Wednesday 8 February 2012

WOYWW 140

How many Wednesdays are there in a week?  Not enough if last week was anything to go by as it took me three days to get round everyone and I was only able to leave messages on about a third of the desks - just ran out of time. Still that is the global phenomena that is Julia's massive desk hop at The Stamping Ground.

After a shaky start my desk has been much more productive this week and is showing a bit of colour.


The Yahoo group I belong to has a monthly stamping challenge set by our blog Mum Cath of InkyFingers and this week it is to use an acrylic block as a stamp-pad.  She has some brilliant examples on her blog and shares a few of the ways you can use this technique with various media.

I used my Big and Juicy pads (still big but not as juicy now as when they were new) and brayered the ink on the block, spritzed with a little water and 'printed' the result on glossy card stock, stamped with Archival inks and added a few branches at the edges.

Pressed a little too hard on the fairy castle stamp so the image is not as clear as it should be.

Then I dug out my (very) old Marvy Le Plume markers.  Half forgotten I had these - I know, I have too much stuff if I can't remember what I have - thought they would have dried up after 5 years or more but they were fine, if a little 'gloopy'.  Scribbled yellow, orange and a little purple on a small acrylic block and printed three times before overstamping with flowers in Adirondack purple.


This is my favourite of the three cards - I do like a bit of dramatic colour and purple and yellow is just that.

The last card is also markers and matt card stock but a bigger block this time and another favourite stamp by Paperbag Studio.


I like the faded edge this technique gives, reminds me of faded old sepia photographs.

Also on my desk is a set of acrylic paints,  picked up on my supermarket shop (Tescos) last week - much more fun putting this in your trolley than cabbage, and I love cabbage.  Great to be back in the crafting mood as I spent all of last Friday and Saturday feeling sorry for myself having picked up a stinking cold on Wednesday, was cheered up no end at the weekend when I found I had won a lovely piece of art from Cindy of Plantslist, a gorgeous Asian slide-mailer to celebrate Chinese new year, can't wait to see it - thanks again Cindy.

42 comments:

ScrappnBee said...

What a super cool technique! Love it! thank you so much for sharing it (I will definately need to try this in the future! Have a happy WOYWW!-Amanda 38

Bridget Larsen said...

Beautiful cards and a very productive desk
Bridget #53

Cath Wilson said...

Some beauties there, Ann - lovely work and good to see those inks out. My B& J are just as juicy as ever and some I've had for over 12 years now - great pads. I didn't think of using those!

jude said...

Absolutely adore that idea with the stamping blocks and inks.Your back grounds are fab ,Fav has to be the beautiful yellow and purple not a colour combo i use much.But sure has brightened the day up.As when i look out of my window the snow is falling and turning to ice!Thought had are snowfalls at weekend.Mind it is saying minus 8 in my kitchen...brrrhhh im off to drs with sophie .so heating will be on for sure on return!Have fab wedensday and a creative week hugs judex 4

sandra de said...

Lovely cards and projects you have been working on this week. I really like the technique you have used for the fairy card.

JoZart Designs said...

Fabulous cards Ann. Missed you Saturday and hope you are feeling much better. Off to Germany in a short while so just flying around a few desks....
Love JoZarty x

RosA said...

The purple and yellow flower card is lovely. And the Reeves oil pastels are really nice. So much inspiration on Leandra's blog. Wish my attempts were half as good! Happy WOYWW.

Karen said...

Oooh I love your cards, they are gorgeous. I do hope you have managed to shift your cold and are feeling a bit better [[[hugs]]].

Have a great WOYWW and a fab week, Luv Karen xx

Sarah said...

Really loving the inky colours and shading on your cards - gorgeous!!! Thanks for letting us look in and peek at your desk... Sarah at 7

May said...

O my word!!!! what stunning cards fabulous!!! I do hope you are feeling much better now Ann, Have a great week, Hugs May x x x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful and colourful desk Ann. I love that technique on the stamping block, have used it a couple of times, love the results and the stamps you've used. I bought that large box as is, I'd love to have a go at covering something but I'm so convinced I'll make a mess that I haven't plucked up the courage yet!!

Hugs
Brenda

Morti said...

I think they've just showcased that technique in Craft Stamper as well, but your examples are WAY better! Lovely work Ann!

Thanks for stopping by....

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...gorgeous cards...and I think i've fallen in love with Sorrel too...have a fab day...Mel :) #63

l00pyscraftcreations said...

oh now that's definatley inspirational, love the fairies one hun, stunning!!
Happy WOYWW hun, have a good one, xx

Lou #7

Stephanie said...

Ooh, I've got some of those Marvy markers too that are also at least five years old. I love what you did with them!

CraftygasheadZo said...

