Mixed media, with a twist

This week we have my last challenge as host of the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown.

For my technique/stash challenge, I have chosen "Mixed Media".

 

Mixed media is a broad definition, for this I encourage you to be experimental and loose with your materials, and layer up!

I wanted to make two cards - one with all my mixed media stash, and another to see what I could do using just standard card making materials.

I got the latter made, the first is in progress and I hope to be able to add it later. Homeschooling etc has taken its toll!

I started by getting the materials I thought I'd use together.

Design papers, in lighter colours and sticking to cream, red and green; distress ink in old paper, aged mahogany and brushed corduroy; three Christmas stamps; versamark and versafine clair black (I also used archival black); clear embossing powder; an embossing folder; glue stick; ruler; waterpen; plain card. I also used scissors and super sticky tape.

I started by cutting the card to size, then tearing the DP and gluing to the base. I used a ruler for the sides to match the edge, or distressed with the scissors, so they were straight and fitted.

I then stamped the holly in versamark and embossed in clear, in several places across the card. I was hoping these would resist the ink added below, but they didn't show as much as I'd hoped. But it all adds to the layers!

 

I ran the card through an embossing folder for some texture.

This looked lovely.

 

The next step was to add ink. I applied the old paper ink directly to top of the page, and also to the mat and used the waterpen to pick it up and add drops down the page.

I then added the aged mahogany to the side. Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention so added it to the right, not the left. Oops! It didn't look right at all, so I added it to the left as well. So it ended up much red/pinker than planned!

Before I took a photo, I also stamped the music stamp, in black archival, in the centre. I wiped the ink off the edges of the stamp to avoid a harsh line.

While that dried, I stamped the sentiment onto another piece of DP - in black versafine clair, and embossed in clear. I tore the edges, and inked.

I did the same for the holly stamp.

 

And then I tore out an image from a piece of the DP, and edged it as well.

 

Then it was a case of fine tuning. I edged the card and the sentiment with black, added more of the old paper to the background, sponged some old paper onto the sentiment, extended the music stamp downwards, tweaking until I was happy with the balance.

So, with basic supplies, and nothing specialist for mixed media, I've been able to create a multi layered card, with loads of texture and interest.

I don't even mind the extra pink I added, although I'm curious how it would have looked with more of the DP showing through.

I do love the richness created with the layers.

To play along with the challenge, visit us at the 52CCT blog. You have a week to enter, it closes on Friday 5th March.

Good luck, and most of all, have fun, experimenting and playing with this great technique.