Distress Inks, Gesso, Flower Overload and Scorched Muslin ........

 


Sadly I didn't make it to the final round of the Swirlydoos Design Team Challenge.  Thank you all so much for your supportive comments and whilst I am disappointed I have had a blast! I have learnt or become familiar with so many different techniques which have been fun and which I know I am going to continue to use in my layouts.

I decided to play along with the final challenge, which was to create a background for the layout using mediums, misting, gesso, etc.



Firstly I used a couple of masks with a Black Staz-On ink pad (a bit old so not so dark) and then blended Distress Inks in various blues and Old Paper onto the cream cardstock. It looked a bit wishy washy so I used Distress Stains and painted them on which looked awful!  Despite spritzing with water, it still looked awful, so I decided to use it all as an experiment and covered the whole lot with gesso, put on with an old credit card.


Loved it!!  So it was back in the running!  When I spritzed it with water, it looked even better.  I just hope I can remember what I did so that I can do it again!!  I added a bit more gesso here and there, and then layered Picket Fence Distress Crackle in various places, with a palette knife and again loved the effect.



We had a sketch to follow  which included the central circle and the rest of the challenge was to include multiple photos, paper layering and distressing and clustering of embellishments.


I had made a heap of flowers at the weekend, just in case, so I was quickly able to put the layout together.



It just needed some leaves, so I decided on some muslin, died with Faded Jeans Distress Stain.  But they don't half scorch when you get impatient and dry them with the heat gun!!!  There is still quite a smell of burnt something upstairs in the house!



I really enjoyed this and will certainly be making my own background paper again (or having a go anyway!).  Not sure about multiple photographs - though it was nice to do the five of us again.  Roll on May and our next holiday together, as I am running out of photographs!

Thanks for looking.  After three glorious days here in Shetland we now have the wind and rain back ..............

Comments

Artyjen said…
That's another fabulous page....can't believe you did not make the final!!! Whatever is it? (That's a Brixham phrase meaning what the hecks wrong with them!!! HOL)
Just love that background....I so agree if only I could remember exactly how I did stuff a bit later I could save myself an awful lot of wasted time!!! lol
xoxo Sioux
Inkypinkycraft said…
Cannot believe you did not make inal, another stunning page. The background is stunning..as are those flowers trace x
Astrid Maclean said…
What a shame you did not make it, - their loss is all I can say.... will go over in a minute to check who did make it, but meanwhile, what you have done here is amazing!!! I have loved every single LO you did and this latest one is no exception. That background is amazingly beautiful, I live all the details, the soft hues and the crackle, total gorgeousness all round!!!

Cold and grey here again as well ☻
Netty said…
Am sorry to hear you didn't make it to the final as you were making great headway. Loving your latest fabulous page. Annette x
Jennie, this is a beautiful, restful page. Love the colours and the textured backgrounds. Gorgeous sunset shot, too. I've nominated you for a Liebster Award. Check out the info here: http://mytawnyinspirations.blogspot.com.au/
Have a great day, Cbeers, Di
Very sad to hear you didn't make the final - you'd've had my vote... This background paper was certainly worth persevering with - it looks absolutely beautiful!
Alison x