Lovely cards. All looks fun. Thanks for sharing & enjoy this WOYWW, I'm off to be nosey, & peek at some more desks! Zo x 85

SueH said...

Thanks for the peak of your desk on this WOYWW.

An extremely busy desk this week by the looks of things and love the cards you’ve made. Like you I think I love the middle one the best as it’s in my favourite colours too.

Happy Crafting!
Sue
x

Angie said...

That fairy card is gorgeous ...love the feel your choice of colours have brought to it.Thanks for your good wishes. xx

AerynK Designs said...

I LOVE the purple fairy card. So beautiful.
Happy WOYWW!
Aeryn (#37)

yoursartfully said...

Hi Ann,

It's really nice to re-visit things from the past, like using your markers, you kind forget how nice it can be. Your cards are really beautiful, I really like the water coloury flower one.

Take care, Lin

PaperArtsy said...

ohhh the le plume card in violet and ochre is gorgeous!! I have some of those somewhere too...muxt be donkeys years old!!

Leandra

Twiglet said...

I love your in bloom card. I have been making a collage for a friends birthday with flowers on today.

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Adore that fairy card! So pretty, love everything about it.
But....
Marvy le Plume??? Really?? Truly?? Snigger, what a fab name. Sounds like a Hollywood shmoozer from the 30s!!
LOLOL
Hugs, LLJ #56 xx

505whimsygirl said...

All your cards are very nice -- but I LOVE the little girl card. So sweet!

You must be feeling better?

Hugs,
Kay
WOYWW 129

fairy thoughts said...

You have been busy, I think I saw Tim do this recently , it is very effective. I think I like the 3rd card with the face on most. happy woyww
janet #167

Bridget Larsen said...

Guess what you are no longer #51 I am 51, somehow 2 got shafted since last night
Bridget #51

Anne-marie said...

You have been busy I love the fairy castle one.
Anne-marie x no 141

JoZart Designs said...

re the mystery item... think fabric and threads... vintage aid!!
Love Jo in Germany... x

scrappymo! said...

Wow, your cards are really beautiful.

You reminded me that I have some of the marvy markers too...have to dig them out and play with them...

Julia Dunnit said...

I love and miss my Le Plumes..had em for years...now am finding they're drying up andi can't replace them, gotta use up other things! Your acrylic block stamping is a great success, love your colour mixes.

Spyder said...

Great makes, lovely inkyness...I have ONE Marvy and ONE Le Plume...both purple, couldn't afford any more! And then I found Promarkers...Have a great crafty week HaPpY WoYwW

((Lyn))

HeARTworks said...

Sweet cards, my favorite is the magical fairy wishes! Patsy from
HeARTworks

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi Ann thanks for popping over and wishing me well yes another tooth infection made me give up on WOYWW this week and the pressure of too much else to do on top of it - but did appreciate that you were thinking of me - and wow do I love your amazing work here beautifully inky indeed very inspiring and thanks for sharing happy WOYWW! Shaz in oz.x

Peggy Cain said...

Happy WOYWW! Enjoyed my visit. love the way you did the background

Neet said...

Wow Ann, your luck is certainly in at the moment as far as winning is concerned. Good luck and long may it continue.
Love the cards, cannot decide which is my favourite as I like them all.
Glad you and Sorrel are both feeling much better.
Hugs, Neet (195) xx

Danielle said...

love your cards! lovely shot of your desk with the inks and things. dani13

Hettie said...

I can see why that card is your favourite - I think it is mine too - though all of them are gorgeous.
As for the tin of biscuits, the tins are very old and contain my Distress Inks - perfect size!

Cardarian said...

You have made lovely cards with wonderful techniques - your desk is full of stuff I would want ha, ha..:-)
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Hugs,
Cardarian

Elizabeth said...

Love the results you have got with this technique - and it sounds a pretty easy one to experiment with so will add it to my 'to-try- list. Can't choose a favourite card, they are all lovely. Thanks for popping in and leaving a comment - it's much appreciated. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Elizabeth x #2

Anonymous said...

Yep, this has been a very inspiring challenge. Love your cards and I have to agree with your fav. Very dramatic. I was looking over your desk to see what you've got that I NEED and noticed the darkroom door set that I've just got off fleabay. Must ink that up next, lol. xx

Jennibellie said...

Beautiful Ann, fabulous results! I love my Marvy Le Plumes, think I've just been reminded to go play with them lol thanks for sharing xx

Sherry said...

Oh Ann, those backgrounds are BRILLIANT!!!!! What a fantastic technique - I've even written it down so I don't forget how you did them - totally gorgeous! My favourite of your cards is the Fairy Wishes one - just love those colours!

Hope you're feeling much better now and congratulations on winning Cindy's candy - she does make beautiful art.

Thanks for already visiting me - I'm your newest follower by the way!

Sherry (8) x