Wednesday 23 January 2013

WOYWW 190 - and a revelation

My desk yesterday before I trotted out to the Post Office. I'd brayered and stamped a scene for the very first time then got sidetracked with the 'Less Is More' challenge so had returned to 'the scene of the crime' and was fiddling round thinking about how to best make a card:

It's been a bit of a learning curve but following Shaz's brilliant tutorial along with using my new little helper in here, known as the Splodge Away Blending Mat (thank you for nudging me into getting one Sarn!), a lot of the angst and hair tearing was chased away. A loooong way to go with practising to get colours graduating properly I know but this was the best one I could manage:
Bwah, ha, ha - I didn't have a little 'birds in flight' stamp so hand drew what looks to me like some very overfed eagles....you wouldn't wanna be pooped on by these :( Little Clarity 'birds in flight' stamp now on order.

But, on this journey of discovery I then wondered how to tackle the stamped reflection. As you know, I have an intense dislike for don't get on with the brayer too well and the thought of pushing Mr Luck and brayering the reversed image like many folk do just made my teeth itch.

Wahoooo - a revelation!! Whilst Googling I stumbled across a technique that's too good not to share - it sort of blew me away in its simplicity, and I do know that lots of you might just sigh and say you already do 'reflections' this way but I'm gonna share anyhow!

Ha! Watching Create and Craft TV whilst ironing in the kitchen yesterday afternoon I saw a demo where the person doing the demo merely turned the card round by 180 degrees and stamped a second time - the result wasn't a true mirror image. Len rushed to see why I was waving the iron round shouting at the TV 'No, no!!!!' :)

So this is what my revelation was - stamp your main image onto your chosen piece of 'already brayered with a background' card, then re-ink the stamp and stamp onto a cellophane bag - one used to package cards in would be perfect:
This is the cello bag with the stamped image on, just laid down on some spare card so you can see - snort, and also see me reflected taking the photo :)

Then, take your piece of 'backgrounded' card with the previously stamped image on, flip over the cello bag with the same stamped image on so it's ink side down, line up the lower edge of the image and gently rub your hand over the bag  - or you could let the brayer play and use that I guess, just in case it sulks.

Hey presto - my little practise:
Easy as pie! I used Memento Tuxedo Black for both lots of stamping but for a softer reflection I might try Memento 'London Fog' for the cello bag stamping step.

The wavy black background for the image has been rejected here in favour of simplicity - but the card remains unfinished, until I get time to play today, so it's hopefully gonna be in tomorrow's blog post if you want to see the finished card plus list of 'ingredients'.

Right, off you go to Queen Julia's now and then onwards to see what other WOYWWers have been up to. Have a great day!

Di
x

45 comments:

  1. Great technique and an even prettier look with those reflected tree images! I guess I'll be wearing poop-proof helmets in your world :)

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  2. Thanks for sharing that technique, Di! I tried it once a long time ago. Maybe I should try it again. And I think you did fine on you birds. But just in case, I'll have an umbrella handy!

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  3. Brilliant, Di! Your 'eagles' are terrific - just so long as they don't visit my feeding station :)

    And that technique for reflections is great - will have to give it a go sometime. Sounds a whole lot easier than messing with a brayer.

    Have a great WOYWW. Hugs, Elizabeth x (too early for a number)

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  4. Those birds are great. It shows how well you can improvise when you don't have the exact images. And I did exactly the sane when I saw someone just turn the card round and restamp to get reflections. Just not right. I love the way you did it. Great scene card. Are they Clarity trees? Have a good week. xx Maggie

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  5. Das flippin Drilliant Miss Ni.
    I take me drink oft to you.
    P.s. I am dot nrunk.
    Mrs A,B,C swotever. Hic.

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  6. Thanks for recepie how to make such gorgeous card. It is something special. Love the colours and scene.
    Hugs Tamara

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  7. Hi Di

    That is a fab technique .. .. thanks for sharing.

    I am well impressed with your brayering!! Mine is STILL in its box!

    Have a good day.

