Saturday, November 23, 2013

Christmas Spiral Branch and Tutorial


Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well.  I would like to welcome the new followers and again thank everyone for your visits and kind comments.  You make blogging very enjoyable :)

I had the thought that Designs by Ryn's new beautiful Spiral Branch would make a nice background for a Christmas design.  And then I saw Bianca created a beautiful Christmas card using it, which you can see here at this post.   She inspired me to almost immediately create this card :)  I've also included a tutorial on how I created the background.


Click for a larger photo

The background was created with Broken China, Mowed Lawn and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink using the Acrylic Block Technique (but I used a small plexi glass sheet).    I did all the stamping with Cobalt Blue Archival Ink.   I coloured the leaves with several Gelly Roll pens, two are sparkly.  I used Sapphire DI around the edges.   I die cut the flowers that have a snowflake shape from white cardstock and coloured by blending Distress Inks over them. 

Stamps:    Designs by Ryn, Spiral Branch
                Chocolate Baroque, Bold Christmas Words
Dies:        Crealies, CL CF 18

I promised to create a tutorial using Distress Inks with an Acrylic Block, so I've taken photos of the steps.   I apologize for the quality of the pictures, it's hard to work with one hand and photograph with the other.  I don't have a tripod and probably a video would be better.

Here are the steps I took to create the background:


You need:  Distress Inks -  Broken China, Mowed Lawn and Peacock Feathers, Spray Bottle & Water (with a light mist), Card stock - I used 140lb Mixed Media paper with Vellum Coating, Acrylic Block or Plexi Glass plate.   I always work over a Craft Mat and mine has pit marks from a table that is not smooth, but it still works fine.

I use the plexi glass plate as it gives me a bit more room for ink
Add ink direct from ink pad to the glass plate (or acrylic block)
I've placed a large sheet of white cardstock under the glass just for photograph purposes so you can see the ink  (NOTE:  I am NOT using a Gelli plate here)
Here you can see I've misted the ink
I've placed my cardstock on the glass with the wet ink and I move it around a little
I've turned it over so I can see the ink (but you don't have to, if you like a surprise)
Again I move the glass sheet around a little to spread the ink
I've removed the glass plate

Dry with a heat gun (or air dry)
When dry, I added the remaining ink that was left on the plate which will give a splatter look (similar to the wrinkle free technique using your craft mat).  If you don't want splatters or drip marks, skip this step.

I've used all the ink that I had on the plate, I could have added more at the start.   I want more ink around the parameter and decide to add more Broken China Distress Ink with the glass plate
I add the ink to the plate and mist again
I've placed the cardstock onto the plate and move around the parameter
I've turned it over to see what I'm doing :)
I remove the plate, dry and trim to the size I want to work with
I enjoy using this technique, the results are never the same.   If this is new to you and want to give it a try, just play and have fun to see what results you get.  

Glenda, the owner of Chocolate Baroque has posted informative tutorials at their website.    She included a great lesson using the acrylic block with various inks and you can see it here.

Below is a close up of the finished card.   


Thanks for visiting and enjoy your weekend,
Shirley

45 comments:

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow Shirley , super!! I love your card and I love your tutorial!! thanks for sharing how you made this beautiful background, I really love your stamp use and beautiful colours!!!

Greetings
Maria

Crafting Queen said...

Great card, love the background and thanks for sharing how you made it. :)

Valerie-Jael said...

Great card, and I love playing like that, it is such a fun technique! And my fave colours! Valerie

Karin said...

Love the tutorial, the card looks great!
Have a great weekend!
Groetjes karin x

chrissie said...

Always something special to see on your blog Shirley and this card is stunning. Thank you for explaining how you did the background

Love Chrissie x

Amanda said...

Thanks for the tutorial Shirley, fabulous Christmas card
Love
Amanda x

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Wow, stunning card Shirley and an amazing tutorial. I love the colours and the crealie flowers and what you've put in the centres of them. The swirly branch does make a great background.

Hope you have a great weekend.
Sue x

Annette P.-L. said...

So wonderful card! And so wonderful your tutorial! Thank you very much for sharing!!

Pat said...

Another lovely card Shirley with Ryn's beautiful stamps, and your tutorial shows really clearly how the inking technique works.

Paula (PEP) said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial - I know I'm not the only one who needs lots of practice with this technique. Your photos are much appreciated - it's amazing how difficult it is to keep the camera steady!
Love the way your sheer ribbon allows the stamped background to be visible. Have meant to say that your comment for me about commenting really hit home & I think of it often.
With my thanks
Paula (PEP)

froebelsternchen said...

wonderful card - looks amazing... and this cool kind of background -technique is like a marriage of the acrylblock technique and Tim's messy teflonsheet fun- and with the Gelli Plate it is also a great fun with distress pads I didn't thought that this is possible ...I try it sometimes in this direction , with plate , plexi sheet and so on--- but I never get such adorable results as you show it here!
I am much better with watercolors or neocolore 2 crayons as with all my distress inks...I just should take the pads for wiping in future- otherwise I make to much mess without beeing happy.

Thank you for the fab link Shirley!

xxx
Susi

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Wonderful combined colors and stamps and beautiful result with the acrylic background.You've created a unique christmascard.
Dear Shirley, I wish you a wonderful weekend,
xox Anja

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great tutorial and link to tutorials Shirley, I know I keep saying this but you are always amazing me with your techniques and one day I will surprise you with one of my own cards using inks etc....luv annie xxxxxxxxx

Jeannette said...

