Wednesday, March 5, 2014

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 137: TEXTURED BACKGROUNDS

I am proud to see the number of followers of this blog continuing to grow, and I appreciate each and every one of you and all of your supportive comments!

Today, I am pleased to host the Stampotique Designers' Challenge, and it is all about backgrounds!  Here are the details of this challenge. 
I am thrilled to be posting the challenge today!  That said, it is going to be a challenge with a bit of a twist.  This challenge is all about using texture in the background of your artful projects.  But, here’s the twist:  I am not challenging you to create a texture like mine, but challenging you to share with the rest of us through your art your “signature” or “go to” techniques for creating that texture in your backgrounds.  For example, Design Team member Coby vanWilligenburg has the ability to create amazing texture in a background by using Yupo (synthetic) paper and alcohol inks, yet her background remains as flat as a pancake!!  On the other hand, Design Team member Magda Polakow will create a textured background by building up many layers, yet it remains in the background and never overpowers her focal images.  So, share with us what YOU do to create that physical texture or just the appearance of it!  Above all, have fun!
A month or so ago, I bought some new Stampotique Originals' stamps.  Among them is the one I am using today.  OK, like so many others, I debated about buying it.  Not that it is of a nude and I am a prude, but because the nude is, shall we say, a bit "chubby"  (not unlike myself or so many of us who struggle maintaining a healthy weight).  In fact, when I posted online that I bought her, I received a few snickers and was challenged by one of my fellow Design Team members (who shall remain nameless, Coby!) to actually use it.  So, here I present "Rear View Mirror" and her companion text stamp "I'm not fat...".


Ah, but this challenge is all about backgrounds, so let me tell you how I created this one.  This past year, I attended a class led by Ranger Signature Designer Wendy Vecchi.  We learned so many techniques in this class, but one of my favorites is the "burnt edge" technique.  Here are Wendy's directions:  Ink over entire tag with Antique Linen.  Frame tag with Vintage Photo, then Walnut Stain, then Black Soot (all Ranger Distress Inks), moving further out with each darker color.  Use Tim's "distresser" on the tag edges, then add Black Soot to the edges to create a burned effect (click on the image to enlarge it and see the edge detail).  I used black Archival Ink to stamp my Stampotique image and text, and added a rub-on along the right side for both interest and balance.

Here's another quick and simple background.  I have been scrapbooking for about 15 years and have accumulated quite a collection of designer papers.  I continue to use them in other artful projects like tags, ATCs, art journaling and cards.  In this example, I have used a small strip of washi tape to ground my image, as well as two Stampotique Originals' stamps, "Bowtie" and "Clothes Text."  Everything else you see is just the paper itself.  

'

I hope you will play along with the Stampotique Design Team this week and share your favorite background techniques.  We have a lot to learn from each other!  You do not have to use Stampotique stamps in order to participate, but you do have to use clear and/or rubber stamps (no digi's).  By participating, at the end of the month you may just be the lucky winner of one of two $30 gift certificates for Stampotique products.  Come play!

Cheers!

25 comments:

  1. Kay your tag looks fabulous ... I like the lady stamp, sadly we cannt all be as thin as we were once !!!!! Or would like to be :(.... I think grandmas are ment to be cuddly and that's my excuse!!! Thank you for sharing the Wendy Vecki technique, I will now try that you have made it sound very straight forward........ Thanks for a great challenge x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kay, I love your challenge suggestion for this week. Today I was teaching a Mixed Media class using Distress Paints and Gesso. The ladies had a terrific morning and I learnt a thing or two as well. Love both the tags you've created here. Squishy hugs, Helen

    ReplyDelete
  3. These are both brilliant Kay! Your Rear View Mirror made me laugh, but it's also a fab technique (that I will be squirreling away for later) and Bowtie looks wonderful on his washi tape xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fab tag and challenge Kay! xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your 'rear view mirror' tag, the image is cool - there are so many ideal skinny Minnie images, but these are ideal to whom I wonder! My hubby likes something to cuddle! Love the burnt edge effect too. The second tag is fab also. xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love both your tags. The burnt edge ons is quite wonderful. I love this stamp and might have to buy it as well !
    The second one is very cool too ! Wel done, Kay !
    Mwah !
    Corrie x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Both tags are wonderful Kay. I love that you used your "nude" stamp on that tag. Way to go! and what a perfect sentiment too. I think she represents 95% of the population, most of us aren't stick thin so she is perfect!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really like the first tag I am a great love of the old and vintage type art. I liked the technique you used and the other little person is as cute as he can be. very go. Love Love Love.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love your tags, the first one: such a depth and that lady, well you know my story:-) The second one is also so great, just a piece of paper as a background, love it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Terrific tags, Kay - and I love your well-rounded nude. The burnt edges are so cool, and all the script and mail elements in the second tag are right up my street. Great challenge theme - and thanks for the heads up, I'll definitely be along to play... Haven't had a chance for much blog visiting in the last few days, but I'd've got there in the end, I guess!!
    Alison xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello. Love your burnt edge technique. I applaud your bravery to use the fat nude. Very arty. Great challenge and love how you introduced it. Really like Bowtie. Another great tag and background. Off to check out 'I Wish I'd Worn My Panties' That'll leave em guessing.......

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't see any reason why you should get any comments about the beautiful Rubenesque lady, she is lovely. I adore the matching stamp and find it wonderful humour. I myself am a slightly larger lady and appreciate your Tag very much.

    Loving the technique you have shown us, i don't really have a signature background technique, shall have to ponder how to proceed...

    Fab second Tag too, Bowtie looks fab standing on the washi tape. Loving both of your fabby tags :-) xxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. kay, your tags are gorgeous!!! I love the burnt tech...Awesome as always.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Well rounded, now that sounds so good. The burnt edge really makes it, I see why you like it....tell me some costume stories...xox

    ReplyDelete
  15. The technique on the first tag is super; it gives so much dept! Think it is a great one to let things look older or in vintage style too! And a good idea to use your papers like in the second tag; great background this way! (Could be I'll try to do that with some of mine...) Was a fine "looking around"here again! Inky greetings, Gerrina

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well, I am definitely well rounded! snort! I love your tags and your style!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love that stamp! Thanks for the technique you shared, I'll be using that one for sure. Thank you, too, for stopping by my blog and leaving such nice comments. Always appreciate the encouragement.~Renee

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you Kay for explaining burn technique..will try soon! Both tags tell alot...they are superb just like your words :)
    Thanks for suggestion..just entered my Shadow box for stampotique challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Kay,
    Thanks for reminding me!! So kind!
    But, I have a problem with putting SDC137 at my link...I can't change annything in the link that is already there and I don'tknow how to remove that link, so a new one is not possible çause it says that there already exist a link... Do you know a solution? Thanks for looking in, I would be so happy if you could help me.... I would love to make a chance to buy more Stampotique stamps... Inky greetings, Gerrina

    ReplyDelete
  20. A fab challenge and a fab tag! I love the effect you have achieved I could only dream about trying to produce such a perfect distress effect!
    The stamp and quote is great, not sure i could use it but you have beautifully

    Jools x

    ReplyDelete
  21. You set such a fun challenge Kay and your own entry is amazing! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you for this brilliant idea of challenge I really loved Kay!!! You're my friend, and I'am so happy to have had enough time this week to play along with you and the team around the theme you chose, I love so much all sorts of texture! Your two tags are really gorgeous also, I love both! Bisous!! Coco xxx

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love your cheeky (couldn't help myself) tag and the second one is terrific too. Looks like a fun challenge to play along with. :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking a moment to leave a comment! Your kind words are appreciated and serve as inspiration to me.