    Love Jules xx

    p.s. Yes it was a non-stick fish slice LOL!!

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  8. What a great technique - the trees look perfect to me!
    Kath x

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  9. I'm seriously impressed Di and I have a feeling we will be seeing more cards from you made using this method....Fab.
    Hugs,
    A x #47

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  10. What a Eureka moment, Di. Those reflections are fantastic. It's a stunning card, I love the colours.
    Had to laugh at your birds, they look fine to me. I always draw my birdies, it seems a waste to buy a stamp to me, well I am from Yorkshire and "tight"!!!
    Happy WOYWW
    Hugs Lisax #60

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  11. WOW - you've really nailed the brayer and reflections thing Di. I am totally bowing down to you with my arms outstretched in an "I am not worthy" pose.

    Thanks for sharing that cello bag reflections technique. Not one I knew about. I only knew about using the STOOOPID brayer for 'em.

    Hugs
    Sarn xxx

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  12. Well, I think your scene is just perfect ... the brayering looks pretty damned good from here and I love your little fat eagles, er, birdies! I'd send that stamp back and get something else because you draw them just fine! Thanks for sharing the tip on how to get a reflection ... what a clever idea! I'd not change a thing with your topper and if that's the best you can do then there is no room for improvement! Love Debbie #69 xXx

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  13. stunning & beautiful card , happy woyww. Jill #56

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  14. Wow - now that was a revelation to me too! Thank you very much for this tutorial - opened my eyes!
    And your card is fantastic!
    Lots of hugs,
    Cardarian

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  15. Now that is a clever idea and there is nothing wrong with those birdies.
    Sandra @67

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  16. This technique is something I have never ever tried. Now you make it so simple, I may just give it a go!

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  17. Oh so clever Di - I doubt I shall use it but I still admire your crafty skill! x Jo

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  18. Ooh Di, great technique, not that I have a brayer or the need to stamp reflections, but if I ever do I'm coming right back to this post for instructions! Love how the image has turned out, looks great for a practice attempt.

    But ironing? Really? Why!

    Hugs
    Brenda 105

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  19. Wow! Well done you for mastering "the tool of the devil" as Sandra called the brayer recently! Love the image you have done and I am now wondering if it is worse to be pooped on by an eagle or chicken???
    I remember seeing a stamp at the shop we once had in Abergavenny that sold nice quality stamps (looong time ago) which was blank. At the time I didn't "get" it nor did I buy it. Now I know what it is for, can I find one? No! Ho Hum.
    Keep warm! Freezing here and snowing! Grr!
    xx

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  20. Wow that is stunning and well done for mastering it. I have my mat and everything really that I need to have a go, I just need to find the confidence. LOVE LOVE LOVE
    Ria #92

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  21. I’ve always admired anyone who can do this technique, especially when done by Lavinia of Lavinia Stamps. I think she uses a brayer to do her reflections but I’ve seen it done by stamping your image carefully onto an acrylic block and then using that as the stamp. Gusee it might work with Wet N Dry foam too but it’s something I’ve never mastered unfortunately.

    Happy Crafting!

    Sue @ 111
    x

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  22. Hi Di
    I had to pop back to thank you for your great comment. I am much calmer now and I know we get defensive when our kids are involved. I did put a comment in her art folder to the effect that it definitely was her own work but when I wanted to do more F started to get upset and asked me not to as she didn't want to cause trouble!!! I know she can be creative
    and so does she, I shall make sure of that!!!!!
    thanks again
    hugs Lisax

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  23. Wow, what a great technique. It makes total sense, but without you telling me, I'd have never thought of it. And I was going to clean house today...hmmmm I may have to give this a go....thanks for inspiring!