Wow,love your christmas card shirley,wonderful colors and backround,thanks for the tutorial, wonderful result with the acrylblock and gelli platte,i must haven :-)

Have a wonderful weekend :-

)Greetings Jeannette

Nan G said...

Another beautiful card. Thanks so much for the tutorial! Great idea to use a larger piece of acrylic as your palette.

Wendy said...

Beautiful card Shirley, love the deep red with the aqua colour! Thanks for the fab tutorial too! xxx

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

What fun AND Joy Shirley...lovely card

Have a nice weekend, Alie :-)

Creations by Shirl said...

Pretty as always Shirley.. The flower die is gorgeous...

sheila 77 said...

This card is OUTSTANDING. Your coloured leaves are so beautifully done and it's a great background.
Thanks for the tutorial, much appreciated by someone (me) whose painting techniques are still in the dark ages.
Thanks for all the links.

sheila 77 said...

And forgot to mention the cut-out flowers, they are amazing.

Shona said...

Thanks Shirley ! I'm inspired to give it a try (after I cover everything in plastic! LOL )I'm off to get some Mowed Lawn DI, I am loving that colour on your projects. This card is another fabulous example of your wonderful talent. I really love your stamping and how you used the pens. It's YUMMY !!

AngelicaS said...

Beautiful! Cool background and as usual wonderful vibrant colors!
Thanks for the tutorial.

Janny's Cards Creations said...

Beautiful background and thanks for the tutorial. Janny

Gerrina said...

Like your card! The background is perfect for this branches! The photo tutorial ia super clear! Have a hopefully fun and maybe a little bit sunny weekend, Gerrina

Gery said...

As ever, Shirley, your card is beautiful. And Joy to you too in creating and you are creating so many beautiful cards, that it's hard for me to keep up!! :-))
Lovely distressed background on this card and it's great you did your stamping in blue. It looks softer now than the black.
Great card!
Groetjes Gery

Shirley said...

Such a clear and crisp tutorial Shirley, probably one of the best out there. Love this technique but haven't done is such a long while. Your finished card design is so amazing.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Lindeke said...

Love that card Shirley! Beautiful background! And thank you for sharing how you made it!
Gr, Linda

Patricia said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Greetz Patricia

Marisa Job said...

Beautiful card! Love the background!!

Miranda said...

Hi Shirley, wow lovely card with the spiral branch and a great tutorial how to create such a background! hugs, Mirandax

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

beautiful! will try this technique for sure, and Chocolate Baroque stamps are truly attractive!

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Shirley, love your previous masculine card as well! i struggle to make card for boys :)

Ryn Tanaka said...

Hey Shirley, that is a great tutorial. Very clear and detailed. The pictures help a lot to illustrate what you're talking about as well. Also love how you embellished Spiral Branch Set and used it as a Christmas design. Works really well! Thanks :)

Darnell said...

Well, wow, Shirley, another masterpiece that would grace my hearth and never make it out in the mail!!

Thank you SOOO much for the step-by-step photo tutorial! I have tried a similar technique, but for some reason I didn't think I could go back in for more and I haven't been satisfied. Now, seeing you keep doing it until it is to your liking, wow, that is a huge lightbulb moment for me!! You're the best!! Hugs, Darnell

Bonnie said...

WOW! Love that stamp! Thanks for the photo tutorial. While videos are nice, I like tutorials this way so I don't have to stop and go back. If I can ever get my table cleared off, I'm going to try this!

Greta said...

Your card is stunning! I love that beautiful branch stamp & you've reminded me to get out my gel pens & color. Thanks for the inspiration!

Donna Ellis said...

Shirley, thank you for the tutorial! Helps me understand how to do things so much better - and how you achieve those pretty blended backgrounds. Lovely card with those gorgeous stamps, and the amazing white highlights! hugs, de

cath said...

Magnifique publication! et très belles photos!

Very nice post! nice work!
Thanks & Welcome for your comment and your next visit to my blogs.
Have a nice day! Cath.

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

Fabulous card Shirley - thanks for the easy-to-follow tutorial for the background. Love your choice of colours.
Hope all is well with you and yours - Sylvia xx

Shirley said...

You never cease to amaze Ms Artista and this is what I really missed. Love the tutorial and I have to try it now. BTW did I say your card is beautiful and I love your wonderful flowers too! TFS

Zoe said...

Thank you for sharing this fabulous technique, a wonderful card, love it xx Zoe xx

MaryH said...

Thank you so MUCH for taking time to do this tutorial. I got a quick glimpse earlier & then made time to come back & read through. It's a wonderful tutorial. Next question is the vellum coated w/c paper is unfamiliar to me. Is there a brand I should hunt? I know Strathmore, Canson...can get locally. No one has the Fabriano (?think that's the name I've read). None I've seen mentioned vellum coating. I love your technique and will check out these provided links (again, thanks!). I'll be certain to try again, and see if I can do a bit better, because you certainly have a gorgeous background on this so lovely card. TFS & Hugs

MaryH said...

Shirley, I did indeed get your info about the vellum surface pads. Thanks for taking the time to provide this info to me. I was not sure that 'my comment' had published on your blog, as I never saw it pop up. Got your info saved on my laptop so I can check for this paper when I get home. Your tutorial was really helpful, then went to CB to enjoy that one too. So many things to try. Hugs

viennaville said...

Thanks for this - normally I do this on the craft sheet but I'm gonna try it this way, and check out the difference. Lovley card by the way :D

Bianca said...

What a beautiful card and your tutorial about how you made this background is very good. I try it

greetings Bianca