow and the texture...with wire adds dimension. Add the drama of black stamping and you have a wonderful card. Ombre is new? In the recesses of my mind aeons ago I spent many frustrating playtimes creating fabric this way.
    Cards are more manageable I think!
    So glad to see you stirring up your muse....Jenny is a terrific encourager....Now it was fun?
    I hope so!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Gorgeous and bright graduated color! I love the ray stencil here too!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow Julia, this card is breath taking, the colour combo has such impact and all the layers and attention to detail result in a beautiful card. Hope your settled now x

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love the embossed sunbrust texture with those colours, fab card! Thanks for playing along with the Craft Stamper challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Totally gorgeous Julia, so vibrant! Love all the details too, the close up pics are great!! Thank you for joining in with the Craft Stamper ombré challenge!

    ReplyDelete

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