Claritystamp Challenge - Masculine #2

Not really masculine, but neutral, so I think it will be acceptable as my second Clarity card this month. Still in the process of trying to move house here so I have cheated a bit and used a Zentangle I did way back when I first got this stencil.  Think I can just about remember how to do it, but no step-by step photos for this one I'm afraid.  Hope it gives you some inspiration for your entry this month if you haven't already done one yet.

Stamps: Happy birthday from Line sentiments 1
Stencils: Whirlpool NDSC10
Inks:      Various Adirondack, Archival Black
Other:    Small Circle punch, Black pen, Sharpie pen

• Using a pale yellow ink (sorry can't remember exact colours) brush through the stencil. Wipe clean the stencil with a dry cloth while still in place.  This helps emphasise the edges as well as cleaning the stencil.
• Replace stencil in different position, flip over if you want to, and repeat with darker yellow ink.
• Repeat last step again using a green ink.
• Edge the whirls with a black pen, deciding where they go under and over each other.
• Add Zentangle patterns to the whirls.
• Crop and then cut into three pieces.
• Edge with a Sharpie pen.
• Mount on matching card.
• Punch three small circles from waste bits and edge with Sharpie pen.
• Stick on circles.
• Stamp sentiment with archival black.
• Mount on blank card.

Well that was a quick card but only because I had already done the stenciled background and Zentangle months ago and put it away in a draw.  Do have a go at this month's challenge if you can. I think we all need a bit of inspiration when it comes to designing masculine cards and your entries certainly inspire me.

Lesley x

Art Class - Fritillaria Collage

I based this collage on a drawing in my sketchbook of a Fritillaria.  The papers used are all mono prints I created with my Gelli Plate or the 'waste' from cleaning the brayer during the making of the prints.  I was going to continue adding little squares to the lower flower at home but Fran said it didn't need it and I am glad that I took her advice. Haven't done collage for a long time and really enjoyed it.

Sketchbook Pen and Ink drawing

Lesley x

PS Amber, if you are reading, this is your Fritillary and I have dug it up so you can have it when we move xxx

Claritystamp Challenge - Masculine

This month's Claritystamp challenge is to design a masculine card.  Why is it that we find masculine cards more difficult?  Even shop bought cards for the boys seem to be stuck in the fishing, golfing, cars, football etc mode. 

My design for this month just evolved, at the start I had no plan whatsoever of where I was going.  My other half grunted approval at the finished card, so I think it worked out alright.

Stamps: Claritystamp Happy Birthday from Line sentiments 1, Man from Wee folk #1

Stencil:  NDSC #5 Torn Shapes

Inks:     Various colours of Adirondack, Archival Black

Other:   Stencils brushes, black pen

• Using the stencil, brush on various coloured inks to make a random pattern for a background paper.

• Outline the shapes with a black pen.
• Colour in small intersections with a black pen.
• At this stage I cut the paper in half and looked for inspiration.
• I vaguely saw a sort of climbing frame so stamped a wee man looking very chuffed at himself. Look, no hands! (Memories of the two eldest grandsons at Pensthorpe adventure play area last month)

• Then added the sentiment, slightly curved,  continuing the black lines with a pen to tie it onto the uprights.
• Trimmed and mounted onto black and then lilac card. 

Can't wait to see what everyone is going to come up with for this Claritystamp Challenge.

Lesley x