Thursday, August 6, 2020

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

Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog today. To begin, I want to share a great time and space saver I have found. A number of weeks ago, I purchased a ream (150 sheets) of 8-1/2 x 11" 120# white card stock and, periodically, I use my paper trimmer to cut some sheets, each one yielding one card blank, measuring 4-1/4 x 11" (later scored at 5-1/2"), and two pieces cut to 4-1/4  x 5-1/2". It is on these smaller pieces that I do my actual creating. When ready, I can either adhere the artwork directly to the front of the card blank or trim the artwork and use matting before adhering to the card blank. (I guess if you are a cardmaker, you will get this!) Previously, I made cards in every size and shape and color imaginable, which required me to store card blanks in all those sizes and shapes and colors! No more! I make white cards measuring 4-1/4 x 5-1/2". Now, I can buy more art supplies and store them in that empty space!!

Moving on, I have another card to share with you. Quite simple to make but not without a challenge or two along the way. I have chosen to use another of the products recently purchased from Altenew.com, called Hanging Gardens


On its website, Altenew graciously provides inspirational samples to assist its customers with creative ideas. Inspiration in this case was provided by Design Team Member Laurie Willison.

I began by grabbing a  pre-cut piece of white card stock, measuring 4-1/4 x 5-1/2",  the size of my pre-cut card blank. Using the grid lines of my glass work surface, I was able to easily mask off 3/4" rectangles by using 1/4" washi tape.


I had already gathered my artsy supplies, including my Sizzix Big Kick, the Hanging Gardens die, four mini ink cubes from Altenew.com (Midnight Violet, Deep Iris, Lavender Fields, and Soft Lilac), a blending brush (only needed one since the four colors are in the same family), and a scrap piece of card stock to protect neighboring rectangles as I added the inks.


Applying the inks was quite time consuming and frustrating as the colors always looked mottled. Happily, in the end, they were perfect. (Hard to be patient at times!)


I wanted the die-cut image to stand out against the background, so I cut three and glued them together before adhering it (them) to the artwork.



Yeah, it was the "gluing them together" that was my biggest nightmare. I started by using a Quickie Glue Pen but that wasn't providing enough glue. I then tried the Zig Two-Way Chisel Tip and it provided too much glue! I have used this technique before on many occasions, always successfully. I guess it was so much fine detail in this beautiful image that did me in. That said, I remain very happy with the end result!


When I began to make this card, I had no idea which sentiment I would be using. Sadly, before I was even done, it became a sympathy card. The sentiment is from Hero Arts.



Thanks for coming by. I appreciate both your visit and your taking a moment to leave a comment. Both inspire me!


15 comments:

  1. What a STUNNING card, Kay. You are beyond inspiring, and I'm in awe at your dedication - trying glue after glue to get it to work. Well done, my artsy friend! xo

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    1. Thank you, Win. I appreciate your visit and thoughtful comment!

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  2. This is absolutely stunning Kay! I wouldn't have had the patience to stick those 3 together, but the result is wonderful. I've been considering buying those blending brushes, but I already have the TH blending tools and other types of blending brushs, so I can't really justify another set of brushes (they do look really nice though lol) I'm sorry your art had to turn into a sympathy card, but it is perfect for the job. Take care, Sue xx

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    1. Hi, Sue, thanks for being a regular here! I have the TH blending tools, too, and love them for most applications. For blending, though, these win hands down!

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  3. Absolutely beautiful! Worth the work! Take care and stay safe xxx

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    1. Thank you, Chris! Thanks both for your visit and thoughtful comment!

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  4. Nice to see you having fun with your cards, although a little sad you needed to use it for a With Sympathy card. I like your idea of one size of cards, so much more economical than lots of different sizes. My cardmaking has slowed down somewhat this year however I'm still in one or two swaps and am enjoying making lots of ATC's and ATCoins - must be time I made another ATHexigon LOL! Enjoy your crafting travels, Kay!

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    1. Hi, Helen, thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to leave a comment. I want to make ATHexigons, too. Need to make a point to do that very thing! :-)

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  5. Hi Kay, nice to see you creating cards. I have always admired your scrapbooking and your cards are just as lovely!

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    1. Thank you so very much, Karen! It's been a while since I have been scrapbooking. Love making cards, though. As a full-time traveler, it seems to take up less room somehow--but, likely, that's just my imagination!

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