Wednesday 17 April 2013

Less is More - a touch of the Orient

Whilst waiting for 'Houdini the disappearing plumber' to arrive yesterday, I put my thinking cap on for the current Challenge over at 'Less is More' - which is to base your card on a film, and it's one layer as well this week. See if you can guess the film:
I used:

- A5 white card stock

- image printed directly onto the card from Clipart, I thought the shadow was hauntingly beautiful

- the sun was made by making a mask using a SU circular punch, Adirondack 'Mountain Rose' ink pad and a makeup sponge (a duster brush would have worked fine but I wanted to try a wedge shaped sponge as shown on Barbara Gray's demonstrations)

- the grasses are second generation stamping using Memento 'Tuxedo Black' - I tried every grey ink pad I have and this came the closest to what I wanted. The stamp came from The English Stamp Company's 'Oriental Clear Stamps - Set 3'

- the Japanese script came from the same stamp set, and I used Memento 'Tuxedo Black'

- final touch, a line drawn using a Whispers pen to pick up the peach colour of the sun

Ha, the place was like a bombsite with sample stampings, post-its and goodness knows what when I'd finished. There was a lot of pre-planning going on.

And the film? One of my very favourites .....'Memoirs of a Geisha' ..... based on the book (which I also love) by Arthur Golden.


I thought the Japanese script on the finished card was a subtle - or not so subtle - link to the 'memoires part' of the film title, but for all I know it could really read 'Sushi and chips all round please'!

'Houdini' is now due to be here first thing on Thursday morning - British Gas and their so-called 'Full Homecare Cover' are so not impressing me right now. Mind you, I think the supervisor I eventually insisted on speaking to might just have had a secret smile when I threatened to 'get up the ladders with the blow torch myself - after divesting myself of wellies and water wings'! Thankfully we're not at that stage just YET, it's still a manageable drip through a 3" square hole cut in the ceiling by Len - well over a week ago now :) Don't hold your breath!

Di
x

26 comments:

  1. Oh dear, I hope Houdini turns up on time! How infuriating it is when they don't arrive! We do pay their salaries after all.

    What a fab card! I guessed 'Mulan' (a favourite) but 'Memories of a Geisha is also a fab film!

    Have a great week!

    love Mags B x

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  2. This is gorgeous - I don't know how you did it but your creation is absolutely beautiful. I loved the book too!
    Sandy

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  3. Wauuu
    gorgeous card, love the geisha shadow,
    hugs Tamara

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  4. Morning Di

    Great finished card

    Lots of fabby stamping and great colours.

    Hope British Gas manage to redeem themselves !!!!!

    Love Jules xx

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  5. Lovely card. Not seen the film but loved the book. I have a sneaky feeling that I've got those stamps and never used them! Must be time to get them out.

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  6. Di,

    Perfect absolutley perfect. Yes I did give it the correct guess but I have not read the book or watched the film. Ok I will have to do it, I can hear you telling me "you must watch it" LOL. Maybe I will snuggle up with Yoda and watch it with him LOL

    Hugs Eliza 46

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  7. Super card Di, and I'm impressed you are so good at translating Japanese!!!
    Jo x

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  8. That card is brilliant Di. Have been having a look back at previous posts I've missed - some lovely work. The fan is amazing. Thanks for popping by my blog. Trying to catch up with everyone and everything- serves me right for sneaking off to sunnier climes. Anne x

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  9. "Bery" clever Di and did guess the film if a brain freeze would not remember the name!! :D


    ... and love the layout great work!!

    oh and it all your fault you know (or maybe you dont :D) - see my desk :D and you will...

    God bless, Shaz in oz.xx

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  10. PS meant to say trust the great Houdini arrives sooner rather than later too - hor'ibble damp and drafty otherwise... xxShaz

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  11. Stunning card Di. Beautifully set out. Hope your disappearing plumber turns up soon.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  12. That's a fab card with Geisha... But I think it would work just as well without her! I've never seen the film but have read the book...an interesting read.
    The pretend Radley is widely available...I bought mine in Salisbury...it's by Clarke & Clarke fabrics. They have fab designs, I love them all!! But I'm not going to buy any more....good LLJ !
    Looking forward to the 29th :)
    LLJ 37 xxxx

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  13. I also loved Memoires of a Geisha - film and book, but particularly the book.

    FAB oriental card, perfect for the LIM challenge.

    Hugs
    Sarn xxx

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  14. Lovely card and I love that film too! I may just have to put that on my Wish List at a certain online DVD retailer - there being no place to get DVDs locally!!
    I have some of those stamps too, and in fact I put my four sets of Asian stamps into DVD style boxes only this week, having tidied.....yes tidied my stamps into alpha order!! Don't feint now!
    Hugs
    xx

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  15. Lovely asian card! I missed you at Ally Pally too - Sam told me you are somewhere around - I was looking but I didn't see you anywhere! I hope you had a good time, hopefully I will see you at the crop!
    Lots of hugs,
    Cardarian

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  16. Not seen the film Di but your card is wonderful and my hubby would love it, he likes anything Japanese.

    We have a leaky dishwasher and washing machine at the mo and if l've got soggy socks once this week.....grrrr!

    Hope everything gets sorted soon :)

    Big hugs xx

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  17. I absolutely love this card to bits. That shaddow is a perfect touch. Only film I could come up with was 'Shanghai' (2010).

    Hugs Mrs A.

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  18. Your Geisha card is so clever and beautifully executed, Di! Chips all round, LOL!!

    I'm so sorry to hear that you are still waiting on repairs! I must say you are keeping a better humor about than I would be!!

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  19. Well, I did guess the movie correctly. Now about the card--beautiful! I too loved the shadow and immediately wondered how you did it. Clip art?!! Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater! Naw, just kidding. All is fair in love and war and ART!

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  20. great film di! and i love your card!

    Thanks for joining us this week
    Jen
    "Less Is More"

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  21. Ooooooh this is luverly! Such a serene image - love it!

    Debs x

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  22. Oh gosh Di, this is so gorgeous!
    I also love the shadow...and the grasses against the red moon are brilliant.
    This is an all round beautiful card!

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  23. Ohw, what a great card! I love it! Seen the movie and it's great to see your card.

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  24. I'm sorry this is such a late visit, but I have been cruising on the Rhine for a week and have just got back.
    It's a super card
    Thanks so much
    Chrissie
    "Less is More"

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  25. Liking this a lot!! Hugs Juls

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