Favourite techniques

Our second challenge of the year is here at the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown. This week we'd like you to play with colours - brown, red and cream.

I had a lot of fun with this card, but as I didn't really have a plan and was experimenting a lot, it took a while to get to the final result. So instead of blogging now, I'm off to bed, and I'll tell the journey tomorrow!

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I'm back!

I had a plan for a layered, collage type card for this challenge, but then I saw a video on using brushos with stencils, and I had to try it! I've tried brushos through stencils before and it never worked very well, so I was so excited to see how you're meant to do it!

I started with the Clarity framework squares stencil (all on cream watercolour card). I spritzed water through the stencil, then removed it and sprinkled on the brilliant red and dark brown brushos.

I then VERY carefully put it aside to dry thoroughly.

Next was a lattice stencil, from That Special Touch. I love this one!

I tried a flower stencil from Clarity, masking the flowers I didn't want to use, and the edges.

It came out beautifully.

I decided to add a bit more brown.

Then it was a case of extreme patience while they sat on the fish tank drying without being touched!

The next day, I carefully took each one, and tapped it off to remove the brusho powder that had landed on the dry areas, then brushed with a soft makeup brush.

I was amazed how clean the background ended up, there's a really crisp outline for quite a messy medium!

I didn't photograph this one wet, it was the first one I cleaned up (it uses a Clarity Christmas tree stencil). I brushed before tapping, so there's some red in the back ground. I made a card from this one too, I'll blog it tomorrow.

The two backgrounds came out really well too, I can't wait to use these,  but they're in the stash for the moment.

So I now have a new favourite technique! Anyone with a birthday coming up, expect to see brushos! And I'm looking at my stencils with a new eye. The ones with narrow apertures don't really work, I'll have to try my favourite leafy swirl, if that works it'll be amazing!

I cut round the flower - I'm calling it a poinsettia, it might be a stretch!

For the background I used my previous favourite technique, distress oxide stamping! I used a background stamp, inked up with antique linen (cream), fired brick (red) and vintage photo (brown). I used my stamping platform so could repeat the cream. As the card (watercolour card again) has a texture, that came through the stamping. I repeated the stamp to cover a bigger area (A6 to A5) - there's a bit of a line, but not too bad.

I then spritzed with water to get the inks to move and react.

This is the result - very vintage!

For the sentiment, I used a Clarity stamp that I got ages ago having wanted it for ages, as it's such a gorgeous font. But haven't used before!

I used the stamp platform again, and inked up with vintage photo and fired brick. I repeated for a darker impression, then added a touch of black soot on the edges to darken.

I cut out the sentiment, curved the corners, then edged with vintage photo.

The last layer was a mount behind the patterned background. I cut the watercolour card, then painted the edge with the red and brown brushos, mixed with water. This was a bit flat, so I sprinkled the dark brown powder on and spritzed, before drying with a heat gun.

I used cream zeta hammered card for the card base, folded into an A5 card. I constructed it flat, as although it's a large size it does fit as a letter rather than large letter for posting. I'll have to check the depth though!

I didn't really have a plan for this card when I started, it developed as it went, and there was a detour via the tree card! But I like the result, and can't wait to try the brushos technique some more.




To join in with our colour challenge, go to the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown page. You have until midnight GMT (7pm EDT) on Friday 19th January to enter. I'd love to see what you come up with.