Wednesday 15 February 2012

Achy Valentines! (WOYWW)

My stinking cold still has not gone and sadly the rest of the family has come down with it too, so much so that poor Alex came home early from holiday club on Monday having been coughing so much he was retching. However, despite that he was keen to go yesterday, and when I dropped him off, he ran straight over to a friend and they started playing badminton together.  This meant that I had a day at home yesterday with Tim to celebrate Valentines Day.  I was given some new Lavinia stamps and the rare opportunity of time to play with them and experiment with inking techniques etc.  As you can see from my desk (being shown as part of WOYWW) I got all my Adirondack inks out and attempted to do some brayering and scene building with the Lavinia stamps, whilst being fortified by mugs of tea. 
Well all I can say is what a mess I made!  Several hours later, 10 aborted attempts in the bin, and following a lovely romantic Chinese meal at our favourite restaurant, I eventually came out with two scenes that sort of worked!  The first one used two of my new stamps (trees & carriage), and a brayered background in Adirondack sailboat blue and egg plant.
The second one used a brayer to do a mirror image/reflection of the horse & carriage stamp, as well as a brayered background using sailboat blue & eggplant again.  There are three things wrong with this one to my critical eye; a thumb print, the line marking the reflection point is too heavy, and there are too many lines in the water. I guess it is called a learning experience, and I have got better at the brayering as a result of all my inky fingers...you should have seen the state of them! 
The photo doesn't quite do the shear scale of the ink stain justice, but gives you the general idea...my right hand was even worse!
I have managed to do some other crafting, including this leaving card for a clinician who has been doing a PhD in my lab, but will be going back to the clinic at the end of the month.  I used the image from the graphic fairy for the focus and stamps from the darkroom door for the background. The cogs were stamped in versamark ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder and then the card covered with teabag and vintage photo distress ink before adding the word stamps (explorer, inventor, scientist & clinician).  I am entering this into SSSS 'Anything goes', Creative Card crew 'masculine', and stampin for the weekend 'cream, brown & blue' challenges.
I also made a clean and simple scrapbook layout using scraps of papers I have had for ages, as well as embellishments I have had for at least 3 years.  This layout features my nephews and Alex playing with a tractor and trailor at my parents house. I am entering this into Kaboodle Doodles 'where the boys are' and All sorts 'free & easy' challenges.  That is all from me for now. Have a lovely rest of the week everyone.
Love,
Caro
x

24 comments:

okienurse said...

great cards and LO! Don't you just love inky fingers! Hope you have a great week and thanks for sharing. Don't forget my blog candy is still up for grabs so drop by and leave a comment and make sure you are a follower. Vickie #64

Neet said...

Well, if I could do half as well as you with those stamps and the technique I would be happy. Yes, a happy bunny indeed. The ones you have done now are gorgeous - don't knock yourself.
Hope that cold soon goes and that the family all feel better quickly.
You still have time to sign up for my blog candy - it ends tonight - Hugs, Neet 29 xx

sandra de said...

Inky fingers are worth the effort because the cards are gorgeous. Love the tractor lo they look like they were having a great time.

Anne said...

Sorry to read you all been poorly hope you are over the worse. Love the card with the carriage on. Anne x

May said...

O my word I just love that leaving card, and fantastic work with the brayer, Glad your feeling better, Hugs May x x x

Peggy Cain said...

Love love the shadow card WOW!! Had a good visit to your desk. Have a great day!

Candy C said...

Your "Sorry You're Leaving" card is stunning! I love the stamped image on the front. The gear images on your background look really cool, too. Neat steampunk feeling to this one! Thanks for sharing your card with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

Trish Latimer said...

I love the reflection card! And I truthfully can't see any of the faults you mention!!!! Love the colours! x Trish #79

Helen said...

I haven't got any Lavinia stamps but you have done fabulously - love your inky fingers - are they cleanyet? The leaving card is gorgeous too.
Hope your colds all go soon.

Kim Dellow said...

Wonderful work! Love the peek - thanks! Kim

Sarpreet said...

great card, Great workspace, Happy WOYWW 141, thank you for sharing,# 52

mudmaven said...

Absolutely stunning cards and well worth the effort and inkstains. Thanks for joining us for our Where the Boys Are challenge on Kaboodle Doodles. ~chris

Hazel said...

Sorry to hear you've all got colds - hope things improve soon. Love the brayering and stamping (Hazel, WOYW #138) x

Redrottie said...

thanks for joining us over at SFTW ! your card is lovely and you matched the colour challenge beautifully xx karen

SandeeNC said...

I love the stamped images and don't be too harsh on yourself, you've done a wonderful job. The card is stunning too! Thanks for letting me take a peek at your desk, waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

JoZart Designs said...

Great cards and love those inky fingers too. Get yourselves all well very soon,
Love joZarty x

Lisa said...

The images you did are amazing. Wish i knew how to do that.

scrappymo! said...

Love the horses with the carriage. I have a soft spot for horses.

The inky fingers picture is so appropriate. Made me giggle.

Lou said...

Gorgeous creations Lou x

Spyder said...

Cold's are a pain! Mines now classed as 'could be un-lied pneumonia' whatever that means. I'm not one for doing things by halves! Desk looks great, cold cups of tea and a sign of a good crafter, so I'm tild...which...counting all the cold cups around the house at the moment makes me a genius!! Your inky pages look fabulous. Thank you for my snoop! Have a lovely crafty week...still trying to do a DT card!! HaPpY wOyWw!!
((Lyn)) #15

CraftygasheadZo said...

Fab creations, ink gets every where doesn't it?!! Glad you enjoyed your day. Take care, thanks for sharing & enjoy this WOYWW. Zo xx 86

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Sorry to hear that your cold lingers. The hubby insists I have one but I'm denying it! I think all your cards are lovely, don't knock them. We are our own worst critic. I'm very impressed by your reflected image card.

Caroline said...

Fabulous cards!!! Perfect for our Masculine challenge with the Creative Card Crew. Good luck with the challenge and hope you will be able to join in again next time.

Caroline x

Trish said...

beautiful cards!!!