Monday, October 29, 2012

Just add pearl

Happy Monday! Our challenge this week at Simon Says Stamp and Show is 'just add pearl'. Don't miss the gorgeous DT projects, such a great variety.

I made a little autumn accordion booklet, this is the outside:

I cut the covers from mat board and inked them with Rusty Hinge and Vintage photo. A piece of manila cardstock was coloured with Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap and Peeled Paint Distress Stain, when it was dry I embossed it with a wood pattern stamp (one of my favourite stamps) and Vintage Photo Distress Embossing powder. The calendar was stamped on cream cardstock with Archival Jet Black and smeared with Antique Linen Distress Stickles for some shine. I cut the circle frame with Sizzix Circle Framelits, making it a bit off centre. It was inked with Rusty Hinge and I added pearls all around.

The title translates 'Autumn Leaves' and was die cut with the Inside Out die, from kraft core cardstock.
 
 
I cut some branches from kraft glassine paper. Stamped and coloured two Mini Blueprint leaves (I am using the larger version on the inside), and used the Mini Tattered Leaves to die cut two leaves from vellum and stamped them with Mini Blueprint leaves.

The inspiration for the project came from the accordion fold on the inside. I really wanted to showcase these fabulous Autumn Blueprint stamps. They were painted with Liquid Pearls, which was my main angle for the pearl challenge theme. I took step-by-step photos to show you how I did this.

First, I cut a long piece of watercolour paper and stamped the three leaves and the acorn on it with Archival Jet Black ink, spacing them out evenly. You have to use a waterproof ink for this step.

Let the Archival Ink dry for a while, then paint the leaves with art masking fluid. I was happy a few months ago when I discovered that the masking fluid didn't affect the Archival Ink, because this is a really easy way of masking. Use an old paint brush when painting with masking fluid, coat it with a little bit of soap first, and wash immediately when you are finished. Let the masking fluid dry.

I wanted a fluid watercolour background and pounced Distress Stains (Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Peeled Paint and Forest Moss) on my craft sheet. Then I misted the paper pretty heavily with water and dragged and dipped it into the ink. This is the result. The masking fluid has protected the leaves from the ink.

Carefully rub off the masking fluid with your finger. Cool isn't it. Paper masks would most likely not have managed to withstand the amount of water used to make the background and some ink would have seeped underneath. 

Mix different autumn colours of Liquid Pearls with water, depending on how transparent you want them to be, add more water if they are too opague. Work on one leaf at a time and first paint the leaf with water, which helps the paints to blend nicely. More details and a bit of dry-brushing for texture were added later, when the first layer was dry. 

The shiny leaves and acorn look nice on the matte watercolour background, you see the shine better on this photo. Measure and score the accordion folds, then glue to the covers.
 
This is what the accordion booklet looks like folded up.

Show us your pearly projects this week and you could be the lucky one who wins a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp.



Thank you for visiting! Enjoy your week!

Anna-Karin
Supplies:
Stamps: Stamper's Anonymous Tim Holtz: Autumn Blueprints, Mini Blueprints, Wallpaper & Wood, Elements of Time
Paint: Ranger Liquid Pearls: Ruby Red, Buttercup, Pumpkin, Avocado, Chestnut, Dark Choclate, Bisque
Masking Fluid: Daler & Rowney art masking fluid

28 comments:

  1. It seems to be real autumn! Very interesting idea! And perfect layuot!

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  2. Hi Anna-Karin, isn't the masking fluid fabulous. Love your Autumnal accordion, the images are coloured beautifully and Imlove the touch of pearl. Beautifully decorated front cover too. Tracy x

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  3. Love this and the fall colors you used!

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  4. Anna-Karin...your accordion book is so cute! Love your blueprint stamps and how you've colorized them against the already lovely background you stamped them onto! Your use of the Perfect Pearls to paint the leaves looks fantastic! As always, beautiful work! <3 Candy

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  5. So beautiful, that is one of my favorite stamp sets from Tim. I just love what everyone is doing with it!! You piece is amazing and love the colors.
    Thank you for the inspiration for the next SSS and Show challenge!!

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  6. Oh my! I do love this little book. I love anything that uses watercolor paper and looks like watercolor!!!!

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  7. Beautiful project Anna and I just love those blueprint stamps.

    Hugs

    Annie x

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  8. Stunning accordion book, Anna-Karin! I love the colors and the embellishing on the cover is perfect!

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp

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  9. Gorgeous! Love the rich colors! Beautiful cover with layers of leaves and texture.

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  10. Just utterly lovely, Anna-Karin! I adore autumnal colours and crafting, and this booklet is completely beautiful! Amazing use of the blueprints - making them ever more desirable - your painting with the Liquid Pearls is wonderful. Another new favourite for me, this!
    Alison x

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  11. ohh Anna-Karin, this screams autumn to me, and I love it! It's gorgeous and I love all those beautiful blue print stamps! This is fabulous! Hugs, Sandra

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  12. Oh my goodness! Jaw-droppingly gorgeous!!!

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  13. this is a amazing creation. the stamps match all together. lovely colours.
    beautiful on the front of the card.
    thank you for showing how it is done.
    greetings

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  14. Oh my!!!! I love your book cover, and of course the inside too :)

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  15. Your accordian book is stunning!!! Thanks for sharing x

    Kaz:0)

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  16. Anna-Karin...Congrats on being recognized on Tim's Blogworthy Links once again! Your work is beautiful and you are very deserving! <3 Candy

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  17. So much inspiration in one post!! Love the use of masking fluid and the 'pile' of leaves. Congratulations on your blogworthy link and thanks for your lovely comment. Hugs, Buttons x

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  18. Everything you do is just incredible, Anna-Karin, and this is no exception! I love this technique - it is gorgeous!!

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  19. This project is beautiful!

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  20. Fabulous creation. I'll be buying some masking fluid very soon.. Thanks so much for details of technique. Nicola x

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  21. Masking Fluid!!! I must have some...you are brilliant! These are all gorgeous!!!

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  22. Congrats Anna-Karin! Your creativity and stamping talent never cease to amaze me! Love this technique with the masking fluid!

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  23. Yay! I needed some inspiration for these great stamps!!

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  24. Just found your blog while visiting Tim Holtz's. LOVE your header, and your autumn accordian project is gorgeous! TFS.

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  25. Such a fun technique and a beautiful project AK - love it!!

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment! Happy Crafting!