Thursday 2 February 2023

Salvaging a Brushos disaster

I decided to have a go at using my long-neglected Brushos the other week. And, as usual, instead of the really pretty mottled results that others achieve - I ended up with a mess of very slightly variegated greens, partly from over-zealously using two shades of green ...... as well as too much water. So, I dumped it to one side and did something totally different. Brushos and I just do not work well together. Am sure I'm just too heavy handed - but c'est la vie as they say.

However, a day or so later I picked up the discarded Brushos panel, peered at it then gave it a few squirts of Glimmer Mist to add a slight sparkle - then suddenly it began to have possibilities - this is what I ended up making:

Bright mirri gold card, with my red top reflected!

I used:

- 5.5" x 4.125" white linen silk weave card blank, tent style (just slightly smaller than USA A2 size) - confession, due to the odd size Brushos panel I ended up with once I cut the grotty edges off!

- the green Brushos panel, for which I'd used Strathmore Mixed Media card and later I'd also sprayed with some ancient clear Glimmer Mist

- ran the panel through my Cuttlebug using a NBUS Gina K embossing folder called 'Holiday Flora' and hope began to rear its head - that is one fabulous folder!

- trimmed the panel and added some gold gilding wax using NBUS Cadence 'Inca Gold' Finger Wax, I need more practice, please be kind - although I used my right ring finger I suspect that a finger sponge would have less 'give' than the pad of my finger!

- then layered the panel onto a slightly larger snippet of Tonic 'Inca Gold' mirri card and glued it onto the card front

- used a snippet of vellum to die cut the back surround for the word 'Christmas' using a NBUS die from Julie Hickey's gorgeous 'Christmas Profile' die set and set it to one side

- then die cut the word 'Christmas' - using the same Julie Hickey die set - twice from a snippet of white card and once from a snippet of 'Inca Gold' card then glued them together using a glue pen, before attaching the vellum 'profile' layer to the back then setting it to one side

- die cut the word 'Merry' using a 'small Merry' die from years ago by Britannia Dies, two from snippets of white card and once from a snippet of 'Inca Gold' mirri card - glued the layers together using Stix2 'Micro Dots'

- then positioned the two parts of the sentiment die cuts where I wanted them, using some very small Stix2 craft dots to adhere the word 'Christmas' and the fine glue pen to adhere the word 'Merry'

And there it was, done! I used quite a few a lot of items from my NBUS (Never Been USed) baskets. I truly don't need to buy anything crafty for the rest of this year, apart from essential and basic items. Ha, define THAT one! ☺

I also used some items like Stix2 tiny glue dots as well as micro dots for the first time. What a revelation (thanks to Chrissie Stokes on her YouTube Channel). The micro dots are a right 'so and so' to get into if I'm honest - I sat for ages trying to separate the two layers. But, SO worth it! And, I was wise and popped a teeny tiny piece of paper in the corner where I'd worked the layers apart to make life easier in future.

I would like to enter this card into Darnell's latest NBUS Challenge HERE - so much NBUS I almost feel ashamed to admit it! The embossing folder, the gilding wax (in fairness my cheapo ones had solidified) and the lovely Christmas word die as well. I guess the tiny glue dots and the micro dots also count!? Man - me needs to put the spending brakes on!

I would also like to enter the Christmas Craft Creations Challenge HERE  The theme is snippets and you still have time to join in!




19 comments:

  1. The Brusho background looks lovely all glammed up with sprays and wax and the EF works a treat. Love that JH Christmas die paired with the Britannia one. Congrats on persevering with the card as it’s turned out GREAT xxx

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  2. This is gorgeous, Di! So happy you saved the brushos panel. xx

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  3. A beautiful, richly coloured and elegant card Di - a great save. I can sympathise with you - I have sometime smooshed another piece of card stock over a 'loud' brusho's panel - once I got two prints off one :)
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  4. That is one pretty background Di! The gilding wax is tricky -my efforts up to now haven't exactly been successful BUT I was watching Chrissie Stokes and she always pats off on her craft mat before applying! I've yet to try it - I'm too busy wondering what NBUS item to use next!

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    1. Hi Kate. I too follow Chrissie and did exactly the same patting off. Definitely needs a very light touch. X

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  5. Sumptuous make - great colour choices too

    Happy Thursday

    Kathyk

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  6. Now you've proved why we should never throw anything away 😁. This is a super card and a great description as well - I still have some Glimmer Mists from years ago too.

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  7. Me and Brushos - a match made in heaven..... not!
    But this is a great make Di - the shimmer is perfect and the EF is lush!

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  8. What a fabulous card Di, I'm sure that you are glad you didn't bin this after all. The shimmer spray was a perfect after thought and gives it a gorgeous finish.

    Sue xx

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  9. Your card looks wonderful with the gold wax. I failed at using brushos and sold them in the end, I thought I would never get the hang of them x

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  10. It just goes to show you should never give up on anything because this is a gorgeous background Di, and the embossing is so pretty and highlighted beautifully with the gold was, and love the Inca Gold mirri card for the layer and the sentiment, which has a wonderful glimmer but not too blingy...in other words perfect, and a fabulous finished card. x

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  11. A fabulous card Di and the brushos background is lovely. Crafters don't have disasters - we have 'happy accidents'!
    Kath x

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  12. Well done saving that discarded Brushos panel, Di!! You made a fabulous work with it! Love so much all the gold and the embossing, they made a perfect match with the vibrant greens! And you gave a very professional touch to your card with that big mirror sentiment and the vellum shade!

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  13. I think it looks fabulous -- wonderful job rescuing it. My favorite part is the vellum behind the die-cut sentiment. It adds a wonderful soft touch among the gold and sparkle.

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  14. Oh, well done, Di! Not only for using your NBUS, but for persevering and ultimately creating a sensational background for your bold and bright Merry Christmas sediment! The elements definitely look intentional, which is a huge compliment to your design skills! Thank you for inspiring everyone at NBUS! (And never feel bad about having so much of it; the gallery proves we all do!) Hugs, Darnell

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  15. Well, that was a fantastic save! Love all the elements, embossing, gilding, even the vellum layer (I’m going to use that if I may for my vellum themed class next week!), a fabulous card Di xxx

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  16. Absolutely gorgeous, love the greens and the gilding. Glad you kept at it. Yep! I'm in the mood for spending, too! Gotta stop, My excuse, if hubby can buy cigarettes, I can buy craft. He's stopped, now what do I do? :)

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  17. It's gorgeous and I was going to ask about the multi coloured mirri - but then I saw the note under the photo. (looks like I can comment today! yipee!)

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    1. Hi Lynn! Wouldn't rainbow mirri be cool?! I suppose one could make one's own with some alcohol ink or such?

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