Tuesday 31 January 2012

Silver and White

Good afternoon everyone

This morning I decided I was going to play with a stamp I bought some time ago but have never used.  I did try it out briefly when I got it but was very disappointed that the stamped image looked as though the ink was "bubbled".  Some time later I heard that sometimes this is a problem with acrylic stamps and that the solution was to sand it lightly.  Hmmm, not sure whether that was a good idea - after all I didn't want to destroy the stamp altogether!  So I just left it.  Then last week I saw another, far more acceptable tip, which was to take sellotape over the surface then ink it up with Versamark and allow it to dry before using (thank you Ali Watson!)  So I reckoned I had nothing to lose by trying it and it seems to have worked because there was no "bubbling" when I tried it this morning. This is  large corner stamp and, on reflection, I think I was being a bit adventurous trying it out because it requires a large acrylic block and I discovered that it put quite a strain on my poorly wrist.  However, I perservered and ended up with this card.


I used Neenah card from Crafters Companion to stamp onto and silver pigment ink (think it is Encore).   The card base is 7x5 pre-scored card.  I would be very interested to hear what everyone else thinks of this as I am not too sure about it.  Firstly I think it would probably be better suited to a wedding or silver wedding rather than a birthday but I had decided I wanted to stamp the sentiment in a square for the centre of the card and I only have birthday, thinking of you and Christmas stamps like this!  Secondly, it took me about ten attempts to get the square almost straight and eventually I realised that the stamp itself is actually slightly out of line - the happy and birthday are at different levels on one side which is why I couldn't get a perfect square.  Here's a close up


Not the best photograph I'm afraid.  Anyway, this is my card for today.

Thank you for calling in.

Catherine x

17 comments:

  1. Simply lovely..
    One little thing I would say if you dont mind I think the card would be better if it was portrate instead of landscape just my opinion...
    hugs

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  2. Wow that is a big stamp, you did well to stamp it with your poorly wrist.
    I think it looks lovely as a birthday card,I'd be happy to receive it! I do see what you mean for a wedding or anniversary card though.

    Jackie x

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  3. This is lovely Catherine.
    It looks so delicate, I have a stamp like that I always get annoyed with it, so tend not to use it, but I think it looks good on this card, might even start using mine .....

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  4. I love it. It's gorgeous, but me being me I would be itching to try putting the faintest bit of pink on the roses. It would make a lovely silver wedding anniversary card too. Well done Catherine xxx

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  5. Love it Catherine but like Jane I think a delicate colour would enhance it a bit. Hope your hand settles back again soon as well.xx

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  6. Well done Catherine, fab card! Debbie x

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  7. Simply stunning...and bless you sweetie for my mention...thank you...so glad you will now get the use of this beautiful stamp!

    Ali x

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  8. Gorgeous Catherine, the card is very elegant. xxx

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  9. Well I think it works as a female birthday card....Though yes an Wedding or anniversary card it would be suited to as well......I really like it and if the wording is a little off well I cant see it on the photo and to be truthful I don't think I would care if it was it all adds to the quirkiness that makes a handmade card. I would have added a little colour to the rose but that's just me as I like bright thing's.....maybe I was a Magpie in a past life!

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  10. Really pretty and elegant card, fab design
    Lindsay xx

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  11. Love the card very elegant, never heard of that tip before but will take it on board just in case i get one like it .Hope your hand gets better soon.Melaniexx

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  12. Gorgeous card Catherine no wonder it hurt your wrist, I think it suits a birthday as well as anniversary even a thinking of you card. Chris xx

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  13. Well, I very much like it as is. I did try and visualise it with colour. That's the nice thing about it being plain, it leaves your own imagination to do the work, and I think it is very stylish like that. I was thinking in the way of weddings too with this card. Very nice, I hope you didn't overexert your wrist too much, we want to keep seeing more cards!

    Love

    Anneke xxxx

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  14. It's a really classy card, and the style is definately suitable for so many different occasions. Really cleaver.

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  15. I know how frustrating it is when you realise it is the stamp and not you being wonky! It's a nice card :)

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  16. Thank you everyone for your feedback - I really do appreciate it. Once my wrist is able I will try this again - make a card portrait and perhaps add a little soft colour to it too.

    Catherine x

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