ART FROM THE ROAD: El Golfo de Santa Clara, Sonora, Mexico

Thank you for taking the time to visit today. I am grateful for your visit! We remain in Mexico during the global pandemic and I remain creatively active, though my blogging is sorely lacking. However, I found a good (albeit selfish) reason to begin blogging again. At 76, I have a lot on my mind! So much, in fact, that there is little room for new information. 

A short while back, after watching a video produced by Jennifer McGuire, I created a beautiful card--since mailed. I wanted to recreate that card for a box of cards I am creating for my daughter. I had made the card before, right? I could do it again! Truth be told, my head had too many directions for card-making and the wires quickly became crossed! It took me at least an hour to find that particular video and learn (again) how to create it!

I successfully recreated that card today and want not only to share the process with you but also want to record the directions for posterity! 

I cut a piece of white cardstock to 4-1/4" by 5-1/2" and taped it to my work surface with blue 1" painters' tape, creating a frame. I then chose three colors from my collection of  Ranger Distress Inks, Sunflower, Tea Rose, and Orange Blossom. 

I have long been a fan of ink blending, but only recently acquired a set of Craft Ink Blending Brushes and love them! I began by adding the lightest color at the top, then gradually added the other two colors, overlapping as I went. Not my finest talent, but I did like the end result.

Before removing the painters' tape, I used the brush that comes with Perfect Pearls to add Sunflower Sparkle (aka "gold") on top of the still-wet ink. There is a learning curve here, as I added WAY too much Perfect Pearls! I brushed away what did not stick to the ink.

Next, according to Jennifer's explicit directions, I carefully removed the tape by peeling it back over itself to avoid tearing the cardstock. Embossing is next, so I uncovered my Sizzix Big Kick die cutting machine, blew off the dust, and chose a Tim Holtz (the other man in my life) 3-D Texture Fade floral embossing folder. Following directions for this particular type of folder, I folded back Tab 2.

The result is just what I remembered! I have become acquainted recently with using "fun foam" rather than "pop dots" to add dimension to an image and find it quite easy to use when it is partnered with liquid glue. Using the liquid glue allows a bit of wiggle room before the adhesive bonds.

Once positioned, I like to set something heavy on top of the project as it drys. The heaviest thing I have is my container of clear embossing powder! Works every time!

Success!

For a sentiment, I auditioned five that had to do with being thankful. I chose this Japanese proverb which came with a stamp set I recently purchased from Altenew.

And, the final hurrah:

Thank you again for visiting. Your visits and your comments really do inspire me!