Entering Time

Hello Again! Thank-you for stopping by and a warm welcome to new followers.

I've made my card today with a number of challenges in mind. The challenge at Frilly and Funkie is 'There's no time to waste'. As this card is for someone who is sitting exams soon that challenge theme is very appropriate (although the young gentleman in question needs no reminder from anyone re his studies). The challenge at Vintage Udfordring is 'Use paint or gesso' - I've used both on my card. The challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show is 'Inspired By' - well someone I greatly admire is Anita at The Artful Maven Haven. She is one of the most creative people in blogland - please visit her blog for immense inspiration. Anita always signs off her blogposts "I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!". My hands sure got inky and dirty on this card so I thank Anita for her inspiration. Finally I'd like to enter card to two of my favourite challenge spots Our Creative Corner (newly revamped / 'under new management') and Fashionable Stamping Challenges who both are running 'Anything Goes' at the moment.

So without further ado, here is my card.



The base layer is a cotton handmade paper. First of all I applied embossing paste to it through a Prima 6x6 stencil ('Crackle') and left to dry overnight. I next painted the stenciled paper with Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Old Gold'. Once dry I applied a thin layer of Paper Artsy Crackle Glaze. When that was dry I again painted the sheet with Fresco Finish paint in 'Nougat'. By this stage the paper was gorgeously crackled - it's a pity that I had to cover most of it up! I dabbed the raised stenciled parts with distress inks and then some gilding wax to highlight.

Next layer up is a band of cotton paper that I aged with a wet teabag (Twinings!). On top of that is a complimentary sample of glossy card that I kindly received from Crafty Individuals. It looked much too shiny and new for this card so I diluted a little gesso with water and brushed over the card to 'age' it. I then 'aged' further with two useful stamps that I recently bought, both Kaisercraft Clear Stamps 'Crackle' and 'Distress' using Distress Inks.

The main door image is a stamp by Crafty Individuals CI-249 'Gothic Door'. I've stamped with Archival ink and embossed with Ranger Distress EP ('Vintage Photo'). Using my Tim Holtz waterbrush I coloured in the door and stone surround with various DIs. I then painted image with Inkssentials Crackle Glaze to give it a old leathery look. The door image sits atop a clock image. To make the chalky clock, I painted some CS with Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Vintage Lace', once dry a layer of Fresco Finish Crackle Glaze and finally, when dry, a layer of Fresco Finish in 'Nougat'. Next stamped the crackled CS using Brilliance Ink with another Crafty Individuals Stamp CI-354 'Clock Face'. I then diecut the clock with a circular Spellbinder die. The clock does have a lovely crackled appearance but once again I ended up covering it up!

Using Sizzix die 'Hardware Findings', I cut some grungeboard. I painted a layer of Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paint in 'Nougat', then FF crackle glaze, then FF 'Old Gold'. Next stamped all with the aforementioned Kaisercraft stamps for further aging effects. I attached with brads that I had coated with Inkssentials Crackle Glaze so as to look a bit worn. The two clocks on the right are stamped with a 7Gypsies stamp from the 'Venice' clear set using Archival and Brilliance inks. They are also 'aged' with DIs and cut to shape with a Spellbinders circular die. I've attached them via the keyhole diecut to fit with 'Time' theme.

Prior to assembling I decorated most edges with gilding wax. The metal clockhands are by Prima and the key is by Maya Road. Finished off with two little twine bows! Phew!

I thank each and every one of you who stop by - your visits and comments are truly appreciated.
Have a lovely weekend.

Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, sponsors and DTs at the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Frilly and Funkie - There's No Time To Waste
Vintage Udfording - Use Paint or Gesso
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Inspired By
Our Creative Corner - Anything Goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Anything Goes