Friday 26 July 2013

Little legs like 'spelks'

For those who might wonder what on earth a 'spelk' is, it's a splinter of wood in Geordie dialect. And my Step Mum always says that robins have legs like 'little spelks' :) Loooooooong spelks in this case:


I used:

- patterned card stock, one is called 'Holly Craft' by Kanban but I don't have the name of the other 'stitched effect' one - cut and folded to DL size (approx 8" x 4")

- plain backing card behind the image, from the snippets folder

- image is a House of Zandra stamp called 'Robin' - which sadly is very disappointing when stamped as the lines have 'feathering' on. Such a shame, I tried all inks and papers but it's the stamp that's just not right. Coloured with Pro Markers with the top hat and wing stamped again, coloured and then decoupaged

- sentiment is from Personal Impressions 'Many Greetings' set, stamped using SU 'Real Red' onto cream card, punched with SU's 'Word Window' punch then layered onto matching card snippets which were punched using SU's 'Modern Label' punch

Cutting out the 'spelky legged' robin was really the only option to get rid of the feathering outside of the image, and of course I had to cut along the lines - leaving a white border wasn't going to do the trick, although I do always cut along lines anyhow. A tip I picked up from Debby is to run a grey marker round the outside of cut out images, it hides any white edges  - mine is a Faber Castell Indian Ink one in 'Cold Grey' and it certainly helps, plus it doesn't bleed like a Pro Marker probably would. Sigh, but I missed a few bits :(

Have contacted House of Zandra, I bought this stamp at Newbury so they'll have to take my word for it, in the hopes that it was perhaps a faulty batch. Watch this space.

Edit: I had an email from House of Zandra and they will be sending me a replacement - apparently this is the only stamp they 'outsource'. But watch this space anyhow! 

This is my entry for Rudolph Day, over at Sarn's. She has a lovely Penny Black stamp as a prize this month - hurry up, you have until Wednesday 31st July to be in with a chance!

Am entering the 'stitched' card into Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge (unless Hazel thinks I've bent the 'stitching' rules a bit too much) and both of them as one entry into Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for July which is always 'anything goes'.

Di
x

18 comments:

  1. I say!! The colouring on those top hats is absolutely spiffing. Rather you than me trying to cut him out. I think I would have ended up with quite a few legless ones and not because they'd been at the sherry! Must admit I had to stamp out quite a few of Barney Owl in order to get a complete image. Thanks for reminding me it is Rudolph day. Hugs Mrs A. (The real one)

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  2. That is so cuuuuute !!! Shame about the cruddy stamp. I hope the new one is better. :-)

    Hugz
    IKE x

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  3. I think he is lovely, even if he is a bit fuzzy (it doesn't show, by the way) it is really nice to see something a bit different for Xmas. (can't bring myself to type the "C" word yet!

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  4. Ok, that's IT . . . all robins should wear top hats from now on! What a cute image, and well done on the cutting out.

    I hope your replacement stamp is perfect.

    Sorry about challenge gates slamming shut in your face - have unlocked 'em again now and linked you up! xxx

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  5. I can see stitching so I think you are safe with Hazel!

    Two more lovely Christmas cards to help fill your finished cards boxes. I need to start making multiples of mine or I will not be finished in time. I am usually good about doing some assembly line work of the birthday type cards I show on my blog...but a bit bad about making dulicates of the Christmas cards...well, I had better get over it fast...or I wonèt be ready.

    Your Robin Spelts are wonderful, trimmed so neatly too! Shame about the stamp...hopefully they make it right for you.

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  6. I do hope the replacement stamp works for you; he is such a cute robin and a bit different from the usual ones. I like the cut out but it was quite a fiddly job doing those skinny spelks.
    Great colouring, especially on the top hats. Kate x

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  7. It is such a gorgeous stamp but not sure I would have had the patience to cut those spindly legs lol. I picked up that tip from Debby too and it makes such a difference, have progressed to a black memento marker from my marvy grey as it decided to dry out on me. So pleased they are replacing the stamp, hopefully it will arrive soon so these cards are gorgeous. Hugs, Amanda x

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  8. Looks like mummy robin was had by a stork to give hime legs like that :-)
    Love him.
    Hugs,
    A x

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  9. You certainly made a good job of cutting out the spelks - and, yes, stitching is stitching! so it's good. Thanks for fab entries for both CHNC challenges - see you next week!! (unless you have a mad urge to make another stitched card for CHNC challenge 134) x

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  10. Love that image spelky legs and all

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  11. Two fabulous cards Di, love the Robin with his "spelks".
    Hope you have a great weekend.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  12. Love the image - hope the new stamp is better. If it is I just might be tempted!

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  13. Sandra!! Fancy locking Miss out of the gates! (Tee Hee!)
    Gorgeous stamping there Miss. Love these lickle Robins. Ours here have short legs, and one in fact has only one working leg, the other just dangles. Nowt wrong with his whistle or beak though!
    Glad to see you will be getting a new stamp.
    Hugs
    xx

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  14. "WOW" Di, Brilliant images and two lovely cards great colouring and yes l noticed your shading on those tops hats looks pretty good xx

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  15. Oh what a shame about the stamp as it is a fabulous image,but hope the replacement one turns out to be fine.
    Two fabulous cards and to be quite honest an image that would be great for just men. I think the stripe paper is Craft Creations.

    Kath x

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  16. Fab!! Love those robins!!
    xx

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  17. I'm late in making rounds, but I love your Spelky robin. A new vocabulary word of the day. Sorry to hear you got a bum stamp, but now understand a later post I read about 'the robin'. Glad they made it good for you. This one still turned out so well, though, and I'm with Mz A, great coloring on the hat...beautiful highlight. I wish I had this kind of robin at my house. He's just too cute, and with all the pretty papers...sigh. TFS

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