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  24. Wow Di what a fab job for your 1st time and its so effective too! are we going to see more of these ? xx

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  25. Thank you for sharing your new found easy peesy technique for shadows. I like your overfed eagles. Hugs Mo x

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  26. I'm impressed! Brayer-ing is one thing I've not tried, but I do admire the effects it creates. I love your reflection and background, think you've done a grand job! I nearly didn't post today as am struggling, but didn't want to miss out, might suffer withdraw symptoms!! Take care Zo xx 139

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  27. Love your brayered scene, its fabulous! Thank you for sharing the technique - I will definitely be trying that - its an awesome idea! Have a good week xx #118

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  28. Well done you for attempting to do this kind of thing. The first card looks great but the bag lady one looks as though it would be a winner.

    I don't own a brayer and I have no intention of getting one as I can't even handle those roller stamped thingies.

    Kath x

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  29. You could of course use the poistioner tool and second generation ink.........
    Anyway, for one who doesn't like a brayer, I'd say you have the ocmmand of it, frankly. I don't use mine much but am not afraid of it...I use it more these days when I want to add ink to an embossisng folder I guess.

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  30. Hi Di,

    The card looks great. Did you know the eagle wing span can reach upwards of 8 feet? Yes, it's true.

    The technique is very cool! Now aren't you glad you were standing there doing the ironing?!? What, no, not really? But look what you learned.

    Happy WOYWW
    Hugs,
    Kay #126

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  31. Love the brayering!Great looking reflective images too! Have a crafty week!
    Lavinia 98#

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  32. Wow! This is great (and thanks for the tutorial info as well). If this is your 1st try at this technique, man oh man, it's awesome. Love the colors you used, and oh..one of these days, if I don't forget this post ...I'm gonna try this. (Monkey see, Monkey try to do!). I saw the lovely finished piece on your next post. Your desk looks very neat. I'm liking that...cuz you got room to work. TFS

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  33. great looking reflection card! I will have to try this. Thanks for sharing the technique. Have a great crafty week! Vickie #35

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  34. Well, I'd be waving my iron around, too, Di, if I ironed. This is a total revelation to me, so thank you so much for sharing! I tried doing a reflection card once years ago, not this way, and swore I'd never do THAT again. But this, this I'll have a go at, so this is going in The Binder! Mwah!!

    (PS How's the snow fall? Is the Playground closed up for now?)

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  35. Great tip, thanks for sharing - as I have lost my "mirror" stamp (a plain piece of rubber) that would be a good substitute... Have a good day (even if I'm a day late!) Helen, 9

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  36. Well done Di. I have done a lot of these type of pictures using a brayer but then you do the reflection first and hope you can line us the image with it. It would be much easier to match the two using a clear poly-bag. I shall have a go!
    I've not heard of the Splodge mat. I'll have to look that one up. thanks for sharing your ideas once again.
    Kate xx

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  37. Hi again. I see now you used cellophane not a poly bag. I guess that stays smoother. I was thinking the wrinkles in the poly bag would make the ripples of water, a bit like we used to do with cling film. Play time needed obviously! Kate x

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  38. Thank yo for sharing the technique I always wondered ow you did it. Love my splodgeaway may makes inking a pleasure not a chore, not tried brayerng with it yet though. Hugs, Amanda x

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  39. Great technique, thanks for sharing

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  40. Hi there the card is brilliant and thanks for sharing your technique. Sorry I'm late one of those weeks. Anne x #145

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  41. What a great idea! I love how some people's minds work...they just see a solution with such clarity! It 's a wonderous gift!

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  42. Hello Di - I have managed to do one of these with a brayer (at a workshop) but I really think that your way sounds so much easier. I haven't done one since the w/shop so will now have a go your way. I love your card though, and it doesn't need anything else at all.

    Hugs Sue Pxxx

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  43. Hullo there Di,
    Well first time able to get in here and do some blog hopping!
    Some lovely work going on here, and thanks so very much for linking over again dear kind Di!!
    and splodge mat - not sure what is tis but well done.


    and even better yet is your reflections idea - what a clever one that is!!!!
    Thanks so much for popping over and thanks for sharing ~ happy WOYWW! Shaz in Oz. x #58

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  44. I am so with you on the brayering (is that a word - I don't think so). I would much rather sponge the background. I think all of your attempts are beautiful. :-)
    April #110

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