Tuesday 8 September 2009

If all else fails...




.....fiddle about with a couple of challenges. After all, haven't I got a list of things 'to do' that leaves no time for fiddling about? Yes indeed. What the hell. The sun, magnified by the window, is not helping my Christmas cards workshop for sure! Actually, nor is it helping my need to sleep, but that's possibly because I should open it and let in some fresh air. Or move.
This card is for the Daring Cardmakers challenge this week. I used to have several sunflower stamps, including the most famous botanical by PSX. But alas and alack, they are long gone to a flea market and therefore new owners. So I rummaged through my diminishing stash and found this pewter adhesive embellishment. By Magenta, about 8 years ago I expect. At the time, they were a fiver a pair and they were expensive. Which is why I didn't use them. And in order to use it today, I filled it with holographic gold glitter and daubed on some stickles. It's as close to a Sunflower as I can get. Call it an 'interpretation', I'm sure it will suddenly look very arty and sunflower-ish. The background stamp is, by the way, one of my most used, most favourite text stamps ever in the whole world. A Stamp in The Hand. I think any stamper who likes text should have one, by law.

And this card is actually all about the inchy, for the challenge over at Fiona's. The theme is 'Asia', and so here are my excuses for this one too: I don't do asian, all too gentle and thoughtful for me really. But I love this Penny Black bird image - largely because I've always thought that it could have been painted in that sinlge stroke style that the Chinese calligraphers favour. Anyway, because I don't want a pile of inchies lying around - because that's a pile of 1 inch pieces of card waiting to go in the bin - I made it straight into a card. And let me immediately say that although the inchy is erm, an inch square, the final card is 4" square. Just so the Lady Nurse doesn't think I've been a nimble fingered genius. I'm saving that moment for something else. I think.

Oh Lordy, edited here at 7.21pm: there's been a change over at 2 Scrap Ladies, the date and location - please view!!

16 comments:

airing cupboard crafts said...

Gorgeous cards as usual Julia. Missed you on Saturday hope your okay.

Laura x

Lynda said...

Two beautiful cards and I love the textured sunflower.

Lynda xxx

Emilie said...

Those cards are beautifull! love the stamp work on them!
I can't believe you complain about the sun! here up north it's been non stop rain for the last month and half! I'm not exagerating! if you want we can swap!
Can't believe eather that I wasn't following your blog. I thought I was but I just noticed I wasn't but this mistake has been fixed now...

Lythan said...

What absolutely beautiful cards Julia. And I too have learned the hard way about not hoarding stuff but using it while I love it!

Anonymous said...

okay, i am sooo loving that text stamp and the bird one, totally get the asian influence sweetie! p.s. i now need those stamps

Aino said...

Nice and beautiful.

jaine drake said...

I know what you mean about the christmas cards, I can't even think about it until the weather turns and time is ticking away!! Love your inchy that bird is so cute.

Crafty Red said...

Love the bird card. Understand what you mean about the sun. Thanks for you constructive criticism the other day, you were right ... much better with a darker background. The problem I have is I buy big packs of plain white cards and then need to use them up.

Angie said...

I love that text stamp and i think your use of inchies is brilliant. What has always put me off making them is .....what to do with them ??? ... cards are the perfect answer and I so love this one.

Carmen said...

Gorgeous cards again Julia and I love that bird stamp and how you've managed to get the stem he's perched on to follow down onto the card :)

Anonymous said...

Love the card and won't get stressed by your ability to produce wonderful cards.
Lady Nurse

Fiona said...

Great cards Julia - I love to see inchies actually being used and I know what you mean about them just sitting about the place! Looks like an Asian bird to me - lol!

Ellen said...

now that bird is surely a nightingale and they breed in Asia .
fun way to display your inchy

Lyn said...

Wow, I love the way the inchie is part of the whole stamp yet displayed in all of its glory. I must try "fiddling about" more!

Kathy said...

ohhhh that purple is the PERFECT foil for the yellow sunflower - I love this design. I soooo know what you mean about "fiddling about" too! ;)

Timaree said...

Not quite asian but at least you made one! Throw them in the bin? No! Turn them into fridge magnets or make a journal page with some of them. They are good on cards of course but oh my, don't throw them in the bin!