Saturday 14 October 2017

Retro-active

Do you know the expression that says something about being so busy that you'll meet yourself coming back? Well, I think I've cracked it. You may have read of my panic to get Christmas cards made for a Charity sale. For a change, I used forethought and wisdom and made our family cards as well. So now, apart from a few for workshops, I seem to have put Christmas behind me already! Which means that I'm using Autumn as a theme.

I like Autumn, it lets you get away with a variety of colours that would otherwise be a bit mismatched. Copper colour base mat, black embossed card (a new folder) and gold cord. You wouldn't, normally, would you! You can see, it's the same leaf, actually a PSX stamp. Blimey, PSX.
The text is stamped on a bit of oak veneer that I may have stolen from the scrap bin at work. It's a Hero Arts stamp; I can't say how old, but still very useful! I used Pixie Powders to colour the leaves. It involves baby wipes, water, wet desk, shiny fingers and some swearing I'm afraid - as much as I like the results, I'm not good at the method! There's shadow across the card, and a rich golden autumnal light. Totally real too...I took the picture at about 5pm the other evening, gorgeous autumnal evening.


Unlike the rubbish light of this card...I don't know if you can really see what I've done! This is a Judikins stamp. I used black pigment ink and a pearly green embossing powder so the trees have a touch of colour. The rest is just adding tiny dots of wet glue which I foiled when dry. I like the card stock used for this. Very old 'rust gold' pre-folds, from back when Clarity was using the Imagina label.

Not only have I stepped back into Autumn, I've been using some very retro stamps and marques. There's nothing like a bit of up to date reminiscing!

12 comments:

shazsilverwolf said...

Totally agree Julia, nothing like digging about amongst rarely used stamps. PSX, there's a name that produced fab stamps, mainly botanicals,I Think. Love the cards, huge hugs, Shaz xx

Sue said...

Hi Julia, Loving the cards. I can make out the green on the trees.

Well done on getting through your Christmas cards.

Hope you have a lovely weekend. Sue

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

That top card is stunning. I love the beautiful leaves. Both cards are very pretty and so glad you shared . Enjoy a lovely weekend.

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Super cards, Julia! I really like that saying about meeting yourself on the way back LOL! Well done for getting your Christmas cards sorted already - I bet you're chuffed! I know I would be!

Helen said...

I have loads (ha ha) of PSX stamps, they were gorgeous. and of course, wood mounted. love love love them. Fabulous card, beautiful colours. perfect matching of matting and layering colours.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

These are both fabulous cards. Perfect examples, both, of why I don't make cards. I was so impressed you are ahead of yourself with Christmas and have autumn clearly in your sight. I have about 1/50th the number of stamps you have, but if they aren't wood mounted, I have a lot of trouble stamping with them. Your art always impresses me. Oh, and that veneer turns me on (grin).

Cara said...

Fabulous cards. It's a great feeling to use some old stash again isn't it x

April said...

Wow - you're making fall cards and you're moving on past Christmas. You are a woman ahead of her time. :-)
April

ShazInOzCardsCalligraphy said...

Yup love the top dad Julia, totally caught my eye great effect.
Your efficiency though in Christmas card dept has totally unnerved me!!!!!!!!
Eeeeek, sigh.... ;-)
. hugs,Shaz.x

misteejay said...

Great cards Julia and I love those leaves on the first one.
Toni xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Fabulous cards Helen! Love those colours! Well done for being so far ahead with your cards too!Hugs,Chrisx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Hmm! Using my phone with predictive text is not good - just pressing 'publish' as I saw I had called you Helen!!! :-)