Heuchera Display

Gosh, from the planning, to the finishing, this layout has taken me about 3 days .... I don't know why that is! 

Never mind, done now.  In response to a challenge set by Jimjams on UKS - use some of your oldest stash!  Well, that's not new for me, as I don't really stash discriminate .... :lol:  My friend gave me that piece of cream, gold and maroon patterned paper at the last crop, but in actuality, it is probably six or seven years old!  I refused to put it in my paper collection, as there it would sit, so I was determined to use it before it left my desk.  I've made about 4 cards from half of it, and there is still a 6 x 6 bit of it left ....

All other paper from my scraps bag, and is K and Co, and Basic Grey. I am also on a mission to use up some of my extensive fibres collection - so I laid some chocolate brown eyelash fibre underneath the loopy punch border of the circle so that the colour pops a bit. Lots of sewing on this layout, and I also used some bronze cosmic shimmers. Part of my Chelsea Flower Show 2009 series - I love all the colours and textures of the heuchera and my journalling is about them. I thought that the photo needed a matt, but used more scraps of paper underneath which gives some contrast to the photo.  Hmmm - need to do something with those leave and spray branches that I cut out ... maybe some more colouring around the edge, perhaps?  Thanks for stopping by.  :)

Saturday snippets

I enjoy making cards, but sometimes I feel the need to shake things up a bit!  That's where techniques really come in handy. 

This first card was using my alcohol ink technique, but I love to layer up and add movement.  I really like how this card turned out.  I sent it to a friend who is currently going through a hard time and is stuck flat on her back in bed.  I hope it cheered her up a bit. 

The colours are subdued, but they all complement each other into a general richness, I think.  Loads of different bits and bobs on this forest green creation. 

Here's some Indian spice!  I really like how this card turned out and it is one of my latest favourites. 

I've managed to use up some fibres (of which I have SO many).  I stamped on this flower in black Stazon, which was a plain boring dark brown.  I then added some yellow ink, and gave it a spritz with some bronze Perfect pearls mixed with some water.  It has a lovely sheen, which doesn't show up here.  I also cut into the petals and cut away some of the fullness of the flower, which totally changed it's appearance from a daisy into a crocosmia - much more satisfying!  The message was inked in gold, again which doesn't show up well here.  I love the hot spicy tones - delicious and with an exotic flavour!

This last card is less unusual, but does use up some handmade paper, and again, some fibres.  I must start using them instead of ribbons - they can add some very interesting texture. 

The addition of the bird instead of a flower means that hopefully it would be suitable for a man, but it is still probably fairly feminine, with all the gem and scallop detail going on, I suppose.  The bird and branch punch is from Stampin' Up - I couldn't resist it, and it has already come in very handy for card making.  I will use in on a page eventually! I punched the figures using white scrap cardstock, and then coloured in the various elements with my Promarkers.  Both the last two cards used K and Co patterned paper which was scrap from the Birthday Book in Thursday's post.  It goes a long way!  I guess this next one is a bit more masculine, being less detailed ....

What do you think?  You can't see it clearly, but there is a dark brown fibre on top of the loopy detail.  It is cute and fluffy IRL ... still suitable for a man?  Yep.  I reckon.  Hmmm, now how else can I use up my stack of fibres in a non-naff way ....